The statement For Slovenia 5.0 was signed on the sidelines of the GZS business summit by GZS president Boštjan Gorjup, the economy and education ministers, Zdravko Počivalšek and Jernej Pikalo, Ljubljana University Chancellor Igor Papič and Chemistry Institute director Gregor Anderluh.

Gorjup said on the occasion that the chamber wanted to show that businesses could take a look forward and that it wanted to see the list of signatories grow.

Počivalšek said that he wanted politicians and business executives to "address challenges together and not being on the opposite banks," adding that economic growth could be maintained only with a development-oriented mindset.

The minister noted that his ministry had earmarked for the 2014-2020 period EUR 887 million for measures supporting development of companies.

He believes that the Slovenian economy is in good shape and that it would be able to respond appropriately to possible impact from abroad.

The signatories of the statement see Slovenia in the future a a successful, knowledge- and added value-based society where artificial intelligence and the latest scientific achievements are used creatively to improve the social and economic development.

Each stakeholder will take measures in its own field, with representatives of businesses announcing increased investments in development and innovation, in modernisation of processes and environmental care.

The government says that it will provide extensive long-term investments in science, research and development and to act transparently and cut red tape to enable research institutions and companies to operate more efficiently and transfer know-how.

The science sector will enhance basic research and ties with companies in applied research, and will develop staff which will be responsible for further development of Slovenia.