The network of Slovenian business clubs operating abroad is expanding and already covers virtually the whole world, including distant markets such as South America and Africa. This is good news for Slovenian companies interested in foreign markets.

The clubs' strong support and proactive role is especially important in the current challenging economic situation, director of the Spirit investment promotion agency Rok Capl said at a meeting of the Slovenian clubs held on the sidelines of the the Nordic World Ski Championships in Kranjska Gora on 24 February.

Saša Leban, who is in charge of business affairs at the Prime Minister's Office, said Slovenian clubs offered good support to Slovenian businesses abroad. "With the support of Spirit, they are becoming better known, more proactive, and important in the countries where they operate so they can be very helpful to Slovenian companies."

Representatives of 17 business clubs presented their projects and opportunities on the markets where they operate. They stressed that companies should prepare well for entry into a new market and should not underestimate the costs of the entry.

The meeting concluded with one-on-one talks between companies and clubs from Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Croatia, Italy, Canada, Kosovo, Nigeria, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Serbia, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Zambia and the US.

Spirit Slovenija has been providing funding to business clubs since 2008. This year, it has allocated EUR 450,000 for this purpose with a call for applications still open. Last year, the agency distributed EUR 450,000 among 15 business clubs.