Survey shows decline in Slovene exports to Russia
Ljubljana, 16 December: Slovenia's trade with Russia is problematic because the exports mostly fall into three
categories of products and because of the absence of small and medium-sized companies on the Russian market, a survey
shows.
The bulk of the exports are medicines, telecommunications and coatings, which are manufactured by big companies:
Krka, Lek, Iskratel and Helios. What is more, the export of these goods has declined over the past two years, according
to a survey released Tuesday [16 December] by the Centre for International Competitiveness (CIC).
"The Strategy of Slovene Companies' Penetration of the Russian Market", as the survey is dubbed,
underscores that exports should be boosted by means of new products and services.
The study, which was commissioned by the Economy Ministry and the Chamber of Commerce (GZS), indicates that Slovene
companies have a lot of experience with the Russian market. The experience has shown that a tenacious and well-organized
approach is required to enter the Russian market, and that it is necessary to ensure a continual and long-term presence
there. [Passage omitted]
Almost one half of the companies polled in the survey are very interested in doing business in Russia, and most of
the same companies have had positive experience doing business on the markets of Central and Eastern Europe. However,
the majority of these do not operate on the Russian market yet.
Although highly motivated, more than half of the companies questioned do not think their strategies for exports to
the Russian market are good. [Passage omitted]
Slovenia's exports [to Russia] amounted to 246.2m euros and imports to 230.1m euros in the year to September.
The strategic goal is to increase the amount of bilateral trade to 860m euros a year in 2006.
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