Berger, the CEO of S&T Slovenija who was appointed AmCham Slovenia president for a two-year term at the beginning of the month, said he would strive to strengthen the ties with businesses, state and the civil society, as this was the only way to improve business environment in the country.

He stressed the importance of safety in the broadest sense, noting that new ideas and an economic breakthrough were possible only in a safe environment.

Asked to comment on the current economic policy of the US, he said the chamber did not interfere into politics. "Its purpose is primarily to create ideas and generate an environment, where it is possible to cooperate and come up with good solutions and thus strengthen the economy."

This was also highlighted by Ajša Vodnik, AmCham Slovenia executive director and vice chair of AmChams in Europe. "We are very much advocating for free trade. Since both AmChams in individual countries and AmChams in Europe as the umbrella organisation are apolitical, we never criticize specific policies but we do try to present our proposals through constructive criticism."

She believes political debates alone will not lead to the positive changes needed. The civil society and science in particular must also get involved, she stressed.

AmCham Slovenija in cooperation with the SPIRIT investment promotion agency and several partners will host the fifth investment and development conference Business Bridge next week, which is to be attended by business executives, investors, state officials and the diplomatic corps.

The two-day conference will discuss the challenges of running a family business and the strategies, guidelines, trends and approaches of investors in the selection of investment goals.

Officials will also discuss cooperation between local and global companies, between corporations and start-ups, and strategies for entering the global market.

Among the attendants will be Prime Minister Marjan Šarec, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, US Ambassador Lynda C. Blanchard, Rothschild managing director Arielle Malard de Rothschild and general manager of Weiler Corporation Chris Weiler.