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This summary is provided by the STA:
Ministry procuring million rapid tests, Majbert Pharm to supply them to UKC Ljubljana
LJUBLJANA - The Health Ministry published on Thursday a call to tender to supply a million rapid antigen tests for coronavirus screening with bids expected by noon on 10 March. Under the terms of the call, it expects the supply of about 50,000 tests a day with up to a 30% margin for departure on the volumes. Meanwhile, UKC Ljubljana hospital has signed a deal with Majbert Pharm to supply rapid antigen tests at virtually the same cost apiece as the company supplied to the Health Ministry for mass coronavirus testing under a contract signed in December.
910 coronavirus cases on Thursday as 7-day average inches lower
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia recorded 910 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, 14% fewer that the same day a week ago, to push the rolling 7-day average of new cases down further to 748, data released by the government show. Seven patients with Covid-19 died. The latest cases were confirmed from a total of 4,556 PCR tests, for a positivity rate of 20%. In addition 19,723 rapid antigen tests were also performed where all those who test positive take PCR tests.
Logar and Austrian colleague praise bilateral relations
VIENNA, Austria - Foreign Minister Anže Logar and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg assessed the countries' relations in the past year as positive as Logar paid a working visit to Vienna. The pair also noted the importance of the 100th anniversary of the Carinthian plebiscite in presence of both presidents. "A year of intensive dialogue is behind us," Logar said on Twitter after the meeting. He also met Slovenian minority representatives.
MPs to vote on health minister candidate next Tuesday
LJUBLJANA - The National Assembly will hold an emergency session on Tuesday to vote on the appointment of Janez Poklukar, the director of UKC Ljubljana, to the post of health minister, the college of deputy group leaders decided. MPs will be able to take part in the session remotely.
Restaurants allowed to serve B2B meals under certain conditions
LJUBLJANA - Despite the ongoing ban on indoor food service, restaurants in Slovenia are allowed to serve business customers under certain conditions, a senior Economy Ministry official said as he clarified government restrictions following uncertainty over what the indoor eating ban actually means. The decree banning the provision of goods and services, including indoor dining, "restricts only commerce with consumers. Commerce with business entities is permitted," Economy Ministry State Secretary Simon Zajc said at the government's daily Covid-19 briefing.
Specialised Prosecution sees fall in cases due to Covid-19
LJUBLJANA - The coronavirus epidemic has had an impact on the work of the Slovenian law enforcement authorities with a report from the Specialised State Prosecution Service showing there were virtually no new incoming cases during the first wave of the epidemic last spring. The second largest prosecution office in the country, the Specialised State Prosecution Service is tasked with prosecuting the toughest forms of crime, including white collar crime and organised crime.
New non-executive director appointed at bad bank
LJUBLJANA - Franc Dover, the director of the Maribor waste utility Snaga and chief supervisor of state-owned power utility HSE, is a new non-executive director of the Bank Assets Management Company (BAMC). The appointment, made by the government in its capacity as the sole shareholder of BAMC, took effect yesterday, a day after Boris Novak was dismissed.
Luka Koper sales slide 8% in 2020, net profit down 21%
KOPER - Port operator Luka Koper reported sales dropping by 8% year-on-year to EUR 210 million as shipping volumes contracted across the board. Net profit declined by 21% to EUR 32 million but it was still a percent higher than planned. Profit before income tax (EBIT) plunged by 26% to EUR 33.5 million and profit before income tax, depreciation and amortisation was at EUR 61.8 million, down 15% on the year before and 2% lower than planned, shows the earnings release published today.
SMC files bill to deregulate pharmacy business, chamber critical
LJUBLJANA - The coalition Modern Centre Party (SMC) tabled on Wednesday amendments to the pharmacy practice act that would partly deregulate the retail pharmacy market, including by rolling back a ban on vertical integration of pharmacies and drug wholesalers. The linchpin of its proposal is a loosening of criteria for the density of pharmacy chains, which is currently tightly regulated. The Chamber of Pharmacies criticised the proposal, arguing the existing rules are good.
E-tolling contract in parliamentary spotlight
LJUBLJANA - The parliamentary Commission for Oversight of Public Finances debated the selection of Slovakia's Skytoll for an e-tolling system for cars as the opposition alleged irregularities. Motorway company DARS and the Infrastructure Ministry meanwhile rejected any impropriety. The MPs ended up adopting a resolution calling on the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption to investigate potential risks in the public tender. They also asked the Infrastructure Ministry to prepare a report on the tender in a month.
Suspected sex trafficking ringleader pleads not guilty
KOPER - Sergej Racman, a businessman suspected of masterminding a sex trafficking operation in a case known as Marina, pleaded not guilty to charges of exploitation through prostitution as he appeared at the Koper District Court for a pre-trial hearing. He was put in the dock more than a year after his fellow suspects appeared before the court, having been on the run in Canada before he was extradited three months ago. The trial date has not been set yet.
Komenda mayor resigns over EUR 1.2m damages suit
KOMENDA - The mayor of Komenda is reported to have stepped down after the municipality, located some 20 kilometres north of Ljubljana, lost a EUR 1.2 million damages suit for seizing a piece of land from a company. The commercial broadcaster POP TV reported on Thursday that Stanislav Poglajen resigned after being urged to do so by local councillors in a unanimous call yesterday.
Tone Peršak resigns as Slovenian PEN head
LJUBLJANA - Writer and former politician Tone Peršak resigned on Thursday as the president of Slovenian PEN, citing personal reasons, after having served less than four months. He will however stay on as a member of the centre's board, Slovenia's PEN centre said. He will hand his office over to vice-president Helena Kraljič next week, as the centre prepares to elect a new president.
Ski jumper Križnar remains overall leader
RASNOV, Romania - Slovenian ski jumper Nika Križnar remains the overall World Cup leader in the women's competition, having won her ninth career podium today with a third-place finish in Romania. Coming a day after she won an event on the same hill, the latest achievement positions her as a top favourite for the World Championship, which starts in Oberstdorf next week.
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