Weekly Review of the Slovene Economy from 29 December to 4 January

Ljubljana, 6 January - Slovenia ended the year 2001 with a seven percent inflation rate and entered the new year with higher prices as a result of the VAT. The first day of the new year also brought about a partial deregulation of the country's electricity market, allowing consumers using up more than 100 GWh annually to directly import electricity. Bank of Slovenia eliminated restrictions in dealing with cash and securities. The first week also saw a continuation of the beer war for Pivovarna Union. Slovenia's leading brewery Pivovarna Lasko was temporarily banned from bidding on the stake of the Slovene Pension Fund Management (KAD) in Union. The interest for the purchase of Slovenia's first bank Nova Ljubljanska banka (NLB) was small, only the Belgian bank KBC placed a binding offer by the end of the deadline on 31 December, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has only sent a letter of intent.