Archive of articles - February 2004, page 16

Fitch improves Slovakia's rating

Steel sanctions look more likely

New attorney general named

Global worries and Slovakia

IN A GLOBALISED market, enterprises in all countries, including Slovakia, face strikingly similar risks. There is therefore a lesson to be learned from the worries of today's business elite.What are the greatest fears of the movers and shakers of the world's business community? A survey of nearly 1,400 CEOs done by the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers and released in January at the World Economic Forum, held annually at the Swiss ski resort of Davos, tried to find an answer to just that question.

EU entry will busy airports

Reader feedback: No hands are clean

Slovak Post to be transformed

Homage to Josef Lada

IT HAS been said that while Klement Gottwald, the first president of communist Czechoslovakia, was secretly reading the works of Vladimír Lenin, the rest of the nation was following the adventures of The Good Soldier Švejk.Written by Jaroslav Hašek and illustrated by his friend Ladislav Lada, the book has been translated into 57 languages and its illustrations have been permanently embedded into people's memories.

France starts Year of Czech Music

THE YEAR of Czech music, an event accompanying the EU enlargement by 10 new member states, was recently launched in Paris, opening with a remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Czech composer Leoš Janáček. On this occasion, a bust of Janáček was revealed at the building of the Czech Culture Centre in Paris and soloists of the Prague Opera held a concert, reported the TASR news agency.

A little bit of a tax revolution

THE ABOLITION of dividend taxation in the new income-tax act could encourage the capital market and investments in new businesses in Slovakia.The primary aim of the measure was the elimination of double income taxation. Dividends were taxed twice, first as the profit of a company and then as the income of shareholders.

Income tax changes

IN ADDITION to the 19 percent flat income tax for corporations and private individuals, there are other changes in the new income tax act that took effect on January 1, 2004.The Slovak Spectator asked tax and auditing experts about the major differences that the new law has introduced, primarily for foreigners operating in Slovakia.

A signal for an audit

A RATING is mostly known as an evaluation of a company's ability to pay its debts. However, it can also be a signal that there is room for improvement and a challenge to the rated company to address its weaknesses."A rating grade could be a sign for ordering an audit if a company does not have the capacity to solve a problem alone.

A look back on 150 years

"WHEN Levi Strauss started producing jeans as work trousers for US farmers, he had no idea they would one day be a hit that would affect all of Europe," said Blanka Landová, a historian at the Museum of Slovak National Councils in the western Slovak town of Myjava and the curator of its recently opened exhibition.

Van der Linden: Slovakia is the Tatra tiger

Interpol denies knowledge of Saddam list

Corruption measures stall again

DESPITE an intense push by global leaders to step up the fight against corruption in top places, Slovakia seems unable to take what are seen as crucial measures in bringing transparency into public life.The government has recently presented parliament with two pieces of draft legislation that would complicate life for those who gain their assets illegally.

Gates shares software

MICROSOFT magnate Bill Gates agreed with the Ministry of Education to sponsor the development of information technologies in Slovak schools.Microsoft Slovakia general director Róbert Šimončič, Education Minister Martin Fronc, and Microsoft's chief software architect signed a memorandum of understanding between the software giant and Slovakia on January 27 in Bratislava.

Farmers get funding

SLOVAKIA will receive €397.1 million in rural development aid from the European Union from 2004 till 2006. Annual payments of €119.5 million (2004), €133.1 million (2005), and €144.5 (2006) were fixed this month by Franz Fischler, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Fisheries.

Mečiar to decide on January 30