OZS head Branko Meh said the draft fourth stimulus package, extending the furlough scheme by another months, primarily focussed on saving jobs. "But if companies go into receivership, the furlough scheme will not help as jobs will be lost. The priority should thus be to save companies' liquidity," he said.

During the epidemic, the number of company accounts blocked jumped from 3,390 to 55,000, Meh illustrated.

The OZS proposes a guarantee scheme with higher state guarantees and higher loans, and additional funds for the programmes of the Slovenian Enterprise Fund and the SID development bank.

The furlough scheme and short-time work schemes should be extended by the end of the year, the chamber believes.

The government should also lower the VAT for the hospitality sector, crafts, and for photography, cosmetic services, dry cleaning, shoemaking and sewing services. Businesses whose operations were banned during the epidemic should receive special financial incentives.

The government-sponsored emergency bill initially planned as amendments to the third stimulus package envisages an extension to the furlough scheme until the end of July, and creates a legal basis for a Covid-19 tracking app. It is to be passed in an emergency procedure.