Zadeva: Govor na Srečanju Kompetenčnih centrov s predstavniki tujih veleposlaništev, Idrija 24.5.2013
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, spoštovane gospe in gospodje.
I am very pleased to welcome you on behalf of the Ministry of the Economic development and Technology, Government of Slovenia and on my behalf in this splendid environment of KendaManorin Idrija.
You probably heard that here in Idrija in the second half of the 18th Century was operating the world second largest Mercury mine. It ran nearly five hundred years, witnessing the skills, craftsmanship and knowledge present in Slovenia. The miners and wise representatives of city established alsogymnasium as the first in Slovenia. In the gymnasium taught the bestavailable teachers,many of them doctors of science, that after the establishment of Ljubljana University move there. Probably you also do not know, that Idrija is the only Slovenian city that have sister city in USA, namely New Idria in California, where also for a number of years operated Mercury mine.
Maybe you are asking yourself why I started my speech with history story. The rationale behind that story is, that for excellence and good performance does not matter how big or small you are. This is especially true in the new interconnected world, where the greatest importance is to be able to identify and coordinate different teams, groups and knowledge together into successful products and services.
I am convinced that also the decision of the government to support the Centres of Excellence, Centres of Competence and Regional development centres was the right one. All three mechanisms bring together the best teams from science, the most entrepreneurial companies and the most innovative researchers from industries.
In the difficult financial situation in whichSlovenia and many EU countries are, is so much more important to carry out a thorough reflection about what we would like to achieve, where we would you like to come and what changes are needed in order to achieve the new goals. Research and innovation strategy of Slovenia and a new Slovenian industrial policy provide the guidelines and describe clear goals.
When we a bit more than twenty years ago founded our own country, the GDP per capita amounted to 60% of the EU average, today we have progressed to almost 90 per cent. Great progress! Nevertheless, in the harsh conditions of increasingly difficult to maintain the social state, because in the budgets we have practically no more room for manoeuvre. The basic social agreement on a democratic country, which 20 years ago was sufficient, are now among the nearly two hundred formally similar countries is no longer enough.
The world has changed greatly since then. Now it is important not only to be democratic, but in a tighter conditions of globalization that is causing extremely large environmental, energy and demographic challenges, it is also important how good we are compared to the best.
Democracy is the essential foundation for creativity, but it must now also be linked to the efficiency and cost effectiveness. For the politics it is therefore necessary to lead and transform Slovenia in the direction of even more competitive country capable and responsive administration, with a highly competitive economy with significantly higher value added per employee, and appropriate social mechanisms to help those who need help. Each of these segments has its own scope and contribution to the common goal.
In Slovenia always lived hardworking and creative people, and to them it is necessary to place a bet to achieve the necessary changes for better future.
I am convinced that you will be amazed by today`s presentations of Centres of Competence.
For the conclusion I would like to ask foreign diplomats to help Slovenia in our efforts to be part of global knowledge and trade chain, also by promoting our country, products and services in your home countries.
Thank you for your attention.
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