Today, the European Commission provided a positive preliminary assessment of the second payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, which Slovenia submitted to Brussels in mid-September. Slovenia could receive the payment in the amount of EUR 541 million around the New Year.

On 20 October 2023, Fitch Ratings affirmed Slovenia’s rating at ‘A’, with a stable outlook.

The Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport paid €31.77 million in advance payments to compensate for damage to the economy caused by August’s floods and landslides. Advances were made to all eligible businesses that submitted a damage assessment to the Ministry by 1 September, requesting an advance payment of 10% of the estimated damage.

The European Commission today welcomed the proposal to amend the Slovenian Recovery and Resilience Plan. The amendment to the plan also needs to be approved by the Council of the European Union. The renewed plan, which now also includes a REPowerEU chapter, will be worth EUR 1.61 billion in EU grants and EUR 1.07 billion in loans. It will cover 34 reforms and 49 investments.

After the Government took note of the Report on the Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Recovery and Resilience submitted today to the European Commission a second request for payment under the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

On Tuesday, 12th September 2023, the Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), successfully entered the markets with a US$ 1bn 10-year 144A / Reg S bond. This landmark transaction represents the return of Slovenia to the US$ market for the first time since 2014. The success of the transaction, with over US$ 3.8bn of demand (including JLMs interest), is a strong testimony of the confidence institutional investors have in the Republic of Slovenia. Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe S.E. and J.P. Morgan jointly led the offering.

The Republic of Slovenia, rated A3 (stable) / AA- (stable) / A (stable), has mandated Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE and J.P. Morgan as Joint Lead Managers and Joint Bookrunners to arrange a Global Investor Call today, September 7, at 2pm UKT / 3pm CET / 9am EST, as well as a series of 1-on-1 investor calls also commencing today. A US$-denominated 144A/Reg S 10-year benchmark issue may follow subject to market conditions.

The Minister of Finance Klemen Boštjančič on the basis of the third paragraph of Article 40 of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding Act, issued a Decision on the appointment and tasks of the Expert Commission for the preparation of the candidate proposal for the member of the Slovenian Sovereign Holding (SSH) Supervisory Board.

In order to help alleviate the consequences of the floods that have recently struck large parts of Slovenia, please be informed of the State Budget bank account number to which foreign citizens, companies, governments or institutions can make donations.

The Government confirmed the proposed amendment to the Recovery and Resilience Plan that complies with the significant changes of circumstances that occurred after it was approved by the EU Council in July 2021. The Government will submit the amended plan to be formally harmonised and approved by Brussels by the end of the week.

At the Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting, ministers discussed, among other things, the value added tax (VAT) in the digital age package and the retail investment package. Minister Boštjančič also attended two annual meetings and a meeting of the Eurogroup, which celebrated the 25th anniversary of its first meeting.

On 9 June 2023, credit rating agencies S&P Global Ratings and DBRS Morningstar reaffirmed Slovenia's credit ratings. S&P continues to maintain Slovenia's credit rating at AA- with stable outlook, while DBRS Morningstar rates it as A (high) with stable outlook as well.

Following a deferral veto by the National Council, the National Assembly reconsidered and supported the amendment to the Implementation of the Budget for 2023 and 2024 Act. In its response to the submitted veto, the Government emphasized that the adopted budget revision enables adequate financing of all highlighted areas while ensuring the long-term sustainability of public finances.

In the spring forecast published today, the European Commission has enhanced the economic growth forecast for Slovenia. This year, it is expected to reach 1.2 per cent, and 2.2 per cent in 2024. The enhanced forecast is an encouraging signal; we are also pleased that currently there is no fear of a recession in Europe.

At today’s event on the Recovery and Resilience Plan – Implementation, New Circumstances and Amendments, which was hosted by the Ministry of Finance and the Recovery and Resilience Office, representatives of ministries presented the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the proposed amendments to interested stakeholders and the public. The event was also attended by the Minister of Finance Mr Klemen Boštjančič.

On 5 May 2023, the Fitch agency affirmed Slovenia's A credit rating with a stable outlook.

Following the European Commission’s preliminary positive assessment of the first payment request for a grant from the Recovery and Resilience Facility in early March, Slovenia has today received a transfer of just under €50 million. “The relevant European institutions have positively assessed the fulfilment of all 12 milestones linked to the first instalment of the grant. The Ministry of Finance, together with the Recovery and Resilience Office, will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the plan and the achievement of the milestones and targets, which are a condition for the payment of the funds from Brussels,” emphasised Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič.

The Ministry of Finance Delegation, headed by Finance Minister Klemen Boštjančič, attended the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, held between 11 April and 15 April 2023 in Washington. In the discussions, considerable importance was attached to economic growth, inflation and financial stability.

The amendment to the Fiscal Verification of Invoices Act, which is being adopted by the National Assembly today, is aimed at addressing both the control of the shadow economy and the protection of the rights of customers. In the light of protecting the environment and the green transition, we advocate e-receipts wherever possible. We emphasise that the purpose of re-introducing the fine for customers is primarily to raise awareness that the receipt must be accepted.

The Government has adopted a basis for the preparation of a proposal for amendments to the Recovery and Resilience Plan to address the reduction in available funding and the objectives of the REPowerEU plan to reduce dependence on Russian energy. It will be followed by coordination with the European Commission and other stakeholders and the preparation of a proposal to adapt the plan.