News roundup - Friday, 23 August

President ends visit to Mongolia with bilateral meetings

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - President Nataša Pirc Musar ended her visit to Mongolia with several bilateral meetings with representatives of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the sidelines of the World Women's Forum (WWF).

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.

Slovenian tourism in July slightly worse off than last year

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded around a million arrivals of tourists this July, who spent nearly 2.9 million nights in the country, both figures were about one percent lower than in July 2023, shows data by the Statistics Office. In the first seven months both arrivals and tourist nights were higher than in the same period last year.

Police bolster presence in Roma-populated areas in S Slovenia

LJUBLJANA - The police strengthened their presence in the municipalities of Kočevje, Ribnica, Škocjan and Šentjernej in southern Slovenia populated by the Roma at the start of July due to the security situation, and will adjust their presence if needed, Police Commissioner Senad Jušić said at a press conference about security measures in Roma-populated areas.

Calls to nurture democracy, acknowledge debt to victims of communism made on remembrance day

LJUBLJANA - Several events were held in Slovenia to mark the Europe-wide Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes. Bishop Anton Jamnik stressed the role of values for democracy and former President Borut Pahor urged the government to undo the "unacceptable" abolishment of Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Communist Violence.

Sport-business synergies discussed as Goran Dragić bids farewell

LJUBLJANA - There are many synergies between sport and business, and success in both is a result of the same values, politicians and business executives said at a round-table on the eve of basketball player Goran Dragić's farewell game.

Archaeological excavations to begin at NUK II site

LJUBLJANA - Archaeological work is set to begin soon in the area where a new National and University Library (NUK) building will be built in the centre of Ljubljana, in what is yet another step towards the long-planned NUK II. Once the archaeologists have done their job, expectedly by early 2025, a builder ill have to be selected before construction can finally begin.

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, started. Four venues will host eleven admission-free events, featuring over 70 artists from five countries over two days. 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.