May 16 (SeeNews) - Slovenia's ‘bad bank’, the Bank Assets Management Company (DUTB), revised its decision to start preparations for the sale of tourism companies Istrabenz Turizem and Thermana, it said.
On May 11, the Slovenian government adopted the Slovenian Tourism Strategy 2022-2028, in which it states that equity investments in tourism managed by DUTB will remain state-owned, and consequently DUTB revoked the decision to start preparations for the sale of these companies, it said in a statement on Friday.
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DUTB had previously decided to put Istrabenz Turizem and Thermana up for sale as the new strategy had not been adopted in time and the economy ministry had failed to comment on the further management of tourist properties despite the request of the bad bank, it added.
Last week, Slovenian media reported that the management board of DUTB decided to dispose of its stakes in Istrabenz Turizem and Thermana due to lack of proper government strategy in tourism.
The media reports drew fire from economic development minister Zdravko Pocivalsek who said the sale of the two companies is certainly not in line with the new strategy for the development of Slovenia’s tourism sector.
DUTB owns the entire capital of both Istrabenz Turizem and Thermana.