The Slovenia Times

Business Expects Development Push from New Government

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"Politicians hold the key to changes in their hands. We hope that they will create the conditions that will allow business to use their potential...to the best of their abilities," GZS president Samo Hribar Milič told the meeting.

The list of demands by GZS to the future government reflects calls made by business in recent years and is headed by structural changes which would reduce the tax and administrative burden.

The priority should be tackling the ongoing jobs and demographic crunch, according to the GZS agenda, which says that job creation requires a new development drive based on creating better business conditions.

In addition to lower taxes and contributions, improved tax collection and upgraded inspection services, the document calls for reforms of the public sector, healthcare, pensions, public contracting and the welfare state.

It also urges broad changes in society which would make Slovenia more business-oriented, including better corporate management at state-owned companies, a development-minded budget, an overhauled education system, incentives for exporters and emphasis on smart specialisation.

In the ensuing debate, business representatives called for efforts to lower labour costs and increase flexibility of labour laws.

The current legislation virtually prohibits firing, said Otmar Zorn of Iskra Zaščite, a maker of surge protection systems. He pointed the finger at trade unions, who in his opinion do not protect the interests of people but rather those of politicians.

Meanwhile, calls were also made for a new investment cycle to be launched, with director of IBE engineering consultancy Uroš Mikoš calling for efforts to restart the ailing construction sector.

Mikoš also urged a rethink of plans to expand the Natura 2000 environmentally protected zone in the country. The zone already covers 40% of the total territory and expanding it could present a drag on business, he said.

Business officials also said the state needs to build on efforts aimed at helping businesses go global.

The country should develop its diplomatic network in the East, including in the Gulf, said Dušan Olaj of engineering company Duol.

Meanwhile, boss of spa operator Terme Olimia Zdravko Počivalšek called for measures to boost tourism as an export segment. Slovenia has the potential to expand the tourism sector by up to 50%, which would create 10,000 new jobs, he said.

Politicians taking part in the session responded to the proposals by raising points from their individual manifestos and giving support to individual proposals.

Efforts to promote tourism were highlighted by Positive Slovenia (PS) boss Zoran Janković and SD representative Matjaž Han, with the latter also pointing to the need to further overhaul insolvency legislation in order to speed up restructuring of ailing companies.

Representatives of the Democratic Party (SDS) and People's Party (SLS) expressed support for calls to lower taxes and overhaul the pension system. There is room to abolish a few of the existing agencies and other government institutions, said SDS lawmaker Andrej Šircelj.

New Slovenia (NSi) MP Matej Tonin reiterated his party's support for privatisation and efforts to improve management of state-owned assets. The latter should be performed by an international manager who would be hired in an international call, said Tonin.

Meanwhile, efforts to promote industry in the country were raised by representative of the Pensioners' Party (DeSUS) Saša Ivan Geržina.
 

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