It said the sentiment level reached 8 points, up by one point from the previous month and by 2.8 points since November last year. In May 2008 the indicator reached 8.6 points.

"I expect the sentiment could improve further in December, particularly due to higher domestic spending," Marko Rozman, head of investment at the treasury department of Dezelna Banka, told Reuters.

"In general the sentiment is rising due to higher investments, exports and domestic spending, and I believe it could continue rising in the months to come as there is plenty of money available," he added.

Slovenia narrowly avoided an international bailout for its banks in 2013 but returned to growth in 2014 and expects its economy to expand by 2.9 percent in 2017, up from 2.3 percent this year.

The statistics office said 94 percent of Slovenian companies invested this year, with their investments up by 16 percent on average compared to 2015.

It also said manufacturing firms expect higher production and export demand in the coming three months, while retailers see higher sales and an increase in sale prices.

Consumers' optimism increased regarding available jobs, the state of economy and the financial position of households, the office added.

Reuters