Zdravko Počivalšek

Ljubljana – Slovenia is down three spots in the latest biannual global Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, standing in 39th place among the 117 countries surveyed by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The country ranks best in socio-economic resilience and conditions, and in the importance of tourism and security.

Ljubljana – First results show Slovenia has surpassed its goals for the Expo 2020, held between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022, as firms are already striking deals and UAE travel agents are showing interest in Slovenia. This shows the decision to take part was right, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said on Wednesday.

Ljubljana – Delo says in Saturday’s front-page commentary that the scare related to the York fund potentially selling its 47% stake in the tourism company Sava to Hungarians was “a storm in a teacup”, as the state will most likely exercise its pre-emptive right to the stake.

Dubai – Slovenia’s presentation at the Dubai Expo will culminate on Tuesday as the country marks its Culture Day with a special programme. The National Day at the Slovenian pavilion will feature Foreign Minister Anže Logar and Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek.

Ljubljana – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said he would strive for the state to exercise the pre-emptive right to a 43% stake in the tourism company Sava, which the private equity fund York has agreed to sell to Prestige, a company backed by a Hungarian fund. The final decision will be made after talks with the buyer and the relevant state institutions.

Paris/Lens – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek has paid a working visit to France, meeting French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Franck Riester on Monday and participating in an informal debate of the EU economy ministers on Tuesday, discussing ways to reduce the EU’s strategic dependence on third countries.

Celje – The coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) and the non-parliamentary Economically Active Party (GAS) merged at a congress on Saturday into a new party called Concretely that will focus on the social and economic development of Slovenia.

Ljubljana – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek has called on businesses to organise work from home wherever possible and to stick strictly to the Covid pass rule and other precautionary measures in what he says is the only way to avoid potential new restrictions.

Ljubljana – Higher energy prices – the prices of natural gas, electricity and oil derivatives – are a major problem for the entire EU economy not just for Slovenian’s, Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek said in Ljubljana on Tuesday. The situation is being analysed and he hopes solutions will be found for each segment.

Dubai – Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek officially inaugurated Slovenia’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 in Dubai on Saturday, saying that the event was an excellent opportunity to boost international cooperation and for Slovenia to show its knowledge, innovation and energy to the global public.