The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Mr Janez Janša, began the Government’s visits to central Slovenia by visiting Pekarna Blatnik at Videm – Dobrepolje today. This is the concluding visit by the Government to the regions, since, to date, the ministerial team has already visited all Slovenian regions and stopped in all municipalities. The Prime Minister stressed that the Government team had begun touring the regions in March last year with the least developed region and would be concluding its visits in the most developed region.
Prime Minister Janez Janša in the baking company Pekarna Blatnik (PHOTO: Arsen Perić/Salomon 2000)
Prime Minister Janez Janša, Mrs Marija Lukačič, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food, and Mr Andrej Vizjak, Minister for the Economy, visited Pekarna Blatnik and discussed with its management the impact of the new tax legislation on company operations, the possibilities to simplify procedures in public procurement and the envisaged measures to subsidize manufacturing and food manufacturing industries. Mention was also made of the published notice of intent by Pekarna Blatnik to purchase a majority interest in the Mlinotest Company.
In recent months, Pekarna Blatnik has been receiving more orders than its production facilities could handle: therefore, it has started looking into the possibilities of expanding its operations. Having analysed the situation in Slovenia's baking market, the company has found unutilised production capacities in Mlinotest in Ajdovščina, and has published its notice of intent to purchase a majority interest in Mlinotest at the beginning of this month. According to the Prime Minister, the Government always welcomes the development of companies in Slovenia and if, along with the takeover of Mlinotest, Pekarna Blatnik also plans the development of society, expansion to foreign markets and provision of new jobs, this project can indeed be very successful.
The Prime Minister touring production plants of Ristro and Motoman Robotec (PHOTO: Arsen Perić/Salomon 2000)
The Prime Minister then stopped in Ribnica to meet the respective managements of the companies Ristro and Motoman Robotec. The Prime Minister was informed of the ambitious goals of both companies that manufacture and market the process control equipment and industrial robot systems. Both companies – operating as one – export 70 per cent of their production; every year around 150 robot systems used chiefly in the automobile industry are manufactured for the European market (Germany). Their objective is to become the leading manufacturer in this field both in Slovenia and in the markets of former Yugoslavia.
The Prime Minister briefly outlined the purpose and objectives of tax reform; also discussed were the possibilities of investment co-financing. The discussion centred on the call for co-financing of new development programmes and projects, with a substantial part of the funds earmarked for this very purpose still available. Moreover, companies which are more than 25 per cent owned by foreign partners may apply for state aid funds for the allocation of which there are no restrictions related to the ownership structure or size.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Janez Janša gave two short interviews on the radios Zeleni val and Univox respectively. Tomorrow, Mr Janša will continue with the central part of this visit. Firstly, the Government will be meeting for a consultation, after which there will be specific programmes for the Prime Minister and the ministers; late in the afternoon they will all be meeting mayors, economists, deputies and National Council councillors from central Slovenia. The visit by the Government will be concluded with a charity football match between the Government team and the economists.
