Ljubljana - The parliamentary Economy Committee called on the government Wednesday to put in place additional measures to help the hospitality industry, one of the sectors hit hardest by Covid-19 restrictions.

While acknowledging that existing aid has been effective and timely, the committee urged the government to reopen the sector as soon as the epidemiological situation permits and to strive for additional aid based on examples of best practice abroad.

It called on the Economy Ministry to work towards a single, predictable system of the crossing of borders, and to accelerate the rollout of a EUR 36 million tender for the co-financing of operating costs of smaller and medium-sized companies in the sector.

Another recommendation addressed to the government states that companies which had to shut down because of coronavirus restrictions should get a means-tested one-off aid for lost income.

The conclusions capped a debate that saw representatives of the sector demand industry-specific measures in the next stimulus package, including lower VAT, 100% compensation for furlough, higher co-financing of fixed costs and an extension of the existing loan moratorium.

Economy Ministry data show the industry has so far received EUR 312 million in non-refundable aid, with another EUR 320 million planned this year.

State Secretary Simon Zajc said it was impossible to forecast when the sector might reopen, but noted that the ministry was keeping an eye on the situation and examining how certain measures may be adjusted.

The opposition dismissed government claims aid to the sector has been sufficient, whereas the coalition stressed that funds were not unlimited and that the focus needed to be on job preservation.