Bulgarian export to Slovenia contracted by 65 per cent in 2009, according to figures of the Bulgarian-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce.

From an approximate value of 137 million euro in 2008, it shrank to some 48 million euro last year.

To take one traditional export commodity, export of petrochemical oils contracted by 87 per cent to 8.3 million euro in 2009 - from over 1 billion euro in 2008.

Diverging from the general downward trend, some commodities saw an increase in export. One of these is specialized machine parts which grew to 1.5 million euro from 4,000 euro the year before. Another is pastry which grew to 1.7 million euro.

Bulgarian export to Slovenia is dominated by petroleum oils, followed by machine parts, carbonates, electrical water heaters, bread and pastry and components for electronic games and bowling.

Last year Slovenia exported to Bulgaria goods and services worth nearly 124 million euro. That was a 31 per cent decline from the year before. The Slovenian imports to Bulgaria are dominated by pharmaceutical products and these picked 1 per cent to some 30 million euro in 2009.

The decline was worst for automobiles. The Chamber blames this on the opening up of the EU borders for Bulgaria and the global meltdown.

The Chamber brings together 30 Slovenian and 22 Bulgarian companies. It seeks to enhance dialogue between the two governments and help im-prove the business climate in Bulgaria.

Source: BTA