New coalition agreement brings more emphasis on productivity, entrepreneurship and regional development

Tax relief for work and employment incentives. One of the most important announced policies is tax relief for work. The plan includes a gradual increase in general relief, the abolition of the highest income tax bracket, special relief for young people under 29, and the introduction of a development cap for highly qualified and productive personnel. The aim of these measures is to increase net employee earnings, encourage the employment of professional staff and improve the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy. For companies facing a shortage of suitably qualified workers, this could provide significant support in retaining and attracting staff.

More incentives for investment, development and innovation. The coalition agreement also announces the strengthening of investment activity and the promotion of investments in development. Special emphasis is placed on investments in research and development, digitalization, automation, innovation and employee training. For companies, this means the possibility of greater support in modernizing production processes, introducing new technologies, developing new products and services, and improving productivity. Such measures are particularly important for regions with a strong industrial, craft, and entrepreneurial tradition, such as Koroška.

Fewer administrative barriers for businesses. Among the announced measures is the reduction of administrative burdens. The simplification of procedures, the digitalization of public services, deregulation for micro-enterprises, and the introduction of the principle of "silence implies consent" are planned. For companies, such changes could mean faster procedures, less bureaucracy, and more time for core business – development, production, sales, and job creation.

Support for entrepreneurship, start-ups and fast-growing companies. An important part of the economic guidelines is also intended for the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Tax breaks for investments in start-ups and fast-growing companies, promotion of venture capital, improvement of conditions for employee equity rewards and introduction of new legal forms that could be more suitable for the development of innovative companies have been announced. This is also important from the perspective of developing a supportive environment in the region. Koroška has the potential to strengthen innovative entrepreneurship, connect companies with research and educational institutions, and develop projects based on knowledge, technology, and higher added value.

Productivity as one of the central economic themes. The new coalition agreement announces the preparation of a national program for increasing productivity. This indicates that in the coming years, greater emphasis will be placed on the question of how to create greater added value with existing human resources, knowledge, technology and capital. This is particularly important for the Koroško region, as companies face staffing challenges, demographic changes and the need for technological innovation. Developing productivity therefore means not only greater efficiency, but also better quality jobs, higher wages and greater resilience of the local economy.

Regional development and decentralization. For development institutions and local communities, the part of the coalition agreement that talks about regional development, decentralization and strengthening the role of regions is particularly important. It announces a greater role for regional centers, better absorption of European funds, the transfer of certain development functions to the regional level, and greater autonomy for local communities in determining development priorities. This opens up opportunities for the preparation of regional projects in the areas of entrepreneurship, infrastructure, human resource development, digitalization, sustainable tourism, the timber chain, research and development, and technological progress.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARINIA

For the Koroško region, the announced economic policies are important primarily from the perspective of preparing quality development projects. Opportunities are evident in the areas of promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening employee competencies, digital and technological transformation of companies, developing innovative business models, connecting the economy with knowledge, and improving conditions for young and highly qualified personnel.

RRA Koroška will continue to monitor the development of measures, tenders and programs, and provide support to companies, municipalities and other stakeholders in the region in identifying development opportunities, preparing projects and connecting partners.

The announced changes thus represent an opportunity for Koroška to further strengthen its development role, accelerate the transition to an economy with higher added value, and design projects that will contribute to greater competitiveness, quality of life, and sustainable development of the region in the long term.

Author: Danijela Uran, RRA Koroška doo