Slovenian Day at the Expo 2015 exhibition in Milan started on Friday with the address by PM Miro Cerar, who said that Slovenia's ambitious and daring presentation at the exhibition promoted the country's natural assets and environmental efforts.
Slovenia is being presented at Expo as an active, green and healthy country, which is mirrored by the country's pavilion, made of natural materials.
Slovenia is striving for quality food to be available to everyone, Cerar said, highlighting challenges such as global population growth, unhealthy diet, inefficient use of food and natural resources, and climate change.
These are global challenges, which countries cannot address on their own, he said. According to Cerar, Expo's slogan "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life" sends a clear message that everything in the world is connected and that people are dependant on nature.
He also underlined the importance of contribution by each individual.
Cerar also highlighted the "excellent" political, economic and cultural cooperation between Slovenia and the host of this year's Expo, Italy.
"Slovenia values neighbourly and friendly relations with Italy, our important partner; business cooperation in particular is intense and diverse," Cerar said.
After the opening ceremony, the Slovenian delegation, which also includes Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, visited the Slovenian pavilion.
The pavilion, which is visited by some 4,000 people each day, presents five themes: salt pans, bees, thermal and mineral waters, active lifestyle and green technologies.
Počivalšek told the STA he was happy that over 600 Slovenian companies had taken part in the exhibition in some way. "I believe our pavilion at Expo is promoting the country, strengthening the brand I feel Slovenia, promoting our products and building up Slovenia's image in Italy and wider," he said.
Business representatives who know what they want to achieve at Expo have plenty of opportunities for networking, according to him. "I don't expect contracts to be signed at Expo. But I do expect contacts to be set up which will later be upgraded with contracts and concrete deals," he stated.
The minister expects Slovenia to further step up efforts to attract as many tourists as possible in the coming summer months, when most visitors are expected at Expo.
Slovenia's top skier Tina Maze, who is Slovenia's ambassador at Expo along with football player Samir Handanović, is also attending Slovenian Day.
Among Slovenia's main assets, Maze highlighted wood, top athletes, natural resources and the country's small size, which allows it to adapt quickly.
Cerar said Slovenia's pavilion mirrored its commitment to modern and innovative approaches in all areas. He assessed the country's presentation at Expo had a very good concept, especially given the financial input.
Slovenian Day is the highlight of the country's six-month presentation at Expo, aimed at promoting the country's features and fostering new business ties.
The programme in front of the Slovenian pavilion will include all-day dance, singing and acrobatic performances and a cooking show, and culminate in a concert by the world-renowned Slovenian a cappella choir Perpetuum Jazzile in the evening.
Source: The Slovenia Times
