mber of:
CE, CEI, CSCE, EBRD, ECE, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ILO, IOM (observer), UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Ernest PETRIC
chancery:
(temporary) 1300 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
(202) 828-1650
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador E. Allen WENDT
embassy:
P.O. Box 254; Cankarjeva 11, 61000 Ljubljana
mailing address:
APO AE 09862
telephone:
[38] (61) 301-427/472
FAX:
[38] (61) 301-401
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red with the
Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav in white against a blue
background at the center, beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas
and rivers, and around it, there are three six-sided stars arranged in an
inverted triangle); the seal is located in the upper hoist side of the flag
centered in the white and blue bands

*Slovenia, Economy

Overview:
Slovenia was by far the most prosperous of the former Yugoslav republics,
with a per capita income more than twice the Yugoslav average, indeed not
far below the levels in neighboring Austria and Italy. Because of its strong
ties to Western Europe and the small scale of damage during its fight for
independence from Yugoslavia, Slovenia has the brightest prospects among the
former Yugoslav republics for economic recovery over the next few years. The
dissolution of Yugoslavia, however, has led to severe short-term
dislocations in production, employment, and trade ties. For example, overall
industrial production fell 10% in 1991; particularly hard hit were the iron
and steel, machine-building, chemical, and textile industries. Meanwhile,
the continued fighting in other former Yugoslavian republics has led to
further destruction of long-established trade channels and to an influx of
tens of thousands of Croatian and Bosnian refugees. The key program for
breaking up and privatizing major industrial firms was established in late
1992. Bright spots for encouraging Western investors are Slovenia's
comparatively well-educated work force, its developed infrastructure, and
its Western business attitudes, but instability in Croatia is a deterrent.
Slovenia in absolute terms is a small economy, and a little Western
investment would go a long way.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $21 billion (1991 est.)