Krka Pharmaceuticals is Europe’s seventh largest generic drug producer with 2.4 billion Euros as its market capitalization. The said company is Slovenia’s largest company which is planning to remain independent. Furthermore, according to their Chief Executive Mr. Joza Colaric, they are also planning to takeover some companies within Europe and are pursuing in doubling the investments this 2010. This hasn’t been confirmed if it will take part this year yet remained a possibility for the company’s goal of expanding their business.

To further expand their capacity of producing different drugs, the company plans of taking over small or perhaps medium sized companies. With this step, Krka can be able to produce new products as well as open new markets. With this market plan, they are expecting a rise in their sales from 6 percent which is about 1 billion Euros though their previous post states only a 0.1 percent growth in the year 2009 due to currency losses. Krka Pharmaceuticals have been mainly affected with the decreasing local currencies from the countries Ukraine, Russia as well as Poland.

The company is anticipating a triple production within the next three year from its Moscow factory which will be their major investment this year. The said investment will be financed mainly from the company’s cash plus bank loans wherein they still have good access. Plus, the said company also plans to increase their employees from in the years to come.

Are you looking forward to owning a property with a European location? Luckily, Slovenia may become one of your options. Slovenia, a small European country, is considered among the top 15 cleanest country around the globe as well 2^nd most forested country in Europe. Currently, the country is experiencing increasing demand or offer though the country wasn’t spared by the world wide economic crisis.

Properties in Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana are much cheaper than other properties located within Europe. According to the Slovenian Real Estate, an amount of 1,500 to 3,000 Euros per square meter is the estimated cost of properties located in Maribor as well as Ljublana. Plus, you can own a decent apartment only costing you 100 to 200 thousand Euros. Aside from properties located within the major cities of Slovenia, you can also avail of a small two bedroom property with a few hectares of land only costing you 80 thousand Euros.

If you love a picturesque view, you may want to own a property in the Nor West part of the Julian Alps as well as the famous Soca River Valley. Though the property cost higher than the usual prices within the country, it is much cheaper compared to the alpine regions of the countries France, Italy, Switzerland as well as Austria.

If you happen to be an interested buyer, a European Union or United States citizen, then you can read through the rules in purchasing real estate in Slovenia. You can also opt to hire an experienced agent you is very familiar with the country. You must also assess yourself of what place do you want to live in before purchasing any property. If you’re not planning to move permanently in Slovenia, you may also need to deal with hiring a property management company to take care of your property while you are outside the country.

GEN Energija, Slovenia’s Ministry of Economy, recently received an application from Slovenia’s Krsko nuclear power plant seeking for the approval of a second reactor which is supported by technical studies as well as analysis. The supporting studies show that it is justified to proceed with the construction based on the country’s energy, economic as well as environmental views. The said application would supply enough energy, plus reliable and safe supply with competitive and long-term predictable value. What’s good also about this second reactor is that it has no virtually greenhouse gas emissions.

Just like other countries, the Slovenian government’s permission must be sought before any power facility can begin any sitting procedures particularly with a generating capacity of more than 1 MWe. Like what Slovenia’s Krsko nuclear power plant did, an application must be submitted to the minister of economy and it has to provide the information on the type and size of the proposed plant, conditions for the supply of energy from the plant, as well as plans for its decommissioning at the end of its operating life. Luckily, the said application was formally verified by GEN Energija as well as stated that the Krsko nuclear power plant second reaction is in line with Slovenia’s energy policy.

This said plan also requires a new reactor to be built at the same plant with about 1000 MWe capacity. When approval is verified, a detailed plan should be initiated which is expected to happen later this year. It is estimated to be completed within 2020 and 2025 with an estimated cost of €5 billion ($7 billion).

January 12, 2010, Tuesday afternoon when the worst earthquake struck Haiti after 200 years with a magnitude of 7.0 which originated less than ten miles from the Caribbean city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After more than two weeks after the devastating earthquake, the death tolls have mounted, even the number of stories of death and destruction as well as the worldwide outpouring of aid.

Slovenia through their Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, takes part in helping Haiti through sending 25 tents worth approximately 70,000 EUR which will provide about 300 homeless people with shelter. 12 January. According to the Head of Slovenia’s Administration, Boris Balant, they have decided to send material aid than to send experts because of the logistic problems faced by their humanitarian staff in Haiti, as well as the great distance between Slovenia and Haiti. They also believe that this kind of help is appropriate and timely. The Slovenian Government has already allotted 50,000 EUR as early as two days after the earthquake struck Haiti. Slovenia’s aid was dispatched in Austria from where it will be transported to Haiti. The plane carrying the tents given by the Slovenian government as well as the Austrian government left last Saturday or Sunday from the airport of Vienna. They have paid around 30,000 EUR for the plane cost which is half of the total costs, and the other half will be paid by the European Union.

Experience and take part in the unforgettable atmosphere that comes with the annual Golden Fox event, this January 16 to 17, 2010 at Maribor, Snežni stadion (Snow Stadium, Mariborsko Pohorje). The Golden Fox event is a classical women’s competition wherein the best women skiers around the globe will compete in the slalom and giant slalom races. Branik, a skiing club had organized the Golden Fox competitions since 1963.

This year, 25,000 expected spectators will gather and witness this event at Mariborsko Pohorje, which produces the largest number of skiers in Slovenia, the longest downhill run in Europe, plus the best Slovenian ski center who received the Golden Snowflake Award. In the recent report, Slovenia maintained its top marks in the Freedom according to the Freedom House. A total of 133 women skiers are expected to join the 46^th Golden Fox meet from 28 countries around the globe with Slovenia having 8 representatives. The World Cup giant slalom will take place on January 16 followed by the slalom race on January 17. The first run is planned to start at 11 AM, while thee second run at 2 PM. Sunday’s slalom runs are scheduled for 9.15 AM as well as 12.15 PM.

The said event will feature Slovenia’s best skiers including Tina Maze, the champion in the giant slalom at the Golden Fox last year. She will join together with Ana Drev, Marusa Ferk, Sara Globocnik, Katja Jazbec, Ilka Stuhec, Katarina Lavtar and Ula Hafner. An estimated amount of EUR 1.2 million is the budget of this event has which has been constant for the last four years, and the prices of tickets will remain unchanged: EUR 4 for adults and EUR 2 for children. Approximately 300 Slovenian and foreign reporters as well as 3 TV stations will also be covering the said event.

Ljubljana Opera House located at Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is an opera house which also serves as the national opera building of the country. The renovation of such opera house was one of the investment priorities in 2006 by the Cultural Ministry however the renovation started on last March 2007 when the ensembles were planned to be moved by Spring of 2009. The Opera House is expected to open following its renovation on Autumn this year. Resident ensembles have been also expecting to return to the Opera Home after performing their productions in different locations for over four seasons.

The Opera House was built between 1890 and 1892 by Czech architects Jan V. Hrasky and Anton Hruby. Until the early 20th century, the building housed the German Theatre as well as the provincial theatre and opera. Following the World War II, a number of triumphant operas by the Slovenian authors were performed at the Opera House which as well gained honor world wide. In 1918, they got their first professional ballet ensemble wherein Ljubljana’s ballet-goers have witnessed a number of contemporary and classical presentations.

The 114 – year old Opera and Ballet House will not only feature their newly renovated building but an additional contemporary-looking wing which happens to be connected with the old building. While there will be lots of changes such as broadening of the stage, and increasing the height of the ceiling, some parts of the building will remain unchanged. This includes not expanding the main hall and no additional number of seats. An estimated amount of 278 million EUR was the total cost of the project which comprises the renovation cost as well as the fee for the architects Jurij Kobe and Marjan Zupan.

Bohinj Park Hotel, opened in June 2009, is a luxurious hotel which has been recently honored with its five star status according to the official hotel classification scheme, making it the highest quality hotel in Northwest Slovenia.

The Bohinj hotel is located at the edge of the Trigalv National Park in the heart of the Julian Alps near the Kobla, Vogel, Sorica and, Senožeta ski areas. Referred to as an oasis of peace, the hotel is surrounded with a splendid natural environment directly linked to the Bohinj Water Park making it a perfect venue for tourists, business travelers as well as conference guest. The hotel is referred to as an environment friendly facility since the hotel’s structure is primarily made from natural materials including timber, and stone, and contains a variety of unique energy saving solutions, including being heated and cooled by water from its own well.

The Bohinj Park hotel’s amenities includes exclusive wellness center, a cinema, a bowling alley, a wireless internet throughout the place, sunbathing terrace on the roof, climbing walls, and the Bohinj Park, with family friendly complex including a range of pools along with waterslides. Just within the vicinity of the hotel are the Bled golf course, the Sava Bohinjka river, the Straža nad Bledom ski resort and the Pokljuka ski area. The 102- room hotel also offers various accommodation options, including family rooms and rooms suited for disabled guests. In addition, the hotel also offers 8 state-of-the-art conference halls which make the hotel appropriate for business meetings.

A biodegradable substance, a frequent remark said by environmentalist, is any product that should be able to be broken down naturally into raw materials of nature and vanish into the environment. This is any good that naturally comes from animals, plants, or minerals which will ultimately go back to nature with sufficient time. Fundamentally, these products are usually referred to as environmentally friendly materials for they facilitate in saving the environment. An example of which is the biodegradable lubricants by Panolin AG.

On May 2006, Boötanj plant located in southeastern Slovenia about 100 kilometers east from the capital Ljubljana initiated its operation. It was the first hydro facility in Slovenia and is owned by the Holding Slovenske Elektrarne (HSE). HSE, as the foremost power supplier in Slovenia has strongly justified that they could offer certified quality products, with good environmental management guarantying a secure and consistent supply at competitive values to the European Union and beyond. It has been the first hydro facility plant to recently use environmentally friendly hydraulic oil, a biodegradable lubricant from Panolin AG in the hydraulic system of five radial gates. Panolin has been the chief supplier of biodegradable lubricants and constantly conforms to environment compatible products. This hydro facility is anticipated to provide 6% of Slovenia’s annual power requirements through the creation of 720,000 megawatts-hours which noticeably plays a significant responsibility in supplying power to Slovenia. Since HSE strongly holds their principle on being environmentally friendly, they have decided to utilize biodegradable oil in their turbines for the radial gates’ hydraulic system. Plus, HSE desires to construct hydropower plants which are environmentally conscious of its effects as well as it will be capable to operate for 50 years or more.

Although this biodegradable oils are more costly than mineral oils, they opt to utilize it given that they consider that this cost will be much lesser than altering the entire system in the future. And in cases of accidents wherein the discharges leaks into the river, it would be less environmentally destructive than mineral oils.