Economic diplomacy in the field of supporting the internationalisation Slovenian small and medium-sized enterprises

Abstract

The article distinguishes between economic, commercial and financial diplomacy. The Slovenian economy is small but fast growing and export-oriented economy. Economic diplomacy, focused in this article, helps Slovenian Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to plan the entering new markets, to enter and/or upon regular business on new markets. Internationalisation enables SMEs to grow and compete, but SMEs need an effective supportive environment to achieve them. In Slovenia these are the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology in close cooperation with other ministries, SPIRIT Slovenia - Public Agency for Entrepreneurship, Internationalisation, Foreign Investments and Technology, Slovene Enterprise Fund, Slovenian Export and Development Bank, Ministry of Foreign Affairs with diplomatic missions, economic counsellors and honorary consuls of the Republic of Slovenia abroad, Slovenian business clubs operating abroad, Enterprise Europe Network, Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, other chambers and other institutions. The article focuses on the description of the Slovenian economy, Slovenian economic diplomacy and the institutions that deal with it.