Possibilities for intensifying economic cooperation between Macedonia and Slovenia are in the focus of Wednesday's business forum, attended by countries' Presidents Gjorge Ivanov and Danilo Turk respectively, MIA reports from Brdo pri Kranju.

The forum, which brings together businessmen from about 140 Macedonian and Slovenian companies, is expected to establish direct contacts for business cooperation, review potentials for joint promotion at third markets, along with possibilities for attraction of Slovenian tourists to Macedonia.

Presidents Ivanov and Turk see the business forum as an excellent opportunity for enhancement of business contacts between the two countries, as well as continuation of specific business projects. They assess the possibilities for bilateral economic cooperation have not been exhausted yet, with potentials of the Macedonian and Slovenian markets to be increasingly used in the coming period.

"Intensification of bilateral economic cooperation, especially in the field of commercial exchange, is of crucial significance for both countries", stressed President Ivanov, voicing hope that commercial imbalance between import and export would reduce in the future, i.e. Macedonia's continual trading deficit.

Vice Premier for Economic Affairs Vladimir Pesevski said the Macedonian deficit should be reduced through increased Slovenian investments, as well as enhanced export of Macedonian products at the Slovenian market.

Agency for Foreign Investments director Viktor Mizo said the institution would focus on foreign investments, but also on increase of Macedonian export in Slovenia.

Majority of Slovenian investments in Macedonia have come in the banking sector, food and tobacco industry, as well as the service sector.

Slovenia has expressed readiness to assist Macedonia, through expert assistance, in using means from EU's pre-accession funds. President Ivanov and Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor agreed yesterday on the establishment of a Brussels-based expert team, which would provide assistance to Macedonia in utilizing these funds.

President Ivanov wrapped up the two-day visit by meeting representatives of the Macedonian community in Slovenia.

In the course of the visit, a protocol for cooperation in the education field was signed, enabling Macedonian students to get scholarships at Slovenian universities and vice versa.