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Goran Radovanović

CONTENTS ISSUE 132

director and screenwriter of Enclave, Serbia’s nomination for an Oscar

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guide: 06

| C O M M E N T - TANJA JAKOBI

HOUSE ON THE BORDER

The More Ridiculous it is, The Scarier it is

Economy:

Ratko Božović

GREECE TURNS TO ECONOMIC REFORM

Sociologist of culture

Keep up the Effort H.E. Denis Edward Peter Paul Keefe British Ambassador to Serbia

Growing Confidence in European Advertising Sector

EUROPEAN ADVERTISING BUSINESS CLIMATE INDEX 68

28 14

SECTOR OF PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN SERBIA

Europe’s Migrant Crisis

THREATS, OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSEQUENCES FOR BUSINESS

chill out 70

Art and Psychology in Creating Our Environment

Business Dialogue

Pierre-Yves Rochon

Interior architect

Reputation and Expertise Branimir Mijailović

after work

focus: THE REFUGEE CRISIS AND SERBIA’S ECONOMY 24

The Powerful Weapon of Marketing Radomir Basta

Lorenco Vigas’ 'From Afar' Wins Golden Lion

fashion:

WHAT IF YOU COULD BE A MILLIONAIRE FOR A DAY?

72ND VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2015

EDITORIAL MANAGER: Tanja Banković t.bankovic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen TRANSLATION: Snežana Bjelotomić, MRP Editorial EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PROJECT MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Aleksandra Ebilji, a.ebilji@aim.rs Mila Oreščanin, m.orescanin@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

culture calendar

CEO at Four Dots

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

GENERAL MANAGER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

global diary

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Director of Energotehnika Južna Bačka, Novi Sad

EDITOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs

faces & places 52

True Art is Able to Anticipate Politics

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COMMENT

B y TA N JA JA KO B I

House on the Border With the borders of Europe growing, it is important to find the strength to build Europeanism from within. This is not only measured in terms of a low budget deficit, but also in terms of the capacity to carefully build a consensus in society that cannot happen without media freedom and respect for political opponents

Now, when it seems that Europe is in a rush to protect itself from mance, was doubled. The new candidate countries are requested to demonrefugees, building a wall against the Balkans and ensuring that strate a commitment to democracy and enter into membership as functionthe countries of our region, as suggested by EU Neighbourhood al market economies. In short, to be at the European level, even when Europe Policy Commissioner Johannes Hahn, could turn into “a parking aritself fails to maintain that level. Europe’s obsession with itself has lasted at least since the outbreak ea for refugees” due to the inability of the EU to find a common solution to of the financial crisis, and the intention to give preference to internal the latest crisis to hit the Union, the alarming reports of the world’s largest European challenges, including in the case of refugees, is also nothing new. creditworthiness agency, Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), seem even more serious. Brookings Institute, one of the U.S.’s oldest think-tanks, notes that the inNamely, D&B warned in August that the increase in the number of refugees, and the possibility that Serbia would have to handle a large number of them ternational community, primarily the U.S. and Europe, have left in the lurch for a long time, raised the country’s exposure to economic and political risks. the three countries that have been the largest recipients of refugees – It is not majorly newsworthy to note that transiLebanon, Jordan and Turkey – despite the fact that the huge burden they have accepted has brought tion and attempts at reform starting from an ever-lowthem to the brink of political, and to a large extent er base – of declining GDP, constantly high unemployThe qualities economic, collapse. ment and growing poverty – are being carried out in shown by Serbia Hence D&B’s assessment that the influx of miSerbia in conditions that are far worse than those prevalent when the Visegrad countries (Poland, the Czech grants could lead to a radicalisation of the political cliwhen it comes Republic, Slovakia and Hungary) entered the process. mate in Serbia – a country “unaccustomed to migrants, to taking care of And these countries are usually taken as the benchwhich is struggling to create jobs for its own people” and that until “the government finds a way to stop the mark for countries today aspiring to become EU memrefugees must not influx of migrants” there will be growth in “support bers. be undermined by for radical parties that do not share the government’s In the meantime, Europe has changed significantcheap populism. It commitment to reforms,” – does not represent the fruit ly and the issues of possible referendums in original of speculation, but rather an existing scenario that has member states on whether citizens are still willing to is now much more already played out in countries not so far away. remain in the Union (UK) and the possible expulsion important to think The qualities shown by Serbia when it comes to of member states that do not comply with Brussels’ about what to do taking care of refugees must not be undermined by rules (Greece), and even the open rejection of offered cheap populism. It is now much more important to membership (Iceland), all emerged as legitimate topif Serbia actually think about what to do if Serbia actually changes from ics and symbols of the cracks in the European conchanges from being a transit zone to a zone where refugees are recept. Messages to potential members have become, if not cacophonous, then at least a serious challenges tained. being a transit for politicians from the Western Balkans to speculate The point of this commentary is not to call for the zone to a zone whether the path to Brussels leads through Berlin, raising of walls along Serbia’s borders, nor to call for where refugees are or whether this represents a side street towards rea change to the humane approach to people who have been forced by circumstance to seek other recourse, maining an eternal suburb of the EU. retained but rather to point out the importance of strengthenIn other words, such modest attempts to traverse the road to Europe have become much thornier, not oning the country’s internal forces, through the continly in terms of fulfilling the conditions for the opening of chapters, but rather uation of reforms that will not be cosmetic, but will be substantial; investalso due to the ever more pronounced need to seek Europeanisation in indiments of energy in order to create a business environment that will not be trampled by corruption and party-politics, but rather will support the slight vidual action and to build it internally – as opposed to the norms of civilisabut nonetheless encouraging GDP growth, industrial production and extion being forcefully imposed under pressure from Brussels or Berlin, which was mostly the case previously. This came to the fore even more following ports, while carefully building a consensus among pro-European parts of the disappointments of Bulgaria and Romania, and then also Croatia, where the social elite, which cannot happen without media freedom and respect the threshold of tolerance, primarily for corruption and economic perforfor political opponents. 

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B y R A D M I L A S TA N KO V I Ć

INTERVIEW

RATKO BOŽOVIĆ sociologist of culture

The More Ridiculous it is,

THE SCARIER IT IS

Ratko Božović, until recently a professor at Belgrade University’s Faculty of Political Sciences, is one of the best analysts and most accurate interpreters of cultural and media movements in Serbia today. A professor who raised a generation of journalists, a prolific writer of dozens of scientific books, author of more than 500 scientific works and 150 technical papers, he is also present in the public as a harsh critic of every act he deems to be choking democratic freedom

he media scene was recently enriched with a scientific and professional journal, or rather book, called Paradoxes of media freedom, which provides evidence that there can be no freedom in society without a free press media a critical public, but which first provided analysis of the media situation in Serbia today. This also prompted CorD’s interest in conversing with Dr Božović. However, it doesn’t seem serious to begin any interview with him on a topic that does not belong to his most fertile field of work - culture. He has spent several decades speaking about the place of culture in society, about the importance of culture, about changing the value system in culture, about the attitude of the government towards culture etc. Speaking to CorD, he defines today’s cultural sphere in Serbia and the absence of criticism by saying: “Efforts to continue the “transition” process show that it is a structural problem of stagnation that has pushed culture to the margins of social life, without a significant impact on the political field and the style of everyday life. The break in communication with the world produced an increase in the provincialism of our closed society. Isolation accelerated 8 |

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VALUE

KITSCH

CITIZENS

Mass culture has become the reality of our time, the dominant part of our everyday lives, an unavoidable value of our way of life

The worst thing about kitsch is that it comes as a danger which suppresses artistic values. Today it is difficult to determine the boundary between kitsch and art

Fear and apathy, in their most extreme forms, have conquered the inner lives of citizens in our dramatic crisis

a parasitic atmosphere, in which culture was fed with the bitter fruits of populism and anti-elitism. That was a triumph for populist “aesthetics”. The return of the past, obsessive and uncritical, served to ensure we lost pace with present times. Also symptomatic is the local inability to recognise huge historical mistakes. This equates to mental and moral autism. Autism and extremism, as pathological conditions, go together. It is also unfavourable that criticism, like the “super-ego” of culture, often doesn’t exist. And when it does exist, this is its weakest point. It never managed to secure its own autonomy or methodology for evaluation. It got sick from superficiality and indifference, so that those critiques actually defend average values. This is one of the reasons why the commercial media, without knowledge and responsibility, manage to popularise the most ordinary literary crap to the extent that it becomes a best seller. When the audience is “lured” by fraud, then that is an abuse of the popularity of advertised trash, which manages to become a bestseller, despite the fact that it carries no value. This is about bluffing. This is how it is when aesthetic culture, devoid of creative autonomy, exists as a by-product of consumerism. Nobody cares that advertising and lobbying will ensure the forced work “plays” for one summer.

■ Many are willing to view that mass culture only as pleasure and pastime, without any kind of ideological connotations. However, you do not interpret it in that way?

– There is nothing more wrong than that. Mass culture cannot even be mentioned when it comes to ideological neutrality. Mass culture is dogged by drastic manipulation and repression, ideological pres sure, control and subordination. The possibility of freedom of choice, critical

■ It seems that we can only talk about mass culture?

–Mass culture has become the reality of our time, the dominant part of our everyday lives, an unavoidable value of our way of life. It has long since ceased to be a guest and has become the lord. It is aggressive, with no view to retreat, and took over a huge social space in a relatively short period of time, managing to gain control of the masses and their experiential world. Mass culture has imposed itself as the most democratic culture to this day. Today it is clear that it was unjustifiably contested in the name of the elite and traditional culture, but perhaps even more demagogically and In evaluating mass culture, an essential answer remains uncritically accepted. However, we cannot lacking to the question of whether it expands or narrows man’s ignore it because it has become part of the creativity; whether it helps or hinders people accepted everyday situation and the dominant form of life. In evaluating mass culture, in attaining freedom an essential answer remains lacking to the question of whether it expands or narrows stances and meaningful selection, are seriously brought into question man’s creativity; whether it helps or hinders people in attaining freedom. when mass culture rules. ■ It is certain that it encompasses the broadest possible layers of the population and is defined as “mass” primarily because it blurs any distinction between social classes.

– I would rather say that mass culture helps reduce cultural differences between social classes, but also lowers cultural standards and enables the deposition of stereotypes. It replaces that creativity in which we would recognise the desire to discover indisputable and lasting values. It is at odds with creative self-confirmation and free forms of individualised creative existence. Mass culture is neither subversive nor reversible, nor does it have autonomous value. It is a pseudo culture of a pseudo reality.

■ But today we still have a lot of kitsch, although it is now changing shape compared to yesterday?

– We have spent half a century living in ideological monism; we’ve had times of crisis, wars and sanctions, and kitsch covered the agony of our everyday existence and de-personalised reality. Croatian writer Igor Mandić explained the necessity of the presence of kitsch and why it has become a need for the broadest layers of society and, thus, a part of their democratic aspirations. That commitment to kitsch came particularly to the fore at the time of the crisis of the 1990s, during the time of the OCTOBER

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policy of war, with a criminalised society, grey economy and negation of the values of civil society. It was at that time that the weeds of turbo folk flourished, as a surrogate for traditional folk music. In reality, the aesthetics of turbo folk were incompatible with traditional folk songs, because they are based on values of cash, pornography, crime and snobbery. It literally complies with primitivism and the lowest taste. In this political and wartime folklore there is confirmation of the connection between kitsch and nationalism, which has slipped into xenophobia and hatred. We have witnessed the great mystification of the past, which was followed by drastic anachronism. Pseudoscience, feljtonistika and even literature, included the ever increasing presence elements of what psychoanalysts call – returning the repressed. Thus culture has largely fallen into the trap of nationalistic passions, into provincialism that has not even escaped vulgar kitsch. The worst thing about kitsch is that it comes as a danger which suppresses artistic values. Today it is difficult to determine the boundary between kitsch and art, and kitsch today benefits from the fact that it is directed towards the collective spirit and the imperfection of human nature. Kitsch reaches all strata of society and all individuals who are susceptible to it, regardless of their formal education. It is known that the most renowned titles do not resolve the problem of man’s inner transformation.

those who are close to that average type of life. The viewers participate in this, because voting impacts on events in the house. There is also money for those upon whom fortune smiles, thus everything has a semblance of fair play and justice. And thus television turns its tribe into voyeurs. Of course, it is hard to believe that anyone, except those on the margins, would so easily agreed to erase the boundary between public and private life. Abandoning one’s privacy even in moments of intimacy is more than the psychological problem of one individual.

■ If we are not lacking Reality, we are impoverished when it comes to that which is called humour, satire and healthy laughter. Great writer Branko Ćopić said that a certain climate is required for comedy and satire. Does such a climate exist today?

–It is true that humour, laughter and satire require a free, stimulating social climate. Sometimes I worry that we’ve forgotten how to laugh. Experts credibly claim that healthy, normal people have a sense of humour. If this does not exist in high doses in the mass media, we should be concerned. And there is none. There is almost no hearty laughter in our media. And there will be none if there is no freedom and the creative rise of humour. ■ It could be said that we have a dead sea of an uncritical public?

– Regardless of how accurate that would be, there is another side to that coin, right in front of our eyes, which is not negligible. There are rebellious aphorists, members of the Belgrade aphoristic circle and the Shaved hedgehog (aforističarski krug i Ošišani jež), who are attempting today, like a few decades ago, to impose free thinking as a critical alternative. Unfortunately, today inventive aphorism is viewed as a step forward from a closed society and as the virus of a critical society, rather than being viewed as the beneficial presence of oxygen The aesthetics of turbo folk were incompatible with traditional in a suffocating room. In the spirit of critifolk songs, because they are based on values of cash, cal and satirical calculation of the current authorities, I see the ironic lucidity of Zoran pornography, crime and snobbery. It literally complies with Kesić on the TV B92 show 24 minutes. Bold, primitivism and the lowest taste talented and uncompromising, he has broken away from censorship and self-cen– If this were not about a mass media phenomenon that counts for milsorship. He has reshaped the caricatured daily political life into the dislions of viewers, and if it had not sacrificed the criteria of values, but also course of the ridiculous and comical. For this he did not require distance. values themselves, great importance should not be attached to it. HowHe also didn’t require that because he did not need to comprehend that ever, because of its mass appeal, it must be considered a culturally relearrogant world too seriously, and even more so in order to be able to vant fact that is unavoidable in the assessment of media culture. Televilaugh at it, to be able to mock it. That’s how you achieve the maxim – the sion programmers are striving to make this television genre so powerful more ridiculous something is, the scarier it is. that it becomes, at least in terms of influence, more powerful than reality, ■ In this context, you also have great respect for the caricaand realer than reality. The essence of this impact should be sought in tures authored by Predrag Koraksić, aka Corax. How do you the field of human psychology, in the totality of the human being. his role and why does he communicate in that way? Profit and popularity lie at the foundation of media promotions of – Corax reveals in his caricatures the sharpest and most lucid politreality shows. Before our eyes we see heroes of everyday life fabricated, ■ Reality shows are today circling the world like a kind of plague of our time. The television companies that broadcast them have great power and various forms of these programmes are currently being broadcast on the four mostwatched television channels here in Serbia. How would you explain their huge popularity?

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ical commentary. At the centre of his field of vision, political figures, of debate shows on TV and critically intoned content, the media have political monsters and politics have found themselves, as a theatre of largely been left without those incentives that are essential to revitaliscruelty and criminality. He is primarily interested in reversing the poing the entire public sphere, especially in profiling political culture and litical reality. He convincingly captures everything that has happened, political communication. This communication today lacks clear and senand is happening, to us. With his satirical thoughts and rebellious ensible words, critical thinking and genuine feeling. Everything more or less ergy, this caricaturist spares nobody, especially not those at the top revolves around the government and its pragmatic interests. A culture of the political hierarchy. So his cartoons act like a laser beam in a of dialogue does not require only the culture of the interlocutor, but also dark chamber. Koraksić shapes figures from political life like obscure presupposes democratic awareness, a developed and emancipated envivillains. He always starts from the character of their personality, the ronment and, finally, the obligation to evaluate everything of relevance; nature of their depravity. Why is Corax so communicative? BePublic speaking is only performed by those whose words are cause his position is clearly defined and thematically determined; because he has known in advance. The stumbling block for dialogue in our never dulled his critical sharpness. Through country is certainly the tendency towards political speech that is irony, he captures convincingly the essence almost always discriminatory of our destiny and its players. Through local history, he has arrived, and is arriving, at universal values and the ontological ceiling. everything that can be perceived as an opportunity for change. The ab■ As someone who has for years advocated for the culture of sence of dialogue manifests mostly drastically in societies experiencing dialogue in the public arena, have you noticed that talk among extreme crisis. In such societies, public speaking is only performed by opponents on the public scene has all but vanished? those whose words are known in advance. The stumbling block for di– I would call that the closing of the public space for debate, which reprealogue in our country is certainly the tendency towards political speech sents an unnerving fact. Dissenting debate is not being silenced, but raththat is almost always discriminatory. However, the fact that there is no er has simply disappeared from the media scene. With the disappearance dialogue is no reason to turn your back on it.

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■ You have spoken publicly and presented evidence that censorship is at work in many media outlets. Why is that so?

– The media reflects the state of society. There is no free society without free media. From the populism of the ‘90s to today’s cheap showbiz at the time of transitional processes, culture as a whole has found itself at the margins, if it is anywhere at all. Today, unfortunately, in determining the transition process there is an insistence on political and economic

public. In the media we once again have an excess of pragmatic-political and propagandistic intermediation, to the detriment of life immediacy and truth about reality. In the whole mechanism of censorship, you also have a big problem called self-censorship, which is a major hindrance to the spirit of freedom. I would say that the media have never before been accustomed and exposed to such self-censorship.

■ What concerns you the most, as a sociologist of culture?

– Fear and apathy, in their most extreme forms, have conquered the inner lives of citizens in our dramatic crisis. They have disrupted normal life. And life in fear is worth absolutely nothing. And a government that rules people through fear and intimidation doesn’t deserve to govern. As long as violence, both institutional and non-institutional, remains a feature of our everyday life, alongside all our other troubles, the fear that paralyses will spread, breaking what little strength remains. The wheel of resistance to evil and wickedness gets stuck in the mud of fear and poverty. We should not, however, forget the words of Ivo Andrić, who said that fear makes people become evil and cruel. Nothing good can be expected to come from people in fear, defeated by fear, just as nothing can be expected of the indifferent and the satisfied. They do not represent a threat to all forms of repression and a lack of freedom. The worst thing is that fear is a man’s shadow that can destroy him. Of all the crises, the most profound within us is the moral crisis. It was preceded by all-encompassing disarray. What’s more, it actually instigated and largely enabled this chaos. In its metastasis it has today become an obstacle to realising social change. It is known that in our society we have never achieved a more direct link between normative ethics and moral ideals. There is always a current issue: how to overcome the distorted reality in which there is almost no moral authority? That does not exist in social life or in the political field. In such a reality, the best achievers are people of low morals and the lowest motives. In our country there is not only a crisis of legality, but also a crisis of humanity. That’s why Kierkegaard’s thought, on a time without values in which everything becomes role and presentation, becomes relevant. Indeed, where is the man? A candle will not help!

Of all the crises, the most profound within us is the moral crisis. It was preceded by all-encompassing disarray. What’s more, it actually instigated and largely enabled this chaos. In its metastasis it has today become an obstacle to realising social change change, while culture is overlooked and omitted, even though it is known that without it there can be no structural social change. That is a constant error that is at work today. Critical culture does not exist even today, and it is evident that the pressure of traditionalism has produce confusion regarding true value. The culture of daily existence and lifestyle survive in the provincialised networks of a closed society. The public sphere is still under the control of political elites. In the tools of public communication there is an obviously exaggerated presence of the current political elite, the holders of public office. This means that there is still the maintaining of a “representative”, and not critical, 12 |

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■ For a long time, we have heard and seen the invoking of catharsis. How do you interpret this?

– It is probably to do with verbal compensation for previous violence and current woes. The reasons for such delays should be found in earnest effort to conceal the protagonists of crimes in order to put an end to their huge sinning. We must not forget that catharsis is primarily an individual thing. Without it, no one can reach their identity and their integrity. Otherwise, this concept, in colloquial use, received much broader meanings than those linked to Aristotle’s definition of tragedy. That was that version of catharsis which led to the purification of passion – effects with the help of pity (eleos) and fear (phobos). The use of this term, obviously, has today escaped the initial experience and found itself beyond aesthetics and beyond art. And so it will be used here – primarily for purifying dirty passions and as a moral principle, an ethical paradigm. And our society, which is blinded by self-delusion and mania, is a long way from catharsis. ■

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INTERVIEW

H.E. DENIS EDWARD PETER PAUL KEEFE British Ambassador to Serbia

Keep up

THE EFFORT During my 15 months here, Serbia has achieved real progress on key political and economic dossiers. These efforts need to be sustained, both on the level of market reforms and EU accession. The UK wants to see stability and prosperity in the region and hopes to see a reformed Serbia in a reformed EU

effect on the country’s attitude towards enlargement, where “the UK has long been one of the staunchest advocates of that process”, says British Ambassador, H.E. Denis Edward Peter Paul Keefe. In line with the aforementioned position, the UK provides political and technical support to promote greater stability, prosperity and security across the Western Balkans, including the region’s accession process. It sees the efforts of the Serbian government in the region as constructive and feels encouraged by the progress Serbia has made in the reform process.

■ How would you assess the efforts exerted so far by the leaders of the Western Balkans in terms of progressing towards EU accession? Some observers question whether this process is still governed by Brussels or by the Berlin agenda; how do you see those two processes?

We will focus on supporting Serbia in key areas of the EU accession – rule of law, reform of the public sector and reform of the economy, including support to the tax administration

he UK wants the EU to be more successful, flexible, competitive, and accountable to its citizens, and therefore to change, reform and revaluate its policies when it comes to entrepreneurship, a single market in services and energy and, above all, to conclude important trade deals with the United States, with Japan and with the South American trading bloc. After being flexible enough in the past to respond to Member States’ concerns, the UK believes that the EU needs to show the same attitude today and reform itself in order to better serve its interests and the interests of its citizens. Having a referendum in the UK on EU membership, however, has no 14 |

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– UK policy towards the Western Balkans has been consistent and coherent. We want to see stability and prosperity in this region. We also believe that this can be best achieved through reform and the EU integration of all countries of the Western Balkans, when the accession criteria are met.

■ What is the UK’s stance regarding the internal structure of the EU, its decision making processes and the future of EU integration, as well as its own future position in the EU? – British people have some concerns about the EU and PM David Cameron has promised he will address that. This is why we are having the referendum on EU membership.

REFORM

REFUGEE CRISIS

BALKANS

There are four key areas where we want reform: on competitiveness, sovereignty, social security and economic governance. These are reforms that we believe can benefit people across Europe

The EU collectively needs to deal with the causes of the refugee crisis, not just with its consequences. That can only be done with a comprehensive solution

We believe that the EU accession process is the key to building prosperity and stability across the Europe, and in particular in the Balkans. This is why we hope to see a reformed Serbia in a reformed EU

There are four key areas where we want reform: on competitiveness, sovereignty, social security and economic governance. These are reforms that we believe can benefit people across Europe and make the EU more successful, flexible, competitive, and accountable to its citizens. We want to exploit the full potential of the single market, while preserving its integrity for all 28 Member States. We also want to complete the single market in services and energy. We think that the EU must do more to back start-ups and entrepreneurs. For example, we want to create a genuine online single market for businesses and consumers alike. And, crucially, we want the EU to conclude ambitious new trade deals with the United States, with Japan and with the South American trading bloc. The EU has proved in the past that it can be flexible enough to respond to Member States’ concerns. It now needs to do so again. At the same time, the UK has long been one of the staunchest advocates of EU enlargement. We believe that the EU accession process is the key to building prosperity and stability across the European continent, and in particular in the Balkans. This is why we hope to see a reformed Serbia in a reformed EU.

■ An important part of the Western Balkan agenda vis-à-vis the EU is the region’s role in ensuring stability, in contrast to the instability created by the Ukraine issue. How do you perceive our region in that context, and particularly Serbia’s role therein? – The UK government provides political and technical support to promote greater stability, prosperity and security across the Western Balkans, including by supporting progress on EU accession. Serbia has played a constructive role both in regard to relations with its neighbours and through its chairmanship of the OSCE in 2015. It was important that the first visit of PM Vučić was to Sarajevo. He has since attended the inauguration of the Croatian President, paid tribute to the victims of genocide in Srebrenica and hosted members of the Bosnian Presidency, as well as developing relations with the Albanian government. We hope Serbia will continue to play a constructive role in this part of the world, and in its wider engagement, e.g. in peacekeeping. ■ Do you see Kosovo as an unfinished story or a story progressing towards its desired resolution; what should the final solution look like? – The recent agreements signed between the prime ministers of Serbia and Kosovo in Brussels are good news for the region. Our Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, congratulated Prime Minister Vučić, Prime Minister Mustafa and High Representative Mogherini on their hard work and perseverance in securing these agreements. Our Foreign Secretary also urged both Serbia and Kosovo to maintain the positive momentum. Completing the implementation of all their agreements will be an important step towards normalising relations between the two countries and increasing regional stability and security. The future for both countries is to continue their respective EU paths, towards a stable and prosperous future for all their citizens.

■ Serbian PM Vučić recently said that, compared to Kosovo, the issue of Republika Srpska and Bosnia-Herzegovina is much more complicated. What is the UK’s stance on Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future? – I am not Ambassador to Bosnia, so I don't want to comment in detail, but we would like to see Bosnia make progress in economic and political reform and in EU accession - just as we look for progress in all countries of the Balkans.

We have seen a noticeable upturn in interest among potential British investors following the opening of EU negotiations and since the approval of the IMF stand-by arrangement for Serbia

■ How do you see Serbia’s role when it comes to the ongoing refugee crisis and the newly presented EU plan to resolve this crisis? – I’ve been very impressed with the warmth and solidarity demonstrated by the ordinary Serbians, as well as the crisis response of the Serbian state. The EU collectively needs to deal with the causes of the refugee crisis, not just with its consequences. That can only be done with a comprehensive solution. That means helping the countries from which the people come to reduce the push factors; build stability and create livelihoods; and to go after the criminal gangs and trafficking networks that profit from this human misery. ■ The influx of refugees is often connected to a rise in human trafficking and corruption, but also the level of alert regarding terror

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and on Chapter 35, concerning relations with Kosovo. But all Chapters will ist threats. How do you perceive possible threats to Western Balhave their turn. I saw this process at work in the Czech Republic 15 years kan security in relation to meeting president Obama on the fight ago, and I know that it is demanding, but possible. Serbia has recruited its against Middle East extremists? negotiating team and is fully engaged in the work. The important thing is – More than 220,000 people were detected crossing the Mediterranean to keep up the effort. to Europe in the first six months of this year. These people came from different countries and different circumstances. Some are economic migrants in search of a better life in Europe, ■ Media freedom is often on that list, although the Serbian public doesn’t see this as an issue that the EU insists on in some while many are refugees fleeing conflict in Syria. And it is important to practical manner. What do you expect distinguish between the two. from the government and the media in In recent weeks we have seen a vast increase in the numbers arriving across the order to improve the situation? – Free media and well-informed public diEastern Mediterranean from Turkey – more alogue are cornerstones of any democratic than 150,000 have attempted that route since society. Serbia adopted a set of new meJanuary. The majority of these are Syrians. dia laws last summer. Implementation has Terrorised first by Assad and now by ISIL too, started and I understand it is not without more than 11 million people have been driven challenges. No doubt the Commission's regfrom their homes. ular report on accession will deal with this Around three per cent of the 11 million topic, as with many others. Syrians forced from their homes have sought asylum in Europe. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor to the humanitarian crisis ■ British companies are not very well represented in the region, including in in Syria – we have now committed £1 billion. Serbia. Do you see any change in the Without such aid, hundreds of thousands level of interest among British compamore could be risking their lives seeking to nies for doing business in Serbia folget to Europe, so these funds are part of our lowing the launch of reforms? comprehensive approach to tackle migration – One of the main incentives for the reform from the region. is to make the Serbian market more flexible, In order to address possible security competitive and open for foreign investthreats, we are also providing intelligence ment. We have seen a noticeable upturn in support to the EU operation in the Mediterranean and are deploying officers from our interest among potential British investors National Crime Agency to Africa to identify following the opening of EU negotiations what more we can to do to stop people being and since the approval of the IMF stand-by exploited by gangs of human traffickers. For arrangement for Serbia. We are encouraged example, HMS Enterprise and our two border by the path of economic reform that the Serbian Government is committed to, including force cutters continue to patrol the area and, the new package of laws and the decision to together with HMS Bulwark, they have resOne of the main incentives cued over 6,700 people in recent months. expedite the process of restructuring and for the reform is to make the privatisation. We support the Government’s ■ How do you assess the progress commitment to stimulate private sector Serbian market more flexible, achieved by the Serbian government and encourage foreign and direct incompetitive and open for foreign growth vestment. UK businesses tend to look at this (both political and economic) and the investment region as a whole and this reinforces the impossibility of opening EU accession negotiation chapters? portance of regional stability. – During my 15 months here, Serbia has achieved real progress on key ■ What areas would be in the focus of the UK’s developmental political and economic dossiers. I have said a number of times that we are support to Serbia? hoping to be in position to open the first EU negotiation chapters by the – We will focus on supporting Serbia in key areas of the EU accession end of the year – but this, of course, is a decision for all Member States in – rule of law, reform of the public sector and reform of the economy, inthe light of actual progress. cluding support to the tax administration. I am glad that we are this year ■ Although it seems that the EU community is supporting furable to increase the resources we are spending on this, under our new ther steps towards Serbia’s integration into the EU, there are still Good Governance Fund. We are also continuing to provide Serbia with some important concerns. How would you rate them, in order of practical assistance and ‘knowhow’ through various study programmes importance? and the Chevening Scholarship scheme. I’m delighted that we’ve been – I wouldn’t say that there is an order of importance - candidate countries able to expand this scheme and that we’ve just sent the largest number need to meet all the requirements of the EU acquis. There is a focus now on of Serbian post-graduates to the UK. They will have so much to offer Chapters 23 and 24, dealing with fundamental rights and the rule of law, their country on return. ■ 16 |

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GLOBAL DIARY

WORKFORCE

“As the asylum seekers are fairly well qualified, there is a good chance they will become valuable parts of our workforce in the coming years”. - Reiner Klingholz, director of the Berlin Institute for Population and Development

HAZE RETURNS TO INDONESIA AND SOUTHEAST ASIA ▶ Forest fires in Indonesia brought haze to the coun-

try's skies, and the smoke has also affected Malaysia and Singapore. This has been an annual problem in the Southeast Asian region, typically blamed on drought and land clearings by palm oil companies in the western part of Indonesia. According to the Center for International Forest Research, forest fires in Indonesia are caused mainly by human activities. The slash and burn practice is recognized as the easiest and most economical way for palm oil companies to clear the land. But based on the Indonesian Forestry Law an individual who caused a forest fire can be jailed for up to 15 years. Commercial flights have been cancelled in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, where the ‘ground zero’ of the forest fires is located. Meanwhile, the number of hotspots continues to increase in Kalimantan (the Indonesian territory in Borneo Island).

PRINCE HARRY TURNS DOWN SPITFIRE FLIGHT

▶ Prince Harry’s 31st birthday cele-

brations on 15th September were due to see him join around 40 Spitfires, Hurricanes and Bristol Blenheim Bombers as they flew in formation from Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex to key World War II airfields, such as Biggin Hill, Duxford, Northweald and Northolt. This memorial event was intended to pay tribute to the “gallant few” – as wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill dubbed them – who secured the nation’s freedom in the summer of 1940 by thwarting Hitler’s plans for a German invasion. However, the young royal, who was said to have been “incredibly honoured” to be taking part in the event, gave up his chance to fly in a vintage

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Spitfire after one of the four aeroplanes was deemed “unserviceable”. A spokesman for Prince Harry said that he had stepped aside in order to enable veteran Battle of Britain pilot Tom Neil, 95, the last surviving RAF 'ace', to take to the skies in the two-seater aircraft.

STUDENTS PRAY FOR RAIN IN PALEMBANG, SOUTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

experienced a moment of dizziness. As a result, the press conference was canceled in order that Mr Krueger could be examined by a doctor. Mr Krueger’s health is stable and he is recovering well.”

NORWAY MADE $1BLN PAYMENT FOR PROTECTING AMAZON

BMW’S CEO COLLAPSED DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE

▶ Norway will make a final $100-mil-

▶ BMW’S new Chief Executive Harald

lion payment to Brazil this year to complete a $1-billion project that re-

Krueger fainted on stage during a news conference at the Frankfurt auto show last month. Krueger collapsed as he was commenting on BMW’s latest models. Two men escorted him off stage. Kruger was able to walk. It was the first appearance at a major auto show by Krueger, who took the helm as CEO in May. BMW later said: “Harald Krueger

wards a slowdown in forest loss in the Amazon basin. Brazil had more than achieved its goal of reducing the rate of deforestation by 75 per cent, the condition

TINE SUNDTOFT, NORWEGIAN ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

182ND OKTOBERFEST KICKS OFF IN MUNICH ▶ Beer drinkers from around the world converged in Munich, Germany, to raise a stein to the start of the 182nd Oktoberfest. More than six million revelers dressed in traditional Bavarian lederhosen and dirndl dresses were expected to flock to Theresienwiese, the 420,000sq/m official grounds from 19th September until 4th October. Only beer brewed within Munich city limits that adheres to the “Reinheitsgebot,” or German Beer Purity Law, limiting ingredients to only water, barley and hops, can be served at the official Oktoberfest. Other cities around the world also hold their own Oktoberfest celebrations modelled on the original Munich event, which runs this year until 4th October, one day after German Unity Day.

REFUGEES

“We Europeans should remember well that Europe is a continent where nearly everyone has at one time been a refugee. “ — Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission

DID YOU KNOW?

Steve Jobs, one of the men to have the most dramatic impact on civilisation in the last century, was the son of a Syrian migrant to the U.S.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 ▶ The 8th Rugby Union World Cup 2015 (from

18th September to 31st October) begins and ends at the London's famous Twickenham Stadium, the largest venue in the world dedicated solely to rugby union. However, Twickers is just one of 13 stadiums staging Rugby Union World Cup matches. The Rugby Union World Cup is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar after the Olympic Games and soccer's World Cup and money-making machine. Although the average ticket price is €138, 2.45 million tickets were pre-sold and only a few games had seats available. For the tourism industry as a whole, the cup is expected to generate a whopping €1.3 billion and almost £2.2 billion (€3.0 billion) for the British economy.

for the payments under an agreement for 2008-15 meant to protect the forest and slow climate change. The remaining cash would be paid before a U.N. summit on climate change in Paris in December, the ministry said. Since 2008, Norway has paid about $900 million to Brazil's Amazon Fund. "Brazil has established what has become a model for other national climate change funds," Norwegian Environment Minister, Tine Sundtoft, said in a statement.

RUGBY WORLD CUP OPENING CEREMONY

QUEEN RANIA RECEIVES WALTHER RATHENAU PRIZE

glasses, insisting that his old frames be re-used and that he would pay for them. Francis was driven to Ottica Spiezia on Rome's fancy Via del Babuino in the small Ford Focus car he normally uses, drawing a large crowd

▶ Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan

received the Walther Rathenau Prize on 17th September, in recognition of her work as an outstanding advocate for peace and understanding between East and West. She was presented the award by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and dedicated it to the people of Jordan, it was noted in a statement.

WERNER HOYER, Chairman of the Walther Rathenau Institute, HER MAJESTY QUEEN RANIA AND ANGELA MERKEL, German Canceler

Referring to the current debate on refugees, Queen Rania added, “Rather than evoke an unprecedented tide of human kindness, some segments of society have, instead, unleashed a new and ugly lexicon in our newsfeeds.” The ceremony was held at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, and was attended by over 400 influential figures in politics, media, civil society and business.

POPE BOUGHT NEW SPECTACLES ▶ Pope Francis slipped out of the

Vatican to make a surprise visit to a Rome optician's to get a new pair of

of curious tourists and residents of Rome outside, as shown by footage on Italian television. The shop owner, Alessandro Spiezia, who has made glasses for the pope before but always delivered them to the Vatican though aides, said he had not known that the pope would come to the shop himself. "He had told me to use the old frames again, because he did not want to spend much money and insisted on paying for them," Spiezia said on Italian television.

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FOCUS

THE REFUGEE CRISIS AND SERBIA’S ECONOMY

IMPACT OF THE REFUGEE CRISIS ON SERBIA’S ECONOMIC

RATING AND GROWTH RESULTS CorD Magazine’s “Focus” section features the opinions and views of political, economic and business leaders regarding a given topic.

In this issue, we are covering the refugee crisis that is rocking Europe and provoking new tensions in the region, and which could have a significant negative impact on Serbia – in the case that credit rating agency Dun & Bradstreet’s low rating further jeopardises Serbia’s prospects, while the cost of caring for refugees could threaten already fragile macroeconomic stability and lead to the country's political radicalisation. The question is as follows:

How should Serbia respond to new risks coming from the environment in order to maintain the initial encouraging results of economic growth?

MIHAILO CRNOBRNJA PH.D. Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Economics, Finance & Administration - FEFA

Waiting for an EU Response

There is very little that Serbia can do on its own, if anything, to safeguard its economy and expected growth from the external threat imposed on the country. This is a global issue that Europe and the U.S. have to address Serbia is currently There is very little that Serbia can do on its own, if anything, in the midst of a drato safeguard its economy and the expected growth of the external matic and tragic event threats imposed on the country. Increase subsidies for foreign investors to attract them? Increase marketing efforts to attract investors? – the flow of refugees Find alternative ways to bring goods to Serbia, bypassing Croatia towards the European Union. This is an event that Serbia did not and Hungary? Accept a much larger number of refugees? Not likely. “create”, nor did it call for, but of which it has to bear the consequences. And Serbia must create an adequate response. The only stable and long term solution is for the refugee crisis to The main thrust of the response should be directed towards the be looked at not as an occasional event, but as something that is likely to be on-going for a long time, as long as the reasons for refugees European Union, for several reasons: 1.) the final goal of the refugees is to reach the more developed to flee their homes persist. That is a countries of the EU, specifically Ausglobal issue that the European Union Serbia should persist in seeking tria and Germany; 2.) Croatia and is slowly starting to address. But it Hungary, the neighbouring countries financial assistance from the European also involves the United States, as a Serbia now has tense relations with player in the Middle East, where Union to compensate for the resources key due to the refugee situation, are both most of the refugees come from. Serit has to devote, and is devoting, to bia should also persist in seeking EU member states; 3.) finally, most of financial assistance from the Eurothe refugees are coming from the Eumaking the life of refugees bearable ropean Union! Their preferred point pean Union to compensate for the while they are in Serbia of entry is Greece, a country that has resources it has to devote, and is devoting, to making the life of refugees been in the EU since 1981, and only bearable while they are in Serbia. Serbia will probably also accept a then are they shipped north to Macedonia and Serbia, though it is certain number of asylum seekers, but that will be a “solution” for well known that very few of them, if any, consider these two countries as their final destination. less than one per cent of the refugees passing through Serbia. 20 |

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MILOJKO ARSIĆ , PHD Professor at Belgrade Faculty of Economics

The Fundamental Question Continuous reduction of the fiscal deficit, and consequently the public debt to GDP ratio, is a reliable signal that Serbia has avoided a public debt crisis. As such, it would be very unfortunate for the credibility of the Serbian Government if the fiscal deficit increased in the coming year in relation to this year, or if it is maintained for the next few years at a level of over three per cent of GDP. In addition to increasing the rate of GDP growth, it is important for economic growth to be sustainable, or not to create internal and external imbalFollowing the successful implementation of ances. Fiscal consolidation eliminates the risk of a the first phase of fiscal consolidation, the essential public debt crisis, but internal risks still remain, asquestion is how Serbia can stimulate economic sociated with a high amount of bad loans in banks. growth from a modest 0.5 or one per cent to three Removing the external imbalance with the growth or four per cent per annum. The growth of the Serof the economy means that export is the main bian economy in 2015, when state and private congrowth driver in the coming years. The condition sumption have fallen, is yet more confirmation that for this is relatively high levels of investments in the growth drivers in our case are not on the side industries with products that are mainly intendof domestic demand, but rather on exports and ined for export, and those are primarily industrial vestment. A key condition for accelerating economproduction, agriculture and some services. For the ic growth in Serbia is to increase the investment growth of exports, but also in order to encourage rate from the current level of about 20 per cent to domestic and foreign investment in export-orienover 25 per cent of GDP. In order to do so, the state tated sectors, it is important that the dinar maincan contribute directly to increasing total investtains a competitive exchange rate. Slower growth ment by increasing public investment from three of private consumption and government spendper cent of GDP to four to five per cent. However, ing than GDP growth over the next few years is an the crucial role of the state is in creating favourable important element of fiscal consolidation, but this conditions for the growth of private investment, also simultaneously directs domestic enterprises which primarily implies improving conditions for towards production for export. doing business and maintaining macroeconomic The economic net effect stability. of the refugee crisis, up until Advancing conditions It is estimated as the middle of September, has for doing business includes probably been positive for reform of the judiciary, land unlikely that the Serbia. The state’s additional registry, administration blockade at the borders expenses, based on recording and education, completion and taking care of refugees, of the privatisations of forwill be permanent, have almost certainly been mer socially-owned enterso it will have a lower than the income genprises, improving the work erated by the economy on of public enterprises and negative effect only the basis of transportation, more. Improving business on a certain number accommodation and sales of conditions is not a one-time consumer goods to refugees. activity, but rather a continof companies, but will However, the temporary uous process in which the not have a significant closure of borders, firstly tocountry’s institutions adapt to altered environmental macroeconomic impact wards Hungary and then into Croatia, has had a net effect conditions. For anchored that has become extremely macroeconomic stability, it negative, because Serbia has started losing income is necessary to continue with resolute fiscal confrom transit, while exporting and importing goods solidation, because the fiscal deficit of 3.5 to four has become more difficult. It is estimated as unper cent of GDP that will be realised this year relikely that the blockade at the borders will be permains one of the highest in Europe. It is therefore manent, so it will have a negative effect only on a essential to continue reducing the fiscal deficit in certain number of companies, but will not have a the coming years, in order for it to be reduced to significant macroeconomic impact. around one per cent of GDP a few years from now.

A key condition for the acceleration of economic growth in Serbia is increasing the investment rate from the current level of about 20 per cent to over 25 per cent of GDP. For now, the refugee crisis has no negative impact on macroeconomic stability

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DEJAN ŠOŠKIĆ Professor at the Belgrade Economics Faculty

VLADIMIR GLIGOROV Senior Economist at the Vienna Institute of International Economic Studies

Avoiding Balkanisation Fever The inflow of refugees by itself doesn’t need to have negative economic consequences, but if Balkanisation fever takes over in Serbia and Croatia, there may be far-reaching negative economic and political consequences The increased inflow of refugees need not have negative economic consequences in and of itself. Increased costs to the budget will translate into more consumption on goods produced domestically. The effects on investment should not be negative if there are no additional social and political problems generated by opportunistic social groups and political parties. Finally, the pressure on the labour market is non-existent, because the refugees do not intend to stay and seek asylum or jobs in Serbia. All economic effects are negligible anyway, and social tensions also don’t seem to be significantly elevated. The political issue is the major risk. Internally, some opinion makers and leaders see the chance to increase their popularity by fear mongering. It is not clear how much more nationalist and racist feelings can be beefed up. However, the major risk is that anti-EU and anti-American sentiment will get a boost. In that, the border control disputes with Hungary, and in particular with Croatia, if they are prolonged, may have more negative economic and political consequences. The danger is always that while anticipating the EU’s disintegration, Balkanisation fever takes over the public in countries like Serbia and Croatia, which mostly seek excuses and do not need a reason to get into one type of a conflict or another. Clearly, prolonged trade disruption and political animosity would have far-reaching negative economic and political consequences. 22 |

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We Have No Reason for Optimism Key processes for serious long-term economic development in the country do not exist, because the serious reforms that should provide conditions for dynamic economic growth are practically not being implemented The slight economic growth after the cedures and impartial processes, while an economic decline may be a result of recovefficient, competent and impartial legal sysery in the utilisation of existing capacities tem must be established. Economic growth or some positive developments in certain must be based on a competitive economy, sectors that do not have a long-term trend. and there can be no competitive economy Hence the halt in the decline of economic acwithout knowledge, i.e. competent individutivity is not much of a reason for optimism, als. In short, ensuring high quality education because the 2008 level of economic activity at all levels must become the number one is still far away. If it wants healthy economic task of our state and society in general. In growth, Serbia must seriously implement our country, however, we see quite the opstructural reforms and substantially inposite processes in practice: the weakening crease the level of investment in the country, of the system’s institutions along with the both from government and private sources. strengthening of political influence, and Such processes imgradual devastation of the ply strengthening the educational system with a capacity of local institugreat tendency to issue diEnsuring high tions, their competences, plomas without sufficient quality education respect for procedures knowledge and plagiarism and an efficient judicial and final research papers at all levels must system. Key processes without mechanisms of become the number conviction and punishfor the serious long-term economic development of ment in such cases. one task of our the country do not exist. In such circumstances state and society Fiscal consolidation parta competitive economy is ly succeeded in removing not created and in such cirin general. In our the immediate threat of cumstances, as a rule, large, country, however, bankruptcy, but serious high-quality foreign invesreforms that should protors do not come. Hence, we see quite the vide conditions for dyunfortunately, I believe opposite processes that the “encouraging renamic economic growth are practically not being sults of economic growth” in practice implemented. We are in that you mentioned are a state of relatively stable actually, in an environment but low levels of domestic production. without a healthy vision of economic and social development, not really encouraging, nor The state must invest more in infrastructure from existing financial resources, the do they have the real potential to ensure the institutions of our state need to be strengthdynamic and sustainable economic growth of ened with quality experts, intelligent proour country in the future.

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INTERVIEW

The Powerful Weapon

RADOMIR BASTA CEO at Four Dots

OF MARKETING The websites of international companies are becoming the foundation for improving operations and attracting a larger number of potential clients, and it is there that search engine optimisation (SEO) plays a major role. An ever increasing number of local business leaders are coming to realise that SEO is an important factor in developing their authority on the internet

worldwide as a part of any strategic development plan, both in small enterpises and in major companies. Without adequate technical and content structure, it is difficult for a site to expect to achieve tangible results. That’s why SEO represents a strategy that contributes to the development of operations and the creation of brand awareness, and the importance of that should not be disregarded at a time when the internet is no longer a luxury, but rather an integral part of our daily lives.

EO is mandatory worldwide as part of any strategic development plan, both in small enterprises and in major companies. Little is still known about this in Serbia and it is rarely discussed, even though he is a strong tool for positioning not only major brands, but also small companies that want, with the help of a smart strategy, to be competitive against them, says Radomir Basta, CEO at Four Dots. ■ For a start, tell us how important SEO is in today’s climate? - Internet usage statistics in the last few years bear witness to the fact

that people are increasingly turning to online searching, comparing and purchasing products and services. This obviously gives enormous importance to strategies for improving visibility in searches, where a company’s website becomes the foundation for improving operations and attracting a larger number of potential users. Of course, in order to achieve a result it is not enough to simply make a site. The goal of any online strategy is to attract as many users as possible, and it is precisely in this part where search engine optimisation (SEO) plays a major role. Unlike other forms of internet traffic, organic site visits usually result in the conversion of potential users into customers. Therefore, SEO is mandatory 24 |

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■ Who most requires high quality SEO today: companies, media outlets or someone else? - Given the fact that the internet is today used actively by people of

various demographic characteristics, SEO is definitely becoming useful for an ever increasing number of industries. At the same time, one must not disregard the fact that the internet allows the launching of various types of business with minimal investment, which contributes to increasing competition in almost all sectors. Since the start of the mass expansion of online business, experts have highlighted its importance for small businesses, thus SEO is also most commonly associated with that sector. What represents the most striking advantage in this area is the low investment required, on the one hand, and the possibility of a global breakthrough, on the other. This is why it is often pointed out that small businesses can compete with global brands on the internet, as long as the quality of their services and online authority building strategies meet the demands of consumers. It is precisely for this reason that big companies must invest in maintaining their competitiveness, because it is not uncommon for smaller sites, or even personal blogs, to become a greater authority in an industry of established brands. A similar situation exists in the media sector, where personal blogs are increasingly assuming a leading role in informing internet users.

This is blatant proof that the balance of power on the internet depends on quality and a readiness to constantly invest in innovating content, which is also one of the aspects of website optimisation.

■ Given that Google hides very well the criteria by which it produces search results, how can someone secure good SEO? - Representatives of Google have repeatedly ex-

son for this is the fact that HEO focuses on the content and structure of a site, while SEO deals with the positioning of a site in search results generally. Of course, the importance of HEO is huge, mostly due to the fact that over 90 per cent of internet users form their impressions of a site on the basis of the design and in the first few seconds of viewing a page. Accordingly, site content, colours and illustrations must be adapted to the rules of human perception. Unlike search engines that understand code, tags and keywords, users experience text through its integration with visual elements. Here, of course, it is not only the visual presentation of the content that is important, but also its very purpose. For example, it is important to determine which words will be highlighted, where links to take action will be located and whether the graphics on the page will adequately transmit the emotion that the content itself is trying to provoke.

Since the start of the mass expansion of online business, experts have highlighted its importance for small businesses, because – with a small investment - small businesses can compete with global brands

plained that, for now, signals from social networks do not have a direct impact on determining the position of a site in search results. However, their popularity is extremely important to building a stable identity on the internet. First of all, social networks are now so broadly represented that their potential cannot be ignored by any industry. Furthermore, they can be a source of quality traffic towards a site, which is certainly beneficial to webmasters, regardless of their strategic goals. At the end of the day, social networks are one of the best ways to promote the actual content of a site and, thus, provide the possibility of its quality distribution. ■ What is the difference between SEO and HEO? - Although both strategies are aimed at optimising sites for users, HEO

can definitely be seen as just one part of the whole SEO story. The rea-

■ Which are the most rewarding web platforms for SEO? Wordpress, as the most popular, or something else? - WordPress is definitely still one of the most rewarding platforms for

SEO and that’s mainly because of its simplicity, which also enables novice bloggers to easily manage content and very easily carry out the initial optimisation of their site. Although there are other platforms,

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like Joomla!-e, that can carry out good search optimisation, Wordpress offers far more possibilities, especially in terms of plugins and extensions that enable easy management of any aspect of a site. ■ How satisfied are you with the level of use of SEO in our region? - The fact is that little is still known about SEO in Serbia and it is rarely

discussed, but the number of business leaders choosing to implement these strategies is growing and that is definitely a good thing. Unfortunately, one of the things that can constitute an obstacle to greater application of SEO is common misconceptions regarding the industry itself. Namely, there is still a view that SEO is expensive, doesn’t pay off and cannot be measured, which is perhaps based on previous negative experiences that saw site owners have work with dubious companies or self-proclaimed gurus who promises quick results with minimal effort and cost. Such offers were indeed frequent while SEO was still in its infancy, and it still exists today, which has a negative impact on our entire industry. In order to avoid mistaken assumptions about how Google functions and how SEO is done, it is necessary to educate customers on what SEO really is and what represent the benefits and potential risks related to this branch of digital marketing.

IT start-ups represent a particularly aggressive sector in Serbia that has great potential in the international market. However, I'd still like to see more companies decide to develop and promote their own products on the world market, and not only outsource their knowhow and services. ■ How much personal experience from the global market can you make use of here? - Four Dots Agency is currently collaborating with several major do-

mestic brands and I must emphasise that this experience is truly at the global level. It is a pleasure to see a readiness to apply advanced SEO methods, constant communication in order to improve strategies and, of course, excellent results. Among smaller enterprises, as I mentioned earlier, there are still a multitude of misconceptions related to what SEO really is, so there it is also a lot harder to apply some advanced strategies. Generally, there are often still problems in communication when it comes to what can be achieved and how, but I think the positive side of all of that is the fact that an increasing number of enterprises are showing an interest in the industry and improving their knowledge of the area. ■ How would you respond to the suggestion that SEO is dead, but also that SEO is “gazing into a crystal ball”? - Such criticisms are totally understandable and that’s

why I like to emphasise the fact that there are metrics that indicate the exact opposite. As long as SEO is conducted professionally, there are ways to measure the results and realise a return on investment, and to form future strategies on the basis of that. ■ What are the current trends in SEO and what do you expect in the period ahead? - The SEO industry is more dynamic than ever, given the con-

stant growth in the number of companies dealing with it and bringing innovations to their approaches. One of perhaps the most striking trends is the focus on strategies for the produc■ As we have already touched upon the tion and distribution of content, i.e. content marketing, which The SEO industry area, how do you see the potential for – in combination with SEO techniques – certainly represents is more dynamic start-ups in Serbia, with special emone of the most potent methods for building up a company’s than ever, given the phasis on the IT sector? authority on the internet, and the website itself. - As in many other parts of the world, As for the next few years, I expect ever more innovative constant growth in the start-ups are a very interesting sector for approaches to building links, and for that to be done on the number of companies both investors and the media, as well as basis of high quality content. Some traditional technical asdealing with it and pects of SEO will, of course, also be valid in the future, but for marketing professionals. Start-ups, bringing innovations to there will also be increasingly striking innovations. especially those in the IT sector, repretheir approaches sent a global phenomenon that has one Online reputation management - ORM, for example, is striking paradox: the disproportion beone of the progressive fields related to SEO that more and tween application of innovative methods in a technological sense and more companies and individual professionals are beginning to implement proactively. This strategy is currently mostly used reactively, i.e. in terms of marketing. only when a negative result appears, which often requires much more Start-ups are known for their focus on the use of advanced technologies and testing of new business models, but many of them lack a feeltime and money than when quality ORM is ensured from the start. In ing for effective marketing. This is typically the problem of a lack of time this area there is still a problem when it comes to finding a reliable or expertise, so such companies rarely decide initially to invest in SEO agency that hasthe knowhow and ability to ensure better content is and ASO (App Store Optimisation) or opt to delegate responsibility for represented more in searches. these communication channels to juniors. The competition is fierce and Online Reputation Management is definitely something that will that’s why there are various methods of promoting business start-ups, become increasingly prevalent in future, both throughout the world all of which emphasise the importance of an active online presence. and in our country. ■ 26 |

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ECONOMY

Greece Turns to

ECONOMIC REFORM Questions over Greece's political future appear to have been answered, but economic questions remain. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was re-elected and though EU officials welcomed his victory, they have urged Athens to focus on economic reform. And that is just what the government will do

come into effect. Athens will have to deal with this issue while also tryy the end of October, Athens will have to review the budget ing to progressively lift the capital controls that were introduced in June. for 2015 and present a budget for 2016 that includes substantial spending cuts. To comply with its bailout terms, Athens will also have to introduce tax hikes for farmers, introOPPORTUNITY FOR CONFLICT duce reforms in the labour market and continue with the privatization In the coming weeks, Greece's negotiations with its lenders will focus on two issues: first, the pace of reform and the disbursement of bailof state-owned companies — all before the end of the year. out money and, second, debt relief. Tsipras' decision to resign and call for early elections in August was Regarding the pace of reform, Greece is operating on a tight scheda risky move, but it was made out of necessity. His government had lost ule, and Athens is unlikely to meet all of its deadlines. This will probably support from a large sector of the ruling Syriza party, leaving him dependent on the opposition to pass legislation. Holding new elections delay the review of Greece's program and, accordingly, the disbursement (the third this year, counting the general elections in January and the of bailout funds. This is not an urgent problem, however, since Greece referendum in July) was meant to rid Syriza of its rebellious members has a relatively calm calendar of debt maturities and can afford to delay and to form a more cohesive government that would support the terms some of its bailout disbursements. Greek creditors are also likely to be of the agreement with Greece's lenders. lenient with Tsipras, considering the notable change in his rhetoric over Politically, the strategy worked. Syriza lost only a negligible amount the past nine months. But there are limits to the creditors' patience, and of votes when compared to the January election (earning 35.5 per cent the governments of countries like Germany, Finland and the Netherlands of the vote compared to 36.3 per are ready to resume pressure if cent in January). The party created Athens fails to make progress on By the end of the year, Athens will have to by the rebel lawmakers, Popular implementing the terms of its bailout by the end of the year. Unity, failed to enter parliament. work with its lenders to reform the Greek Now Tsipras will need to put And Tsipras' allies, the Independbanking sector and create the framework to ent Greeks, won enough seats to debt relief back on the negotiating recapitalise the nation's banks maintain their alliance with Syriza. table to compensate for the introduction of a new round of austerity The new iteration of the Tsipras government will therefore be more ideologically cohesive, made measures and to maintain his political support. The creditors are more more so because this time the prime minister campaigned on a clear amenable to the idea of extending Greece's maturities and lowering interest repayments than they were when Tsipras won election in January. promise to respect the terms of the bailout program. Syriza's previous However, any delay in the reform schedule will hurt these negotiations. government collapsed partly because of its ambiguous electoral promises, which led to conflict within the different factions of the party. HowIn the immediate term, the bailout agreement and the outcome of ever, this government will also control fewer seats in the parliament. the latest elections will bring some temporary calm to Greece. Greece Though Tsipras' first administration had 12 seats more than a majority, has averted a default and the country will remain in the eurozone it just lost eight of those. This means that Tsipras will have to manage through the end of the year. party disputes more cautiously. But Greece is not out of the woods yet. A demanding bailout program with constant performance reviews will create multiple chances Through the end of the year, Athens will have to work with its lenders to reform the Greek banking sector and create the framework to refor Athens to clash with its creditors, while the introduction of austercapitalise the nation's banks. This includes assessing the quality of their ity measures will probably erode popular support for the government, loan portfolios and performing stress tests. The Greek bailout included slowing the pace of reform. Moreover, the Greek economy will grow very some €25 billion to recapitalize the country's ailing banks this year, but slowly, reducing the likelihood that Athens will simply grow out of its the amount actually made available will depend on the result of the debt any time soon. Greece's debt will remain unsustainable, and though stress tests. Greece's goal is to complete the recapitalisation process the threat of a Grexit has been temporarily averted, it has not been completely eliminated. Source: Stratfor, Global Inteligence before 2016, when tougher EU rules on imposing losses on depositors OCTOBER

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ECONOMY

B y L AU R E N G O O DW I N, F RO N T I E R S T R AT E GY G RO U P

EUROPE’S MIGRANT CRISIS

Threats, Opportunities and

CONSEQUENCES FOR BUSINESS

Germany’s interior minister announced on 20th September that the country would temporarily close its border with Austria. The aim of this measure was to “limit the current inflows to Germany and to return to orderly procedures when people enter the country” at a time when mass migration far exceeds anything seen since the end of WWII. News coverage of Europe’s ongoing migrant crisis may, if anything, understate the magnitude of the event

he crisis is not only a human tragedy, it is also a monuWHY HAS THE REFUGEE CRISIS ACCELERATED? mental practical challenge for Europe, and while strong, The EU estimates that in the first half of 2015 over 350,000 migrants positive policy steps could help to lessen the scope of reached Europe —25 per cent more than in all of 2014. Germany the threat, migration alone expects that approximately will remain a key challenge for 800,000 migrants will reach the The EU estimates that in the first half of 2015 country in 2015, representing a the EU in the coming decade. In this post, I’d like to address the over 350,000 migrants reached Europe —25 substantial strain on resources. nuanced question of the practiUnrest in the Middle East and Afper cent more than in all of 2014. Germany cal short- and long-term conserica is nothing new, and Syria’s alone expects that approximately 800,000 quences this migration crisis civil war began in 2011, but this will have on European economsudden increase of movement and migrants will reach the country in 2015 ics and business. attention is the result of deterio28 |

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rating conditions in Lebanon. Refugee agencies have run out of funds for food and shelter, and fed-up refugees have started to move on. The primary routes into Europe cross the Mediterranean into Italy or Greece and go by land through the Balkans and Hungary. While recognised refugees are legally protected under the 1951 UN Convention, the influx of people to Europe includes not only those seeking refugee status from violence in Syria, Afghanistan and Eritrea, but it also includes economic migrants from the Balkan states and elsewhere. Herein lies the challenges for Europe’s response: a regard for international law and a conscience for helping those pushed from their homes combat a very real fear of domestic political and economic disturbance, as well as a threat to security.

IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXECUTIVES IN EUROPE

As political and economic responses to the ongoing migrant crisis unfold in Europe, Frontier Strategy Group (FSG) recommends that executives consider the following actions:

● Evaluate your production chain for

● Anticipate changes in government spending profiles: Strict EU rules

on budget deficits mean that policies for handling migrants in European countries will likely be met with cuts from other discretionary budget spending. Companies should communicate with government partners to evaluate the stability of short-term funding on ongoing public projects and adjust their outreach accordingly.

● Review the opportunity to engage with refugee relief efforts: Con-

sider donating supplies, organising volunteers or promoting refugee hiring policies to enhance the company’s reputation and build worker relationships while the issue is still central. Create refugee retraining and apprenticeship programs or take advantage of existing programs funded by the state that may increase workforce skill and build company image.

● Evaluate how downward pressure on wages will impact your

costs and demand for your products: It is likely to take some time

vulnerability to supply delays in the short and medium term: The Schengen agreement – a landmark policy of many but not all EU countries, promoting the free movement of people and goods – does allow for temporary suspensions of free movement, such as the 12-hour suspension of trains from Austria to Germany. However, disruptions are becoming more common. International trains have frequently been delayed by policy, and border checkpoints are increasingly common even on major highways. While the occasional slowdown of migrant trains may not impact executive travel, accumulated delays for truck stoppages along borders could prove very costly for inventory management and production.

● Monitor political processes across

Western Europe and CEE: Regardless of official policies towards migrants and refugees, immigration has been a before official refugees are processed and highly polarising subject throughout Over 7.5 million Syrians are considered in formal employment figures. the financial crisis. In fact, FSG is moniinternally displaced and over As a result, FSG does not expect a meantoring a shift towards populism worldfour million are refugees abroad ingful increase in official unemployment wide, which in some cases includes anti-immigrant views, as lower economic as a result of the migrant crisis. However, in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan, growth and commodities prices take the surge in availability of labour could put where they live in squalid hold for a second year in many coundownward pressure on wages. While this conditions that encourage their tries. As European countries struggle to may reduce costs, it could also mitigate any departure to Europe sustain economic recoveries, the burimprovements in consumption otherwise den on state resources and perceived anticipated when population size increases. threat to particularly low-income workers is likely to exacerbate political tensions. In countries such as ● Prepare for low interest rates for longer: Companies can also expect lower interest rates for a longer period of time, as weak wage Hungary, pandering to extremist or even radical nationalist parties growth could put downward pressure on the overall price level in such as Jobbik could shape political and economic outcomes in upcoming years. The UK is also at risk, as it votes by 2017 on whether the economy, encouraging the ECB to maintain a steady stimulus via to remain a part of the EU. low interest rates. OCTOBER

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LONGER TERM CONSIDERATIONS AND PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR EUROPE Europe’s response to this crisis has proven to be disjointed, divisive and insufficient. Responses have ranged from welcoming to antagonistic, while cooperation at the EU level has, so far, been limited. At the same time, individuals across the region have largely proven to be concerned and compassionate, even when their governments have dithered. While the response to and implications of the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe are likely to vary by country, FSG has identified a few key considerations and consequences that will shape the European political economic landscape in upcoming years.

costs will add fire to the flames. As a short-term resettlement issue becomes a longer-term issue of job security and training, companies should expect increased domestic political conflict as politicians are forced to address nationalist concerns and intensifying disagreement on EU immigration policies generally.

3. Europe’s free movement of people and goods is threatened

Countries’ responses to date represent a monumental challenge to the Schengen Agreement, which governs the fundamental EU principle of free movement. The establishment of border fences and checkpoints affects travel and trade, increases uncertainty, and weakens the very idea of European unity painstakingly built over years of cooperation. Worse, legal and physical barriers will only grow more common as refugees granted asylum in poorer EU countries seek to relocate to those that offer better benefits or stronger economies. Effective European integration is critical for the continent's future growth and stability prospects, and restricting movement is a giant step in the wrong direction.

4. Demographics in Europe support more migration

Many EU countries are experiencing population decline, and an influx of young, motivated, and skilled workers could present a demographic dividend. While it’s unclear 1. The crisis will only get worse Effective European integration is exactly what proportion of migrants come The EU’s response to the crisis fails to adcritical for the continent's future from skilled backgrounds, the high cost of dress the current degree of the challenge, coming to Europe and anecdotal evidence growth and stability prospects, and the risk to Europe is actually more from Sweden suggests that many of these and restricting movement is a substantial than most acknowledge. Over asylum-seekers are economically valuable. If 7.5 million Syrians are internally displaced giant step in the wrong direction they can be quickly and thoroughly integrated into society, migrants and their children and over 4 million are refugees abroad in will build and strengthen Europe’s next genLebanon, Turkey and Jordan, where they erations. Particularly for Germany, a population boost is extremely imlive in squalid conditions that encourage their departure to Europe. portant for medium- and long-term growth and stability. Conflict with ISIS leaves conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan likely to deteriorate even further. If and when refugees are resettled, it will add a SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR pull factor on overall migrant volumes because many will tell friends, FSG recommends that companies monitor the following signals of a changbring families, and spread the word of opportunity in Western Europe. ing political or economic landscape as a result of the crisis: Volumes are likely to only increase in the coming years. More acutely, as Border checks: An increase in border checks for trains and trucks migrants hurry to reach Europe before the onset of winter, the urgency of finding shelter will increase. Few leave Lebanon with adequate across Europe would signal an immediate increase in logistics costs for clothing and it’s likely that many will miscalculate the changing season. companies, as well as a longer term risk for the free movement of people in Immediate challenges will intensify as the weather grows colder. Europe, stalling business investment and limiting export performance particularly for eurozone countries. Concrete steps towards real integration 2. Resettlement without integration means instability of refugees within host countries: Early support would offer the greatest The question of which countries will accept refugees is probably less dividends economically, socially and politically, limiting the risk of Islamic important than the question of integration. Refugee populations will radicalisation, crime and poverty among new migrants. require language tutoring, vocational training, and social support in Definitive political shifts: The news media are likely to cover stories order to productively enter the workforce, and their children will need of mistreatment and fear in host European countries. However disheartening, it is the tangible political outcomes – pandering to extremist or ansubstantial remedial and basic education. These costs are necessarily ti-immigrant parties, closing of borders, changing of political leadership passed on to host nations, and even the most welcoming populations – that will signal a likely deterioration of political stability and business may grow increasingly bitter. As mentioned above, right wing parties predictability in any European country. ■ have long been on the rise across Europe, and refugee resettlement 30 |

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

BUSINESS LEADERS’ MEETING POINT

OCTOBER 2015

36 PAGE

40 PAGE

Reputation and

Helping Cities

Expertise

BRANIMIR MIJAILOVIĆ DIRECTOR OF ENERGOTEHNIKA JUŽNA BAČKA, NOVI SAD

Become Stronger THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION OCTOBER

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The latest methods and treatment programmes are now available at the West Medic Medical Centre The West Medic Medical Centre, which brings together in one place a top team of doctors, chiropracticians and physiotherapists from within the country and abroad, has recently started operating. West Medic offers the most complete methods from the field of general practice medicine, paediatrics, gynaecology, ophthalmology, occupational medicine, radiology, laboratory work, cardiology, rheumatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, physical medicine, chiropractics and Kinesitherapy. Among other things, for the first time in our country an international team of highly educated and experienced specialists are performing the most modern and most effective non-surgical treatment programmes for treating spinal disc herniation, sporting and orthopaedic injuries, degenerative changes, peripheral neurological disturbances, as well as a complete post-operative recovery programme. Chiropractic Doctor Robert L. Johnson, a member of the West Medic team, considers that, compared to other methods, chiropractics has proven most effective in the treatment of herniation

of the spinal disc and cervical part of the spine, as well as that most symptoms can be neutralised quickly, sometimes after just one intervention. He also notes that the work of chiropracticians represents only the initial impulse on the route to recovery and that each treatment must be preceded by a correct diagnosis, followed by X-ray or magnetic resonance footage, alongside lab tests and check-ups by a specialist. Our medical centre is equipped with the latest technological advances in medical equipment, with the aim of accelerating and easing the recovery of the health of patients. As a health institution that faithfully fosters ethical codes and maintains fair and correct relations with patients, while simultaneously taking care of the financial side of the needs and opportunities of each patient, we offer numerous benefits with diagnostic services packages (MRI - magnetic resonance imaging, CT - scanner, ultrasound diagnostics, laboratory analysis etc.). Moreover, the advice of our Health Coach will help clients adjust their diet and create a healthy lifestyle to improve their health.

OCTOBER

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EXPECTATION

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

“Serbia expects that the first chapters in accession negotiations with the EU will be opened by the end of this year.” - Jadranka Joksimovic, Serbian minister without portfolio responsible for EU integration

LOCAL NEWS

01 TELEKOM SERBIA

02 DELHAIZE GROUP

Your business can be a good business

Recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index

Telekom Serbia’s business clients will have even better business communication thanks to the new BizPaket (BizPackage) – a unique offer for small and medium-sized enterprises. BizPaket users are able to connect between nine and 20 fixed and mobile lines with Internet Net 10 and receive 150 free minutes available to all fixed lines in the package for calls to all national fixed networks. Biz InoCall and Call Identification services will be activated free of charge on all fixed lines included in the BizPaket. Depending on the BizPaket tariff selected, users can opt for some of the most advanced handsets at a price of just one dinar. Thanks to BizPaket, customers will receive a free WiFi router, for which Telekom Serbia provides the installation. The advantage of this business package is that by integrating fixed-line, mobile telephony and the Internet in BizPaket, customers receive one bill and consumption can adapt to individual needs, with considerable savings in terms of obtaining quality, flexibility and reliability.

Delhaize Group has been included in the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), a leading benchmark for invesFrans Muller, Delhaize Group tors who inte- President and CEO grate sustainability considerations into their portfolios. The Belgian international supermarket operator is one of only four retailers in the world, and one of only three retailers in Europe, to be included in the DJSI for the Food and Staples Retailing sector. The Group received a total score of 73, well above the average industry score of 43. The performance of Delhaize Group was well-balanced between the three dimensions: economic, environmental and social. “This is an outstanding achievement that reflects our continuing commitment to being a sustainability leader in all of our markets,” said Frans Muller, Delhaize Group President and CEO.

04 IEDC-BLED SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

03 PKB

Advanced Management Programme in Belgrade

Call for privatisation in mid-October Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali has suggested that there are 11 prospective buyers interested in the partial privatisation of the assets of Belgradebased agricultural combine PKB. A formal call to privatise PKB will be published in mid-October. “A representative of an investment fund that is interested in PKB is also here today,” said Mali, though he declined to name the fund. Mali was speaking at an investment forum attended by around 300 investors from over 20 countries that included presentations of the Belgrade Waterfront project and many other projects to be implemented through public-private partnership programmes. The forum included a number of panel discussions dealing with investments in infrastructure, public-private partnerships and SME development. Source: Tanjug

Dr. Nenad Filipović, Academic Director of the IEDC-Bled School of Management

The Advanced Management Programme (AMP) is an open-enrolment programme organised by Slovenia’s IEDC-Bled School of Management that will be held in Belgrade from October to December 2015. It represents an excellent opportunity to experience this high quality college with an international character and innovative approach. In its past six years, the AMP programme has inspired more than 300 executives and potential leaders from 12 countries. At IEDC, we strive to go beyond traditional teaching methods, using an inspirational blend of theoretical frameworks and immediately applicable concepts that will change your mindset and help you develop knowledge and skills quickly and effectively.

5 THINGS

TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING A BUSINESS WITH FRIENDS

05 CORRIDOR 10

Russians Build Three More Rail Lines Serbian Railways and Russian Railways’ (RZD) subsidiary RZD International have signed an agreement on the reconstruction and modernisation of three sections of PanEuropean Corridor 10 through southern Serbia, covering a total length of 46 kilometres. The construction works are scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2016.

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Here are five lessons you should learn before launching a business with your own friends, which should help you avoid some of the more obvious pitfalls: 1. Stay in your lane 2. Have the tough conversations early 3. Businesses are not democracies 4. New perspectives are crucial 5. It pays to include everyone

MEDIA

DID YOU KNOW?

“The process of the withdrawal of the state from Serbian media will be complete by 31st October, as envisaged by the law.” - Sasa Mirkovic, State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Culture

When WWI ended, a mountain in Canada was renamed Putnik, after Serbian Duke Radomir Putnik

06 MERCEDES BENZ

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H.E. ARNE SANNES BJØRNSTAD

New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to Serbia H.E. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad began his career at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a legal affairs desk officer in the Shipping Department in 1990. After serving in Ankara (1994-97), Rabat (1997) and Paris (1998-2001), he held the post of Coordinator for Norwegian Foreign Policy and Justice/Home Affairs Cooperation with the EU. From February 2003 to September 2006 he was a senior advisor at the Office of the Prime Minister of Norway and secretary to Norway’s Government Security Council. From 2006 to 2008 he held the post of Minister Counsellor for Economic and European Affairs at the Norwegian Embassy in London, before going on to serve as deputy head of mission in London from 2008 to 2011. Prior to his arrival in Serbia, Ambassador Bjørnstad held the position of Inspector General and Head of the Unit for External Services Control in Oslo. He is married to wife Hager Jemli Bjørnstad.

H.E. PERTTI IKONEN

New Ambassador of Finland to Serbia

H.E. Pertti Ikonen (56) is a Helsinki University law graduate who started his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland in 1989, first as a lawyer and then, from 1993, as a Senior Programme Officer at the Unit for International Financial Institutions. From ‘95 to ‘97, he served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland in Caracas, Venezuela, then from ‘97 to 2001 he was a Counsellor at the embassy in Tallinn, Estonia. From 2001 to 2002, he was a Special Adviser to the Under-Secretary of State, then Director at the Department for Development Policy at the MFA. From 2005 to 2010, he served as a Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission in Copenhagen, Denmark. Prior to his arrival in Serbia, he was an Ambassador of Aid for Trade and Information Society at the Department for Development Policy at the MFA of Finland. Pertti Ikonen is a married father of a daughter and a son.

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New Slovakian Ambassador to Serbia

Dagmar Repčeková graduated from the Bratislava University of Economic Science’s Faculty of Trade, before spending 17 years gaining experience working in leading positions for a number of Slovakian companies. She joined the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department for International Economic Cooperation in 2005 and was appointed Slovakian Ambassador to Romania and Moldova in 2008, resident at the Slovakian Embassy in Bucharest. Prior to her arrival in Belgrade, Ambassador Repčeková held the position of Director General of the Directorate for International Economic Cooperation. She speaks English, Germany, Romanian and Russian.

H.E. LAZAR MIRKIĆ

New Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzegovina to Serbia Lazar Mirkić (58) graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture’s department for machinery and farming, before completing his Master’s studies at Belgrade University’s Faculty of Agriculture – Department for Agro Economics. Ambassador Mirkić spent 12 years working in the agricultural sector in Bosnia-Herzegovina, before being appointed Secretary of the Economy of the Municipality of Šamac in 1992 and, later, as President of the Executive Board of Brčko Municipality. He served from 2010 to 2014 as an MP in the Assembly of Republika Srpska. Ambassador Mirkić is a married father of three.

ERIKA TEOMAN-BRENNER

New Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy in Serbia Born and raised in Graz, Austria, Erika Teoman-Brenner completed her law degree in her hometown before continuing her post-graduate education at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy, where she earned a master´s degree in International Public policy. After joining the Foreign Trade Department of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Brenner served as Assistant Trade Commissioner in New York for a three-year term. This was followed by an assignment to Rome, where she held the post of Deputy Trade Commissioner. After spending serving several years at headquarters in Vienna, Teoman-Brenner chose to again take a foreign posting, this time as Consul of Commercial Affairs In Istanbul. In 2008 she moved to Budapest, Hungary, where she served as Commercial Counsellor for seven years. She was appointed Commercial Counsellor in Belgrade in September 2015.

OCTOBER

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

INTERVIEW

Reputation and

Expertise BRANIMIR MIJAILOVIĆ

DIRECTOR OF ENERGOTEHNIKA JUŽNA BAČKA, NOVI SAD

With the expectation to move long-delayed projects in the energy sector, South Backa account that after a very successful 2015, and next year will have their hands full. At the same time, with its German partner R + S Solution is expected to raise cooperation to a higher level

nergotehnika Južna Bačka has been operating successfully for years, continuing on the foundations laid down by this company six decades ago and establishing itself as one of the most respected in its branches of electrical energy and electrcal assembly. The scope of the company’s business is growing in line with Serbia’s efforts to revitalise its most important installations and at Južna Bačka they expect this year to be successful both for this company and others operating in this field. Considering that, after a break of many years, construction of the first large capital facility in Serbia in the field of energy is planned for this year, Južna Bačka expects next year will also be very dynamic for the company. In addition to this, and thanks to its cooperation with German partner R+S Solutions, the company is also expanding its business successfully in Germany. Considering that its capacity is greater than the needs of the domestic market, Južna Bačka also plans to offer its expertise to partners from other countries. 36 |

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From the perspective of your company, how would you assess 2015 and will you be able to achieve all of your plans? - Južna Bačka has existed for 60 years and is one of the oldest and most respected companies in the fields of electrical energy and electrical assembly. The scope of our business activities largely depends on the volume of investments in the energy sector. In this respect, we can be satisfied with the current year. We completed the “power plant” at RTB BOR. We successfully carried out the revitalisation of facilities at the opencast Tamnava West Field mine at RB Kolubara, built several power transfer stations, started the implementation of the ash-water facility at TE-KO Kostolac, carried out revitalisation works at seven heating plants in Serbia and launched construction of a cogeneration plant at the district heating plant in Novi Sad. We honestly expect that the year ahead will be even more successful for us, but also for our competitors.  You began cooperating two years ago with German company “R plus S Solution” from

Fulda and recently announced the possible joint purchase of a factory in Serbia. What can you tell us about those plans? - The potential, human resources and technical capacities of Južna Bačka go beyond the needs of the domestic market, so entering the

this cooperation to a much higher level and I believe that by year’s end we will be able to inform the public about their successful realisation.  One form of cooperation with R+S Solutions is training

Južna Bačka is focused primarily on the domestic market and works in Germany, but we are also conducting serious talks regarding engagements in works in Qatar, Azerbaijan and Russia international market was logical. Cooperating with renowned a German company not only leads to an increase in business activity, but also contributes to the professional, technical and technological advancement of the company. We are currently making agreements on raising

electrical fitters from Serbia to work in Germany. How much interest is there among workers in Serbia for the training you offer? - People in Serbia are hardworking, they want to work and want to improve themselves, and all they need is to be offered the

chance. Interest exceeds the possibilities of us and our German partners. We are particularly thrilled by the great interest shown among young people, but we are even more delighted by the interest among middle-aged workers, who already have some work experience and want to improve their knowledge and skills. It turned out that this kind of cooperation is a hit and perhaps a model for solving Serbia’s unemployment problem.  Serbia’s plans in the energy sector are increasingly linked to the EU. Where do you see room in these plans for your own engagement? - The construction of any new power plant is a huge challenge not only for Južna Bačka, but for

all other companies operating in the electrical energy sector. Construction will soon begin of the new block with a capacity of 350MW at TE-KO Kostolac, which represents the first new capital structure after almost 30 years. We rightly expect to participate in its implementation. We believe that construction will also begin soon on a 400MW power plant block to replace the blocks that are due to stop working as a result of aging. We believe implementation of the project with

the Italians will begin on the construction of hydropower plants in the basin of the River Ibar and the long-awaited construction of reversible hydro power plants on the River Bistrica. The realisation of these projects would secure the full engagement of not only Južna Bačka, but also other Serbian companies, over the next ten to fifteen years. What is even more important is that these projects would ensure Serbia’s electrical energy independence until the end of this century.  Apart from the Serbian and German markets, which other markets are you focused on? - Južna Bačka is focused primarily on the domestic market and works in Germany being implemented in a high quality manner

further strategy of Južna Bačka on the international market. What I can say for now is that serious talks are being conducted regarding engagements in works in Qatar, Azerbaijan and Russia.  To the best of your knowledge acquired on the ground, how much interest exists in Serbia among investors in renewable energy sources (RES)? - The interest of both foreign and domestic investors is high, but we must be honest and admit that the production of green energy is, for now, a privilege of those countries that are richer and more developed in terms of electrical energy. We must bear in mind that, with the aim of preserving the stability of the power system,

Cooperation with R+S Solutions in the training of electrical fitters from Serbia for work in Germany has proved to be a hit and perhaps one of the models for solving Serbia’s unemployment problem and within envisaged deadlines and, to our great satisfaction, we are doing well in this regard. As I have already said, we are in the process of making agreements with our German partner and they will largely determine the

you must have a reserve base of production of as many megawatts as that which is the installed capacity of production of renewable energy, wind and sun. For example, Germany has thermal power units with a power capacity of

1,000 MW that have not been introduced to regular production, but rather serve as a backup that is only included in the system when production from wind or sun falls. With the realisation of the projects I previously mentioned, Serbia would create a key prerequisite for the start of serious investment in the production of electricity from solar power plants and wind farms. The second issue is the cost of electricity produced in such a way.

 What was your motivation behind joining the dual education project? - If the 19th century was marked by the industrial revolution and the 20th by the development of information technology, then the 21st century belongs to knowledge. That is why we decided to create our own personnel to cater for our own needs and not to wait for someone else to do so. With scholarships for school pupils and students, and their training in our company, we have provide ourselves with high quality and professional staff for many years. Serbia has always had a good educational system, but what it lacks is practical training. Now we have also provided this component of practical work experience for students and the results are exceptional.  You are heavily engaged in the CSR field. How do you choose which projects to support? - Južna Bačka has always behaved in a socially responsible way. In recent years we have placed the emphasis on assistance to the local community and, in particular, helping in the education of children with special needs. We think they need help the most when it comes to preparing them for life and inclusion in the community. We are also always ready to help sport, but amateur sport, as well as culture and the arts. 

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PROBLEM

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

“These people are here ... They do not want to come to Croatia or Hungary either and that is why I do not understand where the problem is in letting them pass through that country (Hungary)”. - Zoran Milanović, Croatian Prime Minister

REGIONAL NEWS

The Central German Tourism Development Company (CGTDC) has ruled out buying a stake in Bosnia’s embattled Bosnia & Herzegovina Airlines and will instead form its own carrier to be based in

01 BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

02 ALBANIA

New National Airline to Launch With Two Aircraft

More Than 650,000 Cannabis Plants Destroyed

Sarajevo with two aircraft. As a result, the German company, founded in May this year, has denied statements made by the Federation Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FGBH) that it is in talks to take over B&H’s name, Air Operator’s Certificate, employees and debt. “The Federation will have neither a direct or indirect stake in the airline”, said Norbert Dotterweich, CEO of CGTDC. “Our discussion with the FGBH was not aimed at taking over B&H Airlines, because the situation there is irreparable. “ Source: Balkans news

Albanian police said they have destroyed more than 650,000 cannabis plants worth a staggering €7 billion since the beginning

03 BULGARIA

Polish-German Consortium Wins Bulgaria Metro Contract Polish rolling stock producer Newag in a consortium with Siemens AG and Siemens EOOD has won a €142 million contract for the delivery of 20 trains for the metro in Bulgaria’s capital city Sofia. The estimated value of the contract is reportedly worth €37.4 million and the consortium will earn PLN 18.5 million (€4.4mln) net additionally if the client decides to order an additional 10 trains. The Siemens and Newag consortium submitted the lowest-price bid for the initial phase of Sofia metro Line 3, which is due to open in 2019. Sofia Metro opened bids for the contract on 13 August, revealing that the consortium had offered a price of €211,5 million. The project is being partially funded by the European Union through the 2014-2020 Operational Programme Transport for Bulgaria.

of the year. “Since January police have destroyed 650,333 cannabis plants and arrested 279 offenders,” a police spokesman told AFP. Searches for another 90 suspected offenders were still going on, spokesman Ardi Bida added. Police were helped by their Italian counterparts who provided information as well as helicopters for some operations. They said the cannabis growers are trying to hide the crop in more isolated areas of the mountainous Balkan country, where access by road can be very difficult. “Due to large-scale operations conducted last year, we had a decrease in the number of large areas where cannabis was grown,” police chief Haki Cako said.

TOP 10 MUSTS FOR A START-UP

04 HUNGARY

Tax Office received €3.2bln Overpayments By the end of August the Hungarian tax authority (NAV) had received around 1,000 billion forints (€ 3.2bn) in overpayments, Magyar Idok reported. The paper said that €320,000 million of the overpayments had come from private taxpayers while companies accounted for the rest. Citizens and individual entrepreneurs were generous when it came to their personal income tax and healthcare contributions while companies overpaid corporate and social contributions. Also, employers sometimes deducted too much income tax from employees’ wages. The overpayments pertain to 1.5 million private individuals and almost 400,000 companies.

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There are some things that you must have before launching a business, including: 1. Spending everything on a good team and equipment 2. Letting people know the company is in business 3. Raising limited capital 4. Taking stock of the company and determining its needs 5. Being open to opportunities 6. Having a supportive family 7. Targeting mass markets, not just niche markets 8. Having confidence in new ideas 9. Acquiring and selling to real customers 10. Choosing a good and reliable partner

BORDER

DID YOU KNOW

“They (Croatia), are encouraging the masses to break the law, because illegally crossing a border is breaking the law.” - Peter Szijjarto, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The term “Blue Chip” comes from the color of the poker chip with the highest value, blue.

Photo: CdM, Vedran Ilic

05 MONTENEGRO

Country's Largest Commercial and Residential Facility Opens The largest and most modern commercial and residential facility in Montenegro, Capital Plaza, has officially opened in Podgorica. “Podgorica gets a new face with the opening of such a facility,” said Minister of Tourism and Sustainable Development, Branimir Gvozdenović. Atlas Group President, Duško Knežević, said that more than 10 boutiques had already been opened in this centre. The opening ceremony was attended by 200 guests, including Montenegrin Prime Minister Milo Đukanović, together with President of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Financial Group, Abdulhamid Saeed, UAE Ambassador to Montenegro, Hafsa Abdulla Mohamed Sharif Al Ulama, and CEO of the Abu Dhabi Financial Group, Jassim Alseddiqi, Minister of Transport and Maritime Affairs, Ivan Brajović, and senior officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

06 ROMANIA

07 CROATIA

Romania Outperforms the Region

Law on Swiss franc Loans Faces EU Scrutiny

Romania remains one of the most attractive investment spots in the region, as shown by the surge in yearly revenue growth of Romanian companies present in Deloitte Central Europe Top 500.

The largest Romanian companies saw a median annual revenue growth of 5.3% compared to the regional rate of just 0.3%. The number of companies from Romania present in the ranking increased to 46 as compared to 42 in 2014, placing the country fourth, one position higher than the year before. The combined revenues of the companies from Romania rose by almost 7% to €46 billion. By way of contrast, the combined revenues of all companies in the Top 500 dropped by 1.8% to €682bln as compared to last year. Also, 30 companies from Romania improved their ranking and eight new entries made it to the top.

The European Commission has announced that it will assess whether or not the legislative measures for the conversion of Swiss franc loans into euro enacted by the Croatian Parliament are in line with basic EU principles. “Measures taken by a government in a member state must respect EU law, in this case in particular the Treaty principle of free movement of capital,” a spokesperson for the Commission said to SeeNews. The European Council has noted that the long-term solution to the issue of Swiss franc loans should be proportional and equitable, have a solid legal basis and a focus on helping the most distressed borrowers. The European Central Bank (ECB) said in a statement that the conversion of loans denominated in Swiss francs into euro, could lead to undesired Source: SeeNews consequences on the Croatia’s macroeconomic stability.

08 FYR MACEDONIA

Porsche wins €1.6mln Car Lease Contract

09 KOSOVO

Businesses Continue to Close According to the data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), 1,022 businesses have been shut down in Kosovo until the end of July this year. Safet Gerxhaliu, head of Kosovo Chamber of Kosovo, said that the main reasons why businesses are shutting down relates to the lack of the rule of law, high bank interest

The Service for General and Common Affairs of the Macedonian government has awarded a €1.6 million euro passenger car business lease contract to Porsche Makedonija, a notice in the European Union’s procurement journal indicated. Porsche Makedonija was the only bidder in the tender.

rates and the fall of purchase power. “New alternatives must be explored in order to offer low interest loans in order for the business sector to benefit from concessions.”, Gerxhaliu says. Arian Zeka, head of the AmCham of Kosovo says that the number of businesses shutting down is growing from one year to another. There must be a detailed analysis with owners of businesses that have shut Source: ibna down.

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BUSINESS DIALOGUE

CORPORATE

Helping Cities

Become Stronger Belgrade is the first city in the region to become part of the network of cities that are assisted by the Rockefeller Foundation in building up resilience against economic, social and physical challenges

elgrade is set to receive a comprehensive resilence strategy, in order to understand and address shocks and stresses, and to act upon them in a timely and adequate manner. The 100 Resilient Cities platform, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation, helps cities around the world to build up resilience against economic, social and physical challenges that are increasingly part of the 21st century, providing the resources necessary to develop a roadmap to resilience for every member city. How does the 100RC Platform function and what specific types of support does it provide to member cities? 100 Resilient Cities provides member cities with access to a curated suite of resilience-building tools and services supplied by a carefully selected platform of partners, such as SwissRe, which is providing member cities with CatNet, a tool that allows them to understand the financial risks represented by natural disasters; Palantir, a data analysis company that helps cities understand and make the best use of the massive streams of information they have coming in; water experts like Veolia, to make sure that cities can better handle shocks like flooding, and financial institutions, such as Deutsche Bank, 40 |

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which can help cities by increasing their access to credit and financing opportunities, as well as supplying a comprehensive range of planning and financing services. Belgrade, as one of the 67 current members of the 100RC, was added to the network in December 2014 and selected as the only Eastern European city among the more than 700 applicant cities from around the world. What are your motives for supporting Belgrade’s resilience efforts and are you planning to extend the programme to other cities in the region, in order to enhance their cooperation within the global network? We look at a number of criteria in choosing our member cities, chief

city that can export creative thinking and problem solving to other cities in our global network, which spans six continents and over 30 countries. It is expected that a comprehensive Resilience Strategy for Belgrade will be drafted over the next six to nine months, in a collaborative effort between different stakeholders. What does the Strategy bring to our

among them are finding a city that is ready, willing, and able to embrace a resilience agenda – and leadership from the city’s mayor, in terms of being a true partner in this effort. In Belgrade we see all of these things under Mayor Mali’s leadership. Furthermore, we see Belgrade as a

capital from the economic perspective, and what other concrete benefits will this global initiative bring to Belgrade? The city resilience strategy is designed to help the entire city ecosystem in Belgrade – not just city hall, but the private sector, civic

Cristiana V. Fragola, Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East, Sinisa Mali, Mayor of Belgrade and Vikram Singh, Associate Director, City Relationships 100 Resilient Cities

The city resilience strategy is designed to help the entire city ecosystem in Belgrade – not just city hall, but also the private sector, civic and government partners, as well as citizens

and government partners, as well as citizens throughout the city, to better understand and address shocks and stresses in a comprehensive way. It should also help Belgrade identify its overall strengths and weaknesses, so that when there is an impact—even if it is unknown or unpredictable— the city won’t merely mitigate losses, but will recover to be stronger. Building up resilience is not an easy endeavour. How will the 100RC funds be allocated, i.e. how is the City going to support initiatives emerging from the strategy process? Who are the major partners of this initiative? 100RC’s support to the city takes the form of four core offers. Financial allocation to the city takes the form of funding for the Chief Resilience Officer position for two years, while the remainder of the support of 100RC comes in the form of tangible partnerships, technical support and hands-on guidance in developing the city resilience strategy. 

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BUBBLE

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

“If you look at what’s going on at a global level, this increasing public and private liquidity on the financial markets ... we are moving to the next bubble”. - Wolfgang Schaeuble, German Finance Minister

WORLD NEWS

Finish media giant Sanoma Media Finland stated that up to 220 people may be made redundant The negotiations will concern a total of 1,600 staff members, 14 per cent of whom may lose their

01 FINLAND

02 TURKMENISTAN

Sanoma Seeks to Create Savings and Efficiency

TAPI Starts $10bln Gas Pipeline

job if the cuts are implemented in full. Sanoma is also set to shed 60 positions in its group-wide support functions as part of its attempts to generate savings of €50 million. “Sanoma has yet to make a decision regarding the future of any of its products or contents as part of a new belt-tightening programmer, “said HarriPekka Kaukonen, CEO Sanoma Media Finland.

Turkmenistan, keen to diversify its natural gas exports, will start building a long-delayed, $10 billion gas pipeline to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan in early December, a Turkmen government official told Reuters.

03 US

04 RUSSIA

GE to Transfer 400 Jobs to France

French Retailer Auchan Fined $370,000

Energy giant General Electric (GE) is to transfer 400 jobs in electric turbine production from the U.S. to France and another 100 to Hungary and China, the company announced mid last month. General Electric is to make the move because Congress has refused to reauthorise the U.S.’s Export-Import Bank under pressure from the right of the Republican Party, which claimed it was “corporate welfare”.

The Russian arm of French hypermarket chain Auchan has been fined 25 million rubles ($373,000) after a series of inspections of its sanitary standards by the country’s consumer rights watchdog, news agency RIA Novosti reported. The ruling by Rospotrebnadzor means that Auchan, which has faced a barrage of sanitary checks this summer, will avoid any forced closures of its stores. “Following the inspections, several hundred employees had been suspended from work, but no stores would be shuttered,” said Anna Popova head of Rospotrebnadzor.

05 ITALY

Turkmenistan holds the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves but remains dependent on gas exports to China after Russia cut back gas imports in the past few years. The TAPI project, supported by the US and the Asian Development Bank, has been touted by Turkmenistan since the 1990s. The pipeline will allow Turkmenistan to find new consumers in Asia and cut its dependence on China, which buys 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually.

TOP 10 PRODUCTS

CHINA MANUFACTURES MOST IN THE WORLD

Eni Finds a New Gas Cap in Egypt That has cut off credit in the US, so GE is moving some of its electric turbine production abroad. It says that the French export finance agency Coface has agreed to provide credit for some of its projects on condition that it transfer production to Belfort in eastern France. GE recently won European approval to buy Alstom’s energy arm and says it is bidding for energy contract worth €9.7 billion.

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The new gas field discovered by ENI is located in Egypt in the Shorouk block, 107 km far from Port Said cost. It seems to be quite significant both in terms of dimensions (100 m²) and in terms of resources (its estimated gas potential is 850 cubic meters). Even more important for the future of this field is the fact that the area where it is located is entirely under Eni’s “jurisdiction” thanks to the 2014 agreement signed by the Italian company with Egyptian Ministry for Oil and Mining Resources and with the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company.

1. Personal computers 2. Air conditioners 3. Energy-saving lamps 4. Solar cells 5. Mobile phones 6. Shoes 7. Cement 8. Pork 9. Coal 10. Ships

CHALLENGE

DID YOU KNOW

“The major challenge facing the global economy is that growth remains moderate and uneven.” - Christine Lagarde - Chief of the International Monetary Fund

Money is the number one thing that couples argue about

06 SPAIN

09 WORLD

Barcelona Fines Banks For Empty Homes

Spread of Deserts Costs Trillions

Barcelona city council has acted on its promise to fine banks with empty houses on their books, charging several banks €60,000 in total over 12 homes that have been empty for more than two years. City officials are investigating another 62 properties to decide whether more fines are appropriate. The fines were aimed at forcing banks to make use of empty properties. Those fined have a month to find tenants or face an additional charge of €10,000. If no action is taken after two months they could face another fine of up to €15,000. The law allowing Barcelona to crack down on banks with empty homes was passed by the previous city council in 2014, but was never applied.

07 BRAZIL

08 JAPAN

Brazil Unveils $17bil Austerity Plan

New Pokemon Smartphone App

Brazil announced a massive $17 billion austerity package mid last month in a bid to boost its ailing economy amid a deepening crisis that already caused a downgrade of the country’s credit rating.

Nelson Barbosa, Planning Minister

The package — announced at a news conference by Planning Minister Nelson Barbosa — includes freezing public sector salary raises and hiring, entirely eliminating 10 of 39 ministries, cutting 1,000 jobs and slashing housing and health-related social spending. “These are measures that are quite unpopular. And they are going to affect the support that President Dilma Rousseff’s government still has, especially among lower-income people,” economist Felipe Queiroz told AFP.

Nintendo Co., the Pokemon Co. and Google spin-off Niantic, Inc. announced they intend to transplant the virtual realities of the famous Pokemon “pocket monsters” into real-world locations with a smartphone app that players can use to catch, trade and stage battles between the creatures. Location-gaming app Pokemon GO is similar to Niantic’s “Ingress” real-world adventure game, which reports 12 million downloads. The Nintendo game will be released in 2016, initially as a free download. Nintendo also created Pokemon GO Plus, a small, wearable Bluetooth device that will use vibrations and flashes to alert players to Pokemon lurking in their surroundings.

Land degradation, such as a spread of deserts in parts of Africa, costs the world economy trillions of dollars a year and may drive tens of millions of people from their homes, a U.N.-backed study said end September Worldwide, about 52 per cent of farmland is already damaged, according to the report by The Economics of Land Degradation (ELD), compiled by 30 research groups around the world. It estimated that land degradation worldwide cost between $6.3 trillion and $10.6 trillion a year in lost benefits such as production of food, timber, medicines, fresh water, cycling of nutrients or absorption of greenhouse gases. “One third of the world is vulnerable to land degradation; one third of Africa is threatened by desertification,” it said. Such degradation, including from clearance of tropical forests, pollution and over-grazing “can also lead to transboundary migration, and eventually create regional conflicts”, it said.

The report cited a 2012 U.N. finding that up to 50 million people could be forced to seek new homes and livelihoods within a decade because of desertification. “Increased land degradation is also one of the factors that can lead to migration and it is being exacerbated by climate change,” European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella said in a statement about the report. Zafar Adeel, director of the U.N. University’s Institute for Water, Environment and Health which contributed to the ELD report, told Reuters that it was hard to pin down exact reasons for migration, for instance refugees fleeing Syria for Europe. “We now have multiple factors - social, conflict - as in the case of Syria,” he said. In May, a study in the U.S. journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlighted the link between drought, man-made climate change and conflict in Syria. “Human-induced climate change made a multi-year drought the most severe in the observed record,” Colin Kelley of the University of California, Santa Barbara, who led that Syria study, told Reuters. “The severity of this drought started a cascade of events, namely an agricultural collapse, a mass migration of farming families to the cities in Syria’s west, and ultimately conflict,” he said. Much of the estimated lost trillions of dollars from land degradation in study falls outside conventional measures of gross domestic product - such as “free” pollination by insects or water purification by forests. “We need to take a much broader approach to managing the planet” including a price on natural services, Robert Costanza, an author at the By Alister Doyle Australian National University, told Reuters.

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AFTER WORK

SEP

INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC PERFORMED IN SERBIA

SEP

CANADIAN MEDICAL MISSIONS IN SERBIA, 1914-1918

An exhibition authored by Sofija Škorić has opened at Belgrade City Library’s Atrium Gallery, entitled: “Canadians, thank you! Canadian medical missions in Serbia, 1914-1918”. The exhibition was organised to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Great War and to remember all those who gave their lives for the freedom of Serbia and Europe, including humanitarian medical volunteers who were stationed in Serbia and on the Balkan Front from 1914 to 1918. The exhibition was opened by H.E. Canadian Ambassador to Serbia Philip Pinnington, who recalled that many Canadian doctors and nurses came to Serbia in 1914 and gave their lives, while those who survived to return testified to the suffering in Serbia. Photo: Tanjug

A live concert of India’s classical instrumental ensemble “Laya, Taal, Samvaad” marked the occasion of 69th Independence Day of India. In collaboration with the New Delhi-based Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Indian Embassy in Belgrade organised the performance of this celebrated ensemble, led by Pandit Sadanand Naimpalli. Laya, Taal, Samvaad is a percussion ensemble which explores the various facets and intricacies of Laya and Taal in the Traditional Hindustani and Carnatic Streams of Music.

The exhibition was opened by H.E. Canadian Ambassador to Serbia PHILIP PINNINGTON

SEP

PAUL MORGAN (left), delivering the cash prize of the Fritz Henkel Foundation to DRAGAN STAŠEVIĆ, Mayor of Bač

SEP

GORDANA KNEZEVIC ORLIC, Klett, JASMINA STOJANOVIC, Novi Logos, NATALIJA JEGDIC, Telekom Srbija i MARKO BRATIC, Comtrade

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FRITZ HENKEL FOUNDATION DONATES TO RENOVATE SCHOOL

Each year, company Henkel organises its competition for the best “Make an Impact on Tomorrow” (MIT) photographs, which sees Henkel volunteers from around the world submit their photos. Among the more than one hundred competing photographs, this year’s winning photo was entitled “All in one boat” and won prize money of €500. In early September, project initiator Paul Morgan delivered the cash prize of the Fritz Henkel Foundation to the Mayor of Bač, Dragan Stašević, for reconstruction of the Aleksa Šantić Primary School in the settlement of Vajska in the municipality of Bač.

MAŠA AND RAŠA: SERBIA’S FIRST INTERACTIVE EDUCATION PORTAL

Publishing houses Klett and Novi Logos, in conjunction with companies Comtrade and Telekom Serbia, presented publicly a unique and modern didactic teaching tool intended for teachers and students from first to fourth year of primary school. Special attention was drawn by the possibility of using the first interactive education portal in the Serbian language. The interactive web portal, “Maša and Raša”, is the work of the publishing house Klett, which obtained a license for such a portal from Norwegian publishing house Gyldendal, which won an award for this portal at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where it was declared the best European educational portal.

SEP

NINE YEARS OF TELENOR IN SERBIA

Telenor marked the ninth anniversary of its operations in Serbia with a celebration that was attended by representatives of state institutions, the National Bank of Serbia, the economic sector, as well as a large number of celebrities. The host of the evening was CEO of Telenor in Serbia, Over Fredheim, who welcomed guests and noted that Telenor has been present on the Serbian market since 2006 and has to date invested more than $340 million. In 2015 alone, Telenor has so far invested €20 million in its Smart Network. The company introduced the 4G network to Serbia in March 2015 and at the same time continued to expand its 3G coverage, enabling users to access high-speed internet access over a wide area. Telenor has also established Telenor Bank, which now has more than 90,000 users and is the region’s fastest growing online bank.

COLOUR RUNNING

Colour Running – a new trend and one of the most popular themed races in the world – was held in Belgrade’s Hajd Park this September. The main characteristic of Colour Running is running in nature and spreading participants with organic colours of nature. The race is inspired by the Hindu festival of colour, HOLI, which sees mass celebrations of the happiness of new beginnings around the world every year. Belgrade Colour Running used this event to promote jogging and sports in general. Runners started in white T-shirts, but at every kilometre volunteers awaited them with spray cans of cheerful, organic colours, ensuring that participated finished the race painted from head to toe. This year’s race was completed by 400 adults and 45 junior runners. Coaches from the children’s sports school “Pokret za okret” were on hand to assist and award prizes to the fastest contestants.

OVE FREDHAIM, Telenor CEO (left) and RONALD SEELINGER, Hemofarm CEO

SEP

OVE FREDHAIM, Telenor CEO

ZAJEČAR BREWERY CELEBRATES 120TH BIRTHDAY

A major party was organised on the central square of the city of Zaječar marking a celebration of the great jubilee of 120 years of the existence of Zaječar brewery. Truly a night to remember, it included the sounds of traditional song and dance, followed by a performance of famous local band Roktori and legendary band Bajaga & The Instructors, who raised the atmosphere to boiling point. “We are very proud to be celebrating 120 years of the brewery’s existence at the very moment when we are achieving extremely successful results on the market,” said Dejan Vatović, director of Zaječar Brewery. “We dedicate this event to all those who participate in creating our history – our employees, our customers, partners, and all the people of Zaječar.”

DEJAN VATOVIĆ, director of Zaječar Brewery

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AFTER WORK

SEP

ROUNDTABLE ON PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LAW

MAJA PIŠČEVIĆ, Executive Director, AmCham Serbia

SEP

A roundtable discussion on amendments to the Law on Public Procurement, organised by AmCham and the OSCE mission in Serbia, has led to the joint conclusion among participants that stronger oversight and control of purchasers and bidders are certainly required. The advantages of the existing amendments was discussed by representatives of AmCham, the Public Procurement Office and the Commission for the Protection of the Right to Public Procurement, as well as representatives of the delegation of the EU, the U.S. Embassy, the World Bank et al. One of the conclusions is that any future legal amendments require detailed analysis of all mechanisms and authorisations that the law provides to the supervisory authorities, as well as their alignment with the available capacity, in order to effectively prevent possible abuse.

LGBT RIGHTS SEMINAR

Belgrade-based Media News & Consulting has organised a two-day seminar on LGBT rights on the premises of the Serbian Media Association, aimed at better informing journalists about this issue. The seminar, supported by the U.S. Embassy in Serbia, provided participants with the opportunity to learn almost everything about LGBT rights – from the constitutional framework to popular culture. The seminar was moderated by Jovan Gligorijević, assistant editor-in-chief at weekly Vreme, while the official speakers included Milan Antonijević, Gordana Stevanović, Nikola Radišić, Filip Ejdus, Tamara Skrozza, Tatjana Rosić, Boban Stojanović, Olga Dimitrijević, Boris Milićević and Vladimir Vidjak.

SEP

HOW TO START A SOCIAL BUSINESS?

An interactive workshop, entitled “How to start a social business” and covering the topic of social business, was organised by Yunus Social Business Balkans (YSB), with the support of Impact HUB and Erste Bank in Belgrade. The programme was designed for entrepreneurs, with the goal of encouraging and educating creative individuals and groups, thereby contributing to the development of long-term social entrepreneurship initiatives in Serbia. Participants were introduced to the basics of social entrepreneurship, but also the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make during their working process. This year’s workshop was moderated by Daniel Nowack – executive director of YSB, responsible for the company’s activities in the Balkans – and hosted by Impact Hub Belgrade, a network that comprises 12,000 member entrepreneurs from 49 countries.

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72ND VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2015

Lorenco Vigas’ 'From Afar' Wins

GOLDEN LION

Director Lorenzo Vigas holds the Golden Lion for Best Film during the awards ceremony on the closing day of the 72nd Venice Film Festival

Venezuelan director Lorenzo Vigas' powerful Caracas-set drama "From Afar" won the Venice Film Festival's top Golden Lion prize on Saturday, as filmmakers from the Americas beat established European directors for the main trophies.

he runner-up Grand Jury Prize went to an American Several hotly tipped European contenders were overlooked for film, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson's inventive, prizes, including Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio's lush vampire fable "Blood of My Blood" and Russian director Aleksandr animated "Anomalisa." And Pablo Trapero's "El Clan" Sokurov's art-history meditation "Francofonia." ("The Clan"), an Argentine true-crime thriller that has Cuaron said he was "very happy" that a Latin American movie broken box-office records in its homeland, took the Silver Lion for had won the Golden Lion for the first time. But he said it was a best direction. coincidence that it had happened when a Mexican headed the jury. "From Afar" - "Desde Alla" in Spanish - is Vigas' first fiction Italy's Valeria Golino took the best-actress trophy for playing a feature, and charts the unexpected relationship between a middle-aged, middle-class man and a violent street youth. Quietly but put-upon Neapolitan woman in Giuseppe Gaudino's experimental powerfully, the film maps the currents of sex, money and violence family drama "For Your Love." She won the same prize in 1986 for beneath the surface of Venezuelan society. "A Tale of Love." Vigas dedicated his prize to his country, which is experiencing France's Fabrice Luchini was named best actor for his role as a political and economic turbulence. judge trying to rekindle romance while presiding "We are having some problems, but we are over a murder trial in Christian Vincent's "L'HerQuietly but mine" ("Courted"). very positive," he said. "We are an amazing nation." The jury also gave a prize for the best young The director said movies could help Latin powerfully, the film actor to Abraham Attah, the 14-year-old Ghanaian America "learn from the mistakes of the past." "From Afar" maps star of "Beasts of No Nation." A jury led by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron the currents of sex, Brady Corbet, a 27-year-old American acchose winners from among 21 movies competing tor-director, won the first-feature prize for "The at the 72nd annual festival - an edition where war, money and violence Childhood of a Leader," an ambitious exploration crime and other woes of the world dominated onbeneath the surface of the roots of dictatorship that features "Twilight screen. of Venezuelan Audiences saw African child soldiers drafted Saga" star Robert Pattinson. into a brutal civil war in Cary Fukunaga's "Beasts An emotional Corbet offered the advice: "Be society of No Nation;" Afghan civilians caught between the patient, be radical, be free." Taliban and Danish troops in Tobias Lindholm's "A The world's oldest film festival wrapped up War;" and Turkish brothers trapped in escalating political violence on September 12 after 11 days that brought stars including Jake in Emin Alper's "Frenzy." Gyllenhaal, Kristen Stewart, Tilda Swinton and Johnny Depp to the Director Jonathan Demme, jury president for the festival's Hocanal-crossed Italian city for water-borne photo ops and red carrizons competition for emerging talents, said many of the films pet premieres. gave "horrifying glimpses of how hard it is to stay alive in the It also identified some early potential Oscar contenders, including Depp for his performance as gangster Whitey Bulger in world today." "Black Mass," and Eddie Redmayne as a transgender artist in "The The top Horizons prize went to U.S. director Jake Mahaffy's Source: AP Danish Girl." drama about a faith healing gone wrong, "Free In Deed." OCTOBER

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CULTURE CALENDAR

CONCERTS

ŠUMADIJA FEST

Hala Jezero, Kragujevac, 9th-10th October

The Šuma Fest Citizens’ Association is organising the fifth Šumadija Fest, to take place on 9th and 10th October in Kragujevac’s Jezero Hall. The most famous local performers at this year’s fest include bands like Parni Valjak, Riblja Čorba, Bad Copy, Dejan Petrović & Big Band, Who See, ZAA and others. Šumadija Fest is a music festival held annually in Kragujevac. In addition to the musical programme, there are numerous sporting events, shows, exhibitions, art workshops and humanitarian activities. Šumadija Fest was founded with the idea of organising a cultural music event to be held each year at the same time, attracting mostly a younger audience from other countries. In this way, up & coming young bands can perform on the same stage as big names from all over the world, with such diversity providing the audience with a unique experience. For programme details please visit sumadijafest.com

his 12-year music career. And, as Marcelo says himself: “It’s time to make an audit of what I’ve done so far”, and it is with this idea in mind that he will hold his biggest ever concert on 10th October – at New Belgrade’s Hala Sportova! The career of musician and writer Marko Šelić Marcelo has seen him achieve the kind of success that few musicians in our region manage, and he has done so with the support of fans whose number is rapidly growing, alongside his growing body of work, year on year. The 10th October event, the largest concert in Marcelo’s career to date, has been dedicated to his fans and friends – all those who unreservedly support and inspire him; whose voices he has heard and translated into verses. Marcelo will be accompanied at Hala Sportova by Elemental, one of the most popular Croatian bands, with whom Marcelo has cooperated since his debut album, “De Facto”. Since their first duet in 2003, “Escape”, Elemental and Marcelo have collaborated at various latitudes, at festivals and concerts, and they will unite once again in Belgrade on 10th October. This event will see us treated to a double-header concert spectacular and more than three hours of a unique programme that has been prepared by Marcelo and Elemental!

DANCE 4 MANYA

Belexpocentar, 16th-17th October

TULSA

Culture Centre GRAD, 10th October @ 21.00 Tulsa is a Madrid-based group founded and led by guitarist Miren Isa, whose musical expression is a fusion of folk music, pop and alternative rock. Since being founded in 2006, the group has released four albums. It will use this Belgrade performance to exclusively present its recently released fifth album, “Calma Chicha”.

MARCELO & ELEMENTAL

Hala Sportova, 10th October @ 21.00

Marko Šelić Marcelo has spent the last year travelling throughout the region of the former Yugoslavia promoting the album “Napet Šou”, his fifth and most successful long-play release of

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Some 50 DJs and over 15,000 people will dance and support the life of Nemanja Ivanović on 16th and 17th October at Dance 4 Manya, the country’s biggest ever charity festival. To be held at Belgrade’s BelExpo Centre, concerts with dancing and positive energy will help support this young man’s fight for his life. Nemanja Ivanović, 29, from Velika Plana, is suffering from a serious illness. He has been diagnosed with a rare form of malignant disease, which requires a long treatment process and, as such, requires substantial financial resources, specifically €120,000. The required treatment is available only at a specialised clinic in the German city of Flensburg, where Nemanja is currently located. Organisers want to raise

BEMUS S AVA C E N T R E , 2 0 T H - 3 0 T H O C T O B E R

▶ The 46th BEMUS - Belgrade Music Festival, will open on 20th October at the city’s Sava Centre. The official opening will be marked by the performance of the State Academy Choir Glinka, conducted by Vladislav Černušenko. The programme will include pieces by Stevan Stojanović Mokranjac, Georgij Sviridov, Valerij Gavrilin, Aleksej Kosolapov and many others. BEMUS is the oldest and most prominent music festival in Serbia and one of the most distinctive classical music festivals anywhere in the region of Southeast Europe. Enjoying the position of a cultural event of special importance to the

City of Belgrade, BEMUS has been a member of the European Festivals Association (EFA) since 2002. Although special attention has always been devoted to promoting local artists and their creativity, BEMUS has mostly established its reputation by presenting the most attractive international programmes. Thanks to BEMUS, over the last several years alone, Belgrade has hosted some of the world's most prominent contemporary ensembles and soloists.

awareness that participation and involvement in this action, through the purchase of festival tickets, makes everyone a donor who is really helping to finally end the need to collect funds for Nemanja’s treatment! You can also help Nemanja by sending a text message – simply type ‘100’ and send to 3030 in order to make a donation of 100 dinars!

were essential in the creation and development of their flamenco art. Leonor Leal is one of the most important dancers and choreographers of her generation, with excellent technical skills, an ability to improvise and unique character. With “Interaction”, Dorantes offers Belgraders a walk through her most significant repertoire, while Leonor Leal will be responsible for dance expression. These two artists share expertise, talent and an ability to improvise.

TRIO DORANTES

Dom Sindikata, 30th October @ 21.00

For programme details of the 56th BEMUS, please visit bemus.rs

CLASSICAL MUSIC

ARTLINK FESTIVAL

Various Locations, 2nd-11th October

Trio Dorantes are key figures in the modern history of instrumental flamenco. They learned about the purest tradition of flamenco in their homes, where artistic heritage and the most important flamenco Roma families are intertwined. They carry ancestral roots that

2nd October @ 20.00 Marianna Busslechner, flute Alisa Bešević, piano 3rd October @ 19.00 Madlenianum Zoltan Fehervari, piano Marija Mašovska, violin Uki Ovaskainen, piano 4th October @ 20.00 Madlenianum Kai Vogler, violin Mirjana Rajić, piano 5th October @ 20.00 Jean Paul Gasparian, piano Programme: Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, Schumann

DINO MERLIN K O M B A N K A R E N A , 2 4 TH OCTOBER @ 21.00

▶ Following a spectacular sell-out concert at Koševo Stadium in Sarajevo, attended by over 70,000 music lovers, Dino Merlin is now coming to Belgrade and will perform at the largest indoor hall in Serbia – the Belgrade Kombank Arena. The concert, scheduled for 24th October, will be the first performance of this Balkan star in Belgrade since November 2011, when his music was enjoyed by more than 60,000 visitors from all over Serbia over three consecutive nights. “It feels to me like my last performance was in Belgrade was yesterday, not nearly four years ago. Memories of the three evenings are so strong and vivid. After my fourth major concert in Sarajevo last month, I am looking forward with even greater eagerness to my fourth concert at the Belgrade Arena and meeting with my audience,” said Dino.

7th October @ 20.00 , Belgrade City Hall Époque Quartet 8th October @ 20.00, Kolarac Jean Paul Gasparian, piano, with the Radio Television Serbia (RTS) Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Bojan Sudjić Programme: S.Rachmaninov: Concert for piano and orchestra No.2 9th October @ 19.00, Gallery of Frescoes Cycle for Young Talents 10th October @ 19.00, Belgrade Culture Centre Art Link(s) Balkan 11th October @ 20.00, Kolarac Janoška ensemble

THEATRE

SKAKAVCI

Yugoslav Drama Theatre, 9th October @ 20.00 (English subtitles) Skakavci is a play written by renowned Serbian dramatist Biljana Srbljanović.

FILM

TAKO JE MORALO BITI

Yugoslav Drama Theatre, 25th October @ 20.00 (English subtitles)

The most prolific and popular Serbian comedy writer Branislav Nušić wrote this authentic melodrama. This exciting, touching story of old Belgrade shows how envy and vanity, irresponsibility and greed, pride and selfishness in one family, can ruin a life of honest man torn between love and sense of duty.

GOETHEFEST

Belgrade/Niš/Novi Sad, 8th-14th October The 4th GoetheFEST, festival of Contemporary German Film, is being organised by the Goethe Institute and the Belgrade Culture Centre. To be held from 8th to 14th October, under the slogan “Memories and Hopes”, the programme will be realised at the Belgrade Culture Centre, before moving on to the culture centres of the cities of Niš and Novi Sad. Arriving directly from the Berlinale, GoetheFEST's 2015 programme comes to Belgrade, Niš and Novi Sad to present the latest films from Germany. The selection includes films that have been nominated and awarded at the 2015 German Film Awards. The festival’s selector, Goethe Institute director Matthias Müller Wieferig, picked 12 films covering different genres, themes and aesthetics.

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FACES & PLACES

INDEPENDENCE DAY OF UKRAINE 1

SEPTEMBER

H.E. Ukrainian Ambassador in Belgrade, Oleksandr Aleksandrovych, hosted a reception to mark the Independence Day of Ukraine. Addressing guests, Ambassador Aleksandrovych recalled the long history of the Ukrainian people, as well as the events of the recent past, such as the Orange Revolution and Euromaidan. “Ukrainians and Serbs are working for fundamental European values, as member countries of the Council of Europe and the OSCE,” said Ambassador Aleksandrovych. The reception, held on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, was attended by representatives of political, cultural and public life in Serbia, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

H.E. OLEKSANDR ALEKSANDROVYCH (left) and H.E. AXEL DITTMANN, German ambassador

MACEDONIA CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY 8

SEPTEMBER

On the occasion of Macedonian Independence Day, H.E. Ambassador Vera Jovanovska organised a reception at Belgrade’s Crown Plaza Hotel that was attended by numerous guests, including foreign diplomats based in Belgrade and representatives of political, cultural and public life in the country. The event was also attended by National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojković. “Macedonia continues to walk forward, believing in its potential, but also in the potential of good relations with other countries, especially our neighbours,” said the Macedonian Ambassador, addressing the many guests in attendance.

H.E. VERA JOVANOVSKA and H.E. COSTANTINOS ECONOMIDES, Greek Ambassador

JELENA BULATOVIĆ (LEFT), SAM Director, JEAN-PIERRE GASTAUD, Economic Advisor at the French Embassy, H.E. Ambassador CHRISTINE MORO and BRUNO CHARRIER, Crédit Agricole Serbia CEO

MEETING OF SERBIAN AND FRENCH MANAGERS 9

SEPTEMBER

The French Embassy in Belgrade organised a reception for members of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (CCIFS) and the Serbian Association of Managers (SAM). The evetnsaw H.E. French Ambassador Christine Moro host over 130 guests, who were welcomed by Bruno Charrier, CEO of Crédit Agricole Serbia, on behalf of CCIFS, and director Jelena Bulatović, on the behalf of SAM. The meeting was organised in an effort to improve communication between representatives of the French and Serbian business elite in Serbia, exchange experiences and promote the Serbian economy in the international market.

SPEED BUSINESS MEETING 10

SEPTEMBER

A joint Speed Business Meeting has been held by the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (CCFS), the German-Serbian Business Association (DSW) and the Italian-Serbian Businessmen (CCIS), bringing together representatives of 80 companies. The aim of this meeting, held at the Belgrade Hyatt Regency Hotel and supported by Harrisons Solicitors, was to expand networks of contacts and initiate future cooperation between member companies through the concept of quick meetings between representatives of companies from various sectors. The concept involves ten-minute talks between potential business partners, employing a one-on-one technique to exchange information and establish communication for future cooperation.

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OLIVER LEPORI, Secretary General of the ItalianSerbian Business Council (left), SANJA IVANIĆ, Director General of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and DR. RONALD ZELINGER, President of the German-Serbian Business Association

AUSTRIAN BUSINESS CIRCLE 10

SEPTEMBER

Belgrade’s Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel provided the venue for a gathering of Austrian businessmen dubbed the Austrian Business Circle. Speaking at the meeting, Andreas Haidenthaler, long-serving Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy in Belgrade, thanked those gathered for their successful long-term cooperation and support, before announcing his imminent departure from this position after serving seven years in the Serbian capital. He also used the opportunity to introduce his successor, Mrs Erika Teoman-Brenner, who will perform the duties of Austrian Commercial Counsellor in future. The event was attended by H.E. Austrian Ambassador Johannes Eigner, along with numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps, chambers of commerce and the private sector, as well as friends and associates of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and Mr. Haidenthaler.

ANDREAS HAIDENTHALER, ERIKA TEOMAN-BRENNER, newly appointed Austrian Commercial Counsellor in Serbia, and H.E. Austrian Ambassador JOHANNES EIGNER

ANDREAS HAIDENTHALER

MEXICAN NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS 14

H.E. HARRY RICHARD JAMES KANDOU, handing a donation to Red Cross Serbia, received by LJUBOMIR MILADINOVIĆ

H.E HARRY RICHARD JAMES KANDOU and MRS KANDOU with the staff of the Embassy

INDONESIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY 15

SEPTEMBER

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, marking the date when Indonesia was declared independent of the Netherlands, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Belgrade and H.E. Indonesian Ambassador to Serbia, Harry Richard James Kandou, hosted a formal diplomatic reception at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade. The event was attended, amongst others, by Maja Gojković, Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia, Serbian government officials, ambassadors and diplomats, representatives of the business community and NGO scene, as well as other friends of Indonesia.

SEPTEMBER

On the occasion of the 205th anniversary of the proclamation of Mexico’s independence, the country's Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Jose Evaristo Ramon Xilotl Ramirez, hosted a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. The many guests in attendance had the opportunity to sample specialities of Mexican cuisine, try the famous tequila, enjoy the music ensemble of Mexican mariachi and dance in traditional Mexican costumes, performed by the “Talija” folklore society. The event was attended by numerous figures from Serbia’s political, cultural, academic and public life, including Speaker of the National Assembly, Maja Gojković, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Kori Udovički, who both joined Ambassador Xilotl in cutting the cake.

MRS. and h.e. MAJA GOJKOVIĆ, Ambassador MR. Speaker of the National Assembly, H.E. JOSE RAMIREZ EVARISTO RAMON XILOTL RAMIREZ and KORI UDOVIČKI, Deputy Prime Minister

MRS and H.E. Ambassador RAMIREZ

ZUBIN MEHTA AND THE BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC 20 SEPTEMBER

H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN, Indian Ambassador, and MR AND MRS MEHTA

A packed Kolarac Hall greeted the concert of Zubin Mehta and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, which proved a delight for the Belgrade audience. This was eighth time that maestro Mehta has conducted the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, this time performing Mozart’s last and first Mahler symphonies - "Jupiter" and "Titan". During his stay in Belgrade, Mehta expressed his desire to celebrate with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra the 60th anniversary of his first encounter with the orchestra in 1958, with a concert potentially to be held in 2018. The capacity crowd at the concert hall included many dignitaries and personalities, among them U.S. Ambassador Michael Kirby with his wife, as well as EU Delegation head, Ambassador Michael Davenport, Indian Ambassador Narinder Chauhan, Italian Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo and his wife, as well as other representatives of the diplomatic corps in Serbia.

H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN, ALEKSANDAR ANDRIJA PEJOVIĆ, TANJA MIŠČEVIĆ, MICHAEL DAVENPORT, and Ambassador and MRS KIRBY

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INTERVIEW

GORAN RADOVANOVIĆ director and screenwriter of Enclave, Serbia’s nomination for an Oscar

True Art is Able to

B y R A D M I L A S TA N KO V I Ć

ANTICIPATE POLITICS An enclave is a small, isolated territorial community surrounded on all sides by the territory of a different community that holds a majority. In one such Serbian enclave, the kind of which emerged in Kosovo after 1999, an 80-year-old man dies and the cemetery where he is to be buried is situated beyond the enclave, in the area where Albanians live. How can they carry out the burial in enemy territory? By letting that be done by his ten-year-old grandson, an Orthodox Serb, who has an Albanian Mohammedan friend

hat story, that kind of understanding and forgiveness which is produced by the purest child’s love, that emotion which has been so rare in Serbian film in recent years, was created by the pen of Goran Radovanović (58), who is also the director of this film, which has been nominated to represent Serbia in this year’s Oscars competition. ■ Who is this artist who appears so rarely and reluctantly in the media? - Educated primarily as an art historian, a Byzantologist, he unfortunately didn’t pass the entrance exam for Belgrade University’s Faculty of Dramatic Arts. With a scholarship from the Goethe Institute, he headed to Munich, where he learned the German language, attended film school and got to know some of the greatest directors of German film – Werner Herzog and Reinhard Hauff, with whom he later became friends and guest lectured at his academy in Berlin, as well as other filmmakers. Upon his return to Belgrade, his German language skills and extensive knowledge of German cinema led to an opportunity as a film critic. He later began writing screenplays and working as an assistant director, though he also worked in a kafana restaurant. He formed a genuine ar-

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tistic biography the likes of which are possessed in this business only by daring fanatics of their work. He shaped his craft, getting to know film as practical work, and was able to write. He recorded his first major success as a screenwriter on the 1987 film Oktoberfest, for which he received numerous awards. It was also then that the first murmurings of what next began to be heard: “We went to a festival in Moscow like some official communist delegation and I felt bad. I didn’t see myself making a career as a filmmaker in the Communist system, as it was at that time in Yugoslavia, where a censorship committee still existed; where there were state film companies and state directors. I was more attracted to artistic film, and the first man to have a sort of semi-independent production at that time was Aca Stojanović. I was his assistant director for all films made with German producers. And then came the war. I was already doing short films and I was finding this form increasingly attractive, as well as documentary film. Quite simply, these film genres were the kingdom of my artistic freedom!” ■ You were very well received and awarded worldwide for your short documentaries in the second half of the 1990s. You became

recognisable for the major festival of documentary film in Amsterdam, which is held every year in November. - I’ve been five or six times with my films in the U.S., Latin America, Spain, Italy, and at almost all major European documentary film festivals, where I received awards. In those bleak years, I think my films were so well received in the world because they were also vessels of freedom, in terms of free-form, because a did a lot of experimenting. I had very little funds and such a small budget doesn’t suit anybody. We did it as a small team, with Rade Vladić as director of photography, Milena Arsenijević as editor and Sasa Habić, composer. These films gain particular recognition at the festival in Amsterdam and that city had a great bearing on my career. Back then, Amsterdam had already become the Cannes of documentary film. I was the only artist from the Balkans to have a competing film four times, or more precisely, whenever I made a documentary it found its way into the selection and received an award. The documentary form is a great opportunity to develop a good creative research approach to the filmmaking process. ■ However, you couldn’t resist turning your hand to feature films. That came first with the realisation of Hitna pomoć (Ambulance)? - When you want to connect some archetypes, to make something more serious, some serious synthesis, something which has more consistent cinematographic value, then you have to do a feature film. That’s how I made the film Ambulance, the 2009 premiere of which was in Novi Sad and received ovations at the Serbian National Theatre there. It was also well received at festivals abroad, from Montreal to Athens, and was enjoyed by our intellectual diaspora, but it only spent a short time in cinemas here. It was simply sidelined, silenced by local festivals and many domestic critics. Today I also know why. ■ Why? - It’s far from the case that I consider myself a political victim, though one of my films was expelled from TV Novi Sad by the Radicals. This film, Ambulance, was a confusing movie, especially for the bureaucrats of the Democratic Party. They were at the head of all cultural institutions at that time and they simply could not understand that Slobodan Milošević and Zoran Đinđić are presented in this film as equal historical figures and in that respect there’s no kind of applauding or evaluating. The subtitle of my film was “a contemporary historical film”. I used some quotes from Zoran Đinđić that showed over time to have been absurd – about motivation, about people, about values, about the notion that one should work for the country for free ... All this was entirely benign, but the frightened bureaucrats didn’t know how to handle it; they didn’t understand its significance in the context of the film’s narrative. They were fearful of objectivity in relation to the contemporary moment, which from today’s perspective has proven to be one of the greatest values of the film.

■ Regardless of how much you do not want to deal with politics, you have seen in this case that it impacts on artistic work in a big way. - I am a Serb, and Serbs, it is known, cannot live without politics; or without art. I was bothered by the fact that during the time of self-management socialism there were no real political films like there were, for instance, in Poland, where a genre of political cinema emerged at a time that had been dubbed hard communism. That always made me curious, especially when we experienced tectonic changes in society, as well as major political manipulation, which we are also witnessing today. I’m most interested in politics as it relates to pressure on the intimacy that comes from public life; I’m provoked by that unbroken thread of the totalitarian way of thinking. Although communism has formally disappeared, we are living in its legacy. And that is still reflected today in the fact that there is no fundamental accountability to the public. The hiding of refugees from the public was a political decision that refugees do not exist. Of course, it is clear that I’m talking about the refugees from the ‘90s, but also post-millennium. You don’t know where the former refugees from Croatia or Bosnia went and no one saw refugees from Kosovo again later. We saw them on foreign TV stations, but to this day we do not know where they are.

I’m most interested in politics as it relates to pressure on the intimacy that comes from public life; I’m provoked by that unbroken thread of the totalitarian way of thinking

■ But on the other hand we know today where the refugees from Syria are in our country? - That is perverse. No government representatives went to Krnjače, where there are still refugees from Kosovo, or earlier to the Planum Centre in Pazova, or to Temerin, but they went to the park beside the railway station because that is a political relevant and required. This is just one of a series of pieces of evidence proving that we simply don’t take care of our national interests in the broadest and noblest sense of that meaning. We don’t take care of that which represents our identity and is called our future. ■ How did the film Enclave come to be? - I started working on the screenplay in Cuba, where I spent a year as a professor at EICTV, a very prestigious film school that was founded by Fidel Castro, Argentine director Fernando Biri and Nobel Prize winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This is a very elite school where Spielberg and Coppola have lectured, as well as a host of great artists from around the world. There I was at a seriously remote distance and

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when that happens your senses sharpen for many things. To me, that story of contemporary Kosovo seemed like such a tragic and untold topic. Those Serbs in Kosovo enclaves are also hidden from the public eye and we don’t know anything about them either. That attracted me as a screenwriter, but also as a director. I saw the opportunity to address something fundamentally important that would remain a relevant, artistic-historical source. Behind this film will remain an artistic trace, but also the fact that from 1999 to 2004 our children in Kosovo were driven to school in armoured transport vehicles. That’s because otherwise we wouldn’t know that, unless we had access to KFOR’s daily reports on fuel consumption. ■ Your film is not just the story of a Serb enclave in Kosovo. It is a metaphor for any enclave, for relations between a majority and a minority; it is just as understandable as it would be if it were about Jews and Arabs. Have you experienced this kind of recognition with its worldwide screenings to date? - The film is just heading to a festival in Haifa. We were invited by festival director Pnina Blazer, who wants to organize a special screening of this film for Arabic-Israeli directors. I’m also glad that people recognise that which you noted. That was also my intention. Kosovo was just an excuse to tell that story, for something good to come out of us as artists. And that film did not only bring together Serbian artists. The copy editor of the film is one of the greatest living editors, Andrija Zafranović, a man of Croatian origin, my friend and a great analyst and critic of the times in which we live. The production designer is the great Mr Vladislav Lašić, while the music was written by Greek lady Eleni Karaindrou, who authored the music for all the biggest movies of Theo Angelopoulos; the German partners were German television company ZDF, the funds MFG from Stuttgart and MDM from Leipzig, as well as Global Film Initiative from San Francisco. And the very composition of that team tells you that we created a supra-local work, a film that communicates with the world. To date it has received awards in Moscow and Mexico and it has been invited to festivals in Turkey, India, Belgium, Australia, Canada, Egypt etc. Excellent critiques have been written by great critics, including Lothar Struck, U.S.-based professor Scott Abbott, who wrote an essay in which he compared Faulkner’s novel As I Lay Dying with Enclave, Steven Taubenek, a professor from Canada, who authored an essay on the film focusing on its real and symbolic space, while writer and translator Žarko Radaković recorded the words of Peter Handke about our film. He obviously has some universal codes to which people react, and the credit for that goes to all collaborators who participated in its creation. ■ You are not a man who belongs to the Belgrade film bazaar; you only appear in public as much as you have to; you don’t have

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your entourage, nor are you part of any powerful clan. With this in mind, were you surpised that you dominated the votes for your film to be our contender for the Oscars – gaining 15 of the 18 votes? - Yes, I was really surprised. I expected the film to “move” people, to compel them to react emotionally, but I did not expect it to win them over so convincingly. That’s because I don’t have any kind of social power or any social impact in this area, and therefore no money either. I am my own producer, thus I am on the margins and I’m not among those powerful producers who have serious financial resources based on political permutations. There is nothing hiding behind the story about our film, so I believe it was voted for only because people genuinely liked it. ■ Do you think this is a good time for Serbian film worldwide; that we have somehow become better lately; that we are no longer burdened by the bad image of Serbs from the ‘90s? Is that why we have more chance of entering competitions for awards than in previous years? - I don’t think so. It is true that there exists some kind of warming up towards the Serbs, but that’s more a case of forgetting. Time makes the scene forgetful regarding what happened 20 years ago. It is true that today’s Serbian politics is creating the image of which you speak, but I’m not convinced that’s the picture of Serbia and on the global, worldwide level. Now a lot will depend on how we place our films in the world, primarily in America; whether we have a good manager and press agent who will do the best for our film, to enable it to have a media presence, who will sell it as a universal theme, and not just a local Serb-Albanian story. That’s because the arrival of a child in an environment in which he is not accepted is commonplace for refugees. The dominance of the majority in respect of the minority at all levels – that is the metaphor of our film. And it is extremely recognisable for the general public. This film is a story of goodness, of essential forgiveness and respect among people. It was a precursor to some kind of warming of relations between Serbs and Albanians, given that the script was written five years ago, and I generally believe that true art is also able to anticipate politics. ■

No government representatives went to Krnjače, where there are still refugees from Kosovo, or earlier to the Planum Centre in Pazova, or to Temerin, but they went to the park beside the railway station because that is a political relevant and required

Guide

SECTOR OF PROTECTION AND SECURITY IN SERBIA 2015

ANY 2012

INTERVIEW

More Resistant to Disasters

Despite the difficult financial situation in the country, and thanks to the understanding of the most responsible people in the Serbia Government regarding the need for, and importance of, capacity building for protection and rescue, a new system has been created that should enable much stronger and more effective preventative action in the case of emergency situations PREDRAG MARIĆ, CHIEF OF THE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS DEPARTMENT AT THE SERBIAN INTERIOR MINISTRY

nvesting in the system of protection, rescue and prevention is not an expense, but rather an investment, says Predrag Marić, chief of the Emergency Situations Department at the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• What are the key lessons we learned during last year's floods and how much better equipped is the Serbian system today when it comes to responding to the challenges of such a situation? What are the key innovations brought about by the Law on Emergency Situations? At this moment, how capable is Serbia of responding institutionally to the challenges of emergencies at the national and local levels? - Immediately after the May floods, the

governments. According to the proposed amendments to the Law on Emergency Situations, responsible persons within local government units will have to do everything to prevent such situations, or rather to ensure that the consequences are reduced to a minimum. Failure to do this will find them legally accountable. Then, the aforementioned amendments will see municipalities receive a manager for emergency situations. This will be a professional who will be responsible for threat assessments, rescue plans and a generally more serious approach to this problem. Moreover, a number of changes are also planned in this regard, such as a faster way to mobilise the population in the case of natural disasters, enabling faster and more efficient communication between

ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAW ON EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, RESPONSIBLE PERSONS WITHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS WILL HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING TO PREVENT SUCH SITUATIONS Ministry of Internal Affairs launch the procedure of changing regulations, first and foremost the Law on Emergency Situations, with the aim of eliminating the shortcomings of the system that were identified during the disaster. The need was recognised to be a lot more attention to preventative action, primarily at the level of local

2 SECURITY

those subjected to protection and rescue, effectively financing the emergency services, and many others which, following the floods that befell us in 2014, will make Serbia a country more resistant to disasters. • How certain is it that there are existing financial resources for funding envisaged

investments in equipment and manpower, considering, for instance, that they aren’t enough vehicles for extinguishing fires, while this service and the introduction of managers for emergency situations envisages new employment in the administration at a time when their number is being limited? - A system for protection and rescue is expensive, and the problem we have as a department is enusring continuity in funding. In accordance with the economic situation in the country, the situation is expected to improve and what we are striving for is to ensure a stable way of financing the service. I would note that investing in a system of protection, rescue and prevention really isn't a cost, but rather an investment, because one euro invested in this regard leads to savings of seven euros and more. As for the issue of employment in positions of manager for emergencies, we are also aware of this problem. One way to resolve this issue is to transfer staff from other services who will do this job. And the work of a professional, non-political person will definitely pay off. Of course, precisely because of the insistence that this be a qualified person, their results will be the only indicator justifying their position. • The first civil protection units were formed in Serbia this year. Where is their place in the new protection system?

- Despite the difficult financial situation in the country, and thanks to the understanding shown by the most responsible people in the Government of Serbia regarding the need for, and the importance of, capacity building for protection and rescue services, support has been forthcoming for the efforts of the Department for Emergency Situations to develop its professional strengths and, in tandem with that, also develop a reserve capacity comprising specialised civil protection units. Having learned from the experiences we faced last year as a country, it has become clear that more strength and resources must be invested in order to improve the entire protection and rescue system, through the parallel development of both the sector’s professional forces and the capacity comprising civil protection units. By developing these units, we will acquire much needed additional forces that can be deployed in emergencies of such scale and intensity that their consequences cannot be prevented and mitigated by the regular operations of professional fire and rescue units and other services. In the past year, 33 units, with about 1,000 members of civilian protection services, have passed through the cycle of basic training. The 92 per cent response rate to the training of members of civil protection units was more than expected. We are proudest of this part of the story. Within the framework of trained units, three are at the national level: for rescues from rubble; for protection and rescue on and under water; and for taking care of threatened populations. The process of equipping specialised civil protection units has also been initiated. A total of 1,000 uniforms were acquired in the first wave, and another 1,000 new uniforms are expected. The first civil protection units are ready for action and are expected to become fully operational next year. • Serbia also recently became a full member of the EU’s Mechanism for Civil Protection. What kinds of rights and obligations does membership imply? - After signing the agreement on the accession of the Republic of Serbia to

the Mechanism for Civil Protection of the European Union on 16th April 2015, Serbia became the 32nd Member State of the Mechanism for Civil Protection, which eases cooperation in terms of emergency response. Activation of the Mechanism is envisaged as occurring when the capacities of a country hit by disaster are insufficient to ensure an adequate response, due to a lack of available resources. The states included in the Mechanism pool the resources that they can make available to countries struck by disaster. Upon activation, the Mechanism quickly and efficiently coordinates the provision of assistance within the European Union and beyond its borders.

112 number are estimated at 17 million euros. And it is estimated that it is necessary to secure around another 200,000 euros to provide technical support for one year after the completion and commissioning of the system. In this sense, it is necessary to secure the necessary funds to improve the system, in addition to funds for technical support and updating data used by the system. • What do the new regulations mean for citizens and what are their obligations under the new system? - The amendments to this part of the Law on Emergency Situations deal with the compulsory participation of citizens in protection and rescue at the invitation of the competent department for emergency situations. Penalties are also envisaged for non-compliance with these provisions. In practice, it often happens that in emergency cases, when a number of people or properties are threatened, citizens react instinctively and are not interested in watching from the side lines because they deem that to be the obligation of the state and local authorities. Failing to ensure the timely participation of citizens in simple tasks of protection and

IN THE PAST YEAR, 33 UNITS, WITH ABOUT 1,000 MEMBERS OF CIVILIAN PROTECTION SERVICES, HAVE PASSED THROUGH THE CYCLE OF BASIC TRAINING. THE 92 PER CENT RESPONSE RATE TO THE TRAINING OF MEMBERS OF CIVIL PROTECTION UNITS WAS MORE THAN EXPECTED. WE ARE PROUDEST OF THIS PART OF THE STORY • What will Serbia gain by introducing a unique emergency services call number, 112, and how will its introduction be financed? - The European number for emergencies, 112, was introduced in the European Union several years ago and represents an operational-technical system that allows EU citizens to get help very quickly when calling this number, regardless of whether the emergency relates to natural disasters, criminal acts or health problems . The introduction of this call number integrates the activities of the Sector for Emergency Situations, the police and the Ministry of Health. The funds necessary for introduction of the

4 | INTERNATIONAL GERMANY 2012

rescue (filling sandbags, making embankments on threatened riverbanks, unravelling fire hoses, supplying water, using rakes or backpacks to fight forest fires, etc.) significantly slows down the process of saving people and property, which can have grave consequences. Moreover, based on previous negative experiences in emergency situations, when a competent department issues an order to evacuate and citizens refuse to leave their homes, thereby endangering not only their own lives but also the lives of rescuers, a new provision has been included that empowers the competent authorities to carry out a forced evacuation, while appropriate penalties are also envisaged. ■

SECURITY

INTERVIEW

Comprehensive Approach to

IT Security

Saga has recognised the importance of security challenges and risks, as well as the market’s need for a response to these challenges in a comprehensive manner VIKTOR VARGA

Business Development Manager at Saga

t the beginning of this year, in the framework of the World Economic Forum in Davos, a panel discussion was held that brought together the executive directors of IT companies and focused on cybersecurity, as an integral part of the business. Pierre Nanterm, CEO of Accenture (revenue of $32 billion in 2014), said that the four main challenges in the coming years will be security, security, security and security. To check whether we in Serbia are addressing IT security in the right way, we spoke to Viktor Varga, Business Developer Manager at Saga and an expert in the field of IT security. • In which way has IT security changed today and why it is now an indispensable part of every organisation? - At a time when ways of doing business are inevitably changing from traditional to digital, cybersecurity is of increasing importance. Its importance does not stop merely at the domain of institutions that have some kind of IT infrastructure, but rather it

even greater, around 475 billion dollars – seven times as much! This means that the current default security solutions, regardless of the enormous investments, are insufficient to cope with today’s challenges. That’s precisely why it is necessary to view information security comprehensively. Saga has recognised the importance of security challenges and risks, as well as the market’s need for a response to these challenges through a holistic view that sees security as a unique approach, and not just as a set of separate products in the security domain. This is best reflected in paradigm views of 360 degrees. For us, Security 360 is not a platitude, or a hot story to sell, but rather the way we approach each client. • How does your company see the problem of digital security and how can it be resolved? - Saga has a large number of partnerships with leading security vendors and those partnerships are maintained at the highest level, which is an indication of

ETHICAL HACKING AND PENETRATION TESTING ARE SERVICES THAT ARE IN OUR NARROWEST FOCUS AND THEY CAN DEMONSTRATE THE SECURITY RISKS THAT EXIST IN IT SYSTEMS IN THE MOST REALISTIC WAY has spread from the global level, via the national and organisational levels, all the way to the personal level. Unfortunately, many potential victims of these crimes still do not understand the importance of protection. In the lastGERMANY year alone some | 4 INTERNATIONAL 201271 billion dollars was invested in this area, which is a huge amount of money, but the losses were

4 SECURITY

our commitment and expertise regarding relevant technologies. I can also say that we are nurturing a “vendor-agnostic” approach, i.e. not being dependent on individual vendors and their individual approaches, but rather seeking to always find a set of solutions for our clients that will be optimal for their needs.

But all this is of lesser importance. Our greatest value is our people, in whose knowledge we are investing continuously. We have knowledge and certifications that focus on specific technologies, as well as technology specific manufacturers, but also expert knowledge in the field of security, such as ISO 27001-implementor. We are especially proud that we also have a certified ethical hacker in the team. Ethical hacking and penetration testing are services that are in our narrowest focus and they can demonstrate the security risks that exist in IT systems in the most realistic way. • The market is changing. How much does this cause a change in the understanding of IT security? - The main problem that enterprises face today in the area of security, like in the area of doing business generally, is the fact that the way markets function is changing completely. I will give you just a few examples - Airbnb, a system that generates the highest number of overnight stays in the world, does not possess a single bed; Uber, the world’s biggest taxi carrier, does not own a single taxi; and Amazon, the world’s largest bookseller, does not have a single traditional bookshop... What does this tell us? That the real value in the digital economy is in information. As such, because of the nature of digital forms of information, we are forced to keep them on IT platforms. That’s why my main message is that cybersecurity is an indispensable and essential element of the digital economy and any company’s digital strategy. ■

SECURITY

INTERVIEW

Important Application of the Law Only when the profile of the domain of activity is completely defined, through strict application of the law, will it be able to realise its potential

ZORAN MILIĆEVIĆ

Secretary of the Association for Private Security at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

here are 579 companies operating in Serbia that are engaged in providing some forms of security services, and within the framework of the Association some 244 companies are actively represented. Implementation of the Law on Private Security should contribute to better regulation of this domain of activity, as well as reducing the impact of the grey economy in this area, says Zoran Milićević, secretary of the association. • The security sector is becoming an increasingly significant factor, with an increasing number of companies and workers employed in this domain. How many companies operate in this sector

the third pillar of National security, as defined in the National Security Strategy. However, due to a lack of awareness of political structures, as well as relations between the legislative and executive authorities regarding this area, this area was not normatively regulated until 2013. This fact alone contributed to a large number of companies operating without being properly registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR) with the appropriate domain of activity code. Under the auspices of the Association, some 244 firms are actively represented within the framework of core activities of physical protection - 80.10, technical security 80.20 and investigation activities 80.30. They are cat-

THE PRIMARY INVESTMENT IS IN THE PERSON – THE SECURITY OFFICERS, BECAUSE THEY ARE THE MAIN SUBJECT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THIS RELATES TO PHYSICAL OR TECHNICAL SECURITY, AND ONLY THEN COMES EQUIPMENT today, according to the SCC’s data? - The sector, or rather domain of activity of private security, is an important factor to overall security, as it emerged as a result of the chaotic and unclear transformation of the security sector in the period since 1993. It now normatively and doctrinally assumes the position of

| INTERNATIONAL GERMANY 2012 6 4SECURITY

egorised into four groups: for physical security, for technical security, for detective activities and self-protection activities (including critical infrastructure which partly has its own security, and that number is shown within the specified number of firms). Likewise, in addition to registered companies

there are also so-called wild security firms, which comprise formally unregistered groups dealing with security at raft bars, cafés and nightclubs. APR statistics related to the situation in 2014 show that 579 companies operating in Serbia are engaged in providing some forms of security services. However, technical security is dealt with by a far greater number of companies, as companies from some electrical or other domains also participate in the market. • How much do companies dealing with security today need to invest in equipment (specialised vehicles, equipment) and to what extent has this contributed to boosting this sector and the appearance of serious market players? - The primary investment is in the person – the security officers, because they are the main subject, regardless of whether this relates to physical or technical security, and only then comes equipment. This is about huge amounts of money and, according to estimates, is around 20 per cent of the contracted labour price. However, often the main subject – the person – is neglected due to undeclared work and more is invested in equipment.

• Two Serbian Chamber of Commerce associations – the Association for Private Security and the Association of IT activities, supported the implementation of the International Fair of security facilities infrastructure people and business - iSEC. How much are the sector business and the IT sector intertwined today? - The evolution of communications has led to almost a complete removal of borders between communications channels. However, in Serbia there is still a battle between PR, digital and advertising, even though the essence lies in the results, not in any of those channels separately. It is necessary to enable an integrated, strategic approach to communications and create a synergy between PR, advertising and digital communications.

• To what extent has the introduction of modern security systems contributed to demand for a new type of personnel – security controllers, especially in the banking and insurance sectors? - Security managers at banks function well within the framework of the business policies of banks directed towards security. Personnel in insurance companies, especially evaluators, are also significantly represented in the profession, although the policies of insurance companies are not directed towards the demands of a higher level of security. We are working on this are and often discuss it with them, while a special section of the fair programme is dedicated to this problem.

• How much does the sector of managing building security and operations change under the influence of technology and what do such changes mean for the training and licensing of individuals who provide security services? - This is a daily occurrence in the world,

THE DOMAIN OF ACTIVITY OF PRIVATE SECURITY IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR TO OVERALL SECURITY, AND STRICT APPLICATION OF THE LAW SHOULD BRING PROFESSIONALIZATION TO THIS IMPORTANT SEGMENT because technology is advancing day by day. Additionally, standards are being introduced in monitoring and implementing all technology with methodology. In our country this is only in its infancy and is largely conditioned by the economic situation. Representatives of the association initiated and established two committees at the Institute for Standardisation of the Republic of Serbia. Three national standards have been declared, with more than 60 European standards in the field of alarm systems adopted and promulgated. Of course, in addition to licensing, it is understood that additional training is required for legal entities and employees must be familiar with the trends in this field. For now this is just an idea that was accepted at the level of the Association through the Strategy for Professional Training and Development, but implementation will depend on many elements.

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• What do you expect in practice from the Law on Private Security? - Firstly, absolute application of the law and, as a consequence, the professionalisation of the industry. Then an adequate role for the expert council of the minister to be constituted on the basis of the Decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs between representatives of the Association and the interior ministry. • In addition to laws, a series of bylaws and regulations governing this area have been enacted. What are the key goals of these bylaws? - Elaboration of the law and the implementation of the law in various fields. The essence is the licensing of security officers and legal entities in this area, but other segments are no less important. The ultimate goal is to clearly de-

fine the profile of the private security domain of activity. • Where do you see possibilities for public-private partnerships in the security sector? - The Association launched and implemented an initiative back in 2011 on the formation of the Commission for Public-Private Partnerships in the security sector between the SCC’s association and the Serbian Interior Ministry on the basis of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between the SCC’s association and the ministry. This commission includes the participation of all relevant factors dealing with this segment in Serbia. Goals are realised in several stages, with the priority being the adoption of the Law on Private Security and associated bylaws, the second phase being the defining of areas in which PPP is the easiest to achieve (operational and strategic objectives established on the basis of two conferences held), and the third stage being the selection of a partnership whose results concern citizens, the safety of local governments and critical infrastructure. Such a partnership would also encompass public gatherings and sporting events, the “School policeman” project, security of important facilities and critical infrastructure, street security, traffic control, safety on rivers, etc. • Recently, following the terrible flooding in Serbia, there was discussion of the possibility of companies engaged in the security system being included in state protection structures in the case of emergencies. How does the SCC help in this process? - Companies in this sector gave their contributions during the major flooding of 2014. Immediately after the flood, we considered all experiences and offered recommendations from expert meetings to all relevant ministries. Likewise, for the purposes of the legal regulation of respective roles in this segment, we submitted proposals for amendments to the Law on the Security Council, which are now under consideration. We expect a new law by the end of the year. ■

SECURITY

INTERVIEW

Knowledge According to Market Demands

The Faculty of Diplomacy and Security is the only college in the region that organises studies in the field of corporate security NENAD ĐORĐEVIĆ, PH.D.

Dean of the Faculty of Diplomacy and Security

he Faculty of Diplomacy and Security provides students with knowledge in the field of diplomacy, security and journalism, preparing them for all areas of work and thus enabling them to easily secure employment.

• Enrolment is currently underway at your faculty. What novelties and innovations can you announce? - The biggest names in the field of diplomacy and security are employed at the college and are teaching the tenth generation of undergraduate students. Moreover, classes are also held on academic master studies, while doctoral studies begin at the end of October this year. Our faculty is in trend; it is the only college in the region to organise studies in the field of corporate security. The creativity of teachers and associates is transferred to students, as well as the development of a

high degree of responsibility for the functioning of large systems. In this way, qualified students can easily secure work. • It is interesting that you connect diplomacy, security and journalism – three segments that provide deep insight into the state of any society. Why? - By linking these three programmes in a unified whole, we are showing that this is a functional system for the collection and distribution of information. In this way we are raising the level of awareness of students to help them deal with those responsible jobs. In order to achieve this, we have employed the most significant Serbian figures. The programme leader is Duška Jovanić with her team. Students will be familiarised with all the techniques of print and electronic journalism. This diverse and unique programme was designed according to the modern tendencies of the world

of journalism, and has the task of building professionals, future authors of newspaper articles, radio and television journalists, bloggers, creators of internet content and media entrepreneurs. We will be the only ones in the country to have specialised courses in the fields of storytelling, new media and photojournalism, including practical work with mentors and guest speakers from the region who have inspired hundreds of thousands of people. • You are also launching vocational training and licensing companies and individuals to perform private security jobs? - As a leading educational institution in the field of security, our college received, in accordance with the law, a license from the Ministry of the Interior for the training of private security personnel. Upon completion of the training, they receive certificates allowing them to perform this activity. 

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INTERVIEW

Security is a Need, Not an Obligation There is no precise information in Serbia on what percentage of total trade is lost due to petty theft in retail, even though, judging by the experience of other states, this is an extremely significant sum of money GORAN J. MANDIĆ

Professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Security Studies

ntil 1993 the area of the protection of persons, property and business was regulated by the Law on Social SelfProtection. Since then, the whole area of the private security economy, which employs between 40-60,000 people, has been left on the margins and is optimistically awaiting the year 2017, when application of the new Law on Private Security is set to begin. • Why is protection important; who should be protected and from what? - Every individual has a need to protect

geted and their security endangered, which is why we must first determine what forms of threats there are, which may be internal, external and combined. The forms of threats are essentially offenses which are sanctioned by law and specific to certain legal entities. For example, there are specific ways that a bank’s operations can be threatened, but all parts of banks don’t need to have, and do not have, the same types of threats. Security is a business function without which companies cannot function in today’s conditions. Earlier we had social self-protection, which some believe is outdated, but today’s global experience and practice, analytically speaking, is based precisely on this concept. Under this is implied the permanent

AT THE ROOT OF ALL SOFTWARE, LATEST TECHNOLOGIES AND PROTECTION MEASURES IS – MAN, AND IT IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO BE THE WEAKEST LINK themselves, their loved ones, their property and their company. Therefore, when it comes to our private property, we lock up our houses and cars, we protect ourselves from threats of various types and forms, and we have business benefits from protecting our operations. Both individuals and legal entities may be tar-

4 | INTERNATIONAL GERMANY 2012

SECURITY

coordinated of action by all stakeholders (all family members; all workers in a collective), which also represent significant subjects of security, which exist within the framework of legal entities and those performing duties therein as security professionals. It was on that basis that the

Department of Homeland Security was established in the U.S. after 11th September 2001, where all resources are pooled through the whole society and all structures. • Does industrial espionage exist in our country and how is it regulated by law? - The operations of legal entities, in addition to compromises or breaches in security, can also be under threat from industrial espionage, which is defined under the Law on the Protection of Business Secrets as a civil offense. The Criminal Code characterises the revealing of business secrets as a criminal offense. This causes collision between the best way of bridging protection and a proactive approach. However, the fundamental problem remains the same everywhere – man. • What does a security manager do? - In their work, security managers are linked directly to the owner of the capital, i.e. the chief executive or chairman of the board. A security manager is person who conducts and coordinates all protection activities within a legal entity. At the faculty, students are educated to carry out such work in five (valjde ‘four’) different directions: 1 human resources, 2 defence, 3 protection and 4 general direction.

Ensuring security is conducted to protect against all forms of threats; including those legally sanctioned as criminal acts that can harm a business, but also forms of threats that are not legally sanctioned but may still harm a legal entity, such as drinking alcohol during working hours, petty theft, using phones for private purposes etc. Interestingly, in companies that fully respect the law and procedure, security managers also need to deal with the analysis of contracts agreed by a legal entity and provide comments regarding the threat of damage. It then follows that these personnel must be broadly educated, familiar with many areas in addition to their core profession and possess detailed knowledge about the business operations of the company for which they are working. High technology in the function of public security should be monitored, but basically everywhere man is the system that cannot be set up differently. That’s why it’s possible in any system for man to be the weakest link, which can only be overcome by monitoring modern tendencies and ensuring continuous training and education.

about the system of petty theft and the profile of perpetrators etc. • What are European experiences like? - The volume of losses in UK retail in 2005 was £3.422 million, while the value of goods stolen from retail outlets was £1,711,000, which is how much it would cost to build and fully equip six new hospitals. Moreover, losses sustained to customs revenues and excise duties as a result of crime in retail stores exceeded £170 million, which is enough to employ 5,500 teachers. The costs caused by violence against employees in retail totalled £33 million, while losses to wages and the profits of retail outlets due to the interruption of operations cost £186

• How ready is the state to heed or seek the advice of experts in this field? - It would be good to listen to well-meaning experts, because the consequences are endured by the state of Serbia and employees and, in fact, the situation is simple – the better security is, the less work the police have to do.

SECURITY MANAGERS MUST GENERALLY BE BROADLY EDUCATED, BUT ALSO IN THE SPECIFIC FIELDS IN WHICH THEY WORK, FAMILIAR WITH MANY AREAS IN ADDITION TO THEIR CORE PROFESSION, AND POSSESS DETAILED KNOWLEDGE OF THE BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL METHODS OF THE COMPANY FOR WHICH THEY ARE WORKING • Is video surveillance sufficient security? - The problem of petty theft in retail represents a serious problem around the world, with the difference that elsewhere the world is dealing with it, trying to solve it and has data. In our country that does not interest anyone, and the statistics are horrifying. Closed circuit surveillance systems in retail outlets have three purposes: monitoring, recording and deterring. But even when they are impeccably positioned they are still not enough, because there is always a question of who is watching the images and what they are watching, how much someone has been trained to notice what they need, what they know

4 | INTERNATIONAL GERMANY 2012

is watching and what they are seeing; how great is their expertise for the job. Moreover, the problem is not what is visible on cameras, but rather protecting what is on the recording. Worldwide there is use of software to blur faces for the purposes of protecting privacy, which is also implemented truthfully in our country. In order for an image to be “unblurred” two authorised persons must be in attendance. It is true in our example that there were cases of workers who complained about the invasion of privacy due to a camera recording the stamping of time cards as evidence of workers’ presence at work.

million, which is enough to hire 9,230 medical nurses. Due to petty theft in retail, Austria loses 0.97% of total turnover annually, Russia 1.67% and Europe an average of 1.29%, while that percentage is unknown in our country because nobody is interested. • Are we compelled by terrorist attacks towards an obsessive need for security? Where does protection end and violations of privacy begin? - The fight against terrorism must be proactive. Surveillance cameras are useful, but it is not a problem of setting up cameras and monitoring everything, but rather a problem of who

• Who dictates the trends? - A good security manager dictates the trends and anticipates how things will unfold. They are in constant coordination with counterparts and the entire sector, monitoring modern developments and, when possible, creating solutions before any harm even occurs. The imagination of people who attack the system is phenomenal and limitless, but the point is to overcome the gaps in the system, and to be under as little threat as possible. • Does the degree of social awareness coincide with the protection needs of modern businesses? - The level of social awareness is very low, because we have lost the basic system of values and humane behaviour, as well as a sense of what should and should not be done. It is essential that people understand that this is the house they are in, and to behave accordingly. In addition to this, employers must also act humanely towards employees, because in that way their business will be better protected against impacts and threats of all kinds. ■

SECURITY

BUSINESS DIALOGUE

EUROPEAN ADVERTISING BUSINESS CLIMATE INDEX

Growing Confidence in

The first half of 2015 saw a major boost in the business confidence outlook of Europe’s advertising and marketing industry, according to a report released recently by the European Association of Communications Agencies

he European Advertising Business Climate Index, based on monthly data collected from 43,000 companies for the European Commission (DG ECOFIN), indicates rising optimism in the advertising and marketing sector with its business confidence index rising from -2 to +15 in only six months (January to June 2015) as an average across all 28 EU member states. Demand for advertising services increased from -7 to +14 in the same period, with the upward trend also reflected in employment figures, which jumped from -4 to +5. The advertising industry is also optimistic about the future, expecting both demand for services and employment to rise to +21 and +4 respectively in the second semester of 2015, from a starting point of +2 and -1 in January of the same year. The overall positive trend is tempered by significant variations at regional and national level, however. Business confidence in advertising and marketing is, unsurprisingly, lowest in Greece (-31), followed by France (-12), Estonia (-7) and Cyprus and Belgium (-2). Conversely, confidence is highest

in Slovakia (+45), Malta (+40), Germany (+38) and Spain, Croatia and Lithuania (+31). The greatest change occurred in Italy, where confidence swung from -15 to +18 over the first half of 2015. Advertising companies from all European regions (Northern,

European Advertising Sector Sector

Mediterranean, Western, and Central/Eastern) are optimistic regarding the demand for their services. Companies from Mediterranean Europe expressed the highest expectations for the third quarter of 2015, registering +23 points, despite an index of -25 for Greece, in comparison to -2 points for the first quarter of the year. The UK, which has been cautious about the recovery, is becoming more optimistic about future demand,

The advertising industry is also optimistic about the future, expecting both demand for services and employment to rise to +21 and +4 respectively in the second semester of 2015, from a starting point of +2 and -1 in January of the same year

registering an index of +24.9 points for the third quarter of 2015. When asked how they expect their firms’ employment to change over the next three months, companies in Western and Central/Eastern Europe were more positive than at the beginning of the year (expectation grew from +1 and 0 points in January to +6 in July). Mediterranean Europe also showed optimism with +3 points. Only Northern European companies’ expectations remained negative overall, but slightly improved from -11 to -5 in the first semester of 2015. The advertising and marketing industry sees demand as the most limiting business factor (41.4%) followed by financial and labour force limitations with 13.8% and 8.62% respectively. According to EACA President, David Patton, the Business Confidence Index shows clear signs of recovery in the European advertising and marketing sector. “Increasing confidence is a sure sign of economic recovery and while there are still problem areas, the overall picture is one of steady improvement. It is too early to say that this is a long term trend, but I am encouraged that this more positive outlook for the advertising industry will help support the media and reflects the growing willingness by advertisers to invest in their brands.”  OCTOBER

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CHILL OUT

U.S.A.

"CARNIVAL OF MIRRORS" - BURNING MAN 2015 ▶ Approximately 70,000 people from all over the world gathered at the sold-out Burning Man 2015 "Carnival of Mirrors" arts and music festival in the remote Black Rock Desert in Nevada to spend a week in the remote desert to experience art, music and the unique community that develops. The 29th annual alternative living event is traditionally centered around the ritual burning of a large wooden effigy. Structures at Burning Man are often placed on large platforms, so when they are lit on fire they do not burn directly on to the desert ground. As part of Burning Man's 'leave no trace' policy, all remnants of the burn and all aspects of the event must be cleaned up before the end of the festival. The annual event faced challenges this year, with a bug invasion and dust storms, but burners seemed to enjoy themselves during the burning ceremony on Saturday night.

U.S.A.

KERMIT, MISS PIGGY AND PALS ARE RETURNING TO TV ▶ Kermit, Miss Piggy and the

JAMES MAY, JEREMY CLARKSON AND RICHARD HAMMOND ON TOP GEAR

TOP GEAR TRIO - TOO EXPENSIVE ▶ Following press conference where Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has appeared to confirm reports of Top Gear trio’s massive multimillion- budget for their new Prime series, Netflix who was one of a contender known to have been in discussions with the former Top Gear presenters, explained how it used its own viewership data to determine whether or not to sign

the deal with the popular trio. "Our buying decisions tend to be somewhat data-driven. We have a lot of data to get the deals we want. Clearly it wasn't worth the money to make the deal... I think they sold themselves for way more money [than they're worth]." Clarkson, Hammond and May have a €220 million budget to make just 36 hour-long episodes. The new motoring show will have €6.0 million to spend per show. The currently unnamed series is scheduled to start airing next year.

gang are returning to TV this fall, but not in a reboot of “The Muppet Show.” Instead, the first trailer for the new ABC comedy “The Muppets” reveals that the series takes a “30 Rock” meets “The Office” approach.

Filmed as a “mockumentary”, the show goes behind the scenes of their primetime series to focus on the Muppets’ offstage antics and personal lives. A more "adult" version of the show includes seeing Kermit get upset over being stuck in L.A. traffic, Rolf deal with health issues that require a dog cone, Miss Piggy take selfies and Fozzie Bear accuse his girlfriend's parents of having "offensive stereotypes" about bears. Ke r m i t a n d Miss Piggy’s legendary on-again, off-again romance will also be depicted on the show, and the trailer hints that the tempestuous pair will get involved in a love triangle.

INDIA

HINDU FESTIVAL OF JANMASHTAMI IN MUMBAI ▶ Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. And this year, the festival was celebrated on 6th September by devotees across the country. Devotees try to form a human pyramid to break a clay pot containing curd during celebrations in Mumbai, India. Krishna is the eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu as described in Hindu scriptures. He was born on the 8th day of the the Shravan month, which in the Indian Calendar is known as "Ashtami". And with Janma meaning "birth", the day is celebrated as Janmashtami. The festival is also popularly known as Srikrishna Jayanthi and Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham and Ashtami Rohini. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had prohibited children below the age of 12 from participating in Dahi Handi.

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RUSSIA

RUSSIA WINS FIRST EVER AIR GUITAR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ▶ Kereel ”Your Daddy” Blumenkrants was crowned the first-ever Russian Air Guitar World Champion in Oulu, Finland at the 20th Anniversary of the event, which promotes world peace. The competition was extremely tight and it came down to a thrilling 3rd-round Air Off between Your Daddy and Matt ”Airistotle” Burns from the United States. The two also happen to be friends from opposite ends of the world who met each other through the annual worldwide competition. Air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play an imaginary rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching. AUSTRALIA

WORLD'S WOOLLIEST SHEEP

Top 10 Foods That Flush Nicotine Out of Your Body ▶ Even with all of the smoking

bans, health warnings and science to prove how harmful nicotine can be, people still choose to smoke. If you smoke it is possible to flush nicotine out of your system by eating certain foods. There is more than one way to do this with different foods.

▶ Around 40 kilograms of wool has

been sheared from a sheep found near Australia's capital, making him unofficially the world's woolliest. The animal, named Chris by his rescuers, was discovered on the northern outskirts of Canberra beginning of September and was said to be struggling to walk under the weight of his coat. Tammy Ven Dange, chief executive of Canberra division of the animal charity, estimated Chris had more than five years of wool on him and likely little contact with humans. The 40.2 kilos of wool removed from Chris mean that he was unofficially the carrier of the world's heaviest fleece, possibly shattering the current record set by New Zealand sheep Big Ben, found to be carrying nearly 29 kilograms of wool in 2014.

1. Broccoli 2. Oranges 3. Spinach 4. Ginger 5. Cranberries 6. Lemons 7. Carrots 8. Pomegranates 9. Wheat germ 10. Kale

JAPAN

FUROSHIKI INSPIRED SHOE ▶ New “Furoshiki” sneaker, inspired by the Japanese tradition of bundling objects in fabric comprises the world’s first wrap-around outsole. The Furoshiki neither uses nor requires laces. Instead,

INDONESIA

it features elastic bands that secure around the ankle via a Velcro closure. It’s also designed to adapt easily to any surface, which guarantees comfort and durability. The brainchild of Japan’s Masaya Hashimoto, the shoe has the benefit of being one size fits all. It’s also meant to coddle your feet for a range of activities, including, walking in the city, through an airport, or relaxing by the beach. The manufacturer Vibram company plans to roll it out for the Spring/Summer 2016 season.

SWISS CLIMBER FREE CLIMBING CLIFFS UP TO 305 METRES ▶ Swiss climber Rahel Schelb, 33, believes that China’s Yunnan Province offers the world’s best crack climbing. Schelb, a teacher in Switzerland, travelled to China to scale the steep sandstone walls of the Li Ming region, spending 25 days climbing the sandstone cracks of Yunnan Province. She recently showed her crack climbing skills in Yunnan at dawn, free climbing to a height of 305 metres. Over the preceding 25 days, Rachel sought to climb more than 60 routes. She explains: “crack climbing takes a very long time. If you are at the foot of the mountain in the morning, you are only likely to reach the summit in the afternoon. Of course, if you want to come back to the ground that also takes a few hours.

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ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS

Art and Psychology in Creating Our Environment PIERRE-YVES ROCHON interior architect

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When one mentions “interior design”, many people cannot help but think about the abundance of home-makeover shows bombarding our television sets. In reality, however, the job and life of a contemporary interior designer is extremely complex and involves a great deal more than people realise. In this issue of CorD we present famous interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, in order to launch a series of articles dedicated to the world’s best interior designers in various segments of our environment.

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e spend most of our time indoors, whether it's at work, sons George V in Paris or the gleaming Art Deco pool at The Peninsula, home, in shops, cafés, clubs, exhibitions, events, even museShanghai. ums and galleries. Our environment says a lot about us, and Founded in 1979 by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the agency PYR, with offices in Paris, Chicago and Shanghai, is renowned the world for its interior the spaces that we inhabit in our daily lives can actually affect our emotions. As human beings we buy into the culture of places in architecture and its creativity in the field of luxury hotels and restaurants. Its philosophy is based on the personalisation of each of its proorder to suit our personal needs and it is often the space – not a particular item – that can affect us. jects and the creation of an atmosphere perfectly suited to the environment, comfortable and yet refined, celebrating elegance and warmth. Interior design is much more than designing for aesthetic appearance. Interior designers are people with the ability to combine engiAmongst Pierre-Yves Rochon’s most recent prestigious achieveneering, construction, art and psychology in creating spaces. ments are the Four Seasons, Florence, the Hermitage, Monaco and the One of them is Pierre-Yves Rochon, French interior architect. For Grand Hotel du Cap in Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat, France. He also devised the almost five decades, the design guru has applied his characteristically concepts for the restaurants of some of the most innovative chefs on the French-chic style to more than 200 hotels, spas and restaurants around planet, such as Joël Robuchon, Alain Ducasse and Paul Bocuse. the world. At the moment Rochon’s impressive portfolio is complementName any major city in the Interior designers are people with the ability ing with several hotels around world and you can bet that the to combine engineering, construction, the world: the Four Seasons Mename Pierre-Yves Rochon is attached to it, be it an elegantly geve in south-east France, Four art and psychology in creating spaces appointed suite at the Four SeaSeasons Bahrain and a hotel in OCTOBER

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Beijing with [Japanese architect] & Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Rochon’s vast knowledge of European Tadao Ando. He is also working Resorts, Sofitel Hotels & Resorts, on a residential project in Miami classicism, especially French style and culture, InterContinental Hotels, Fairmont by Herzog and De Meuron, highHotels & Resorts, Peninsula Hotels are at the core of each project’s design rise apartment buildings by Jean and numerous boutique hotels. In Nouvel in Singapore and Kuala addition, PYR has created restaurant environments for some of the world’s most innovative chefs, such as Lumpur, and a Joël Robuchon restaurant in Bangkok. Joël Robuchon, Alain Ducasse, Paul Bocuse and Gérard Boyer. Throughout his 46-year career, Monsieur Rochon has carried a very “I have worked in the Middle East since the 1980s, and the culture simple business lesson with him: “Nothing is ever won or purchased” of the area is something I am very attached to, because of my childhood a mantra that challenges him to continue to design unique spaces that spent abroad (my grandfather was a colonial doctor, my father a supericarry an enduring legacy. or officer and pilot in the air force). When you spend your life travelling, “When you love to create art, then all projects are interesting. Each it helps psychologically to adapt to each country,” said Rochon. ” I tried project is like a ‘dish’ — the tastes of each are different, but the technique to ‘cook’ always stays the same. And without a good technique, to capture some of the area’s culture in my various projects I have undertaken, such as Al Bustan in Muscat, and the Four Seasons hotels in or method, one cannot reach their hoped levels of quality and creativity. Beirut, Damascus and Alexandria. Each time I wanted to bring in OrienI am inspired by all eras for different reasons; they all have unique features that I like,” said Rochon.”One of the rules I decided upon when I talist elements of design in honour of the country and its culture”. first opened my office is that I would never do the same thing, in terms Pierre-Yves Rochon, Inc is a subsidiary of Perkins+Will, an integrated design firm with offices around the world. They practice urban of design. This is a personal challenge that makes this job so interesting; planning, architecture, interiors, branded environments, planning and a constant questioning of how to be different”. strategy, preservation and adaptive reuse. Pierre-Yves Rochon, Inc. (PYR) design achievements have consistently delivered award-winning results for many of the world’s major inPierre–Yves, principal and global design director of the company, esternational hospitality brands. These brands include Four Seasons Hotels tablishes the design strategies and creative culture for all studios 72 |

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The designer says it was one of the hardest periods of his career. "It was a very dark period for me," However, he says people came around to his reinterpretation of the hotel and that he now has received consistent praise: "In the end, it was not big problem." Rochon’s vast knowledge of European classicism, especially French style and culture, are at the core of each project’s design. Pierre sets the firm’s high design standards, ensuring that projects exceed owner and operator expectations. This obsession began at an early age. Growing up in Brittany, worldwide. He actively diMr. Rochon was always drawing, Throughout his 46-year career, Monsieur Rochon playing the guitar or creating. rects the design work on each project, developing ideas and "When I was a child, I was alhas carried a very simple business lesson with ways designing," he says. "I have solutions through to their execuhim: “Nothing is ever won or purchased” tion. They approach each project very visual memories from my with an open mind, beginning childhood—always seeing and with the client’s vision and business goals for their project. remembering light." Brittany remains close to his heart; he and his son, He was also the mastermind behind the €300 million renovation of Stéphane, are about to open a chain of chic crêperies in Paris, which will London's Savoy Hotel. include seasonal offerings and a tasting menu for the figure conscious. "With the Savoy, I was a French designer who had to design one of Originally, Mr. Rochon wanted to be a film director. "I loved films the most iconic buildings in England. However, I believe it has been a like Visconti's. I would always notice the small details, like in 'The Leopard,' Burt Lancaster opens a drawer and it contained everything for a success. Guests say 'Thank you. You did not destroy the Savoy. You give smoker—that stuck in my mind." While his attention to detail certainback the life". The Prince of Wales also gave Mr. Rochon his seal of aply matched Visconti, the film industry wasn't suited to family life. Mr. proval: "His Royal Highness said that if my darling grandmother was Rochon married his childhood sweetheart Annick 43 years ago. The here today she would be so pleased to come back to the Savoy." couple, who have a son, work together and share a Haussmanian apartHowever, he has not been without his critics. The Savoy's redesign ment on the Seine in Paris. wasn't received well by all of London's elite and when Mr. Rochon overhauled the famous George V, there were some in Paris who worried it Mr. Rochon remains a modest man, who designs with practicality in would be the end of French heritage. "At the beginning, it was very difmind ("What is the point if you design just for the sake of design, just because that piece of furniture looks good?"), but ultimately for the guests: ficult trying to please the French people. When I was invited to dinner, "The success is the people who pay and sleep and eat and come back. they would say, 'You work for Arabs and who is going to manage the If you design something for your ego, then you have no guests," he says. hotel: Americans? Why are you doing that? You have a terrible owner, "In the end, you should be honest with yourself." ■ you have terrible hospitality.' French people think they are right." OCTOBER

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of The Star Cars 2015

AUTOMOBILES: FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW 2015

he International Motor Show, Germany, better known as the Frankfurt Motor Show, is the biggest car fair in the world and, along with Geneva and Paris, represents one of the three biggest automobile exhibitions in Europe. Frankfurt becomes the epicentre of the automobile industry every September, visited by more than 250,000 people from around the world, seeking to view the latest offers for next year in one place. This year over 2,000 exhibitors presented their best models and concept, and over a quarter of a million visitors spent ten days checking out every detail of these shining beauties. In this issue of CorD, we present a dozen models, with prices that which we managed to confirm prior to closing this issue.

MERCEDES AMG Coupe Edition 1 FROM €91.000 For Mercedes-Benz fans looking for something a little more restrained, Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe Edition 1 variant is available for the C63 Coupe and C63 S Coupe. Instead of the yellow stripes, it features matte grey stripes. In both variants, the AMG Aerodynamics Package includes a large front splitter, new side skirts, aggressive rear diffuser and a new bootlid lip spoiler. It features carbon ceramic brakes as standard to dramatically improve its braking performance. From a mechanical standpoint, both Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe models utilize a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. The C63 Coupe will hit 100 km/h in 4 seconds while the C63 S Coupe will reach the same mark in 3.9 seconds.

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ASTON MARTIN

V12 Vantage S Roadster AROUND $200.000 The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster is a soft top convertible with a large and powerful V12 engine. In typical Aston Martin style it pairs unique style with incredible sound. At the heart of this package lies a 6.0 liter V12 engine that produces 573hp and 620Nm of torque. As the fastest open-top Aston Martin ever built the 2016 V12 Vantage S Roadster rockets from 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and tops out at a very respectable 323 km/h.

BMW

7-Series & M Sport FROM $82.250 BMW unveils its new lineup of 7-Series luxury sedans and its M Sport variant. The 740i variant features a 320hp 3.0-liter turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, and the 750i xDrive with a 445hp 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes for an impressive lineup. The car features iDrive 5.0 with touch display and gesture control, as well as 3D sensors to register hand movements. In addition to the 740i and 750i is the M Sport variant, boasting a more aggressive and sporty aesthetic. The aerodynamic body kit includes modified bumpers and side skirts, as well as matte black calipers and 19-inch M light-alloy wheels In Europe and other parts of the world, the new 7-Series will be launched this month.

FERRARI 488 Spider

AROUND €245,000 Hot on the heels of the 458-replacing Ferrari 488 GTB, the Italian manufacturer has revealed its most powerful convertible ever. Powered by a turbocharged V8 engine, the Ferrari 488 Spider produces 660hp and will hit 100km in 3.0 seconds flat – exactly the same as its coupe equivalent. And it’s good for 327 km/h. Despite a trick folding hard-top that Ferrari claims is 25kg lighter than a conventional soft-top, the 488 Spider is 50kg heavier than the GTB – but 10kg lighter than its 458 predecessor.

AUDI

S8 Plus FROM €145,200 New Audi S8 Plus 2016 power output is increased to a staggering 605hp; enough for top speeds of up to 305 km/h. The 4.0 TFSI V8 engine also produces 700 Nm of torque or 750 Nm in overboost mode. That’s a gain of 85hp over the standard model. The S8 Plus accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. The power is converted to the road by an eight-speed tiptronic gearbox and Quattro drivetrain together with a sport differential. Adaptive air suspension, sport and dynamic steering and 21 inch wheels with 275/35 tires help to keep it planted.

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PORSCHE

911 Carrera S FROM €75.000 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S both feature a brand new turbocharged engine. This ushers in a new era for the 911 where all models will be turbocharged except the GTS, GT3 and GT3 RS. The new turbocharged engine is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder unit delivering a total of 370hp and 331lb-ft of torque in the entry-level 911 Carrera. When mated with the PDK transmission and the optional Sport Chrono Package, the 2015 911 Carrera can reach 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. Meanwhile, the facelifted Carrera S features the same engine but tweaked to pump out 20hp and 368lb-ft of torque resulting in a 3.9 seconds sprint to 100 km/h. Both cars pump out 20hp and 44lb-ft more than the outgoing models.

SMART

ForTwo Coupe PRICE: $16.227,15 Smart will unveiled a cabriolet version of its ForTwo, which should be ready for launch as early as 2016, Essentially, the car has a retractable canvas top, which could be opened in 12 seconds (at top speed!) and will be available in three colors: red, blue and black. The redesigned turbocharged three-cylinder comes in at 89hp -- 19 more than the current production. Putting the power to the wheels is either a five-speed manual or a dual-clutch transmission. The new Smart line comes in four different trim levels and with a wide array of options, including a multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth and LED daytime running lights.

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PEUGEOT 308 GTi

AROUND €34.000 Two versions of the Peugeot 308 GTi were on offer on Frankfurt Moto Show – the 247bhp and 266bhp versions - both using the same 1.6 litre turbo petrol from the RCZ-R, both offering official economy of 0-100 km/h 6.2 and 6.0 seconds respectively. Both versions of the GTi get wider tracks for the much tweaked suspension, with increased camber at the front, stiffer bushes at the back, stiffer springs and sit lower (11mm) than other models. The 308 GTi 270 (the 266bhp version) also comes with a Torsen diff, 19'' Carbine Alloys and bigger front discs.

SKODA

Octavia vRS 230 FROM €36.000 Skoda Octavia vRS 230 is the fastest Octavia ever made and the most powerful vRS version, adding what is effectively Volkswagen’s GTI Performance Pack to the already potent Octavia vRS. It accounts for a 10bhp jump in power - up to 227bhp - as well as a new exhaust, bigger brakes, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. The vRS 230 buyers also benefit from a set of unique 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black details, leather sports seats and a trip computer with lap timer. The increase in power knocks a tenth of a second off the 0-100km/h time (now 6.7 seconds), while also claiming the title as the fastest road-going Octavia ever in the process with a 249 km/h top speed.

FIAT

500 1.2 FROM €12.950 New Fiat 500, 1.2 is coming better materials, more equipment and a new infotainment system are the key interior differences. Under the bonnet you can choose from three petrol engines: a four-cylinder 68bhp 1.2-litre, or two versions of a 0.9-litre twin-cylinder offering either 84bhp or 104bhp. The 2015 Fiat 500 1.2 may not be the roomiest, most practical, best equipped or best driving city car you can buy, but for many the retro charm will be enough, especially now that it comes with a higher-quality interior and greater connectivity.

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FASHION

What If You Could Be a If for one day (or a month; let's be honest, a day would not be long enough to do some serious damage!), you had a million euros in your pocket just to buy clothes for the upcoming autumn, where would you shop and what would you buy? There are obvious designer names that leap out at us – Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Vera Wang, Brioni, Dunhill… names that we know: if not by direct association, then from various shows, movies or magazines. In order to determine the most expensive items on offer today in the world clothing market, for this issue of CorD we visited the most exclusive, and thus most expensive, outlets in the world – from Los Angeles to Shanghai, Paris to London, Rome to Barcelona... and here we present to you what we found there. We take you from the extravagant House of Bijan on LA’s world-famous Rodeo Drive, to Alfred Dunhill's ultra-stylish Bourdon House in London, to Ermenegildo Zegna, Emporio Armani etc. – exclusive shopping experiences that go beyond everyday expectations. Even if you don’t happen to be a millionaire just yet, we believe you will find these offers interesting.

Millionaire For a Day?

Scattered Pansies Silk Crepe Pleaded Dress

Vibrant blue pansies dance across this soft pink silk dress, reflecting the romantic floral theme that ripples through our fall collection. A modern take on an iconic ladylike silhouette, this feminine dress flatters with princess seams, slight bell sleeves, and a box pleat skirt for ease of movement. PRICE: €1,950

Navy T-Strap Leather And Suede Fedra Pumps PRICE:

€225

Classic Silk Scarf Alexander McQueen mauve and dark green bicolor silk chiffon skull scarf with handstitched edges; features repeated skull pattern and skull border.

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Modern elegance with our beautiful contrast Fedra heels, expertly crafted in Italy from supple leather. A black pointed-toe detail and T-strap strike up the sleek navy suede silhouette—a sensual accent that delivers subtle allure to daytime looks. PRICE: €665

Stretch Wool Shift Dress Ideal for the in-between season, our vibrant shift dress is a fresh alternative to an everyday little black dress. Cut from flattering stretch wool, the Italian-made silhouette is darted at the bust and body for an elegant shape and finished with a youthful drop-waist and placket pockets for visual appeal. PRICE: €1,765

Ribbon & Bead Embroidered Coat

PRICE:

€795

Alexander McQueen Patchwork Ankle Boot

Draped V-Neck Dress

This classic black coat strikes the perfect balance between eye-catching glamour and timeless sophistication. Rife with embellishment, an intricate mirrored border pattern featuring bugle and seed beads is sewn in a zigzag pattern on the sleeves, back, and pockets. A zippered front brings wearable function to the femininely flared silhouette, cut from a luxurious double-faced cashmere, wool, and angora blend. PRICE: €5,750

Black polish patent, suede and natural vegetable calf leather patchwork ankle boot. Pointed toe and skinny leather heel. Leather lining with chunky rubber sole. Alexander McQueen branding on the sole.

Black compact wool crepe v-neck draped dress. Soft peak shoulders, three quarter length sleeves, asymmetric draped front and zip at the back. PRICE: €1,595

PRICE:

€790

Metallic Patent Triple Buckle Belt

Frederique Constant Oval Roman Numeral Watch The oval-shaped watch with roman numerals from luxury Swiss manufacturers Frédérique Constant is a superior piece of jewellery. Its trusty quartz movement makes it a practical choice while the stunning mother of pearl dial and silver-tone casing make for a stunning combination. PRICE: £1,990

PRICE:

€1,800

€458

Puzzle Bag Burgundy New Puzzle shoulder in suede with embossed Anagram. Volume is created though precise cutting which determines how it folds. Key characteristics: hand-painted edges; textile lining and two pockets inside. Removable adjustable strap.

Lanvin Colour Block Fedora Hat Green, grey and blue cotton and rabbit fur felt color block fedora hat from Lanvin featuring a bow detail, pinched crown sides and a wide brim.

Instantly pull together any look with this wide metallic patent belt. The triple buckle detail and stacked silhouette accentuate the waist while lending a sophisticated finish to dresses and gowns.

PRICE:

€931

Aquazzura Strappy Stiletto Sandals Black suede sandals from Aquazzura featuring an open toe, a strappy design, a back zip fastening, a brand embossed insole and a high stiletto heel.

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FASHION

Tag Heuer Carrera Heritage Calibre 16 Chronograph Watch

Brioni 'Parlamento' Two-Button Suit

Stylish and traditional, the Carrera Heritage Calibre 16 Chronograph Watch, is a handsome timepiece, crafted in stainless steel. It features a croc embossed leather strap, date window and a sleek white face with two chronograph dials. PRICE: €5,430

This classic fit grey 'Parlamento' microcheck wool two-button suit with single lleat pants is fully lined and canvassed with three interior pockets; pants are half lined to front knee. PRICE: €5,650

PRICE:

€95

Meccano Pin Navy Blue Oversize Meccano safety pin with metal and leather components.

Prada Rectangle Sunglasses Crafted in durable metal with a cool matte finish, these stylish Rectangle Sunglasses from Prada are an essential for the modern man. PRICE: €315

PRICE:

€1.500

Missioni Woven Check Blazer

Charcoal Double Face Wool Cashmere Coat Charcoal Double Face Wool Cashmere Herringbone Duffle Coat, Black Wool Cable Crew Neck, Cream Cotton Twill Business Shirt, Navy Wool Flannel Stripe Trousers, Burgundy Waffle Knitted Tie, Oxblood Fine Rib Socks, Oxblood Derby Split Toe Shoe. PRICE: €3,690

Multicoloured wool blend woven check blazer from Missoni.

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Emporio Armani Belt Dark blue, 100% calf-skin leather, metallic buckle closure, made In Italy. PRICE: €380

Brushed Sweater Multicolour Bicolor Derby Lace Up The shoe is made up of scotchgrain, rikk and lafitte leathers. Cotton un-waxed laces, glossy kid leather lining with 0.98 in. heel. PRICE: Black gloss leather sole with squared edge. €495

Anton Backpack Brick Red

Multicolour Long-sleeve brushed camouflage roundneck sweater in wool.

Calf leather backpack with engraved Anagram. Soft construction with unlined, exposed leather interior. Covered zipper and single tassel outside.

PRICE:

€890

PRICE:

€1,900

PRICE:

Givenchy Colour Block Coat This block coat is luxuriously crafted with the finest wool and cashmere blend, features smart notched lapels, buttoned cuffs and a single vented hem, while colour block detailing to the collar and chest adds a stylish touch. Perfect for the day or evening. PRICE: €1,630

€1,800

Soft Blazer Black Unlined jersey blazer in wool and mohair blend. Black vent. Horn buttons.

PRICE:

€9

Silk Pocket Square A bold houndstooth print pattern covers a rich silk pocket square that makes for a handsome update to your modern look.

Ermenegildo Zegna Blue Suit This modern Torino-fit herringbone suit has a European cut and detailing by hand, bluegray herringbone wool suit, lined construction, with two front flap pockets. PRICE: €2,750

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PROFILE

More Than Words A job on the “other” side of the public brings a different kind of professional fulfilment: the possibility to tangibly assist those under threat, whether they be refugees from the Middle East or our fellow citizens

SANDA SAVIĆ Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, Office of the GM, Hemofarm AD

t the time when I enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science’s Department of Journalism, it never even crossed my mind that I would one day end up on “the other side of journalism”. Inspired by Woodward, Fallaci, Cronkite and all the stars of the then world of journalism, my idea was to change the world. Youthful, believing naïvely that my journalistic advent would ensure the world would undergo profound changes, my choice of newsroom in which to work was always on the other, rebellious side from Niko kao ja on Programme 2 of Radio Belgrade, via the former B92, all the way to RT Vojvodina. From the perspective of constant rebellion, you begin to believe that you are beyond limits; that the question of freedom of expression depends solely on your personal choice and that everything else is irrelevant. And that, among other things, is called journalistic passion. With years and experience, you begin to understand that you can make the world better in a different way. The moment I walked into Hemofarm, a company that is a leader on the domestic pharmaceutical market, which has a specific system of work and action, and that devotes special attention, through a high level of

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social responsibility, to the world around it, I realised that I had found myself in the right place. I work at a company that not only strategically “reflects” responsibility towards the community through corporate activities, but rather is also the founder of the Hemofarm Foundation, which focuses on humanitarian action in various fields, predominantly in the field of health. My job as director of corporate communications implies being on the “other” side of the public. Not only in terms of the literal meaning of the term “public” in the narrow media sense, but also when it comes to the internal public. Hemofarm has 2,600 employees and factories in Vršac, Šabac, Dubovac, Podgorica and Banja Luka. Communicating within the framework of Hemofarm is just as challenging as communicating with all daily, national print publications in the country. From this position, I have a totally different experience of the media itself, where I spent 20 years of my career.

Communicating within the framework of Hemofarm is just as challenging as communicating with all daily, national print publications in the country Unlike a job in journalism, which is itself adrenalin fuelled, while at the same time filled with contact with people you do not like at all, my current job offers a different perspective. Hemofarm is a well-educated and decent environment. People have civil manners. And that is something that impress-

es. I especially enjoy the fact that my company promotes taking care of the health of the nation as a core value. In addition to that, in the activities of the Hemofarm Foundation we have initiated, or brought to the fore, a number of important social issues – from organ donation all the way to helping people with disabilities through the Cap for Handicap campaign. The Foundation itself would not be able to function without the support of employees. And this is precisely what makes Hemofarm special. The decision to act without any benefits, without incentives in operations or the amount of taxes by waiving part of profits, in order for that money to be directed as a society. We were the first company to this summer donate drugs from our portfolio to refugees from the Middle East. We recently donated clothing, nappies, hygiene products, all of which we collected among ourselves. As a young journalist, I followed this kind of activity as an inquiring reporter, interested in covering the story to the highest quality possible and presenting such stories to the public. From the position I am in right now, I do my job better if the activities I initiate help people; if we collect more clothing and dress more children in warm footwear. Thus, from this perspective, I have the impression that I am, if you like, more useful to the community. And at the end of the story, we shall return to its beginning. The dilemma about which “side of the profession you are on”, and which often arises in our public life, is not a question of the profession per se, but rather the way in which you practise that profession. The point is that the interests of society must always be in the first place. 

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