Fico to Meet Investors in Kosice to Discuss Rental Housing

Bratislava, April 11 (TASR) - I will meet investors and city representatives in Kosice on Monday (April 14) to discuss plans for the construction of rental housing in the area, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced at a press conference with respect to legislation on state-supported rental housing approved by Parliament on Thursday (April 10). Fico added that the government has signed contracts with three foreign investors who are expected to build rental apartments in Slovakia. “State-supported rental housing makes sense in that the state, based on negotiations with the European Commission, applies a reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate of just 5 percent for these apartments,” said Fico, adding that employers will be able to provide their employees with a monthly housing allowance, which is set to increase by €1.23 to €5.23 per square metre (m²). For an flat with an area of up to 90 m², this would amount to a monthly contribution of €470.70. These funds aren't taxed, making the arrangement very advantageous for employers and equally beneficial for employees, who will pay lower rent, said Fico. The prime minister clarified that Slovakia currently has three investment contracts signed with foreign companies, two of which are Austrian firms and one is from Liechtenstein. “We're mainly trying to raise awareness, to hold talks with investors, and to create more opportunities. So, I believe this will move forward very quickly,” he stated. Fico also defended newly appointed director of the State-Supported Rental Housing Agency (ASPNB) Eva Lisova, who is responsible for the rental housing project. The opposition pointed out earlier this week that Lisova has been convicted twice in the past of real-estate fraud, and it called on the prime minister to remove her from office. However, under the law her conviction was erased, so the prime minister considers her to be innocent. mf/df