BRATISLAVA, December 13, (WEBNOVINY) – The Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK) expects the business environment to moderately deteriorate this year. According to its President Peter Mihok who spoke to journalists on Monday, also the government’s consolidation package will contribute to it as the government adopted rather unpopular steps this year. The Chamber of Commerce positively evaluates the government’s efforts to consolidate public finances, which Mihok considers an important factor for stability of the economy. However, he voiced reservations regarding the structure of the consolidation package, which will burden both citizens and businesspersons. Mihok said he would have preferred hiking the VAT rate to 21 percent instead of the eventually approved 20 percent, which would have enabled to avoid several partial measures.
The Chamber of Commerce expects the government to prepare bills that would compensate for the adopted measures with a negative impact on the business environment. The Chamber of Commerce considers it important to resolve the effectiveness of law enforceability and the situation in the judiciary. The Chamber of Commerce also recommends the government to develop efforts to simplify the system of taxes and compulsory social and health insurance payments. Mihok insists that progress is possible in this area without bigger investments. The Chamber of Commerce also wants the government to pay attention to drawing on EU funds.” We expect that the government will execute responsible policy of drawing [on European funds], Mihok stated. According to him, Slovakia will have to focus on innovations and the education sphere in the coming years.
The Chamber of Commerce clusters companies generating about 85 percent of Slovakia’ GDP. It is a member of several international chambers and as of 2008 it has been represented also in the European Parliament of Enterprises.
SITA