Archive of articles - May 2004, page 17

Slovak illustrators exhibit in France

THE DIRECTOR of the Slovak Institute in Paris, Viera Polakovičová, recently opened an exhibition in the western French town of Angouleme that features Slovak works awarded between 1967 and 2001, as well as international works awarded at the Biennale of Illustrations Bratislava 2001 and 2003.

That EU feeling

HISTORIC events have the power of determining how one feels about life and the world at large. EU entry is no exception and for most Slovaks, being in the union feels great.For decades, Slovaks had to wake up under Soviet oppression, which left deep scars on the nation's soul. Then one day the communist regime was gone.Although a long and painful transformation was ahead of the country, hardly anyone can forget the incredible feelings enthusiastic demonstrators shared as they rallied for their long-desired freedom.

Insurance and banking join hands

THOUGH foreign clients have known for some time that combining bank and insurance products can be beneficial, the Slovak market is just discovering the advantages. Many banks in Slovakia have started to cooperate closely with insurance companies to offer bank insurance products to their clients.The market share of insurance products sold through banks has been steadily growing in developed countries - for example, in Italy it is 40 percent and in Austria and France it is 60 percent."I do not think I would be able to estimate the share in Slovakia. It is still developing.

Sky high prices

IT IS CERTAIN that mortgage loans have encouraged the real estate market but, on the other hand, they have artificially inflated the cost of buying a flat, Zeno Kezman, vice resident of the National Association of Real Estate Offices in Slovakia told The Slovak Spectator in a short interview.The Slovak Spectator (TSS): Did the launch of mortgage loans in Slovakia in the late 1990s enliven the real-estate market?

Reader feedback: Hurray for cricket!

Sk1.8 billion for tourism infrastructure

Reader feedback: The positive outlook

European award goes to Slovakia

THE SLOVAK non-profit organisation Truc sphérique won the Enlargement of Minds Anniversary Grant, distributed by the European Cultural Foundation Amsterdam, on April 24, for its Station Žilina-Záriečie project - a reconstruction of a railway station into an art centre. The organisation was granted Sk800,000 (€20,000).

2003 home income reaches Sk963 billion

Two major airports to be transformed

EU funds face obstacles in Slovakia

"STRUCTURAL funds are very important for ensuring that an internal market does develop and that all regions in Slovakia will be part of it," said Sue Bird, administrator for the European Commission's Structural Funds Programme for Slovakia."We need adequate funding to promote regional development in Slovakia," she continued. Recognising that importance, the presidents of five Slovak regions were in Brussels last month to present their regional development plans and pick up the latest news on how the EU's regional development fund will be implemented in Slovakia.