The Slovenian SMEs sector is expected to recover to pre-crisis levels this year, the crisis has however left long-term negative effects on employment, the report, which was published on Tuesday, says.

Between 2008 and 2010 the number of people employed in SMEs decreased by 0.5%, while the total added value produced was down 7.3%.

Slovenian SMEs contribute more to added value (63%) than is average in the EU (58.4%), but account for a lower share of commercial jobs - 64.2% compared to an EU average of "more than two thirds".

Forecasts for Slovenia for 2011 show that the number of SMEs is to increase by 0.1% and the gross added value by 2.9%. On the other hand, employment is to decrease by 1.5%.

The European Commission published the report as part of European SME Week, under way from 3 to 9 October.