The Koper-based company is headed toward bankruptcy if the deal fails. It would result in the loss of about 4,000 jobs in both countries as well as several other negative consequences. Economy minister Zdravko Počivalšek remains an optimist and assures it is not too late to reach an agreement. Cimos’ workers, however, no longer believe any promises and consider this to be part of political tactics.

Bankruptcy is the worst solution, and if the agreement with Croats fails, Slovenia should intervene to preserve Cimos, argues the president of the Primorska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ivan Majcen.

Bankruptcy would not bring any good to Croatia either. Cimos owns three factories in the Croatian part of Istria – at Buzet, Roč and Labin –, which provide work to almost 1,200 people. The mayor of Buzet Siniša Žulić does not even dare to think about the consequences Cimos’ bankruptcy would bring: “Cimos in a very important business company for Istria. It is estimated that between 30 and 40 percent of our workforce – employees, suppliers, contract workers etc. – cooperate with this industry.”

The Croatian side is still not satisfied with the latest Slovenia’s offer, which unofficially stands at five million euros. However, Počivalšek has not given up yet.

The Italian investor will not withdraw, argue experts in the automotive business, since it has already invested too much money and energy into the take-over, hoping to become one of the biggest players in automotive industry. State politics have occupied the issue of Cimos, believe its workers. Open issues between Slovenia and Croatia had never before harmed work and good relations among Cimos’ workers but have now become a threat to the existence and future of several thousand jobs, warns the company’s management.

N. U. T. (RA Slovenija); translated by K. Z.