Archive of articles - March 2000, page 3
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Corporate Briefs
Telecom Austria would invest $2 billion in STRail strike looking less likely as more unions defectSLK shipbuilder may lay off further 1,000 workersPublishers want to scrap VAT on newspapersSPP in last round of tender for Greece gas networkDzurinda invites US Steel president for talks on VSŽ
Top Pick: Voices of Bahá - International Choir brings act to Bratislava
Currently touring in Israel, Voices of Bahá is an internationally renowned choir of 100 Americans and 50 Europeans. On March 25 at 19:00, the group will bring their act to Bratislava's Slovenský rozhlas (the upside-down pyramid).Voices of Bahá will be accompanied by the Slovak Symphonic Radio Orchestra and will perform a dazzling blend of music ranging from classical choir pieces to gospel and ethnic world-music.Led by conductor Tom Price, Voices of Bahá held their very first performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1992. Since then they have performed mainly around Russia, where Russian Television and Russian Radio regularly broadcast live performances throughout the country.
Review: The Insider: Justice prevails
When the seven leaders of the tobacco industry testified before the US congress in 1994 that they believed cigarettes were not addictive, everyone knew they were blowing smoke. How this ridiculous lie was turned on its head is the premise for this year's best movie, The Insider.While the movie is a must-see for anyone interested in media because it explores the combative relationship between corporate interests and independent journalism, it also poses a question anyone would struggle to answer: Would you sacrifice the well-being of your family to tell the media something you knew?Thanks to the brilliantly-acted main characters Dr. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) and Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino), the story keeps viewers riveted throughout its two hours and 35 minutes.
Moving office a hazardous affair
Given the current economic climate, there is not a great deal of mobility in the office sector at present. Companies are tending to stay put in their current accommodation while waiting for better times.When economic conditions improve, the demand for new office space will inevitably rise both as a result of new companies coming in to the country and existing companies looking to upgrade and/or expand their operations.The Slovak government would like to join the EU by January 2004, according to recent reports. Some argue that this date is optimistic, but if it is correct, it is another indicator that growth in demand for high grade office accommodation is just around the corner.
Around Slovakia
Drug-smuggling prostitutes remain at largeGrenade blast hurts taxi driverWouldn't have missed Sting for the worldNew Romanian spill dumps heavy metals in Tisa River
The business punch line - the E-line
Last month I shared with you the phenomena of Internet that is changing both our society and business models, and I defined the term e-business, which is about transforming key company business processes through the use of Internet technologies.Every day you can read stories in the news about how the 'new economy' of e-business is evolving. We hear names like America Online, Yahoo, eBay, Amazon.com, and we observe that young (1-3 year old) Net.Generation companies are acquiring old established enterprises.We are also starting to see a clear differentiation between those companies that are adapting to this 'new economy' (e-businesses, which base their business model on using the Internet for their core business processes) and those who are still stuck in the 'old economy'. We can draw a line between these two business models, calling it the e-Line, i.e. those above the e-line who are e-businesses and those below the e-line who are not e-businesses.
Economic Briefs
Government expects FDI hike for 2000Nominal wages rise by 7.2% in 1999 from 1998GDP up 2.4% in Q499 on strong foreign demandNew Telecom Law expected from parliament in May
Beating leaves victims silent
In what has become a gruesomely regular occurence, skinheads in Bratislava claimed yet another victim on March 10 when three more members of the foreign community were beaten up by youths yelling racial threats.The attack occurred off Michalska Street by the Prašná Bašta restaurant in the Bratislava Old Town at 20:30 on Friday, March 10. A group of around eight skinheads, one armed with a baseball bat, attacked two Brazilian and two Angolan students. One of the Angolan students managed to escape unscathed, but his three companions were kicked and beaten by the group of skinheads. After the incident, the victims were taken to the downtown Fakultná nemocnica hospital for a preventive medical check.
VW attracts other investors
Building on its record year in 1999, German car giant Volkswagen (VW) has announced further plans to expand its Slovak operations in 2000, plans that are attracting foreign auto industry investors to the country.After recording turnover of 69 billion Slovak crowns ($1.6 billion) in 1999, up from 56.7 billion crowns ($1.3 billion) in 1998, VW won the Trend business weekly's 1999 award for best company in Slovakia. Jozef Uhrík, a member of VW's Board of Directors, then announced the expansion of the company to the Martin region in northern Slovakia, as well as the construction of a new industrial zone near the village of Lozorno, only 10 kilometres from the factory's plant in western Slovakia's Devínska Nová Ves.VW's growth in Slovakia has spurred the interest of foreign car component manufacturers like American companies Johnson Controls and Dana Corporation, and possibly the French firm Plastic Omnium - all of whom either have invested or are looking to settle in the country.
Cabinet launches PR campaign for NATO
For 46-year-old Peter Mračný of Sered, NATO membership is the equivalent of the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1968. "I don't think NATO is a good choice for Slovakia," he said. "If we join them, we'll only end up getting reamed by some foreign country all over again."Unemployed and sitting in a local pub on March 8, he explained his stance. "There's no threat to Slovakia," he said. "Who would invade us? And, besides, if a country did invade, NATO wouldn't help us at all. Our politicians should be finding us jobs rather than talking about NATO."Mračný isn't the only Slovak with anti-NATO feelings. Despite the Dzurinda government's intensified high-level co-operation with NATO member countries, recent public opinion polls estimate that almost half of the Slovak population does not support NATO membership.
Letters to the editor
The needs of strangersTime to address hate crimeTiso plaque should be foughtTiso in a tough spot
Top Pick: French Film Festival
Bratislava will host the International Francophone Film Festival for the second time from March 15 to 22. A selection of 30 films from 11 French-speaking countries around the world will be featured at Bratislava's Hviezda cinema.Between films, lively conversations and debates are sure to occur in the theatre's cafe, as more than 10 French directors, actors and producers hosting the festival will mingle with the crowds, providing an unusually intimate movie-going experience. Slovak or French language skills are required as all films will be shown in French with Slovak sub-titles.
News Briefs
If Žilina hangs Tiso plaque, MP's will respondUK's Cook meets Schuster to discuss Romany projectVisas for Ukraine, Russia and Belarus not at same time
Vinárne (Wine Cellars)
Hradná Vináreň - $$$Bakchus - $$Kláštorná - $$U Liszta - $$Modrá Hviezda $$
Bratislava Book Shops
Big Ben Book ShopLa RedutaSlovenský SpisovateľKníhkupectvoEx LibrisArt Forum
How to buy real estate in Slovakia
With spring fast approaching, some people are starting to think about exchanging an apartment in the city for a house in the country surrounded by green plants and flowers. Others would like to improve the quality of their housing, and many are brain-storming about how to come by accomodation of any kind.A friend of mine is getting married soon, and she asked me what the possibilities were for a young couple to buy their first home. My answer was that it depends first of all on money. Finding a way of financing real estate is surely a bigger problem than choosing the type of property you want. Buying a family house generally requires much more money than buying a flat. A difference also exists between old and new property.
Business Briefs
Rail strike not averted, talks deadlockedOnly three ST bidders meet with ministrySlovakofarma says 1999 net profit at 330 million SkDzurinda gets involved in steel talksFNM expects first Nafta payment in two weeks
Matador job cuts to boost efficiency
Tiremaker Matador, based in western Slovakia's Puchov, recorded turnover of 12.5 billion Slovak crowns ($ 289 million) and a profit of 233 million Slovak crowns in 1999, an improvement of almost 300 million crowns on 1998's loss of 61 million. The Slovak Spectator conducted a Q & A interview with Štefan Rosina, Matador's Chairman of the Board, on March 8 to find out what was behind the improved results.The Slovak Spectator (TSS): How did you manage to improve so much last year, and what are your plans for the year 2000?
Review: Irish Pub CD to help orphans
Although the children at the Špecializovaný Detský Ústav orphanage at Bratislava's Železna studienka may not yet know it, they inspired the production of Elephants, a three-song CD featuring a cover of the song Whiskey in the Jar by Bratislava cover-band Drink Drank Drunk and Dubliner Irish Pub co-owner Billy Valentino.Drink Drank Drunk (DDD) first played the Irish Pub last summer when an unrehearsed version of the ageless Irish song was performed with 'Billy' on lead vocals. The song became an instant hit at DDD shows, sometimes being performed three times a night.The popularity of the song led Billy's brother, Peter Norton, to suggest a CD. "We were sitting around getting pissed one night last week," said DDD's John Dale on March 3, "and they said they could do it by St. Patty's day. I said, 'bollocks.'"
What happened to the old HR firms?
Based on the MediaMonitor, which registers in detail all personnel advertisements in national Slovak newspapers, we can see a striking development. From 1992 until 1997, Neumann, Jenewein, Management Partners, Dr. Ostertag and a handful of other companies dominated the recruiting industry.These were the companies who opened in Slovakia for this kind of service. They were the pioneers and they set the standard. They have without a doubt done a great deal to make the labour market aware of modern recruitment services. These companies relied on their search and selection as well as on advertising; the amount of monthly advertisements per company is a very good parameter to judge market shares in the industry.
- News digest: Finns air unseen video of Fico shooting, PM’s bloody jacket driven away by minister
- Hundreds of people ousted from Bratislava’s Volkswagen
- Weekend: What to make of Easter in Slovakia
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- US giant pulls plug on Slovak factory, axing 137 jobs
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Prices surge in Slovakia as inflation hits 15-month high
- Hundreds of people ousted from Bratislava’s Volkswagen
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Weekend: What to make of Easter in Slovakia
- News digest: Finns air unseen video of Fico shooting, PM’s bloody jacket driven away by minister
- US giant pulls plug on Slovak factory, axing 137 jobs
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- Prices surge in Slovakia as inflation hits 15-month high
- Cockroaches and crumbling toilets greet seven-year-old battling serious virus
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- German shoemaker Lowa joins wave of factory closures in Slovakia
- Hundreds of people ousted from Bratislava’s Volkswagen
- Prices surge in Slovakia as inflation hits 15-month high
- US giant pulls plug on Slovak factory, axing 137 jobs
- Danish shoemaker to shut Slovak factory, axing 650 jobs in fresh blow to struggling region
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- News digest: A parade too far? Fico heads to Moscow despite EU warnings Video
- A café in an ice cellar, sand dunes and a flower shop at the border
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Hollywood turns Slovak highlands into high-speed playground Video
- German shoemaker Lowa joins wave of factory closures in Slovakia
- Chicken Jockey! Chicken Jockey! Chicken Jockey! Video
- Danish shoemaker to shut Slovak factory, axing 650 jobs in fresh blow to struggling region
- Prices surge in Slovakia as inflation hits 15-month high
- Hundreds of people ousted from Bratislava’s Volkswagen
- Slovakia's latest basketball star is destined for great things in the USA
- News digest: Finns air unseen video of Fico shooting, PM’s bloody jacket driven away by minister
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- He has been disciplined for delays. Now he will lead Slovakia’s top court
- Slovak startup Upfan declares war on fake tickets
- Smer MEP tells Slovaks to learn the EU’s rules – so they can break free from Brussels
- Too small to cope alone, Slovak villages are teaming up
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
