22-12-2008

With the changeover date less than two weeks away, the preparations for the euro are in full swing in Slovakia. The National Bank of Slovakia is supplying commercial banks and post offices with euro cash and the commercial banks are, in turn, distributing euro banknotes and coins to businesses.

Almost 6500 businesses had received euro cash by 15 December, and around 1.185 million euro coin mini-kits had also been distributed to the public and small businesses. This has enabled people to familiarise themselves with the first Slovak euro coins already before €-day.

Mini-kit also provide small businesses with the cash needed to give change in euro as from 1 January onwards. The media campaign is intended to raise awareness among the public of the practical steps to be done before the changeover (such as depositing savingsin the bank where they will be automatically converted into euro), combat commonly held fears of price increases, and reduce the uncertainty involved in handling a new currency.