Programme of the Ministry of the Economy 2007

Ambitious plans based on good results
Based on these satisfactory results, the Ministry of the Economy has drafted
measures for follow-up activities and measures in 2007. The plans can be divided
into four key segments:
The first and most important segment is the start of realisation of the new
financial perspective and the implementation of the projects in the Resolution on
National Development Projects for the Period 2007 - 2023. Over half of the projects
therein are in the domain of the Ministry of the Economy, which makes this an
exceptionally challenging task. The financial perspective is broader still, dealing
with horizontal measures such as investment in tourism infrastructure, the
construction of a national broadband network and measures for raising the
competitiveness of the Slovenian economy through the Slovenian Enterprise Fund
and by connecting businesses with knowledge institutions. This is crucial for
development projects which involve new products or new technologies and raise
the development and innovation capacity of Slovenian companies.
The second important segment is the normative programme, as part of which we
will draft 14 bills and 32 executive regulations.
The third crucial segment of the programme of work of the Ministry of the
Economy is preparations for the presidency of the European Union (EU). Our
ministry covers a number of important fields in the EU, foremost being
competitiveness which includes the reformed Lisbon Strategy – the Growth and
Jobs Strategy. Another major part is innovation policy and the affiliated intellectual
property policy. There is also a bundle of issues related to industrial policy and
energy as well as transport and communication. We should furthermore mention
efforts in the liberalisation of postal services and electronic communications. We
are also facing tough work related to the World Trade Organisation.
The fourth major segment in the programme of work of the Ministry of the
Economy is the ongoing privatisation of the economy.
Key activities by directorates
The mission of the Directorate for Entrepreneurship and Competitiveness will
be preparations for the drawing of funds in the next financial perspective, under
the aegis of the Resolution on National Development Projects for the Period 2007-
2023 as well as through horizontal measures of the Slovenian Enterprise Fund and
the Public Agency of the RS for Entrepreneurship and Foreign Investments (JAPTI).
We will carry on with measures that proved successful last year, in particular
through two-year programmes. A significant part of the work at the directorate will
be associated with two new laws: the Act Regulating Supportive Environment for
Entrepreneurship, which we will update and reform in the light of measures that
we intend to implement in this financial perspective, and the Venture Capital
Companies Act, an important new segment which has not yet been realised in
Slovenia in the sense of public-private partnership.
The Directorate for Tourism will also focus a lot of its activity on the efficient
phasing of EU funds in the next financial perspective, mostly for the ongoing
investment in tourism infrastructure and the strengthening of destinations.
The normative part in this field is important as well. It includes the Catering Act,
which represents a major upgrade of the development aspect of agricultural
policies, as it encourages farms to become more engaged in supplementary
activities and allows them to appropriately present and sell their products at
various events.
The ongoing promotion of tourism is an essential part of work at the directorate.
The beginning of this year saw the launch of the Central Tourist Booking System
(CRS), the response to which we shall be monitoring. We are also starting to
implement the Development plan and guidelines for Slovenian tourism for the
2007 - 2011 period.
The financial perspectives will be important for the Directorate for Electronic
Communications, in particular in the implementation of the national broadband
network. The normative part, which is set out in the Digital Broadcasting Act, is
essential for this measure, as Slovenia must switch over to digital broadcasting in
accordance with the adopted strategy and institute a regulatory framework in this
field. In the return of investments in the public telecommunications network, the
Ministry’s goal is that the vast majority of claimants be repaid by the end of this
year. The fourth important task of the directorate is the privatisation of Telekom
Slovenije, d. d.
Like every year, the Directorate for Internal Market has a lot of normative tasks.
According to plans, it will draft amendments to the Financial Operations of
Companies Act in order to rectify past injustice and introduce a European way of
resolving disputes by eliminating the subsidiary responsibility of shareholders for
the actions of the management. The second piece of legislation which will require
a lot of effort is the Financial Participation of Employees Act. In line with this act,
employees would get a share of the profits, either in the form of shares or in cash.
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