On 18 October 2013 the international conference "The Financial Repression of Savers and Investors" will take place at the Vienna Insurance Group in Vienna, organized by Interessenverband für Anlege (Austrian investor society) and the European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinUse).

At the conference, distinguished guests and participants will discuss the negative short and long term real returns on pensions savings, various taxations and increase thereof, the weaknesses in the protection of investors in the life and pension insurance. EuroFinUse recently published a study on this titled "The Real Return of Private Pensions", which points out a troubling statistic published by OECD and showing that real returns of private pension funds in the last five years were negative in many EU members. They also point out that the OECD study only deals with pension funds, but not with all of the costs, impact of taxation and some other aspects. Read more on the study HERE.

Pan-Slovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD), which is among the most active members of EuroFinUse and whose President is a Board member of EuroFinUse, included among the panel speakers a representative of Slovenian insurance industry, expectedly Member of the Management board of Zavarovalnica Triglav, which is one of 26 companies participating in the VZMD investor programs.

As this year's European Business Angel Network Association (EBAN) conference EBAN 2013 in Vienna (click on the image right to watch the VIDEO REPORT) and the EuroFinUse international conference at the European Parliament (click on the image left to watch the VIDEO REPORT), this conference will also be monitored by the investo.tv team, which will prepare a video report.

As part of its international investors' programs invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and International Investors' Network (invest-to.net), VZMD will introduce the companies, institutions and investment projects included in the two programs.

VZMD invites all to communicate their esteemed interest in participating at the aforementioned and other events in 2013 to the investo.si program coordinator at VZMD by phone at ++386 31 770 771 or by sending e-mail to tratar@investo.si.

The 19thgeneral meeting of Gorenje, d.d. took place in Velenje on 5 July 2013. On that occasion, the president of VZMD (Pan-Slovenian Shareholders' Association), Mr. Kristjan Verbič, acted as an agent of 68,064 shares under authorizations by 322 shareholders, which he received as the ninth nominated authorized agent in view of organized collection of proxies,where 1,282 shareholders (out of 17,718 of Gorenje shareholders in total) granted their authorizations.

The seminar on "How to do business with the Russian Federation" took place in the premises of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia yesterday. The seminar which was organized by SPIRIT Slovenia, the Association of Slovenia and Russia and the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Slovenia, was attended by 59 representatives of Slovenian companies and by numerous representatives of diplomacy, institutions and associations, including the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Ljubljana H.E. Mr. Doku Zavgaev, the acting manager of the Public Agency SPIRIT Slovenia, Boštjan Skalar, President of the Slovenia-Russia Society, Saša Geržina, Director of the Russian Scientific and Cultural Centre Rifat Pateev, Director and President of the Slovenian-Russian Business Council Janez Škrabec, President of the Slovenian-Russian Business Club in Moscow, Metod Dragonja, and the owner of Kondor Union in Moscow, Oleg Abramov.

During the seminar, the business conference in Moscow was announced, and the President of the PanSlovenian Shareholders Association (VZMD) Mr. Kristjan Verbič introduced the activities related to their international investors' programs invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and International Investors' Network (invest-to.net). Mr. Verbič also brought forward the possibilities of Slovenian-Russian cooperation at the planned autumn conference "Slovenian Investors Day", which is organized by both the Russian Federation of Investors and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Moscow.

On Monday June 17, 2013, the President of the PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) Mr. Kristjan Verbič met with economic adviser Mr. Denis Mancevič in the presence of the President of the Russian Federation of Investors Mr. Aleksey Smirnov and the Presidium member Mr. Andrew Lesovoy at the Slovenian Embassy in Moscow (in the photo).

The conversations revolved around possible cooperation and efforts to intensify business relations, and among other things, the joint organization of the Slovenian Investors Day was decided upon. It will be carried out with the Russian Federation of Investors and the international investors' programs at VZMD: invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and Intenational Investors' Network (invest-to.net) and will take place at the Slovenian Embassy in Moscow in the fall with the support of the Slovenian economic diplomacy.

Joint meeting was agreed upon after the return of the Ambassador of Slovenia to Russia H.E. Ms. Ada Filip-Slivnik, Mr. Mancevič and Mr. Verbič from the visit of the Slovenian economic delegation in the Kazakh capital Astana and business center Almaty.

VZMD invites you to share your esteemed interest in participating in the aforementioned and other events in 2013 with the coordinator of the investo.si program at VZMD, by telephone: +386 31 770 771 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Last week, the Kazakh capital Astana and the Kazakh business, cultural and science center Almaty hosted the Kazakhstan-Slovenian business conferences. The conference in Astana was opened by the Slovenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Karel Erjavec, the Kazakh Minister of Health Ms. Salidat Kairbekova and the Vice President of the Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Ajana Erenova. The conference in Almaty was opened by the Slovenian Director-General for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Stanislav Raščan and the President of the Almaty Chamber of Commerce and Industry M.N. Bijarova.

As a member of the Slovenian business delegation, the President of the PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) Mr. Kristjan Verbič (in the picture beside the Ambassador of Slovenia to Russia Her Excellency Ms. Ada Filip-Slivnik and other distinguished participants at the opening of the business conference) actively participated in both conferences. In the context of B2B conversations, he also discussed the possibilities of Kazakh companies cooperating with particular Slovenian companies involved in the international investors' programs Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and Intenational Investors' Network (invest-to.net), especially in the fields of logistics, IT, financial advisory services, construction, engineering, science and technology.

The conferences were attended by over 200 Kazakh companies and 28 representatives of Slovenian companies, who constituted the Slovenian economic delegation. Otherwise, the delegation concluded its visit with a gala meal and a trip to the Kazakh National Museum.

The World Bank, or rather its Centre for Financial Reporting Reform (CFRR) held a very important international conference in Bucharest yesterday, titled "The Audit Committee: the keystone of the financial reporting and audit process – from policy to practice". Mr Kristjan Verbič, President of PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD), also participated (link to the presentation) in the conference as an invited speaker and representative of the European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinUse), where he acts as a member of the Board.

On this occasion Mr Verbič presented to the public for the first time the VIDEO REPORT from the international conference EuroFinUse "The Audit Reform - Impact on Investors", which took place in the European Parliament. The team at VZMD.TV and investo.tv had prepared the video for the European federation (to view click on the image to the right).

The notable conference was attended by more than 200 guests and visitors in addition to distinguished speakers from all over the world, including Henri Fortin – Head of CFRR (in the picture with Mr Kristjan Verbič), Chris Hodge – Director of Corporate Governance at the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), United Kingdom (also Chairman of the European Corporate Governance, Codes Network), Horia Neamtu – President of the Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, Arnold Schilder – Chair of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board, Hilde Blomme – Deputy Chief Executive of the European Federation of Accountants, Krzysztof Szułdrzyński – Partner in PWC Poland and many others.

On the 7^th and 8^th of May, the 2^nd African Day »Europe for Africa & Africa for World« took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Forum hosted 150 African and European representatives from Government institutions, European Commission, African Union, research and education institutions, NGOs and business community. 12 African states were present to demonstrate the dynamics of new Africa and its potentials for co-operation with Europe in the field of knowledgebased economy development, political co-operation and business development.

PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) also participated at the conference and provided a proper presentation of companies, institutions and investment projects, which are included in the international investors' programs Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and the International Investors' Network (investo.international).

In addition to the showroom display and personal business meetings, VZMD team, with investo.tv, also prepared a summarized EXCLUSIVE VIDEO REPORT of the conference.

VZMD invites you to share your esteemed interest in participating in other events and activities with the coordinator of the investo.si program at VZMD, by telephone: +386 31 770 771 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On the 13^th and the 14^th of May, the significant European meeting of venture and start-up capital funds, along with the annual international congress of the European Business Angel Network – EBAN 2013, took place in Vienna. As a partner of the congress, the PanSlovenian Shareholders Association (VZMD), once more provided a proper presentation of companies, institutions and investment projects, which are included in its international investors' programs: Invest to Slovenia (investo.si) and the International Investors' Network (invest-to.net).

The notable 13^th EBAN Annual Congress has traditionally hosted influential representatives of companies, investment funds, financial institutions and national associations of business angels, among others, Christian Weinberger from the European Commission, Wilhelm Molterer, the Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Baybars Altuntas, the President of the Turkish Association of Business Angels, Paulo Andrez, the President of EBAN, and many more. As a guest of the EBAN 2013, President of the VZMD, Kristjan Verbič, attended the two day congress with accompanied events and meetings.

The EBAN 2013 congress included numerous lectures and panels, where attendees discussed various topics in relation to innovations, small and medium enterprises, startups, access to financing and the involvement of business angels. The first day of the congress was followed by a gala dinner and the presentation of the 8th annual EBAN awards, held at the prestigious Vienna Grand Hotel.

In addition to the showroom display and personal business meetings, VZMD team, with investo.tv, also prepared a summarized EXCLUSIVE VIDEO REPORT of the congress.

VZMD invites you to share your esteemed interest in participating in other events and activities with the coordinator of the investo.si program at VZMD, by telephone: +386 31 770 771 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

On the 13^th and 14^th of May, the central European meeting of venture and start-up capital funds, along with annual international congress of European Business Angel Network – EBAN 2013, will take place in Vienna. As partners, also representatives of PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) will attend a two-day congress and will on this occasion again provide for the proper presentation of companies, institutions and investment projects, included in the international investors' programs investo.si (Invest to Slovenia) and invest-to.net (International Investors´ Network)

This time's 13^th EBAN Annual Congress will traditionally host influential representatives of companies, investment funds, financial institutions and national associations of business angles, among others Federal Minister of Finance for Austria,Maria Fekter, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, Wilhelm Molterer, Ex President, Federation of Industry(Industriellenvereinigung), Veith Sorger…

Within the framework of Congress, along with a gala dinner, a ceremony with conferring of 8th EBAN Awards for Business Angel of the Year, Early Stage Fund of the Year, Business Angel Network of the Year, Business Angel Federation of the Year, Best Performing New EBAN Member will take place at the famous Grand Hotel Wien.

Like at numerous previous international investors' meetings, conferences and fairs, VZMD will provide showroom and presentations with personal contacts, and the happening will be filmed by the investo.tv crew that will prepare transparent video report (you can view over 300 video reports at www.vzmd.tv in www.investo.tv).

Beside the opportunities for presentation, VZMD as a partner of EBAN 2013 enables all supporters of investo.si and invest-to.net programs special conditions for direct participation – a 50% discount to visit any of the events (you can find more about the events on the website www.eban2013.com).

VZMD invites you to share your esteemed interest in participating with the coordinator of the investo.si program at VZMD, by telephone: +386 31 770 771 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. At the same time,VZMD informs about the possibility of cooperation and integration of information-promotional materials in the materials and happening of other international investors' events during this week: the visit of the Slovenian economic delegation at the visit of the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr. Borut Pahor, May the 10^th 2013 in Zagreb, and at the 14^th Bled Forum »Europe for Africa & Africa for World", May the 7^th and 8^th 2013 in Ljubljana.

On the 24^th and the 25^th of April the 19^th financial fair KAPITAL 2013 took place at Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) in Ljubljana. At the 19^th KAPITAL over 60 financial services providers presented their offer andmore than 40 lectures, roundtables and other events, related to the current economic situation at home and abroad, took place during two days fair.

PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) – with its international investors' programs investo.siand invest-to.net – actively participated at the fair for the fourth year, this year also with the lecture of VZMD President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., entitled "International Investors' Environment – Opportunities for Recognized Presentations of Slovene Companies, Institutions and Investment Projects".

At the financial fair, they traditionally conferred awards of Kapital Magazine "The Top Director", "The Top Financier" and "The Top Company". "The Top Company" of 2013 is Krka, company for the production and sale of pharmaceuticals and health products, which last year also received a VZMD-Euroshareholders award "Shareholders' Friendly Company" (VIDEO). Krka has 9500 employees; it has exceeded one billioneuros in trade and created 155 million euros profit. The award was received by Mrs. Zvezdana Bajc, theMember of the Management Board and Director of Accounting and Controlling at Krka. "The Top Financier" award was conferred to Mr. Matjaž Rakovec, President of the Management Board of the Triglav Insurance Company. Despite a major crisis in the financial system, last year Triglav created record profits.While the Government of the Republic of Slovenia is planning to sell certain state-owned companies, Triglav is planning new takeovers in Croatia. "The Top Director" of 2013 is Mr. Andrej Božič, the General Manager of Steklarna Hrastnik, a glass products manufacturing company. In four years, he successfullyreformed the company, in 2009, the company had 5 million euros loss, last year, they had over one million euros profit. He just returned from the USA, where he promoted the new Slovenian prestigious vodka, for which Steklarna Hrastnik produced specially exacting bottles.

Like in previous years, the variegated fair happening was filmed by the VZMD.TV crew, who prepared transparent video report (to view VIDEO REPORT, click on the picture above).

On the 24^th and the 25^th of April the 19^th financial fair KAPITAL 2013 took place at Cankar Hall (Cankarjev dom) in Ljubljana. At the 19^th KAPITAL over 60 financial services providers presented their offer andmore than 40 lectures, roundtables and other events, related to the current economic situation at home and abroad, took place during two days fair.

PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD) – with its international investors' programs investo.siand invest-to.net – actively participated at the fair for the fourth year, this year also with the lecture of VZMD President, Mr. Kristjan Verbič, M.Sc., entitled "International Investors' Environment – Opportunities for Recognized Presentations of Slovene Companies, Institutions and Investment Projects".

At the financial fair, they traditionally conferred awards of Kapital Magazine "The Top Director", "The Top Financier" and "The Top Company". "The Top Company" of 2013 is Krka, company for the production and sale of pharmaceuticals and health products, which last year also received a VZMD-Euroshareholders award "Shareholders' Friendly Company" (VIDEO). Krka has 9500 employees; it has exceeded one billioneuros in trade and created 155 million euros profit. The award was received by Mrs. Zvezdana Bajc, theMember of the Management Board and Director of Accounting and Controlling at Krka. "The Top Financier" award was conferred to Mr. Matjaž Rakovec, President of the Management Board of the Triglav Insurance Company. Despite a major crisis in the financial system, last year Triglav created record profits.While the Government of the Republic of Slovenia is planning to sell certain state-owned companies, Triglav is planning new takeovers in Croatia. "The Top Director" of 2013 is Mr. Andrej Božič, the General Manager of Steklarna Hrastnik, a glass products manufacturing company. In four years, he successfullyreformed the company, in 2009, the company had 5 million euros loss, last year, they had over one million euros profit. He just returned from the USA, where he promoted the new Slovenian prestigious vodka, for which Steklarna Hrastnik produced specially exacting bottles.

Like in previous years, the variegated fair happening was filmed by the VZMD.TV crew, who prepared transparent video report (to view VIDEO REPORT, click on the picture above).

Among the events, which accompanied the General Assembly of the European Federation of Financial Services Users (EuroFinUse) and the International Conference "The Audit Reform – Impact on Investors"in the European Parliament, which took place last month in Brussels (VIDEO REPORT), representatives of some national investors' and shareholders' organizations, including PanSlovenian Shareholders' Association (VZMD), also attended a lecture, given by one of the Directors of UK Shareholders' Association ShareSoc and experienced stock market investor, Mr. Stan Grierson. Interesting lecture, which is also relevant, topical and instructive for Slovenian investors, shareholders and individual investors, was exclusively filmed by the investo.tv crew and is fully available with clicking on this LINK.