7

Wang hopes a few landmark projects can be agreed on as soon as possible.

The head of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GZS) Samo Hribar Milič said he was excited about the interest shown in this platform for cooperation, but noted that a lot of work lies ahead.

"I'm convinced that today's introductory talks will be followed by further, in-depth meetings that will contribute to new business ties," said Hribar Milič, who sees opportunities in a number of sectors.

He listed the metal industry, manufacturing, energy, green technology, IT, tourism and the agro food sector. While around 30 Slovenian companies are already present in China, it is Slovenia's task to secure more support for its business there, he added.

Hribar Milič highlighted among Slovenia's qualities its favourable location - a market of 150 million people within 600 kilometres around Ljubljana - and a well developed infrastructure, singling out the Luka Koper port.

President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Jiang Zengwei noted that more and more Chinese companies were starting to pay attention to Slovenia.

He pointed to opportunities in hi-tech, infrastructure, agriculture and tourism and expressed hope the Chinese business representatives would make good use of today's meeting.

Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister Dejan Židan, Vice Premier Wang's host, pointed out growth was being restored in Slovenia and to government efforts to boost foreign direct investment.

Among Slovenia's advantages, the minister highlighted its highly educated workforce and a favourable corporate income tax rate, the second lowest among OECD members.

Opportunities for cooperation range from logistics, banking, gaming, real estate, business services, tourism, agriculture, wood processing, energy and construction equipment.

The minister put a special emphasis on tourism, announcing "Slovenia wishes to organise next year the second high-level meeting between China and central and eastern European countries in the field of tourism". "I'm happy about the agreement that China supports us in this endeavour."

What is more, Slovenia will organise together with China in May 2015 an event on sustainable forest management, an area where Slovenia has a wealth of experience.

Vice Premier Wang pointed out he had picked Slovenia as one of his stops during what is his first trip to European countries in the capacity of vice premier in charge of foreign economic relations and trade.

"Slovenia is not big in size or population but it has a powerful economic competitiveness and political influence, within the EU, the OECD, the UN...and is playing an increasingly important role."

He noted that trade between the two countries grew by 8% in the first nine months of this year, while China's overall trade grew by only about 2% in the same period.

Investment is also picking up and Wang said China "encourages competitive companies to invest in Slovenia and participate in the privatisation process of Slovenian state enterprises".

"We support companies in different forms, including PPP and BOT to participate in Slovenia's infrastructure development, in its ports, railways and energy. Chinese financing institutions are ready to discuss flexible ways of loan guarantees and financing with the Slovenian side."

He hopes that the companies from the two countries "will connect with each other as quickly as possible so as to agree on a few landmark projects".

The address at the business forum wrapped up the formal part of Wang's two-day visit to Slovenia, during which he met all of the country's top officials on Thursday.

The Chinese delegation also made calls on key infrastructure companies, including the Port of Koper and rail operator Slovenske železnice, after singling out infrastructure as a primary area of interest.

Port operator Luka Koper said it handles only about 100,000 containers originating from China per year, which is little considering the volume of China's exports.

The company described Thursday's meeting as "an opportunity for promotion and change of logistics flows from North Europe to the Adriatic."

The Chinese, for their part, are interested in investment, as executives of China Railway Construction Corporation Limited quizzed the port officials about future investments in port infrastructure.

At Slovenske železnice Chinese executives expressed interest in cooperation with the rail construction arm of the company, in Slovenia as well as more broadly in the Balkans.

Railway boss Dušan Mes described the meeting in a press release as "very productive" in that China sees great potential in infrastructure projects.