News roundup - Friday, 14 February, until 3pm

First estimate puts Slovenia's GDP growth last year at 1.6%

LJUBLJANA - Slovenia's GDP increased by 1.6% in 2024, shows the initial estimate of the Statistics Office. Final consumption expenditure, comprised of household and government spending, contributed positively to GDP growth. It increased by 3.5%, owing above all to an 8.5% increase in government spending, while household consumption increased by 1.6%, the Statistics Office said. On the other hand, gross fixed capital formation and external trade had a negative impact, as the former decreased by 3.7% and and imports and exports dropped by 3.9% and 3.2%, respectively. Seasonally adjusted, GDP grew by 1.3%.

Committee votes down changes legalising alcohol consumption in schools

LJUBLJANA - Following a heated debate, the parliamentary Health Committee voted down changes to the Restrictions on the Use of Alcohol Act drafted by the opposition Democratic Party (SDS) in an attempt to legalise the sale of alcohol at non-school events held on school premises. The changes were rejected with nine votes in favour and none against after opposition MPs accused committee chair Tamara Kozlovič, an MP for the senior coalition Freedom Movement, of violating the rules of procedure and left the session before the vote. SDS MP Žan Mahnič said that the party would file the changes again.

Equinox's net profit up nearly a quarter last year

LJUBLJANA - Equinox, a real estate company whose portfolio includes four hotels in the centre of Ljubljana, saw its net sales revenue increase by 11.4% to EUR 8.67 million in 2024 from the year before and its net profit by 23% to 1.07 million. EBITDA increased by 4.9% to EUR 6.23 million, and funds from operations (FFO), the most widely monitored performance indicator for real estate firms, rose by 8.4% to EUR 6.98 million, which is EUR 3.89 per share. "We had a good year," chairman Peter Krivc said as he presented the 2024 results, adding that the company was financially very stable.

Boscarol reportedly buying Cimos facility in Senožeče

SENOŽEČE - Businessman and developer Ivo Boscarol is buying the production facility of the automotive industry supplier Cimos in Senožeče, southwest, one of the Koper-based group's three locations in Slovenia, Primorske Novice reported. The deal between the Cimos owner, the German financial fund Mutares, which has recently put the factory and the adjacent land up for sale at the opening price of EUR 4.2 million, and Boscarol, is reportedly just about to be finalised. The newspaper says that there had been quite a lot of interest in the facility and land, and that Boscarol's bid was by far the best.

Celje draw with APOEL, Olimpija lose to Borac in first leg

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina/CELJE - The Slovenian clubs in the UEFA Conference League knockout phase play-offs had a so-so first leg on Thursday as the national champions Celje played out a 2:2 draw with APOEL Nicosia at home, while Olimpija Ljubljana suffered a minimal defeat at the hands of the Bosnian champions Borac Banja Luka on the road. The second leg of the knockout phase play-offs will be played next Thursday, with Celje travelling to Nicosia and Olimpija hosting Borac.

Slovenian researchers unveil secret love life of crickets

LJUBLJANA - A study published by Slovenian researchers has unveiled that crickets are not just musicians, but true masters of stunning courtship displays, showing that males put on an elaborate vibroacoustic display for females before mating, consisting of singing and dancing. The team at the National Institute of Biology, considered a pioneer and leader in the field of vibrational animal communication or biotremology, revealed that their love song consists not only of the sound produced by the characteristic wing rubbing or stridulation but also vibrational signals inaudible to the human ear.