News roundup - Friday, 23 August, until 3pm

Petrol's revenue down by 14% in H1, net profit by 1% to EUR 52.1m

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest energy group Petrol reported a net profit of EUR 52.1 million for the first half of the year, a 1% decrease year-on-year, as sales revenue fell by 14% to 2.9 billion. Petrol, which operates 318 service stations in Slovenia and another 261 in the remaining former Yugoslav republics, said the decrease in revenue was mainly due to the lower prices of energy commodities on spot and futures markets. The management said the company responded well to a challenging market situation, including to the continuing petroleum product price regulation.

Insurance group Sava H1 net profit up 11.1% to EUR 44.5m

LJUBLJANA - The insurance group Sava increased its turnover by 14% in the first half of the year to EUR 563.8 million, wile net profit grew 11.1% to EUR 44.5 million year-on-year, shows an unaudited report released by the company, which noted that growth was recorded in all operating segments. Sava noted a 18.2% growth in insurance revenue, which amounted to EUR 388.1 million between January and June. The group's total insurance expenses amounted to EUR 304.1 million, EUR 26.2 million more than in the first half of 2023.

Slovenia and Albania sign agriculture cooperation agreement

MARIBOR - Agriculture, Forestry and Food Minister Mateja Čalušić signed a cooperation memorandum with her Albanian counterpart Anila Denajin on the margins of a meeting she is hosting for representatives from SE European countries on organic farming and sustainable agricultural production. It aims to boost expert collaboration and joint initiatives in agricultural, phytosanitary, and veterinary policies. Čalušić noted Slovenia's role in Albania's EU path through knowledge transfer and best practices, adding that the memorandum is a new chapter of cooperation.

Consumer confidence up in August

LJUBLJANA - Consumer confidence in Slovenia grew by one percentage point in August compared to July and by 10 points year-on-year, while it was also nine percentage points above the 2023 average. Consumer confidence in August was the highest since February 2022 or before the start of the war in Ukraine. It was mostly boosted by the more optimistic opinion of the current financial situation in the household, which was up by four points.

Ljubljana old town to turn into world and jazz music stage

LJUBLJANA - The 36th iteration of Nights in Old Ljubljana Town, the largest street festival of world and jazz music in the capital, will take place today and on Saturday. Four venues will host eleven admission-free events, featuring over 70 artists from five countries. The concerts will take place in New Square and Upper Square, dance events will take place under Plečnik's Arcades at the Ljubljana central market, while additional concerts for both young and older audiences will be organised at the Ljubljana Zoo.

Endurance rally motorcyclist Mulec wins Rally Mongolia race

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia - Slovenian endurance rally motorcyclist Toni Mulec has emerged as the winner of the seven-day international rally in Mongolia. Mulec claimed victory after completing the over 3,000 km race across the Mongolian steppes with a time of 28 hours and 19 minutes. "The Rally Mongolia was undoubtedly one of the most interesting challenges of my career," said Mulec, who now sets his sights on the world's toughest endurance rally, Dakar 2025.