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Slovenia is among the most successful of the countries in
transition from socialism to a market economy. It boasts a stable
growth in GDP and is viewed as a safe country, ranked among the
countries with the lowest degree of risk. Since its independence
Slovenia has privatised its economy, stabilised inflation and wage
growth, halted rising unemployment, strengthened its currency, relaxed
the flow of capital and modernised its taxation system.
On 1 May 2004, Slovenia became a member of the European Union.
On 28 June 2004, Slovenia entered the Exchange Rate Mechanism
ERM2; Slovenia changed over to the common European currency euro on 1
January 2007.
Throughout its history Slovenia has always been a part of larger
countries or even great empires. The country saw many changes in its
economic system - from the mainly agricultural and artisanal period of
the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the slightly more industrialised
Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, the socialist state-centered
industrialisation of the former SFRY, to today's independent Slovenia,
directed towards development and a market economy.
At the time of its independence in 1991, Slovenia was the
wealthiest and most open Yugoslav Republic. Although Slovenes
represented only 8% of the Yugoslav population, Slovenia exported
almost one-third of all goods exported from Yugoslavia.
After gaining independence, Slovenia managed to overcome the loss
of the markets in the former Yugoslavia in a short period of time, as
its trade flows were redirected towards the EU and the associated
partners.
In the economic sphere, Slovenia's level of development is quickly
catching up with that of the EU. Its major trade partners are Germany,
Italy, Croatia, Austria and France.
On-line periodicals covering business, economy, finance, politics
Economic Mirror/IMAD
Provides standardized macroeconomic analyses, estimates and forecasts.
Slovenia Business Week
An electronic business weekly with current news on a variety of
topics concerning Slovenian economy and business.
Slovenia News
Covers news on politics, commerce, culture, science and
sport.
Some examples of SQ (Slovenian Quality), lately recognised in the
world as special achievements
Ultra light
aircraft made by the company Pipistrel are an example of one
such product that has gained worldwide acclaim - so much so that the
Pipistrel trademark is better known in other countries than in
Slovenia.
Akrapovič high-end exhaust systems
This small company in Ivančna Gorica is today the No. 1 maker of
high-end exhaust systems in the world, equipping racing bikes for the
leading Japanese makers, as well as Europe's Aprillia, KTM and Ducati.
Elan
One of the most profitable manufacturers of winter-sports
equipment, snowboards and yachts.
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