EconomyOther Economy

Austrians Interested in Investing in Wind Energy in Slovakia

Bratislava, November 30 (TASR) - The issues of economic development and energy dominated a meeting between Slovak Economy Minister Juraj Miskov (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) and Austrian Ambassador to Slovakia Josef Markus Wuketich on Monday, the Economy Ministry told TASR on Tuesday. Wuketich pointed to the interest among Austrian investors in developing wind energy in… read more

Employers From RUZ Agree With Government Austerity Package

Bratislava, November 30 (TASR) - The Republican Union of Employers (RUZ) supports the package of measures adopted by the Government aimed at balancing public finances, albeit with certain reservations, said RUZ representatives at a press conference on Tuesday. According to RUZ president Marian Jusko, it wouldn't be beneficial if the proposal were weakened by various amending… read more

NBS: Real-estate Loans Over Past 12 Months Grew By €1.24 billion Y-o-y

Bratislava, November 30 (TASR) - The total amount of loans provided for real-estate in Slovakia in the past 12 months grew by €1.24 billion year-on-year, the Slovak central bank (NBS) said on Tuesday. To the end of October 2010, banks provided a total of €10.32 billion to households in order to finance real-estate activities. The largest share of finances provided… read more

Slovak Sparkling Wine Palffy Awarded Gold Medal in France

Bratislava, November 29 (TASR) - Slovak sparkling wine Palffy Extra Dry from Nitra was awarded a gold medal at one of the world's most prestigious competitions of sparkling wines 'Effervescents du Monde 2010' in Dijon, France earlier this month, Vino Nitra production director Jozef Adamovic told TASR on Monday. A total of 518 wines from 24 countries featured in the eighth… read more

More Than 221,600 People Against Changes in Third Pillar

Bratislava, November 29 (TASR) - More than 221,600 people signed a petition against the planned changes to the supplementary pension saving scheme (the so-called third pillar of the pension system) that was submitted to Parliament on Monday. According to the currently-debated proposal to the Social Insurance Act, employees and employers would have to pay social levies… read more

EU Commission: Slovak GDP Growth Good But 2010 Budget Deficit Large

Brussels, November 29 (TASR) - Slovakia is expected to find itself among the top countries in the European Union when it comes to economic growth over the next three years, according to an autumn prognosis released by the European Commission on Monday. On the other hand, the EU's executive branch has re-evaluated Slovakia's budget deficit in 2010 from the 6 percent of… read more

Rising Confidence in Economy Fuelled Mainly by Better Retail Atmosphere

Bratislava, November 29 (TASR) - The indicator of confidence in the Slovak economy as expressed by the Index of Economic Sentiment (IES) grew by 0.7 points on monthly terms to reach 92.6 points in November, the Statistics Office announced on Monday. The favourable developments were mainly due to increased confidence in retail, services and the construction industry.… read more

Sefcovic: Eurozone Is Firm, Won\'t Disintegrate

Bratislava, November 26 (TASR) - The eurozone is a firm grouping that isn't at a risk of disintegration, Slovak EU Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said after a meeting with President Ivan Gasparovic on Friday in Bratislava. Commenting on the loan to Ireland, Sefcovic concurred with Gasparovic that Slovakia must behave like a loyal and responsible member of the eurozone. "We… read more

Miklos: We\'ll Tax Surplus Emission Limits at 80 percent

Bratislava, November 26 (TASR) - Slovak companies received overly generous emission limits from the previous government worth €660 million for the period 2008-2012, Finance Minister Ivan Miklos (SDKU-DS) said on Friday. According to Miklos, these limits were disadvantageous for the state and therefore the ministry has decided to tax these surplus amounts. For 2011 and… read more

OECD: With Small and Fragile Economy, Slovakia Needs to Be Careful

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - Slovakia should be careful, because its economy is small and fragile, Organisation for the Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) General Secretary Angel Gurria said during his meeting with Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic in Bratislava on Thursday. "Markets are very unstable and fragile; the risk of infection is imminent," said… read more

Breweries Disillusioned at Coalition\'s Move to Raise Tax on Beer

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - The Slovak Association of Beer and Malt Producers (SZVPaS) is "disappointed by a decision of the Coalition Council today [Thursday] to recommend that MPs approve another significant hike in excise tax, that is by 22 percent for small breweries and by 27 percent for large ones," the association's executive director Roman Sustak said later on Thursday.… read more

OECD: Slovakia Should Introduce Minimum Wage According to Region

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - Slovakia should introduce various minimum wage levels according to region, Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) General Secretary Angel Gurria said at the presentation of an OECD report on Thursday. "We have a certain minimum wage system here, but it isn't generating enough jobs. Then, of course, instead of becoming… read more

Figel: Third PPP Package Will Be Much Cheaper

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - The price of the third package of public-private partnership (PPP) projects concerning the construction of a D1 motorway section linking Hricovske Podhradie and Dubna Skala (Zilina region) will be significantly reduced, said Transport Minister Jan Figel on Thursday. According to Figel's calculations, each of the 30 annual payments are… read more

Norwegian Businessmen Visit Presov to Meet Potential Slovak Partners

Presov, November 25 (TASR) - Almost 40 representatives of organisations active in the spheres of regional development, science, education and business met Norwegian businessmen in Presov on Thursday to discuss opportunities for co-operation. The meetings took place at a conference entitled 'Presov Region - Region of Opportunities'. It was organised by Presov self-governing… read more

Coalition Overcomes Bones of Contention in 2011 Budget

Bratislava, November 25 (TASR) - The leaders of the coalition parties at their session on Thursday resolved issues pertinent to next year's budget, reaching agreement after four hours of talks on several changes that will increase budget expenditures but also make up for this with extra incomes, TASR learnt on the same day. "The Government is submitting laws and a budget… read more