Managing director at the International Insurance Consortium Jacob Westerlaken assessed that one of the factors that somewhat hindered the entry of Dutch companies to Slovenia was excessive attention to detail.

Taking a look from a wider perspective would prevent many misunderstandings in communication between companies and between the state and companies, Westerlaken told the STA on the sidelines of the panel hosted in Ljubljana by the Slovenian-Dutch Business Platform and the Dutch Embassy in Slovenia.

Westerlaken would like to see more flexible working hours in Slovenia, as working between 6 AM and 2 PM can hardly be a recipe for success. Foreign markets start their work when some Slovenian companies end it, he assessed.

Pivovarna Laško financial director Martin P. Hayes meanwhile pointed to the judicial system, which Dutch companies and all other foreign companies believe could be quicker and more transparent, according to him.

Unlike Westerlaken, Hayes assessed administrative procedures as complicated, but not to the extent which would drive away foreign companies. You should not necessarily reduce the number of procedures, it is enough to facilitate them, he said.

According to Hayes, Heineken is very satisfied with its investment in the Pivovarna Laško group and will continue to expand the range of products in order to increase market share and secure further growth.

He called for lower excise duties for alcohol in Slovenia, which according to him are among the highest in the EU. Companies would boost their sales, which would increase budget revenues through taxes, Hayes explained.

Dutch Ambassador Bart Twaalfhoven said that Slovenia had an excellent geo-strategic position, which it should take advantage of. He believes that Slovenia as a state should open more to companies which want to invest there.

Andrej Lasič of the NLB bank said that what the Slovenian business environment should adopt from the Netherlands are "long-term perspective, stability and long-term strategic partnership".

NLB can meanwhile offer a strategic partnership in the region to Dutch companies who are interested in investing in Slovenia, he added.