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Gasparovic Discusses Economic Crisis with SOPK Representatives
Thursday 19 November 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, November 19 (TASR) - Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic on Thursday met with a Slovak Trade and Industry Chamber (SOPK) delegation led by its long-time chairman Peter Mihok to talk about the ongoing economic crisis and what to do about it. the President's Office press department informed TASR on the same day.
"Based on the prognoses I have obtained, the contribution of some of the anti-crisis measures aimed at stabilising of our economy, is already visible," said Gasparovic.
Mihok appreciated the co-operation of SOPK with the President's Office and with Gasparovic himself. He personally pointed out the transparent line of the relations between SOPK and the President's Office and the possibility for SOPK business delegations to take part in the President's working trips abroad.
According to Mihok, 2009 will have a specific position as far as its evaluation is concerned, since it is the year of euro adoption. Head of SOPK is convinced that the euro introduction did not bring any special negative effects to the business environment.
Mihok thinks that the global economic crisis has evinced the weaknesses of the Slovak economy. He described the strong orientation on car-manufacturing and the electro-technical industry as risky. "The Slovak economy should focus more on the producing goods with greater value added and we should focus more on science and research and development."
According to Mihok, Slovakia has great reserves in technical processing of EU funds. He thinks that the year of the crisis has changed the needs of the Slovak economy, as well as the priorities in drawing of the EU funds.
SOPK representatives criticised the legislative sphere in Slovakia, especially in the area of business law and its enforcement. Mihok asked the president to reconsider signing the Strategic Industries Act, which is currently submitted for his signature. According to Mihok this Act would jeopardise the business environment.
During the meeting, Gasparovic stated he would welcome more factual arguments and proposals so we could draw EU funds more effectively.
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