The Celje Fair: Forging business ties and searching for ways out of the crisis

A record number of exhibitors

13. september 2016 ob 11.54 • Celje - MMC RTV SLO

Numerous craftsmen and businessmen will be searching for ways out of the crisis at the Celje Fair. Foto: BoBo

The 49th Celje International Trade and Business Fair (MOS) opens its doors today. Presented at the fair will be more than 1.500 exhibitors from 35 countries. Organizers are also preparing a number of accompanying events and roundtable discussions.

The record number of foreign exhibitors - this year also from China - and the return of a number of domestic companies confirm that the economic crisis is easing, is what the fair's executive director Robert Otorepec said while talking to Radio Slovenia's Miran Korošec. "The industries which are more prosperous attract more visitors. Those still facing difficulties attract less attention – like for example companies from the construction sector. But in recent years there has been considerably more interest for companies from other areas as well."

The biggest joint presentation will be held by China. Apart from China also presented will be Croatia, India, Taiwan, Venezuela, as well as Canada and Great Britain. Ukraine will also present itself for the first time.

An important forging of ties
A number of Slovenian craftsmen and businessmen will still be looking for ways out of the crisis, says Branko Meh, the head of the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Businesses. "It is especially important that our craftsmen meet partners from the same field coming from both Slovenia and abroad, that they forge ties and make deals," stressed Meh. The aim of the numerous inter-chamber and international meetings, as well as Friday's traditional Economic Diplomacy Day, will be to open new markets.

Expecting better conditions
Slovenia's craftsmen and small businesses, which employ around 230.000 people - or half of the entire workforce in the country's economy - also expect some effects from their meetings with government representatives, to be held on Sunday. Branko Meh highlighted some of their problems: "The new work code, the apprenticeship programs, and the tax reform which is not to the advantage of crafts or businesses. We want nothing else than better conditions in the small open economy, so that we can more easily employ people and develop our companies. Our wish is that the government comes to understand this."

For the first time this year the Ministry of Economy will also have a comprehensive presentation of itself at the Celje Fair. It will be organizing discussions with successful Slovenian businesses on a daily basis. It will also be presenting examples of good practices when venturing onto new markets with the help of the state. The Ministry of Economy will also have its own stand, which will be visited today by PM Miro Cerar.