Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas B. ROBERTSON embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana mailing address: American Embassy Ljubljana, US Department of State, 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140 telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500 FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555
Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, with
the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's
highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center;
beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and
above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted
triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of
Celje, the great Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early
15th centuries); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the
flag centered in the white and blue bands
Economy Slovenia
Economy - overview:
With a GDP per capita substantially greater than the other
transitioning economies of Central Europe, Slovenia is a model of
economic success and stability for its neighbors in the former
Yugoslavia. The country, which joined the EU in 2004 and joined the
eurozone on 1 January 2007, has excellent infrastructure, a
well-educated work force, and an excellent central location.
Privatization of the economy proceeded at an accelerated pace in
2002-05. Despite lackluster performance in Europe in 2001-05,
Slovenia maintained moderate growth. Structural reforms to improve
the business environment have allowed for greater foreign
participation in Slovenia's economy and have helped to lower
unemployment. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition
country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the
World Bank. Despite its economic success, Slovenia faces growing
challenges. Much of the economy remains in state hands and foreign
direct investment (FDI) in Slovenia is one of the lowest in the EU
on a per capita basis. Taxes are relatively high, the labor market
is often seen as inflexible, and legacy industries are losing sales
to more competitive firms in China, India, and elsewhere. The
current center-right government, elected in October 2004, has
pledged to accelerate privatization of a number of large state
holdings and is interested in increasing FDI in Slovenia. In late
2005, the government's new Committee for Economic Reforms was
elevated to cabinet-level status. The Committee's program includes
plans for lowering the tax burden, privatizing state-controlled
firms, improving the flexibility of the labor market, and increasing
the government's efficiency.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$46.08 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$37.64 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
4.4% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$22,900 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 34.7% services: 62.9% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 914,000 (2006 est.)