Govt adopts systemic bill to promote digital literacy
LJUBLJANA - The government adopted a bill to encourage digital inclusion. The centrepiece is a scheme of EUR 150 digital vouchers that secondary school kids, students and adults over 55 will be able to use to attend various digital literacy courses or buy digital devices. Over EUR 31 million has been earmarked for subsidising the courses and digital devices purchases in 2022, said Minister for Digital Transformation Mark Boris Andrijanič, who described the bill as the biggest digital literacy project in the country.
EU Commission downgrades Slovenia's growth forecast
LJUBLJANA - The European Commission downgraded Slovenia's growth forecast for this year by 0.4 percentage points from its autumn forecast to 3.8%, projecting a more moderate growth rate of 3.6% in 2023. This compares to the 4% growth forecast for the euro area this year and 2.7%in 2023. The focus of the Commission's latest forecast is again on high inflation. in Slovenia it is forecast to run at 3.7% this year and at 2.1% next year.
Industrial output up 10% in 2021
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's industrial output expanded by 10.2% in 2021 on the back of strong performance in manufacturing, the latest Statistics Office data shows. Industrial revenue increased by over 15% and the value of stocks by almost 5%. Manufacturing saw a 11.7% growth as mining and electricity, gas and steam supply contracted by 6.5% and 4.4%, respectively. In December 2021, industrial output increased by 1.1% over November, in what was the fifth consecutive monthly increase.
Slovenia reports all-time high job numbers for Q4 2021
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's job market saw a record 22,900 vacancies in the final quarter of 2021 as the number of occupied posts hit 792,100, another all-time high, shows fresh data from the Statistics Office. The job vacancy rate in the fourth quarter was 2.8%, flat with the quarter before, but up by 1.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2020. Vacancies in the hospitality sector increased five-fold.
Omicron wave keeps receding
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia confirmed 12,137 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, which compares to more than 16,500 cases reported a week ago. Both the seven-day average of daily cases and the 14-day incidence per 100,000 people thus dropped, to 9,220 and 8,143, respectively. Another 19 fatalities among patients with 19-Covid were reported, while hospitalisations of those sick with Covid as their main condition dropped to 530, which includes 121 in intensive care.
Hojs rejects allegations of political interference in police
LJUBLJANA - Interior Minister Aleš Hojs rejected all allegations of political interference in police as he testified in front of a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating alleged political pressure on the police. He denied any involvement in police staffing beyond the nomination of police commissioners, rejected the idea that some senior staff had been reassigned to a task force just to sideline them, and denied having been involved in any decisions concerning the investigation into the purchasing of PPE.
Slovenian MEPs regret Metsola's statement on foibe
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Six out of the eight Slovenian MEPs addressed a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to express regret over a statement of hers that they say conveys an "untrue and repeatedly criticised position of the former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano" regarding the foibe massacres during and after WWII. The letter was signed by Milan Brglez, Tanja Fajon (both S&D/SD), Klemen Grošelj and Irena Joveva (both Renew/LMŠ), Franc Bogovič (EPP/SLS) and Ljudmila Novak (EPP/NSi).
Bilateral cooperation in focus of Logar's talks in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - Foreign Minister Anže Logar held talks with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and several other cabinet members as he wrapped up his tour of the Gulf. Economic cooperation was in the focus, as was Slovenia's bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. The ministers confirmed an interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said, adding that the completion of procedures for several bilateral agreements could contribute to that.
Centre-left challenges migrant laws at Constitutional Court
LJUBLJANA - The centre-left opposition filed for a constitutional review and repeal of parts of legislation on foreigners and international protection which they say have tightened already strict laws on immigration and migration. They propose the contentious articles to be stayed pending the court's final decision. Passed in March 2021, the contentious amendments allow suspension of prescribed asylum procedures in the event a complex migration crisis.
Despite crisis, STA kept level of output, finished in the black
LJUBLJANA - The STA lost practically no subscribers in 2021, its output remained at the level of 2020 and it finished the year with a profit, despite being left without government co-funding for 300 days last year, STA director general Igor Kadunc and editor-in-chief Aljoša Rehar said. The agency increased revenue to EUR 4.3 million, including with the help of a fund-raising campaign and a 2.4% rise in revenue from commercial services, and posted a gross profit of around EUR 170,000.
Waste manager Saubermacher looking to grow by takeover
LJUBLJANA - Saubermacher Slovenija intends to take over the waste management company company Publikus and has notified the competition watchdog of the intention. The takeover would solidify the company's position as a market leader in central Slovenia. Saubermacher Slovenija is one of the largest privately-owned waste management company in Slovenia and one of the largest ones overall in the country in terms of revenue.
Medical app developer Mediately raises EUR 7.2m to expand in Europe
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian start-up Mediately has raised EUR 7.2 million in Series A funding to expand its mobile app for doctors to the largest markets in Europe. The app facilitates access to medical knowledge for doctors by simplifying an adapting complex and extensive medical content. Mediately has raised the funds to expand from the eight markets in Europe in which it is currently present.
New director of Spirit agency appointed
LJUBLJANA - The government appointed Rok Capl acting director of the investment promotion agency Spirit Slovenia effective on 12 February after the previous director, Tomaž Kostanjevec, stepped down. According to his Linkedin profile, Capl currently works in the management of the spa company Thermana Laško and was previously a director at another spa company, Terme Čatež.
