NEWS

Prime Minister Pahor on a working visit to Goriška Region: "The region is on a development path"

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, accompanied by ministers and state secretaries, today paid a working visit to the Goriška region. Following an introductory working meeting during which they were acquainted with special features of the region and presented the relevant agenda, the Prime Minister and the ministers held separate working meetings across the region. The visit was concluded by a plenary meeting between the Government's delegation and the mayors, business people, deputies and national councillors from the Goriška region. As part of the programme, Mr Pahor visited the companies Hidria Inštitut Klima and Kolektor Group and attended a meeting focusing on government activities related to a comprehensive protection of cultural heritage and natural assets associated with the Idrija mercury mine.

 

At the close of consultations in Ajdovščina Mr Pahor said that "the Severnoprimorska Region was the first one to feel the impact of a major recession". At the end of 2008, this region was countrywide mostly struck by the recession in terms of economic problems and social problems related thereto. "As the first region to fall into recession, it was, in 2010, also the first one to start getting out of it and now follows the development path. Moreover, the Severnoprimorska Region is today the region, which is characterised by below-average unemployment and above-average economic growth; the regional per capita income is above the national average and the restructuring of the production is not applied to labour intensive industries, but to capital intensive sectors with a high added value", added Mr Pahor. In addition, he announced new investments in high-tech productions, education and the elimination of administrative barriers in order to attract foreign investors to the region. "The gambling industry, as one of the major tourist activities which must be attributed a wider importance and a more comprehensive status in this region, is also getting back on its feet," said Prime Minister Pahor after the Government's consultations in Ajdovščina.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/SPA, source: GCO)

 

Accompanied by the Minister of the Economy, Ms Darja Radić, Mr Pahor first visited the company Hidria Inštitut Klima where he met with the company's management and was informed about the company's business results during the last decade and its integration into the broader region, as well as about its business and enlargement goals. Mr Pahor and Ms Radić then also visited the company Kolektor Group. The company's management presented its favourable business results achieved to date in the field of highly specialised industrial production and highlighted the importance of the Group on both the Slovenian and global market. The two regional economic giants expressed their wish for investment tax relief, the adoption of capping and labour flexibility. At the close of the visit, Mr Pahor and Ms Radić made a tour of the production lines.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/SPA, source: GCO)

 

Accompanied by the Minister of Culture, Majda Širca, and the State Secretary for Health, Ivan Eržen, Prime Minister Pahor attended the meeting at the Gewerkenegg Castle focusing on government activities related to a comprehensive protection of cultural heritage and natural assets associated with the Idrija mercury mine. Five hundred years of the mine’s operation and its rich legacy constitute a significant cultural, natural, local and, last but not least, national heritage which deserves to be institutionalised as a public institute. To this end, the participants reached a general agreement.

 

(Photo: Tamino Petelinšek/SPA, source: GCO)

 

In the afternoon, the Government delegation concluded its visit by way of a closing meeting between Prime Minister Pahor and ministers and mayors, businessmen, deputies and national councillors from the region. The participants gave their assessment of the situation resulting from the concluded meetings, presented the Government tasks already accomplished in this area and touched upon potential aspects and perspectives of further development of this part of Slovenia, as well as upon the relevant efforts made by the Slovenian Government. During the visit, the Government mainly focused on the economic and social picture of the region. At the close of the meeting held in Nova Gorica between the Government representatives and the mayors, deputies and national councillors, Mr Pahor said that by attending the discussions during the visits to various Slovenian regions, one can feel the pulse of life there, while he considers both advice and critical observations heard during such visits highly important. Only in such a way, adequate and effective solutions can be prepared. Today, the presidents of certain large and successful companies have explained that what they need is technically highly qualified personnel facilitating the development of new products in the future. "I agree with them," said Mr Pahor. Unemployment is one of those problems the Government is most busy to resolve. Nevertheless, "in my view, a part of the responsibility should also be assumed by the companies' managements". Poorly paid labour cannot be Slovenia's competitive advantage. However, except for the construction sector, the Slovenian industry as a whole is on the rise. Mr Pahor went on to highlight the importance of foreign capital and the modernisation of the regional road between Nova Gorica and Bovec. "Without this step, the entire Soča region would be a lost opportunity not only in terms of tourism, but also otherwise," said Mr Pahor and added that a method of ensuring funds for the reconstruction, perhaps even through concessions, must be found.