Conference on the Revival of Investment Activities

Ljubljana, 8 July - The Slovenian Minister of Industry, Dušan Šešok, said at the Conference on the Revival of Investment Activities that a decrease in investments had been substantial but expected in recent years. The Slovenian Minister of Environment and Town Planning, Miha Jazbinšek, announced at the conference that the new Law on Environmental Protection would open up many opportunities for construction industry. Deputy Minister of Finance, Janez Kopač was of the opinion that it was impossible to change tax legislation in the pre-election year, since political parties wished to please the voters.
Dušan Šešok stressed the importance of encouraging investments. He believes that this depends on the present economic possibilities of Slovenia and its economy. The latter depends primarily on export, which has been recently bellow expectations. There are many reasons, but the major problem is related to the exchange rate policy of the Bank of Slovenia. The minister expects that he exchange rate will be soon changed, although it may not meet the needs of exporters. A considerably lower exchange rate would cause a higher rate of inflation.