During the past decade Slovakia used to be called a tiger in the middle of Europe. We have earned this nickname because we implemented transparent tax system with lower rates which in combination with relatively cheap labor attracted many large investors. But big corporations were not the only companies who came here to set up the regional centers or manufacturing facilities. Smaller companies from the neighboring countries were interested as well. Lower taxes were inviting…

When is going to happen the next Slovak cabinet billion-worth meeting? Is Draghi tough because Angela is on hliday? Will be two Greek bankrupts within six months a new European or Olympic record? What a week! When it come to euro crisis, there is no silly time for sure. For example, how many Slovak cabinet meetings, during which our representatives approved 1 billion EUR for a Spanish black hole, have there been before? For example, the whole fiscal…

In June of 2012 the newly elected Slovak government finally unveiled first official blueprint of highly rummored consolidating measures. The main objective is continuation of cutting the fiscal deficit below 3% of GDP until 2013. Although we find some of the measures positive, an overwhelming majority of the presented proposals will have a negative impact on Slovakia and its citizens as this consolidation mostly relies on imposing more taxes. Despite many government’s reassurances, most of…

The current soap opera is far from being wrapped up by the bailout for Spain. We’re only at the 44th episode, and the main character of the whole series – Italy – has so far only been flitting furtively through the background. If you were to change the names of the countries to names of characters with a more southern ring, current developments in the eurozone would seem like a quality soap opera, full of…

We’ve been walled up. Greece has government but money is still missing. Which German team will win the European Championship? FED playing games, another package is postponed. How many Olympic medals will the EU-funded United Nations of Europe get? Let’s start from the end, namely from what happened last week. Eurozone is on fire and Europe instead of putting it down, sets up a bailout firewall. Slovak MPs just placed us on the wrong side…

Golden goal in Spanish net. Spain (unfortunately) is not Uganda! What level of interest rate Italian debt has to reach so Europe would decide to help them? Penalties and expropriations for layoffs –labour market reform done in a French way. In which countries economic laws don’t apply? And who will pay for that? Even 11 Marhsall plans didn’t help. Courage in a Slovak way. First Things First. Congratulations to the Queen Elizabeth II on her…

The Euro Bill is project run by Slovak think tank INESS, which tracks all guarantees and expenses related to euro zone rescue efforts. The May update includes several changes, related mainly to the spring default of Greece. Paradoxically, the overall sum of guarantees dropped slightly to EUR 1860 per capita (in Slovakia). This is due to casino online “accounting” changes. The buy cheap cialis online old IMF program, which granted Greece EUR 30 billion together…

INESS logo

The INESS Institute, independent Slovak think tank, runs a regularly updated the Euro Bill on its specialized website eurokriza.sk. The Bill contains structured records of all Slovak guarantees, borrowings, and share of bond purchases related to the Euro-rescue efforts. After the last update from the late March 2012, the Euro Bill reached EUR 1869 per capita in Slovakia. The level of currently activated funds rose to EUR 495 per capita. Following events and changes were…

INESS logo

INESS invites to Seminar on Austrian Economics WHEN 19-22 April 2012 WHERE Hotel Odevák Odborárska 15, Piešťany Slovakia 4-day long intensive event for Slovak elite online casino canada Everyone who drives should take a safe driving defensive driving course or defensive driving classes. university students where renowned international and domestic lecturers introduce various aspects of Austrian school of economic thought. More information here.

As The Slovak Spectator writes on March 19 Robert Fico confirmed next nominations for the ministers in his government – Martin Glváč will become defence minister and Peter Žiga will serve as environment minister. The new government will take office next week, on April 4. The Slovak Spectator summarized already known nominations in a new government: Robert Kalinak will serve as interior minister, Peter Kazimir as minister of finance, Jan Pociatek as minister of transport,…