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This summary is provided by the STA:
Minister: Govt will act on fuel prices if necessary
BREŽICE/LJUBLJANA - Economy Ministry Zdravko Počivalšek announced that the government will check the latest developments on the fuel market and act if need be after fuel prices surged with the end of price administration on 1 May. The government "will check what is going on on the market and we will take action if necessary". As for presumptive new prime minister Robert Golob's claim that fuel retailers might have to be investigated for collusion, he said the Competition Protection Agency was obliged to monitor the situation and act if the market is not functioning as it should.
Logistic hub emerging in Posavje region
BREŽICE - A business and logistic hub called Feniks is planned in the Posavje region in the south-east, a project worth several hundred million euros. A memorandum of understanding was signed today by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek, Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak and Brežice Mayor Ivan Molan. The hub is to be built on a 100-hectare site between the motorway and the Cerklje ob Krki military airfield with financing from the state, local communities and EU funds.
Central bank eases restrictions on lending
LJUBLJANA - The Slovenian central bank said it would adjust its macroprudential policy as risks to financial stability stemming from the property market are increasing. It will give banks more discretion over who they lend money to, while requiring that they increase their capital buffer. From July, banks will be able to lend to customers who are not considered creditworthy under current rules, that is customers who are left with only 76% of the gross minimum wage plus the amount for dependent family members after paying their monthly instalment. Banks will be able to opt for the exemption for only up to 10% of transactions.
Outgoing defence minister stands by armoured vehicles deal
LJUBLJANA - Outgoing Defence Minister Matej Tonin was adamant the planned EUR 343.4 million purchase of 45 Boxer armoured vehicles through OCCAR would be wrapped up before the new government takes over. He invited the presumptive PM-designate Robert Golob, who has urged him not to sign long-term arms contracts, to a presentation of the deal. This comes after Golob and the likely coalition partners, the SocDems and the Left, called Tonin "to refrain from signing long term arms purchase contracts."
Some EUR 142m in vouchers left two months before expiration date
LJUBLJANA - Slovenians have so far redeemed 76% of tourist vouchers issued in 2020 and 70% of the more broadly usable 2021 vouchers. Both types of vouchers are valid until the end of June, with EUR 86 million yet to be spent in tourist facilities and EUR 56 million in tourism, culture, and sport, Financial Administration data show.
Gen-I issues EUR 60 million commercial paper
KRŠKO - Electricity and gas retailer Gen-I has a 12-month commercial paper worth EUR 60 million as an instrument to finance working capital and disperse short-term financing. The initially targeted EUR 50 million issue was extended by EUR 10 million due to high demand, the company said. A total of 62 investors subscribed to the issue.
Motorway traffic already at pre-pandemic levels
LJUBLJANA - The Covid-19 epidemic initially changed people's travel habits making roads less congested, however traffic on Slovenian motorways has already almost returned to pre-pandemic levels as restrictions have been almost fully lifted, according to motorway company DARS. Overall traffic is about the same as it was in 2019, but freight traffic is slightly higher, which means that traffic flow capacity is slightly lower.
Post-holiday uptick in coronavirus cases recorded
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia reported 1,643 new cases of coronavirus for Tuesday, an increase of more than 40% over the week before. Seventy people were treated in hospital with Covid-19 as their primary condition this morning, down by 11 over yesterday. Another ten were in intensive care due to Covid, down by two. Three patients with Covid-19 died, Health Ministry data showed.
New club of diplomats urges increased role of diplomacy
LJUBLJANA - The Diplomats' Club of Slovenia, established last year to link up diplomats and businesses to further Slovenia's development, held an inaugural event, which stressed the importance of diplomacy and the economy for the country as they called for an increased role for diplomacy. Club president Marjetka Kastner said that "it is an institution that brings together diplomacy and business, building ties between embassies, while also planning to host events, meetings and round table debates."
Protesters urge new govt to offer asylum to Assange
LJUBLJANA - Around a hundred people gathered outside the UK Embassy to support WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and protest against a UK court's decision to allow his extradition to the US. Ahead of the rally, Friday's bicycle protesters said that Assange's fate would be shared by all the journalists, publishers, editors, whistleblowers and others who in the future disclose criminal acts committed by governments. The protesters urged Slovenia's future government to offer Assange political asylum.
Slovenia demolish Romania to lead Division I Championship
LJUBLJANA - Slovenia demolished Romania 9:1 (1:1, 6:0, 2:0) in the second round of Group A play of the Ice Hockey World Championship Division I in Tivoli Arena to claim the first spot in the group ahead of what is likely to be the decisive match with Hungary on Friday. Slovenia used the second period to completely demoralise the Romanians, scoring six goals while Romania were scoreless. Miha Verlič scored a hat-trick for Slovenia in the match that propelled Slovenia to the top of the standings.
Slovenia part of a New European Bauhaus lighthouse project
BRUSSELS, Belgium - Slovenia is taking part in one of the five projects selected for the EUR 25 million call for the development of "lighthouse demonstrators" of the New European Bauhaus as announced by the European Commission. The five projects will receive roughly EUR 5 million each to implement their plans in eleven member states as well as in Norway and Turkey. Slovenia is one of the five countries taking part in a project called DESIRE, which stands for Designing the Irresistible Circular Society.
