Lower taxes and reform of the judiciary are necessary
Economic Circle that brings together key Slovenian business associationshas addressed a urgent call to the government today to adopt structural reforms for raising Slovenia’s competitiveness. In times of geopolitical instability, the promotion of the economy is crucial, emphasized by companies’ representatives And they point to the worrying lag of Slovenia behind comparable countries and the need for action in the tax, justice and administrative fields and in the promotion of investments.
Slovenia is falling on international competitiveness chartshe warned Marjan You trump From the Association of Employers of Slovenia, while some countries catch up or even overtake us. « In the last five years, economic growth in Croatia has been two -thirds higher than in Slovenia, » emphasized the Chief Economist of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia (GZS) Bojan Ivancwhich also sees part of the cause in high tax contributions in our country.
After tax burden, Slovenia is in seventh place among the OECD countries and Croatia only in the fourteenth, he added Blaž Cvar from the Chamber of Crafts and Entrepreneurship of Slovenia. Ivanc also pointed to low business investments and the lowest plans for expanding activities after 2010, which calls for new incentives. High energy prices for businesses, which he said, are still once higher than before the crisis and a quarter higher than the EU-27 average, also contribute to poor competitiveness, while they were previously 20 to 25 percent lower.
The economic circle expects concrete measures from the government:
– Tax relief: It is imperative to reduce wage load, point Tibor Šimonka (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia) and Blaž Cvar (OZS). They are particularly critical of the new long -term care contribution, which is expected to enter into force on 1 July and will further burden the economy and the population. They require at least a one -year deferral or reduction of the level and reopening the law, adds Tibor Šimonka. A simpler tax system is needed, which will not encourage departure for companies abroad, says Ivan Simič (Tax Advisory Counseling Chamber of Slovenia).
– debyrocrulation: It is necessary to reduce administrative barriers and increase the efficiency of public services, agrees representatives of the Chambers (Trobis, ZDS; Cvar, OZS; Mariča Lah, TZS).
– the reform of the judiciary: Without a quick, predictable and honest court system, no competitiveness can be expected, warns Blaž Brodnjak (ZBS). The situation is bad, as indicators even rank us for underdeveloped countries, according to European law professor Matej Avbelj, who proposes systematic measures for improvement.
Investments in the future and better business environment
In addition to urgent reforms, the economy calls for enhanced investments in research, development, innovation, digitization, artificial intelligence and green transition, they emphasized in the economic circle. A thoughtful energy policy for long -term sustainable prices is needed Tibor Simonka with GZS. Slovenia must also become more attractive to foreign investors, as it is currently hampered by high taxes and unpredictable legislation, they point out Luka Vesnaver with the British-Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Dagmar von Bohnstein from the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce. Economists also advocate a more flexible labor market and promote employee co -ownership.
Representatives of the economic circle concluded with a call for immediate action and participation of all stakeholders. “It is high time to implement urgently needed structural reforms (…). Keeping the status quo means that we have made the worst possible decision, « he warned Blaž Brodnjak from the Banking Association of Slovenia (ZBS).
