Prime Minister Janez Janša addressed the Transition with Ambition conference over video link.
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The event was organised by the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the SPIRIT Slovenia, Public Agency and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia.
"Economic indicators in Slovenia show that the Government has successfully and effectively mitigated the negative impact of the epidemic on the economy by adopting the anti-corona legislative packages.
"Through the anti-corona measures, we have provided around €2.15 billion in relief to entrepreneurs and businesses. This relief does not include the aid in form of tourist vouchers. The total value of tourist vouchers for last year amounted to around €357 million, and for this year, their total value was just under €200 million," highlighted the Prime Minister.
He added that although most of the government's work this year was still related to measures to protect human health due to the epidemic, the Debureaucratisation Act is before the National Assembly, which is the first step to cutting red tape for businesses and citizens alike. "The National Assembly is already discussing the act proposal, and a second package of measures is in preparation.
"The National Assembly is also discussing proposed tax changes that will ensure higher salaries without simultaneously increasing costs for businesses.
"The Government is also adopting measures to address structural problems in the economy, such as the shortage of a skilled technical workforce, and measures to mitigate the negative effects of the epidemic, such as the spike in energy and raw material prices on the global market. These measures are not just for tomorrow. They will be important five or ten years from now and for future generations," said the Prime Minister.
"In addition to Slovenians being proverbial hard workers, all of the above is surely the reason why Slovenia today has one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and the highest employment rate in the history of independent Slovenia. The economic forecasts for the future are promising as well," said the Prime Minister. ■