Denisa, head of the Department of Economy Saková (Hlas-SD) is an invisible minister, which is reflected in the activity of the department itself. Practically no relevant proposals come to the parliament, and the ones that do come are mostly just the promotion of the interests of others. This is how Karol Galek (SaS), former state secretary of the department and current opposition MP, evaluated this year’s functioning of the Ministry of Economy (MH) of the Slovak Republic for TASR, according to which the department’s inactivity causes economic damage.
The increased value-added tax and the new transaction tax, the introduction of which Sakova refused to oppose, will negatively affect the domestic business environment next year and will be reflected in increased prices of goods and services, said Galek. “Ultimately, only people will pay it, but our entrepreneurs will suffer a huge competitive disadvantage compared to entrepreneurs from other countries where such a tax is not in place. In addition to the deterioration of the business environment due to the lack of interest of the Minister of Economy, there has also been a significant reduction in the attractiveness of Slovakia in the eyes of investors,” he pointed out.
The opposition MP further drew attention to the insufficient activities of the department in connection with subsidizing energy prices next year. According to him, one of the biggest problems is the fact that energy will be subsidized across the board from the state budget and not by address. Comprehensive assistance should thus mean that the inhabitants of Slovakia will pay twice for energy. The first time in the energy bill and the second time in the form of taxes, Galek explained.
In his assessment of the functioning of the MH this year highlighted the ongoing preparation of a new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice. Also appreciated the department’s steps in connection with the ongoing investments in the industrial park for the construction of a new Volvo factory, which, together with subcontractors, should create more than 12,000 jobs. He also positively evaluates the continuation of the agreement with Slovak Power Plants, which ensures the supply of electricity for Slovak households at pre-crisis prices.
“Unfortunately, no new personal achievements of the current MH management have happened, so we are grateful at least for the fact that they are continuing what we started during our tenure. Even the investment announced by this government in the battery factory in Šurany raises too many questions and concerns, and I am also very cautious about the credibility of the Chinese investor himself and his partners.” added Galek. At the same time, he believes that in the coming year the Minister of Economy will be more involved in discussions related to the domestic economy.
