In 2004 and 2005, the Slovak Economy Ministry plans to allocate almost Sk2 billion (nearly €50 million) from public funds for the construction of industrial parks, the TASR news wire reported.
According to Economy Minister Pavol Rusko, 17 locations selected by the state investment promotion agency SARIO have the biggest chances to obtain support.
Apart from the site near Žilina, reserved for the possible investment of carmaker Hyundai/Kia, the 17 localities are found throughout all the regions, namely Bratislava (Malacky and Pezinok), Trnava (Senica), Nitra (Nitra, Zlaté Moravce, Levice), Trenèín (Dubnica nad Váhom, Trenèín, Bánovce nad Bebravou), Banská Bystrica (Banská Bystrica, Luèenec, Detva), Žilina (Martin, Liptovský Mikuláš), Prešov (Lemešany, Prešov), and the Košice region (Kecerovce).
The individual locations will further be assessed based on selected criteria, including the land area, infrastructure, and workforce in the region.
A crucial factor, Rusko told journalists on January 27, will be the interest of foreign investors.
Slovakia currently has nine industrial parks.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
