Sakova: Economy Ministry Divided Pro-growth Measures into Three Packages

Bratislava, 15 May (TASR) - The Economy Ministry has divided the proposed pro-growth measures into three packages: the first one has no impact on the state budget, the second has a partial or very limited impact on the state budget, which is manageable, while the third package places a heavy burden on public finances, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) said on TA3's discussion programme Kral na tahu (King's Move) on Thursday (14 May). "Next week we want to submit to the government session a package of measures that can be implemented very quickly, even after the necessary legislative changes in Parliament, and they won't have an impact on the state budget. These are measures that reduce red tape, while some of them make life easier for entrepreneurs," said the minister. However, the often discussed scrapping of the transaction tax definitely won't be included in this package, she said. The first package of measures, which is due to be submitted to the government next Wednesday (20 May), still has to be reviewed together with the Finance Ministry at further meetings on Friday and next week. "Once the measures are approved and agreed upon by the individual ministries and coalition parties, we will gradually present them. We mainly need to coordinate this with those responsible for individual measures," noted Sakova. According to Sakova, they are trying to find a consensus that would balance the business side with people's lives, as they do not want the proposed measures to affect citizens' living standards. The minister confirmed that they definitely won't touch the 13th pensions. Concerning the proposal to scrap recreation vouchers, opposed by the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), she doesn't think they will reach consensus on their scrapping. The Coalition Council agreed on the first package of pro-growth measures with no impact on the state budget on Thursday, TASR learnt from the Government Office on the same day. ko