The International Agriculture and Food Fair AGRA opened in Gornja Radgona on Saturday, with Prime Minister Marjan Šarec saying that the event was of exceptional importance for Slovenia. He said that the issues in agriculture were solvable, but not over night, adding that the sector must tackle new challenges.

Having shortened the standard eight-hour workday by two hours, companies Donar and Plastika Skaza have prompted a debate on whether Slovenia should replace the 40-hour working week with a 30-hour one. Trade unions welcome the idea, although they are aware of certain restrictions, whereas employers warn of negative consequences.

While the newspaper Večer criticises in Saturday's commentary Prime Minister Marjan Šarec for advocating a new reactor at the NEK nuclear power plant with such an ease, it notes that it is time to start a debate on what kind of energy policy Slovenia really wants.

The AGRA Fair of Agriculture and Food 2019 gets under way in Gornja Radgona today. Running until 28 August, it will focus on digitalisation, automation, new technology in farming and the agro-food sector, as well generational renewal.

Agriculture Minister Aleksandra Pivec and her visiting Turkish counterpart Bekir Pakdemirli participated on Thursday in the signing of a document laying down the guidelines for future cooperation as part of the Slovenia-Turkey Management Committee for Agriculture and Forestry. The pair also attended a ministerial conference in Ptuj today.

The SBI TOP of blue chips on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange closed 0.35% lower at 861.54 points on Friday. The biggest percentage loser was the issue of insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav, while pharma company Krka's was the busiest item, contributing almost half to the EUR 2.25 million in the day's trading volumes.

Prime Minister Marjan Šarec has caused upset in Austria by supporting the construction of a second nuclear reactor in Slovenia, with indications the neighbouring country will strongly oppose the project.