Organised by The Slovenia Times newspaper in cooperation with the Ljubljana Faculty of Economics, the conference in Ljubljana will be opened by Slovenia Times boss Brane Krajnik and faculty dean Dušan Mramor.

It will feature nine panels featuring over 35 prominent speakers from corporate, research and government institutions, as well as experts and executives from abroad.

Today's speakers will include Economy Minister Radovan Žerjav and Executive Vice President Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) Ren Hongbin, who will among other things discuss the changing global conditions, Slovenia's opportunities for internationalisation and the Chinese view on Slovenia's development.

The day will conclude with a reception at the Ljubljana Castle and the 2012 Foreign Investor of the Year ceremony.

Day two of the conference will focus on global challenges, the developmental concept of energy efficiency and foreign capital. Finance Minister Janez Šušteršič is also expected to present measures for stabilising the financial system over the coming months.

The conference will come to an end with a panel discussion entitled "Why Slovenia has No Choice but to Open its Doors to Foreign Direct Investment, Knowledge and New Ideas." Keynote speakers are President Danilo Türk and his rivals in upcoming presidential election and Borut Pahor.