In the autumn it will host two business conferences and a business forum to enhance ties between Slovenia and Belarus, Iran and China. The events are a part of a project dubbed Invest in Maribor - Welcome to Slovenia.

Mayor Andrej Fištravec said at today's press conference that the problem of most business ideas in Maribor was lack of money for their realisation.

He noted that there were limitations to municipality financing, which was why the city has decided to help by connecting businessmen and entrepreneurs with potential investors, including by launching a web site, where business ideas can be presented.

The municipality is also counting on support from relevant ministries and government agencies.

"Our wish is to enable direct contact to investors so they can get acquainted with business opportunities," Fištravec said.

The first of the three business events planned will be held between 23 and 25 September featuring Belarus business executives.

The activities of the municipality were welcomed today by the regional Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business. Its head Aleš Pulko stressed the need for cooperation on the national level, given the size of the Belarus, Chinese and Iranian markets.

Belarus's interest for cooperation was confirmed by the official Belarus representative of the Slovenian centre for international cooperation and development, Davlat Yusupov.

He stressed that by cooperating with Belarus, companies enter a 180-million market, encompassing not only Belarus, but its entire custom-free zone including Russia, Kazakhstan, Kirghiz and Armenia.

"Belarus is one of the fastest growing economies, which needs numerous high-tech solutions and that is what the Slovenian economy is offering," Yusupov said, pointing to potential for cooperation in car industry, IT, tourism and agriculture.