News roundup - Friday, 30 August, until 3pm

Slovenia and Turkey sign strategic partnership agreement

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia and Turkey signed a strategic partnership agreement as Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon received her Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan to discuss topical global issues. Fajon said that the strategic partnership agreement confirmed the very good relations between Slovenia and Turkey and sets the course for their future development. They stressed both countries will continue to strive for peace in the Middle East.

Slovenia's estimated GDP growth last year upgraded to 2.1%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.1% in real terms last year on an annual basis, shows the annual estimate by the Statistics Office, which compares to the previous estimate of a 1.6% growth that was based on the aggregation of quarterly data. After the annual revision of the estimate, the 2023 GDP amounted to EUR 63.951 billion, up by 12.4% in nominal terms and by 2.1% in real terms from the year before, Statistics Office head Apolonija Oblak Flander said,

Annual inflation rate down to 0.9% in August

LJUBLJANA - The Statistics Office reported that the annual inflation rate in Slovenia continues to decrease, dropping to 0.9% in August, in what is the first time since March 2021 that the rate dropped to below 1%. A deflation of 0.2% was recorded on a monthly basis, mostly due to summer sales. The annual rate was pushed up the most (by 0.5 of a percentage point) by 6.7% higher prices in restaurants and hotels. Measured with the harmonised index of consumer prices, the annual growth of consumer prices in August was 1.1%, while it was at 6.1% a year ago. Prices at the monthly level on average remained the same.

Slovenian, Korean firms join forces to make hemp products

LJUBLJANA - Slovenian hemp product maker PharmaHemp signed a memorandum of understanding on the development and production with South Korea's producer of medical products T&L, which is currently building a factory in Maribor. The companies are working together to develop medical plasters with hemp extract. T&L is currently completing the first phase of a EUR 4 million investment in a new Factory in Maribor. In the second phase it is planning a EUR 10 million expansion of production.

Salus's net profit up by a third in H1

LJUBLJANA - The group around the Ljubljana-based pharmaceutical wholesaler Salus generated EUR 321 million in net sales revenue in the first six months of the year, which is 11% more year-on-year. Its net profit increased year-on-year by around a third to EUR 6.8 million, the group announced. Its profit from regular operations and profit from regular operations before amortisation both increased by around a third to EUR 8.8 million and just under EUR 12.7 million, respectively.

Unior's sales slightly up in H1, profit down

ZREČE - Unior, a state-owned tool maker and automotive supplier, recorded more than EUR 154 million in sales revenue in the first half of 2024, which is 1% more than in the same period last year. The group's net profit was down by more than EUR 2 million to EUR 4.6 million because of higher costs of labour and financing. The orders in their prime line of business, production of forgings, where sales and production output exceeded the 2023 H1 results, are good, the management said.

Celje, Olimpija advance to league phase of UEFA Conference League

CELJE/LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian champions Celje have advanced to the league phase of the UEFA Conference League by beating the Armenian champions Pyunik with a 4:1 win at home in the second leg of the third qualifying round on Thursday evening, as have Olimpija Ljubljana, who beat Croatia's Rijeka 5:0. Maribor have meanwhile been eliminated by Sweden's Djurgardens. Celje and Olimpija will be among the 36 teams that will compete in the league phase to decide the 24 places in the knockout phase.

Seven officers injured in rioting at Olimpija-Rijeka match

LJUBLJANA - Olimpija Ljubljana's convincing 5:0 win against Croatia's Rijeka in the last qualifying round for the UEFA Conference League on Thursday was marred by rioting of the ultras in which seven police officers were lightly injured. The rioting fans also caused an estimated EUR 50,000 in damage by throwing flares and ripping out seats and setting them on fire. Most of the damage was done by the visiting ultras of Rijeka, called Armada. One Croatian citizen was detained.

Podčetrtek Castle reopening after extensive renovation

PODČETRTEK - Podčetrtek Castle, which has underwent a significant restoration after decades of decay, will be officially reopened today, the municipality of Podčetrtek (E) has announced. The two projects to restore the trail to the castle and its lookout terrace were financed in part with EU and state funds. The castle is now thoroughly renovated and has enriched its offer for tourists, including interactive and AR experiences, and can also offer castle feasts and weddings, they added.

Javelin thrower Tom Teršek wins world youth champion title

LIMA, Peru - Slovenian javelin thrower Tom Teršek won the gold medal at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships. The 17-year-old phenom confirmed the role of the favourite with his last throw that landed at 76.81 metres to become only the second world youth athletics champion from Slovenia ever, after Gregor Cankar won the men's long jump event in Lisbon in 1994 with a 8.04-metre jump. The teenager from Kranj is the only youth athlete with a throw of over 80 metres this season.