Slovenian-Chinese Business Council holds inaugural meeting

Slovenian-Chinese Business Council held its inaugural meeting at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS) here on Monday. The new organization's aim is to strengthen bilateral cooperation and boost business, the GZS said in a press release on Tuesday.

The council has over 30 founding members.

"Slovenian companies need to cooperate with the world," said GZS director general Sonja Smuc. Their involvement in international business is crucial for creating added value, so the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia welcomes the establishment of the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council, especially given the fact that China is Slovenia's largest partner in Asia."

Ajda Cuderman, state secretary at the Slovenian Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, said that her government supported businesses wanting to cooperate with China. She said that new market niches must be found to increase Slovenia's exports to China and Slovenia's achievements in high-tech development, biotechnology, automotive industry, new materials and alternative energy sources must be highlighted.

Chinese Ambassador to Slovenia Wang Shunqing said that the Slovenian-Chinese Business Council will promote the development of economic and trade relations, strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Wang spoke highly of the two countries' cooperation in fighting COVID-19, adding that he had confidence in continuing cooperation in the post-pandemic era. Wang emphasized that China and Slovenia should jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system and oppose unilateralism and protectionism.

The newly elected president of the council, Ziga Vavpotic, said he wanted to "build a bridge between east and west, economy and politics, and expectations and opportunities."