According to Mramor, the government would take account of their wish to simplify tax procedures, as the government wants to make them “simpler, more transparent, and equal for all”. Mramor attended the inauguration at the invitation of the new GZS management board, who wanted to hear details about the government’s planned reforms.

Marjan Mačkošek, the new president of the GZS, was keen to hear whether the government would increase – or perhaps even reduce – the tax burden on businesses. Mramor was reluctant to answer his question, saying that the changes would come in packages. “If we wanted to change everything at once, we would accomplish nothing,” the finance minister said.

Mramor believes that current economic conditions are favourable, stressing the fact that the country’s budget deficit would remain below 3 percent of GDP in 2015. He also said that Slovenia’s improved credit rating – in addition to the fact that Slovenia rescued its banking sector on its own – allowed the country to access cheap loans on international markets.

Mramor moreover disagrees with the claim that Slovenian companies are too indebted: “It’s only in our heads,” said the finance minister, adding that Slovenian companies fall below the average EU indebtedness level. At the same time, the credit crunch is starting to ease off. As a result, small, medium and big companies have been increasingly more willing to take out new loans, which is definitely a good sign, Mramor said.

L. L.; translated by D. V.