Slovenia Business Week no. 17, May 7, 2007
Table of Contents:
HEADLINES ............................................................................................................................. 2
Inflation Up to 2.6% in April ................................................................................................. 2
Clothes Retailer C&A Plans to Enter Slovenia in Autumn .................................................... 2
Slovenia Entices Foreign Investors with Incentives of EUR 7.8m ........................................ 2
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ...................................................................................... 4
Slovenian and Argentinean Official Discuss Bilateral Relations ........................................... 4
Rupel Meets Livni, Seeks Views on Mid-East Peace Process ............................................... 4
EUROPEAN UNION ................................................................................................................. 6
Slovenia Entered the EU Three Years Ago ............................................................................ 6
LEGISLATION .......................................................................................................................... 7
Legislation Banning Smoking Indoors to Be Passed This Summer ....................................... 7
STATISTICS/FORECASTS ...................................................................................................... 9
Slovenian Population Drops in Last Quarter of 2006 ............................................................ 9
Vast Majority of Slovenian Households Owns Cars, Survey Shows ..................................... 9
Survey Shows Slovenian Prices 25% Below EU Average..................................................... 9
FINANCE................................................................................................................................. 11
Almunia: Slovenian Citizens Could Have Used More Info on Euro ................................... 11
Brussels: Slovenia's Changeover to Euro a Clear Success ................................................... 11
Ljubljana Stock Exchange .................................................................................................... 12
BRANCH INFORMATION .................................................................................................... 13
Sustainable Water Management also Important for Slovenia .............................................. 13
Slovenia Declared Free of Bovine Brucellosis .................................................................... 13
COMPANIES ........................................................................................................................... 14
Beverage Group Ups Stake in Publisher Delo to 94% ......................................................... 14
Sostanj Power Plant Undergoing EUR 15m Overhaul ......................................................... 14
SLOVENIA IN BRIEF ............................................................................................................ 15
Trade Union Leader Calls for Dialogue and Partnership ..................................................... 15
Tuerk at Symposium on UN Security Council Sanctions .................................................... 15
HEADLINES
Inflation Up to 2.6% in April
The monthly inflation rate for April was 1.1%
Consumer prices continued to climb in April, pushing Slovenia's annual inflation up 0.3
percentage points to 2.6%, the Statistics Office said on Monday, 30 April. The monthly
inflation rate for April was 1.1%, the second month in a row that prices rose.
The average annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 2.5%, while the consumer price
index using the EU's harmonised index was up 0.3 percentage points to 2.9%.
According to the Statistical Office, the rise was a result of higher prices of both goods and
services: goods were 1.4% cheaper on average, while prices of services were up 0.3%.
The highest increases in April were recorded in the groups clothing and footwear (3.3%, with
footwear going up 7.9%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (2%), transport (1.6%), housing
(1.5%), restaurants and hotels (0.7%), household equipment and maintenance (0.4%), as well
as alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.2%).
In the food and non-alcoholic beverages group, the biggest increases were recorded in fruits
(11.15%) and vegetables (10%).
To be found among the groups that have gotten cheaper in April are health (down 0.8%) and
recreation and culture (0.3%).
On an annual comparison, services were 3.4% more expensive on average, while prices of
goods increased by 2.2%.
The Institute for Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD), the government's
economic think-tank, meanwhile attributed the price changes in recent months to seasonal
factors as well as to higher oil prices on the international market.
IMAD further stressed that the increase in prices between December 2005 and April 2006 was
1.5%, 0.2 percentage points higher than in the same period this year.
Clothes Retailer C&A Plans to Enter Slovenia in Autumn
The first store is scheduled to open in the NE city of Maribor on 30 August
The German retail clothes chain C&A plans to open branches in four Slovenian cities, the
company has told STA. The first store is scheduled to open in the NE city of Maribor on 30
August.
According to the company, the second store will open on 1 September in the eastern city of
Celje, followed by one in the northern town of Kranj in November, while the first branch in
Ljubljana is to open in spring next year.
Ljubljana will also be the headquarters of the company's Slovenian subsidiary.
C&A also plans to open a store in the western town of Nova Gorica and another in Ljubljana
in the spring of 2008.
The company told STA that it wants to open stores in all major Slovenian towns in the next
three years. C&A expects to employ 60 people by the end of this year.
According to the company's website, C&A manages 1,111 stores in 15 European countries. It
has recently expanded to Slovakia and China.
Slovenia Entices Foreign Investors with Incentives of EUR 7.8m
The invitation for applications was published in the Official Gazette on 4 May and closes on 9
September
The Public Agency for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments is offering grants worth
EUR 7.8m to foreign investors in a bid to help create 1,000 new jobs. The invitation for
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applications was published in the Official Gazette on Friday, 4 May and closes on 9
September.
The funds will be allocated to investors whose investments will have a positive impact on new
employment, knowledge and technology transfer, facilitate balanced regional development
and foster alliances between foreign investors and Slovenian companies.
Grants (a total of EUR 5.6m this year and EUR 2.2m in 2008) are available for industry,
strategic services and research and development.
Applications are open to foreign investors but the final recipients of the funds will be
companies headquartered in Slovenia in which foreign investors have at least a 10% stake.
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
Slovenian and Argentinean Official Discuss Bilateral Relations
Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andrej Ster met Argentinean Deputy Foreign Minister
Roberto Garcia Moritan to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and
Slovenia's preparations for its presidency over the EU in the second half of 2008
Foreign Ministry State Secretary Andrej Ster met on Thursday, 3 May Argentinean Deputy
Foreign Minister Roberto Garcia Moritan to discuss bilateral relations, regional and
international issues, and Slovenia's preparations for its presidency over the EU in the second
half of 2008, the Foreign Ministry said in a press release.
The officials assessed relations between the countries as very good and said they would make
efforts to enhance cooperation in all areas. They agreed that economic cooperation could be
boosted via the port of Koper.
Ster acquainted Moritan with the 18-month programme of the EU presidency by the troika of
Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia from 2007 to mid-2008, and the priorities of Slovenia's stint
at the helm of the EU, including energy and intercultural dialogue.
The officials also discussed the situation in the Western Balkans and the EU enlargement,
with Ster saying that Slovenia would support further expansion if the EU introduced
institutional reforms.
Moritan meanwhile acquainted Ster with the situation in Latin America, regional cooperation
as part of the Mercosur Treaty and broader political cooperation in the region, the release
says.
Rupel Meets Livni, Seeks Views on Mid-East Peace Process
Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel met his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert, saying the talks ahead of Slovenia's spell as EU president showed the
expectations for the bloc's role in the Middle East peace process were high
Foreign Minister Dimitrij Rupel met his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni and Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert in Jerusalem on Sunday, 6 May, saying the talks ahead of Slovenia's spell as EU
president showed the expectations for the bloc's role in the Middle East peace process were
high.
Addressing Slovenian reporters after the talks, Rupel said Olmert extended to him some
messages for his counterparts in Brussels and other officials, which he said showed that
"Slovenia as the future EU presiding country enjoys considerable confidence in Israel".
According to Rupel, Israel's position on the latest peace initiatives from Arab countries was
"more positive than not", although there was some caution. He said he was yet to learn about
many of the aspects, but that he gathered from the discussions today that the window of
opportunity for bringing the peace process forward was open.
Rupel was referring to the Arab League's adoption of a Saudi peace initiative, offering Israel
full recognition if it withdrew from all the land occupied in 1967.
Israel is the first stop on Rupel's tour of the Middle East, whose main objective is to exchange
views on the Middle East peace process ahead of Slovenia's presidency over the EU in the
first half of 2008. Rupel first sought the view of the Institute for National Security Studies
(INSS), a Tel Aviv-based independent think tank.
Rupel took part in a round-table debate with INSS representatives before meeting Foreign
Minister Livni, with whom he signed an agreement on cooperation in culture, science and
education. While his talks with academics and former government officials focused on the
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Israeli-Palestinian issue, they also discussed topics that affect the broader region, such as the
Iranian nuclear issue.
According to Rupel, Slovenia as the EU president-to be must have the best possible
information about the developments in the region, given that the Middle East is always on the
agenda in the bloc. Rupel was also keen to hear what INSS representatives thought about the
EU's role in the region.
INSS Director Zvi Shtauber suggested Slovenia should hold a conference aimed at
establishing facts, while he also expressed the institute's readiness to help it organise such an
event. With that aim in mind, Minister Rupel invited INSS officials to Ljubljana, as he
believes such a conference could be held even before Slovenia takes over at the helm of the
EU.
Shtauber said that Rupel was visiting the region at the time of big changes. He referred to a
change in Israel's position on the Palestinian issue, which is to seek assistance abroad. The
official does not think however there is a quick solution to the issue as both sides lack interest
in peace.
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EUROPEAN UNION
Slovenia Entered the EU Three Years Ago
During its EU membership the country managed to adopt the euro, it is looking at joining the
Schengen no-border zone by the end of the year and will become the first 2004 newcomer to
preside over the bloc in the first half of 2008
Slovenia joined the EU exactly three years ago in the largest round of EU enlargement to date.
During its EU membership the country managed to adopt the euro, it is looking at joining the
Schengen no-border zone by the end of the year and will become the first 2004 newcomer to
preside over the bloc in the first half of 2008.
Slovenia, accompanied in entering the bloc by Malta, Cyprus, Slovakia, Poland, the Czech
Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, became the first of the newcomers to
switch to the common European currency. The changeover was assessed as problem-free by
Slovenian as well as EU officials.
Its next big challenge is the six-month stint at the helm of the 27-member bloc. Preparations
for the presidency began in late 2005 and the country already outlined its priorities such as
EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, implementation of the Lisbon Strategy and
intercultural dialogue.
Another item, likely to be on the country's agenda, is the European constitutional treaty as the
EU struggles to redefine its institutional foundations in the wake of the treaty being rejected at
referenda in France and the Netherlands.
Slovenia will likely become a member of the Schengen zone just before beginning its stint.
This means the elimination of border checks on its borders with Italy, Austria and Hungary
and setting up the Schengen regime on the border with Croatia.
However, the Schengen regime will only be eliminated on the country's land and sea borders
at the end of 2007, while border checks on airports are to go in March 2008.
Slovenia's euro adoption and its expected Schengen entry mean that the country became part
of the most closely linked EU circle of states. However, Slovenian workers still face
restrictions when applying for jobs in some of the EU 15 countries.
As the Netherlands lifted its restrictions for workers from EU newcomers today, Slovenian
workers only face restrictions when wanting to work in France, Germany, Belgium, Austria,
Denmark and Luxembourg.
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LEGISLATION
Legislation Banning Smoking Indoors to Be Passed This Summer
The amendments which were adopted by the government in the end of April envisage further
restrictions of smoking in all indoor public and work places
Smokers in Slovenia are facing tighter restrictions this summer as the National Assembly is
expected to pass amendments to the anti-smoking act in the first half of this year. The
amendments which were adopted by the government in the end of April envisage further
restrictions of smoking in all indoor public and work places.
As many EU countries have already enforced various levels of smoking bans in indoor public
places, including restaurants, it is "time for a debate at the EU level", EU Health
Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said at a recent presentation of the anti-smoking green
paper in Brussels.
"A total ban on smoking would be the most effective approach," said Kyprianou, calling on
all EU members to follow the example of Ireland, Italy, Malta and Sweden, which have
banned smoking in all indoor public places.
A Eurobarometer survey has shown that the ban on smoking in closed public and work places
is supported by 80% of EU citizens, and by 70% of smokers.
According to data by the Slovenian Health Ministry, smoking has been on the decrease in
Slovenia in the past decade, with the share of smokers among adults at 23.7% in 2003.
However, the share of smokers among 15 and 16-year-olds is increasing, allegedly standing at
28% in 2003.
A ministry's survey has meanwhile shown that 87.6% of Slovenians support tougher antismoking measures as envisaged in the new draft legislation.
Under the proposed amendments, which have already been sent to parliament, smoking would
be allowed only in areas where employees cannot be exposed to second-hand smoke.
Exceptions to the general smoking ban would include open public areas, special smoking
hotel rooms, special smoking areas in elderly care centres and jails and special smoking
rooms in bars and other work places.
The amendments also envisage the raising of the age limit for persons buying cigarettes from
the current 15 to 18 years of age. Retailers would have to check the age of buyers, as is the
case with alcohol, while persons who sell tobacco products would have to be at least 18.
An association of bar owners has called on the Health Ministry to change the proposal so as to
allow bars to decide whether they are smoking or non-smoking. There are also concerns that
the amendments would considerably affect catering in Slovenia.
Kyprianou responded to the concerns, which are also being raised in other countries, by
saying that the restaurants in which a smoking ban was introduced "did not go bankrupt as
people still eat and drink in such restaurants".
A number of health NGOs proposed to the Health Ministry to introduce even stricter
measures, including an idea to equip all tobacco products with a telephone number of a quitsmoking hot line.
The first EU member to introduce a total ban on smoking in closed public places was Ireland
in 2004. Following its example were Italy, Malta and Sweden, where smoking is however
allowed in separated and ventilated smoking rooms in restaurants and bars.
According to Kyprianou, such initiatives proved encouraging, as even Germany, which is
known as "a paradise for smokers", has seen the emergence of a debate on how to restrict
smoking. He hopes all EU members will have a single anti-smoking policy by the end of his
term in 2009.
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As of 2007, smoking is banned in all premises of the European Parliament and European
Commission, while smoking is still allowed at the Council of Europe and the Court of Audits,
though only in special smoking rooms.
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STATISTICS/FORECASTS
Slovenian Population Drops in Last Quarter of 2006
The number of people living in Slovenia decreased by 1,237 (0.06%) in the last quarter of
2006, putting the country's population at 2,010,377 at the end of last year
The number of people living in Slovenia decreased by 1,237 (0.06%) in the last quarter of
2006, putting the country's population at 2,010,377 at the end of last year, the Statistics Office
has said.
The number of men dropped by 1,415 in the period while the number of women rose by 178,
putting the total number of men at 986,982 and women at 1,023,395.
Meanwhile, the number of foreigners with permanent residence rose by 27.7% to 31,097 in
2006 with over two-thirds of them male (21,030).
The number of foreigners with temporary residence permits dropped by 8.8% in 2006 from
24,623 at the beginning of the year to 22,458 at the end of 2006.
Vast Majority of Slovenian Households Owns Cars, Survey Shows
A 2005 survey on living conditions in Slovenia revealed that 93% of Slovenian households
owned a car, 5% did not need one, while 2% could not afford it
A 2005 survey on living conditions in Slovenia revealed that 93% of Slovenian households
owned a car, 5% did not need one, while 2% could not afford it, the National Statistics Office
has said.
According to the survey, more than 98% of households had a telephone, washing machine and
colour TV set.
Some 71% of households also owned a computer in 2005, while 24% did not need it. Some
15% of the households in the lowest income bracket could not afford a PC.
The survey also showed that 32% of the households could not afford a week-long holiday
away from home.
Among households in the lowest income bracket only 39% could afford holidays, while in the
highest bracket the number stood at 91%. Moreover, only 40% of tenants could pay for a
week away from home.
The survey also revealed that 8% of the households could not afford an adequate meal every
other day.
Survey Shows Slovenian Prices 25% Below EU Average
While commodities were 16% cheaper on average, services cost more than 30% less
Prices of goods and services in Slovenia amounted to 75% of the EU average in 2004 and
2005, the head of the Statistics Office Irena Krizman told the press on Friday, 4 May. While
commodities were 16% cheaper on average, services cost more than 30% less, she said.
However, several categories of items in Slovenia reached or even exceeded the average EU
prices, according to the results of an international survey, commissioned by Eurostat and
carried out by national statistics offices in 37 European countries.
Indeed prices of clothes and footwear in Slovenia were on par with the then EU25, with
children's clothes even costing 15% more, said Zdenka Repotocnik of the office.
The second most expensive group of products were food and soft drinks, which reached 86%
of the EU average. Bread and other wheat-based products were the most expensive (5% below
average EU prices) while the price of milk and eggs stood at 77% of what an EU consumer
would pay.
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Slovenians, however, were able to drink and smoke for much less that their EU counterparts,
as alcohol and tobacco cost 35% less, she said.
Prices of commercial services were 34% lower on average, and of non-commercial (health,
education, culture) 31% lower.
Prices in restaurants and hotels stood at 66% of the EU25 average. Indeed, prices in the
hospitality sector were 10% higher in Croatia and 35% in Turkey than in Slovenia, said
Repotocnik.
Despite the lower overall prices, lower income in real terms meant that Slovenians could not
purchase as many items and services as their EU counterparts. Compared to the EU average,
Slovenians could buy 25% less.
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FINANCE
Almunia: Slovenian Citizens Could Have Used More Info on Euro
Almunia said that more attention also should have been paid to preventing abuses that had
taken place everywhere where the euro had been introduced to date
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia told STA in
Brussels on Thursday, 3 May that from the technical point of view the euro changeover in
Slovenia went well, however the authorities should have paid more attention to informing the
public.
Almunia said that more attention also should have been paid to preventing abuses that had
taken place everywhere where the euro had been introduced to date.
With the introduction of the euro on 1 January this year Slovenia encouraged other countries
that are preparing to enter the eurozone, the European Commission said, presenting the annual
report on the euro area.
Brussels: Slovenia's Changeover to Euro a Clear Success
The European Commission presented its report on the euro changeover in Slovenia, labelling
it a clear success and in certain aspects even surpassing the performance of the member
states that adopted the euro in 2002
The European Commission presented on Friday, 4 May its report on the euro changeover in
Slovenia, labelling it a clear success and in certain aspects even surpassing the performance of
the member states that adopted the euro in 2002.
The big-bang approach works and can be a valuable example to other continues that are still
to take over the joint currency, the Commission says.
It adds that the Slovenian experience illustrated once more that perception, expectation and
reality with respect to price evolutions do not "necessary go together".
While there were concerns about price increases and some unusual rises did indeed occur,
those fears were largely unjustified, the report says.
Slovenia's example confirmed that a change of currency affects people's scales of values and
requires a mental adjustment process that is only gradual.
The report, adopted four months after the introduction of the euro in Slovenia, says that
inflation remains broadly stable, although the price of some goods and services has increased.
Based on the preliminary information reported by the Slovenian Statistics Office, Eurostat
puts the total impact of the changeover on consumer price inflation during and after the
changeover period at 0.3 percentage points, which is similar to the experience of the firstwave changeover.
A separate study by the Slovenian Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development
(IMAD) estimated the effect of the changeover on inflation at 0.24 percentage points, the
report points out.
The Commission furthermore established that a two-week dual circulation period was
sufficient, provided that the changeover is well and timely prepared.
In some aspects, for example the return of legacy cash, Slovenia even performed better than
when the euro cash was introduced in 2002, thereby minimising costs and burdens on
businesses, the report says.
"Slovenia's adoption of the euro was a swift and smooth affair. This once more underlines the
importance of early and careful preparations and of timely information and communication on
the euro," European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.
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Ljubljana Stock Exchange
The SBI 20 benchmark reached 8.829.94 points
Even though the trading week on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange was cut short by Labour Day,
the market was as buoyant as ever and the main indices climbed to new records. The SBI 20
benchmark reached 8.829.94 points on Friday, 4 May, up over 100 points on the week, while
the SBI TOP blue chip index was up 21.5 points to 1,918.45.
Telekom Slovenije was one of the brightest stars as it added over 3% to EUR 419.56 after it
became the ninth member of the "elite" prime market listing only seven months after
floatation. Telekom saw deals worth over EUR 4m.
Beverage group Pivovarna Lasko seems to have convinced investors of the merit of acquiring
newspaper publisher Delo. Even though it remained level on the weekly comparison, it was
up 2.73% to EUR 63 on Friday after it revealed it had increased its stake in Delo to over 90%.
Energy company Petrol was also a big mover. With deals worth over EUR 3m, it added
1.68% to EUR 616.51. Drug maker Krka meanwhile remained level at just over EUR 880 on
deals worth EUR 2.3m.
Investment funds had a mixed week and the PIX industry index edged 26.66 points higher to
6,035.25. The bond BIO index remained virtually level at 117.31 points.
Brokers concluded deals worth EUR 13.8m in the three trading days, with another EUR 5m
coming in block trade.
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BRANCH INFORMATION
Sustainable Water Management also Important for Slovenia
Having two catchment areas, four subcatchments, standing waters and a part of the Gulf of
Trieste, Slovenia is considered a country rich in water resources, dry periods however have
recently led to water shortages in almost two fifths of the country
Even though Slovenia is considered a country reach in water resources, climate change and
other aspects have made water management a priority strategic, environmental and economic
challenge for country, the parliamentary group GLOBE Slovenija and the Council for
Environmental Protection have pointed out.
Having two catchment areas, four subcatchments, standing waters and a part of the Gulf of
Trieste, Slovenia is considered a country rich in water resources, dry periods however have
recently led to water shortages in almost two fifths of the country.
What is more, droughts are becoming ever more frequent, with as many as eight of the past
eleven years being dry, the participants of a conference on the issue held in April also pointed
out.
A continuation of this trend could present a serious blow to agriculture, the energy sector and
the processing industry, which would in turn result in higher costs of living, especially when it
came to water, food and electricity.
GLOBE Slovenija and the Council for Environmental Protection proposed among the
solutions to the problem a boosting of the water retaining capacities in Slovenian regions, the
encouraging of rational water use, preventing pollution, improving cooperation between the
different levels of the relevant authorities and raising awareness of the expected changes.
Slovenia Declared Free of Bovine Brucellosis
Eleven other EU countries and several regions in Italy, Portugal and Great Britain are
certified as free of bovine brucellosis
The European Commission's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health on
Thursday, 3 May declared Slovenia officially free of bovine brucellosis, which the
Agriculture Ministry has labelled as an advantage in the sale of beef in the EU.
If Slovenia was not granted this status, it would be obliged to continue to check all cattle for
the disease, the head of the Veterinary Administration, Vida Cadonic Spelic, told STA on
Friday, 4 May.
Slovenia was declared free of enzootic bovine leukosis and goat and sheep brucellosis in
March 2005. The request to be granted the status of a country free of tuberculosis is pending.
The Agriculture Ministry said that the absence of these animal diseases is a basic condition
for meat sales in the EU, as the diseases can pose a direct or indirect threat to human and
animal health.
Until a country is granted such status, additional tests have to be carried out before the meat is
sold in the EU, which entails additional costs.
Eleven other EU countries and several regions in Italy, Portugal and Great Britain are certified
as free of bovine brucellosis.
13
COMPANIES
Beverage Group Ups Stake in Publisher Delo to 94%
Pivovarna Lasko now owns 500,096 shares of Delo (74.92%), Radenska has 127,928 shares
(19.17%), while Talis has 20 shares, 0.003% of Delo
Beverage group Pivovarna Lasko managed to acquire just under 50% of the outstanding
shares of publisher Delo, increasing its stake to 94.09%, the company said on Thursday, 3
May. Lasko launched its bid for Delo on 2 April. The bid closed on 3 May at noon.
Lasko and its controlled companies Radenska and Talis acquired 333,306 shares (49.94%) of
Delo during the takeover bid, paying EUR 135.50 per share. The group previously owned
294,738 shares of Delo, the company publishing Slovenia's leading broadsheet.
In line with an agreement between the three companies, brewer Pivovarna Lasko was given
ownership over all the newly acquired shares.
Pivovarna Lasko now owns 500,096 shares of Delo (74.92%), Radenska has 127,928 shares
(19.17%), while Talis has 20 shares, 0.003% of Delo.
The companies labelled the bid a success in their press release.
Sostanj Power Plant Undergoing EUR 15m Overhaul
The generator was shut down in late April and the overhaul will be completed at the end of
June
The Sostanj coal-fired power plant, which generates about a third of Slovenia's electricity, is
undergoing a EUR 15m overhaul of its biggest power generator. The generator was shut down
in late April and the overhaul will be completed at the end of June.
Rated output of Sostanj's largest power unit stands at 345 MW, and the generator clocked up
28,000 working hours since the last shutdown. The annual output of the generator is 1.8bn
kWh, almost half of the total production of the power plant.
The date for the overhaul was set a year and a half ago, so that Holding Slovenske elektrarne
(HSE), the owner of the power facility, could provide substitute electricity, Joze Lenart of the
Sostanj power plant has told STA.
The next overhaul is planned for 2011, while the generator is expected to continue operating
until 2025.
The remaining four power generators are also headed for servicing or closure. The final
overhaul of generator 3 is scheduled for 2008, power generator 4 will undergo regular
inspection in 2009 and generators 1 and 2 will be shut down next year.
The power plant is also planning to install two gas turbines in its biggest unit to boost power
output. The EUR 40m project is expected to cut coal consumption in the generator by 10%
and cut emissions of greenhouse gases.
The installation of turbines and boilers is to begin in the end of the summer. The first gas
turbine is to be connected to the grid in April 2008, while the second in expected to start
operating in September 2008.
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SLOVENIA IN BRIEF
Trade Union Leader Calls for Dialogue and Partnership
Dusan Semolic, the head of the Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS), said
late on Monday, 30 April that aiming for higher competitive ability and productivity is
important, however health, education and culture must not be pushed aside. The right way is
through social dialogue and social partnership, he said.
Tuerk at Symposium on UN Security Council Sanctions
It is important to have a vision of a way out of sanctions, the former Slovenian ambassador at
the UN, Danilo Tuerk, told a symposium on UN Security Council sanctions in New York on
Monday, 30 April. He stressed that it is certainly not good if sanctions worsen the
humanitarian situation.
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