Archive of articles - May 2002, page 10

Too small, Austrian firm told

Ľudová increases basic capital

Severe drugs shortage a matter of time and money

A REVOLVING cycle of debt in Slovakia's chronically cash-poor health system may prevent delivery of life-saving medication by this summer, say Slovak drug distributors.Health insurance companies now owe nearly Sk10 billion ($220 million) for drugs and other health care products to Slovak pharmacies, leaving pharmacies unable to pay their debts to drug distributors, who in turn have trouble paying their suppliers."Distributors will soon not have the money to buy drugs from producers, who will naturally cease to provide their goods. The reduction of our supplies is neither planned, nor anticipated for a certain date. The situation will simply evolve with time," said Andrej Reiner, president of Slovakia's Association of Drug and Healthcare Equipment Suppliers (ADL).

EU entry to force price rise

School power transfer stumbles on funding questions

DEBT, broken wage promises and administrative chaos threaten to snarl a plan to hand state jurisdiction over Slovak secondary and elementary schools to regional and municipal parliaments, educators say.The country's schools, which until now have been administered by the state, will be transferred to lower governments on June 1 in line with a drive to decentralise power in Slovakia.However, unless the government diverts privatisation revenues to cover almost Sk1 billion in accumulated school operating debt, and unless more public money is found to pay for a promised 30 per cent pay rise for teachers, the regions will inherit a school system critically short of cash and morale.

Largest Russian debt recovery ever

Eyes open: A whiter shade of Mečiar

IN THE blizzard of comments foreign diplomats have made about who they do and don't want to see in government after fall elections in Slovakia, the name Vladimír Mečiar has come to stand in the press for everything in Slovak politics that the West disapproves of.In reality the West has misgivings about a number of other Slovak political leaders who still employ some of Mečiar's methods: populism, authoritarianism and subterfuge.While Mečiar's record in politics is indeed tarnished, the West has been careful to say all along that it is the style of politics practiced by the 1994-1998 Mečiar government that is objectionable, not just the man himself.

Košice receives praise, loan deal for bold budget cuts

CASH-strapped Košice looked to be past the worst of its financial problems as town, government and bank officials signed a contract on May 6 to restructure the massive debt of Slovakia's second largest city.The agreement gives the state and Prvá komunalná banka (PKB) supervision over the restructuring of Košice's Sk1.7 billion debt, and comes shortly after the town received a rating of C-plus with a positive outlook from the Slovak Rating Agency."With regards to the restructuring of mortgages and debt servicing, in which the government and PKB are also involved, the signing of the contract is a very positive step," said Košice deputy mayor Boris Farkašovský.

Castle, anyone?

SLOVAK castles and historical monuments are being auctioned off in a concerted campaign by local owners to save them from dilapidation.In the vanguard of the auction is a catalogue run by the Slovak Conservation Institute (SPÚ), which can be found online at www.pamiatky.sk. Now almost a decade old, the catalogue lists 60 castles, chateaux and monasteries put up for sale by their owners. Many of the sellers are municipalities or individuals who acquired the properties under a law returning them from communist appropriation, but who lack the finances to repair them after decades of state neglect.

Quote of the Week

Reader feedback: Slovakia morally impoverished

IPI report critical of Slovak press freedom

UPC cable firm under investigation

EU warns against re-opening chapters

Slovaks considering emigration

Reader feedback: Continental nice but short term

Reader feedback: Wake up, Slovaks

Slovnaft profit up over 28 per cent

Secret service agents accused of plot