Economy Minister Andrej Vizjak, who is visiting Beijing with a business delegation, discussed with Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming the untapped potential for trade between Slovenia and China and future investment possibilities, Vizjak said on Monday.
"Last year bilateral trade increased by 40% compared to 2006, while this year it will exceed US $1bn," Vizjak said, adding that the talks also touched on potential relations in tourism, logistics and automobile industry.
The talks included the new WHO trade agreement. According to Vizjak, Slovenia and China both support free trade and respect of intellectual property.
"On the other hand, we want an agreement which does not privilege farm products, but is balanced with the non-farm portion of the accord and with service," Vizjak said.
The ministers stressed that the upcoming new trade agreement between the EU and China, which is to enter third round of talks in September, would be an important step forward.
Vizjak also expressed his satisfaction that the Slovenian Port of Koper and Tinajin, China's fourth biggest port, agreed today to sign an memorandum of understanding.
China presented to Vizjak its energy development and reform plans, which he commended for its measures to increase energy efficiency.
The Slovenian Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investment (JAPTI) signed on Friday a cooperation agreement with foreign investment office in Shanghai ahead of a business conference attended by Chinese and Slovenian businessmen based in Shanghai.
More articles from this issue:
Archive
|