Region
As it is indicated in its name the range of the Chamber's activities encompasses the region of Dolenjska and Bela krajina. This is an area, crossed by many important international traffic routes, it lies in the South-eastern part of Slovenia, it is boarding with Croatia and it is at the same time southernmost border of the European Union. Considering the traffic system it is at the centre of the Slovenian motorway cross, which is a part of European transport corridor, and it is along the planned 3rd development axis, which will improve traffic connection of the region with the European Union as well as countries south of Slovenia (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia...).
Introduction of the region of Dolenjska and Bela krajina
The Dolenjska and Bela krajina region covers an area of 1,689.3 km2 which is 8.33% of the whole Slovenian territory. It has 108,651 inhabitants which is 5.4% of entire Slovenia’s population. The region is divided into 14 municipalities where the Municipality of Novo mesto represents the biggest one and is spread on 298.5 km2 with the population 35,848.
Review of population count and surface area in municipalities of Dolenjska and Bela krajina
| Municipality | Surface area in km² | Population count |
|---|---|---|
| Črnomelj | 339.7 | 14,694 |
| Dolenjske Toplice | 110.2 | 3,409 |
| Metlika | 108.9 | 8,453 |
| Mirna Peč | 48 | 2,773 |
| Mokronog – Trebelno | 73.4 | 2,944 |
| Novo mesto | 235.7 | 35,848 |
| Semič | 146.7 | 3,782 |
| Straža | 28.5 | 3,794 |
| Šentjernej | 96 | 6,726 |
| Šentrupert | 49 | 2,828 |
| Škocjan | 60.4 | 3,223 |
| Šmarješke Toplice | 34.2 | 3,158 |
| Trebnje | 194.6 | 14,602 |
| Žužemberk | 164.3 | 4,507 |
| Dolenjska and Bela krajina | 1,689.6 | 110,741 |
| Slovenia | 20,273 | 2,042,335 |
| % of Dolenjska and Bela krajina in SLO | 8.33 | 5.42 |
Source: Statistical office of Republic of Slovenia website.
After the independence was declared in 1991 the number of economic companies increased, especially the number of small sized companies. In 2008 these businesses represented 90% of all, and they contributed 11% of net sales revenues and employed 19% of all employees in the area.
There are 24 bigger companies in the region, working in the field of pharmaceutical and automobile industry, electrical and electronics industry, compressor manufacturing, manufacturing of metal constructions, civil engineering and other activities.In 2008 these businesses have employed over a half of the region's population, by the end of the year they had a 68% share of all assets by companies in the region. The role of large companies in Dolenjska and Bela krajina is greater than that on the national level; in 2008 large companies made 55% of all net sales revenues and employed 42% of employees.
In 2008 businesses in the Dolenjska and Bela krajina region have together employed 27,216 employees.
