The government pledged then it would earmark some EUR 66m in aid to the wider Maribor area, which has been severely hit by the economic crisis.

Several tenders were planned to be published already last year, but the first step was only made Dragonja, who took over the ministry two weeks ago, as he launched the procedures for tenders. The first tender, worth some EUR 3.3m is expected to be published by the end of the month.

The local Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business claims that the government's failure to deliver the promised aid has had catastrophic consequences. "The region is burdened by high unemployment, pushing the people into ever greater distress," head of the chamber Aleš Pulko said.

In addition to fulfilling the promises on state aid, Maribor expects the minister, who has a long history in business, to help prevent Maribor from being "suffocated by red tape".

According to the Maribor Employment Service, 17,300 people were registered as unemployed in February, which is some 16% of the population.

Pulko noted that, small businesses had become the pillar of regional economy, with big companies representing less than one percent of the economy.