Cord 128

FAR FROM THE SUN

PAVLE PETROVIĆ

CELEBRATING THE TRUE SPIRIT OF YOGA

Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade

Ambassador of India to Serbia

H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN

H.E. ALBERTO DI LUCA

JUNE ’15 / ISSUE No. 128

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Chairman of the Republic of Serbia's Fiscal Council

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OVE FREDHEIM PRESIDENT OF THE FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL AND CEO OF TELENOR SERBIA

We Just Need to

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ISSN 1451-7833

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CONTENTS

EDITOR: Saša Marić s.maric@aim.rs

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ISSUE 128

ART DIRECTOR: Ilija Petrović i.petrovic@aim.rs

08 | C O M M E N T

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Hot Balkan Spring ALEKSANDAR RADIĆ Military analyst

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Far From THE SUN PAVLE PETROVIĆ

Chairman of the Republic of Serbia's Fiscal Council

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Encouraging Business Environment

Celebrating the True Spirit of Yoga

EDIN DACIĆ

OVE FREDHEIM

President of the Foreign Investors Council and CEO of Telenor Serbia

GLOBAL DIARY

PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović

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Hemis Festival

COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen

G-7 Weighs in on Greece

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Media Industry Climbing Back Towards €330mln Mark 42

after work

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Excellent Relations on ALL LEVELS H.E. ALBERTO DI LUCA

Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade

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Between the Earthquakes & SUMMITS OF NEPAL Adventure

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faces & places 48

culture calendar 50

Global Anti-Corruption Investigation in FIFA Sport

Sprouts of Growth and Signs of Turnaround EUROPEAN COMMISSION European Economic Forecast, Spring 2015

EDITORIAL MANAGER: Tanja Banković t.bankovic@aim.rs

Ambassador of India

Marketing: Romania

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H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN

CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Mirjana Jovanović, Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić

CEO at Daccomet AG Zürich Switzerland

Economy

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82 | P R O F I L E

51 Embassy of India presents

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA

Explore

Ayurveda Health & Balance Health

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FUN IN THE SUN Techno talk

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Chill Out 82

Summer Cocktail Parties: Enjoy Meeting New People Fashion

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summer garden party Fashion

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Good Communication is Always a Challenge

TRANSLATION: Snežana Bjelotomić, MRP Editorial EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PROJECT MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Ivana Fidler, i.fidler@aim.rs Aleksandra Ebilji, a.ebilji@aim.rs Mila Oreščanin, m.orescanin@aim.rs EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ruža Ristanović r.ristanovic@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs FINANCIAL DIRECTOR: Gordana Obradović g.obradovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER: Nataša Nešić n.nesic@aim.rs PRINTING: Rotografika d.o.o., Segedinski put 72, Subotica CorD is published by: alliance international media Makenzijeva 67, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fax: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: cordeditorial@cma.rs www.cordmagazine.com www.allianceinternationalmedia.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliance international media 2015

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COMMENT

Hot Balkan Spring ALEKSANDAR RADIĆ military analyst

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Spring 2015 has seen major shots fired in the Balkans.

Terrorist activity in Zvornik, a raid on the Gošinca unit and then a furious armed conflict in Kumanovo; fierce rhetoric from Albanian politicians and deep political divisions in Bosnia-Herzegovina served to destroy an image maintained for almost fifteen years of the Balkans as an area of fresh conflicts that have been overcome

t is silently considered politically correct to talk about the poThe full-stop at the end of every discussion is represented by the intential for the restoration of old crises, albeit with the assumpformation that the perpetrators of the terrorist act were recruited by returnees from the war zone in the Middle East. The presence of tion that the authority of the EU and NATO can maintain stabilimported ideologies that have taken root in the Balkans now create ity. That's why Euro-Atlantic orientation implies a guarantee of favourable conditions for classical forms of terrorism, the likes of the predictability of procedures of Balkan states and political leadwhich we have not previously had. When and where terrorists may act ers. It was expected that mantra of commitment to strong and orcannot be predicted, but we must now live with the assessment that ganised societies would be a sufficient guarantee of the preserving the risk is real and constant throughout the region. of peace in and of itself.

Ethnically motivated violence inherent to Albanian extremists In practice, it turned out that the Balkans lies on a clearly visible came to life in Kumanovo. In the background of the tragic statistics of and active fault line and only a little is required to disrupt the fragthe one-day conflict and the political and media fog created regardile illusion of stability. Currently, active fissures now run from BosniaHerzegovina to Macedonia, with a tendency to spread in terms of ing the circumstances of how it all happened, some facts remained breadth and depth. The primary problem in Bosnia that represent a very serious signal for the region – lies in the inefficiency of the state. In recent months the “Kumanovo” group set out to commit acts of terIt turned out the problem of forming a government in the B-H rorism. These are not propaganda phrases.

Federation was barely overcome, while Republika Deep political divisions in Macedonia also that the Balkans Srpska again sent a message that it sees the fuemerge for and against the VMRO-DPMNE coalition lies on a clearly and the DUI party represents the background for a ture of the entity beyond the borders of Bosniavisible and active potential open armed conflict.

Herzegovina. The messages of the EU and NATO Naturally, we'll believe for the sake of all of us are not encouraging either, because both organisafault line and only that there is a consensus in Macedonia, the region tions have shown reservations about the chances of a little is required and among relevant powers from the EU and the Bosnia-Herzegovina becoming a full member in the to disrupt the U.S., that a war scenario will not be provoked, but foreseeable future.

In an atmosphere where there is a lack of clear fragile illusion of all the elements that would lead to a pessimistic deprospects and economic hopelessness, extremism velopment of situations exist and are clearly visible. stability is growing and the deliberately confusing organised The development of the situation in Macedonia is security system has no reliable mechanisms to enlikely to depend crucially on the fate of the current government. It is slightly black and white if they achieve a new posure its control. At the national level, Bosnia-Herzegovina has eight security services and agencies, the B-H Federation maintains a political package of the rule of state (not national) unity the crisis will slowly move away from the edge of armed conflict towards political lice force at the entity level, as well as some 10 cantonal police forcmechanisms for controlling the situation. Such a development reprees. However, on the 49 per cent of the country's territory that is covered by the Republika Srpska entity, a single police organisation opsents an opportunity for DUI to stay where it is, in power, regardless of who represents the Macedonian ethnos. This second option, surerates. And let us not forget that the Brčko District also has an independent police force. vival of the current government, would provide an opportunity for deIn the Bosniak political elite they at least tacitly view the existstructive forces to start an avalanche.

Even the darkest scenario would not lead to a direct spill-over of ence of the Wahhabi enclave. That's why the Zvornik incident reprethe crisis into Serbia, but it would create an unpleasant atmosphere sents the quite natural consequence of the situation in B-H and conof the national mobilisation of Albanians.  firms firmly that there is no mechanism that could prevent terrorism.

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INTERVIEW

PAVLE PETROVIĆ Chairman of the Republic of Serbia's Fiscal Council

Far From

THE SUN Once the effects of austerity measures based on reductions in public sector salaries and pensions wears off, further reduction of the deficit will be based solely on painful reforms that need to start this year. This is where the last government stopped and where this government is having second thoughts

E XC L U S I V E

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lthough it seems that Serbia has had a relatively successful start to fiscal consolidation, and the Government claims that the difficult part of the journey is over, what lies ahead should be viewed in the wider context of the history of our problems. A high fiscal deficit, which is the result of a structural mismatch between the state's revenue and expenses, has been dealt with for years by the state sinking further into debt, which resulted in public debt growing from €9 billion in late 2008 to €24.5 billion at the end of April 2015. “Such a public debt growth trend will prove to be unsustainable in the years to come. Serbia needs to pay over €1.1 billion on the basis of interest rates alone in 2015, which is almost equal to the state's education budget,” warns Pavle Petrović, Chairman of the Republic of Serbia's Fiscal Council.

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DEADLINES

RECESSION

REDUNDANCIES

The basis for deficit reduction after 2015 should be defined this year and that basis is provided by structural reforms that need to start now.

The only two segments that could act as the driving force behind growth in the following years are net export and investments. However, investments are a GDP segment that has recorded the greatest drop in the last two years and this is one of the key reasons why we are experiencing a prolonged recession.

Only after the government carries out serious sector-based analyses, which will provide us with clear answers regarding the way we want Serbian healthcare and education to function in the future, will redundancies make sense.

Another indicator pointing towards the possibility of a public debt crisis erupting is the fact that the state already pays 3.5% of GDP to cover interest, which is a record breaking percentage in Europe. Greece, a country that has already experienced this kind of crisis, pays 4.2% of its national GDP to cover interest. Serbia is not too far away from that – says Petrović, adding that, in light of all the aforementioned, it was inevitable that Serbia would embark on a journey of fiscal consolidation and the concluding of an agreement with the IMF, as a guarantee to international creditors that Serbia would indeed implement the announced measures.

could also perhaps consider increasing public investments, but it is obvious that there are problems implementing investments that have already been planned. What is absolutely certain is that there is no room at present for a possible increase in salaries and pensions. You see, the permanent improvement in public finances in 2015, i.e. reducing the deficit in the amount of 1.5% of national GDP relative to 2014, is actually identical to the sav-

■ Does the first stage of fiscal consolidation give the Serbian Government the right to expect this year's deficit to fall below four per cent?

- The one measure they have been implementing consistently to date is reducing pensions and salaries in the public sector. We also noted that collection of taxes (VAT and excise) improved somewhat, so the 2015 deficit will be a bit better i.e. slightly lower than that planned for this year. However, the results are far from spectacular. The Fiscal Council estimates that the state’s 2015 deficit could be just over five per cent of the national GDP, which is an improvement from last year’s 6.6%. Three very important budget items underwent significant structural changes in 2015 compared to 2014. Pensions and salaries fell by approximately 1.5% of GDP, while tax collection improved 0.5% of GDP. However, interest payments grew 0.5% of GDP, due to the galloping public debt. All in all, we can see that the structural and real reduction of the 2015 deficit amounts to 1.5% of GDP, which, practically speaking, is equivalent to the aforementioned pension and salary reduction.

Furthermore, there are additional, albeit temporary, factors causing further reduction of the deficit that we could not classify as economically rational. For instance, public investments are implemented extremely inefficiently. In the first quarter only half of the planned investments were executed and this is not really a saving.

Severance payments to employees of companies going through restructuring are hardly paid, indicating that the implementation of restructuring processes is very late. Formally speaking, the 2015 deficit could be in line with the noted government projections, but this would not be economically advisable or permanent, as there will be more redundancy payments to make in 2016, and higher public investments for roads and other infrastructure developments that are not completed this year.

■ If the government managed to keep the deficit below four per cent, what should that money be used to finance?

- There aren't many permanent or rational savings in the budget for 2015, so there is no reason for us to think about them. If fiscal results do improve, the funds should be used to further decrease the deficit and slow the growth of public debt. The Government

The state already pays 3.5% of GDP to cover interest, while Greece, a country that has already experienced public debt crisis, pays 4.2% of its national GDP to cover interest.

Serbia is not too far away from that

ings stemming from cutting back on salaries and pensions. If the pensions and salaries were to be returned to the level they were at prior to the austerity measures, the fiscal deficit would also return to the level prior to the consolidation, which would render null and void everything accomplished so far.

■ One of the most remarkable phenomena of the past course of fiscal consolidation has been retaining overall salary payments, as well as aggregate and private demand, at the same level compared to the previous period, with almost the same level of collection of taxes and contributions as before the austerity measures were taken. How do you interpret this?

- Consumer spending has been reduced by several percentage points, of course, which is confirmed by available statistiJUNE

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cal data. Serbia is just like many other countries that underwent similar public finance consolidation programmes. The most frequent problem when it comes to implementing unpopular measures, and this is not only true of Serbia, is that the public is quick to accept claims that reducing pensions and salaries is inefficient, because that will result in reduced private spending and less tax collected, which, in the end, will not result in deficit reduction.

However, this is not true. If that were true, than we could have done just the opposite – increase salaries and pensions and have higher public revenue. The Fiscal Council has never denied the fact that these reductions have a negative effect on demand, but this effect is limited and can be anticipated and calculated with sufficient reliability. Now that we have decline in public wages and pensions

Back then taxes were increased substantially (VAT and corporate income tax), the growth of pensions and salaries was limited, but inadequate organisation within the Tax Administration led to a huge decline in tax collection in 2013, while certain public and state-owned enterprises continued amassing losses. In the end, everything proved fruitless. The key difference between the situation in 2015 and the one in 2013 is that now we have the IMF here.

Judging by certain statements coming from the government, it seems that the will is there to 'soften' or completely abandon some of the difficult measures that had been planned, which reminds me a lot of 2013. That's why it is a good thing that regular audits by the IMF keep highlighting the core problems with public finances and are not allowing the government to ease up.

Ever since the layoffs in the public sector were announced, the Fiscal Council has insisted that they should be executed along with reforms of the healthcare and education sectors. Otherwise the layoffs could prove detrimental

■ What should the reform of EPS (which is already overdue) entail, apart from raising electricity prices, and what progress has been made in the second part of the job?

some are surprised that there was no dramatic decline in spending, while tax revenue even increased.

■ Alterations have been made to some important points relating to the government's list of priorities as agreed with the IMF. Could you tell us what the biggest challenges facing the Serbian Government will be in the period leading up to the next revision of the IMF arrangement?

- The basis for deficit reduction after 2015 should be defined this year and this basis is structural reforms that need to start now.

To be more precise, once the effect of the reduced pensions and salaries in the public sector wear off, further reductions will be based solely on rationalisation of the number of employees in budget-funded bodies, improving the work of the Tax Administration, dealing with companies in restructuring, reforming public enterprises in a poor operational state that threaten to completely destroy the state's public finances, and several other reform measures. These are huge challenges – in professional, social and political terms – and dealing with them has been put off for many years. The first attempt at fiscal consolidation in late 2012 was unsuccessful, due to the government abandoning reform measures.

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- Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) is by far the biggest enterprise owned by the state of Serbia and, unfortunately, it is not successful.

If the company's problems are not dealt with within the company itself, Serbia’s public finances will not be able to handle so much pressure. In mid-2014 the Fiscal Council released a study about public and state-owned enterprises in which we identified at least five large-scale problems encountered by EPS in its operations. Apart from the electricity price, which does not currently sustain the company's operations, there are problems with surplus employees, low (payment) collection, technical losses in the power distribution network, electricity theft and certain organisational problems. Hiking the electricity price is not necessary only for EPS, but also to counter the inefficient use of electricity, which is currently cheaper than other energy products. The only excuse for electricity price increases being overdue is that the remaining reforms of EPS are still not ready, since it makes sense to implement all of the aforementioned measures simultaneously. If that is not done, there is a risk of EPS irrationally spending the money generated from the higher electricity prices. It is a good thing that the IMF has recognised how important it is EPS to Serbia's public finances and that it insists on the company's restructuring as a part of the agreed arrangement.

The restructuring plan is supposed to be devised in early June.

■ One of the Government's bigger undertakings is also to bring order to other large enterprises, such as Srbijagas, Serbian

Railways and others. What do you think are the priorities in this respect?

achievements in this segment so far?

- Croatia is not the only country to have attempted this unsuccess- For years, Srbijagas has been delivering gas to state-owned comfully. Serbia did it too. What usually happens is that, in order to panies that haven't been paying for it, like the Smederevo Steeldecrease public expenditure, the state has to apply linear layoffs works, Petrohemija, Azotara and MSK. In this way, the company of a certain number of civil servants and the main tool for this was has accumulated over a billion euros worth of losses that are now to grant severance payments. However, the result of this approach being covered by the state. Hence, the issue of Srbijagas's losses was that the most qualified people sign off on receiving severance is tied closely to the swift resolution of issues regarding the surpayments and those who can much more easily find a job. It ofvival of the said companies, which doesn't ten occurred that key people left and replacements had to be found. In the end, mean Srbijagas also doesn't have certain The actual trends all previous attempts were inefficient in inefficiency problems of its own requiring in economic activity for 2014 terms of their impact on the budget and attention. This is probably the top priority and this year are decline at a they also possibly reduced the quality of that should have been resolved by year’s end. Serbian Railways is also in a very bad stable rate ranging from 0.5 to the workforce in the public sector. That's why redundancies of civil servants need state and has been receiving over €100 one per cent to be done in a more targeted manner, million in direct subsidies from the state with oversight from the powers that be. It annually. This company should be reorganised, with the number of employees reduced, which would in is true that the process should have started already, but we have to turn lead to a gradual reduction of state subsidies and changes bear in mind that this is an extremely sensitive and complex issue in their purpose. The merger between Putevi Srbije and Koridori should be based on thorough analysis and plans.

Srbije does not impact much on the budget austerity measures, ■ A number of renowned economic experts warn that layoffs in but this could improve the state’s rather weak efficiency when it the health and education sectors could have negative consecomes to executing public investments.

■ Croatian experience shows us that a certain number of civil servants who were laid off were subsequently re-employed through more flexible employment methods, which ultimately proved very costly. How would you rate the government's

quences for the quality of those sectors. What do you think are the main prerequisites that need to be met in this process with a view to satisfying quality and quantity?

- The health and education sectors are by far the biggest segments of the public sector and they employ more than half of

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all the 500,000 civil servants that are the subject of redundancies. As such, it is practically impossible to substantially reduce the number of civil servants while excluding these sectors from the process. Ever since the layoffs in the public sector were announced, the Fiscal Council has insisted that they should be executed along with reforms of the healthcare and education sectors.

Otherwise the layoffs could prove detrimental, particularly if we consider that international rankings have shown that quality is already at a very low level in these sectors. Thus, we need to carry out serious sector-based analyses that would serve as the basis for the process and provide us with clear answers regarding the way we want Serbian healthcare and education to function in the future. We need to know which services will be covered by state-run healthcare and which will be left to private healthcare. Once we do that, we need to ascertain how many doctors from the state health sector are required for every municipality, what they should specialise in, how many hospitals are needed, what the best ratio is when employing medical and non-medical staff etc. The same goes for education.

Once these criteria have been established, layoffs could be done without compromising the quality of services and with a view to possibly improving them.

ity is generated by state and private spending, investments and net export. State spending will decline in the following few years, due to fiscal consolidation. Private spending will also experience a decline for at least a year, due to lower public sector pensions and salaries, a low employment rate in the private sector and a drop in lending activity. The only two segments that could act as the driving force behind growth in the following years are net export and investments. Investment growth has a dual purpose – at present, when investment expenditures are made they raise demand, leading directly to higher GDP, while, subsequently, investments lead to increased production capacities, output growth and higher net export. The problem lies in the fact that investments are a GDP segment that have recorded the greatest drop in the last two years, which is one of the key reasons why Serbia is still in a prolonged recession.

If the state really wants to bolster economic development, then it needs to create a business environment that would appeal to investors, as well as increase efforts substantially in terms of infrastructure projects.

■ You have mentioned several times that increasing public investments should be the government's key anti-recession measure. Why has no headway been made in this respect?

- Public investments are by far the best anti-recession measures able to rectify, and even shorten, the recession period.

It is especially important to increase public investJudging by certain ments during the process of fiscal consolidation government - The Fiscal Council’s current assessments show and this is a measure that has even been suggested statements, it that economic growth in 2015 will be slightly negby international institutions (including the IMF). ative, with zero per cent the best case scenario. In seems that the will The reason for this is that public investments have 2014 GDP fell 1.8%, but the actual drop in economan effect on economic activity that is two or three exists to 'soften' ic activity was somewhat less and stood between times greater than the state's current spending. or completely 0.5 and one per cent. An additional one per cent of Or, to be more precise, the negative effects on GDP that GDP decline was due to flooding. Now we have caused by a decline in spending, due to reduced abandon some the complete opposite situation. EPS and Kolubara difficult measures salaries and pensions in the public sector, could be Mines are on track in terms of production, which annulled with just a slight increase in public investthat have been ments. Moreover, the current state of infrastructure will raise the GDP compared to 2014, despite this in Serbia is very bad and the state's allocations for actually meaning reinstating normal production planned this segment are much lower than in other comvolume in these economic segments, rather than parable countries, even though there are both projects and fundachieving real growth. The actual trends in economic activity for ing in place. The reason for this lies in inefficiency at almost all the past two years, when one excludes the effects of the floods, are stages of the implementation of investment projects. Although it decline at a stable rate ranging from 0.5 to one per cent. However, will take years to resolve these problems, the government should due to the floods’ impact, the output drop was somewhat bigger in at least try to eliminate the problems associated with individual 2014, while in 2015 it will be smaller (and maybe even positive). large-scale projects. It is quite possible that the newly formed inIn order to provide an assessment of economic activity in the frastructure delivery unit, which operates under the prime miniscountry, we should perhaps take a step back from the monthly ter's cabinet, will help with that. ■ and quarterly data and look at the big picture. Economic activ■ There was a great public debate about the economic growth projections which ranged from 0% to 0.2% to 0.5%.

How important are these nuances?

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INTERVIEW

OVE FREDHEIM President of the Foreign Investors Council and CEO of Telenor Serbia

We Just Need to

GET GOING At the recently completed 5th Reality Check Conference, the FIC encouraged Serbia to continue with reforms, offering concrete recommendations on how to improve the country’s business climate, based on the knowledge and experience of FIC member companies

E XC L U S I V E

T

he recently approved arrangement with the IMF and May’s conclusion of the first review of the programme with Serbia conducted in a positive tone, provide important guarantees that Serbia has embraced reforms. “We at the Foreign Investors Council recognise its great importance for securing stability and predictability on the market,” says Ove Fredheim, President of the Foreign Investors Council and CEO of Telenor Serbia. However, he adds, more systemic reforms are needed in order to create a stable macroeconomic framework.

The FIC, which comprises 134 companies with investments exceeding €22 billion, contributes with an 18% share of GDP and employs almost 100,000 workers, praised the government’s work in the last six months and acknowledged the progress made in that period: the adoption of the Law on Construction and Law on Inspections, coupled with good implementation of the Construction Law, which has led to the shortening of deadlines for the issuing of construction permits. The FIC also praised successful implementation of the Labour Law, which was changed in summer 2014. “However, the job is not yet finalised and going forward we expect the further harmonisation of laws with the EU Acquis and better implementation,” says Fredheim.

This association believes that the government should divide its focus between taking immediate measures and launching long-term reforms.

The main targets for adoption of laws are: liberalisation of the Forex Law, adoption of Law on Charges to safeguard against new para-fiscal levies, adoption of the Law on Land Conversion, to enable ownership over land, harmonisation of the Law on Personal Data Protection with EU regulations and the regulation of Staff Leasing.

The main priorities for better implementation are accelerated and transparent privatisation, in order to enable the creation of a level playing field, prompt creation of a coordination body, to enable efficient and 14 |

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EU ACCESSION

COOPERATION

MUTUAL NEEDS

Based on our experience, Serbia is ready for a new step towards the EU and that is why we urged the prompt opening of negotiations on accession chapters at the recent Reality Check Conference.

We feel that consultations, not only with us but with the private sector as a whole, have become a regular part of consultative processes regarding draft laws.

We are not hiding the fact that we come from the business domain, but the things we are seeking – such as predictability, stability, transparency and the implementation of laws – are also the wishes of Serbian society.

consistent implementation of the new Law on Inspections, more consistent application of tax regulations and better coordination between the Tax Administration and the Ministry of Finance, more liberal interpretation of the Forex Law and a unified interpretation of the Law on Employment of Foreigners by relevant institutions.

In the medium and long term, there is a need for the corporatisation of public enterprises, reform of public administration, better efficiency of the public sector and systemic reforms of pension, health and education systems. “Apart from this, the FIC’s key expectation is better implementation of laws across all fields, which should be an imperative,” says Fredheim.

Although there are many tasks ahead, one thing brings optimism. “We feel that consultations, not only with us but also with the private sector as a whole, have become a regular part of consultative processes regarding draft laws,” says Fredheim, continuing: “FIC welcomes this practice, as we believe the only way to ensure new and current laws are implementable and conducive to growth is to maintain an active dialogue between the government and the private sector, such as the one organised within the auspices of the Reality Check Conference”.

The FIC supports Serbia strongly on its EU path. “Based on our experience, Serbia is ready for this move and that is why we urged the prompt opening of negotiations on accession chapters at the recently held Reality Check Conference,” says Fredheim, who delivered that message in the presence of Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations, at the event.

The FIC advocates for Serbia's economic integration into the EU, as it brings predictability and transparency to the business surroundings, as well as increasing the competitiveness of the Serbian market. In negotiations, a candidate country needs to conduct overarching reforms, as well as raising its administrative capacity to implement new regulations, “which is one of the key problems in Serbia today,” says Fredheim.

■ The IMF concluded the first review of the programme with Serbia in May in a positive tone, albeit with a number of seemingly serious requests for the government. How do you see these results – as a glass half full or half empty?

- What the FIC sees is that we are moving in a good direction and that Aleksandar Vučić’s government is taking steps which are further supporting a stable macroeconomic picture. This is an overarching goal above and beyond anything else.

■ To what extent are the IMF recommendations and obligations, accepted by Serbia under the three-year agreement, in line with FIC recommendations?

- I would say that, on a high level, our goals are fully complimentary. The FIC is happy to see that the IMF is approaching the challenge for Serbia in a somewhat broader fashion and not only from

the fiscal budget side, because a too narrow approach to that goal could be counterproductive. We have seen the examples of that in other countries. It is very important that the IMF is focused on overall structural reforms that need to be done, including public sector reform, and that they are engaged in a broader dialogue with Serbia when it comes to required economic reforms.

■ If you combine the IMF arrangement, government support from EU finance ministers and the FIC assessment on the Reality Check Conference, what does it tell you about Serbia’s future progress?

- The answer somewhat depends on the side you are coming from,

The FIC sees that we are moving in a good direction and that Aleksandar Vučić’s government is taking steps to further support a stable macroeconomic picture

but I think our assessments are going in the same direction. All of these expectations that we have are also part of the goals Serbia needs to achieve in its EU accession process.

Serbia’s future lays in harmonising with the EU’s legal regulatory framework and continuing with other reforms in accordance with its domestic needs. We are hearing those messages coming from those two sides, and from our part at the Reality Check Conference we were very strong about the Serbian EU journey and we will continue to repeat that.

■ ...and where do you see possible pitfalls?

- We have some early positive signs now and that is appreciated. At the same time, while living in Serbia and doing business here, all of us need to be a little bit thick skinned, because not everything will JUNE

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be super positive in the next five years. If there are bumps in this road, we should be ready for that. Many of the challenges Serbia is facing are significant. In the shorter term, one of them, possibly the biggest, is privatisation process. There are more than 500 companies needing to be privatised and many of them are in very difficult conditions. Obviously it is a big task which has to completely change the governance model around them, knowing that many of these companies don’t, and will never, deliver profit and that there is a bankruptcy procedure following that exercise. So, this task is a tough one, especially given that a lot of people are working in those companies. Still, we have to do the job. At the FIC we will support the government in pushing this task through. We believe there are rewards at the end of that journey. Today private companies, small entrepreneurial companies competing with these government-owned companies, are slightly suspicious of whether we are

competing on equal terms. Is this a level playing field?

And, as such, the energy needed to solve the privatisation challenge is today somewhat more destructive within a deadlock situation, but in the end the result will be a positive one. There will be innovations and positive outcomes from closing that chapter.

■ Few if any of these companies are targeted by investors?

■ In the presence of EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, the FIC recommended the prompt opening of negotiations on accession chapters. What makes you think Serbia is ready for this move and how would that impact on the climate for doing business?

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■ It seems to an observer that the 5th Reality Check Conference was held in a very upbeat mood. What were the main reasons for that?

We are in this reform journey together and both parties want to make the best of it

- Today these companies are draining capacities from a lot of politicians, whilst also creating uncertainty from the private part of the business sector about whether or not we have a level playing field here. However, I think that if we get going here with some procedure on how this is to be executed, we might see greatest interest among investors to join in. Very few companies were put up for sale according to the real terms.

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which you are ready when you pass those ten criteria. That is not the point. However, we have 70 per cent of FIC members who also have businesses in EU countries, and we have been through other EU accession processes and have significant experience when it comes to that subject. Therefore, our assumption is a qualitative one based on the progress we are seeing in terms of legal reforms, overall reforms, mind-sets, attitudes and political readiness. We hear all that added together in Serbia and that is why, as a business community that has a strong voice, we are articulating that (that Serbia is ready for the opening of chapters) so clearly to EU representatives.

- We have not seen such a mood for some time and we can point towards some very tangible results to support that attitude: we have the Law on Construction and the Law on Inspections. The first one is very important for the business community, because it is improving our daily life in many aspects of what we do. When it comes to the Law on Inspections, there is more work to do, such as creating a coordination body, for instance, but that is also moving in a positive direction. The Labour Law is another good example. When we mention these laws it may sound like it’s not a big deal, but actually it is significant work that has been done within the ministries. These have been long journeys with a lot of consultations with, among others, FIC working committees, and this makes us positive.

There are some early positive signs from the economic sphere, as well as from the fiscal situation. That is why we are positive in our assessments of the programme in the last six months.

■ There are five main areas in which the FIC is seeking swift government action. Do you interpret from the speech of the Prime Minister and ministers of finance and economy that you are knocking on open doors?

- Here we have that duality we are talking about. It is one thing to pass laws and another the execution part.

There is a need to improve efficiency within the bureaucracy, within the public sector in Serbia, so that is part of the platform we need to push forward.

We are also pointing towards some areas where the point isn’t in the drafting of new laws, but in making progress within them.

Consider one very practical area related to the Forex law, where the current logic of withholding tax and some other issues are preventing Serbia from engaging in online purchases of digital content from abroad. When it comes to the Law on Charges – this is about the question of predictability, because companies are wondering whether there will be some new para-fiscal levies popping up around the corner. We also need the Law on Land Conversion, which is inextricably linked to the privatisation process, in order to get clear solutions regarding land ownership.

It is very important to harmonise the Law on Personal Data

Protection with the EU. To use Telenor as an example, obviously when you are moving around with your phones you are crossing borders. How should we deal with personal data in these circumstances? Even though it looks like a small issue, it influences the lives of a lot of companies.

And, fifth, we need to regulate staff leasing. A lot of companies are now considering whether they can recruit and very often it is the first job a person gets, and if you offer employers somewhat greater flexibility we can use that as a tactic to get the whole thing going.

■ Which part of the Government’s plan – as laid out at the Reality Check Conference – is the most important from the FIC’s perspective?

- When you compare what the government says and what we say, those views are very harmonised. There is a joint effort within Serbian society at large that we have to push through reforms. However, there is, of course, a certain level of resistance coming from the way we were doing business before, such as from bureaucracy, which is indirectly putting up resistance due to a lack of competence, or a lack of coordination within inspections because there are different attitudes and values regarding the way things are to be executed. That is why I think the next phase is to think about how we are able to implement bylaws and regulations.

■ In which areas does the FIC have the greatest expertise when it comes to consulting the government regarding the EU accession process?

- Our agenda is to work on a future stable, modern market economic situation in Serbia. We are not hiding that we are coming from the business area, but what we are seeking – such as predictability, stability, transparency, the implementation of laws – are the same as the wishes of Serbian society. We have a unique situation with the FIC, where many of our 130 members also have a very significant presence within the EU today. We therefore have the ability to transfer lessons learned from similar activities within the EU and we are already utilising it today in an active manner. I think that is a very important asset that we bring to the table here. We have this stamp, if you like, that we are international and foreign, but I think our needs are the same as the needs of potential new investors and the same as those of local domestic Serbian investors. In the longer run,

■ One of your remarks at the Reality Check Conference was that the business community should be properly consulted regarding new legislation.

Would you say that this is now becoming a regular practice?

- We are in this reform journey together and both parties want to make the best of it. A lot of the FIC’s efforts are exerted via its eight working committees.

They have been in dialogue with the ministries and the public sector, but the new big game changer is the high level of confidence between them. It is now a more open and constructive dialogue, both from the political side and from our side, and we feel we are benefiting from that kind of dialogue. Of course, it is much better for the government and ministers to also receive the thumbs up from the business community when the laws are passed in parliament. It is a lot of hard work, but this is how the FIC sees the effect on how we spend our resources and we are positive about continuing down this road.

■ To what extent do you see progress in the implementation of laws and bylaws – both in terms of those that are newly adopted and previous ones?

While living in Serbia and doing business here, all of us need to be a little thick skinned, because not everything will be super positive in the next five years

- There are some shortcomings, such as the lack of trust between the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Administration, for example, and in general I think this is an area we need to focus on in the period ahead. I also think those who are responsible, being in regulatory bodies or the tax administration, see that there is a very strong voice coming from the political space in Serbia that the time has come to act in that direction.

the needs of those three categories are the same.

Of course, the government should always balance how they talk to these three different stakeholders. Investments of those already here are worth just as much in monetary terms as any new type of investment. And, typically, potential new investors first talk to those international companies that are already present in the country.

■ As noted by Commissioner Hahn, the government should focus on deeper and broader reforms that will benefit many, rather than one time actions that will only benefit a few.

Would you say the government has found the right balance between those two when it comes to the treatment of existing and new investors?

- It is hard to define what the exact balance is, but at present we have no complaints. We understand that any government will engage with some bigger infrastructure projects, or when one of the larger stateowned companies is up for sale. We also don’t care whether investors come from the Middle East, China or Europe – they will all have the same requirements for predictable and consistent governance. ■ JUNE

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CONCERNS

GLOBAL DIARY

"British people are not happy with the status quo and believe that the EU needs to change in order to better address their concerns.”

— David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

BULLFIGHTER NARROWLY AVOIDS DEATH IN RING ▶ Saúl Jiménez Fortes, a matador from Malaga, had

been fighting his second bull of the day when he was hoisted up on the animal’s horns and then injured.

He managed to get to his feet when his fellow bullfighters arrived to distract the bull, and was carried off with his right hand pressed to his heavily bleeding neck.

According to the medical report, Jiménez Fortes suffered two gore wounds. One was more than five inches deep, damaging the carotid artery, jugular vein, thyroid gland and the oesophagus, reaching the vertebrae; the other four inch wound was close to the parotid gland.

Dr Máximo García Padrós, official surgeon at Las Ventas, said that the matador had asked him to sew up the wound so that he could continue the bullfight.

The bull was later killed by another matador.

PREMIER LI KEQIANG PROMOTING TECH INDUSTRY

Vecchio licensed sunglasses brands Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Tiffany & Co.

▶ Chinese Premier Li Keqiang vis-

ited 3W cafe in Zhongguancun, Beijing for a staff briefing and ordered a vanilla cappuccino. After he left the cafe, vanilla cappuccinos sold out within an hour. 3W barista Liu said that he was so nervous to serve the Premier that he made six cappuccinos before creating one worthy of Li. Premier Li had been in the area visiting Zhongguancun Venture Street. He said that foundation for the development of the tech industry is the development of talent.

COMPANY OWNER TO GIVE STAFF SHARES WORTH €9 MILLION ▶ The founder and owner of the

Italian eyewear company Luxottica Leonardo Del Vecchio pledged to grant the group's shares to its employees totalling €9 million on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

According to the statement circulating in the media, Vecchio, one of the richest men in Italy, de-

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than $62 million to the Qatari royal Al Thani family.

The property will be an addition to a prestigious proper-

QATARI ROYALS EXPAND LONDON EMPIRE cided to distribute an aggregate maximum of 140,000 Luxottica Group shares.

“With this small gesture, I would like to show how important the employees are to me: I truly feel as if we are family, ” Del Vecchio said Luxottica, headquartered in Milan, is the owner of such well-known brands as Ray-Ban, Persol and Oakley. The group also produces Del

▶ The Qatari royal family has bought yet another multi-million dollar property in one of London's most affluent areas, expanding its empire of prime real estate in the UK capital further, according to the Evening Standard.

The six-storey Victorian town house in Mount Street, just off London's exclusive Park Lane, was reportedly sold for more

10 Things Productive People Do Before Bed ▶ 1. They review their day 2. They write down their thoughts 3. They stick their noses into books 4. They set priorities for the next morning 5. They spend quality time with family 6. They get things done 7. They do a digital detox 8. They spend time in nature 9. They meditate 10. They envisage their future

ty portfolio that includes other buildings nearby, such as the $310 million Dudley House on Park Lane. This is a 4,350-square metre property with 17 bedrooms and a 15-metre ballroom.

That investment proved a shrewd move, with the property now valued at around $620 million, reflecting a rise in prime real estate in London, which continues to attract ultra-wealthy foreign buyers.

FOOTBALL FAN ASKS THE QUEEN FOR TICKETS TO THE FA CUP ▶ A cheeky Arsenal fan seeking tick-

ets for the FA Cup final at Wembley resorted to desperate measures in a bid to see his team take on Aston Villa.

DEAL

"I stand ready to work with you to strike a fair deal for the United Kingdom in the EU and look forward to your ideas and proposals in this regard.”

— Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission

Having seemingly exhausted other avenues of laying his hands on a pair of ticket for the 30th May match, Charlie Pearce did what any right-minded person would do, ask the Queen for her help.

Incredibly, desperate Charlie actually received a response from Buckingham Palace.

"Dear Charlie, The Queen has asked me to thank you for your letter," it promisingly began.

However, the letter from Her Majesty's Senior Correspondence Officer went on to inform Charlie that the Queen was unable to provide tickets for him or his friend Leo. "I am afraid that this is not a matter with which Her Majesty would be able to assist you. I am sorry to send you a disappointing reply."

ed by 2035 and will serve as the main logistics and manufacturing hub for countries on the Red Sea, the world's "largest new emerging market," said Fahd al-Rasheed, the Group CEO of Emaar Economic City (EEC), the company in charge of the mega-project.

The new city, located about 100 kilometres north of Saudi Arabia's current commercial hub of Jeddah, is envisaged for two million residents, with industrial parks, hospitals, schools and golf courses.

The business model of an entire city being built by the private sector was so unusual that it required adjustments in the beginning, said Fahd al-Rasheed, "Putting that first phase together is the most difficult point," said Fahd al-Rasheed Aid "Once you figure it out, the sky is the limit, so we are in that phase now."

EEC's mother company, the Dubaibased Emaar Properties, built Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

NEW SAUDI ARABIAN CITY WILL BE WORTH $100BILLION ▶ A $100 billion city-from-scratch in Saudi Arabia is to be complet-

World’s highest turnover of governments ▶ Bolivia holds the record

for highest turnover of governments. Since their independence from Spain in 1825, Bolivia has had almost 200 governments.

Since 1945, Italy has had more than 50 governments and more than 20 PMs.

APPROACHING ROYAL ASCOT 2015

which brings the Queen from Windsor Castle to Royal Ascot.

▶ Royal Ascot is Britain’s most valu-

able race meeting and the social event of the year. Early each summer, hundreds of thousands of racing fans gather to watch the world’s finest horses and riders compete for five days for over £5.5 million in prizes.

This 300-year-old Royal Meeting, founded by Queen Anne in 1711, attracts over 300,000 spectators who come to enjoy top class racing amidst the heritage, style and pageantry unique to Royal Ascot.

The layout is divided into three enclosures: the invitation-only Royal Enclosure, the terraces of the Grandstand, and the lawns of the Silver Ring, right next to the roaring Final Straight with a great view of the traditional Royal Procession

Taking place from Tuesday 16th June to Saturday 20 th June, the meet hosts 18 group races, eight of them in Group 1, kicking off on the first day with the St James’s Palace Stakes, open to three-yearold colts.

GALLERY OF HUMANKIND ▶ Students watch a presentation as they sit in cocoons representing a uterus during a visit to the "Gallery of Humankind. Our evolution, our body" exhibition at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Brussels, Belgium on 22nd May 2015.

From Sahelanthropus to Homo sapiens, from embryo to adult, visitors could explore the human evolution and body in the all new ‘Gallery of Humankind – Our evolution, our body’.

To start with, fossils and 3D reconstructions will take you down the branching paths of seven million years of evolution. Next, interactive tools will reveal the adaptations that set us apart from our predecessors (bigger brain, smaller teeth, etc.). Then, using simulations, you will explore the marvellous and complex machine that is our body, its development, how it works and what it needs to survive and reproduce

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INTERVIEW

H.E. ALBERTO DI LUCA Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade

Excellent Relations on

ALL LEVELS

The Sovereign Order of Malta is looking forward to further developing relations with Serbia in humanitarian, social and educational areas, and to be of assistance in emergency situations, which is a specific field of the Order’s mission and bilateral cooperation ■ Can you tell us more about the Parliamentary Group of Friendship Serbia – Order of Malta. What are the most recent issues discussed and what activities are foreseen?

- This represents important and prestigious support and great help for deepening friendship and bilateral relations. The Friendship Group was founded in 2009 and has always been one of the groups with the largest number of members. We are very proud of that. The first president of the group was Nenad Prokić, who is today an Advisor at our Embassy for Humanitarian Issues, working together with Mrs Sonja Spirito. Nowadays the president is Vladimir Marinković, with whom we have very friendly and constructive relations. We saw a lot of help from our Friendship Group in the recent past, especially in terms of contact with municipalities and authorities throughout Serbia. Without that help, it would be much more difficult for us to establish all those contacts and deliver our assistance to the people of Serbia.

■ In which areas do you see the possibility to further develop relations with Serbia?

P

roject “Make a Wish to the Order of Malta” aimed at primary school children from the areas affected by the tragic floods of May last year in Serbia, which will last throughout the whole of 2015, is just one of many humanitarian actions by which the Sovereign Order of Malta in Belgrade is helping those in need in our country, and one of the many examples of good cooperation with Serbian authorities and organizations.

■ How would you assess the relations between the Sovereign Order of Malta and Serbia?

- Excellent on all levels and under constant development. On 11th December 2013 we signed the “Bilateral Cooperation Agreement” in the field of humanitarian aid and I soon hope to conclude the “Postal Agreement” as well. We have the Friendship Group in the Serbian National Assembly, which has already been working constantly and successfully for many years. At the same time, we have fruitful contacts with the government and many institutions in Serbia on a daily basis.

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- The humanitarian area – many hospital branches, as well as social and educational, and in emergency situations – this is the specific field of our mission and bilateral cooperation. This year we have the project “Make a Wish to the Order of Malta”, which will last throughout the whole year.

The first phase of the project has just finished. It is aimed at children from the primary schools in the areas affected by the tragic floods of May last year. We used to have another campaign effort “A hot meal in a cold winter”, in cooperation with Caritas in Aleksinac and Šabac. In order to obtain fresh and warm products for the poorest categories of the population, we distributed vouchers to the most needy, enabling them to pick up fresh bread or bakery goods at selected bakeries, according to their own time and needs. A few months ago we delivered humanitarian aid to the Association against childhood diabetes in Kragujevac, with a truck full of groceries and medical supplies, such as kits for measuring blood glucose levels, laptops, toys and children’s clothing. My Embassy staff work on a daily basis to ensure our efforts to be effective reach as far as possible.

■ What is the next level of the “Make a Wish” humanitarian action for Serbian families devastated by the flooding?

- We have received more than 3,500 letters, many of them very mov- It is the world's oldest surviving order of chivalry. The full name is the ing in their descriptions of painful situations. Our initiative strives to Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Our history, our mission, our commitment for almost bring a moment of joy where there is sadness today. We have started 1,000 years, is to help the poorest of the poor. The birth of the Order the long and careful evaluation of the wishes and the search for the largest possible number of sponsors. A final list will then be obtained and of St. John dates back to around 1048AD. Merchants from the ancient closed on 13th September 2015. The Commission responsible for evalMarine Republic of Amalfi obtained from the Caliph of Egypt the authoruating the wishes consists of seven members: H.R.H. Prince Alexander isation to build a church, convent and hospital in Jerusalem, to care for Karađorđević, H.E. Msgr. Stanislav Hočevar, Catholic Archbishop in Belpilgrims of any religious faith or race. The Constitution of the Kingdom grade, Dr. Andrea Simoncelli, President of Generali Inof Jerusalem obliged the Order to take on the military surance, Prof. Nenad Prokić, Project Manager – Make defence of the sick and pilgrims, as well as guarding Relations between a Wish to the Order, Dr Prof. Aleksandra Aranđelović, medical centres and main roads. The Order, thus, the Sovereign Order its Director of the Zvezdara University Medical Centre, added the task of defending the faith to that of its Hosof Malta and Serbia pitaller mission. As time went on, the Order adopted Dr Carlo Buora, First Counsellor of the Embassy, and the white eight-pointed cross that remains its symbol myself, as President of the Commission. are excellent, on all this day. Helping those suffering and offering those Priority will be given to wishes of a humanitarian levels, and in constant to in need of care, comfort and a helping hand, today we and medical nature, or particularly creative breaks development are present and active in 120 countries from all confor children with major social problems. We now have tinents and with 106 of them we have full diplomatconfirmation of an important charity event, dedicated ic relations. The Grand Master of the Order is elected for life from the to the “Make a Wish” project, which is to be held on 19th June in Monaco. That will be a significant event in the presence of famous artists Professed Knights by the Council Complete of State. The title of Most and Royal Houses. We have donors in Italy and France for this project, Eminent Highness is bestowed on the Grand Master and the Holy Roman but I would also like to encourage companies in Serbia to take part and, Church confers him the rank of Cardinal. The Grand Master resides at together with all of us, make an effort to bring smiles to children’s faces. the Order’s seat of government the Magistral Palace in Rome. Today, the 79th Prince and Grand Master is Fra’ Matthew Festing.

■ You are very engaged when it comes to humanitarian campaigns directed towards impoverished people and health institutions.

Could you tell us more about the Order?

■ The Order already sent a mission and assistance to Nepal, which was just hit by an earthquake. How does the Order organise its hu-

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manitarian activities and how many people within the Order are engaged in these tasks on a daily bases?

- Experts and volunteers have already intervened as part of our worldwide relief organisation - Malteser International. The Order of Malta’s teams of rescuers and health experts are currently working in Dhulikhel, the epicentre of the quake, and in the Gorkha district, which was also badly hit. A further Malteser International team, consisting of a doctor, paramedic and first aid assistance expert, is on its way to Kathmandu. To date the Order of Malta has allocated 100,000 euros for emergency aid. Following the devastating quake, it has also collected half a tonne of medicines and medical supplies (anaesthetics, painkillers, surgical equipment, fluids, intravenous fluids, water purification tablets and disinfectants) to send to affected areas. Malteser International has been present in Nepal since September 2012, where it coordinates a project for reducing potential flood damage and improving water supplies and basic sanitation systems.

it all. The Order of St John of Jerusalem is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation, with a long history of contacts among civilisations and cultures. With so much experience, we think we can also be helpful as a mediator between states. And mainly, we are.

■ The Order of Malta is one of the few Orders created in the Middle Ages that is still active today. How do you keep the tradition alive?

- With faith, discipline, dedication and moral strictness. The Order of Malta remains true to its inspiring principles, summarised in the motto “Tuitio Fidei et Obsequium Pauperum”, nurturing, witnessing and protecting the faith and serving the poor and the sick representing the Lord, which become reality through the voluntary work carried out by Dames and Knights in humanitarian assistance and medical and social activities.

■ Today the Order has Diplomatic Missions in many countries. What are their major tasks in the countries where they’re present?

- Diplomatic relations, which doubled in the last 25 years, are now 106, as I noted. They represent a favourable environment for the better development of our humanitarian, sanitary and social work. Then there are countries with which there are still no full diplomatic relations, but there are already at official levels – for example with Germany, which has Malteser headquarters, with France, Belgium, Canada – and there is active cooperation with these countries in many fields. Even with Taiwan, since 2012, a friendship has developed that led to profitable joint initiatives in Asia, Latin America and also in Europe, as recently occurred in schools and refugee camps in Bulgaria.

■ The Global Fund for Forgotten People was founded by the Government of the Sovereign Order of Malta in 2011. How does this fund function and which areas does it target?

- The Global Fund for Forgotten People raises money for a range of Order of Malta projects which reach out directly to people who would otherwise be forgotten. Forgotten People are those who, even in our modern world when the spotlight of attention seems to shine everywhere, are suffering beneath the surface. It is as if they do not exist: people with neglected diseases, the elderly, lonely and isolated, children with parents in prison, children born with disabilities, the unacknowledged homeless, displaced people, mothers and new-borns without healthcare, the marginalised and persecuted. No one has made a cause out of their plight. We are changing this. The Global Fund for Forgotten People supports projects that go to places where other people don’t, tackling the issues that others aren’t tackling and helping those that everyone else has forgotten: it is an effective synthesis that strengthens our mission, and I would say even our very way of life. We do not have a default target except that of obsequium pauperum. Because some problems never go away, we are always there.

■ The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and non-political, which is why it can successfully act as a mediator between States. In which areas are your services most sought?

■ What are the most important topics for the Order as an observer within the UN and its agencies?

The Order of Malta’s teams of rescuers and health experts are currently working in Dhulikhel, the epicentre of the quake in Nepal

- This characteristic is, at the same time, our strength.

We are Christians, Catholics, but our help for those in need extends to any human being without discrimination of birth, faith, vision and social status. The proof of that can be found in our commitment wherever we are present. I would like to mention something said, months ago, in an interview with the Corriere della Sera, by the Mayor of Bethlehem, where the Holy Family Hospital has been active for so many years, Mrs Vera Baboun: “The Order of Malta - said the Mayor of Bethlehem - has made the impossible possible”. What can we add to that? Those few words say 22 |

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- The position of "observer" at the UN in New York - and at all UN agencies in the world - is to have a visible and important role in the broader comity of nations. It allows the Order to have a dialogue and interact at the highest levels worldwide.

■ You were representing the Sovereign Order of Malta at the Annual Plenary Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean. What is the importance of this gathering?

- It is one of the latest innovations of significance. To the Annual Plenary Conference of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean participate representatives of Parliaments, that is of the people, of almost all countries of the Mediterranean, and its “geographical” meaning has been rightly extended to the parliaments of countries not directly bathed by the waters of the Mediterranean itself, as is the case with Serbia and Portugal. For the Order of Malta, born and raised in the Mediterranean, its presence is all the more “natural” and, as for discussions on issues in this high Assembly, just remember the concomitant presence of Israel and many Arab countries – it gives its contribution of ideas and proposals that are characterised by the originality and uniqueness of our history and our vocation. ■

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ADVENTURE

B y J E L E N A I G N JAT I J E V I Ć

Between the Earthquakes &

SUMMITS OF NEPAL After a selection period lasting 18 months, intensive training in the mountains of Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Switzerland, only eight of the 44 girls from the region who had applied were lucky enough to become part of the first ever female climbing expedition put together

by Extreme Summit Team (EST), a group of daring mountaineers who organise climbing expeditions to the highest mountains in the world in an attempt to make life more wonderful and exciting

A

t the time of the worst earthquake ever to hit the small country of Nepal, the group of girls was stationed at one of the highest summits in the world – the 5,663-metre-high Tharpu Chuli in Nepal’s Annapurna District.

The group comprised maths teacher Bilja Čegar, architect Jelena Ignjatijević, mountain guide and expedition leader Aleksandar Rašin, spatial planner Vesna Đoković, saleswoman Branka Bradašević, student Biljana Savković, graphic designer Sonja Pavlović, geographer Biljana Medenica and lawyer Andrijana Miletić.

Colourful buses packed with passengers, vibrant surroundings and the houses en route, the happy faces of people wherever the team went, and the peculiar energy of the Nepalese people, captivated the mountaineering team.

These are all the impressions we got while riding in a small bus from the airport to Kathmandu. Nepal is welcoming in its own special way, with streets full of people who are going about their business relaxed and stress free.

The adventure started on our first day in Kathmandu, when we jumped onto rickshaws that would take us through narrow streets where cars and pedestrians intermingle, all the way to the royal palace, the ancient city, monasteries and the drinking fountain near our hotel, where people wash their clothes and even bathe. We are surrounded by the happy, round faces of children who found us interesting and did not leave our side. The action hadn’t even begun yet, but we were already overloaded with impressions.

We were busy repacking our things to head for Pokhara, a tour24 |

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ist town on the lake. The view from our hotel room window was fantastic – capturing the awe inspiring summits Annapurna I and II. We were joined by our guide, Badri, who was set to share the upcoming experiences with our group, take care of the logistics side of our journey and make sure that our adventure went according to plan. We were also joined by porters, chefs, assistants and, of course, Sherpas, our guides for the ultimate climb.

The adventure started with a hike through beautiful landscapes filled with lush jungle vegetation, over many abridged creeks, through towns, villages and lodges, where we were greeted by the usual Namaste. These wonderful landscapes were to become become deeply ingrained in our memory. The atmosphere was made even better thanks to the presence of film director Mladen Kovačević and cameraman Marko Milovanović, while we were also accompanied by Montenegrin reporter Radmila Krgović. We were cheerful, happy and full of anticipation.

We jokingly called our guide, Raša (Aleksandar Rašin), Suleiman the Magnificent, and although he might not be Suleiman, he is magnificent in many ways – as a guide, a friend and an advisor, always willing to crack a joke, encourage, boost our morale and give us all the support we needed.

After several small annoyances, leech bites and an injured ankle, we arrived at the Annapurna base camp, which sits at an altitude of 4,100 metres. This is where our first major fear manifested – altitude sickness.

Apart from the two Biljas, the rest of us really started to feel

the consequences of having climbed too quickly. Funnily enough, until the nausea and headache completely paralysed me, I couldn’t be further from the thought that this journey was over from me.

I guess that my urge to accomplish my goal was too strong. And this is when the first of many miracles happened. After 12 hours of torture, that morning, just before we were scheduled to leave, I got up feeling refreshed, problem-free and completely ready to take on new challenges.

And the challenges were to come in droves…. We left the Annapurna base camp and moved on to our next camp, at 4,500 metres.

The terrain was initially rocky, with huge stone formations. I personally love this kind of terrain, but I noticed that other girls were struggling. Still, they remained focused and cautious. After leaving the rocky area, we next needed to pass through a talus (a slope formed by an accumulation of rock debris). As we were doing so, we were bombarded by stones rolling down from the vertical decline a couple of hundred metres high that we had already used to attach our ascenders. It took us two hours to overcome this obstacle, which left us bruised on our arms and legs.

All in all, we conquered this section with success and went on to enter an area covered with moss, grass and mud, hiding wet, slippery rocks. We started to resemble 12 little Hobbits climbing the cliffs of Mordor in the Lord of the Rings.

We finally reached the camp and were greeted with warm soup and our Nepalese friends, who made our tents as comfortable as they could at an altitude of 4,500 metres.

The next morning was decision time. Due to altitude sickness, the younger Bilja and Radmila were forced to stay put, while Mladen and Marko could no longer film due to a broken generator.

Accompanied by two porters, they returned to the Annapurna base camp. We were sad to see them go, but had to remain focused on our final ascent. And then, as we were listening carefully to the plans and assessments of our guides in the kitchen tent, it begin! At first there was muffled noise and tremors. We thought it must have been an avalanche. We ran outside as the ground shook beneath our feet; we huddled together with our Nepalese friends while trying to ascertain which direction the avalanche was coming from. One of the Sherpas shouted “Tsunami!!!” and we finally got it – it was an

earthquake, not an avalanche. Because the earthquake lasted for only two minutes, we didn’t have enough time to think. We were reduced to just waiting to see what would happen next and decided to react accordingly. There were a few more mild tremors and then the ground finally came to rest. We had just witnessed yet another miracle. Around 6pm the Sherpas returned to our camp, prepared the ropes and assessed that we were ready to start our final ascent.

At 1am, in freezing temperatures of -23°C, with head lamps fastened around our heads, we began climbing our last section to the Tharpu Culi Summit. Step by step, while the frozen snow squeaked under our feet, we drew closer to our goal. We were all quiet because this was a huge climb. We were conserving our strength and, although slightly worried, were all determined and tenacious. We even shed a tear or two because we were exerting ourselves so much or were scared and emotionally overwhelmed. We kept each other awake while waiting to ascend the rope. We conquered a 400-metre-verticle climb before we reached the ridge. As we faced a huge quantity of snow, we needed to ascend another 300 metres up the ridge, with a passage as wide as our feet. Raša and the Sherpas constantly urged us to be careful and remain very focused.

And then, finally, we reached the Tharpu Culi Summit. We were so happy and proud of this achievement, but also quite disappointed that we could not see beyond a couple of metres. We took a picture together and immediately began heading back down. Back on the ridge, we abseiled 400 metres and fell into soft, half-melted snow. The girls’ faces were fatigued and burned. Even though there had not been strong sunshine during the climb, the reflecting sunrays had still burned our faces, including our guide’s, Raša (while constantly thinking of us, he forgot to apply his own sun block).

As we reach the rocky part, we notice that the earthquake has changed the configuration of the terrain significantly and that the Sherpas are now struggling to find a safe passage through the newly formed boulders. Then we hit the last obstacle and, in my opinion, the most dangerous leg of this journey – the exit route to the Annapurna base camp, a 200-metre ascent at an angle of 50°, with streams of mud and snow all around us. We were left with one thin strip of relatively stable snow, which we needed to hike over to get to the top.

EXTREME SUMMIT TEAM: TRANSFER THE KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

The KCOYM Project (‘Keep Climbing and Open Your Mind’) is an initiative launched by Extreme Summit Team mountaineering club (www.extremesummitteam.com), aimed at women from this region who would like to try climbing. The general idea is for the EST instructors to transfer their vast experience of climbing in the Himalayan Mountains to girls, in order for this sport to develop evenly across the region. In transferring this knowledge, the instructors abide by a very simple principle: “Take on other people’s experiences, enrich them with your own and forward it to the joy of others.”

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BILJANA SAVKOVIĆ

ANDRIJANA MILETIĆ

“Peace and quiet, far away from civilisation, relying on yourself and the girls, withstanding everything and realising that, through it all, you have been learning and progressing.”

“Everything that we accomplished is a success. Despite all the difficulties, we reached the summit because our wonderful team was strong and united.”

By this point we were incredibly tired and each step grew more difficult. Fear also started creeping in. The younger Bilja, Radmila, Mladen and Marko cheered us on from the top, but there was very little that could actually help us at this stage. The most difficult part was behind us. Another victory won! We were crying with relief and the closeness you feel towards others in such difficult and emotional moments, which are just part of the atmosphere that enveloped us now that the worst was behind us.

At the Annapurna base camp, our joy and celebrations of success were fleeting. After a celebratory song and the inevitable Užičko Kolo (Serbian folk dance), we discovered the catastrophic consequences of the earthquake and how worried our families in Serbia were. All of this cast a shadow over our success which was not insignificant by any means.

We were rushing back to get to civilisation, but the journey lasted two days long and we needed to walk eight hours a day.

Fatigue was setting in and it became increasingly difficult to motivate ourselves to hold on until the end. The more experienced climbers among us were familiar with this depression and we somehow managed to find motivation and inspire enough strength among the other group members.

You might wonder what it was like to spend 17 days in a group of eight women, with everything that had happened, with all the challenges and dangers. I would say that, with so many things go-

BILJA ČEGAR “After many years of climbing, it is difficult to speak about motives – the mountain becomes a lifestyle. It is all about escaping the daily routine and returning to nature and life under harsh conditions. It is these tough conditions that test your limits.”

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BILJANA MEDENICA “Kathmandu, Pokhara, passing through the Himalayan valleys, the moody weather, the avalanches, the earthquake, reaching the summit… Doing all of that, while being in beautiful company, gave me tremendous personal, professional and climbing pleasure.”

ing on and the unpredictable situations we had had to face, there was no time for personal animosity and discontent. After all, the members of this team had gone through a very long and careful selection process lasting 18 months, under the close supervision of an experienced climber and the brains behind this entire story – Dragan Jaćimović. Our guide Raša had also provided valuable input. In the end, it was Raša who got to know us very well. He says that “the mountain doesn’t care about gender. We are all equal and, in many respects, women are more responsible than men.”

This was the first activity in a series planned for the next period and this team is yet to achieve truly major successes. We hope to be able to raise enough funds to finance such undertakings. We also hope that we will soon conquer summits in excess of 7,000 and 8,000 metres.

We had a meaningful journey, full of twists and turns and challenges. I feel richer for a great life experience, both as a climber and a person. The Nepalese people have a wonderful, noble energy that rubs off on you and, by spending these 17 days with them, I could not help but change the way I view the events and people around me. The beauty and imposing manner of the Himalayan Mountains become deeply ingrained into one’s memory and every time you think of them a desire to go back stirs.

They say that once you climb the Himalayan Mountains you always want to go back, regardless of what happened! ■

VESNA ĐOKOVIĆ

BRANKA BRADAŠEVIĆ

“Many times I wanted to hug the girls with me, to look the Nepalese people in the eye and thank them, to try to explain to them how precious it was that I was there.”

“I looked at the summits around us with awe, while breathing deeply.

I tried to inhale as much of this magical energy that enveloped me as possible.”

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

BUSINESS LEADERS’ MEETING POINT

JUNE 2015

28 PAGE

32 PAGE

36 PAGE

Sprouts of Growth and Signs

Encouraging Business

G-7 Weighs in

of Turnaround

EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC FORECAST, SPRING 2015

Environment EDIN DACIĆ

CEO AT DACCOMET AG ZÜRICH SWITZERLAND

on Greece WOLFGANG SCHAEUBLE GERMAN FINANCE MINISTER AND

CHRISTINE LAGARDE IMF, MANAGING DIRECTOR JUNE

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EUROPEAN COMMISSION

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC FORECAST, SPRING 2015: SERBIA

Sprouts of Growth

and Signs of Turnaround The Serbian economy is expected to slowly emerge from recession, but growth prospects remain fragile. Base effects, lower oil prices and increased confidence following the recently approved three-year agreement with the IMF are likely to underpin a rebound of gross capital formation, while stronger external demand is expected to improve exports. However, uncertainties abound and employment and private consumption are set to remain weak

W

eak domestic and external demand, elevated uncertainty and heavy spring floods pushed the Serbian economy into a recession in 2014. Real GDP contracted by 1.8% as growth in both private consumption and gross fixed capital formation remained negative. However, in the last quarter of the year recessionary forces seem to have abated and the economy expanded by a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in comparison to the previous quarter. The contraction decelerated across all sectors and some of them, like construction, even turned to growth. Exports, which declined in the third quarter, have recovered, albeit still marginally. Investments levelled off after falling for about two years.

High frequency indicators have also signalled a possible turnaround in economic activity. Since the last quarter of 2014 there has been a clear pick-up in industrial and, in particular, manufacturing activity. Exports also continued to make gains in early 2015 and labour market indicators improved further. In addition, retail trade and government revenue performance turned out better than expected.

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Economic activity in the fourth quarter of 2014 was supported by a revival of credit, underpinned by a programme of government subsidised lending and an increase in government expenditure. As both have been of a

A strengthening of external demand from the EU – Serbia’s most important trade partner – is expected to support continuing growth in exports and the continued rebalancing away from consumption

transitory nature, and government spending is set to fall under the current agreement with the IMF, the expected recovery is envisaged as being protracted.

Planned fiscal consolidation and far-reaching structural reforms have a decisive impact

on the forecast profile. On one hand, they are expected to dent private and public consumption, which are forecast to contribute negatively to growth in the next two years, despite gains from lower oil prices. On the other hand, they should also reduce the country’s risk premium, boost potential growth and rebuild the basis for sustainable economic growth.

In line with this, the forecast foresees a progressive strengthening of investment activity, spurred by improvements in the business environment and reduced risk and uncertainty.

A strengthening of external demand from the EU – Serbia’s most important trade partner – is expected to support continuing growth in exports and the continued rebalancing away from consumption. However, balancing fiscal consolidation and the ambitious structural reforms agenda against short-term growth prospects in a highly uncertain international environment would remain a key challenge.

Indeed, there is a non-negligible risk that the first offshoots of growth fade out before the economy sets on a stable growth path.

SERBIA - Labour market

Labour market indicators continued to improve in the fourth quarter of 2014 and unemployment fell to 16.8% according to the Labour force survey. However, employment gains in 2014 were driven predominantly by informal employment, while formal private sector employment fell. As the announced restructuring of state-owned enterprises gathers pace and the government revisits public employment, unemployment is foreseen as increasing from a still very high level. Weak demand is likely to remain a major disinflationary factor, while price stability is expected to be preserved throughout the forecast period. Nevertheless, domestic prices would still be subject to pressure and uncertainties stemming from further adjustments to administered prices and food price dynamics.

SERBIA - Public finances

SERBIA - Main features of country forecast

Strong consolidation efforts Fiscal imbalances increased as the slow pace of reforms continued to weigh on the budget and the overall deficit expanded to reach 6.7% of GDP in 2014. However, the 2014 budget deficit was lower than planned in the initial budget and supplementary budgets. The better than expected outturn came as a result of significant under-execution of capital expenditure and social expenditure savings, due to delays in the restructuring of public enterprises.

The budget deficit is foreseen as declining significantly as a result of a sizeable current expenditure retrenchment. The main adjustment is from the reduction in pensions and public sector wages, adopted in 2014, pension and wage freezes, lower subsidies and the reform of public enterprises. As a result, the budget deficit is expected to fall below five per cent of GDP in 2015.

Further cuts in the deficit would depend on the implementation of the announced public administration reform and the restructuring of state-owned enterprises.

Despite strong consolidation efforts, government debt will most likely continue increasing, surpassing 80 per cent of GDP. Debt reducing effects from real GDP growth and inflation are forecasted to remain rather small, while rising interest payments place a burden on debt. Exchange rate volatility would remain a major factor of uncertainty regarding future debt dynamics. â–

WESTERN BALKANS:

CANDIDATE COUNTRIES

ALBANIA: Gradual upturn underway The latest data confirm that the gradual pick-up in growth, driven by private domestic demand, is continuing. This is supported by the continuing clearance of government arrears, as well as monetary accommodation. A stronger revival in lending to the economy requires the tackling of non-performing loans, for which the authorities have expressed renewed commitment. Fiscal consolidation is projected to continue along with some major reforms, including in the energy sector, which could boost long-term growth prospects.

FYR MACEDONIA: Firming domestic demand spurs further growth acceleration Output growth accelerated in 2014, driven by exports of foreign investors and public infrastructure investment. Solid gains in household spending further bolstered domestic demand. Given high investment- and trade-related import demand, the foreign balance weighed down on economic activity. Further gains in domestic demand are likely to set GDP growth at an even higher pace in 2015 and 2016, while the negative contribution from net exports is expected to diminish. The government remains supportive, with plans for further infrastructure projects and increases in entitlement spending, relaxing its mid-term fiscal consolidation strategy.

MONTENEGRO: Tourism resorts, tunnels and bridges Growth is expected to accelerate, driven by investment – most notably in a motorway with numerous (and expensive) tunnels and bridges, several tourist resorts and some recovery of banks’ lending activity supporting private consumption. However, the debt-financed highway will also place a strain on government finances, fuelling budget deficits and public debt levels, particularly in the case of cost overruns.

Source: European Commission DirectorateGeneral for Economic and Financial Affairs

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

LOCAL NEWS

“We keep wondering when we will say that the therapy of fiscal consolidation is finished and we can move on to the next step. We will do so as soon as requirements are met”. — DUŠAN VUJOVIĆ, Serbian Finance Minister 02 TELEKOM SERBIA

First mining geology forum, Srebrenica 2015 The Srebrenica 2015 mining geology forum, the first of its kind since the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, was held from 13th to 14th May at the Sase lead and zinc mine in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica. The event was organised by company Gross d.o.o., which manages the Sase mine and is majority-owned by British company Mineco Ltd. The forum provided an opportunity for all eminent experts in the fields of mining and geology to meet and exchange ideas and experience. Gross and Mineco expressed their joint intention to contribute in this way to the development of the mining industry, not just within the Group’s own mines, but in a broad-

Telekom Serbia Provides Work Experience for Over 70 Students er sense – in the whole region. Supporting the event, the forum was opened by Petar Đokić, Republika Srpska Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, and British Ambassador to BosniaHerzegovina, H.E. Edward Ferguson, who welcomed the organisers’ achievements. Ferguson pointed out that Mineco is currently investing $4.5 million to increase production at Sase, adding that the UK is positioned as the second largest investor in the country.

03 PEPSICO

Marbo Product – 20 Years

Telekom Serbia has provided over 70 students from the University of Belgrade with work experience practice, thereby providing them with an opportunity to acquire work experience in a realistic business environment. April saw a total of 248 candidates apply for work practice, with most of the applications coming from the Faculty of Organisational Sciences, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering.

The students to do their work experience practice at Telekom Serbia were selected following a thorough selection process. Telekom Serbia and the University of Belgrade’s Career Development Centre have been holding try-outs for the last two years. The next tryout will be launched in early 2016.

04 VOJVOĐANSKA BANKA

Easier Communication with Hearing-Impaired People Photo: Telegraf.rs

Marbo Product, a subsidiary of international corporation PepsiCo, marks the 20th anniversary of its existence, along with the brand Chipsy, which was the first product in the company’s portfolio. The company sells almost half of its products on the markets of the region – Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Greece, Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria and Romania, as well as in Belgium, the

Netherlands, France and the United Arab Emirates.

The company bulk buys close to 35,000kg of potatoes from potato producers, which places it among the biggest industrial purchasers of potatoes. PepsiCo today has around 1,200 employees in the Western Balkan region. Marbo this year received the 2015 Top Employer in Serbia certificate, while in 2014 it was declared the best employer according to employment website Infostud.

Marbo Product plans to continue developing its successful business story and has been preparing a number of innovative ways to continue communicating successful with consumers.

05 SBERBANK SERBIA

Sberbank Business MasterCard Sberbank Serbia presented the Business MasterCard Debit Card for business clients and small business owners which, apart from providing standard benefits of e-payment, also offers users the opportunity to use business club services at Belgrade and Vienna airports free of charge, which is a unique service in Serbia.

General Manager of MasterCard Balkans, Artur Turemka, said on the occasion, “MasterCard Business Cards contribute significantly to improving the management of business transactions and are an important element of doing business in both small and large internation30 |

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al companies. Business MasterCard Debit Card, which we have launched together with partner Sberbank Serbia, is a product that satisfies the financial needs of users for whom it is intended, while giving them an added value. We are confident that the card’s users – namely, businesspeople who frequently travel – will really enjoy the benefits of this product.”

Photo: Telegraf.rs

01 MINECO LTD.

THERAPY

Vojvođanska Banka is the first company in Serbia to volunteer for its employees to be trained in the use of Serbian sign language, in an effort to enable them to communicate with hearing-impaired people in their everyday work. So far, staff members from the bank’s branches in Belgrade have completed training, while training of staff from the Novi Sad branches is pending. The bank plans to inolve all branches across Serbia. The bank’s Belgrade branches in Voždovac and Crveni Krst already display signs stating that the bank’s staff knows sign language. The bank says that the reason for deciding to train its staff in sign language is to faciliate communication with, and the involvement of, hearing impared people in all segments of society, in order for them to be able to use the bank’s services independently and easily.

POLICY “Some may like it or not, but Serbia wants to diversify the sources of its gas supplies, which is also the policy of the EU” — ALEKSANDAR ANTIĆ, Serbian Minister of Energy

06 PIRAEUS BANK

Piraeus Bank Donation to the NURDOR Association

Placements & postings appointments@aim.rs

NEW FIC LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS

PIRAEUS BANK presents donation to NURDOR ASSOCIATION

Piraeus Bank made a donation for the construction of a new hematology-oncology department at the Nis NURDOR humanitarian organisation, the National Association of Parents of Children with Cancer. Head of Corporate Communications, Miroslava Nešić-Bikić, emphasised that this donation was raised through the participation of Piraeus employees at this year’s Belgrade Marathon charity race.

“The donation of 2,065 euros is the result of over 300 kilometres ran and the great desire of Piraeus Bank employees to contribute to the improvement of conditions for treatment and, thus, the percentage of successful healing of children with

cancer,” said Nešić-Bikić. The donation was received on behalf of NURDOR by the President of this humanitarian organisation, Todor Mančić, who thanked the people of good will from Piraeus Bank, noting that NURDOR has been taking care of children and young people with cancer and their families from all over Serbia for more than a decade. Piraeus Bank, as a socially responsible company, is committed to helping young people in need of assistance and seeks to conduct its social activities in continuity.

This donation for NURDOR is just one example of how the good will of employees within the company is directed in the right way.

07 SBB

Solution for Digitization - SBB cable TV Digital television has many advantages and SBB, as the largest domestic cable operator, offers numerous benefits.

More than 160 digital channels, as well as the largest selection of HD channels in the country, are among the key advantages. For the price of one package, users can watch television on all TV sets in their home. The possibility of using the electronic programme guide makes it easy to search contents up to seven days in advance, while advanced features, such as video club (offering a large number of the latest movies), viewing of content within 72 hours, recording and pausing programmes, radio channels, as well as the ability to watch television outside the home, using a computer, tablet or smartphone – represent additional features provided by SBB digital television.

SBB enables customers to use of the service free of charge during the first two months or first four months for only 1 dinar, in the case that they choose their package immediately. For all additional information citizens can contact the SBB Contact Centre by calling 19900 or visiting www.digitalizujselako.rs

Telenor Serbia CEO Ove Fredheim has been appointed as the new President of the Foreign Investors Council, succeeding Societe Generale Bank Serbia Executive Board Chairman Frederic Coin, who has resigned from the position of FIC President and will be taking up a new position at Societe Generale Group. Carlsberg Serbia Group CEO Gabor Bekefi has been appointed interim FIC Vice President.

Lafarge Serbia CEO Dimitrije Knjeginjić has been appointed FIC Vice President and Spokesman, succeeding Srđan Lazović, who no longer represents British American Tobacco within the FIC. CEO of British American Tobacco Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Tanos Trimis, is the company’s new representative within the FIC Board of Directors.

Societe Generale Bank Serbia Managing Board Chairman Goran Pitić remains a member of the FIC Board of Directors.

The other members of the FIC Board of Directors are: Delhaize Serbia COO John Kyritsis, FCA Serbia CEO Silvia Vernetti-Blina, Nestlé Adriatic CEO Ansgar Bornemman and PepsiCo West Balkans Commercial Director Michail Orfanoudakis.

DRAGAN BUJOŠEVIĆ

NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL OF RADIO & TELEVISION OF SERBIA Dragan Bujošević was appointed as the new Director General of Radio & Television Serbia on 5th May. Born in Belgrade in 1954, Bujošević graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, where he majored in journalism. He was editor-in-chief of Evropljanin and Politika and worked at NIN magazine as a reporter and deputy editor-in-chief.

He is the recipient of many of industry awards, including the Annual Politika Award, the Duda Timotijević Award in 2001, for his work in advancing TV reporting, the BK Foundation Journalism Award in 2002 and the Staša Marinković Award in 2008, presented by daily Danas for the best analytical reporting.

He has also published a book entitled “5th October – 24 Hours of Overturn”.

JELENA RISTIĆ

NEW MASTERCARD SALES DIRECTOR FOR SERBIA, MONTENEGRO AND BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA Jelena Ristić will be overseeing MasterCard’s activities in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina, as well as taking charge of further development of e-payment in cooperation with the company’s partners from the region’s banking, retail and telecommunications sectors.

Ristić completed her graduated and master’s studies at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Economics and joined MasterCard in 2009 as customer relations manager In that position she contributed significantly to the implementation of the company’s strategies in Serbia and Montenegro, as well as in the setting up of a branch office in Belgrade in 2013.

Prior to joining MasterCard, Ristić gained substantial experience working in Banca Intesa’s Card Operations Sector.

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

INTERVIEW

Encouraging Business

Environment EDIN DACIĆ

CEO AT DACCOMET AG ZÜRICH SWITZERLAND

Swiss company Daccomet established production facilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia in order to tap the region’s huge development potential. This long-time partner of IKEA found good preconditions for work in these two countries, although the company also found room for improvement

C

ompetitive prices of raw material, reasonable labour costs and proximity to Western European markets were the reasons why Daccomet opted to set up production in the region.

■ You have been doing business with IKEA for a many years. Based on your personal experience, do you think the long-awaited arrival of this Swedish brands in the country – through the opening of a retail outlet – could also lead to expansion of cooperation in the manufacturing sector?

- I have been doing business with IKEA for more than 15 years and I can say that competition among the suppliers is, on the one hand, globalised and tough, while on the other it is very transparent and fair. Cooperation between IKEA and its suppliers is based on mutual learning through a sharing of knowhow and the fostering of innovation processes. If the supplier is a follower, meaning it started to develop later and is less automatized, like most of 32 |

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the suppliers in our region, the aforementioned approach can accelerate the catch-up process.

The opening of IKEA retail outlets will help our competitiveness by lowering transport costs to the shops in the region.

■ Despite growing up in Switzerland from an early age, you

by closing the gap between competitors in more advanced economies. In our sector, quality and availability of raw material is the key factor. Other advantages include relatively good infrastructure, especially in Serbia, relatively competitive labour costs, proximity to Western European markets and a long tradition of furniture production.

When it comes to shortcomings, we should keep in mind that both countries are still in a transition period, one that Serbia started even later. On the negative side, there is political instability and excessive taxation of labour through unacceptably high social levies on net salaries.

■ From the perspective of your company, what do you feel is a more powerful limiting factor for the development of your firm – the lack of high quality

fairly good sources of financing.

On the other hand, it is very difficult is to find a qualified workforce at all levels. Our approach to this challenge is to find young, motivated graduates and train them with the help of external consultants.

■ What is the position of companies operating legally on the Serbian market today, compared to those from the grey economy; do you see any encouraging signs linked to the overcoming of the informal sector?

- The fact that the difference between the gross and net salary is huge makes it very appealing for both employers and employees to work in the grey zone, and to be more competitive as a side effect.

For the companies operating legally, it is frustrating to subsidise not only the public sector, but

It is very encouraging that the Serbian Government is not only speaking about the grey economy, but has also launched concrete reforms to counter it are focused on doing business in this region. What are the advantages and shortcomings of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina when it comes to the business climate?

- The advantages are definitely the huge potential for development that is possible simply

sources of financing or the lack of a qualified and available workforce?

- Following the economic crisis, Serbia has a credit default rate of more than 21 per cent, which explains the limitations in financing to a certain extent.

However, it is possible to find

also disloyal competitors on the labour market.

It is very encouraging that the Serbian Government is not only speaking about this fact, but has also launched concrete reforms.

We are aware that it will be a very long journey, but even the longest trip starts with the first step. ■

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

REGIONAL NEWS 01 CROATIA

STABILITY “Good relations between Serbia and Albania guarantee peace in the Western Balkans to a great extent. Serbia gains the most from stability and, therefore, we see stable relations with Albania as very important,” — ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ, Serbian Prime Minister 02 KOSOVO

Bids for Kupari - Tourism Project Croatia’s state asset management office, DUUDI, said it is inviting binding bids from interested investors for the Kupari I tourist resort development project. The bidding deadline is 25th August.

The winning bidder will be entitled to implement the construction of the tourism development project at the Kupari 1 site, lease Hotel Grand, and will be awarded a maritime domain concession for the purpose of building on and commercially exploiting the beach for a period of 99 years.

The value of the investment in the project is seen at $100 million.

The Kupari tourist complex, in the Dubrovnik area, is a disused recreational facility of the military

Kosovo Producers Face Great Challenges

which includes several large hotels .

The project would have a 48-month implementation timeframe and would involve the construction of new hotels - with 4- and 5-star category, with up to 1,500 accommodation units in total, a document posted on the government’s website showed.

Source: SeeNews

03 ALBANIA

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan Reselected to Arrange Euro Bond

High electricity prices, high interest rates, customs taxes, fiscal policies are some of the challenges that national producers in Kosovo face.

These concerns were articulated today during a roundtable hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, held in Pristina on 25th May. Arian Zeka, head of the American Chamber of Commerce, said that a lot has been said about tax relieves, but so far, national producers have not seen anything concrete.

It’s been years since the government of Kosovo first approved strategies for tax reliefs and a better environment for doing business, but, unfortunately, these documents have only remained on paper and domestic producers have not benefited as much as was discussed.

Source: ibna

The Republic of Albania has picked Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan to arrange a euro-denominated bond, according to two sources away from the banks.

Albania’s finance ministry said the country was eyeing a Eurobond of 300 million or more. The new deal is set to refinance existing debt. Albania has a 300 million bond maturing in November.

The sovereign went on a non-deal roadshow with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan in March.

Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan declined to comment. Albania is rated B1 by Moody’s and B by Source: Reuters Standard & Poor’s.

04 FYR MACEDONIA

5 THINGS

TO WORK ON TO PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS BEFORE A CRISIS HITS

Tender For Expressway Section Construction Macedonia’s state road agency has opened a tender for construction of a section of the Gradsko - Prilep expressway to be financed with the proceeds of a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the EBRD said.

The proposed period of construction of the 10.2-kilometre Farish – Drenovo section is 24 months, the EBRD said in an invitation for pre-qualification posted on Friday on its website.

The prequalification documents must be submitted by 23rd June.

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Here are the five things you should be working on, even in good times and especially if things start heading south.

1. Devise a system for working on the business.

2. Develop your leaders.

3. Work on the business.

4. Identify key dependencies.

5. Create a risk-management plan.

05 BULGARIA

COOPERATION

LARGEST DEMOCRACY

“There is no doubt that the success of mutual cooperation would define not just the fate of Albanians and Serbs in the future, but also the fate of the project of a united Europe,” — - EDI RAMA, Albanian Prime Minister

India is the world’s largest democracy, with more than 700 million registered voters.

Lukoil Opens New $1.5B Unit at Bulgarian Refinery

Placements & postings appointments@aim.rs

YANA MIKHAILOVA

NESTLÉ ADRIATIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR

Boiko Borissov, Bulgarian Prime Minister (left), and Vagit Alekperov, Lukoil CEO

Russian oil company Lukoil opened a new facility to process heavy residue at the Neftochim refinery in the Bulgarian city of Bourgas on 20th May. The facility features a main unit to hydrocrack sludge, with an annual capacity of 2.5 million tonnes, and was built over a period of three years at a cost of $1.5 billion. The new installation will increase efficiency and raise refinery yield to 90 per cent, while also reducing the greenhouse gas emissions.

The new unit will also increase the processing capacity at Neftochim, Bulgaria’s sole crude oil refinery, from an estimated 5.5 million tonnes this year to 6.8 million tonnes starting in 2016, Neftochim’s increased capacity will allow it to process crude oil from Iraq, where the company operates one of the country’s largest oil fields, in addition to Russian crude.

Half of the refinery’s output will be marketed in Bulgaria and the rest will be exported to neighbouring countries, he said.

Source: Sofia Globe

Yana Mikhailova has been named as the new regional director of Nestlé Adriatic, replacing Ansgar Bornemann, who moves to the position of Managing Director of Nestlé for Ukraine and Moldova.

Ms Mikailova joined Nestlé in 1996 as a regional sales director for company Nestlé Russia. From the year 2000 she was in charge of responsible operations in marketing, before being promoted to Marketing Director of Nestlé’s confectionery business in Russia in 2004.

He continued career saw her advance to the position of Regional Director of Nestlé Purina Petcare in Russia, Ukraine and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which she achieved remarkable results in the region of Eastern Europe.

In September 2012 she was appointed head of Nestlé for Ukraine and Moldova, where she further enhanced the development of these markets.

NEBOJSA ĆIRIĆ

CEO OF EAST POINT HOLDING

Nebojsa Ćirić has been appointed CEO of East Point Holding, the regional group of companies dealing in diversified areas of business: copper mill (Valjaonica Bakra Sevojno), silos and milling (Zitomlin), industrial bakery (Klas/BPI) and a number of sales offices in Europe and the U.S. The Group operates mainly in Serbia and is one of the largest exporters in the country, employing around 2,000 people. Ćirić worked for the Government of Serbia in the period from 2007 to 2012, as Minister of Economy and Regional Development, and previously as State Secretary for Economy within the same Ministry.

Prior to his government posts, Nebojsa Ćirić has been working for Deloitte Central Europe for 10 years as Director for Financial Services, covering areas of Corporate Finance and Transaction Support Advisory for the eastern part of the Adriatic cluster (Serbia, Republika Srpska, Macedonia and Montenegro).

06 BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Meggle Dairy Decides to Build a New Plant Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Meggle Dairy last year processed 50 million litres of milk, thus exceeding the planned capacity. It was for this reason that the company’s management decided to build a new production plant.

It is planned to install new software and a new Tetra Pak machine that will make Dairy Meggle unique in this part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the latest technology for the storage and packaging of dairy products.

In the first five months of this year Meggle Bihać hired 11 new workers and now has a total of over 100 employees and 3,000 contractors.

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

ECONOMY

G-7 Weighs in on Wolfgang Schaeuble, German Finance Minister and Christine Lagarde, IMF, Managing Director

Greece

G7 ministers and central bank heads convened on May 27 to discuss how to revive global growth and China’s increasing clout, while keeping a close eye on the protracted talks to avoid a Greek default

D

elegates at a meeting of Group of Seven finance chiefs in Dresden, Germany, diverged from the main program to push back against Greek claims that an agreement is near and called for stronger efforts to resolve the standoff. The gathering in a former palace brings together Greece’s three creditor institutions as well as Dutch Finance Minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who chairs meetings of his euro-area colleagues.

“At some point, the discussion has to be transformed into something on paper,” French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said in an interview en route to Dresden. “You need a draft.”

Common Ground European officials lined up to rebuff Greek claims on 27th May that the country will start drafting an accord, and that a deal is close with the European Central Bank, European Commission and IMF. “Negotiations between the three institutions and the Greek government still haven’t come very far,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said in an interview with ARD television. He is “always a bit surprised” when Greece says an agreement is near, he said.

Schaeuble and Bundesbank President Jens Weidmann are hosting their counterparts from France, Italy, Japan, the

As technical talks between Greek officials and the creditor teams continue in Brussels, the G-7 gathering gives finance chiefs from the rest of the world an opportunity to urge their European counterparts to find common ground While Greece isn’t on the G-7’s official agenda and the group has no mandate to make a decision, the topic has dominated discussions on the sidelines. Time is running out for the Mediterranean nation to receive funding ahead of almost €1.6 billion in International Monetary Fund payments scheduled for this month, with the first transfer due on 5th June.

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UK, Canada, and the U.S. IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and ECB President Mario Draghi are also scheduled to be in town, as is European Union Commissioner Pierre Moscovici.

As technical talks between Greek officials and the creditor teams continue in Brussels, the G-7 gathering gives finance chiefs from the rest of the world an oppor-

tunity to urge their European counterparts to find common ground.

At stake is “how to deal with the short-term repayment schedule which is very lumpy and creates real issues for Greece -- and then how we put Greece on a sustainable footing,” Canadian Finance Minister Joe Oliver said in an interview.

President Barack Obama’s administration stepped up pressure on officials to work out a compromise.

‘Double Down’ “Brinkmanship is a dangerous thing, when it only takes one accident” U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob L. Lew said in London before traveling to Germany.

“Everyone has to double down and treat the next deadline as the last deadline.”

Earlier on 27 th May, Lew spoke to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras for the second time in less than a week, in a sign of deepening global concern over the standoff.

Europe needs “to recognize that there are limits to the degree of austerity that can be imposed and that ultimately problems get solved through growth,” former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said in a Bloomberg interview in Dresden.

Summers is one of several economists attending the meeting to help finance chiefs explore longer-term economic issues.

Bailout conditions “worked well with all other programmw countries,” Schaeuble said. “So far, I’ve never heard any idea of how Greece is supposed to make it as a member of the currency union - and it is a member - other than by restoring competitiveness.” ■

Source: Bloomberg

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CUBA

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

“They are always the first to arrive and the last to leave ... They remain in place after the crises. Cuba can be proud of its healthcare system, a model for many countries.”

WORLD NEWS

— BAN KI-MOON, United Nations Secretary-General

01 WORLD

02 U.S.

China, Brazil Agree on $50 Billion Trade Deals

UBS to Pay $545 Million Over Forex Scandal

Top officials from China and Brazil signed off a package of multibillion trade and investment deals that will see South America’s biggest economy injected with roughly $50 billion in funds, local media said.

Brazil pins a lot of hope on Chinese investment to overhaul its decaying infrastructure and stimulate growth in the sluggish economy. Its national energy company Petrobras will reportedly get $5 billion, while mining firm Vale’s share in the investment package is $4 billion.

China looks set to buy billions worth of passenger planes from the Brazilian aircraft maker Embraer.

The nations also discussed their ambitious vision of a $30-billion railroad stretching from the Atlantic all across South America to Peru, which is expected to cut the costs of Brazilian exports to China.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang

Source: Reuters

03 RUSSIA

Laying Turkish Stream Pipelines by Mid-June

OLEG AKSYUTIN, Gazprom executive manager

Construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, a substitute for the cancelled South Stream project, will begin in the first half of June, Oleg Aksyutin, Gazprom executive manager said end last month.

“We signed a contract with Saipem, an Italian company. Two ships will be involved in the operation, depending on the conditions of the pipe-laying in the Black Sea Work will begin in the shallow waters in the first half of June,” Oleg Aksyutin said.

Gazprom plans to finish the first underwater section of the pipeline by the end of 2016, he added.

On 18th May, Europipe, a joint venture of the Salzgitter Group and AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke, announced that the talks regarding the delivery of steel pipes for the South Stream would begin soon. The pipes intended for the South Stream will be used for the Turkish Stream.

04 UAE

Islamic Fund Industry to Reach $77bln by 2019 Islamic funds are a $60 billion industry forecasted to grow to at least $77 billion by 2019, while the underlying demand for Islamic funds is projected to grow to $185 billion over the next five years according to The Global Islamic Asset Management Outlook published by Thomson Reuters.

The study based on a survey of key asset managers, investors, and other market players such as regulators, consultants, and financial institutions says there are substantial growth opportunities but the industry will struggle to reach its potential in the near-to midterm.

Source: Gulf News

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UBS will pay $545 million to U.S. authorities to end an investigation into alleged manipulation of currency rates, a settlement that will help the Swiss bank to move on after a series of trading scandals.

The amount was lower than expected and this contributed to a more than three percent rise in UBS shares to their highest level in six and a half years.

UBS’s payment is part of what is expected to be a combined multi billion-dollar settlement by five of the world’s biggest banks with U.S. and British authorities over alleged manipulation of the $5 trillion-a-day forex market.

DUBAI, UAE

10 THINGS

EVERY BUSINESS PLAN SHOULD CONTAIN

1. Vision — what is it that makes this business exciting and utterly irresistible to customers, suppliers and to you?

2. Background — what has happened to you and in the world around you to make this venture...

3. Goals — success is all about turnover, profit, customer numbers.

4. People — who is in your team and how are they perfect for the job?

5. Products —how will your products or services evolve in response to customer feedback/market change?

6. Competition — without knowing your competition you will not succeed.

7. Marketing — how are you going to communicate the benefits you offer to the customers?

8. Funding — how will you pay for it all and what can investors expect in return?

9. Measurement —you do need to find time to check that you’re on course.

10. Jumping ship — a business has a natural life span. You need to plan before you start for your exit.

FISTS

DID YOU KNOW?

“President Obama may have outstretched his hand, but the Castros still have their fists real tight.”

05 JORDAN

— FIDEL CASTRO, Former Prime Minister of Cuba

Nuclear Power Plant Deal With Russia

06 CHINA

Twitter’s bird logo is named Larry, after former NBA player Larry Bird.

'Made in China 2025' Plan Unveiled

Sergei Kiriyenko, head of Russia's Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation (left) and Khaled Toukan, chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission

Jordan signed an agreement with Russia $10 billion that sets the legal basis for building the kingdom’s first nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 2,000 megawatt.

Jordan imports nearly 98 percent of its energy from oil products and crude and is struggling to meet electricity demand which is growing by more than seven per cent annually due to a rising population and industrial expansion.

The deal, signed with Russia’s state-owned nuclear firm Rosatom, envisages the construction of a two-unit power plant at Amra in the north of the kingdom by 2022.

Source: Reuters

China’s State Council, authorized by Premier Li Keqiang, has unveiled a national plan, dubbed “Made in China 2025,” focusing on promoting manufacturing.

“Made in China 2025” is the first 10-year action plan designed to transform China from a manufacturing giant into a world manufacturing power.

Nine tasks have been identified as priorities: improving manufacturing innovation, integrating information technology and industry, strengthening the industrial base, fostering Chinese brands, enforcing green manufacturing, promoting breakthroughs in 10 key sectors, advancing restructuring of the manufacturing sector, promoting service-oriented manufacturing and manufacturing-related service industries,

07 SOUTH KOREA

08 VATICAN

Corporate Maneuvering at Samsung

IOR Clean-up Pays Off as Profit Soars

Lee jae-Yong

Samsung announced the merger of Cheil, the company’s fashion business and theme park operator, with the firm’s C&T construction and trading firm.

News agencies interpreted the move as a step to ensure that the son of the group’s ailing chairman inherited control of the conglomerate. Analysts argued the transaction would give Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong a big say in the enterprise, including its crown jewel, Samsung Electronics.

The merger plan comes as Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee, 73, has been hospitalised for more than a year after suffering a heart attack in May 2014. Experts said the transaction would be completed by early September.

Source: AFP

and internationalising manufacturing.

The 10 key sectors are new information technology, numerical control tools and robotics, aerospace equipment, ocean engineering equipment and high-tech ships, railway equipment, energy saving and new energy vehicles, power equipment, new materials, biological medicine and medical devices, and agricultural machinery.

Source: Xinhua

The Vatican’s scandal-plagued bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), informed on 25th May that it earned €69.3 million in 2014, or nearly 24 times the profit it reported the year before.

The IOR said the strong turnaround was Cardinal GEORGE PELL the result of a concerted effort to clean up its finances, launched in 2013, which included closing 4,614 non-church related accounts, toughening regulatory standards and focusing more closely on improving returns for its customers. These include religious orders and charities, as well as Church offices.

The overhaul was ordered by Pope Francis, who, in a break with the past, appointed an outsider to run the opaque finances of the Holy See: Australian cardinal George Pell.

The IOR said it would donate €55 million of its profits to the Vatican’s main budget and invest the Source: AP remaining €14.3 million in its retained earnings reserve.

09 GERMANY

Deutsche Bahn Eyes Shopping Spree in China

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has said it’s considering buying trains and spare parts from Chinese producers in a couple of years. German suppliers such as Siemens will not be amused by the announcement.

“In three to five years from now, Asia and China in particular can assume a key role in supplying Deutsche Bahn with trains and spare parts,” said Heike Hanagarth from Deutsche Bahn .

She said that Deutsche Bahn wanted to “show current suppliers like ICE trainmaker Siemens that it was taking a closer look at the offers made by competitors. She also said the Chinese government was highly interested in getting a deal with Deutsche Bahn.

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

MARKETING: ROMANIA

Media Industry Climbing Back

Towards €330mln Mark BY

ROMANITA OPREA

The Romanian media market has endured drastic changes, budget cuts and shock new laws, but is managing to fight back. Still dominated by TV, the advertising landscape is evolving thanks to new approaches from agencies and the growing role of digital. Although the sector is once again drawing near to €330 million, players canvassed were divided over whether the industry has exited the crisis

W

ith a media market still dominated by TV, which specialists agree is not likely to change significantly over the coming years, Romanians are not in line with international media investments trends, say industry players. Overall media investment has been relatively constant over the past five years and pundits expect it to remain so in 2015, with digital the only field increasing in share and total value. Digital is tipped to gain share against TV, but not at the rate market players would like to see. Mobile media investments still lag far behind.

Highly professionalized and semi-conscious of its power, according to Cezar Batog, managing director at Optimedia, the industry is starting to revive. As evidence, he points to new product/service categories that are appearing both on TV and digital.

The industry is shifting to make room for businesses that respond to consumer needs in terms of utility (online businesses, e-commerce, classified) and price (retail). “The barrier of having a minimum budget to communicate in a certain category is fading away with the emergence 40 |

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of performance marketing. Every budget pays off if it brings results. I see it as a very good sign and I feel the media space is fermenting with new ideas and opportunities, mainly the digital space,” said Oana Petroff, CEO at Mindshare Romania.

Others agree that the worst is over. “We are now undergoing reconstruction. The media market is on a positive trend: for the last two years in a row there have been slight increases of 2-3 per cent. So we are optimistic that the market is recovering after the decline of 2009-2012,” said Alexan-

of digital development. At Zenith, the key is the fact that our expertise has become broader. Media is not just about scale, but about more-than-media, and diversified services go hand-in-hand with our core planning and buying. Despite being somewhat technologically behind, we embrace all international movements in terms of media process, agency-client relationships, new channels, new services and product development,” said Maria Tudor, CEO of Zenith Romania.

“On one hand, it’s a small media market.

To put things into perspective, the billings of the biggest media agency in Poland (as reported in RECMA, the annual report on the media agency industry at global level) are higher than the entire Romanian media market (official estimates). And this already small market has effectively halved in the last six years. On the other hand, it is an extremely innovative, change-embracing and future-facing industry, standing proud in terms of capabilities among the

dra Olteanu, managing director at Initiative.

But there is still some recovering to do, caution some industry players. “I would mention a paradox: on one hand, the market is still struggling with the effect of years of decline in ad spend, but on the other, it is ready to take on the challenge

biggest markets,” said the managing director of Starcom MediaVest Group.

The view is echoed by Maria Tudor, who considers the local market internationally competitive in terms of the level of expertise.

Players see both good and bad signs for

The industry is shifting to make room for businesses that respond to consumer needs in terms of utility and price

the future. “Ad spend was finally on track to increase we forecast a small increase in 2015, of up to five per cent,” said Carmen Lixandru, managing director at MediaCom Romania.

Unfortunately, the latest news from the biggest worldwide clients is not so good and the Romanian market will definitely be hit sooner or later. “The largest advertisers wants to spend less on marketing; they are looking to cut expenses where they can from media budgets and agency fees to production costs. They want efficiency. Clients have been putting pressure not only on their media suppliers but also on advertising and media companies and I do not foresee a much better situation this year,” Lixandru added.

Many agree that television will continue to dominate the sector, despite having stagnated of late. “In the official estimates, TV still holds the ‘lion’s share’, at about 60-65 percent of total advertising budgets, with a flattish evolution in the past five-six years. The medium growing year on year – and significantly so – is digital, which we expect to grow this year too. Also, we must take into account that the industry monitoring tools currently available do not capture all digital budgets (we are talking especially about budgets allocated to the two big international players, Google and Facebook), so the share of digital is significantly higher than that shown in many market estimates.

It is expected that the media split will continue, with TV getting the major share of advertising in Romania (more than 65 percent) and continuing to dominate the media landscape, but with a shift from traditional TV viewing to multiple screens.

“Internet advertising is the only medium growing year by year and I expect an increase of 15 percent in 2015, as improving digital ad technology makes internet advertising cheaper and more effective.

Newspapers and magazines are in decline – unfortunately for the big publishing houses, there is no real solution to this yet. Radio and outdoor will preserve their share and I see both among the most interesting opportunities for clients this year.

According to Zenith data, the total amount of time individuals are spending consuming media is growing. Media is always on, anywhere and anytime, is accessible and diversified, and there’s a large usage of a wider number of media channels

than before. Digital media consumption is growing more quickly than other indicators, mostly because of technology and more digital avenues.

The penetration of new mobile devices (for instance, smartphone penetration stood at 34 percent in 2014 versus 9.1 percent in 2011, and the number of connected devices per person grew to 1.7 in 2014 from 1 in 2012) is rising. As a result, specialists are expecting a significant increase in digital ad spend over the next five years.

“We regularly publish agency estimations on ZenithOptimedia’s AdForecast global product. Internet spending is esti-

changed the flow of TV campaign invoicing from TV channels directly to the advertiser. Additionally, it brought tonnes of bureaucracy and diverted a lot of agencies’ resources to contractual and legal work – invoicing checks, corrections etc.

Agencies are hoping for a change in the near future, as the law managed to harm their image, trying, to diminish their role and contribution as advertising consultants.

When it comes to post-crisis green shoots that there are signs of hope. But the industry still depends greatly upon the state of economy. “The business community sounds positive, but we are cautious. The ad

Even when the market technically, officially, exited the crisis, some behavioral patterns will survive – ideally the healthy ones, like the focus on return on investments, accountability and measurement mated to reach at least 16 per cent of ad expenditure by 2017 from 14 per cent currently, with online display (including online video) driving the majority of digital investments,” added the Zenith representative.

Zenith officials are also happy with their agency’s performance in both the tough and easier times, which market data put among the top three, as well as its turnover.

However, 2014 was a difficult year for many. Industry players complain that the effects of the law change are still showing and IAA Romania was forced to restate its position and ask the prime minister to change the legislation, before its consequences become too drastic.

All agencies in the market complained of feeling the adverse effects: cash-flow was immediately hit, as the ordinance

market, for whatever reason, has reversed the trend, but it is not yet sustainable and not strong enough to say that crisis is over.

Recovery takes a while and is fragile,” added Maria Tudor, CEO of Zenith Romania.

On the other side many are not optimistic, believing that the crisis has not yet passed – and to some extent may never.

“Many of the traditional media clients are still at the very beginning of their recovery, after years of double-digit decreases. They are still and will remain cautious about advertising investments until the market is back on a healthy growth curve. Even when the market technically, officially, exited the crisis, some behavioral patterns will survive – ideally the healthy ones, like the focus on return on investments, accountability and measurement. ■ JUNE

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AFTER WORK

27

APRIL

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BELGRADE SPRING FAIR

The oldest international school in Belgrade held its traditional spring fair that saw the school’s students, representing 43 different nationalities, celebrate the cultural diversity fostered by this educational institution. The Parade of Nations attracted a lot of attention and included young ambassadors who presented their home countries.

“The Spring Fair is one of many extra-curricular activities fostered by International School Belgrade. Although our students are being taught in an international environment, we are especially proud of the Spring Fair, because it creates the perfect opportunity for them to represent their respective countries in the best possible way and to get to know the culture and customs of their school mates,” said Dr Robert Risch, Director of the International School Belgrade.

12

MAY

NO INVESTMENTS, NO QUALITY

STEVAN NIKČEVIĆ, State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications

7

MAY

NEW “AHA” MAGAZINE LAUNCHED

The first issue of “Aha”, a new magazine for a more creative life, published by Belgrade-based Fresh media, appeared on the shelves of Serbian newsagents on 7th May. This monthly magazine was created with the idea of using an innovative design and textual content to offer a different, fresh and original voice of authors, as a driving force in a time of social, economic, moral and creative crisis. According to the publisher, “Aha” magazine is printed on 156 pages and has an initial circulation of 17,000 copies. The editor-in-chief of the magazine is Anita Lazić Todorović.

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A panel debate entitled “The Strength of Joint Success” was held under the auspices of the 59th International Technology Fair on 12th May. The debate was organised by the Slovenian Business Club and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, which presented the most successful examples of Serbian – Slovenian business cooperation.

The panel debate was officially opened by State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, Stevan Nikčević, who thanked the Club's president, Danijela Fišakov, for her cooperation and efforts on establishing excellent business cooperation between the two countries.

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SRDJAN VUČUREVIĆ, Info local media group and ANITA LAZIĆ TODOROVIĆ

ALEKSANDAR “SAŠA” ĐORĐEVIĆ and MAJA PIŠČEVIĆ, Executive Director at AmCham Serbia

14

MAY

SMART TALK WITH SAŠA ĐORĐEVIĆ

The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Serbia and Raiffeisen Bank hosted a SMART Talk session at Mikser House featuring Aleksandar “Saša” Đorđević, coach of the Serbian national basketball team and, according to the ULEB, one of the 50 people who have contributed the most to the development of basketball in Europe. “When you have the result, then you know you are on the right path and you feel satisfaction”, said Đorđević. Creating a championship team starts in the locker room, which is “the Holy Land for achieving good results”, revealed Đorđević.

15

MAY

R MAGAZINE IN NEDELJNIK

Belgrade’s Metropol Palace Hotel saw the presenting of R Magazine, the regular monthly supplement to Rossiyskaya Gazeta (Russian Gazette – Russia Beyond the Headlines RBTH), which will be distributed in the future as a supplement of news magazine Nedeljnik (Weekly). R magazine received the written support of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was in Belgrade on that day. Besides the representatives of the publisher of RBTH, those gathered were also addressed

by Veljko Lalić, editor-in-chief and director of Nedeljnik.

Deputy CEO "Rosijske gazete", JEVGENIJ ABOV

20

MAY

JANA WATER WITH A MESSAGE

A new limited edition of Jana Water with packaging containing an endorsed message from Louise Hay was officially presented at the Sava Promenade in a wonderful atmosphere complemented by an unusual display of colourful butterflies. The promotion's hosts, Snežana Dakić and Ksenija Mijatović, discussed the meaning and understanding of Louise Hay's messages.

MARTIN KNAPP, German-Serbian Business Association (left), and MARKO ČADEŽ, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

16

MAY

SERBIAN VISIONS – FIRST MULTI-CONFERENCE IN SERBIA

The German-Serbian Business Association and the Serbian Chamber of Commerce jointly organised the first ever multi-conference in Serbia, entitled Serbian Visions, at Belgrade’s Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel. Serbian Visions is a specialised concept of gathering civil sector organisations and companies together in one place with the goal of bolstering the role that civil society plays in the country and creating a more favourable business environment by contributing to important development segments in the country, including the EU accession process. The multi-conference included several topic segments – human rights, economy, education, culture, health, environmental protection, EU integration, safety, innovation and other segments that improve the vision of Serbia.

27

MAY

AWARD PRESENTED TO PROFESSIONALS!

Award winners

KSENIJA MIJATOVIĆ

The Serbian Association for Public Relations (DSOJ) awarded the year’s best communication campaigns, projects and initiatives at its traditional 18th consecutive annual reception. A total of 68 projects in 13 categories were considered for this year’s awards, with the final choices made among 30 works from the corporate, public and non-profit sectors.

In the category of PR Agency of the Year awards went to the New Moment New Ideas Company (in the category of large agencies) and Chapter 4 PR (in the category of small and mid-sized agencies). The prestigious PRiZNANJE Award - Communicator of the Year was this year presented to Ombudsman Saša Janković.

The Srđan Đurić Award for Outstanding Personal Contributions in the Field of Communications for 2014 was awarded to Ivana Parčetić Mitić, founder and editor of the Marketing Mreža portal.

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FACES & PLACES

70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY OVER FASCISM 7

H.E. CHRISTINE MORO and journalist OLJA BEĆKOVIĆ

FRANCE HONOURS OLJA BEĆKOVIĆ 30 APRIL

Ambassador of France to Serbia, H.E. Christine Moro, presented the National Order of the Legion of Honour, with the rank of knight, to journalist Olja Bećković for her outstanding professional career, bravery and courage. Presenting the award, Ambassador Moro said that this was confirmation that her country hereby also acknowledges the entire profession of journalism.

MAY

The Russian Embassy in Belgrade hosted a formal reception to mark the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism in WWII, jointly organised by the embassies of Russia, Belarus and Azerbaijan.

The Russian Embassy reception was attended by Serbian Patriarch Irinej, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolić, as well as government ministers Ivica Dačić, Aleksandar Vulin, Kori Udovički, Snežana Bogosavljević Bošković and Maja Gojković, as well as senior representatives of the diplomatic corps and other areas.

Patriarch IRINEJ, MAJA GOJKOVIĆ, Serbian President TOMISLAV NIKOLIĆ and H.E. ALEXANDER CHEPURIN

BOJAN CVILAK, coordinator for EU Integration of the Swedish embassy; JOVANKA MILJEVIĆ, operational manager of the Swedish-Serbian Business Council; Ambassador CHRISTER ASP; MARKO ČADEŽ, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce; ZORAN MALIĆ, group leader of Western Europe and the Serbian Ministry for Science and Regional Development CHRISTER ASP, PEKA ORPANA, KARL BILT, ANDRÄ RUPPRECHTER, Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management of Austria,JOHANNES EIGNER and MICHAEL DEVENPORT

FINLAND, SWEDEN AND AUSTRIA COMMEMORATE 20 YEARS IN THE EU 13

MAY

As part of celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the EU accessions of Finland, Sweden and Austria, a media debate was held with the participation of former Swedish Prime Minister and foreign minister Carl Bildt, hosted by the Ambassador of Finland in Belgrade, H.E. Pekka Orpana.

Speaking about Serbia, Bildt noted that the country has made considerable progress towards EU membership.

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OFFICIAL LAUYTNCH OF THE SERBIAN-SWEDISH BUSINESS COUNCIL 15

MAY

The Serbian-Swedish Business Council has been established with the aim of strengthening and developing investment and trade between Serbia and Sweden. The official launch took place at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce in mid-May. Swedish Ambassador Christer Asp pointed out that the formation of the SerbianSwedish Business Council is vital for strengthening ties between the two countries, stressing that Sweden offers its full support to Serbia in its EU accession process.

CROWN-PRINCE DECORATED 15

MAY

By decree of French President François Hollande, H.R.H. Crown Prince Alexander Karađorđević was awarded the highest French decoration, the National Order of the Legion of Honour, with the rank of commander. A ceremony organised at the French Ambassadorial Residence saw H.E. Ambassador Christine Moro present Crown-Prince Alexander with this highest award of the Republic of France for his efforts in the fight for democracy and the democratisation of Serbian society. His Royal Highness was accompanied by Princess Katherine and their children, Prince Petar, Prince Filip, Prince Alexander and Mrs Alison Andrews.

Crown Prince ALEXANDER KARAĐORĐEVIĆ and H.E. CHRISTINE MORO

INTERNATIONAL CHARITY FESTIVAL 16

MAY

The British International School this year again organised its Charity Bazaar Work in this area of great importance to the development of awareness among students regarding the importance of humanitarian work. The bazaar was visited by about 1,000 visitors, who enjoyed the exceptional programme performed by school students of all ages.

Visitors also had the opportunity to try various international cuisines. The top attraction was a fashion show featuring traditional costumes worn by students and employees.

Funds were collected from the sale of raffle tickets, with prizes donated by numerous companies and individuals donors, as well as from the lease of stands. All funds raised will be donated to the Red Cross in Kragujevac, "Elizabeth Ross" volunteer unit.

H.E. HARRY RICHARD JAMES KANDOU, Indonesian ambassador

SERBIA BEAT RUSSIA IN RUGBY LEAGUE THRILLER 16

H.E. JULIA FEENEY

MARK HARRISON

MAY

Belgrade's Makiš Stadium provided the venue for Serbia's historic 20-15 victory over Russia. Serbia's victory, its first over the Russian Bears since the teams first met in 2006, consolidated its position at the top of European Championship Group B. The eventual group winners will qualify for the 2017 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Serbia is ranked 8th in Europe and 14th worldwide and is fast developing into a formidable team. The game was attended by Australian Ambassador to Serbia H. E. Julia Feeney, whose home country is helping further development of the sport in Serbia, and long-time sponsor of Serbian rugby league, Mark Harrison, Principal of Harrisons Solicitors, who continues to sponsor the Serbian national team.

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FACES & PLACES

NORWEGIAN CONSTITUTION DAY MAY

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JADRANKA JOKSIMOVIĆ, Minister for EU Integrations at Goverment of the Republic of Serbia and H.E. NILS RAGNAR KAMSVÅG

H.E. Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia, Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg, hosted a reception to mark the occasion of Norwegian Constitution Day, 17th May. The 17th May celebration began as a challenge to Swedish sovereignty. However, alongside certain transformations, it has held to this day as a national holiday marked by public festivities and a children’s parade.

The reception at the Norwegian ambassadorial residence was attended by numerous figures from the political, economic and cultural life of Serbia, as well as members of the diplomatic corps in Belgrade.

MARINKO UKROPINA, ANA GRUJOVIĆ, SSCC Executive director, and JEAN-LUC OESCH, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Switzerland

SSCC CELEBRATES 1st ANNIVERSARY 21

MAY

The 1st Anniversary of the establishment of the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce brought together members of the SSCC and represen-

tatives of Swiss-Serbian public institutions.

Ana Grujović, SSCC Executive director, presented a short overview of the results achieved over the past year.

Serving SSCC President Ansgar Bornemann announced his departure from Serbia in June 2015, presenting Marinko Ukropina as his

DAY OF BULGARIAN EDUCATION AND CULTURE 25 MAY

MAJA GOJKOVIĆ,President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Serbia, H.E. ANGEL DIMITROV

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On the occasion of the Day of Bulgarian Education and Culture and Slavic literacy, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria to Serbia, H.E. Angel Dimitrov, along with his spouse, hosted a festive reception on the premises of the embassy. This holiday was established to honour educators Cyril and Methodius, whose legacy had a great impact on the culture of Slavic nations and state. According, besides Bulgaria, it is also marked in Russia, Slovakia, Macedonia, Belarus, Ukraine and the Czech Republic. The festive reception was attended by numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps and representatives of the Serbian political scene.

newly elected successor. Guests were also greeted by Jean-Luc Oesch, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Switzerland, who announced the upcoming “Business Forum in Zurich”, to be held on 16th June with a view to further strengthening economic relations between Switzerland and Serbia.

GALA WITH FRENCH CABARET 27 MAY

The French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce heald a traditional gala reception for over 200 guests from the French-Serbian business community. Attendees were officially addressed by French Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Christine Moro, Chairman of the Managing Board of CCIFS, Patrick Collin, and General Director of CCIFS, Sanja Ivanić. Guests enjoyed a taste of enchanting French culture and performances of French cabaret, magicians and the musical group Tzotzonga. The event also saw the Chamber present awards for excellence to the most successful companies in 2014.

PATRICK COLLIN, Chairman of the Managing Board of CCIFS and H.E. CHRISTINE MORO

AZERBAIJANI REPUBLIC DAY 27 MAY

MAJA GOJKOVIĆ,President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. ELDAR HASANOV and RASIM LJAJIĆ, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications

On the occasion of the Republic Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an official reception was organised and attended by representatives of the Serbian government, political parties, the City of Belgrade, Christian and Muslim communities, diplomatic corps, members of non-governmental organisations and others. H.E. Eldar Hasanov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Serbia, addressed those gathered on the history of the founding of the first democratic parliamentary republic in the East and the Muslim world. The event continued with the presentation of films covering the history and culture of Azerbaijan, as well as the “Baku-2015” European Games.

20 YEARS OF EU MEMBERSHIP 28 MAY

H.E. CHRISTER ASP, H.E. PEKA ORPANA and H.E. JOHANNES EIGNER

The embassies of Austria, Finland and Sweden organised a reception to mark the 20th anniversary of their EU membership. Among the large number of guests were ambassadors and figures from Belgrade’s cultural and public life, while the reception was also attended, amongst others, by Minister without portfolio responsible for European integration, Jadranka Joksimović, and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Michael Davenport.

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CULTURE CALENDAR

2CELLOS

CONCERTS

ONE REPUBLIC

S AVA C E N T R E , 1 9 T H J U N E @ 2 0 . 0 0

Kombank Arena, 6th June @ 21.00 American band OneRepublic had a fantastic concert at Arena Stožice in Ljubljana a few months ago. During the concert the band saw banners carried by their fans from Serbia, having already announced a concert in Belgrade.

On 6th June the band will perform at Belgrade’s Kombank Arena to an audience from the region and invite all to come and experience a great performance of the band.

Working on their third studio album, OneRepublic have travelled to Paris, Greece, London, New York, Seattle and Vancouver to write, direct and improve their already fantastic sound. Bold and innovative, they continued in 2009 with "Waking Up" from the album "Native", which provides a stadium-like rock rush that is strongly driven, but still ethereal and intimate. Also written by singer Ryan Tedger whilst in Europe, the song "Love Runs Out" contains a thank you note to some places in Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and Paris, where the song was written and from where he drew inspiration. "Love Runs Out" is included on the new and changed version of the album Native, while their most popular new single at present is “I lived”.

first at a lower music school and then at the Josip Slavenski Music School.

She composed her first song aged nine and recorded her first song at the end of high school, entitled "I do not regret the end", performed with eminent Serbian jazz musicians. She is a graduate of general music pedagogy at the Belgrade Faculty of Music.

She has also performed at international concerts in Assisi, Italy, where she received the recognition Mondo Amore in 2003.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS

Ušće, 17th June @ 20.00

Dubbed the concert of the decade, musical superstar and the world's most wanted pop icon, Robbie Williams, is definitely coming to Serbia! "Hell is gone, heaven has arrived and I am going on tour!" With these words Robbie announced his planetary tour and opened with sold-out concerts in Madrid,

IVANA JORDAN

Sava Centre, 6th June @ 20.30 Ivana Jordan started composing and performing music in early childhood,

▶ Although famous virtuoso cellists Luka Šulić & Stjepan Hauer have gained an enviable number of followers thanks to their video posted online (the total number of views now exceeds 100 million), the duo are still committed to concert performances.

Much has been written about 2Cellos all over the world. They have released three more studio albums and their success is growing continuously. They have a number of soldout concerts, filling the world's most prestigious halls (Madison Square Garden, Paris Olympia, Queen's Diamond Jubilee, Emmys in LA, etc.), appearing as guests of the most popular international show, such Barcelona and Paris! Thanks to the efforts of the organisers and Robby’s personal desire to perform in Serbia and give us the opportunity to experience that "paradise on earth", he is coming to Belgrade.

The concert was officially confirmed by the organisers of this spectacle, Exit Skymusic team, and with the support of the Belgrade Arena and

as the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Ellen DeGeneres Show (several times) and many others.

They have performed with many international musicians, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the Stone Age, Andrea Bocelli and George Michael, and their talent is also recognised by the legend that is Elton John, who recommends their music highly. Testifying to just how respected they are in the world is the fact that they received their own 2Cellos Day in Japan – 20th January.

Concerts of the 2Cellos usually begin with the regular repertoire of performances of classical compositions, culminating with dynamic performances of rock hits.

AAA Productions. Despite the obviously much lower prices of tickets for a concert in Belgrade compared to other European capitals, the positive outcome of months of negotiations was assured thanks to Robbie's personal desire to perform in our country. The price of tickets for the concert in Belgrade are the lowest of the entire tour, starting at 3990 dinars, or about 33 euros,

CULTURE NEWS

SAVAMALA TALKS S P A N I S H H O U S E , S AVA M A L A , 1 6 T H M A Y "Savamala story / Savamala talks" is an interactive guide to Savamala that aims to familiarise students with the history of this current creative neighbourhood.

"Savamala story / Savamala talks" treats the entire territory of Savamala as a museum, with buildings and streets as exhibits.

Unlike classic museums, however, visitors to this open-air museum gain information through research and direct interaction, leaving them with the freedom to decide which path they wish to follow.

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At each of the selected locations, participants use their smartphone to follow the story of three Savamala residents, who recount the tale of the area’s past. Using the mobile app as a medium, participants respond to different questions of an interactive multimedia character (text, image, sound, animation) related to this story. Solving these quizzes reveal new locations to be visited and new stories to be heard. In this way participants become acquainted with the past and present Savamala.

Born of the Goethe-Guerrilla 2010 project of the Goethe Institute, which provides young people with assistance to develop their creative potential in the context of projects aimed at improving the environment in which we live. This year the Goethe-Guerrilla project was transformed into a civil association called Guerrilla City.

NEW MEDIA PROJECT BELGRADE/NOVI SAD, 1 0 TH J U N E

▶ Over the last ten years, new media has developed as the new dominant cultural medium around the world, and even among the younger representatives of the Serbian art and media scene. This "New Media" project will show examples of European and world art production and distribution, as well as examples of digital archiving and the restoration of works of art, while providing participants with the opportunity to actively participate in discussion and establish new contacts.

which is exactly a third of the average prices in the European part of the tour!

The uniquely charismatic Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is the world’s most popular pop star of undisputed musical calibre and one of the bestselling artists of all time, with his 11 albums having sold over 77 million copies worldwide! His albums have all conquered the number one spot in the British and international charts, with hits like "Feel", "Supreme," "Rock DJ", "Come Undone", "Rudebox", "Millennium", "Kids", "Angels" and many others! British daily The Guardian this year gave the best description of his spectacular tour: "No one else this year provides more entertainment than Robbie Williams, and a willingness to completely surrender to the audience at the concert."

TOTO

Sava Centre, Ušce, 30th June @ 21.00

‘New Media’ includes public events, such as a cycle of discussions, lectures and presentations, in Novi Sad and Belgrade, which will enable participants to learn about the most important examples of European media arts, as well as its most prominent representatives, primarily from Germany and France.

Guests will include, among others, Rudolf Frieling (Germany) and Thierry Destro (France).

Venues and schedules for the New Media Project are available via the Goethe Institut website.

One of the greatest American groups of all time, Toto, will stage a major concert on 30th June at Belgrade’s Ušće, as a part of the music series Belgrade Calling. Following the performances of a string of top names, such as Iron Maiden, Green Day, Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, Morrissey, Faith No More and Whitesnake, now popular rock band TOTO is set to return to Belgrade from Los Angeles! Known for its outstanding performances, the band began a major two-year world tour to mark the 35th anniversary of its existence, with a new album coming out in spring 2015.

Tickets for this concert spectacle are on sale at all Eventim locations.

BALLET

SWAN LAKE, IMPERIAL RUSSIAN BALLET

Sava Centre, 9th June @ 20.00

The Belgrade public will have the pleasure of witnessing an extraordinary ballet event at the Sava Centre - "Swan Lake", as performed by soloists and the world-famous ensemble troop of

Sava Centre, 10th June @ 20.15

the Russian Imperial Ballet live from London’s Royal Opera House.

This world-renowned ballet, with its exceptional music, dynamism and extreme emotions, has captivated audiences throughout the World and requires no introduction. In the role of Odette and Prince Siegfried, the Belgrade audience will see prima ballerina of the Imperial Russian Ballet Sheveljovu Lina and her partner Nariman Bekzhanova.

The Imperial Russian Ballet, founded in 1994 at the initiative of legendary ballerina Maja Plisetskaya, was named in memory of the royal family, which had a great influence on the development of Russian culture, including the creation of the Bolshoi and the Mariinsky Theatre.

The performances of the Russian Imperial Ballet are written into the history of the world of ballet art. The Imperial Russian Ballet epitomises the unity and integrity of the Russian ballet school’s tradition and continuity, which is transferred from generation to generation.

Conductor: Dan Oettinger; Composer: Giacomo Puccini; Libretto: Giuseppe Giacosa. Starring: Mimi: Anna Netrebko; Rodolfo: Joseph Calleja; Marcello: Lucas Meachem; Mizet: Jennifer Rowley. Chorus and Orchestra: The Royal Opera House Lost keys and the random touch of cold hands in the dark – this is how one of the most romantic operas of all time begins.

Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème premiered in 1896 and was initially met with a lukewarm reception from the audience. Fortunately, thanks to Puccini's romantic view of Bohemian Paris, with unforgettable music and love stories drawn from everyday life, over time it not only captivated audiences around the world, but grew to become one of the world’s favourite operas.

With his direction of La bohème since 1974, John Copley has given us a picture of Paris circa 1830, and the lively Latin neighbourhood, ranging from grocery stores and retailers who advertise their wares to the cold and windy attic where artists barely survive.

Puccini presented the love between Rodolfo and Mimi by describing their first meeting in the first act (scenes that contain some of the most beautiful arias and duets) to their re-touching in the fourth act. These moments, filled with emotional charge, in contrast to the colourful spectacle of Café Momus and the surrounding streets, offer a picture of Parisian society in its full dynamics and liveliness.

OPERA

LA BOHÈME

“ABOUT RAM” PERFORMS TO PACKED AUDIENCE Subotica, 19th May

The Katkatha Puppet Art Trust from New Delhi performed the play “About Ram” at the 22nd International Children’s Theatre Festival to the joy of children who packed the Jadran Hall of the Subotica National Theatre. This experimental theatrical piece, which uses segments from Bavabuthi’s Ramayana, tells the story through animation, projected images, dance, masks and puppets. Avinash Kumar, of the Katkatha Puppet Trust, says that he loves puppet theatre because it is a form that differs from theatre and dance. “You can express everything through puppets!” he says. His colleague, Pawan Waghmare, commended this Festival which, as he put it, “gave us a chance to see plays from countries with theatres and culture that differ from ours”.

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SPORT

Global Anti-Corruption Investigation in FIFA

T

he U.S. Justice Depart­ ment (DOJ) has named nine FIFA officials and five media and marketing executives in an investigation its says involves extensive racketeering and money-laundering schemes as well as over $150 million in bribes paid over two decades.

The officials, arrested by Swiss authorities in Zurich, are among 14 people named in a 47-count indictment that was unsealed in federal court in New York City.

The scene of Swiss authorities arresting individuals at the behest of U.S. investigators at the annual FIFA Congress in Zurich on 27th May might have seemed an extraordinary spectacle, but U.S. authorities insisted it was consistent with longstanding efforts to curb global corruption.

"This is a global investigation, and we live in a global marketplace: The world is not insular to a particular country any longer," said acting U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of New York Kelly T. Currie. "And so, virtually any international business transaction crosses borders, and this is really no different."

Legal experts closely monitoring the case said the day’s events — although notable because of the organization targeted — did not signal a significant change in priorities.

“The Department of Justice and the U.S. government have been focused on anti-corruption since the Watergate era,” said Lucian Dervan, associate professor of law at Southern Illinois University School of Law.

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With its charges levied against FIFA officials end last month the United States sought to expand global efforts to stamp out financial corruption in football, whose governing body has been dogged for years by allegations of corruption and fraud Andy Spalding, associate professor at the University of Richmond School of Law, agreed, saying the U.S. "has sought to promote an anti-bribery norm around the world — partly business interests, partly political interests."

"I think that still applies today,” he added.

Still, Spalding noted a dearth of leadership and efforts to root out similar problems elsewhere.

“The difficult question is not why the U.S., but why not anyone else,” said Spalding. “It is not optimal for

Blazer and the others have since been cooperating with the FBI as it builds its case.

With Blazer’s help, the U.S. investigation expanded into the two FIFA regional federations that make up North and South America — CONCACAF and CONMEBOL. Each individual indicted is either connected to those federations or the countries in which they operate. Those indicted and facing extradition include Jeffrey Webb, the current president of CONCACAF and head of the Cayman Island Football

The scene of Swiss authorities arresting individuals at the behest of U.S. investigators at the annual FIFA Congress in Zurich on 27th May might have seemed an extraordinary spectacle, but U.S. authorities insisted it was consistent with longstanding efforts to curb global corruption the U.S. to be taking the lead,” he said of efforts to punish alleged corruption by FIFA officials, “but that it has is indicative of an international vacuum in anti-corruption enforcement.”

A key figure that spurred the DOJ’s decision to take jurisdiction of the case is Chuck Blazer, a member of FIFA’s executive committee from 1996 to 2013 who, according to the unsealed documents, pleaded guilty in 2013 to corruption charges along with three others.

Association, and Jack Warner, former president of CONCACAF and a former FIFA vice president.

According to the Justice Depart­ ment, Warner solicited $10 million in bribes from the South African government to host the 2010 World Cup. Warner directed a number of co-conspirators to arrange the payment, which was eventually sent from a FIFA account in Switzerland to a Bank of America account in New York that Warner controlled, the indictment said.

But those allegations, and others like it, may just be the start, the DOJ indicated end last month.

“Let’s be clear: This is the beginning of our effort, not the end,” said Currie.

U.S. officials deflected questions about whether FIFA’s powerful head Sepp Blatter was a target in the investigation. Blatter is seeking a fifth term as president of the governing body but is deeply unpopular among football fans.

Amid the U.S. indictments released on 27th May, Swiss authorities indicated that they were separately investigating the processes by which the 2018 and 2022 World Cup host country sites were secured. The United States narrowly lost out on hosting the latter competition to Qatar, whose securing of the tournament has been overshadowed by concerns over alleged human rights abuses of its migrant labor force.

According to SIU law professor Dervan, part of the reason the DOJ may have launched its investigation into FIFA is because of the widely held belief that corruption influenced the body’s decision to award Qatar the World Cup — thus negatively impacting U.S. commerce and legal norms.

“One of the reasons why I think the Department of Justice is interested in this is that they believe the actions of FIFA did have an adverse impact on the U.S. … and its economic interests.” 

Embassy of India presents

Folding of both hands in the logo symbolise Yoga, the union, which reflects the union of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness, a perfect harmony between mind & body, man & nature; the holistic approach to health & well being. The brown leave symbolise the Earth element, the green leave symbolise the nature, blue symbolise the water element, brightness symbolise the fire element and the Sun symbolise the source of energy and inspiration. The logo reflects harmony and peace for the humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.

INTERVIEW

Celebrating the True Spirit of Yoga H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN Ambassador of India

cialisation of yoga and yogic therapies, as well as inaccurate teachings, the IDY will be celebrated in a true spirit of this ancient Indian tradition. Preparation for the finale on 21st June in Serbia, and elsewhere throughout the world, has already began.

Here it will be celebrated through workshops on Yoga, Ayurveda & Homeopathy, coordinated by the Indian Embassy with the Serbian Ministry of Health.

• How will you celebrate 21st June, the Int’l Day of Yoga (IDY) in Serbia?

- Yoga is very popular in Serbia, with several streams of yoga practiced here. As such, there are plans to celebrate IDY in a grand way across Serbia, preparations for which have already begun.

Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition, recently recognised by the UN, by proclaiming the International Day of Yoga, to be celebrated around the globe on 21st June. With the help of Yoga experts, a Yoga Protocol has been drawn up listing the set of recommended exercises that will be performed all over the world, including in Serbia

I

nternational Day of Yoga, introduced by the United Nations as of this year, is to remind the world about the true nature of yoga as a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science 4 which focuses on bringing harmony be| INTERNATIONAL GERMANY 2012 tween mind and body. Contrary to the sad commer-

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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA

• How Serbia supported the declaration of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga?

- The esteemed Government of Serbia co-sponsored the Resolution in the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga and Honorable Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi addressed a warm letter of thanks to the Honorable Prime Minister of Serbia H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Vučić. The Government of Serbia, through its Ministry of Youth and Sports, have extended support for the joint celebration of the IDY in Serbia. Similar support has been received from the UN Office in Serbia. We have also received valuable support from various municipalities and grass-roots organizations all across Serbia.

• What kind of programme is the Indian Embassy preparing for this occasion in June?

- Yoga, Ayurveda & Homeopathy are recognised in Serbian law. Local wisdom dictates that we cel-

ebrate IDY in a wholesome manner by organising workshops in all these three disciplines, which we are coordinating with the Serbian Ministry of Health. With the help of Indian Yoga experts, a Yoga Protocol has been drawn up listing the set of recommended exercises that will be performed all over the world. Training camps will begin from 21st May. The common Yoga Protocol has been circulated to all Yoga Schools, local authorities and Schools and Colleges so that training can begin for the finale on 21st June at 7am all over Serbia. For further details please see our facebook https://www.facebook. com/IndiaInSerbia. An Indian yoga instructor will do road shows in Serbia from June 15-22 to provide training and guidance.

• How would you celebrate IDY in India?

- The new Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is the Nodal Agency responsible for coordinating various activities in celebration of International Yoga Day. On 10th April 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the www.idayofyoga.org website at UNESCO. A logo for the International Day for Yoga was launched by our Minister for External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, on 29th April, which reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of yoga. The Government has decided to conduct a one-month Yoga Camp in India to celebrate ‘International Day of Yoga’ from 21st May to 21st June 2015, in order to raise awareness and promote the health benefits of Yoga.

• How Yoga is observed in the Indian tradition and culture, and which schools are the most important?

- According to Indian traditions, Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. According to Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. According to modern scientists, one who experiences the oneness of existence is said to be ‘in Yoga’ and is termed as a yogi, who has attained a state of freedom, referred to as mukti, nirvana or moksha.

“Yoga” also refers to an inner science comprising a variety of methods through which human beings can achieve union between the body and mind to attain self-realisation. Yoga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga, where

we utilise the body; Jnana Yoga, where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga, where we utilise the emotion, and Kriya Yoga, where we utilise energy. The different philosophies, traditions, lineages and guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga led to the emergence of different traditional schools. These include Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Patanjala Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Dhyana Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Bouddha Yoga etc. The widely practiced Yoga sadhanas are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi, Bandhas and Mudras, Shatkarmas, Yuktahara, Mantra-japa, Yukta-karma etc.

• What is India doing to maintain ownership of Yoga?

- Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. Once you give something as a gift, you don’t ask for it to be returned to you. Sadly, the commoditisation of yoga and yogic therapies, as well as inaccurate teachings by some improperly trained instructors, has resulted in exploitation of Yoga for commercial purposes. To properly reclaim its spiritual inheritance and restore Yoga to its original form, the Indian government has created a separate Ministry for Yoga which will collaborate with the Ministry of Human Resources and Development to promote institutional tie-ups at the international level to further encourage the study and practice of yoga in foreign universities. The practice of yoga will be encouraged in Indian schools to ensure the physical and mental well-being of young Indians, which will let Indians lead by example.

And, moreover, Yoga is under the ownership of every individual who deals with it, though there are observers who think the true nature of Yoga could be lost in this way. The true nature of Yoga is that it is a living system whose most important feature is the development of diversity. To understand this, let us look at what is happening in this sense in Serbia.

Here, four schools of Yoga are present: Hatha Yoga, Vinnyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Pilates Yoga. Even if we take the case of Hatha Yoga only, which is the most famous in Serbia, as far as I know, you have eleven of its modifications: Satyananda Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Maharishi Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Yoga in Daily Life, Art of Living, Iyengar Yoga, Yoga Yogananda, Shadow Yoga…

SHRIPAD NAIK

Indian Minister for Yoga and Traditional Medicine

TO PROPERLY RECLAIM ITS SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE AND RESTORE YOGA TO ITS ORIGINAL FORM, THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT HAS CREATED A SEPARATE MINISTRY FOR YOGA

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YOGA IS VERY POPULAR IN SERBIA, THUS THERE ARE PLANS TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA IN A GRAND WAY ACROSS SERBIA, PREPARATIONS FOR WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEGUN

• Some say that India needs to make its own brand from Yoga, to emphasise its roots, to introduce codification, standardisation, to make an educational system and build a scientific background behind it. What is your stance?

- The Indian government has established an independent Ministry for Yoga-related affairs to guide its study in the right direction. Experts say that when we talk about the scientific foundation of Yoga it is advisable to keep in mind that codification and standardisation result from what may be called the science of sensory experience.

But, apart from sensory experience, there is also the aspect of mental and spiritual experience. Given that Yoga leads to the unification of individual consciousness with Universal Consciousness, it could be examined primarily from the standpoint of the science of spiritual experience. And this standpoint does not lead to the establishment of a brand primarily because, compared to the logic of “branding”, it is translogical. And since the standpoint on spiritual science is non-dual, or holistic, it does not lead to the idea of a brand owner and his customers, nor to the codification and standardisation of their activities and relationships.

• Is the marketing approach against or in favour of the true spirit of Yoga?

- Over the years, Yoga has gained admiration and captured peoples’ imagination across the world, and thus has become a source of India’s soft power. The overwhelming number of yoga schools in America and Europe, and many parts of Asia, are a testimony to the popularity of India’s rich cultural traditions. Yoga is also part of the curriculum at some educational institutions in Europe and America. Yoga has long been popular with celebrities as well. The true spirit of Yoga is in its universality and for this very reason Yoga has the ability to develop in various civilisational frames. And, certainly, the commercialisation that you mention has nothing to do with Yoga, but rather with modern civilisation.

Overall, I feel that Yoga is becoming a significant cultural export from India. Yoga is an Indian gift to the world – a key to living longer, better and happier.

Let humanity celebrate this.

• How do you rate bilateral relations between India and Serbia?

- Bilateral relations continue to be exceptional. The

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joint heritage of the Non-Aligned Movement is an abiding bond. After India’s independence from colonial rule in 1947, Serbia played a significant role in India’s nation building, including in the areas of politics, defence, bio-medicine and agriculture. It is agreed by the Serbian leadership that the relations are at the level of “mutual respect, trust and sincere political friendship”.

• What are the most important bonds that Serbia and India have managed to build in spite of different cultural and historical mindsets?

- Indian-Serbian relations are developing in a multisectoral manner. We continue to support each other on issues of core interest. Indian has consistently supported Serbia by opposing the Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Kosovo. Serbia has consistently supported India’s international role.

Indian culture, including Yoga, is very popular in Serbia. Several Indian TV shows are also broadcast on Serbian TV channels. Indian agri-machinery, such as TAFE, Mahindra & Sonalika, have a fine reputation here. Indian pharma products, such as Himalaya Herbals, are very popular. Indian industry, such as RITES Ltd. and Tata Power, have visited Serbia for business collaboration. Several Serbian companies have participated in sector-focused trade fairs, such as Aero India, Defexpo, Home Expo, India Engineering Sourcing Show, India International Handwoven Fair, Gurjari etc. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is holding the 2nd India-Central Europe Business Forum (ICEBF)’ from 5th - 6th October 2015 in Bengaluru (India). The areas in focus will be IT & ITES; Services; Urban Infrastructure; Clean & Green Technologies; Life Sciences; Pharmaceuticals; Environmental technologies; R&D; Agri & Food Processing; Auto & Auto Components; and Tourism, among others.

Business leaders, CEOs, key policymakers, senior representative of investment promotion agencies, chambers of commerce and Industry, sector-based organisations, state and regional government representatives, think-tanks, cultural creatives etc. have been invited. We look forward to robust participation by Serbian companies and PSUs. Both countries are also looking to broaden the air services agreement to promote tourism. Bollywood is looking seriously at Serbia as a low cost shooting and production base. Shooting for the first IndianSerbian co-production, the film ‘Dev Bhoomi’, has begun in the hilly Indian state of Uttarakhand. We welcome the Government of Serbia’s decision to liberalise visas for Indians, which will further encourage business and tourism. ■

International Day of Yoga A

ddressing the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September 2014, the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga.

On 11th December that same year, the 193-member UNGA approved the proposal by consensus with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring a resolution to establish 21st June as “International Day of Yoga”. In its resolution, the UNGA recognised that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing Yoga for the health of the world population. Yoga also brings harmony in all walks of life and, thus, is known for disease prevention, health promotion and management of many lifestyle-related disorders.

Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. The word “Yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning “to join”, “to yoke” or “to unite”. According to Yogic scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to

the union of individual consciousness with universal consciousness. The aim of Yoga practice (sādhana) is to overcome all suffering, thereby leading to a sense of freedom in every walk of life, with holistic health, happiness and harmony.

The science of Yoga has origins dating back thousands of years ago. According to Yogic lore, Shiva was seen as the first yogi or ādiyogi and the first guru or ādiguru. Several thousand years ago, on the banks of lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, ādiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary saptarishis or “seven sages”. These sages carried this powerful Yogic science to different parts of the world. Agastya, the saptarishi who travelled across the Indian subcontinent, crafted this culture around a core Yogic way of life. Yoga is widely considered as an “immortal cultural outcome” of the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilisation – dating back to 2700 BC – and has proven itself to cater to both material and spiritual uplift of humanity. Yoga has spread all over the world via the teachings of eminent Yoga masters from ancient times to present day. ■

SHRI NARENDRA MODI Prime Minister of India

"Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. Yoga is not about exercise, but rather discovery of the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day," said the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, speaking at the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September 2014.

These articles are taken from Common Yoga Protocol, by the Government of India

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ABOUT

The Fundamentals of Yoga "All ancient commentaries on Yoga have stressed that it is essential to work under the direction of a guru"

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oga works on the level of one’s body, mind, emotion and energy. This has given rise to four broad classifications of Yoga: Karma Yoga where we utilise the body; Jnāna Yoga where we utilise the mind; Bhakti Yoga where we utilise the emotion and Kriya Yoga where we utilise the energy. Each system of Yoga we practice falls within the gamut of one or more of these categories. Every individual is a unique combination of these four factors. Only a guru (teacher) can advocate the appropriate combination of the four fundamental paths as is necessary for each seeker.

TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS OF YOGA The different philosophies, traditions, li neages and guru-shishya paramparas of Yoga led to the emergence of different traditional schools. These include Jnāna Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Pātanjala

Yoga, Kunḍ ạ lini Yoga, Haṭha Yoga, Dhyāna Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Rāja Yoga, Jain Yoga, Bouddha Yoga etc. Each school has its own approach and practices that lead to the ultimate aim and objectives of Yoga.

General Guidelines for Yoga Practice BEFORE THE PRACTICE A Yoga practitioner should follow the guiding principles given below while performing Yogic practices: • Śauca means cleanliness. It includes cleanliness of surroundings, body and mind.

• Yogic practice should be performed in a calm and quiet atmosphere with a relaxed body and mind.

• Yogic practice should be

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done on an empty stomach or light stomach. Consume small amount of honey in lukewarm water if you feel weak.

• Bladder and bowels should be empty before starting • A mattress, Yoga mat, durrie or folded blanket should be used for the practice.

• Light and comfortable cotton clothes are preferred to facilitate easy move-

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ment of the body.

• Yoga should not be performed in state of exhaustion, illness, in a hurry or in acute stress conditions.

• In case of chronic disease/ pain/ cardiac problems, a physician or a Yoga therapist should be consulted.

• Yoga experts should be consulted before doing Yogic practices during pregnancy and menstruation.

DURING THE PRACTICE • Practice sessions should start with a prayer or invocation as it creates a conducive environment to

relax the mind.

• Yogic practices shall be performed slowly, in a relaxed manner, with awareness of the body and breath.

YOGIC PRACTICES FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS The widely practiced Yoga sadhanas are: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānāyāma, Pratyāhara, Dhārana, Dhyāna, Samādhi, Bandhas and Mudras, Shatkarmas, Yuktāhāra, Mantra-japa, Yukta-karma etc.

Yamas are restraints and Niyamas are observances.

These are considered to be prerequisites for further Yogic practices. Āsanas, capable of bringing about stability of body and mind, “kuryat-tad- asanamsthairyam”, involve adopting various psycho-physical body patterns and giving one an ability to maintain a body position (a stable awareness of one’s structural existence) for a considerable length of time.

Prānāyāma consists of developing awareness of one’s breathing followed by willful regulation of respiration as the functional or vital basis of one’s existence. It helps in developing awareness of one’s mind and helps to establish control over the mind.

In the initial stages, this is done by developing awareness of the “flow of in-breath and out-breath” (svāsa-prasvāsa) through nostrils, mouth and other body openings, its internal and external pathways and destinations. Later, this phenomenon is modified, through regulated, controlled and monitored inhalation (svāsa) leading to the awareness of the body space getting filled (puraka), the space(s) remaining in a filled state (kumbhaka) and it getting emptied (rechaka) during regulated, controlled and monitored exhalation (prasvāsa).

Prat yāhara indicates dissociation of one’s consciousness (withdrawal) from the sense organs

• Do not hold the breath unless it is specially mentioned to do so during the practice.

• Breathing should be always through the nostrils • Do not hold body tightly, or jerk the body at any point in time.

• Perform the practices according to your own capacity.

• It takes some time to get good results, so persistence and regular practice are essential.

• There are contra-indications/limitations for each

which connect with the external objects. Dhārana indicates broad based field of attention (inside the body and mind) which is usually understood as concentration. Dhyāna (meditation) is contemplation (focussed attention inside the body and mind) and Samādhi (integration).

Bandhas and Mudras are practices associated with Prānāyāma. They are viewed as the higher yogic practices that mainly adopt certain physical gestures along with control over respiration. This further facilitates control over mind and paves way for higher Yogic attainment. However, the practice of dhyāna, which moves one towards self-realisation and leads one to transcendence, is considered the essence of Yoga Sādhana. Śaṭkarmas are detoxification procedures that are clinical in nature and help to remove the toxins accumulated in the body. Yuktāhāra advocates appropriate food and food habits for healthy living. ■

Yoga practice and such contra-indications should always be kept in mind.

• Yoga sessions should end with meditation / deep silence / Śhānti paṭha.

and mind are flexible and well-prepared for practice.

A vegetarian diet is usually recommended, and for a person over 30 years, two meals a day should suffice

AFTER PRACTICE • A bath may be taken only 20-30 minutes after practice.

• Food may be consumed only 20-30 minutes after practice.

HOW YOGA CAN HELP Yoga is essentially a path to liberation from all bondage. However, medical research in recent years has uncovered many physical and mental benefits that Yoga offers. A small sampling of research shows that: • Yoga is beneficial for

FOOD FOR THOUGHT A few dietary guidelines can ensure that the body

physical fitness, musculoskeletal functioning and cardio-vascular health.

• It is beneficial in the management of diabetes, respiratory disorders, hypertension, hypotension • Yoga helps to reduce depression, fatigue, anxiety disorders and stress.

• Yoga regulates menopausal symptoms.

• Yoga is a process of creating a body and mind that are stepping-stones, not hurdles, to an exuberant and fulfilling life.

YOGA WORKS ON THE LEVEL OF ONE'S BODY, MIND, EMOTION AND ENERGY

YOGA CENTRES IN SERBIA Yoga Alliance, Serbia (www.jogaalijansasrbije.org)

Yoga Federation of Serbia (www.yogasavezsrbije.com)

Yoga in Daily Life (novisad@yogaindailylife.org)

Vidya Yoga (dragan@vidyayoga.net)

Bihar Yoga Club (yogabelgrade@gmail.com)

Bikram Yoga (studio@bikramyoga.rs)

Hipokrat Yoga Studio (info@hipokrat.co.rs)

HOMEOPATHY CENTRES IN SERBIA: Association for Classical Homeopathy “Hahnemann” (homeons@gmail.com)

Homeopathy Center Simillimum (simillimumbgd@gmail.com)

Association Imperial (Imperial.homeopatija@gmail.com)

Association for Classical Homeopathy “Boenninghausen” (Homeopatija.boenninghausen@gmail. com/ Generix.ph@gmail.com)

Homeopathy Centre, Jevremovac (irena@homeopata.rs/irenasto@ sbb.rs)

AYURVEDA CENTRES IN SERBIA: Serbian Association for Ayurveda “Meharishi College for Perfect Health” (ajurved@gmail.com)

Ayurvedia Association "LOTOS” (lotosajurveda@gmail.com)

Parts of these articles are taken from Common Yoga Protocol, by the Government of India

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HERITAGE

Literary Treasures of Indian Yoga While yoga traces its origins to the Vedas, numerous books have made it popular globally

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he credit for introducing and creating a special place for yoga in the hearts of global citizens goes to Swami Vivekananda who penned books on all four forms of yoga – karma yoga (yoga of action), jnana yoga (yoga of knowledge), raja yoga (yoga of meditation) and bhakti yoga (yoga of devotion).

Yoga traces its origin to the Vedas. Written in Sanskrit, the Vedas are among the oldest literature in the world. Over the years, numerous texts have been written, born out of the experience of yogis, practitioners of yoga.

Yoga Sutra It is to the credit of great sage Patanjali that an exclusive text for yoga came into existence. It is in sutra form of literature and hence popularly known as Yoga Sutra. Patanjali is believed to have walked the earth between 150 BCE and 450CE, and it is considered as the incarnation of the serpent lord Adishesha and held in high reverence. There are 195 sutras which have been divided into four sec-

Before yoga is taught the teacher should consider the time, surrounding,age, nature of employment, energy and strength of the person and his power of comprehension. The practice of yoga must be done by a learned person who has self control.

-Yoga Rahasya

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tions. Each section is called pada. In this text, yoga is defined as “the ability to direct the mind towards a chosen object and sustain the focus without any distractions.” The central message of Yoga Sutra: “Let us take steps to deal with the pain yet to come.”

It shows a way through yoga to live a healthy and happy life and to manage stress. It lists a number of tools for practice, the famous being the ‘light-limbed path of yoga’. The eight limbs are yama (external disciplines), niyama (internal disciplines), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), pratyahara (control of senses), dharaea (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (total integration).

Hatha Yoga Pradipika This text gives the teachings of Lord Shiva to Parvati on yoga. This tradition is called Hatha Yoga. In text form, it comprises verses in Sanskrit authored

by Yogi Svatmarama. There are in total 389 verses that have been divided into four chapters. Hatha yoga means ‘ joining of two forces called ha and tha’.

They are also known as prana and apana which flow in the two nadis called ida and pingala. It is through the practice of pranayama with the three bandhas that this union is achieved. The practitioner ultimately achieves the highest state of mind called samadhi. The practice for achieving this state includes asana, pranayama, mudhra and nadanusandana.

Praeayama without the three bandhas (jalandhara, uddeyana, and mula bandhas) is of no use if it is not practiced properly. It may give rise to disease.

-Yoga Rahasya

Yoga Yajnavalkya Saahita The teachings on yoga by great sage Yajnavalkya to his wife and disciple Gargi are recorded in this text. It has 462 verses divided into 12 chapters or adhyayas. According to this text, the union of jivatma (individual soul) with paramatma (universal consciousness) is yoga which is called samadhi. This is achieved through ashtanga yoga consisting of yama (external disciplines), niyama (internal disciplines), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), pratyahara (control of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (total integration). This text emphasises the importance of living a disciplined life according to the ancient scriptures apart from the practice of yoga to achieve desired results.

Yoga Rahasya Yoga Rahasya, The Secrets of Yoga is in as Sanskrit verses. Its teachings are attributed to Sage Nathamuni, a south Indian Vaishnavite saint. The text is believed to have been lost over time and revived by Yogi Tirumala Krishnamacharya (18881989), acclaimed as Father of Modern Day Yoga nationally and internationally. Born in Karnataka, he trekked the Himalayas to reach Kailash Manasarovar and learned under Yogi Ramamohana Brahmachari. His text has 267 verses called shlokas and is divided into four chapters – introduction, application, reflection and the parts and whole of man...

Prakaranaadhyaya: The first three verses are a prayer to the teachers of this lineage. The teachings start with the introduction of two types of yoga – bhakti yoga (path of devotion) and prapatti yoga (path of surrender). Bhakti yoga is the eightlimbed yoga, while prapatti yoga is six-limbed. The eight limbs of bhakti yoga are yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharaea, dhyana and samadhi. After mentioning the six limbs of surrender (prapatti), the author begins the work stating:

“Women are said to be specially qualified for the practice of yoga.” Diseases and ailments of the mind and body are of three kinds – adhyatmika, adhibautika and adhidaivika. The author gives an elaborate treatment of Pranayama and the use of breathing in asanas. Asanas are described with variations and shown to play a key role in pranayama.

Viniyogadhyaya: The viniyogadhyaya deals with yoga in the order of production, maintenance and destruction. Some asanas are to be done before one completes the 25th year. Restrictions on the type of food are also indicated. Treatment of physical ailments is dealt with. Breathing pattern is indicated to overcome certain ailments. Duration and nature of pranayama are also to be studied by the preceptor and taught to the student.

THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 389 VERSES THAT HAVE BEEN DIVIDED INTO FOUR CHAPTERS

Vimarshanaadhyaya: Vimarcanadhyaya deals with the need to be disciplined while undertaking yogic practices. The unsteady nature of the mind and body is attributed to wrong food habits and have to be corrected by meditating upon god and worshipping Him. The author describes the asanas and food which a pregnant woman should have according to her circumstances.

Pranayama is the only remedy for them to get rid of ailments.

Kaladhyaya: What makes a person treat certain matters as favourable or otherwise to him is discussed in Kaladhyaya. A detailed account is given about human behaviour which leads men astray. Man has to guard himself from pitfalls. ■

Victory to Nathamuni who composed Nyayatattva. Victory to the great Yogi who expounded the Yogarahasya. Victory to the Maharni who had the vision of the three tattvas (prakati, puruna and Ecvara). Victory to the chief among the munis who is the source of inspiration for all bhaktas.

During the practice of the asanas, one must regulate the inhalation, exhalation and retention of the breath. This depend on the student`s capacity. Slow breathing following the Ujjae technique must be taught.

Yoga karma is known to have three sections.

They are called shrishtikrama, sthitikrama and antakrama. The eight angas of yoga must always be applied according to this classification done by the learned.

-Yoga Rahasya

While practicing asanas, breathing should be under one`s control. The mind must follow the breath.

-Yoga Rahasya

This article is taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by S Sridharan

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EXPLORE

Hemis Festival During Hemis Festival, Ladakh comes alive with dances and colourful celebrations. The religious mask dance remains the centre of attraction

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ynonymous with peace, tranquility and meditation, Ladakh is known as the “land of high passes�. After a long dreary winter, summer is the time to rejuvenate with pomp and fervour. Here, rejuvenation is a celebration, a way of attaining supreme truth. The festivals are a perfect concoction of ancient customs, rich culture and celebration of life. One of the most famous festivals here is Hemis Festival celebrated in Hemis Monastery.

Situated 45km away from Leh, Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage, the largest and richest

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one in the region. Existed before the 11th century, the monastery was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. It is famous for its magnificent architecture and the Buddha statue positioned atop a mound overlooking the monastery.

Leh now sits in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Today, the town is still dominated by the former Leh Palace, built around the same time and in similar style to Potala Palace, and was once of the home of the royal family of Ladakh. The 28,000 residents of the the city are predominantly Buddhists and as such, Leh is the very much the heart and soul of Buddhist culture in the region.

The Hemis Festival is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche) venerated as the Dance Performance at Hemis Monastery representative reincarnate of Buddha. He is believed to have been born on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Year of the Monkey, as predicted by the Buddha Shakyamuni. It is also believed that his life mission was, and remains, to improve the spiritual condition of all living beings. And so on this day, which comes once in a cycle of 12 years, Hemis observes a major extravaganza in his memory. The observance of these sacred rituals is believed to give spiritual strength and good health. The Hemis festival takes place in the rectangular courtyard in front of the

main door of the monastery.

This two-day event celebrates the victory of good over evil and commemorates the birth anniversary of Buddhist guru Padmasamabhava who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Central Asia, China and the Himalayan region. Revered as the second Buddha, Guru Padmasambhava was invited to India in the 8th century to conquer dark forces and transform them into guardians and protectors of dharma. The festival is celebrated every year on the 10th lunar day of the Tibetan calendar. This year, it falls on 7th and 8th July.

The central courtyard of Hemis Monastery sets the stage: Drums, trumpets and wind instruments commence the celebrations with an early morning ceremony in which thousands of Buddhist followers take blessings from a portrait of Lord Padmasambhava. Uncooked rice, incense sticks, tomas (butter-and- dough dish) and holy water are the main ceremonial items. The chief monk of the monastery carries the holy water throughout the courtyard for purification. However, the key attraction is the religious masked dance performed by the lamas (monks) around the central flagpole in the courtyard. Known as Chhams, these dance dramas are performed wearing vibrant clothes and intimidating masks. Chhams are essentially a part of Tantric tradition, performed only in the gompas that follow the Tantric Vajrayana teachings and where the monks perform tantric worship.

Dressed in colourful bright brocades with vibrantly decorated and richly adorned paper-mache masks

(some extending over 1 metre in height) the masked dancers simulate combat between good spirits and evil demons to the cacophony of drums, cymbals and long horns.

The dance consists of two parts: the first pays homage to the eight aspects of Guru Padmasambhava. The second part shows Maha Dongcren, a horned masked figure, slaying demonic forces.

The eight manifestations of Padmasambhava belong to the tradition of the revealed treasures. It includes the depiction of union with consort, a fully ordained Buddhist monk, a young crowned prince, the Saviour who teaches dharma to people, the intelligent youth, a naked yogi pointing towards sun, fierce manifestation of Vajrakilaya and the Lion of Debate.

These religious dances are used to educate people about the impermanent nature of all phenomena and the victory of mind over ignorance and evil.

Blaring horns and hypnotic drums serve as perfect soundtracks for the dance with most movements consisting of measured steps and twirls. The stunning colours of whirling robes, antique masks and swaying movements create a visual treat. Witnessing the mask dances is believed to remove ignoranceand take one closer towards to attaining nirvana. The crowd unites in uproarious song and dance when the dough idol of evil is destroyed by the leader of black hat dancers signifying that good has prevailed.

“By watching these mask dances, ‘choreographed’ by celestial beings for enlightened masters, we should receive the blessings of being able to cut through aff lictive emotions and realise the nature of our own mind and wisdom,” says a monk from Hemis Monastery. ■

KNOWN AS CHHAMS, THESE DANCE DRAMAS ARE PERFORMED WEARING VIBRANT CLOTHING AND INTIMIDATING MASKS

Good to know: •Best time to visit: May-September •How to reach: take a flight to Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport, Leh., or a train to Jammu tawi, 300 km away. Or drive via the srinagar-Leh or manali-Leh highways •Where to Stay: The Leh Ladakh travel guide has suggestions to suit all budgets •Also to see: Hemis National Park, the largest in Southern Asia Parts of this article are taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by Supriya Agarwal

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WORLDWIDE

Brand Yoga

With its roots in Indian mythology and scriptures, yoga is incorporated into the lives of every race and society of the modern world

Y

oga, an ancient discipline, has become popular worldwide. The marketing of yoga and dispute over its origins have led to debate as to whether yoga should be branded at all. Some yoga instructors have gone so far as to copyright their varieties of yoga; others in the yoga community say it is a religious and/or spiritual practice and as such should not be claimed as intellectual property. Is everything brandable—and should everything be brandable?

Yoga has immense potential for leading the global wellness and health industry. It also has the capability to employ thousands to achieve a more peaceful world. Yoga is practised across the world today. Literature on yoga is available in every language and forms an integral part of the global health and wellness industry.

Little wonder the worldwide business of yoga is, at present, valued at $27 billion worldwide and can be divided into

THE WORLDWIDE BUSINESS OF YOGA IS, AT PRESENT, VALUED AT $27 BILLION WORLDWIDE AND CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THE THREE Ps OF YOGA three Ps of yoga: Practice, Publishing and Products. Practice being the core driver, Publishing the knowledge driver. All three are interdependent and necessary to form a strong yoga environment. Good examples for each would be Bikram Yoga with over 5,000 yoga studios around the world for Practice. In a

world where the majority of yoga teachers were just scraping by Bikram succeeded through strategic use of branding and legal protections. Bikram also gained an edge by understanding yoga’s commercial potential.

Yoga Journal, a U.S.-based magazine since 1975 that boasts of a readership of 1.3 million for Publishing and Lulu Lemon, a yoga apparel store chain with revenues of over $1.3 billion for Products.

With branded styles of yoga teaching, branded yoga clothing, branded training programs, branded certificates, and branded instructors, present trends suggest that yoga and marketing go hand-in-hand. To develop a strong yoga brand, you need the right environment, one that protects the business of yoga. The core of yoga is non-propriety with its origin thousands of years ago but intellectual property protection is a must for modern-day Brand Yoga. One reason yoga has developed a world footprint is its ability to change with time, region and society.

Yoga is also flexible, not only in the asanas but in the environment. The present-day business environment demands innovation, research and productisation in yoga be protected under its copyright laws. Only then will the laws of business bear fruit to Brand Yoga. Brand Yoga is a gift the world has only previewed. It has immense potential for leading wellness and health industry, to employ thousands to achieve a more content world. But beware of the utopic dream that yoga is to be only practiced as it was in the past and any change would dilute it. Yoga has evolved and that evolution has created its mass following.

Any rigidity would stunt its growth. Let’s embrace the current brand and business environment to create Brand Yoga in the 21st century. ■ Part of this article is taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by Birad Rajaram Yajnik

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HEALTH

Ayurveda Health & Balance One of the oldest yet most evolving sciences of good living, Ayurveda is witnessing a phoenix-like resurrection

F

or centuries, this was the aphorism that civilisations lived happily with, till the invention of “medicine” that is. The rise of medicine as a separate stream cut a big wedge through the predominantly food-based health system. Suddenly, food and medicine became two different identities. Resources were bifurcated. Medicines could not be AGNIVESA PRESENTS A consumed as food while food DETAILED ACCOUNT OF HOW meant materials with weak potency but edible.

AYURVEDA VIEWED FOOD AND India, however, remained an WAS ABLE TO CATEGORISE IT TO exception to this rule where food and medicine remained SUIT INDIVIDUALS one and were often fused to enhance the digestion and absorption ability of human body and its longevity.

Based on the concept of balancing its three doshas (elements) - vata, pitta and kapha - ayurveda was, at the time, the basis on which food habits and culture

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of society revolved. Food then was not about sustenance but maintaining the equilibrium of body’s energetic constitution. The eating habits then were different from modern views of balanced diet which exhorts all to eat the same basic food groups (meat, dairy, fruit, grains and vegetables) and achieve the same “standard* levels of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients in the body.

Ayurveda, which shunned this approach by calling it “insufficiently individualised”, on the other hand determined an individual’s diet on what balances the body’s three doshas. Interestingly, it is the same approach that this ancient science follows while presenting a food plan or combating an illness today.

For instance, ayurveda, unlike conventional medicine to treat stomach ache, will determine the cause and then frame a food composition that will help eliminate the problem while strengthening the system. While this method lacks ‘instant gratification’ of conventional medicine, it is an effective treatment against most ailments. Agnivesha, that dates ayurveda presence in India to as early as 100 BC, presents a detailed account of how ayurveda viewed food and was able to categorise it to suit an individual bio-system. In fact, the book mentions the use of spices like pepper, ginger root, clove and flowers in treating certain ailments.

A second book written in 200 BC, Charaka mentions the existence of techniques like parboiling, grilling, curdling and sauteing that were used to make food tasty while retaining their nutrients.

Food like curd, paneer and dal (pulses) existed in Indian diet as early as 200 BC. Millets were a known ingredient then and were often used in detox diets like kitchen (originally khichdi- cooked rice and pulse).

Vegetable oil and dairy fat such as ghee from cow’s milk were not seen as fat but effective nutrients to help build immunity. Ghee was essential for cooling the body that assimilated good properties of food it was mixed with and added them to its own. without losing its own properties. This was why most ayurvedic text used ghee as the cooking/ blending medium.

Chyavanprash is one of the finest examples of ayurvedic health system and how it used the combination of different herbs, plants, roots and food to enhance health. Food pairing was done on five principles of wellbeing - taste (rasa), property {guna), potency (veerya), metabolic effect (vipaaka) and special potency (prabhaava). This was important as any lesser combination could harm the sys-

tem of the body, which even now, is considered a network of tissues. This was the reason ayurveda advises cooked food be consumed within an hour of its preparation and believes stale food as tamsik aahar which causes maximum damage to the body.

Ayurveda worked on the principle of wholesomeness which evaluates each food on the basis of its own taste (rasa), a heating FOOD PAIRING WAS DONE ON or cooling energy (veerya) FIVE PRINCIPLES OF WELLBEING and post-digestive effect TASTE (RASA), PROPERTY {GUNA), {vipaka). And thus was able to bring a list of good or bad POTENCY (VEERYA), METABOLIC combination that affected EFFECT (VIPAAKA) AND SPECIAL the body. The science of different food enzymes that POTENCY (PRABHAAVA) required their own digestive enzyme was well-known back then. It was known, for instance, that eating bananas with milk can diminish agni (fire), change the intestinal flora producing toxins and may cause sinus congestion, cold, cough and allergies. A fact that conventional medicine discovered only a few decades ago. ■

Science of taste • According to Ayurveda, the body taste system helps determine foods that are good or bad for it.

• Sweet taste gives strength to tissue elements, is good fee nourishment and harmonises the mind.

• Sweet tasting products are not only those which taste sugary but include rice, ghee and fruits. Sweet food is heavy on digestion.

• Sour taste stimulates digestive fires and enzymes and sourtasting food for example, lime and tamarind are easy on digestion and good for heart. Vinegar and citric acid are not a part of this list.

• Salty taste stimulates digeston, clears obstruction in the channels of the body, causes sweating and increases the power ot digestion but lends to deplete reproductive secretions An excess of salt causes graying and winkling.

• Pungent tastes, as in onion, pepper and garlic. help digestion, improve metabolism and dilate channels in the body. Foods with bitter taste eliminate bacterial elements, purify the blood and are light on digestion.

• Substances which have a predominance of astringent taste such as potatoes. apples, betelnut leaves, most green vegetables and food containing tannin like tea. possess properties to heal ulcers and wounds They dry up moisture and fat in the body and act as water absorbents.

This article is taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by by Madhulika Dash

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WORLDWIDE

Puppet Theatre Festival Believed to be more than a thousand years old, references to puppet shows can be found in Rajasthani folk tales and ballads

I

The “Katkatha” Puppet Group from India performed at the 22nd International Festival of Children’s Theatres in Subotica on 19th May, 2015. Their performance ‘About Ram’ was awarded the “Group Award for the Best Puppet Animation” and “Award for best Director and Preservation of Tradition”. The Group also gave performances in Kanjiza, Novi Sad, Zvezdara and New Belgrade.

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ndia’s rich history of puppetry goes back over 3,000 years. In 2nd century, Tamil poet Tiruvalluvar mentioned “marionettes moved by strings” in his compositions.

In Bhagavad Gita (religious Hindu text), God has been likened to a puppeteer with three strings - sattva, raias and tamas. The main character in ancient Indian Sanskrit plays was called sutradhaar (holder of strings). Over the years, the trend has found way to towns, cities and metros. Just that the tales of royalty have been replaced by socially and morally relevant messages.

In April 2015 India celebrated the 13th edition of Ishara International Puppet Theatre Festival with participation by almost a hundred international groups. “This festival possibly was one of the thrusting forces to invite traditional and modern puppetry on a common platform, building a conscious change of atmosphere towards the art form, especially in a country which many think is the birthplace of puppet theatre. Through the years, audiences have been exposed to various artistes, directors and ways unimaginable, breaking stereotypes in traditional and modern puppet theatre,“ said Dadi Pudumjee, founder of The Ishara Puppet Theatre Trust.

India’s traditional puppet theatre stands out because, being both visual and language oriented, it has audiences in the regions it belongs to. A heartening development is the new generation of puppeteers. “Younger puppeteers are questioning techniques and traditions. They are creating and looking for new repertory, techniques, materials. The art is constantly evolving,’’ he said.

ACROSS STATES Rajasthan Puppets are called kathputli, kath meaning wood and putli meaning doll. Shrill voices are produced by lead puppeteer by blowing into a bamboo reed. Social issues like dowry, illiteracy, poverty and unemployment are portrayed.

Andhra Pradesh Shadow puppets called tholu bommalata (tholu means leather and bommalata means puppet dance), made out of goat skin, stand tall at 5-6 ft. Goat skin undergoes special treatment to make puppets translucent and coloured using vegetable dyes. Joints at shoulders, elbows, knees, waist, neck and ankles allow for ample movement.

Kerala Thai pavakuthu as it is called here is performed in temples with Kamba Ramayana traditionally enacted. The performance starts at night and continues till daybreak for up to 21 days. Around 160 leather puppets, 3 ft high, are manipulated from behind a cotton cloth screen on a 42 ft stage. Twenty one oil lamps made of coconut halves, placed equidistant on a wooden beam behind the screen, make shadows fall on screen. Pava-kuthu (glove puppetry) is practiced in evenings in Palghat district, presenting episodes from Mahabharata.

Know puppets Tamil Nadru String puppets, called bommalattam are among the largest and haviest in India. Shows are performed in temples during festivals, and last 10 days. Strings are tied onto an iron ring which is worn on a puppeteer`s head. Some puppets have jointed limbs manipulated with rods. They present scenes from epics and humourous stories.

Maharashtra In kalasutri bahulya small string puppets without legs are used to marrate episodes from Ramayana through folk tunes. Maharashtra`s shadow puppets chamadyache bahulya are coloured with vegetable dyes. They have no jointed limbs and are manipulated using a single rod at the centre.

Odisha Leather cutouts are used in ravanachhaya to depict episodes from Ramayana. Moving this puppets requires a lot of skill as there are no joints. Earthen lamps cast light on the screen to create shadows. In kundhei nach glove puppets are made of three wooden pieces – head and two hands with holes for fingers. A long flowing costume hides the joints and the puppeteer`s hand. He plays the dholak with the other hand and narrates a story.

Shadow A tightly stretched white cloth with a light behind acts as screen for flat puppets. Traditionally these puppets were made of animal skin with a bamboo or cane stick attached vertically to enable manipulation

Rod One main rod, hidden inside the costume, supports the puppet`s body.

Smaller rods are connected to the hands and manipulated for action

Glove These are worn on the hand and manipulated with fingers to make the puppet`s heads and arms move.

String They`re made of wood, or wire, or cloth stuffed with cotton, rags or sawdust. Strings are attached to the body and limbs of these puppets and pulled to create actions.

Parts of this article are taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by Netharika Mathur Sinha

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REVIEW

by Dušan Pajin Ph.D.

Cultivation of Attention Concentration A

large number of researchers and educators around the world, dating back to the ‘70s, have established that one of the most common problems among primary schools pupils are - short attention spans, poor coordination and hyperactivity. When watching television a general spiritual attitude of the contemporary man is manifested - that there may be a better program on some other ’’channel’’, but also the inability to hold one’s attention on one programme. Psychologists in different ways point to changes in the general attitude, and cultivation of attention. It is therefore interesting to see how the importance of concentration is observed and emphasised in the Indian tradition, as in a variety of skills including yoga.

CONCENTRATION IN ARC SHOOTING In the first Mahabharata book there is an interesting description of concentration needed for arc shooting. Namely, Dronacharya was tasked to train princes in different martial arts, and in use of various weapons. He set up a wooden bird in a tree with a colored eye and placed the shooters at certain distance. Yudhisthira was called to shoot first. When he drew his bowstring, Dronacharya asked him ’’What do you see’.

Yudhisthira answered: ’’I see the wooden bird, the fruits on the tree and other birds’’. Dronacharya told him to put down his bow and called the next boy forward and asked him the same question. He gave a similar answer, naming everything he could see. Once again, the the boy was told to put away his bow. This same pattern continued with every boy that followed. And finally it was Arjuna’s turn. Dronacharya asked him the same question, and he said: ’’I can see only the eye of the bird and nothing else“. Pleased, Dronacharya said to him: “Then shoot!” and Arjuna shot the bird straight into the eye. Dronacharya turned to the other princes and said: ’’When you aim for

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Man's attention and memory are scattered, related to a generalised appetite for stimulations, which keep alternating, holding him in a state of permanent promise, of permanent sensory strong desire something, you must look at nothing else but the target.

Only concentration can help you strike the target. All of you could see the other things like the trees, the fruits, because you were not concentrating on the task given to you. It was only Arjuna who was really concentrating. So now all of you know why Arjuna is the best student!”

CONCENTRATION (DHARANA) IN YOGA An important component of yoga practice is to concentrate on a single object, whether this is a physical object, or a thought. This is called ekagrata (“on a single point”) and is achieved by adding the scattered attention, which is usually focused on a few items at the same time. The result is suspension of dispersed attention and mental automatisms that make up the current, ordinary consciousness. In Patanjali yoga, the sixth yoga component is dharana (concentration). The practice of ekagrata tends to control the two generators of mental flow: sense activity (indriya) and the activity of the subconscious (samskara), to influence the functioning of these two sources of mental ‘whirlwinds’ (cittavritti).

Vritti means whirlwinds, swirling, and Patanjali points out five fluctuations of the mind (or five vrittis): cognition (pramana), misconception (viparjaja), imagination (vikalpa), sleep (nidra) and memory (smrti).

Asanas, breathing exercises and concentration are there to – at least during a particular exercicse - abolish the man’s coditionality. Motionless, with a steady breath and look and attention pinned down only to a single point, the yogin becomes autonomous. According to one of the divisions of members, or phases (anga) of yoga, concentration (dharana) is associated with the last two phases (meditation and samadhi) into a trinity (samyama), consisting of: concentration (dharana), meditation (dhjana) and samadhi. ■

by Vuk Stambolović Ph.D.

Health and the Principle of Oneness According to the Principle of Oneness, characteristic of ancient Indian philosophy, Serbia and India are already One, as factors of Comprehensive Oneness permeated by their particularities

T

oday and here, however, we take the Principle of Oneness into consideration only in the domain of our profound inner context, which we can call consciousness.

Typically, nevertheless, we function, and that means we think, feel and act, mainly in the domain of matter. And this is the domain that emphasises separateness and division.

Hence, Oneness, which already exists, we are yet to create and then, by creating it, acknowledge its long existence.

Creating Oneness, of course, is not easy. The domain of the matter is the domain of the senses and, as such, it constantly occupies us with various physical attractions. Hence we most often leave the domain of consciousness aside.

Though that doesn’t mean the story on Oneness ends there.

Namely, at our disposal is also something that has always moved us towards the very Oneness. That ‘’something’’ is our epimeletic impulse, our profound inner aspiration, which, as an instinct, is common among all other mammals, and man manifests it with the desire to overcome the Ego limitations and support the close ones, especially those who have for some reason lost hope.

In different cultures the epimeletic impulse was made operational in various ways. The key to this was the operationalisation, which was manifested in the form of specific health practices. In our folk culture, this practice was mainly expressed through the use of herbal plants. In India it led to the development of two mutually connected and very diverse systems – Yoga and Ayurveda. Surely, by means of epimeletic impulses, and through deep insights, healing practices were developed, acting in the sense of establishing Oneness. And that means supporting us to face weakness and suffering by overcoming a series of divisions:

firstly, various divisions within ourselves, divisions in relation to other people, and then in relation to Nature, as well as in relation to Universal Consciousness. Here and now, however, we almost forgot that our herbal plants support us in reaching Oneness. It is therefore, most often used as if using some syrup or tablets.

For Yoga and Ayurveda, however, the path to Oneness is the foundation of health. In therapeutic practice all stakeholders in the healing process are devoted to that path, ther- THE CONSEQUENT apists who are actually health instructors, as well as those AFFORDABILITY OF YOGA who approached them due to AND AYURVEDA WOULD various forms of pain. Because ALSO BE BENEFICIAL FOR of their direct focus on establishing Oneness, applying Yoga THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM and Ayurveda in our circumstances would be very beneficial. First of all, owing to the effectiveness of Yoga and Ayurveda, the ill, as well as their close ones, would feel the benefits.

The consequent affordability of Yoga and Ayurveda would also be beneficial for the healthcare system, and the state alike. Applying Yoga and Ayurveda for the purpose of health improvement would be beneficial for education and economy. And not the least, applying Yoga and Ayurveda would prompt us to have a different view about the most beautiful gift stemming from the epimeletic impulse of our ancestors – our herbal plants, as well as other practices of our folk medicine. And then, through joint Yoga and Ayurveda practice, and our herbal plants as well, we can turn to the Principle of Oneness to a greater extent. ■

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REVIEW

over the world are well aware of this. They are always hungry to learn more about Indian rhythms and keen to apply them in their own core rhythm instruments. For example, the complex rhythmic calculations used in instruments like mridangam and tabla are fascinating, and many drummers and percussionists do a complete study of Indian rhythm and apply it. Looking at the origin of Indian music and its connection to the spiritual energy, the chants and mantras in Sanskrit have found an exotic slot in Western music. Whenever they want to communicate feelings of peace or tranquility, Indian chants and shlokas are used as an important tool, they take you into a deep meditative world. India has a huge musical gold mine called lok sangeet or folk music.

These earthy rustic voices and untrained musicians truly have become hot properties to collaborate with Western musicians

Indian Music Inspiring Indian music has created a storm in the Western music world

I

ndia is blessed with two forms of classical music - the Hindustani shastriya sangeet {traditional music) from the north and the Carnatic sangeet from the south. Even though it is a monophonic (simple melody, without accompanying harmony) form of music, with its intricate inflexions, shrutis and complex rhythmic patterns, Indian music has created a storm in the Western music world.

Ragas for instance. There are a range of 72 full-scale ragas out of which thousands of derivative ragas can be formed. Indian music has an endless number of scales to offer, each with a different mood and emotion. When such a database of scales is available for the Western world, suddenly their horizon expands, the possibilities are more and the creative senses experience a new canvas to paint on as opposed to the normal major or minor pentatonic or the dorian or lydian scales that they use. The most important and interesting thing about Indian music is the rhythm. Musicians all

A three-member Indian classical music group gave a performance of “Rudra Veena” at the Kolarac Foundation in Belgrade on 21st April 2015.

JOURNEY TO THE WEST Indan music “Hindustani” was performed in the U.S. as early as the 1930 by musician Uday Shankar’s dance troupe. Based on Indian Ragas Raqa rock emerged In the West, its advent often traced in the 1955 release, “See my friends” by The Kinks in UK. The Paul Butterfly Blues Band elevated the concept of Indian influenced rock music with a 13-minute instrumental “East West”.

SONGS WITH INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC INFLUENCE -Norwegian Wood, Love You To. Within You Without You, The Inner Light and Tomorrow Never Knows by The Beatles -Paint It, Black and Gomper by The Rolling Stones -Black Mountain Side and White Summer by Led Zeppelin -Behind The Sun by The Red hot Chili Peppers -Setting Sun by The Chemical Brothers -Who Feels Love, 2000 by Oasis -Taste of India by Aerosmith -Knees of My Bees. Eight Easy Steps and Citizen of the Planet

by Alanls Morissette -Whenever I May Roam by Metallica PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR: SYNONYM OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC IN THE WEST Sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar is almost single-handedly responsible for popularising Indian music in the West. His sitar became a natural acoustic ally of the electric guitar sounds of that era. George Harrison of The Beatles, took the crash course in sitar from him. Rock groups such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Greatful Dead and The Doors used his highly expressive melodies and improvisations In extended jam sessions. As Shankar build the audience through tours of Europe and the U.S., he become the first Indian musician to score for a Western film. ■ This article is taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by by Shankar Mahadevan

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“The Great Indian Yoga Masters” “The Great Indian Yoga Masters” is an expression of the ancient art of yoga and talks about its well-known practitioners

T

he success of yoga has been its acceptance across the world. This is due to its adaptability to any region or culture. If practiced every day with faith and patience, yoga can help us change. Although the inception of yoga may have deep roots in Hindu mythology and religion, it does not in any way propagate Hindu religion. It is almost an SOP or standard operating procedure for life. It is a way of life.

This and much more has been included in “The Great Indian Yoga Musters”: Tracing 2500 years of Yoga 500 BCE to 21st Century. Written by Biraid Rajaram Yajnik, the book is a tribute to the great yoga masters. Written in a simple lucid style with captivating photographs, it takes off from a chapter on the origin of yoga, goes on to talk about the gurus of olden times including Paramhansa Yogananda, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya to modern masters like K Pattabhi Jois, BKS Iyengar, TKV Desikachar, Bikram Choudhury and Master Kamal and ends with a chapter on its future.

The author has painstakingly compiled and photographed yogic postures across nine countries which he terms “fascinating”. “The one thing that stands out is the mammoth following of yoga across the world. Yoga has been adapted in various regions and is now a world-

wide phenomenon. It may have originated in India 2,500 years ago but today it is owned by the world,” pens the author in his preface.

What sage Patanjali, considered the father of yoga, wrote in his Yogasutras has been fully explained in the book, including the paths of yoga, bhakti, gyaan and rajayoga.

The author has explained everything such that anyone can comprehend the subject. There is also an in-depth analysis of the eight limbs or steps to yoga including yama (universal morality), niyama (personal obserWHAT SAGE PATANJALI, vances), asanas (body posCONSIDERED THE FATHER tures) right up till samadhi or union with the divine. The OF YOGA, WROTE IN HIS author also draws readers YOGASUTRAS HAS BEEN FULLY attention to the fact that despite the multi-billioin EXPLAINED IN THE BOOK, dollar sports industry built INCLUDING THE PATHS OF YOGA, around exercise gears, BHAKTI, GYAAN AND RAJAYOGA gyms, equipment, sports medicine and psychology, physiotherapy and more, yoga stands apart in exceptional simplicity. Remarkably non- reliant on modern technology, yoga continues to redress a lack in the modern world. ■

Parts of this article are taken from India Perspectives magazine, written by Seema Sondhi

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TECHNO TALK

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Gadgets for Summer 2015

FUN IN THE

SUN

Until around ten years ago, gadgets were viewed as toys intended primarily for children. However, these devices then started becoming increasingly sophisticated and useful – so much so that today everyone seemingly has at least one device that is always with them.

Whether you will spend this summer on the ocean, basking beside the sea, enjoying rivers, lakes and pools or high on a mountain, some of these gadgets will certainly grab your attention.

03 Floating Pool Speaker

diving 01 Hydra mask/camera

PRICE: €105.00

PRICE: €110.00 Liquid Image takes underwater photography to new depths with its Hydra 305 diving mask. The included camera not only provides a 120-degree view, but works to a depth of 40 metres, making it perfect for recording snorkel dives on shipwrecks or exploring underwater caves with scuba gear.

Xperia 04 Sony Z2 Waterproof Tablet PRICE: €450.00 Sony's Xperia Z2 tablet may look like just another cookie-cutter Android tablet, but it's pool- or beach-ready. It has an IP58 rating, meaning that it's both dust-resistant and waterproof, and can survive immersed in up to 1.5 metres of water. The tablet has a scratch-resistant 25cm HD display and comes with Android 4.4 (KitKat). Other features include a 2.3GHz Qualcomm quad-core processor and 3GB of RAM. Price: €450.00 for 16GB storage;v€540.00 for 32GB storage.

02 Personal UV Monitor PRICE: €25.00 Too much sun could lead to serious skin disease. Oregon Scientific's EB612 personal UV monitor has a tiny solar sensor that keeps track of how much sun you've gotten. It offers a graphic display of the sun's current intensity and a count-down timer for how long you can safely stay in the sun based on your skin type.

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Pyle Audio's Aqua SunBlast floating waterproof Bluetooth speaker is buoyant enough to float and rugged enough for hours of water sports. In addition to being able to connect to a phone or tablet via Bluetooth, the sound system can play tunes from a micro SD card; or just tune in your favorite station on its built-in FM radio.

Rugged 05 Eton Rukus Xtreme PRICE: €180.00 Only the hardest of the hardcore hit the beach when it’s not even sunny, which means this solar-powered Bluetooth sound system is good for the vast majority of us. The solar panel can keep it running during the day and the battery will keep it alive once the sun goes down. Even more you can charge your phone from it via USB, so it’s not just a speaker; it’s like a battery bank for phone or tablet.

Sand Free 06 Cgear Multimat PRICE: €45.00 - €90.00 Developed using military technology, Cgear Sand Free is a layered mesh material that allows sand to fall through it, instead of resting on top.

For us civvies, that means we no longer have to suffer sand coating our towels or getting dangerously close to our food if we want to set it down.

Emergency 07 LightMate LED Flash Light PRICE: €27.00 This cool gadget has a ton of practical applications. It has a super-bright LED light that’s safe (plastic), long lasting and highly visible. The light has five different modes and contains portable power bank with a USB charging port and cable for emergency cell phone charging. It’s also waterproof and highly durable.

08 Prometheus' PowerPot 10 PRICE: €135.00 The PowerPot 10 is a thermoelectric generator, so it converts any heat source directly into power that charges your USB handheld device.

Heat the pot over a stove, campfire, wood stove, propane/butane heat source, home range, or even a hot spring! The PowerPot 10 is perfect for backpackers, hunters...

Ultratide 09 The Watch PRICE: €270.00 The Nixon Ultratide is a smart watch that's smartly designed. Nixon partnered with Surfline, the world's largest and most credible surf report agency, to deliver precise information on wave height, swell direction, tide, water temperature, air temperature, wind speed, and direction. In addition, it sends custom alerts notifying you of the best time and place surf.

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10 Air Dog PRICE: €1080.00 Claimed to be the world's most compact, easy to fly and lightweight drone the AirDog is capable of carrying a GoPro or similar camera and most interestingly it has a 'follow me' function, allowing it to track a mobile device with GPS switched on.

11

The WOO

PRICE: 200.00 If you are a fan of technology you will love this new gadget called WOO. This little device is the world’s first Kiteboarding Performance Tracker. It captures the data behind each of your session, every jump, the height and airtime, all of your moves are recorded, so you can analyze your sessions and challenge yourself and your friends. It’s waterproof, shockproof and corrosion resistant, an undestructible toy!

12 Beach Drinks PRICE: €27.00 Low tech can come in handy sometimes. These colorful drink holders hold their place in the sand — and you can color-code them so you don't end up drinking someone else's brew.

13 Mini-Air Conditioner PRICE: €72.00 New portable mini Air Conditioner, just in time for the hot summer season. Anyone that ever played sports or done exercises in the steaming outdoors, understands what a great help this small gadget can be. Also perfect for stuffy flights when you thirst for more cold air. Easy, user friendly and affordable.

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CycleFire 14 The Bar Plug Lights PRICE: €9.00 The CycleFire Bar Plug Lights are weather resistant lights that brighten up the bar caps of your handlebars with red LED lights. That way cars can see you from behind or sides depending on the style of handlebars. Night riders should make sure they are visible from behind before ditching another rear-facing solution.

Bowers 15 & Wilkins Zeppelin Air PRICE: €540.00 Zeppelin Air is the complete speaker dock, with a Lightning™ connector for compatibility with the latest generation of iPhones and iPods, and Apple’s AirPlay® wireless streaming technology built in, you can play it however and wherever you like.

Frogg Toggs 16 Chilly Pad Cooling Towel PRICE: €12.00 This cooling towel looks like a usual scarf, but thanks to special fabric it can remain damp during several hours.

The users note that it can actually save you at heat.

After drying out, the fabric becomes almost “wooden”, you only need to wet it again and it is ready to save you from heat.

Anker 17 Portable Solar Charger PRICE: €27.00 – €55 Whether you’re out enjoying the great outdoors and have no access to power or you’re simply chilling at the beach, you can enjoy the perk of having unlimited charging for your devices.

Simply spread out the solar panels and you’ll immediately be ready to power up your gadgets.

Hero Hot 19 Maverick Dog Cooker PRICE: 27.00 Now this is one hot dog! The Maverick Hero Hot Dog Cooker is a dog-shaped device that steams up to six hot dogs in 7 to 9 minutes.

Just power it up, lift the top half of the dog, and stick the hot dogs in. How do you know when the time is up? The device will actually bark! Strangely, this hot dog cooker doesn't resemble a short-legged dachshund at all!

Baltoro 18 Classic Backpack PRICE: €400.00 Claimed to be the world's most compact, easy to fly and lightweight drone the AirDog is capable of carrying a GoPro or similar camera and most interestingly it has a 'follow me' function, allowing it to track a mobile device with GPS switched on.

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CHILL OUT

USA

WORLD

GONE WITH THE WIND COSTUME AUCTIONED FOR $137,000

Margherita pizza

▶ Because just using your teeth to ▶ The Margherita pizza was named after Margherita of Savoy, Queen consort of Italy from 1878-1900, during the reign of King Umberto I.

▶ An outfit worn by Vivien Leigh

in Gone With the Wind has been sold for $137,000 at a U.S. auction. Heritage Auctions offered the grey jacket and skirt, featuring a black zigzag applique, plus other items from the Academy Awardwinning film at auction in Beverly Hills, California.

Dallas-based Heritage said more than 150 items from the movie, including costumes and props, were offered by James Tumblin.

He formerly was in charge of the hair and make-up department at Universal Studios.

Tumblin began collecting items associated with the MGM film in the 1960s. He paid $20 for the Scarlett O'Hara outfit after spotting it at a costume company.

USA

KENTUCKY DERBY FASHION ▶ The 2015 Kentucky Derby, one of the world’s biggest horse race events, was run this year at the beginning of May in front of record setting 170,513 fans at Churchill Downs The 2015 race also set a record for money wagered with $137.9 million bet from all sources on the Derby and $194.3 million for the entire day of racing.

But the Kentucky Derby was also a great chance for every female to present her outfit which is not solely a product of modern times; From the 1990s to today, the dress at the Derby is slowing replacing the suit, especially with younger women. While gloves are out of fashion, a hat never is, and they tend to get wilder and more expensive every year.

The style of the infield today is defiantly relaxed, with women wearing cool sundresses, cotton skirts, or more frequently shorts.

MEXICO

CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL ▶ For most Americans, especially in cities with large Mexican-American populations, Cinco de Mayo means an excuse to drink tequila, eat Mexican food, and party hard, but turns out in Mexico, though, the holiday isn't nearly as big a cause for celebration.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates a relatively small battle.

The 5th May is the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, a battle which resulted in the unlikely victory of Mexico over France in 1862, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Because Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, the holiday is mainly celebrated in Puebla, and only in a few other places in the country. Peñón de los Baños in Mexico City for example, holds re-enactments of the battle, but the people who participate in the celebrations originally come from Puebla.

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3D PRINTED TEETH chew things is a missed opportunity, a dentist has begun fitting people with 3D-printed premolars with grooves that allow you to open bottle caps.

They offer a pain-free alternative to the 'just try and use your teeth' method, and must be the first example of a mouth-based kitchen utensil.

The first implants were carried out on rugby players who had lost teeth on the field, in an advert for beer company Salta.

"But we weren't going to give them a simple tooth back we developed a unique dental implant, a specially designed tooth to open beer," the ad says.

The operations were carried out by Dr Sebastian Juri, with the opener teeth shown to be fully operational at the end of the ad.

JAPAN

SHUNKI REITAISAI, NIKKO – THE FESTIVAL OF 1,000 SAMURAI WARRIORS ▶ The highlight of this Japanese festival is the procession called Hyakumono-Zoroe Sennin Gyoretsu of some 1,000 men dressed as samurai warriors on the 18th. Nikko Toshogu, which is registered as a World Heritage Site, is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616) who founded the Tokugawa Shogunate in Edo (Tokyo). This procession reproduces the scene of his grave being transferred from distant Shizuoka Prefecture to Nikko in accordance with Ieyasu's will.

CHINA

GLOBAL

VACATION FOR 6,400 CHINESE WORKERS

10 DAILY HABITS THAT WILL GIVE YOU INCREDIBLE WILLPOWER

▶ The billionaire chief executive of

the Chinese conglomerate Tiens has given 6,400 of his best salespeople a vacation that started in Paris and ended with a parade on France's Cote d'Azur.

CEO Li Jinyuan said he was celebrating the company's 20th anniversary by rewarding his staff and aimed for the world record in spelling out a phrase in human bodies.

As their vacation wound down, the employees massed on the coastal promenade in Nice and, dressed in identical sky blue hats and T-shirts, spelled out the words "Tiens' dream is Nice in the Cote d'Azur."

French media estimated the trip's cost at €13-€20 million.

We want to share with you the top 10 habits that have been scientifically proven to give you incredible willpower! It’s all about lot of small things done well, day after day

BANGLADESH

MOBILE PHONES CAN'T RING NATIONAL ANTHEM ▶ Bangladesh's Supreme Court

banned the use of the national anthem as a ringtone for mobile telephones or for any other commercial purpose.

"The national anthem can't be used as a business tool," the Supreme Court said, upholding a 2010 high court ruling.

The national anthem, Amar Shonar Bangla or My Golden Bengal, is based on the first 10 lines of a 1905 song written by Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize for literature.

The song was adopted as the anthem in 1972.

Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing telecom markets in the region, with 124 million mobile phone users.

Source: Reuters

1. Meditate 2. Eat a low glycaemic diet 3. Get enough sleep 4. Exercise 5. Focus on one task at a time 6. Practice Mindfulness 7. Self-Monitoring 8. Play Offense 9. Find Inspiration 10. Chunking (the process of taking a large task, goal, dream, etc. and breaking it into manageable “chunks”.)

NEW ZEALAND

LOST WOMAN SURVIVES ON HER OWN BREAST MILK ▶ Susan O'Brien was taking part

in a gruelling 20 kilometres run in forest south of Wellington, New Zealand when she took a wrong turn and became disorientated.

The 29-year-old said she was convinced she was going to die during a night of rain and high winds, spending the time praying and thinking of her family.

Dressed in only light running gear, Ms O'Brien said she scooped out a hole to keep warm and fed herself with breast milk.

"One thing that helped me, I'm breastfeeding my baby, so I had a bit of my milk because I thought that would help me keep going for energy."

Ms O'Brien had an emotional reunion with husband Daniel, son Jayden, two, and eight-month-old daughter Meisha before being taken to hospital for a check-up.

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FASHION

Summer Cocktail Parties:

Enjoy Meeting New People Like many other things, the concept of the cocktail party has changed over time. Instead of short socialising from 4pm to 6pm, summer cocktail parties usually begin around 6pm and lasts until the late evenings. What remains constant is that the reason for the gathering is not primarily food and drink, but rather socialising and meeting new people.

What is still in effective is the concept that these late afternoon gatherings imply the donning of elegant cocktail dresses and light suits for a cold buffet, “light” drinks, plenty of socialising and relaxation with quiet music.

The success of the cocktail party depends on the people who surround you, the atmosphere and the comfort you feel in the outfit you’ve chosen for the occasion.

Here are some suggestions.

Chloé Rings Necklace PRICE:

€267

This Chloé Freja necklace features a row of flat and curved ring charms.

Crafted in gleaming gold-tone metal, the necklace will lend an instant focal point to simple necklines.

PRICE: €955

Mirabella Dress Printed silk is spliced with sheer mesh insets for a striped aesthetic on this flirty dress. Fitted bodice and defined waist give way to a fluid skirt for the most flattering silhouette.

Valentino Patent Sandal Valentino Garavani’s Patent Sandal possesses a sexy silhouette that is simply perfect for after-dark.

PRICE: €715

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Salvatore Ferragamo Topped with a refined double gancini buckle, this luxe leather style reverses from brown to black for versatile wear.

PRICE: €324 PRICE:

€170

Alex Evenings' Pretty Sheath Alex Evenings' pretty sheath is a fete-worthy frock with embellished illusion sleeves and a flattering ruched body.

PRICE:

€217

Karmina Top Black taffeta elevates a slight boxy silhouette tank. Single button closure at back with keyhole. Effortlessly pairs with our Lenore skirt, or elegantly updates a tailored pant.

Prada Sunglasses Part of the Ornate range, this Prada Round Sunglasses boast an oversized round design adorned with glistening jewel embellishments for a precious, feminine look.

PRICE: €620

Valentino Garavani’s Rockstud 1973 Clutch is a brilliant choice for cocktail hour.

Complete with wrist and hand straps and a lacquered stud trim, this bag will bring your evening looks to life.

PRICE: €1,753

Armani Jersey Dress This Tie Waist Jersey Dress is a versatile smart-casual piece from Armani Collezioni.

Crafted in soft stretch jersey for a figure-skimming fit, the minimalist design features a pleated belt that can be tied to the front or back to cinchin the waist.

PRICE: €572

PRICE:

€475

Leona Dress A maze of beads add sparkly detail to this party dress. Halter neck with cutout and open back. Fitted through hip with a fun flounce hem.

Gucci Bracelet Watch Stun your admirers with the silvery mesh steel of this U-play watch by Gucci. Bracelet can be removed and is interchangeable.

PRICE: €738

Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flat Crafted in black satin. A dazzling alternative to high heels, pair these uniquely decadent flats with a little black dress and prepare to dance the night away.

PRICE:

€2,042

Valentino Rockstud Clutch

PRICE:

€326

Michael Kors Jules Bucket Bag Finished with polished golden hardware for an effortless touch of glamour, it will slot seamlessly into your day-to-night repertoire.

PRICE:

€674

Burberry Cashmere Scarf Crafted in Italy from pure cashmere and trimmed with soft fringing, this elegant screen printed scarf is a timeless choice.

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FASHION

Summer

Garden Party One of the favourite forms of gathering this summer, like every summer, will certainly be the garden party. A slightly more relaxed form of socialising than cocktail parties, as everything happens outdoors, it lacks nothing in terms of socialising and enjoyment in good company.

For summertime gatherings in outdoor settings, men’s garden party attire is suitable and stylish for most occasions. Men may wonder what constitutes garden party attire, but they would probably be surprised to find that the essentials of this outfit lie in their wardrobe. Basically, an appropriate garden party ensemble consists of warm weather wardrobe staples.

While the time and venue will dictate precisely what you should wear, following a few simple rules will help ensure you dress appropriately.

PRICE:

€80

Ted Baker Jamfro Suede Brogues Soft suede uppers, traditional brogue detailing, contrast sole and heel, branded ted baker tab on the reverse toe.

PRICE: €146

PRICE:

€89

Polo Ralph Lauren Shirt Crafted from mercerized stretch cotton mesh and designed with genuine mother-of-pearl buttons, this lightweight trimfitting polo shirt offers the ultimate in refined comfort.

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Blue Oxford Cloth Pure cotton oxford cloth brings subtle color variation and a fine sheen to our sleek. Add on the matching pant for a lightweight suiting look that merges fresh tailoring with timeless fabric.

Ekocycle + MCM Medium Stark Backpack The Medium Stark Backpack is a MCM icon. This season, the brand puts a sustainable twist on the design with the help of EKOCYCLE™. It is made with 31% of post-consumer recycled materials, using an average of 27 assorted recycled 20oz.

PRICE: €1,970

Paul Smith Card Case

Ted Baker Casual Woven Belt

As practical as it is stylish, this cardholder finds room for six cards and three note or receipt slots.

Stretchy, colorblocked webbing ensures a custom fit in a versatile, casual belt trimmed with rich leather.

PRICE:

€175

Rugged Canvas Tote One laptop pocket with one zip pocket. Inner mobile and slot pockets. Brass hardware, with adjustable strap.

PRICE:

€108

PRICE:

€48

'Silversword' Polarized Sunglasses SuperThin Glass makes these vintage-style sunglasses incredibly light so they're just right for a life on the go.

PRICE: €226

G-Shock Red Bull Twin Sensor Watch

PRICE:

Inspired by the speed and dynamism of motor sports the Edifice Red Bull Twin Sensor Watch is a limited edition watch in collaboration with Red Bull Racing.

PRICE: €487

€68

Short-Sleeve Irish Linen Shirt This warm-weather staple has a laid-back vibe—and it's one of those easy pieces that actually looks better a little rumpled. The linen comes from Baird McNutt in Ireland and has an incredible softness.

Christopher Polo Shirt A classic 3-button style with a regular fit, this polo shirt will instantly elevate your look.

PRICE: €306

PRICE:

€63

Paisley Contrast Trim Shirt Color block details hide under this crisp paisley shirt's collar and cuffs.

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PROFILE

Good Communication is Always a Challenge I understood the significance and importance of clear and precise communication during my younger days, when I was attempting to fight for “freedom”. I stick to these principles even today, when I am tasked with presenting Nelt’s concepts to the general public

MARKO MILANKOVIĆ Communications Manager at Nelt Group

I

t is very difficult to determine the precise moment or event that defines one's career and very few people can do so with certainty. Back in the day this was done in a traditional way, through the inheriting of a family business or the start of work as a civil servant, where the need is greatest.

Sometimes this can even be attributed to important books, favourite songs or even love problems and personal tragedy.

My career was defined by a period that lasted a few years during a very volatile historical and political time for our country. Back in the 1990s, when I was younger and attempting to fight for “freedom”, I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by wonderful people, renowned intellectuals and great humanitarians. In the atmosphere of war, with uncertainty surrounding our everyday life, engaging in the society we lived in and making changes was more of an ethical issue for me than a political one. Along with a group of like-minded people who gave me direction in the first few years of my 20s, I learned the significance and importance of clear and precise communication, which paved the way to my career today. I was listening, learning, logically discerning and, when needed, playing the role of leader. This is what I am still trying to do to this day.

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From the student protests at the Faculty of Law in 1996, and the founding of CeSID with a group of close friends, to the creating of my own business – production company Soul Flower – and the first regional urban music and hip-hop label – Bassivity Music – to working with EXIT for four consecutive years, I was provided with an opportunity to gain independence and learn how to value private initiative and entrepreneurship. My clients were the Serbian Government, the OSCE, various ministries, the European Agency for Reconstruction, national and international marketing agencies, NGOs etc. The invaluable diversity of challenges, approaches, ideas and problems have been ingrained into my business DNA through years of experience.

First working as a civil servant and then for a global media giant (the Serbian

My arrival at Nelt in 2012 and subsequent assuming of the responsibility for forming an entirely new sector were certainly the biggest challenges of my almost 20-year career National Lottery and Viacom, respectively), allowed me to develop a long-term vision and define my distinct professional character and other corporate skills, which led me successfully to today's position, both in my private life and my career.

Today I am head of communications at one of the most successful national companies. My arrival at Nelt in 2012 and sub-

sequent assuming of the responsibility for forming an entirely new sector were certainly the biggest challenges of my almost 20-year career. Apart from brimming with unique characteristics and details, creating a communication platform for a growing distribution giant, which, for the most part, has been relatively unknown to the general public in the countries in which it has been operating, is a difficult and demanding task. Starting with the premise that “I know that I don't know anything”, we started together from scratch and, in the meantime, have successfully covered most of the way. With almost 4,000 employees, 12 subsidiaries, and operations in seven countries on two continents, with over 40 principal companies, Nelt is one of the leaders in the business community today. Through bolstering the overall segment of modern communications – internal, external, corporate, brand management and CSR activities – we have been raising awareness among stakeholders regarding how we operate, what our key corporate values and culture are, as well as our mission and vision, which we are committed to fulfilling on a daily basis.

Satisfying existing and new clients, gaining an excellent reputation among current and future colleagues, strongly influencing the profiling of business climate, and showing the courage and knowhow required to overcome strategic challenges, have become indelible parts of Nelt's international reputation. Nevertheless, considering the breadth of topics covered by modern communications, I feel that we have only just scratched the surface of the challenges that lie ahead of us in the future. We are moving on. 

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