The debate, which focused on banks and the food industry, saw a much stronger presence of French representatives, with Pahor regretting the last-minute cancellation by around half of the Slovenian companies expected in Paris.

Present on the Slovenian side were representatives of the Automotive Cluster (ACS), sports goods maker Elan, civil engineering company Riko and pre-fabricated constructions panels maker Trimo, while Alstom, BNP Paribas, Lactalis, Lafarge, Societe Generale, and Totale are only a few names from the list of French participants, many of which were banks.

Pierre Verzat of the biggest association of French employers, MEDEF, which hosted the breakfast, thanked Pahor for a clear presentation of the situation in Slovenia and his explanation on how French companies can contribute to fixing the Slovenian banking sector and economy.

Verzat stressed that the French wish clear rules and safe investments without risk, while revealing that the debates on the banking and food sectors had been particularly lively.

According to Pahor, French companies generally have good experience with Slovenia and the few individual cases of disappointment will serve as a warning for Slovenia in the future.

He assured the business representatives that actions would be taken and that regulation was already being drawn up to secure zero tolerance for corruption.

Verzat stressed that the French business representatives were happy with Pahor's support.

Apart from banks and the food industry, much interest was also expressed by French companies for the field of energy in Slovenia, including the country's sole N-plant in Krško.

Over the last few weeks, French companies were also unofficially said to be interested in the biggest Slovenian retailer Mercator and energy and fuel retailer Petrol.