Archive of articles - July 2000, page 4
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Kňazovický hoping to turn Atlanta silver into Sydney gold
Canoeist Slavomír Kňazovický is going to Sydney with a clear goal - to get another medal for Slovakia, and this time gold.Having won the first ever silver medal in the history of independent Slovakia in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in dramatic fashion, Kňazovický has made believers of his trainers, rivals and fellow Slovak Olympians."Slavo will do anything to reach his goal. When I learnt more about him back in 1994 while we were training in Mexico together, I realised that he is a kind of person who can have 100% concentration and doesnşt respect his rivals, and thatşs why he wins," said Pavel Blaho, Kňazovický's trainer and one of the coaches of the Slovak National Canoeing and Kayaking Team.
Getting to the bottom of GDP growth
The Slovak economy grew 1.5% in the first quarter of 2000 as opposed to predictions of 3.5 to 4%. However, the growth was 'artificially' boosted by calendar effects, meaning that adjusted output has probably actually fallen.Also, without any prior announcement, the Statistical Office changed the methodology used to calculate the figures; the current available data set starts only from the first quarter of 1992. This leaves us on thin ice in interpreting the data. But a close look at the data after it has been transformed from the new methodology to the old suggests that:a) Slovak output adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects probably decreased for the 3rd consecutive quarter
SE loan dams cashflow haemorrhage
The government June 28 provided a guarantee for a 4.1 billion Slovak crown ($91.7 million) loan to the monopoly power monolith Slovenské elektrárne (SE) in a bid to clean up SE's non-performing loan portfolio and boost the companyşs cashflow.According to government officials, a series of state-guaranteed loans for SE had been planned in advance in order to restructure the companyşs loan portfolio before SE's transformation and subsequent privatisation process begins in January next year. "It will help the SE loan portfolio to recover by replacing old and sometimes unfavourable loans which SE took in the past," said Peter Benčúrik, a spokesman for Economy Minister Ľubomír Harach.The five-year loan, with an 11.7% interest rate, will be provided by the state-owned bank Slovenská sporiteľňa, and is the third government-guaranteed loan extended to SE this year. In total, the government has guaranteed loans in the value of 8.1 billion crowns ($180 million) for the electricity producer in 2000.
Are your bonuses taken for granted?
As summer time and holiday travel arrive, so do midyear bonuses. These bonuses, often called "holiday money", come as a form of appreciation of the work performance and effort of employees. However, more and more often we are hearing employers complain that the thirteenth and/or fourteenth salaries are taken for granted by employees who seem to expect and demand them as an inseparable part of their compensation package.How is it possible that the summer and Christmas bonuses are losing their motivational strength and are increasingly a source of dissatisfaction and grievance?The reason may really be hidden in the fact that people have become used to getting these bonuses no matter what the performance of the individual employees or the organisation as a whole. The other day I heard a union representative on television claiming that they had succeeded in negotiating a thirteenth salary that would not be linked to performance! If not to performance then to what should a bonus be linked? When people hear these things frequently, then what originally was thought to be a motivational tool turns out to be an 8% pay rise. This naturally devalues the bonus and dents its motivational strength.
Corruption: Red handed, scot free
Corruption, say Slovaks, is everywhere - in schools, hospitals, bureaucratic offices and the courts, people have to pay for services that belong to them by law, while others buy advantages that should not be a matter of commerce.These beliefs were presented in a World Bank corruption report made public this week. The media, meanwhile, document a similar story in high places. Political parties appoint nominees to steward state firms and banks, and do their best to ignore the fraud, clientelism and corruption that ensues. Whenever one nominee errs so egregiously that he has to be fired, another of the same ilk replaces him.In this environment, it is unconscionable that the government has once again put off its anti-corruption 'action plan'. When we first heard of this stirring call to arms in February, it was supposed to be followed by about six weeks of public debate and then translated into laws which would punish thieving bureaucrats.
Old Town Notes: After 30 years, less is more for Korzo
For those who have spent most of their lives in this city, it's difficult to feel the changes that have occured over the last decade. But for those who look at Bratislava with visitors' eyes, it's as plain as day: from a dead grey city at the beginning of the 1990s with some restaurants of dubious reputation and a few ravaged historical buildings, Bratislava has become a pleasant small big city.Several key events have hastened the evolution of this spellbound ugly frog into a delightful little princess of east-central Europe. The major social and political changes implicit in the 1989 Velvet Revolution started it all. These were followed by a crucial yet invisible process of property restitution, which returned our 'collective' and decaying property to its rightful owners. Perhaps even more important for this city, one where in the 1970s only every third dweller was native, a change has occured within people's souls. Residents have come to accept this city as their home and have begun to live in and with it.
Review: Demandice a jazz Mecca
DEMANDICE - A sleepy town in southern Slovakia, Demandice is about 30 minutes by car from the Hungarian border. But if potential visitors drive too fast, or are even momentarily distracted, the town could easily be missed. Its 1,000 inhabitants have a church, a pub, a bus stop, a grocery store and a mortician - and not much else.But once a year, Demandice styles itself as a Mecca of Culture and hosts a unique Slovak jazz festival. Staged annually on the last weekend in June, the event is as diminutive as the town, yet it derives charm from the proximity of the musicians to the crowd. The stage is behind the town's pub on a lawn not big enough to house a proper game of croquet; patrons include as many musicians as spectators.Now in its sixth year, the Demandice jazz festival is organised by Dr. Fero Horváth, a 29 year-old gastro-entologist who speaks seven languages. The performers - some of Slovakia's most famous jazz musicians - all seem to know Dr. Horváth intimately and are drawn to the festival by his charisma. "This festival is not about money," said Horváth, stealing a moment from his responsibilities to field a question about how much the players get paid. "It's about music and friendships."
New Employment Law to revolutionise welfare benefits
An amendment to the employment law passed by parliament on July 3 redirecting funds from social welfare benefits into job creation schemes is set to revolutionise welfare for the unemployed and motivate unemployed people to look for permanent jobs more actively.The revision is aimed directly at people who have been receiving unemployment aid for more than two years by cutting their benefits in half and freeing up money for job creation in the public sector. The move will see 2.3 billion crowns ($51.5 million) cut from social benefits to be redistributed for the creation of jobs in a wide range of economic sectors.
Swedes thrive in Slovak marketplace
Given the significant number of Swedish business ventures in Slovakia - represented by such major names as Volvo, IKEA, Swedwood and Ericsson - it's somewhat of an anomaly that individual Swedish expats themselves remain inconspicuous within Slovak society.According to the Swedish Trade Council, only 30 Swedes are registered as residing in Slovakia. But although the Swedish community may be relatively small, it remains a cohesive unit, and for the handful of Swedes that call Slovakia home - as well as the businesses who operate here - a general sense of friendliness with Slovaks defines the experience."There is a certain chemistry between Swedish and Slovak people that is very apparent," said Honorary Council General for Sweden and director of the Swedish Trade Council Rubean Kemeny. "It's difficult to explain, but it's there. Swedes and Slovaks just seem to get along."
Culture Shock: Strange remedies for common ailments
I was lying sprawled in the grass beside the finish line of the 1997 Danube marathon when a race official hurried over and demanded I get up. What now, I thought as an April downpour soothed my swollen legs. The official shouted something about my internal organs becoming chilled, and gestured imperatively towards the locker rooms. I roused myself and tottered over to the concrete stadium steps. No, not there either - did I want to end up sterile?Foreigners who live in Slovakia for more than a few months are sure to have similar encounters with Slovakia's rich vein of medical mythology. Much of this common lore is related to two paramount threats to Slovak health - wind and cold.There is, for example, the conviction that sitting in a draft can give you an eye infection, and the related caveat that driving a car with your arm stuck out the window will give you joint ill in your elbow and shoulder, or even rheumatism. This may explain why the windows on all forms of public transport - buses, trams and trains - are kept tightly shut, even on the hottest of summer days, and are guarded by phalanxes of fierce old ladies. The wind police, no less.
Peace Corps looking for smooth exit from Slovakia
ŽILINA - On July 3, nearly 100 Slovak students converged on Žilina University to play the part of international delegates at Slovakia's third annual Model United Nations conference. Organised by two Americans serving as volunteers in the Peace Corps, the programme ran five days and took high school students through the paces of UN-style diplomacy and haggling.After orientation and a speech by Malikus Suamin, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, this year's edition got off to a restive start when the Cuba delegation addressed the pomposity of the United States: "Let's hope that this year's conference serves all the members and not just the richer, imperialistic countries," the Slovak Cuban delegate said.
Omnium close to choosing Slovakia
Plastic Omnium, the French auto parts producer which had threatened to take what would have been the fourth biggest investment in the history of Slovakia to Hungary, is now "99.9% decided" to build its two plants in Slovakia, a senior company official said.Omnium is expecting the final contract to be signed with the government before mid-July, with construction of the plants - which will produce bumpers and fuel tanks for VW Slovakia - to begin in August in the area near the village of Lozorno, 15 kilometres from Bratislava. The firm's total investment into Slovakia will reach 70 million euros ($65 million), while production should begin in the first quarter of 2001.Plastic Omnium had considered abandoning Slovakia for Hungary after its third meeting with Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Ivan Mikloš, when doubts arose as to whether the company would receive the incentives it had been originally promised. Michel Lacombe, Omnium's consultant for the Slovak investment, characterised the Mikloš meeting as a "catastrophe," and blamed Alan Sitár, an advisor fo Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda, for sowing confusion between the parties and being poorly prepared.
Business Briefs
May trade gap biggest this yearSteelmaker Podbrezová a 'bright spark'Lucent to build Slovak Telecom call centreDanish Icopal buys AssiDoman Štúrovo unitSLK shareholders make expected board changes
Letters to the editor
Americans no worse than Germans or FrenchTiny Portuguese community gets 10th memberRestaurant service remains poor in SlovakiaA final solution to the Slovak fly epidemic
Health care: Excellent it is not
At first, one was inclined to feel sorry for Health Minister Tibor Šagát, seeing him pilloried in the press for mismanaging the president's case. After all, how could the minister be to blame if the president's ambulance had to wait two minutes outside a hospital? But on reflection, and especially after hearing his arrogant defence, Šagát is one bungler this country could do without."I regard my steps as excellent," a twitchy Šagát said in front of the cameras June 26.It's perhaps a stretch to say the two phone calls over 10 days Šagát placed to inquire after Schuster's health were 'excellent' work. But it's laughable to apply such a superlative to the man who has allowed the health care sector debt to grow from 13 to 15 billion Slovak crowns in two years, and who only managed to avert a nationwide pharmacy strike on June 28 when Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda promised to take out a loan to pay the worst of the outstanding bills. The rest of the debt will be taken care of by 2004, but the government will not pay more than 80% in current prices.
Top Pick: Historical tram ride around the Old Town
The Bratislava Information Service (BIS) in co-operation with the Bratislava Transportation Service invites you to enjoy a one-hour tour of the Bratislava city centre aboard an historical tram with a professional guide to point out and explain the sites.Every Wednesday, at 16:00, a tram made in 1958 begins its regular loop by the most significant and interesting spots in Bratislava. Tram conductors dressed in old time uniforms greet visitors and lead them down the city streets while discussing the history of the former coronation capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The tour begins at Hurbanovo námestie (where Obchodná street turns into Michalská brána) - get on the tram marked with capital BIS letters standing opposite the Kostol Trinitárov (Saint Trinity Church), settle back comfortably in the old fashioned seat, roll down the window and get your camera ready.
Big stores trigger shopping revolution
When hypermarket chain Carrefour opened its massive new Petržalka store on June 14, it was swarmed by curious shoppers seeking low prices and wide selection - things people said they couldn't find in local grocery stores. With other Petržalka hypermarkets owned by Tesco and Jednota expected to open their doors in the near future, convenience and price are expected soon to define the shopping habits of Slovak consumers.The arrival of the hypermarkets - which offer a massive variety of goods ranging from clothes to food to electronics under a single roof - represent a new experience for Slovak shoppers, one that until now was only available abroad. As late as this year, Slovaks had been flocking to Czech and Austrian superstores to stock up on supplies, but the presence of Carrefour is now keeping many of these bargain hunters at home.
Local ISP secures $4 million investment
As more Slovaks plug into Internet technology, outside investors are beginning to capitalise on the growing market. The most recent IT investment came on June 7 when the American Advent International and its Czech and Slovak investment partner Genesis Capital announced they had dumped $4 million into internet provider PSG, in western Slovakia's Trenčín.Advent spokesperson Chantal Ligertwood said that her firm had selected PSG because it was "the top remaining [Slovak] independent provider, which meant we would have room to grow the company the way we wanted."PSG representatives anticipated that the added capital would be enough to boost the firm from third into top spot among Slovakia's Internet providers. In the 10 weeks PSG had been in negotiations on the injection, it had already jumped from sixth place by acquiring the PC systems and Netax ISP firms.
Any takers for IRB? Ministry places ad for troubled bank
Over two years after Investičná a rozvojová banka (IRB) became the first Slovak bank to collapse, the financial house recorded a distinction of an altogether more positive kind when it became the first state-owned bank privatisation project to be set in motion.Following a June 21 advertisement placed by the government in the Financial Times newspaper to attract potential IRB buyers, the Finance Ministry and IRB sale advisor Bank Austria Creditanstalt said they expected a majority stake in the bank to be privatised in the second half of this year. Neither specified how much the sale might yield or what kind of investor might be interested.
Critically ill President moved to Austria
President Rudolf Schuster was flown in critical condition on June 28 to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, as doctors began to admit that Slovakia's head of state was actually dying.Schuster, who had been hospitalised on June 14 with stomach problems, suffered a dramatic decline last week that forced doctors to operate on him to heal a perforated large intestine. But after infection spread to his lungs, the president was given a tracheotomy, put on artificial respiration, kept in a drug induced coma and flown to Austria for an emergency blood transfusion."The president's illness is associated with high mortality, which means he can die," said František Antoš, one of the Czech doctors invited to help rescue the Slovak head of state.
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
