A company reputation is only one aspect of the contest organised by the Lucenec Regional Chamber of the Slovak Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The other, more important feature is the ability to excercise power despite a weakness.

The Novohrad and Gemer regions have rich mineral resources of magnesite, refractory loam, decorating building stone, talc and asbestos. With 500 thousand inhabitants, the vicinity of Lucenec 50 km in diameter is the Slovakia most populated settlement after Bratislava and Kosice.

Contrary to its rich mineral and human resources, the region shows a low level of economic development, evident from the production decline, limping contribution to national GDP, poor adaptability to market conditions and high unemployment rate.

Experts ascribe some of the economical problems to insufficient infrastructure. The planned Zvolen - Lucenec - Rimavska Sobota - Roznava - Kosice speedway route gave way to a preferred centrally located highway project of higher preference. This holds true also about the railway development plans to connect Bratislava - Nove Zamky - Lucenec - Kosice.

The Velky Krtis - Lucenec coal transport railway route is one of the emergency examples calling for an immediate attention. This line supplies the Thermal Power Plant in Kostolany from the Bana Dolina Mine. This route leads from Krtis detouring through Hungary and back to Lucenec and Zvolen to reach Kostolany. High transport costs due to long distance and compliance with the Hungarian restriction on load limits increases the price of coal and drastically reduce its competitiveness.

The infrastructure development is one of three vital conditions imperative for reshaping the regional economy. The following conditions to be considered by the government for development enhancing are to maintain the price of money and to provide support to the business sphere. Yet the governmental involvement remains at the level of promises, as can be confirmed both by local governments and businesses. Their common lesson from the experience is in the conviction that nobody would resolve their economical problems unless they take action themselves. This means that unless they have the ability to excercise power despite a weakness, no development can be expected.

A proof of their awareness of being left on their own resources is the establishment of the Regional Chamber to the Slovak Chamber of Industry and Commerce, introducing a Crystal Mercury business contest and preparation of projects for a common way ahead towards the economical development, shared by the entrepreneurs and local governments of the Lucenec, Rimavska Sobota, Velky Krtis, Revuca and Poltar districts.

The Crystal Mercury contest, despite its short tradition, has become a hallmark of success. Starting with 27 companies claiming to win in the contest in 1995 the number of applicants grew to 35 in 1996, 55 in 1997 and in 1998 the number of contesting businesses was 43. The first "Hall of Fame" members became Avant Lucenec, Tauris Rimavska Sobota, Naftex Slovakia Lucenec, Liaz Velky Krtis and Slovglas Poltar. The following year Cannery Rimavska Sobota, Aliex Tornala, Thormasmalt Filakovo, Slovak Chemical Works Hnusta and Slovak Magnesite Works Jelsava joint the top ranks. In January 1999 five more candidates succeeded: Seliko Slovakia Modry Kamen, Tauris Rimavska Sobota, Novoker Lucenec, Slovak Chemical Works - Chemistry Hnusta and Trade Center Lucenec. The victory of the company Inwex Modry Kamen in the European competition of small and medium business was approved by granting a separate award The 1998 Best Entrepreneur of the Novohrad and Gemer Region to Mrs. Ingrid Kaczorekova, company owner.

The assessed parameters were not only the regional development contribution but also increase in turnover, production efficiency, jobs and exports over the past three years. The across-border contribution was not neglected. Apart from crediting the company reputation, the contest also supports joint operations unified as a single force of the regional development concept, each of the participating operations meaning a positive benefit in raising economical and social level in the Novohrad and Gemer regions.

Slovak Trade FORUM