Honorary consuls "come from the business world, have experience and ties in their markets and can open certain doors," said Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec, pointing to economic diplomacy as one of the pillars of Slovenian foreign policy.

Erjavec noted that the second meeting of honorary consuls hosted by his ministry was aimed at presenting Slovenia and its economy to the diplomats and establishing or strengthening ties with representatives of Slovenian state institutions and businesses.

"It is right to invite them to Slovenia, so that they can get to know it better, to better promote it," he stressed. While Slovenian companies are well represented in the EU, the country wants to expand its presence in other markets - and that is where honorary consuls can help.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Miro Cerar as well as several honorary consuls highlighted the recovery of the Slovenian economy, which provides new opportunities for companies.

"I see growth. Recent years were not as good as they could have been, but I see progress and I believe that Slovenia is a good place for doing business in the future," Slovenian Honorary Consul in Tel Aviv Eival Gilady told the STA.

Slovenia's location as an entry point into Europe was also highlighted at the opening of the event, which will see the 85 guests visit the port of Koper, the coastal town of Piran and the world-famous Postojna Cave and meet representatives of companies from western Slovenia on Friday.

The Slovenian economy was also promoted by the head of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) Samo Hribar Milič, who pointed to innovative industries, an excellent infrastructure and a motivated and well-educated labour force.

Also on the agenda for the consuls today are presentations of Slovenian tourism, exhaust maker Akrapovič and the ABC Accelerator business hub as well as a reception to be hosted by President Borut Pahor.