Archive of articles - March 2009, page 2
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'88 Candle Demonstration remembered
HUNDREDS of people gathered on Bratislava’s Hviezdoslavovo Square on March 25 to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the Candle Demonstration which was violently suppressed by the police in 1988. Today it is regarded as one of the most important expressions of public protest against the Czechoslovak communist regime.
Slovak link to island graft inquiry
THE CARIBBEAN resort planned by Slovak financial groups Istrokapital and J&T was massive in scope – a €400 million playground for rich jetsetters in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), featuring two hotels, 75 villas, 130 condominiums, a golf course and a private harbour for 80 boats.
Europe’s hopes for university reform
The European Commission (EC) is calling for a wide reform of European universities and higher education institutions suggesting that they “have failed to unleash their full potential so as to stimulate economic growth, social cohesion and improvement in the quality and quantity of jobs”. More flexibility and a more sympathetic ear for the needs of the labour market; greater diversity in the programmes they offer; more mobility for both students and teachers; flexible admission policies; and improved human resources policies at the universities: all these items are on the EC’s wish-list. But the commission is not alone in wanting them: business representatives and human resources professionals share its vision of a root-and-branch reform of universities in Europe, not least in Slovakia.
Irish Chamber of Commerce launched
A NUMBER of Irish companies have already discovered Slovakia as an appealing location for business. To convey their positive experience and to support and promote Irish-Slovak business relations Irish businessmen have been inspired to the launch the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia.
Povýšenectvo
SLOVAK lessons 1 through 10,000 probably don’t include the word ‘povýšenectvo’ – it’s a little difficult to translate and impossible to pronounce. More than simple ‘arrogance’ or ‘haughtiness’, it’s derived from ‘výška’, height, making it explicit that it is typical of those who stand higher on the social ladder.
Campaign tactics harden
SOFT is one word that observers have used frequently to describe the run-up to the first round of Slovakia’s presidential election. Now, with the choice narrowed down to just two candidates, the campaign is expected to become a lot tougher. However, the first sharp blows have been delivered not by the candidates themselves – Iveta Radičová, the joint candidate of the parliamentary opposition; and President Ivan Gašparovič, who is backed by the largest ruling coalition party Smer and its junior coalition partner the Slovak National Party (SNS) – but by their political supporters.
CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES IN SLOVAKIA
Doprastav, Bratislava, www.doprastav.skEurovia – Cesty, Košice, www.eurovia.skHolcim, Bratislava, www.holcim.skHornex, Bratislava, www.hornex.skIn Vest, Šaľa, www.invest-in.skInžinierske stavby, Košice, www.inzinierske-stavby.skMetrostav SK, Bratislava, www.metrostav.skSibamac, Bratislava, www.sibamac.skSkyBau, Žilina, www.skybau.skSkanska BS, Prievidza, www.skanska.skStrabag, Bratislava, www.strabag.comVáhostav-SK, Žilina, www.vahostav-sk.skZIPP, Bratislava, www.zipp.sk
Smooth euro switchover in all sectors
THE SWITCH to the European currency went smoothly, fluidly and without any problems in all sectors in Slovakia, especially in the flow of cash as well as cashless payments, reads the report about the adoption of the euro written by the Finance Ministry and the government's plenipotentiary for the euro adoption, Igor Barát. The government cabinet accepted the report on March 25, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovakia gets a slice of EU stimulation
THREE months after one twist of the Russian gas tap left Slovakia’s economy on its knees, Brussels has offered to help beef up the country's ability to tackle possible future gas crises.
New construction bill
AFTER nine years in preparation, the Slovak government approved the bill on territorial planning and construction, known simply as the construction bill, on March 18. Now the bill is awaiting action by parliament in order to become valid in July 2010, the SITA newswire wrote.
CONECO reaches 30 year milestone
THE BIGGEST construction fair in Slovakia, CONECO, symbolically opens the domestic construction season. This year will be no exception and the gates of the Incheba Expo Arena will open on March 31 to welcome exhibitors and visitors to the 30th edition of the fair.
Public funds to keep construction afloat
THE CONSTRUCTION sector, which had been enjoying a boom until a few months ago, is now having to face the impact of the global economic downturn like every other sector of the economy. But while construction companies expect a drop in the private investment which was behind the recent vibrancy of the industry they hope that the state will now step into the breach.
EU funds cannot cure all problems
USING financial resources from the European Union could be a way to soften the impact of the global financial crisis on national economies, say many economists. The Slovak government has also announced its aim to make the drawing of European Union (EU) funds easier and more efficient since this could help the country’s economy to fight the effects of the crisis. The construction sector is no exception.
DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES IN SLOVAKIA
Ballymore, Bratislava, www.ballymore.skHB Reavis Group, Bratislava, www.hbreavis.skIpec Management, Bratislava, www.ipec-group.skJ&T Real Estate, Bratislava, www.realestate.skPenta Investments, Bratislava, www.pentainvestments.comSekyra Group, Bratislava, www.sekyragroup.sk
LABOUR FORCE IN COSTRUCTION SECTOR
Number of workers in construction at the end of 2008- 185, 777; of these 56% were self-employed.Companies with less than 100 employees made up 35% of total employment, followed by companies employing between 100 and 250 people. Companies with more than 250 workers accounted for 9% of total construction employment.
Snowfall craziness continues
THE CRAZINESS of this year's snowfall in Slovakia keeps reaching new and higher levels. Reports of new snow have been changing every day but Slovakia’s ski centres are reporting unusually good skiing conditions for the end of March and the beginning of April.
Slovak Post wins beautiful stamp award
SLOVAK Post has received an important award at the international contest Prix de l’ Exposition, hosted by the Wiener Internationale Postwertzeichen Ausutellung (WIPA).
STATE INSTITUTIONS IN CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
Ministry of Construction and Regional DevelopmentMinister: Marian Janušekwww.build.gov.sk
Library week attracts attention
THE 10th EDITION of the Week of Slovak Libraries opened on March 23 in the Slovak National Library in Martin. The event was organised by the Slovak Association of Libraries as a part of the activities known as March – Month of Books, the TASR newswire reported.
Obama sweeps Stupava
THE FIRST round of Slovakia’s presidential election, held on Saturday, March 21, threw up one or two surprises.One voter in the town of Stupava, in western Slovakia, reportedly wanted to cast his ballot for the president of the United States, Barack Obama.
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- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- 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
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Paris leads, Bratislava trails: European cities ranked on safe travel for children
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Show me your moves! Slovak hockey stars share their best pick-up lines
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 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
- 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 ›
