News roundup - Friday, 15 November

Collective agreements signed to seal public sector pay reform

LJUBLJANA - After almost two years of talks, the government and public sector unions signed collective agreements and accords that finalise the biggest overhaul of the public sector pay system in 15 years. With sufficient union support secured, the changes to the pay system are set to take effect on 1 January, resulting in a gradual rise of salaries over the coming three years. The opposition Democratic Party (SDS) has said the agreements constitute only minor changes.

Brussels downgrades Slovenia's GDP growth forecast for 2024 to 1.4%

BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Commission has downgraded its gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for Slovenia for this year from 2.3% to 1.4%. Its 2025 forecast has been slightly downgraded, by 0.1 percentage points to 2.5%. A 2.6% GDP growth is meanwhile expected in 2026. Export demand will remain rather weak, and investment growth subdued, especially for construction, said the autumn forecast report.

Fmr ambassador to China appointed ambassador to Russia

LJUBLJANA - President Nataša Pirc Musar appointed on Wednesday Slovenia's former Ambassador to China Alenka Suhadolnik ambassador to Russia, according to the Official Gazette. Suhadolnik will succeed Darja Bavdež Kuret, who was recalled in October. Under Slovenian law, a diplomat can only lead a mission or consulate until they turn 68. Suhadolnik has been serving as ambassador to China until this summer, when her term expired.

Petrol's revenue down 13% in Jan-Sep, net profit up 30%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's largest energy group Petrol reported revenues of EUR 4.5 billion for the first nine months, a 13% decline compared to the same period last year. Despite the lower revenue, fuel sales volumes increased and the group's net profit rose by 30% to EUR 123.6 million. Petrol said in its press release that stable and successful operations were maintained despite the period being affected by regulated fuel prices and geopolitical uncertainty.

Salus's net profit up 27% in Jan-Sept

LJUBLJANA - The group Salus, a Ljubljana-based pharmaceutical wholesaler, generated EUR 479.2 million in sales revenue in the first nine months of the year, which is 9.8% more than in the same period last year, while its net profit increased by 27.5% to EUR 10.2 million. Salus said in its business report that the group's performance in the first nine months was above the targets.

Minister says state to chip in up to EUR 40m for new e-Twingo

LJUBLJANA - Economy Minister Matjaž Han told the Forbes Slovenija portal that the production of Renault Twingo E-Tech in the Novo Mesto-based plant of the French car maker could bring up to 400 additional jobs to the Revoz plant in the long term and that the state will provide up to EUR 40 million in subsidies for the project. "We are in constant touch with Renault, and according to the latest information, they are preparing everything that is needed for the investment," Han said in an interview with Forbes Slovenija.

CEB approves loan for assisted living apartments in Slovenia

PARIS, France - The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) said it approved a EUR 20 million loan for the Pension Real Estate Fund of the national pension purse ZPIZ to build 220 assisted housing units for some 300 elderly residents. The fund intends to build the units in several locations around the country by the end of 2027. The investment is estimated at EUR 40 million, with the fund covering EUR 20 million.

Self-employed people in culture raise issue of Covid aid return

LJUBLJANA - Three trade unions held a press conference in front of the parliament building to raise the issue of many self-employed people in culture finding themselves in a bind due to the requests from the Financial Administration (FURS) to return the Covid-related aid. They called for the debt to be written off. They also called for the amounts that had already been enforced to be returned and a revision and freezing of the enforcement decisions.

National archives moved to new premises in Poljanska Road

LJUBLJANA - The new premises of the Archives of the Republic of Slovenia were inaugurated as Culture Minister Asta Vrečko visited the renovated and expanded former military barracks in Poljanska Road in Ljubljana. The archives are under one roof for the first time since 1990.

Nektar Natura named ITM Exporter of the Year

LJUBLJANA - Kamnik-based Nektar Natura, a leading European provider of beverages for hotels, has been named the ITM Exporter of the Year by SPIRIT Slovenia, the state agency promoting entrepreneurship and investment. Nektar Natura operates globally, reaching customers on nearly every continent. Founded in 1993, it employs 125 people and generates 95% of its revenue from sales across more than 30 markets. It was picked as the winner for excelling in objective indicators while demonstrating exceptional international business practices.

Mussolini apparently still has honorary title in Piran

PIRAN - After city councillors in Gorizia voted against stripping fascist leader Benito Mussolini of the title of freeman of this Italian city, causing upset in Slovenia, senior archivist Matej Muženič has revealed that Mussolini was also declared a freeman of Piran, a town now in Slovenia, in 1924 in a decision that has never been revoked. But Piran Mayor Andrej Korenika said that Mussolini was not a freeman of Piran, "at least not of the municipality I run, which was founded 1994".

Three Croats sentenced to prison for ATM robberies

LJUBLJANA - Three Croatian citizens arrested in June over suspicion of braking into several ATMs in Slovenia have pleaded guilty, the newspaper Delo reported. The first man has already been sentenced to nearly two years in prison, which he will serve at weekends. The remaining two agreed to three years and to nine months in prison, respectively. The three criminals will also have to settle the damages claims filed by the banks in the amount of nearly EUR 190,000.

Slovenia handily beaten by Norway at home in Nations League

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia lost to Norway 1:4 at home on Thursday in the penultimate match of the UEFA Nations League to squander all chances of finishing first in Group 3 of League B and advancing directly to League A. Slovenia will look to secure promotion to the play-offs as they are hosted by Austria in Vienna on Sunday in the last round. Jaka Bijol, who anchors Slovenia's defence, said: "We have to keep our heads up. We have another tough match in Austria coming up soon and we will have to show a much better performance."