Bringing together more than 100 professionals with expert knowledge and professional backgrounds, the American Chamber of Commerce — AmCham Slovenia — has seven specialized committees working on policy areas related to these issues, including labor markets, tax and finance, public procurement, intellectual property, social corporate responsibility, transparency and environmental and spatial planning.

Utilizing their own expertise as well as feedback from potential investors and from companies already present in Slovenia, each committee prepared a position paper with constructive, concrete proposals on how to improve the business environment.

AmCham Slovenia and the U. S. Embassy has shared their ideas with the prime minister in a special letter.

Proposals can be briefly summarized as follows:

· Foreign Direct Investment, or FDI, should be a key engine for growth.

Current obstacles- such as high taxation, labor market inflexibility, lack of transparency, excessive bureaucracy and an inefficient legal system.

Taxation- Lower income taxes and social contributions would increase Slovenia’s competitiveness, including in comparison to other EU countries.

· Labor Law- One of Slovenia’s greatest strengths lies in its high-quality workforce; yet high labor costs and relative labor market rigidity inhibit investment.

Current labor market regulation is, in our opinion, insufficient as it does not enable companies to respond to economic conditions in a timely manner nor provide flexibility for the efficient movement of employees between jobs and employers.

Faster Privatization- The lack of privatization inhibits FDI and degrades Slovenia’s long-term competitiveness in the global economy.

Already skeptical from their negative experience in trying to attract FDI and with Slovenia’s often non-transparent procedures, potential investors need strong, tangible evidence that Slovenia is offering genuine opportunities. Quick victories – not more red tape – are now needed.

Proper Corporate Governance-An important aspect of good corporate governance is also the appointment of professional managers on the basis of knowledge, past success stories and experience.

The current climate of what appears to be politically-influenced nominations and appointments reduces the credibility and motivation.

Reducing Business Environment Risk-Instability in the business environment increases risk and the cost of doing business in Slovenia for everyone.

Simplified Investment Incentives-When compared to other European countries, access and availability of government incentives in Slovenia is limited, difficult to obtain, and nontransparent.

Procedures-Unfavorable and time-consuming administrative procedures for land acquisition, spatial permits and other bureaucratic procedures related to foreign employees in Slovenia discourage potential investments even further.

Public Procurement- Public procurement is a complex process which must balance demands for efficiency, transparency and competitiveness

Using the lowest price as the only criteria is not a solution, as it can be misleading and non-conforming with innovative opportunities.

Outdated concept of »national interest« – Slovenia has some excellent examples of companies with foreign ownership who contribute to the Slovenian business climate with excellent corporate governance, stable employment and corporate social responsibility.