"It is very good that the growth came about as a result of a good performance by exporters and industry, which means that it is tangible growth. It means that Slovenians are back to work and that the growth is not based on financial products," Zalaznik added on the sidelines of Managers' Congress 2015 in Portorož.

The association, which is hosting the annual congress, is praising the government for calming political passions and for striving to strengthen competitiveness and growth in the coming year. It nonetheless stresses that income taxes are substantially too high.

"We would wish for people in Slovenia to have higher net pay, but business cannot handle an increase in wages. The only path is finding a way to lower taxes," Zalaznik said, arguing this would boost consumption and investment and lead to higher budget revenue.

The association moreover expects from the government to continue with privatisation and "with economic diplomacy". It feels the government is doing a good job with the latter, Zalaznik said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of household appliances maker Gorenje, Franjo Bobinac, who chairs the programme committee of the Portorož congress, stressed that it was vital for Slovenia that it was included in international goods flows, since its domestic market was too small.

The two-day Managers' Congress 2015, which will end on Friday, is being attended by more than 250 managers. Each year the manager of the year is declared at the event. This year it is Matjaž Merkan, the boss of the Maribor-based maker of abrasive products Swatycomet.