Turk Labels Govt Growth Office Main Engine of Changes
Development Minister Ziga Turk presented the government's achievements in development in the 2004-2008 term on Friday, highlighting the Government Office for Growth as the main engine of economic changes. "These changes greatly enhanced economic growth and reduced unemployment," Turk said.
"The office has brought to Slovenia the awareness about the necessity of changes, modernisation and reforms. Fact is that the reforms have paid out, as they already produce results," the minister said.
According to Turk, this was a term with the highest average economic growth in the independent Slovenia and the greatest reduction in the unemployment rate. "It is said that we have had a good wind, but we also raised the right sails," Turk illustrated.
He said that the office had entirely or partially implemented 75% of the planned reforms, adding that they had raised a considerable public controversy, primarily from trade unions. "Despite this, I believe that Slovenia is undergoing a process which leads our economy towards better competitiveness, economic freedom and relieving of tax burdens."
He said the new government would have to decide what to do with the remaining 25% of the reforms that still need to be implemented. The two recommendations that he believes Brussels jusifyibly made to Slovenia are to achieve the segmentation of its labour market and long-term sustainability of public finances related to pensions.
The office enhanced the implementation of the national development strategy, the national programme for the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, the framework of economic and social reforms and the resolution of national development projects 2007-2023, the minister said.
Among the achievements of the Government Office for Growth, Turk emphasised the review of the Lisbon Strategy, establishment and managing of councils for sustainable development and competitiveness, and the role of the chief negotiator for Slovenia's accession to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
He proposed that the independent office for growth, which was introduced by the incumbent government, should become a ministry. "I am promoting the establishment of a ministry for sustainable development," the minister concluded.
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