Zdravko Pocivalsek

Ljubljana – Petra Grah Lazar, director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), has confirmed for the news portal Siol that the bureau has referred to the prosecution a criminal complaint in an abuse of office investigation into the purchases of personal protective equipment and ventilators during the early stages of the Covid-19 epidemic.

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 – Slovenia’s officials strongly condemned Russia’s recognition of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine as independent entities. Prime Minister Janez Janša called for the EU to offer Ukraine the prospect of full membership. Slovenia is also ready to support the country’s membership of the EU.

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.

Postojna/Cerknica – The government will consult with health experts on Tuesday on when and how to adjust coronavirus restrictions now that the Omicron-driven wave has peaked and the epidemiological curve is rapidly declining.

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.

Ljubljana – The Economy Ministry announced that it will provide a total of EUR 640.7 million in development incentives this year, intended to raise productivity through the green and digital transition and to ensure a balanced development of Slovenia’s regions.