was adopted in 1999 to promote privatization and stimulate foreign investment in the energy sector. Major activities in the energy sector included a program of modernization at the Krsko nuclear powerplant, which Slovenia jointly owns and operates with neighboring Croatia (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2001, p. 14).
In 2000, salient activities in the steel industry included the addition of a new automated quality inspection line at INEXA Store Ltd., which was valued at $1.2 million.[1] INEXA also planned to modernize the plant's rolling mills. SZ Jeklo Store d.o.o. was privatized in 1999 and acquired by INEXA Group of Sweden. Additionally, a new forging line was added at the SZ Ravne d.o.o. steel mill; the new line replaced an older unit to produce bar sections, flat sections, and other products from all grades of steel.
Important activities in the nonferrous metals industry included the planned facility expansion at Slovenia's aluminum smelter Kidricevo Talum d.o.o. that would increase production capacity to about 155,000 t of primary and secondary aluminum by 2002 from about 100,000 t in 2000. Talum obtained outside financing for the project (a new pot room) that amounted to $76 million in addition to its own capital. Talum also planned to produce 117,000 t of aluminum in 2001 (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2001, p. 14).
Cement, clays, dimension stone, and silica products were among the industrial minerals produced in Slovenia. Consumption of cement and other construction materials continued to increase, which, in turn, would further increase demand for other industrial minerals as well as for steel and other base metals. If Slovenia should join the EU, then this trend may well accelerate with developmental emphasis being placed on rail and road infrastructure.
References cited
- Ayers, Joanne, 2000, A light at the end of the tunnel: Metal Bulletin Monthly, August, no. 356, p. 70–71.
- Burgert, Philip, 2000, EU imposes duties on pipe and tube: New York, Cahners Business Information press release, 1 p.
- Cahners Business Information, 2000, Macedonia makes 2 metal sales deals: Cahners Business Information, November 13, 1 p.
- Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2000, Annual report 1999: Sarajevo, Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 54 p.
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2001a, Albania--Investment profile: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, March, 32 p.
- European2001b, FYR Croatia--Investment profile 2001: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, April, 25 p.
- European2001c, FYR Macedonia--Investment profile 2001: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, April, 27 p.
- European2001d, Slovenia--Investment profile 2001: European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, April, 28 p.
- Hope, Kerin, 2000, Macedonia's mines under threat: Financial Times [London], August 11, no. 34293, p. 26.
- Köhl, Christian, 2001, Danieli to build Bosnia and Herzegovina sites: Cahners Business Information, April 6, 1 p.
- Maguire, Sean, 2000, NATO troops take control of Kosovo Serb smelter: Reuters Ltd., August 14, 2 p.
- Metal Bulletin, 2000a, Croatia's Split steelworks awards contract for overhaul: Metal Bulletin, no. 8498, August 7, p. 19.
- Metal2000b, Europe seeks to protect Montenegrin Al industry: Metal Bulletin, July 3, no. 8489, p. 4.
- Metal2000c, Podgorica downstream plants are put up for sale: Metal Bulletin, no. 8491, July 10, p. 10.
- Mining Journal, 2000, Trepca smelter seized by NATO: Mining Journal, v. 335, no. 8596, August 18, p. 134.
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, 2000, Proposed guarantee to Balkan Cement Ltd. for investment in A.D. Cementarnica USJE: Multilateral *Investment Guarantee Agency, March 2, MIGA/R2000-7, 10 p.
- Reuters Ltd., 2000a, Montenegro smelter to raise output 17%: Reuters Ltd., February 15, 1 p.
- Reuters2000b, Repair of Trepca could take years--UN: Reuters Ltd., August 14, 2 p.
- Serbia and Montenegro Federal Statistical Office, 2001, INDEX--Monthly review of economic statistics of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Serbia and *Montenegro Federal Statistical Office, February, no. 2, 73 p.
- Smith, J.R., 2001, The hunt for Yugoslav riches: Washington Post, March 11, p. A1, A20. Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, 2000, *Statistical yearbook of the Republic of Slovenia--Mining and manufacturing: Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, 680 p.
- U.S. Agency for International Development, 2000a, Country profile--Bosnia and Herzegovina: U.S. Agency for International Development, August, 4 p.
- USAID2000b, BIH economic update: U.S. Agency for International Development, February 25, 67 p.
- ↑ Where necessary, values have been converted from German deutsche marks (DM) to U.S. dollars (US$) at the rate of DM1.00=US$0.48.
