Thursday, 18. October 2012.
Ministry of Finance and Economy Representatives Visit
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Mr Aleksandar Ljubic, State Secretary, and Ms Misela Nikolic, Assistant Minister, visited HIP-Petrohemija on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, in order to get information about the HDPE Plant reconstruction works progress.
Upon their arrival they were taken for a tour to the reconstruction site at the High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Plant, where they were informed about the status of works by Executive Director for Production and Technical Support, Mr Vladimir Koprivsek, and Assistant Executive Director for Production, Mr Nebojsa Djurasovic.
After visiting the HDPE Plant reconstruction site a meeting was held between the company management and the representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, during which HIP-Petrohemija’s CEO informed the Ministry representatives about the burning issue, arose by adopting a new Law Amending the Excise Tax Law, by which excise taxes have been introduced for certain petrochemical products, the application of which may completely block already difficult business of the company.
With full understanding of the existing problem, State Secretary has shown his willingness to have this issue, which is according to him a matter of legal clauses interpretation, solved very soon, probably even in the next week, since the stated issue was already discussed in the Ministry upon the request not only of HIP-Petrohemija but also of some other companies which also suffer because of these legal regulations changes.
In continuation of the meeting, attended also by representatives of all registered trade unions, State Secreatary, by giving answers to numerous questions posted by the trade unions representatives, acquainted the attendants with the strategy of State, the major owner of the Company, which is based on finding a strategic partner for HIP-Petrohemija as soon as possible, since it is the only possible way to permanently solve the issue of HIP-Petrohemija. Further on he said that at the moment being it was necessary to make maximum efforts to finalize realization of the investment project started in the HDPE Plant, in accordance with the established Management Plan, all in order to have the plant production started as planned in late December.
Assistant Minister, Ms Misela Nikolic, said that the State would do everything necessary to provide the required utilities for the plant operation (electric power and gas).
At the end of the meeting the representatives of the Ministry showed their readiness to visit the Company again when the HDPE Plant reconstruction comes close to the end, as well as for solving any issue that may arise meanwhile.