PM Bratušek to economists: "Our aim should be saving jobs"

Prime Minister at the opening of 46th MOS (International Trade Fair)

11. september 2013 ob 21.28 • Ljubljana - MMC RTV SLO

"I am rather surprised, I may say even disappointed, for learning that the Economic Chamber is opposed to the law. The owners of the companies are indeed the ones to suffer the losses during the process of redemption of debts, but the jobs will be preserved. And that should be our goal,« PM Bratušek said in Celje. Foto: BoBo

Craftsmen and entrepreneurs could not withstand additional burdening, therefore they are opposed to the property tax. The opening ceremony of the International Trade Fair was in the spirit of such warnings the economists addressed to the head of government and the ministers.

At the biggest economic event in our country, where almost 1,600 exhibitors from 34 countries are looking for business opportunities, our craftsmen and small and middle-sized companies with the exhibited products and technologies once again prove to be an innovative and development promising part of the Slovenian economy.

Branko Meh, president of the management board of the Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business (OZS), called attention to the fact that they too are at the brink of failure, due to the non-stimulative business environment, and measures by which government is additionally supressing their competitiveness. He said: "Besides the burden of work costs, which is already too great due to contributions and taxes, a number of bureaucratic hindrances, tax burdens, inability to obtain bank loans, we are now threatened also by a property tax."

The tax is opposed to the recommendations of the EU Council for solution of financial crisis in Slovenia, and OZS is strongly against it: "We are inviting the government to reconsider, as the consequences could be disastrous. The craftsmen and small entrepreneurs simply cannot take any additional burdens."

500 million € state loan
Today PM Alenka Bratušek avoided commenting the property tax, but in own defence said that during the half year of the Government a lot was achieved. Among other things 500 million € of favourable loans for small and middle-sized companies were obtained, and a law on regulatory redemption of companies was prepared.

While the government and the economists blame each other for lack of understanding and support, and ask for better cooperation at looking for a way out of crisis, Slovenia again slipped six places in the world competitiveness rankings.

Turkey is the largest exhibitor
The largest joint presentation at the Fair will be given by Turkey, which has taken care of the first national presentation of an economy at MOS. Other exhibitors are promising rich Fair happenings with a number of novelties, first presentations, and special Fair offers.

Who are MOS enterprising talents
The organizers informed us that at 46th MOS new technologies and technological processes will be presented, and the exhibitors will be joined by three MOS enterprising talents with innovative entrepreneurial ideas.

MOS will once again offer a number of opportunities for establishing new business contacts, and obtaining information on new markets. Besides Turkey, joint presentations have been prepared by Brasilia, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Hungary, Poland, and Serbia.

The Slovenian Chamber of Trade Crafts and Small Business will take the opportunity to introduce the card of thousand opportunities, “Mozaik podjetnih”, and to present the award to the crafstman of the year.