Trade exchange between Macedonia and Slovenia is insufficient and there is an opportunity for the countries' markets to be used, Minister of Economy Valon Saraqini and Slovenia's Minister for Economic Development and Technology Radovan Zerjav concluded after their joint meeting on Tuesday in Ljubljana.

Both ministers primarily discussed ways to expand cooperation in the field of tourism, trade, energy and Slovenian investments in Macedonia, MIA reports from Ljubljana. It was agreed a contact office to be opened at the Ministry of Economy where Slovenian investors will be able to complete administrative affairs more effectively.

"While discussing tourism, we have come to a conclusion a consortium to be formed by Slovenian companies having knowledge, capacities and willingness to invest in geothermal and spa tourism. Four locations for spa tourism have been offered - Debar, Kocani, Strnovec and Kumanovo. I expect Slovenian businessmen to present proposals in order details for investing in spa tourism in Macedonia to be defined, minister Saraqini told a press conference on Tuesday.

He said he presented the concept of tourism development zones to his host. "Interest has been show in the construction of small and large hydro power plants, photovoltaic stations and a plant for solar panels as well as in the exploitation of minerals," Saraqini noted.

The Slovenian minister Zerjav said that for the first time since the signing of the free trade agreement between Macedonia and Slovenia in 2003, an arrangement was made Skopje to host a meeting of the mixed committee in October.

"My colleague and I discussed ways for Slovenia to build hydro power stations in Macedonia, including 12 hydro power stations planned to be built in Vardar river," Zerjav said.