At today's extraordinary session, held during the Government's visit to Gorenjska, the government discussed the aftermath of the thunderstorm which raged in several parts of the country yesterday, and the activities of the competent ministries in terms of protection, rescue and damage repair.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
The PM said that the Government would allocate €500,000 from the budgetary reserve for disaster relief costs, and has called in units of the Slovenian Armed Forces to help repair damage. The Government will also provide all the funding for the complete renovation of Franja Partisan Hospital.
At a press conference in the afternoon, the PM said that in spite of a somewhat different schedule, the majority of seventy events had been held. After reviewing what promises had been made two years ago, the cabinet established that the majority of them had been kept, or is currently being realised. Thus the Government has focused on new development opportunities which have arisen in the meantime.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
In terms of development, Gorenjska ranks third among the twelve development regions and, which is particularly positive, is gaining on the Coastal-Karst region and the Central region. With regard to GDP, it stands at 86.2 per cent of the Slovenian average and 71.8 per cent of the EU average, while in terms of economic power the region exceeds the Slovenian average by 2.4 per cent. The PM stressed the significance of tourism, as Gorenjska is one of the most developed regions in this respect. "Also on the basis of what we agreed two years ago, numerous investment projects were started," said the PM, adding that Gorenjska will rank first in terms of new investment in tourism in the next few years. Eighty-five projects have been planned, totalling almost €600 million, which will further explore the opportunities available in the tourist sector.
The employment statistics are also encouraging, as the number of registered unemployed fell by 37 per cent in comparison with October 2005, which is more than anywhere else in Slovenia and the lowest percentage in the last ten years. In 2006 employers reported that they needed 17 per cent more workers than in 2005, and the demand for work permits has also greatly increased.
The PM stressed the significance of two documents which are essential to the region’s development. The first is the new Act on Local Finances, which brings to Gorenjska an additional €14 million or 15 per cent over 2006, with every local authority gaining. The PM believes that the second important document is the Resolution on National Development Projects, which envisages the construction of the Planica Nordic Centre, worth €94 million, and the building of an economic centre for Gorenjska, with supporting network institutions, worth €160 million. The modernisation of the railway network will also prove additionally beneficial for the region.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
The PM also said that with regard to drawing on European funds, the Gorenjska region ranks above the Slovenian average. In the period 2004-2006, fifty-seven projects in the region (mainly in the fields of innovation, tourism, agriculture, forestry and economic infrastructure), with a total value of €14.6 million, were co-financed from European funds. A further €59 million or €300 per capita has been earmarked for the cohesion policy and strengthening of regional development potential in Gorenjska for the period 2007-2013, which is also higher than the Slovenian average. "I take this opportunity to call on the local people to record as many quality projects as possible for the next financial perspective, and also carry them through," said PM Janez Janša.
As to the introduction of new regions, the PM said that according to a current government proposal, Gorenjska is foreseen as a strong region of 200,000 inhabitants, and thus in terms of its size and population, one of the larger regions. In his view, this was another great opportunity. The current proposal stipulates that the region would be entitled to €108 million for day-to-day running costs, and €23 million for development.
In the morning, the PM visited the Elan company in Begunje. His hosts gave a presentation of the company, which specialises in the manufacture, distribution and sale of skis, snowboards, yachts and motorboats, and developing products for sports facilities. They also presented the company's vision of future development, and informed the PM about some difficulties they have encountered in their business. The PM, who was accompanied by the economic minister Andrej Vizjak, and the development minister Dr Žiga Turk, reminded his hosts about public contract awards for promoting the development of an environment of innovation, and for development and investment projects. He stressed that the Government is aware of the importance of the Elan trademark, which has enormous business potential, and great promotional value for Slovenia.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
In the late afternoon, the PM and his team stopped at Brdo pri Kranju, where they attended a meeting with mayors, business representatives and other development players in the region. PM Janez Janša presented the participants with the Government's conclusions about the visit, stressing that in addition to alleviating the effects of the storm, the Government is focused on the region's vast development potential.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
To conclude his two-day visit to Gorenjska, the PM opened a new sports hall in Poljane nad Škofjo Loko.
(Photo: Primož Lavre/Salomon 2000)
