German turnaround fund signs deal to acquire Cimos
KOPER - The German turnaround fund Mutares signed a deal with Italy's TCH Cogeme to acquire the Slovenian car parts manufacturer Cimos and its subsidiaries for an undisclosed sum. The takeover is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of 2022. The Koper-based company said it would act as a key Eastern European platform for the fund's automotive and mobility segment. Cimos, formerly a state-owned company, was sold to TCH Cogeme, owned by the Italian fund Palladio Finanziaria, in mid-2017.
Businessman Petrič acquitted of charges over 2010 acquisition
NOVA GORICA - Stojan Petrič, one of Slovenia's most prominent businessmen, and all four co-defendants were acquitted of abuse of office charges in the 2010 takeover of transformer manufacturer Etra 33 by Petrič's industrial conglomerate Kolektor. As the Nova Gorica District Court proclaimed the not guilty verdict, the prosecution, having sought a 30-month prison sentence for Petrič and sentences between 12 and 24 months for the co-defendants, announced it will appeal at a higher court.
Some names of incoming PM Golob's office staff revealed
LJUBLJANA - As the new government is being formed, some names of the staff at the office of new PM Robert Golob have surfaced in the media. Unofficial information shows the office will be led by Petra Škofic, Golob's current PR adviser. Igor Mally is expected to be appointed state secretary for EU affairs, Ambassador Vojko Volk could become state secretary for foreign affairs, and strategic communication would be in the domain of ex-MP and a public relations expert Melita Župevc. Ex-Defence Minister Anton Grizold is being mentioned as state secretary for military affairs. The Government Communication Office will be led by Dragan Barbutovski, now director of the British Council in Slovenia.
More than half of respondents expect new govt to be successful
LJUBLJANA - Almost two-thirds of respondents in a Mediana poll think that the new government will serve the whole four-year term and more than half think it will be successful. About 46% of the respondents moreover welcomed the idea to have in the government ministers from the SAB and LMŠ, two centre-left parties that did not make it to parliament in the 24 April election. A total of 440 adults participated in the online poll between 17 and 18 May.
Equality ombudsman upbeat about future cooperation with MPs, govt
LJUBLJANA - Equality Ombudsman Miha Lobnik was upbeat about cooperation with the legislative and executive branches of power as he handed the 2021 annual report to parliamentary Speaker Urška Klakočar Zupančič. He said a new era of intensive cooperation was coming, while the speaker said a big step would be taken towards equality. Most complaints concerning discrimination as featured in the report come from labour and employment, with questions about social security and healthcare being also frequent, Lobnik told the press.
Electricity, utility bills going up
LJUBLJANA - Electricity bills for May, due for payment in June, are set to be significantly higher after the government freeze on network charges expired at the end of April. As a result of the freeze, electricity bills had been reduced by 50% or more. This means the prices will now rise even with the providers that keep them unchanged. Of the top six that sell on the retail market, three providers will raise them by between 25% and 100%, data from the Consumer Association shows. Utility bills will go up as well.
Slovenia down three spots in tourism competitiveness ranking
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia is down three spots in the latest biannual global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, standing in 39th place among the 117 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum. The country ranks best in socio-economic resilience and conditions, and in the importance of tourism and security. In terms of categories, Slovenia ranked the highest in the 2021 ranking in tourism policy and conditions for development (17th), the Slovenian Tourist Board (STO) announced.
Slovenia's first children's house officially opens
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's first Barnahus, a facility providing a safe space for comprehensive treatment of children victims of sexual violence and other criminal acts, was inaugurated in Ljubljana. Deputy Human Rights Ombudsman Jože Ruparčič said courts must now start issuing decisions that interviews with a child who is a victim or witness of a criminal act must be conducted by using the Barnahus principle.
Medical Chamber honoured with Order of Merit
LJUBLJANA - The Medical Chamber marked its 30th anniversary, and the 130th anniversary of its precursor, the first medical organisation in Slovenia, with a ceremony at Cankarjev Dom in Ljubljana. On this occasion, President Borut Pahor presented it with the Order of Merit for its efforts in bringing doctors and dentists together to uphold the integrity of medical profession and efforts to fulfil the mission of medical ethics.
Luka Koper's net profit nearly doubles in Q1 to over EUR 16m
KOPER - Port operator Luka Koper posted a net profit of EUR 16.5 million for the first quarter of the year, up 91% over the same period in 2021. Sales revenue rose by 23% to EUR 70.9 million, and transshipped goods were up 18% to nearly 5.9 million tonnes, according to unaudited results. EBITDA rose by 61% to EUR 27.4 million, and pre-tax profit (EBIT) was up 101% to EUR 19.7 million. Transshipment growth was achieved in all groups of cargo; a total of 268,100 container units were transshipped, up 4%, and 176,900 vehicles, up 5%.
Unior reports higher quarterly revenue and profit
ZREČE - State-owned tool maker and automotive supplier Unior saw its first-quarter net sales revenue rise by 16% year-on-year to EUR 73.2 million with net profit going up by 85% to EUR 7.2 million. In a regulatory filing with the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, the Zreče-based company said the first quarter revenue was up by 7.4% and profit by 5.8% compared with the figures posted in the first quarter of pre-pandemic 2019.
Pussy Riot call for embargo on Russian oil
LJUBLJANA - The Russian feminist protest punk rock band Pussy Riot gave a concert in Ljubljana on Thursday evening as part of their European tour, which is aimed primarily at expressing solidarity with Ukraine and communicating anti-war views. Prior to the concert, the band called on European countries to impose an embargo on Russian oil. "It's Putin who is a Nazi," lead singer Maria Alyokhina said about Russia's official position that the invasion of Ukraine was about saving the country from Nazism.
Thursday's coronavirus case count below 300
LJUBLJANA - A total of 294 people tested positive for coronavirus in Slovenia on Thursday, a drop of 29% from the figure reported a week ago. There were no fatalities, according to the Health Ministry. 33 patients remain hospitalised for Covid-19 as their main condition, including two in intensive care. The 14-day incidence per 100,000 of the population has fallen to 249.
Science festival occupying Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - The House of Experiments is hosting its 13th Znanstival, a festival promoting science, education and critical thinking. A number of science shows and workshops are taking place in Ljubljana's streets, squares and bridges until Sunday, turning the capital in "one of the largest science centres in the world". Featuring participants from all over the world, the festival is also being held in several nearby towns.
Ljubljana celebrating contemporary art this weekend
LJUBLJANA - More than a hundred exhibitions, guided tours, workshops, round table debates and performances are being held at various locations around the capital for what is the first Ljubljana Art Weekend festival. Connecting the most important venues of contemporary art in the city, the festival features more than 300 artists. Most of today's events are taking place at the Cukrarna arts centre, including an event offering guidance to beginner collectors and two group exhibitions.
Outdoor library festival turns 18
LJUBLJANA - A number of cities, towns and villages have joined this year's annual outdoor readings in parks, squares and along rivers as part of what is the 18th iteration of the Library under the Treetops festival. Eight locations in Ljubljana and 13 other Slovenian towns and one in Austria are taking part. The project's coordinator Gaja Naja Rojec said that outdoor reading is designed to create community areas and bring good books to urban and rural areas.
