Special levy for retail chains approved

Retail chains operating in Slovakia will pay a special levy amounting to 2.5 percent as of next year if foodstuffs make up at least 25 percent of their turnover. Parliament adopted a law to this effect at its session on Thursday. With the new legislation, which was submitted by the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS), the party wants to support Slovak farmers and domestic food producers. At the same time the legislators adopted an amending proposal according to which the special levy will not apply to small and medium-sized enterprises, trade alliances and retail outlets located in the least developed districts. The draft law on the special levy was highly criticised by the Opposition, claiming that the new law would cause food price hikes.