EconomyOther Economy

Figel: Rail Companies Saved Thousands by Re-valuing Contracts

Bratislava, August 31 (TASR) - State-owned rail companies have saved thousands of euros over the past few weeks by re-valuing contracts, said Transport Minister Jan Figel (Cristian Democratic Movement/KDH) on Tuesday. Figel explained that savings were made thanks to re-evaluations of charges in already signed contracts as well as in electronic auctions. He added that… read more

AmCham: Gov\'t Plans Will Bring Big Hikes in Social Insurance Payments

Bratislava, August 31 (TASR) - According to foreign investors, an increase in the maximum assessment basis for calculating monthly insurance levies to five times the average monthly salary, which has been proposed by the Government, would bring a 37-percent increase in social-insurance payments for employees with higher earnings. According to a statement provided for… read more

Analysts: Unstable Demand on Market Won\'t Allow Raise in Prices

Bratislava, August 30 (TASR) - It's not likely that the widely-expected rise in value-added tax (VAT) will force consumer prices go up, according to analysts interviewed by TASR on Monday. "Currently, consumers are exceptionally hesitant and sensitive about prices. If the prices go up due to a small rise in VAT, then consumers may prefer to shop around," Volksbank Slovakia… read more

Ryanair to Operate 14 Routes in Winter Season

Bratislava/Dublin, August 30 (TASR) - Irish low-cost airline Ryanair will operate 14 routes out of Bratislava's Milan Rastislav Stefanik Airport (BTS) during the upcoming winter season. The winter timetable will be in place from November 2010 to March 2011. Flights to Alicante and Stockholm will be maintained, while the number of flights to Brussels and Dublin will be… read more

Analysts Increase Estimate for 2010 GDP Growth to 4 percent

Bratislava, August 29 (TASR) - Bank analysts who are regularly approached by Slovakia's central bank (NBS) for predictions have increased their estimates for the country's GDP growth in 2010 to 4 percent year-on-year in fixed prices, TASR learnt on Sunday. The latest assessment represents a 0.9-percentage point increase on the figure expected in July. The analysts… read more

Eurobarometer: 62 percent of Slovaks Say Economic Reforms Necessary

Bratislava, August 28 (TASR) - Almost two-thirds (62 percent) of Slovaks think that the country must introduce economic reforms in order to tackle current economic problems, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. Meanwhile, the European average stands at 74 percent. At the same time, 65 percent of the approached in Slovakia said that they trust the EU institutions.… read more

Government: Tipos to Pay Out €40 million for Flood Relief

Kosice, August 27 (TASR) - The national betting and lottery company Tipos will pay out an extraordinary payment of €40 million as relief for people affected by the floods this year, the Government decided on Friday. This is according to the proposed amendments to the Gaming Act and the Income Tax Act. Both drafts will be submitted to the Parliament for discussion in… read more

Simon: Repair Work on Dams in Eastern Slovakia Going Well

Kosice, August 27 (TASR) - Works connected with the repairs of breached dams in eastern Slovakia continue at a "good pace", Slovak Agriculture, Environment and Regional Development Minister Zsolt Simon said on Friday. "As long as the weather permits us to work for two weeks continuously we should be able to repair the dams and restore them to their former state. This… read more

Radicova and Cabinet Complete Transportation Link to Industrial Zone

Kechnec, August 27 (TASR) - After 15 years of preparation, a ceremony involving the laying of the foundation stone in the industrial zone in Kechnec on Friday, the construction of the R4 highway from Kosice to Milhost (on the Hungarian border) was launched. The 14-kilometre stretch will cost €77.7 million (without VAT) and will enable the connection on the motorway… read more

Ministry Confirms Slovakia\'s Chances of Receiving IBM Investment

Bratislava, August 26 (TASR) - Slovakia features among the candidates for a major new investment by IBM corporation, Economy Ministry spokesperson Daniela Pirselova told TASR on Thursday following a meeting between Economy Minister Juraj Miskov and representatives of IBM Slovensko in Bratislava earlier in the day. A total of five Central European countries have been… read more

Bratislava City Hall Embraces Ministry Decision on R7 highway Stretch

Bratislava, August 26 (TASR) - The City of Bratislava embraces the decision made by the Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Ministry earlier in the day to go back to the originally planned route for the R7 highway between Bratislava and the nearby village of Dunajska Luzna, City Hall's spokesperson Beatrice Szaboova told TASR on Thursday. The 7-kilometre stretch is… read more

Electricity Consumption Rose by 4 percent Y-o-Y in January-April 2010

Bratislava, August 26 (TASR) - The improvement in Slovakia's economy that began to set in this year has also had an influence on electricity consumption, according to an Economy Ministry report released on Thursday. "In the first four months of this year, consumption of electricity in Slovakia rose by 4 percent compared to the same period of 2009. Based on these changes,… read more

A Fourth of Slovak Households Live on Debt or Off Savings

Bratislava, August 25 (TASR) - A Slovak Statistics Office survey released Wednesday reveals that 42 percent of the country's households save regularly, around 34 percent of consumers makes ends meet financially and 23 percent take on debt or live off their savings. Asking consumers whether they will manage to save some money in the near future, Consumer Barometer has… read more

Most Jobs Up for Grabs in Bratislava Region, Kosice Region in Last Place

Bratislava, August 25 (TASR) - People in Bratislava region are most likely to be able to find a job, as they can choose from the largest number of vacancies, with Kosice region at the other end of the list, the Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Office (UPSVaR) announced on Wednesday. A total of 1,642 jobs were available in and around Bratislava in July, with Nitra… read more

Figel: Fico\'s Legacy in Public Finances Unsustainable

Bratislava, August 24 (TASR) – According to Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) chairman Jan Figel, the Wednesday’s Coalition Council confirmed the bad situation of the public finances. "The legacy, which remained after (former Prime Minister Robert) Fico’s government in the sphere of public finances, is unsustainable. Measures are inevitable for stabilisation and… read more