OtherOther Economy

IVO: Democracy Improving Under Iveta Radicova\'s Government

Bratislava, October 14 (TASR) - The quality of democracy in Slovakia has improved under the new Government by 0.3 points to a grade of 3.1 in the third quarter of 2010, according to the IVO Barometer published by the Public Affairs Institute (IVO) in Bratislava on Thursday. According to political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov, this is the first improvement since 2008.… read more

MPs Change Powers and Names of Several Ministries

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - Individual ministries will have their powers changed as of November, according to the General Administration Act amendment passed by Parliament on Wednesday. The Culture and Tourism Ministry will lose its tourism agenda, and co-ordination on the use of financial resources from the European Funds will be transferred under the remit of the… read more

House Asks NKU to Review Deals between State and Hayek Consulting

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The Supreme Audit Office (NKU) will look into contracts signed between the Finance Ministry, the Economy Ministry-led National Agency for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (NADSME) and Hayek Consulting during the 2007-10 period, according to a proposal that Slovak Parliament approved at its session on Wednesday. The initiative, which has… read more

Talks on State Citizenship Act Amendment Continue, No Agreement Yet

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The talks held by Coalition representatives on an amendment to the State Citizenship Act continued on Wednesday with considerable progress being reported by Foreign Affairs Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (SDKU-DS). The first round of talks took place already on Monday (October 11). "We're close to reaching an agreement, but I wouldn't like to… read more

Cabinet Okays Scheme for Compensating Families Hit by Summer Floods

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - Families that that were hit by extensive floods in July and August should receive financial assistance within two weeks after submitting their request, according to a Government proposal approved at its session on Wednesday. Also, in line with the measure Government Office's website will feature a list of villages and the amount of aid… read more

State Won\'t Provide Money for New National Football Stadium

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The state will not provide any money for constructing a new National Football Stadium in Slovakia, the Government decided on Wednesday. Iveta Radicova's Cabinet scrapped a resolution passed by the previous government that allocated €69.12 million to Bratislava City coffers for this purpose. The Education Ministry, whose remit includes… read more

Government Okays New SPF Board Members

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The Government on Wednesday passed a proposal for the election of new board members of the Slovak Land Fund (SPF) that was submitted by Agriculture, Environment and Regional Development Minister Zsolt Simon (Most-Hid). The candidates for the board-member posts, who should be elected by Parliament, are: Zoltan Kovacs, Jozef Krska, Jan Mrva,… read more

Gov\'t: Minimum Wage to Go Up to €317 per Month as of January 2011

Bratislava, October 13 (TASR) - The minimum wage in Slovakia should increase by 3 percent, rising from the current €307.70 per month to €317, the Government decided at its session on Wednesday. A compromise 3-percent increase was proposed by Labour Minister Jozef Mihal after the social partners (Government, employers and trade unions) failed to reach agreement in… read more

British Ambassador Praises Galko\'s Measures Against Corruption

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - At a meeting in Bratislava on Tuesday, British Ambassador to Slovakia Michael Roberts praised Slovak Defence Minister Lubomir Galko for his efforts in combating corruption and clientelism, the ministry's press department told TASR on the same day. "We in Britain adopted a law on combating corruption. We admire how you combat it, Mr. Minister.… read more

Parliament Approves VAT Rate Increase to 20 percent in First Reading

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - Parliament on Tuesday in first reading approved the bill increasing the basic VAT rate from 19 percent to 20 percent, and abolished the exemption that allowed coal and natural gas to be free of excise tax if used by heat plants for production of heat for households. Both bills are part of the Government's consolidation package. Opposition… read more

House Obliges Cabinet to Submit Report on Repercussions of Red Sludge

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - The Government must submit a report to Parliament within 30 days in which the possible repercussions of the recent toxic waste spill in Hungary for Slovakia's environment will be analysed, according to a proposal that was approved at a parliamentary session on Tuesday. In line with the initiative, which was submitted by opposition Slovak… read more

Ryanair: 3.6 million Passengers on Our Bratislava Flights in Five Years

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - Approximately 3.6 million travellers have used Ryanair flights to and from Bratislava since the airline launched its activities in Slovakia five years ago, the company's sales and marketing manager for Slovakia Alexandra Konigova announced in Bratislava on Tuesday. Marking the 5th anniversary, Konigova said that Ryanair has gradually boosted… read more

SRo: It Isn\'t Possible to Manage Radio and Television in Same Way

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - According to state broadcaster Slovak Television (STV), the decision to merge STV with Slovak Radio (SRo) as announced by Culture and Tourism Minister Daniel Krajcer (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) on Tuesday provokes more questions than it answers. "The STV management will take a stance on this," STV spokesman Peter Susko told TASR on the… read more

Inflation Accelerated Slightly in September to 1.1 percent

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - The year-on-year inflation rate in Slovakia accelerated slightly from 1 percent in August to 1.1 percent in September, the Statistics Office said on Tuesday. Core inflation reached 1.3 percent in September, while net inflation equalled 0.5 percent. Compared to the previous month, September didn't see any change in consumer prices. … read more

Slovakia\'s Foreign Trade Posted €200-million Deficit in August

Bratislava, October 12 (TASR) - Slovakia's foreign trade posted a deficit of €200 million in August, up from one of €87.8 million the month before, according to preliminary figures released by the Statistics Office on Tuesday. Overall imports rose by 35.7 percent year-on-year to reach €3.96 billion. Exports rose more moderately - by 19.9 percent to €3.76 billion.… read more