Prime Minister Janez Jansa was upbeat as the government revisited eastern Slovenia on Wednesday, saying the region of Posavje posted an above-average rate of strong Slovenian development over the past two years, which he believes augurs well for the future.
Jansa quoted some figures at the press conference at Kostanjevica na Krki; Posavje ranks 9th among the 12 Slovenian regions in terms of development, while its GDP per capita is 80% of the Slovenian average and 70% of the EU average.
However, the region has narrowed the development gap since the government's last visit here nearly two years ago, Jansa said and added the net pay per employee rose to 93% of the average net salary in the country.
The number of companies has increased by 3.5% to 3,041, while the unemployment rate has dropped by 20%. Some sectors complain of shortage of workforce, while the problem remains structural unemployment, in particular of unskilled workers. More than 100 of these are Roma.
Jansa sees additional development potential for the region in national development programmes, which envisage six projects in Posavje: the Fenics economy centre, the wrapping up of a chain of six hydro plants, a possible second reactor at the Krsko Nuclear Power Plant, a gas storage site at Brestanica, an upgrade of the Bericevo-Krsko power line, and projects belonging to the third development axis.
The region was also successful in phasing EU funds, cofinancing with their help 181 projects in 2006, worth more than EUR 10m. Almost EUR 30m have been allocated to Posavje in the current financial perspective, Jansa said, calling for prompt action to secure the funds.
What is more, the region benefited in the past two years from changes in the system of municipalities funding, Posavje bagging 22% more than before the amendments, according to Jansa.
On a more pessimistic note, Jansa said that the region was losing out (EUR 32.5m) as result of the failed proposal of the provinces legislation.
Minister Vizjak sees the future of the region revolving around three key industries: energy, logistics and tourism.
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