Archive of articles - November 2013, page 7
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Slovakia struggles to tap Eurofunds
As the current budget period of EU funds (2007-2013) comes to an end it becomes increasingly clear how internal bureaucratic changes and other problems have left Slovakia unable to fully tap all the money at its disposal. With a new period ahead, questions about what went wrong need to be answered. Yet, being the first programming period, Slovakia was still learning how to draw EU funding.
Estonian recipes: Estonian potato salad (video included)
Ingredients and preparation.
Quote of the week
“We don’t want to respond, and please, do not respond in any way; you can get out of it [by saying] you are on sick leave or holiday.”
Go East: Financing and effecting a foreign investment in Central and Eastern Europe – how a law firm can help
Today, spreading business abroad, and particularly east, is typical not only for global companies but also for Slovakian ones. There is a growing number of Slovak entrepreneurs wanting not only to sell products or provide services abroad, but considering starting production or some other permanent activity abroad. In many cases they are primarily considering Central and Eastern Europe, for both historical reasons and because the membership of most Central and Eastern European countries in the EU motivates them to find new opportunities in these countries. Additionally, those with greater vision (and courage) head to Russia or its former satellites.
Business leaders seek more predictability
Slovakia’s proximity to major European countries, its role as a logistics crossroads, a well trained and productive labour, eurozone membership, traditions in engineering and a well-developed sub-supplier network are among the advantages business leaders cite. However, lower overall taxes and payroll taxes, deregulation and more predictability are on the CEO wish list of some of Slovakia’s key business players. The Slovak Spectator spoke to Alexander Resch, CEO of VÚB Bank; Eek-Hee Lee, president of Kia Motors Slovakia; Paolo Ruzzini, CEO of Slovenské Elektrárne; Albrecht Reimold, chairman of the board for Volkswagen Slovakia; Pavol Varga, general manager at Dell Austria & Slovakia; and Oszkár Világi, CEO of Slovnaft. We asked about the challenges their businesses face, pressure points on the labour market as well as lessons they learned from the recent years of economic crisis.
Tax licence compromise reached
LIMITED liability or joint stock companies, regardless of whether or not they make a profit, will pay money into the state coffers beginning in 2015. While the government argues that its so-called tax licence will help rein in tax evaders, the opposition argues the policy amounts to little more than a new tax by another name.
Land ownership to face several changes
Slovakia will remove the last barrier for foreigners wishing to acquire agricultural and forest land. People from other European Union countries will be subject to the same conditions as Slovaks as of May 2014, as part of the latest amendment to the Foreign Exchange Act prepared by the Finance Ministry. Yet, it is possible that the state will require potential applicants to have the relevant education and land management experience. Not everybody, however, agrees with such practices.
Velvet Revolution remembered
SLOVAKS mark the 1989 Velvet Revolution on November 17. Several events are held throughout the country to commemorate this national holiday, known as the Day of Fighting for Freedom and Democracy.November 17 actually commemorates a chain of events in 1989 that started with student protests and lasted for a couple of weeks, all of which led to the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. This is known as the Velvet Revolution as the transition of power was largely non-violent.
Will truth and love win over lies and hate?
LET truth and love win over lies and hate. People in Slovakia will once again hear this slogan during events marking the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on November 17. It is as relevant today as it was 24 years ago and has been placed in stark contrast after an extremist leader who referred to one of Slovakia’s largest minorities as parasites qualified for the second-round run-off in the regional governor’s race in Banská Bystrica.
Public procurement in the Slovak Republic
Public procurement is a process which aims to ensure the proper functioning of state bodies by choosing the most efficient, transparent and cost-effective contracts and suppliers financed from public funds. Public funds are funds from the state budget of the Slovak Republic and European Union funds. Their distribution must obviously take place without any discrimination.
PNO SK s.r.o. – global expertise & a local approach
Europe is at the end of the 2007-2013 budget period. We have all seen successfully implemented projects funded from the EU, as well as some of the difficulties and failures in the EU money distribution system in Slovakia. The wide variety of programmes, together with the large proportion of failed projects, are clear indicators of how important it is to have your grant processes managed by professionals.
Estonian recipes: Herring with cottage cheese (video included)
Ingredients and preparation.
Memorial commemorates Slovak Olympic winners
THE FOUNDATION stone of a Memorial of Slovak Olympic winners was laid at the National Cemetery in the town of Martin on November 6. Until now, there have been a total of 79 Olympians with Slovak roots, going back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Their names will be carved in the monument in gold, silver and bronze cards.
Rental housing, highway, tourism boost are priorities
It is crucial that citizens and businesses function based on a modern and unambiguous construction law, which on the one hand protects the public interest, but on the other does not unnecessarily burden businesses, said František Palko, state secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Construction and Regional Development in reference to the ambitions of the ministry to replace legislation dating from 1976 with a new law.
Investment aid rules change
Companies that invest in Slovakia now face tougher rules for receiving state aid. Changes came several months after the government drew criticism for allocating investment aid to companies that merely preserve existing jobs as opposed to creating new ones.
Real estate has its ups and downs
hile Slovakia’s real estate and construction market was marked in 2013 by a tragic event, the death toll was nevertheless lower than the previos year. Yet, the year also saw more pleasant events, like the opening of the first fashion outlet centre in the country. However, Slovakia continues to wait for the completion of the final stretches of the highway linking its two biggest cities, Bratislava and Košice.
Estonian recipes: Stewed sauerkraut (video included)
Ingredients and preparation.
Hrebienok – a site of numerous possibilities
SINCE THE very beginnings of tourism and hiking in the Tatra Mountains, Hrebienok was one of the most attractive sites. This vast plane lies adjacent to the alpine terrain, and was accessible from the neighbouring spa village, Starý Smokovec.
US companies or companies with US investors in Slovakia
AT&T Global Network Services Slovakia, www.corp.att.comCisco Systems, www.cisco.skCitibank, www.citibank.skCBRE, www.cbre.skCoca-Cola HBC Slovenská republika, www.coca-cola.skCushman & Wakefield Property Services Slovakia, www.cushmanwakefield.comDell, www.dell.skDelphi Slovensko, www.delphi.comEli Lilly Slovakia, www.lilly.comFedEx Express - Inspekta Slovakia, www.fedex.skGetrag Ford Transmissions Slovakia, www.getrag.comGoogle Slovakia, www.google.comHewlett-Packard Slovakia, www.hp.skHoneywell Turbo Technologies, www.honeywell.skIBM Slovensko, www.ibm.com/sk/skJohnson Controls, Trenčín Technology Center, www.johnsoncontrols.skLear Corporation Seating Slovakia, www.learcorp.skManpower Slovensko, www.manpower.skMicrosoft Slovakia, www.microsoft.com/sk/skOracle, www.oracle.comPfizer, www.pfizer.skU. S. Steel Košice, www.usske.sk
Slovak companies succeeding abroad
Several companies operating in various fields of the Slovak economy have succeeded with their products abroad. The Slovak Spectator brings short profiles of some of them.
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- 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
- 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
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- 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
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- 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 Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- 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 More articles ›
