CorD Magazine, July 2019, issue no. 177

ZDRAVKO POČIVALŠEK

Ambassador of Romania to Serbia

Business Growing On Both Sides

www.cordmagazine.com

Reviving The EU’s Fundamental Mission

Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology

BRANISLAV NEDIMOVIĆ

Serbian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

We Support Producers In Creating Innovative Products JULY 2019/ ISSUE NO. 177

H.E. OANACRISTINA POPA

interviews opinions news comments events DEJAN ŠOŠKIĆ, Ph.D

Real Measure

Of Our Success FOCUS

WE CAN UTILISE OUR POTENTIALS MORE INTELLIGENTLY

Exclusive

PETER PELLEGRINI

783002 771451 9

Enlargement Is A Strategic Investment

ISSN1451-7833

PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVAKIA

CONTENTS

COMMENT

REAL MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS It is true that Serbia recently borrowed on the external market at an extremely low interest rate compared to the previous borrowing of our country, but it remains three times higher than the interest rate paid by Portugal or Bulgaria. Greece’s experience shows that a country mustn’t give in to the temptation to substantially raise its public debt in conditions of low interest rates

10 ENLARGEMENT IS A STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PETER PELLEGRINI Prime Minister of Slovakia

@CORDMAGAZINE

CORD MAGAZINE

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Miroslava Nešić-Bikić m.bikic@aim.rs DESIGNER: Jasmina Laković j.lakovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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POTENTIALS MORE INTELLIGENTLY

FOCUS: Does conventional agriculture (still) represent our chance on the world market?

26 LESSONS FROM THE EUROPEAN ELECTION OPINION: Dalibor Rohac (POLITICO)

43 CREATING CHANGE THROUGH INNOVATION AND STRONG PARTNERSHIPS

FRANCINE PICKUP Resident representative, UNDP Serbia

44 AN EXCITING COMBINATION

CONTEMPORARY PORTUGUESE ART

14 REVIVING THE EU’S FUNDAMENTAL MISSION H.E. OANA-CRISTINA POPA Ambassador of Romania to Serbia

48 FACES & PLACES

27 BUSINESS DIALOGUE

18 GLOBAL DIARY

@CORD_MAGAZINE

DEJAN ŠOŠKIĆ

40 HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST TROUBLEMAKER ENTERPRENEUR: Alkiviades ‘Alki’ David

60 CULTURE CALENDAR 62 AFTER WORK

22 WE CAN UTILISE OUR

EDITORIAL MANAGER: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen

SALES MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Nataša Trifunović, n.trifunovic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs

56 CHILL OUT

FASHION

DR STUART KOHLHAGEN PSM Director of Science and Learning at Questacon

TRANSLATION & EDITING MRP EDITORIAL Halifax Translation Services

MARKO NICOVIĆ Lawyer

58 SUMMER GADGET TRENDS 2019

20 EDUCATION FOR A FUTURE-PROOF SOCIETY

Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Ljubica Gojgić Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić, Miloš Belčević

51 THE SERBIAN ELIOT NESS

OFFICE MANAGER: Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

DIRECTOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

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PRINTING: Rotografika d.o.o.

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Comment

Real Measure Of Our Success DEJAN ŠOŠKIĆ

PROFESSOR AT THE FACULTY OF ECONOMICS, UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE (EFB)

S

erbia last week issued Eurobonds denominated in euros. There are various interpretations of this move in the public, which are often insufficiently precise, while some are completed exaggerated and even pretentious. This could perhaps provide the occasion to highlight some of them, in order for us to have a clearer picture regarding the situation as a whole.

Firstly, it has been said that this was the first time that Serbia issued a Eurobond. Is that so?

No, it is not! A Eurobond is any bond that is issued outside the domestic financial market, i.e. on the international market. Thus, a Eurobond isn’t the same as a bond issued in euros. Serbia has to date issued Eurobonds multiple times, i.e. it has issued bonds on the international market, but they were denominated in dollars. This is the first time that the country has issued Eurobonds denominated in euros. It could also have issued a Eurobond in Serbian dinars. Although many would probably consider this strange, it is nonetheless a real possibility. It is better that we issued this Eurobond in euros than dollars, given that the dinar-euro exchange rate is more stable than the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar.

It would be best, however, for the state to issue bonds in the currency in which it collects the bulk of its income, i.e. in dinars, as this would eliminate the currency risk borne by the state, i.e. by taxpayers. As things stand now, that risk is reduced, but still exists.

Secondly, we are talking about great success,

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It is true that Serbia recently borrowed on the external market at an extremely low interest rate compared to the previous borrowing of our country, but it remains three times higher than the interest rate paid by Portugal or Bulgaria. Greece’s experience shows that a country mustn’t give in to the temptation to substantially raise its public debt in conditions of low interest rates because the new bonds finance the repurchase of older, more expensive debts. It is true that some government debts can be repurchased early (they have the so-called earlier recall clause), and some cannot be repurchased earlier (except with the explicit consent of creditors, which is very rare).

New borrowing often serves to repay debts accumulated previously, and that is done according to current prevailing market conditions, and that’s normal for every country that finances its public debt on the market. Thus, it is circumstances that determined that we were able to repay some old debts earlier, just as it is circumstantial that today’s interest rates on government bonds are practically lower than ever, and for many countries are even negative.

Thirdly, it is being said that Serbia has achieved historically lowest interest rates on its public debt

It would be best for the state to issue bonds in the currency in which it collects the bulk of its income, i.e. in dinars, as this would eliminate the currency risk borne by the state, i.e. by taxpayers. As things stand now, that risk is reduced, but still exists

and that this is our great success and a specific reason for us to be praised. It is true that the achieved interest rate of 1.6% is extremely low compared to the previous borrowing of our country.

However, it is also true that many EU countries are at present paying negative interest rates on their bonds, and that the interest rate paid by Serbia is around three times higher than the interest rate paid by, for instance, Portugal or Bulgaria, and also that Croatia – with a significantly higher level of public debt (in absolute terms and relative to GDP) – pays a lower interest on its newly issued public debt.

Finally, fourthly, it is being said that now – with such results and interest rate achieved – Serbia can continue to borrow and to utilise these sources to finance various investment projects in the country.

However, conditions for financing Serbia’s public debt can change quickly and significantly. And this often has no direct connection to us, but rather comes due to the impact of economic and monetary cycles in the world’s major economic zones. One of the great lessons that can be learnt from the sovereign debt crisis in Greece is that a country shouldn’t give in to temptations to raise its public debt substantially under conditions of low interest rates. That’s because at the time of refinancing old debts in the future, a country can find itself confronted by much less favourable market conditions. Excessive growth of public debt under conditions of low interest rates can represent a slippery path to a serious fiscal crisis and even the bankrupting of the country.

Interview Exclusive PETER PELLEGRINI PRIME MINISTER OF SLOVAKIA

The recent visit to Serbia of Slovakian Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini provided an opportunity to reaffirm the two countries’ closeness in all spheres. Prime Minister Pellegrini reiterated that Slovakia remains an EU member that will advocate for enlargement and Serbia’s accession to that community.

Simultaneously, as he states in this interview for CorD Magazine, membership candidate countries shouldn’t count on membership criteria being eased, nor on the bar being lowered. Despite speculation that pressure is being exerted on Slovakia and other EU member states that haven’t recognised the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo to align their stance with the majority in the Union, PM Pellegrini says that Bratislava continues to support Serbia’s territorial integrity. Prime Minister Pellegrini, having recently visit Serbia, how would you assess the results of your discussions with Serbian officials?

Enlargement Is A

Strategic Investment Candidate countries must meet all accession criteria, while the enlargement process must be credible with respect to both the EU and candidate countries. The EU should also show empathy for the difficulties being dealt with by accession countries. It is a complex process that implies a shared vision of the future, commitments and their implementation, hard work and mutual trust – Peter Pellegrini 10

July

MINORITY

We plan to allocate the entire amount for the support of the Slovak national minority living abroad, especially in Serbia

My visit followed up on the visit of Serbian Prime Minister Brnabić to Slovakia last December. I believe that the visit strengthened the already intense bilateral relations between Slovakia and Serbia, and confirmed that both sides perceive relations as close and friendly.

There are many links between Slovakia and Serbia, whether historical, interstate, interpersonal, or in the vision of intensified bilateral cooperation and a common future in a united Europe. I am pleased that there are no open issues between our countries, and therefore we had the opportunity to discuss with PM Brnabić and President Vučić the further intensifying of our bilateral cooperation in the period ahead. I assured my partners that, as one of the closest friends of Serbia in the EU, we will continue to strive for the EU to pay due attention to the Western Balkans and assist the region in overcoming the difficulties of modernisation and integration processes. We, of course, expect Serbia to continue to fulfil its part of the engagement – bilaterally, regionally, and also at the European level.

SUPPORT

Our position regarding the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo remains the same – we support Serbia’s territorial integrity and have no reason to change that stance

believe it has more potential and that there are many untapped business opportunities in industries where we believe the Slovak Republic has something to offer to Serbia,

The importance of strengthening economic cooperation was emphasised during your talks in Belgrade. What does the regulating of Serbia’s clearing debt towards Slovakia mean to relations between the two countries?

With the Agreement on settling the debt being signed, all open issues between our countries have been resolved. The debt had its origin in early 1990s. Although the debt was not a big issue in financial terms, I am glad that it is now closed. We plan to allocate the entire amount for the support of the Slovak national minority living abroad, especially in Serbia.

When it comes to foreign trade, and especially the investment activities of Slovak companies, Serbia is the most important partner of Slovakia in the Western Balkans. Our mutual trade turnover is steadily increasing and we

A law according to which workers from Serbia should have the same status as domestic workers has not been adopted. In the Slovak Republic each worker legally employed in the country has labour rights that are all vested under the Slovak Labour Code

EMPATHY

The EU should also show empathy for the difficulties being dealt with by accession countries

including innovation, IT solutions, energy, water management or waste management.

With the Prime Minister, we signed a bilateral debt settlement agreement and opened a

business forum as part of the session of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation. Media reported on a law recently passed in Slovakia according to which workers from Serbia have equal status as domestic workers. Why did you decide to adopt such a regulation?

A law according to which workers from Serbia should have the same status as domestic workers has not been adopted. In the Slovak Republic each worker legally employed in the country has labour rights that are all vested under the Slovak Labour Code.

On 10th October 2018, the Government

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Interview Exclusive of the Slovak Republic approved the Strategy for the Labour Mobility of Foreigners in the Slovak Republic. This document, as the first

decades, and has also become one of the main drivers of positive net migration.

Incoming foreign workers arrive in re-

that our economic development will also lead to many Slovaks who study or work abroad returning to their home country.

On the one hand, I must say that we’ve recorded a decrease in the number of Serbian citizens working in Slovakia since the end of last year. In May 2019 we recorded approximately 13,000 workers from Serbia, while in September 2018 we recorded approximately 15,000 workers. We also have a growing number of citizens from Ukraine. The total number of foreigners working in Slovakia, thus, is experiencing a growth trend. One aspect of our countries’ excellent bilateral relations is Slovakia’s support for Serbia’s territorial integrity. At the same time, it is reported regularly in the media that many other EU member states and international partners are calling on you to recognise Kosovo’s independence. Why do you persist in your decision not to do so?

of its kind, regulates the access of foreigners to the Slovak labour market in the area of labour mobility. It clearly defines specific measures of access of foreigners, and it also simplifies conditions of employment of third-country nationals for jobs that continue to experience shortfalls in the workforce on the labour market. Statistics record an outflow of labour from Serbia, but also from the whole of Eastern Europe westwards, primarily to Germany. Do you see this situation as potentially causing economic and social problems in the future?

Primarily around the time of our accession to the EU, in 2004, we can well remember the outflow of Slovaks to Western Europe.

However, we hope that this trend has been changing now. In the last two years, the Slovak republic has fortunately experienced a positive migration balance, mainly due to incoming foreign workers from other EU countries. In comparison with our neighbouring countries, the percentage of foreign workers is still much lower. However, it has risen rapidly in recent

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The introduction of import duties was a very nonstandard step by Pristina.

We absolutely agree with the assessment that this measure is contrary to the rules of the CEFTA agreement and that it breaches mutual trust, as its only goal is to gain political points domestically gions with labour shortages, and they are also relatively young. This has a positive effect on public finances. A particularly high-skilled and well-educated labour force is the backbone of any modern economy. I therefore believe

Our position regarding the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo remains the same – we support Serbia’s territorial integrity and have no reason to change that stance. I think that other countries respect our position and I don’t feel significant pressure from our partners to change our position. During my Belgrade visit, I confirmed that the position of the Slovak Republic regarding Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence remains unchanged. How would you assess the recent appearance of both Aleksandar Vučić and Hashim Thaçi at the GLOBSEC forum in Bratislava?

I am pleased that the Globsec Forum has become one of the most prominent events of its kind in Europe. It provides a vibrant platform for the exchange of views and ideas, not only on security-related topics, as it was in past, but nowadays also on a wide range of international issues and their projections for the future. The forum attracts policymakers, experts and influential people from both Europe and other continents.

Although I didn’t follow the discussions of Messrs Vučić and Thaçi, I believe that they found the Forum and the respective meetings they had in Bratislava useful, and that their discussion contributed to the quality of this year´s GLOBSEC.

You stated during your recent visit to Belgrade that the introduction of trade tariffs on goods from central Serbia represents a serious violation by the Kosovo government. In your opinion, why has there been no adequate response to this move from the EU and international factors?

that implies a shared vision of the future, commitments and their implementation, hard work and mutual trust.

indeed excellent. Slovaks have been living in Serbia for over 250 years, and thus belong to the most deeply-established ethnic communi-

The EU and U.S. have exerted pressure on Priština, though unfortunately without results.

I do not want to speculate why the reaction of the EU, or at the international level, was not even stronger. It is true that the EU has been quite busy with Brexit, internal reforms, or consideration of a new financial perspective and the composition of new European Parliament and the European Commission, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. The introduction of import duties was a very non-standard step by Pristina. We absolutely agree with the assessment that this measure is contrary to the rules of the CEFTA agreement and that it breaches mutual trust, as its only goal is to gain political points domestically. I am wondering why Prtiština wants to join international organisations, such as CEFTA, when it does not fulfil its obligations. The media reported on a letter sent jointly by 13 EU member states seeking that the EU not abandon the policy of enlargement to encompass the Western Balkans. What are the key arguments advocating in favour of EU enlargement today, considering developments within the EU itself?

We believe that EU enlargement represents a strategic investment in peace, democracy, prosperity, security and stability in Europe.

It also has its own transformative power, because future members have to implement EU standards and values. These are not empty words, because without standards and values our economy would not function. So, strategic issues require strategic thinking and strategic actions. On the one hand, no shortcuts or lowering of the bar is acceptable, and candidate countries must meet accession criteria. On the other hand, the enlargement process must be credible with respect to both the EU and the candidate countries. The EU should also show empathy for the difficulties being dealt with by accession countries. It is a complex process

Slovaks have been living in Serbia for over 250 years, and thus belong to the most deeply-established ethnic communities in this country. It goes without saying that we pay special attention to their status in our bilateral contacts with Serbian representatives Given that relations between Slovakia and Serbia are rated as excellent, does that mean that you’re satisfied with the Serbian government’s relations with the Slovak minority in Serbia?

As you rightly point out, political, economic and trade relations between our countries are

ties in this country. It goes without saying that we pay special attention to their status in our bilateral contacts with Serbian representatives.

We appreciate the active involvement of the Serbian government in solving everyday issues, but also long-term challenges that our Slovak minority may encounter, including education, minority media, or representation in local government structures. We believe that special priority should also be given to other important issues, such as the employment of younger generations, professional development, wage growth, as well as effective education. At the end of the day, our primary goal is to achieve a situation in which Serbia is perceived by the members of the Slovak community as a country where they see not only their own future, but also the future of their families. In other words, we have to try to do everything we can in order to stop, or at least reduce, the number of people leaving the country never to return. I think that the Government of Serbia is working towards the same goal.

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Interview H.E. OANA-CRISTINA POPA AMBASSADOR OF ROMANIA TO SERBIA

The beginning of July saw the culmination of the first Romanian presidency of the EU since the country became a member of the Union. The six-month term ended with a summit of European leaders in the Romanian city of Sibiu, from where a call was sent – on the eve of the then upcoming election of new people to key leadership posts in EU institutions – insisting that the strengthening of the Union requires a return to the fundamental principles of unity and solidarity. In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Popa says that she is convinced that the enlargement policy will remain among the EU’s priorities. Your Excellency, the first Romanian presidency of the European Union came to an end on 30th June. What do you consider as the greatest achievements of this six-month period?

It has been a very intense six months that mobilised large parts of the public administration and touched the entire society. There’s no better way of learning than by doing. We learned a lot, and we are coming out of this collective experience more mature, more European, more determined, but also more knowledgeable about how to continue bringing our contribution to the European project.

We faced a number of challenges, mainly resulting from Brexit. We achieved a lot at the Sibiu

Reviving The EU’s

Fundamental Mission Enlargement remains high on the EU agenda. The trio of presidencies - starting with Romania and continuing with Finland and Croatia – will maintain this priority, says Ambassador Oana-Cristina Popa 14

July

NEIGHBOURHOOD

The EU should focus not only on its soft power, but also on what it does in its closest and wider neighbourhood

Summit, with its important conclusions restoring the fundamental mission of the EU – convergence and prosperity in Europe. The EU should focus not only on its soft power, but also on what it does in its closest and wider neighbourhood. It should promote the Sibiu “spirit of community and spirit of solidarity”.

The main message of the Romanian presidency is obvious – to bring political cohesion back to the top of the agenda, because cohesion means solidarity, which means unity and that we stand together against discrimination. We managed a large number of legislative files and dossiers. Among the most important files concluded, we can mention: the Natural Gas Directive, the Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market; the Regulation establishing European Labour Authority, the Consumers Package, the Regulations Package on the interoperability of the informatics systems of the EU; the legislative proposal regarding the consolidation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the Banking Package, the legislative package on the Capital Markets Union, amending the Regulation on the Status and Financing of European Political Parties and Foundations; and Council Conclusions on securing free and fair elections, with a focus on countering disinformation, Council Conclusions on artificial intelligence and Council Conclusions on the 2030 Agenda.

Despite the limited legislative window, due to the timing of the European Parliament elections and the different, sometimes even divergent, interests of EU member states, the Romanian Presidency managed to conclude work on a number of key policy areas that can deliver real benefits for European citizens. This achievement was acknowledged by both EU member states and representatives of European institutions.

As we have succeeded in delivering such important results during a rather short period of time, we are confident that the days to follow will be as important as those that have just passed. We will continue to work diligently with non-legislative files that are equally important and complex, in order to reach our common European objectives. Romania has strongly advocated EU enlargement and Serbia’s accession. Unfortunately,

SUPPORT

Romania has been a constant supporter of the EU facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which has a direct impact on Serbia’s EU accession prospects

COOPERATION

Romanian –Serbian IPA funded cross-border cooperation has been identified as one of the most dynamic areas of cooperation of all other EU-funded cross-border bilateral programmes

however, it seems that enlargement is falling in importance on the list of European priorities.

A joint declaration from the recent informal summit of European leaders in the Romanian city of Sibiu barely mentioned the possibility of enlargement. How can you explain this?

Allow me to disagree that enlargement is falling in importance. We have built upon the great work done by the two preceding presidencies, of Bulgaria and Austria. Enlargement remains high on the EU agenda. The trio of presidencies – starting with Romania and continuing with Finland and Croatia – will continue this priority. You have said several times that you believe in the possibility that the next EU enlargement will come in 2025. What needs to happen to make this possible, both in the European Union and in Serbia?

The year 2025 has been offered as a potential reference point to encourage candidates to redouble their efforts.

It is now time for those aspiring to join the EU to make good on the commitments they took on

The EU again expressed its commitment in the clearest terms in 2018, and created a window of opportunity that could be taken advantage of by candidates. The year 2025 has been offered as a potential reference point to encourage candidates to redouble their efforts. It is now time for those aspiring to join the EU to make good on the commitments they took on.

The Romanian Presidency will continue to play the role of an honest broker for the remaining days until the end of the presidency, and will facilitate political decisions in relations with all partners involved in the enlargement process.

We strongly support the European perspective of the Western Balkan region. The tools are in place and the perspective is open. The Commission recently published its annual reports, in which it spelled out what lies ahead. Let me use this opportunity to reiterate Romania’s offer to share experiences from its wide and relevant expertise gained during and after EU accession. You spoke recently about judicial reform, referring to the Romanian experience. You said then that Romania had a problem adopting a large number of laws from the European agenda that turned out to be inapplicable in

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Interview practise. Do you think that, in the process of membership negotiations, Serbian authorities and citizens are aware of the importance of fulfilling the conditions of Chapter 23, related to the rule of law and human rights?

Serbia is one of the leading candidates and also plays an important role at the regional level when it comes to the stability of the Western Balkans and its rapprochement to the EU. There are great expectations vis-a-vis Serbia leading by example in the process of approaching the goal of accession.

this regard, Romania’s experience remains highly relevant for Serbia and we reiterate our offer for Belgrade to make use of that experience. The latest European Commission progress report for Serbia calls for the “urgent” adoption of a legally-binding agreement between Serbia and Kosovo, which is referred to as

in 2010. The dialogue is a venue for seeking solutions, evidently through compromise, to questions that in many cases impact on the daily lives of people living in the Kosovo Province. During his recent visit to Bucharest, the Serbian president thanked the Romanian prime minister for his support regarding Ko-

“crucial” for “progress on the European path”. Considering the current situation on

sovo, which he said had been demonstrated in particular in discussions on Kosovo’s

the ground and the suspended dialogue, do

request to join Interpol. Is Romania under pressure to change its position on Kosovo’s independence?

Indeed, the Serbian President had a new opportunity to meet the Romanian Prime Minister, Madame Viorica Dancilă, during a recent High-Level Quadrilateral Meeting hosted in Bucharest in April.

On the issue of Kosovo, Romanian’s position is well known and respected by the authorities in Belgrade. It is a principled position based on international law. How would you assess the level of respect for minority rights in Serbia, especially when it comes to the Romanian minority?

In this regard, we strongly encourage Serbia to count on Romania’s full support. We have a standing offer to provide our expertise, technical knowhow or whatever Serbia feels is useful to support the achieving of standards in fundamental areas of reform. Romania is, again, a good example of the fact that it is the candidate country which sets the pace. As you know, we joined two years after the “historic wave of enlargement”, because we required more time. Hence, with the candidates that followed, the EU placed the fundamentals first principle at the heart of the enlargement process and first opened chapters dealing with the judiciary and fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security.

Thank you for bringing up the dilemma of speed vs. depth in the negotiation process. Allow me to correct and clarify your statement. The pace of progress is not only determined by the speed of adopting EU compliant legislation and adapting the legislative framework to be EU acquis compliant, but mostly by developing the capacity to implement new legislation and demonstrate a track record. In

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The Romanian Presidency will continue to play the role of an honest broker for the remaining days until the end of the presidency, and will facilitate political decisions in relations with all partners involved in the enlargement process you believe that such an agreement can be reached by the end of the year?

Romania has been a constant supporter of the EU facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, which has a direct impact on Serbia’s EU accession prospects.

This is a consequence of the UN General Assembly resolution introduced jointly by Serbia and the EU

Romania continues to pay close attention to the situation of ethnic Romanians throughout Serbia, and the embassy follows the efforts undertaken by the Serbian authorities, especially when it comes to facilitating access to education, religious services and mass media in the Romanian language. At the same time, people belonging to the Romanian minority are, first and foremost, citizens of Serbia, and the Serbian authorities have the primary role in ensuring all of their rights are provided, including the right to an education in Romanian. In doing so, we encourage members of our minority community to maintain an active and transparent dialogue with the responsible Serbian institutions and to reach agreed solutions to overcome possible issues.

From our perspective, it is very important that all Serbian citizens who assume their Romanian identity, regardless of the region in which they live, can enjoy their rights to an education and religious services in their mother tongue, as well as access to mass media and representation in forums of local and national policies. Can we already talk about the political and economic effects of the regional quadrilateral - strengthening cooperation among Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria and Greece?

The High-Level Quadrilateral Meeting between Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Serbia has resulted in a number of political agreements to improve the interconnectivity of the four countries. Once implemented, these commitments will contribute to the economic development of our countries. The concept behind this endeavour aims to develop and use synergies and possible joint investments in certain economic areas. Recent discussions on this initiative included talk of building a motorway from Pančevo to Timisoara. How well developed is this idea?

The project for a high-speed road link between Timisoara and Pančevo was initiated a couple of years ago, during bilateral discussions. Its potential benefits are considerable for the two countries, but also for the region as a whole. Possible sources of funding are being explored at this point. Are you satisfied with the quality of projects from both the Romanian and Serbian sides that are selected for financing from European funds under the cross-border cooperation programme? How can they contribute to strengthening economic cooperation?

Thank you for this question. Romanian –Serbian IPA funded cross-border cooperation has been identified as one of the most dynamic areas of

People belonging to the Romanian minority are, first and foremost, citizens of Serbia, and the Serbian authorities have the primary role in ensuring all of their rights are provided, including the right to an education in Romanian cooperation of all other EU-funded cross-border bilateral programmes.

A variety of areas are covered by IPA cross-border, with evident benefits for communities on both sides of the border. These projects are excellent vehicles to exchange best practises and expertise, and they also bring an important contribution to connecting people. Do you believe in the joint tourist offer of Romania and Serbia, which may be tested this year with the new “Eco Tamiš” joint project?

The programme plans to attract tourists to the two countries, to familiarise them with the 350km of banks of the Tamiš, a river that’s sourced in Romania and joins the Danube in Serbia. The regional project aimed at attracting tourists to visit the Timiș River Basin is a tangible example of the multiple benefits of cross-border projects. There is unused tourism potential in this beautiful region, and coordinated and complimentary offers by Romania and Serbia not only stimulate local economies and facilitate cooperation at the local level, but also at the inter-state level.

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GLOBAL DIARY

Position

“Maybe the process of Brexit will be even more exciting than before because of some personnel decisions in London, but nothing has changed when it comes to our position,”– DONALD TUSK, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

ARCTIC COULD FACE ANOTHER SCORCHING ANNUS HORRIBILIS Scientists say 2019 could be another annus horribilis for the Arctic with record temperatures already registered in Greenland -- a giant melting icicle that threatens to submerge the world’s coastal areas one day.

“It’s possible that we could break the records set in 2012 for both lowest Arctic sea ice extent ... and for record high Greenland ice sheet melt,” warned the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI).

As the atmosphere heats up, the phenomenon is expected to accelerate, changing the way of life for the local population -- who will see shorter hunting seasons on the ice, on which they depend for their survival -- as well as an altered ecosystem. On June 17, Greenland lost 3.7 billion tonnes of ice in a single day, DMI said.

BLACKSTONE MAKES LARGEST REAL ESTATE DEALS IN HISTORY Blackstone Group is betting big on ecommerce with an $18.7 billion purchase of warehouse assets across the U.S., one of the largest industrial real estate deals in history. The properties span 179 million square feet overall, and Blackstone is buying them from the Singapore company GLP Pte, according to Bloomberg. There are about 1,300 properties in

STEPHEN SCHWARZMAN, BLACKSTONE CEO

FOUR-DAY WEEK MAY BE THE FUTURE IN RUSSIA New technologies make jobs less labor-intensive and the labor market more global. Employers who benefit from it should be prepared to make concessions to their workers in return, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said.

“It’s quite possible that the future belongs to the four-day week as the foundation of the social labor contract,” Medvedev said as an example of what corporations may offer laborers in the future. He argued that paying the same money for less working hours may not be a loss for employers and national economies.

Some pilot projects indicate the same may happen with the four-day week, Medvedev suggested, adding that shorter work weeks would help tackle problems like burnout, a condition that the World Health Organisation classified as a disease just last month.

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July

the GLP portfolio, and Amazon is its biggest tenant.

Blackstone, the world’s largest private manager of real estate assets, won the properties in an auction that also saw bids from Prologis and Brookfield Asset Management.

“Logistics is our highest conviction global investment theme today,” Ken Caplan, the global co-head of Blackstone Real Estate said in the statement, “and we look forward to building on our existing portfolio to meet the growing e-commerce demand.”

Trust

“Europe... must build new rules of trust and security with Russia, and should not only agree with NATO. It needs to build [relations] only between Europe and Russia.” – EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT

THE FIRST WOMAN WHO WILL RULE AUSTRIA Austria has its first woman Chancellor. After the coalition government collapsed amid a corruption scandal, President Alexander Van der Bellen appointed Brigitte Bierlein, 69, as the interim Chancellor until elections are held in September.

Last week, Ms. Bierlein and her Ministers were sworn in by President Van der Bellen. Before her appointment, Ms. Bierlein served as president of Austria’s Constitutional Court. She was the first woman to reach that post. Ms. Bierlein has never been a member of any party. However, it is reported that she has close ties with both the Freedom Party and the People’s Party. In her career as a jurist, Ms. Bierlein took the biggest steps under two far-right and conservative coalitions. In 2002, when the conservatives were in power, Ms. Bierlein was appointed as vice-president of the Constitutional Court. Her last promotion took place last year when Mr. Kurz was Chancellor.

SWISS WOMEN STRIKE EN MASSE TO END ‘SCANDALOUS’ GENDER PAY GAP Thousands of women staged “purple” strike protests across Switzerland against the country’s “scandalous” gender pay gap after a study found they earn a fifth less than their male counterparts. It may have a reputation for be-

BRIGITTE BIERLEIN

ing a highly developed, affluent and progressive Western economy but Switzerland is falling behind many counterparts on pay parity, say rights groups and unions. While the country has one of Europe’s highest proportions of women in the workforce, on average they still earn 20 per cent less than men. And for men and women with equal qualifications, the wage gap remains nearly eight per cent, according to the federal statistics office.

MERKEL AT HARVARD

CROATIAN ELECTED NEW HEAD OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE

Angela Merkel addressed graduates of Harvard University, talking about her dreams of an open world. With her signature German accent and bright pantsuit, Merkel addressed an overflowing audience of Harvard graduates. Some had to sit on the steps of the library across the lawn. She spoke about her own life in East Germany (calling it a dictatorship), how the Berlin Wall literally stood in her way, and how she saw it every day while walking to work. And then, one day, it fell -and even though Merkel wasn’t involved in protest movements at the time, she still believes this generation of students should be heartened at the thought that every misguided regime eventually collapses.

“Dictatorships can disappear,” she said. “We can halt global warming.

We can eradicate starvation. We can eliminate diseases. We can give people, especially girls, access to education. We can fight the causes of displacement and forced migration. We can do all of that.”

Croatia’s Foreign and European Affairs Minister Marija Pejčinović Burić has been elected the 14th Secretary-General of the Council of Europe by secret ballot held in the CoE Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg for a five-year term.

Pejčinović Burić graduated in Economics from the University of Zagreb in 1985.

After graduating, she worked as a trade MARIJA PEJČINOVIĆ BURIĆ expert associate for Končar Inženjering in Zagreb. In 1991 she was appointed Secretary General of the Europe House Zagreb and Deputy Secretary General of the European Movement Croatia. In 1994 she obtained a Master of Science in European Studies from the College of Europe. In 1997 Pejčinović Burić was appointed director of corporate communications for the Zagreb-based pharma company Pliva.

July

19

Feature

Education For A Future-Proof Society Society, technology and the world around us are changing rapidly. It is difficult to even orientate oneself in the midst of the 5th industrial revolution, with global and large-scale challenges like the climate crisis and accelerating environmental threats, risks related to population growth, political instabilities or autonomous intelligence. Can a future-proof education lead to a future-proof society and spark innovation?

Malaysia and elsewhere, as well as leading the development and delivery of a range of professional teacher development programmes in Australia and internationally. Famous thinker and astrophysicist Carl

DR STUART KOHLHAGEN PSM, DIRECTOR OF SCIENCE AND LEARNING AT QUESTACON

D

r Stuart Kohlhagen, PSM, is the Director of Science and Learning at Questacon. He has been a part of Questacon and the Science Circus since its very beginnings, when he helped pioneer the development of exhibits, science demonstrations and shows. He is passionate about simple, open-ended, hands-on exhibits, enquiry-based activities that provide learning opportunities and spark curiosity.

He has been active in capacity development programmes for science centre staff and educators across the world, in South Africa, Lesotho, Indonesia, Korea, Brunei, Vietnam, Thailand,

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July

Sagan once said: “We live in a society ex-

Again, it is a matter of supporting dispositions…

Things like problem solving, critical thinking, resilience and not worrying too much about specific technical skills. These will be outdated by the time students graduate. But being a problem solver and self-educator will last a lifetime.

quisitely dependent on science and technol-

You’re the founder of The Science Nomad

ogy, in which hardly anyone knows anything

– a project supporting local educators and

about science and technology”. The quote is

teachers that have access to more modest

from 1990, but it has become increasingly

tools and materials to get the most of them

relevant over time. How can we change this

and spread knowledge. What are some of

dependence in ignorance and make STEM

your favourite examples of creative solutions

more accessible?

and ways to educate and share knowledge

STEM does not need advanced equipment…

STEM and the support of 21 st century skills needs teachers with the confidence and training to nurture curiosity, while leaving space in curricula for students to have time to work on problems and challenges… challenges that they find relevant, but which are also deep. Society, technology and the world around us are changing rapidly. How can we “future proof” education, and prepare educators for the future?

in this context?

Humble materials, powerful outcomes. The most critical aspect of my work comes from having a very clear focus on the outcomes I seek to achieve through my interactions with educators. As I say, activity is easy, while impact needs planning. So, I will work with communities to understand the barriers preventing change, or using hands-on learning and curiosity-driven education. And to identify small but real things that educators can do now to foster 21st century skills. One project I did in Zimbabwe, in Bulawayo, was with pre-service educators being

By Miloš Belčević

trained to work with children afflicted by various disabilities (deaf, blind, autistic). The simple activities you share are ideal for these learners, as they utilise and can involve a wide range of sensors. After the training, I received emails and messages from many of the teachers, who are now out in communities across Africa, using and sharing these approaches.

This is deeply rewarding for everyone involved. You have worked around the world with many different cultures and nations. What are some of the main differences (and simi-

support of formal education, is finding consistent funding, so programmes can be developed and planned far enough in advance to ensure great outcomes. The work tends to be opportunistic and often requires self-funding to get things started. This makes it hard to have repeat interactions, and that is critical to getting real capacity building or cultural change. This is sometimes supported by DFAT for a few years, as was the case with projects in Africa, India and Thailand, and the results are incredible when this happens. It is rewarding on the day to

larities) you’ve come across when it comes to education, teaching styles, teacher-pupil interaction and the way we share knowledge?

There are more similarities than differences. The challenges shared by teachers are nearly universal – too much being packed into the curriculum, too many things other than teaching occupying their time. Attitudes to education differ in some communities, but in most developing countries it is understood that education is the pathway to development, with the differences in access to it, and the quality of teachers. You’ve worked as Director of Science and

see the smiles, hear the laughter and feel the energy, but even more than this is the reward of hearing stories recounted long afterwards of how activities are being continued, further shared and spread. Innovation is crucial for economic growth and social welfare. How can we develop the capacity for innovation of a community or country through education?

Two critical components for a country: to bring what “industry/society” needs and what the schools see as their priority/their performance indicators.

As long as schools (teachers and students) are accessed, regarded and graded based only on standard academic results (maths examinations, science tests and literacy benchmarks), the time in school will only focus on that. These approaches exist (that I and others share) that can do this whilst also achieving the development of 21st century skills.

It is not very difficult or expensive to include these approaches alongside the existing approach. But if these are not given a formal value – a grade, a badge, a credential – the system won’t value them, and they will not be implemented or followed in a serious way.

Learning at Questacon, the National Science

One of the challenges regarding the fields

and Technology Centre, for over 30 years.

of STEM is certainly the under representa-

Partnerships are central to Questacon’s

tion of women. How do we change this,

ability to engage with communities through

and how can we fuel the next generation

different programmes. Can you tell us more

of female innovators?

about this model and what’s needed to

Continue to profile role models, remove competitions and challenges that are framed by others (which may or may not have appeal to young women) - we should gauge or filter, or narrow the opportunity of HOW and in WHICH domain people (women) choose to follow in a STEM or general innovation pathway.

engage all the various stakeholders – from the government and foreign countries, via corporations, to local volunteers – to make such projects work?

Both while I was a director of science and learning at Questacon and now, as a solo Science Nomad, the key is finding willing and active partners, which can – with some injection of support, examples and mutual linking – cannot only create an event, but can move to become a node and adopter of these approaches.

There is no competition for audiences – we will never serve all who need help. However, by working with those agencies that have the scale and resources, but that may lack the examples of effective approaches, even an individual can have impact at scale. What are some of the most challenging parts of your work – and what are some of the most rewarding parts?

The challenging part of working as an individual, especially in the area of informal education and

The challenging part of working as an individual, especially in the area of informal education/ and support of formal education is finding consistent funding, so programs can be developed and PLANNED far enough ahead to ensure great outcomes

If you go way back to where it all began – what were your first contacts with science; and how did you choose this path for yourself?

I grew up in a small rural town. I had time, tools, and parents that let me try things, make things, explore and ask questions… and they either answered them or encouraged me to find the answers for myself.

Once I had these attitudes, the rest was inevitable. What would be your advice to Serbian kids that are curious about STEM?

Find Your passion, ask your questions, and develop the skills to answer them yourself.

July

21

Focus

Does conventional agriculture (still) represent our chance on the world market?

We Can Utilise Our Potentials More Intelligently If the export of conventional agriculture products implies wheat and corn, then we have long since learned the lesson that their production contributes little to economic growth and profitable exports. However, if we diversify production, focus on products with higher added value and introduce high standards in production, the possibility exists that we can generate profits on the resources we possess 22

July

S

erbia will this year produce enough wheat for itself, while more than a million tonnes will be available for export. This is good news, but in overall terms the production of low value added agricultural products places Serbia at the bottom of the ranks of countries that utilise their resources intelligently.

BRANISLAV NEDIMOVIĆ SERBIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT

WE SUPPORT PRODUCERS IN CREATING INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS IN ORDER TO UTILISE THE POTENTIAL OF SERBIAN AGRICULTURE IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY, IT IS NECESSARY TO MONITOR MARKET, PRODUCTION AND SCIENTIFIC TRENDS IN PRODUCTION, AND TO INTRODUCE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS THAT WILL DISTINGUISH OUR PRODUCTS FROM THOSE OF THE COMPETITION AND MAKE THEM COMPETITIVE ON THE MARKET Conventional production is certainly our chance, which Serbian agriculture is now proving with the recognition of its products on the world market. However, this should not be - nor is it - the ultimate scope of the market positioning of our products, given the great potential for production that contains higher added value in and of itself, which primarily implies organic production and the cultivation of

produce with geographical indications of origin. Given the unfavourable structure of exports of agricultural and food products, in which only a quarter of the value of exports comprises processed agricultural products, while as much as three quarters of the value is from primary products, the orientation towards unconventional forms of agricultural production, such as organic production, provides a possibility to increase the value of exports. If we also consider the growing demand for this type of product at the world level, as well as Serbia’s raw material and processing potential in this domain, organic production certainly represents an opportunity for domestic agriculture to advance in this direction. It is possible to achieve a similar level of production specialisation, but with even greater market recognition of products, through the cultivation of products with geographical indications of origin. Serbia also has high potential in this area, and that is particularly evident in the field of the protection of traditional products, with special production procedures, as well as Serbian wines. However, such production methods, which are unconventional, are subject to specific EU rules and regulations, with which Serbia needs to harmonise during the accession period. It is precisely this harmonisation process that is the subject of negotiations under the auspices of EU Accesscion Negotiations Chapter 11, which includes not only the transposing of European regulations into national legislation, but also the establishing of mechanisms for their implementation, through the building and strengthening of the institutional framework. In order to not only successfully conclude accession negotiations on Serbia’s EU membership, but also to utilise Serbian agriculture’s potential in the most effective way, it is necessary to monitor market, production and scientific trends in production, and that is only achieved through the continuous introduction of innovations and innovative solutions that distinguish a product from the competition and render it competitive on the market. In this sense, the Ministry wholeheartedly supports the innovative activities of our producers, both institutionally and through budget support.

July

23

Focus

Does conventional agriculture still represent our chance on the world market?

GORAN ŽIVKOV

FOUNDER & PROGRAMMING MANAGER OF SEEDEV, AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER, FORMER ASSISTANT MINISTER AND MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE IN SERBIA

WE NEED TO ENTER HIGH-QUALITY MARKETS I THINK THAT PUBLIC POLICYMAKERS AND FARMERS DON’T HAVE A SUFFICIENT UNDERSTANDING OF HOW EU INTEGRATION IS RELATED TO MARKETS, AND NOT EXCLUSIVELY TO POLITICAL GOALS. EU INTEGRATION, AND NEGOTIATIONS WITHIN CHAPTERS DEALING WITH AGRICULTURE, FOOD SAFETY AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MUST BE A PRIORITY Conventional agriculture – whatever is implied by that – is indeed a chance, as Serbia has sufficient resources and competitive advantages in that segment of the economy. The current problem is that the products for which Serbia is known and which it, as a rule, exports the most – sugar, raspberries and apples – are in a serious market crisis, and therefore also a price crisis. When we add corn and wheat, which belong to this group of export products and which are marked by low prices, and which have extremely low prospects of prices rising in the foreseeable future, then it is clear that certain diversification of

MILAN PROSTRAN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST

NO ALTERNATIVE FOR THE CONVENTIONAL ECONOMY AS LONG AS WE CAN MAKE IT PAY TO PRODUCE OUR PRODUCTS, WE SHOULDN’T RUSH TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GMOS. CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE IS OUR KEY OPTION, BUT IT MUST BE MODERNISED

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both production and exports is required. This requires cooperation between the Ministry and farmers, in order to create a framework that will enable this potential to be exploited, and here I primarily mean that everyone understands their role. The ministry’s role is to open up markets, primarily high-quality ones, such as that of the EU, through the meeting of standards that would enable us to export beef, pork and chicken; and would ensure that our raspberries wouldn’t need to be additionally tested for viruses when exporting to the EU, or for us not to have to face dread when sending a shipment of peaches to the Russian Federation etc.

I think that many don’t understand – and here I’m EVERYONE TODAY referring to both policymakers and farmers – the SEES THE ROLE OF extent to which EU integration is linked to markets, THE MINISTRY IN and not exclusively to political goals. Everyone today sees the role of the Ministry in providing PROVIDING subsidies, influencing the market and minimising SUBSIDIES, its regulatory role, which is much more important.

INFLUENCING That’s why EU integration and negotiations under THE MARKET the auspices of the accession negotiation chapters – both those linked directly to agriculture, food AND MINIMISING safety and rural development, such as chapters 11 ITS REGULATORY and 12, or those indirectly related to the economy ROLE, WHICH and the rule of law – must be a priority and must be adopted without too many questions. The story IS MUCH MORE which insists that we will strive to meet standards IMPORTANT due to our own needs obviously isn’t working, nor nor are there prospects that it will ever function in Serbia. When we agreed that EU integration and accession negotiations are important, and then decided that this is our priority, we entered the domain of institutional capacity, which is unfortunately extremely low and hinders, to a great extent, the fast and efficient adoption – and even more the implementation – of the laws that Serbian agriculture requires in order for it to be more efficient and for it to be provided with new market opportunities. This is particularly so now, in a period when our traditional production is in crisis.

Conventional agriculture will remain in top spot for a long time to come, as it is the only form that can secure large quantities of food for a world with a growing population (set to reach 10 billion people in a couple of decades).

Conventional production implies modern technology, modern livestock breeds, modern varieties and hybrids of plant species in field crop, vegetable and fruit cultivation, and in viticulture.

The risks of conventional agriculture are in the use of pesticides, which must be reduced to normal levels, but also with producI’M OF THE ers being well informed regarding consumers.

OPINION THAT Education must be constant.

There is no existing alternative to conventional IT IS A GREAT food production from the perspective of volume.

UTOPIAN IDEA Organic farming means returning to the period THAT CURRENT of the 1950s, with slightly adjusted technology in production, but it is still only in its infancy. In SerORGANIC FOOD bia, Only 15,000 hectares of land in Serbia is used PRODUCTION for organic production, when it comes to plans, COULD REPLACE while the organic production of milk in cattle breeding has also begun. I’m of the opinion that it CONVENTIONAL is a great utopian idea that current organic food FARMING production could replace conventional farming.

Conventional production is the dominant form of production and it will survive and exist as such in the world for a long time to come. As long as we can make it pay to produce such products, we don’t need to rush to open the door to GMOs. It will certainly come one day.

MIODRAG DIMITRIJEVIĆ PH.D.

TENDERED PROFESSOR AND GENETICIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

WE DON’T HAVE QUANTITY, BUT WE CAN OFFER QUALITY SERBIA DIDN’T LEAVE A VALUABLE AND RESPECTED TRACE ON THE U.S. MARKET WITH SALES OF ZASTAVA CARS, BUT RATHER WITH THE SMALL, HIGH-VALUE SERIES OF EXCLUSIVE HAND-KNITTED AND ARTISTICALLY DESIGNED “SIROGOJNO” SWEATERS. THIS EXAMPLE ALSO NEEDS TO BE AN INDICATOR OF THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO TAKE IN THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD Conventional agriculture remains our chance on the world market. And I would say that, for now, it is our only chance on the world market. Serbia has about 3.9 million hectares of agricultural land, which is around 2.2% compared to the EU total. Of around 630,000 farms, 99.5% are family farmsteads, while about 92% are farming estates up to 10 hectares. We can’t compete on the world market in terms of quantity, but we certainly can in terms of quality. Serbia didn’t leave a

valuable and respected trace on the U.S. market with sales of Zastava cars, but rather with the small, high-value series of exclusive hand-knitted and artistically designed “Sirogojno” sweaters. This example also needs to be an indicator of the direction we need to take in the production of food. With a good legal foundation for truly cooperative clustering, including savings-credit cooperatives, the conditions would be created to exploit the structure of farms in Serbia to the maximum extent. This was the route taken by the Kingdom of Serbia, when in 1895 it was one of the founders – along with Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, India, Italy, Switzerland and the United States – of the International Co-operative Alliance. This is the route being taken successfully by Italy and Spain. Contemporary cooperation would lead to improved exploitation of our agricultural capacities. The significant representation of organic production, which is also a way of life, would create a healthier environment and would be – along with the road transport network – a good starting point for the balanced development of Serbia. In order for this to happen, we need science and higher education in the field of agriculture to recover. We were, until around 20 years ago, a world force in agricultural science, technology and the production of varieties and hybrids. Our science and education needs to be at a level that allows us to follow new achievements, but also to return and actively engage in world science flows. When it comes to agreements and “chapters” in EU accession negotiations, the fact is that we’re been at fault in these multi-decade “negotiations”. Due to mistaken estimates, we “agreed” at the cost of our own agriculture and resource preservation. The power to satisfy food needs with one’s own strengths is the considered action of any serious country.

Food production independence is one of the foundations of any independence.

The world population is expected to grow to exceed 10 billion over the next 20-30 years. Demand for food will increase dramatically, but so will the need to prevent further degradation of the natural environment. Those who produce food will have a significant advantage over those who need others to fill their plates. This is no longer just a question of freedom; it is a question of survival.

Can Serbia expect to export goods with higher added value, provided it more efficiently applies regulations and standards related to the environment?

ANĐELKA MIHAJLOV

ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADOR FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RETIRED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND FORMER SERBIAN MINISTER FOR THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT

WE CAN BE BETTER AND MORE RESPONSIBLE THE ANSWER IS YES. THE METHODS BY WHICH THE ENVIRONMENT IS PROTECTED ARE REPRESENTED BY THE APPLICATION OF STANDARDS AND LAWS, BUT ALSO THE CHOICE OF AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY “LIFESTYLE” FOR EACH OF US Since 1991, Serbia has been protecting the environment since 1991 with the law on environmental protection, while the existing legislation has been harmonised with EU legislation to a significant extent. The country is also a member of the vast majority of important multilateral environmental and/or climate change agreements.

The state of environmental performance depends, among other things, on capacities (institutions, people, adequate knowledge) and the existence of

adequate infrastructure (for waste, wastewater, drinking water etc.), but also on the extent to which other sectors (agriculture, energy, transport, spatial planning, tourism and all others) have fundamentally incorporated environmental protection issues and climate change into their own development. That is part of a system of equations with multiple parameters, which is today facing a challenge in Serbia of how that will be resolved, both now and in the future.

One of the sectors which – with the accepting of compliance with environmental standards – has a great impact on the state of environment performance in the country is trade, and in particular international trade. If Serbia fully implemented all international agreements in the fields of environmental protection and climate change, which it has joined and ratified, the value of goods on the international market would be more favourable than is the case today.

Serbia is negotiating its accession to the EU; an agreement covering free trade was established in 2009. Trade within and with the EU is based, inter alia, on compliance with multilateral environmental and climate change agreements and effective enforcement of national environmental law, sustainable trade in natural resources, combatting illicit trade in threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna, and the promotion of corporate social responsibility practises and sustainable public procurement. Technical harmonisation exists within the EU market, which also includes environmental protection, and so this is also required of other countries with which it trades. Prior to arrival in the EU, goods (including food) must also satisfy the EU’s environmental protection requirements. Other non-EU markets also change the conditions of trade significantly when it comes to meeting environmental standards. Serbia is also negotiating on its membership in the World Trade Organization, which it applied for in 2005. Sustainable development and the protection and preservation of the environment are fundamental goals of the WTO; The Doha Development Agenda includes specific negotiations on trade and the environment.

Opinion

By DALIBOR ROHAC (POLITICO)

Lessons From The European Election If European elections used to be a sedate affair, the 2019 iteration was anything but. Besides the obvious — a growing fragmentation of European politics, a solid but not dominant position of the far right and an increasingly green left — five lessons emerge from EU’s vote THE EU IS HERE TO STAY Since the outbreak of the debt crisis in 2009, observers of European affairs treated every crisis that the European Union has faced as an existential one and every moment as a critical juncture. Yet, for all its dysfunction, the EU is here to stay. Overall support for the integration project is at historic highs, and the benefits of membership are obvious even to its populist critics. Perhaps because of this reality, nationalists and Euroskeptics are calling for an unspecified reform of the EU, instead of advocating for the bloc’s disintegration. The fight’s not over, of course.

If the EU no longer faces the risk of collapse, it remains at risk of hollowing out and becoming ungovernable due to zero-sum nationalist politics.

ALL EUROPEAN POLITICS IS LOCAL This may have been the most “European” of European elections to date. The ever-sharper political divide between nationalism and a pro-EU outlook is one that is shared across the Continent, as are sensitive policy challenges, like immigration. High-profile political figures — including Italy’s Matteo Salvini, France’s Marine Le Pen and Belgium’s Guy Verhofstadt — have taken part in election campaigns far outside their home countries.

Does this mean we have witnessed the birth

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of a truly European public square? Not quite. Not many voters watched the televised debates of the Spitzenkandidaten — or lead candidates for the European Commission — and only a very few could even name any of them. In most countries, European themes were eclipsed by domestic fights.

Despite French President Emmanuel Macron’s best efforts, the campaign in France reflected the country’s domestic malaise. For understandable reasons, the debate in the United Kingdom ended up being exclusively about Brexit. And in Poland, much energy was channeled into a discussion of LGBTQI issues and of sex abuse scandals in the church. For pro-EU (and anti-EU) forces, the lesson is simple: Local context matters, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, and there can be no substitute for taking domestic politics seriously.

A lazy view of European politics sees the “new” member states in Eastern Europe as proxies for populism, backwardness and corruption.

DON’T APPEASE THE POPULISTS Both the collapse of Austria’s governing coalition and British Prime Minister Theresa May’s resignation demonstrate the perils of the “no enemy to the right” strategy adopted by many conservative parties. Les Républicains in France have become virtually indistinguishable from Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, but its shift toward

extremism only netted it a little over eight per cent of the popular vote. The lesson for Europe’s center right is that its efforts to compromise with the far right — including the European People Party’s current ambivalence toward Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — erode its character as an ecumenical and fundamentally moderate political force and push it into a race it can’t win.

LOOK TO THE EAST A lazy view of European politics sees the “new” member states in Eastern Europe as proxies for populism, backwardness and corruption. In many ways that view has a basis in reality; by conventional measures, Hungary is no longer a liberal democracy but a hybrid regime resembling Turkey or Russia, and Poland’s current government has not hidden its ambition to “build a Budapest in Warsaw.”

Yet, this binary view obfuscates the fact that both old and new member states are facing the same challenges. What is more, it is increasingly the ongoing political ferment in some countries in Eastern Europe that carries in it the promise of revitalising the European project. Slovakia, for example, is leading the way, with a new moderate, pro-EU coalition of the center right and center left (Progressive Slovakia-SPOLU) that ended up winning the election by sizeable margin.

Leaders’

MEETING POINT

ALEKSANDRA TODOROVIĆ SUČEVIĆ Director

LUŠTICA BAY

JELENA V. JONOVSKA Lawyer, law firm Jonovski

Delta Inženjering – Renowned Name A Summer For 30 Years Already Like No Other

Language And Customs Connect The Slavic Countries

PAGE /28

PAGE /36

PAGE /32

ALEKSANDRA TODOROVIĆ SUČEVIĆ, DIRECTOR

Delta Inženjering – Renowned Name For 30 Years Already For this company that launched independent operations at the start of 1990, the first decade was conditioned by tough economic and political conditions, representing a major professional challenge

T

he challenge was the reason for the first step, while all other steps were taken thanks to enthusiasm and creative energy, along with a lot of wisdom and knowhow.

Jobs and Investors followed, and with them we matured and grew, gained friends, became the home engineering company for many major investment companies, which was our entrance ticket

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to extend beyond our own limits, cross state borders and step out into the world.

Delta Inženjering success through small and large contracts, and managed to acquire and retain one of the best positions in the field of industrial engineering.

The first contract with which the fledgling Delta Inženjering company ventured into commercial waters related to a project to detect mixtures of hazardous and toxic gases with air in the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant of the city of Kragujevac.

This was immediately followed by similar projects for a dozen plants of MKS Smederevo (now Hesteel HBIS Serbia), as well as for a number of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) filling stations of Novi Sad-based NIS. "We have unique experience in the complete service of so-called turnkey projects for investors like Henkel, Volvo, Alumil, the ice cream factory Delta (now Nestle) etc.

“Our team today includes 200 employees, who – with their knowhow, experience and expertise – serve to position Delta Inženjering among the region’s best companies.

“Design engineering in the field of gas technology definitely marked our work at the start of our operations, but also to this day" says Todorović Sučević.

She says for CorD that their biggest investors are EPS [Serbian electricity

utility] and Serbia Gas. Delta Inženjering signed a contract with Serbia Gas for the design of the gas pipeline along the Niš-Dimitrovgrad section, and then we signed a contract on the validation of the complete project documentation of the route of the the so-called ‘Turkish Stream’ gas pipeline from the Bulgarian to Hungarian borders.

After many years of activities aimed at resolving the problem of flue gas desulphurisation at TENT A, an agreement was signed between EPS and company Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS).

This project should enable the reduction of sulphur-dioxide and solid particles from TENT, thus enabling our country to attain EU environmental standards.

Delta inženjering developed technical documentation for NIS that is necessary for the legalisation of facilities for the storing of petroleum belonging to the NIS Trade Block.

On the project to reconstruct block A2 of TENT Obrenovac, Delta Inženjering provides consulting services together with German company VPC. Delta Inženjering is working intensively on developing the role of FIDIC [The International Federation of Consulting Engineers] engineers.

FIDIC engineers of Delta Inženjering have a role, together with German com-

pany DMT, on the project BTO (Excavator – Transporter – Stacker) at Kostolac, which is being brought to an end after three years.

Delta Inženjering is also the FIDIC engineer on the newly-signed contract for the construction of desulphurisation plant at TENT B. "We are engaged in the development and validation of the Project for the Implementation and Supplementary Mining Proj-

implementation of works and staged upgrading, reconstruction and adaptation of the Clinical Centre of Serbia in Belgrade.

These works will last for 32 months.

Specific works are being carried out on the access road from the highway to the Clinical Centre.

Numerous projects completed successfully over the last three decades provide a picture of how we successfully

CLINICAL CENTRE OF SERBIA, WORK IN PROGRESS

ects as a local partner, in accordance with a contract signed with Chinese company CMEC. Delta Inženjering issues budget estimates, harmonises documentation with valid local regulations and finally packs projects in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction and the Law on Mining and Geological Exploration.

We can today boast of the fact that we are leading projects for all investments of capital significance in the country. This fact provides us with an even greater incentive to be even better, more professional and more efficient", Todorović Sučević explained to our magazine.

Delta Inženjering is working on the reconstruction of the Clinical Centre of Belgrade. Works contractors DELTA INŽENJERING Ltd. and Consortium GH HOLDING Ltd. drew up a contract on the

Our biggest investors are EPS [Serbian electricity utility] and Serbia Gas. Delta Inženjering signed a contract with Serbia Gas for the design of the gas pipeline along the NišDimitrovgrad section, and then we signed a contract on the validation of the complete project documentation of the route of the the so-called ‘Turkish Stream’ gas pipeline from the Bulgarian to Hungarian borders

maintain ourselves on a market marked by very tough competition.

The director of Delta Inženjering says that they are devoted special attention to projects in the field of the eco-friendly treatment of water and dust extraction, with many references behind us in the field of designing and constructing wastewater treatment plants, as well as dust extraction (Holcim, Henkel, Fiat, the

KOSTOLAC - EXCAVATOR TRANSPORTER

Pančevo Oil Refinery etc.).

Delta inženjering’s further plans certainly lead the company towards the maintaining of its leadership position on the local market in the field of industrial engineering – a position that can only be maintained with great expertise and the long-standing experience of personnel, with a company that’s always ready to give young and educated people an opportunity to prove themselves in this business and to learn as much as possible, in order for Delta inženjering to remain recognisable in the future as a unique company in the field of industrial engineering in Serbia.

Thirty years is a long enough period for what we’ve achieved, but is too short for what we still intend to achieve. www.deltainzenjering.rs

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Challenges

LOCAL NEWS

“Serbia can become one of the winners of the 4th Industrial Revolution if it prepares for challenges and understands the opportunities that are opening up, invests in reforms and, above all, creates a favourable environment” – ANA BRNABIĆ, SERBIAN PM PORK AND DAIRY PRODUCTS FROM SERBIA ON CHINESE MARKET

PRODUCTS AVAILIBLE

BY THE END OF 2019

Agreements which will enable the export of pork and dairy products to the Chinese market, as well as the memorandum on cooperation in exporting and importing food products and food safety, were signed today in Belgrade by Serbian Agriculture Minister Branislav Nedimović and the Vice Minister of the

VISITOR CENTRE BUILT AT FETISLAM FORTRESS

PROJECT WORTH €2.3 MILLION

On the occasion of the completion of the “Inheritances at the Danube Cross-Border” project, members of the international project team took a tour of the new Visitor Center with three units of a total of 1,200m2 at the medieval fortress of Fetislam near Kladovo.

The “Inheritances at the Danube Cross-Border” project was co-financed by the EU through the IPA funds within the cross-border cooperation of Romania and Serbia.

The total budget of the project is € 2.3 million. The EU donation for its implementation in the municipality of Kladovo amounts to €1,039,000, and the local self-government participates with 15%.

The project leader is the municipality of Kladovo, whereas the partners are the Diocese of Turn Severin, the municipality of Brosteni and the Associations of Lupsa.

2,400 WORKERS TO BE EMPLOYED The second factory of the Mei Ta company, in which 90 million euros was invested, opened in Obrenovac on 14th June. Mei Ta invested a total of €150 million in the two factories in Obrenovac, the state invested 35% of the total amount, and Mali told the press after taking a tour of the new factory that Mei Ta employed 2,400 workers in the first factory and 400 in the second one at the moment and added that it needed another 1,000 workers, the Government of Serbia says on its website.

July

5G RANGE IN SERBIA IN 2020 The implementation of the 5G technology is a challenge for any society, including Serbia. RATEL announces that the auction for the 5G range should be prepared in 2020.

In that sense, Serbia is not behind Europe, where this job will not be finished so quickly either, says the director of RATEL, Vladica Tintor, emphasising that it’s not a question of who implements the 5G system sooner, but who is readier in market terms to use the technology. Previous generations of mobile telephony had been based exclusively on the user experience in the sense of telecommunications and that the fifth generation would certainly emphasise that segment in the sense of faster internet, enhanced services and the possibility of watching TV program on phones in real time.

General Administration of Customs of China, Zhang Jiwen. Minister Nedimović said that what remained to be done was to sign an agreement on phytosanitary protection. He expects the first Chinese inspection to take place in the upcoming months and that Serbian products will become available on the Chinese market by the end of the year, the Ministry of Agriculture says in a press release.

SECOND MEI TA FACTORY OPENS IN OBRENOVAC

30

RATEL ANNOUNCES THE AUCTION

NBS ANALYSED MODELS TO SELL ON GOOGLE PLAY STORE

OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL PROGRAMMERS The National Bank of Serbia announced this that it had come up with an adequate solution allowing local programmers to sell their digital products within the Google Play Store. The solution, as the bank says, complies with Serbia’s regulations and Google’s business model. At the same time, conditions have been created for Google to enable Serbian software developers to access the Google Developer Support platform.

After being addressed by a Google representative, the NBS analysed the business models allowing Serbian software developers to sell on Google Play Store. – With this arrangement, the NBS has demonstrated its commitment to support software developers, enable their access to the global market, and encourage the development of the local IT sector – the NBS says in its press release.

Delay “This is only evidence of the fact that the US sees this as proof that nothing can be done without them. Now those who tried to organise this meeting see that it’s not easy” – IVICA DAČIĆ, SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTER

Placements postings

&

appointments@aim.rs

H.E. VIRGÍNIA PINA, AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL TO SERBIA H.E. Virgínia Pina was born on 30th September 1969 in Barreiro, Portugal, and earned a degree in law from the Law Faculty of the University of Lisbon in 1992. This former lawyer joined the Portuguese diplomatic service in 1996, initially serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs until 2000. From 2000 to 2005 she served in the Portuguese Delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), and from 2005 to 2006 worked at the Embassy of Portugal in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia. Having held the post of Advisor on International Relations to the President of the Portuguese Republic from 2006 to 2010, she want on to serve in the Portuguese Representation to the European Union in Brussels from 2010 to 2014. After serving as Senior Diplomatic Advisor to the Portuguese Prime Minister from 2014 until November 2015, she became Deputy Director-General of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for External Political Affairs as of December 2015.

H.E. DIMAS JESÚS ALVARENGA GUERRA, AMBASSADOR OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA TO SERBIA H.E. Dimas Jesús Alvarenga Guerra was born on 13th December 1985 and graduated in 2010 from the Leon Koźmiński University, Warsaw/Poland, Dual-Master Programme with the University of Bradford/UK, earning the title of Master of Science in International Business and Management, awarded by the University of Bradford, with specialisation in Strategic Management.

He began his diplomatic career at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Poland in Warsaw, where he advanced to the position of First Secretary in commission. Apart from his native Spanish, he also speaks English, German, Portuguese and Polish.

PRISCILIA DUBOCAGE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF TOTAL FOR SERBIA, SLOVENIA AND CROATIA (HUB BALKANS) Priscilia Dubocage arrives at Total’s HUB Balkans from Total Kenya, where she successfully held the position of Network Manager, responsible for a portfolio of 200 filling stations.

Mrs Dubocage, who previously served – from 2014 to 2017 – as Total Regional Sales Manager in France, holds a Master’s Degree in Combustion, Pollution and Environmental Risks.

H.E. KIMMO LÄHDEVIRTA, AMBASSADOR OF FINLAND TO SERBIA Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta (59) started his diplomatic career at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1990, serving as Second Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN in New York, then as First Secretary to the United Nations Unit at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and as European Correspondent within the Political Department. Having served as Political Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in London, Director of the European Correspondent Unit and Director of the Unit for Security Policy in the Ministry, and as Minister and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Finland in Beijing, he was appointed Ambassador of Finland to Vietnam in 2011.

Prior to his recent arrival in Belgrade to take on the post of ambassador to Serbia, he held the position of Director General of the Department of the Americas and Asia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Helsinki.

H.E. RAÚL BARTOLOMÉ MOLINA, AMBASSADOR OF SPAIN TO SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO H.E. Raúl Bartolomé Molina was born in Bilbao (Basque country, Spain) on 21st November 1966 and has a university degree in Law and is a Master of Private Law, Maître en Droit Privé. He began his diplomatic career in 1991, serving as Consul of Spain, Counsellor in Paris, and Deputy Head of Mission in Rome and Oslo. He has held various responsible positions within the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation of Spain. From 24th December 2016 until his appointment as Ambassador of Spain to Serbia and to Montenegro resident in Belgrade, has served as Chief of Staff of the State Secretary of Spain for European Affairs. He has been awarded the following Spanish medals: Oficial de la Orden del Mérito Civil, Comendador de la Orden del Mérito Civil and Comendador de la Orden de Isabel la Católica, as well as the medal of the Official of the Order of the British Empire.

ALEKSANDAR LJUBIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL Aleksandar Ljubić is a senior professional business executive with experience in both the public and private sectors. He joins the FIC from the position of Associate Director at MD Solution Serbia, where he successfully completed various projects, both in Serbia and several countries across the region, together with partners from all parts of the world.

He previously served as State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Finance and Economy, as well as holding several senior positions at the Privatisation Agency. He has a Master of Science Degree from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and has an excellent knowledge of English.

The change within the FIC comes after the association’s previous executive director, Ana Tozzi, resigned in order to pursue her career abroad.

July

31

LUŠTICA BAY

A Summer Like No Other The waterfront promenade is a wonderful setting for performances, and a brand new amphitheatre next to the Chedi has also opened in time for a season of concerts

The 2019 summer season has arrived and Luštica Bay is readier than ever. With the opening of its Marina Village and the five-star Chedi Hotel last year, this unique and sustainable coastal town is now a fully operational and flourishing Montenegrin destination.

With bustling shops and cultural spaces, restaurants spilling onto the sunny promenade, boats cutting through the sparkling waters and flowers blooming, life has never been more active or colourful, enriched by a calendar of tantalising events to keep everyone satisfied throughout the summer months

T

he Marina Village embodies the Luštica Bay vision of life as it should be. Home to a range of exquisite apartments, it now boasts a bustling waterfront promenade complete with boutiques, restaurants, an art gallery, health

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studio, salon, supermarket and motor and boating services. Among the many offerings, visitors can enjoy fresh Montenegrin specialties from Bakery Davidović, explore fine art and antiques in Stanković, peruse travel-inspired clothing and homeware at

Ivana Ma’s, savour fresh flavours at the Urban Bistro restaurant or a glass of Montenegrin wine at the Finestra Winery.

Entering its second operational season, the waterfront Chedi hotel has become an effortless part of this lifestyle.

With two restaurants, three bars, an events centre, a fitness suite, spa and indoor and outdoor pools, it has gone beyond a hotel, becoming a dining destination, a wellness retreat, and a community hub. From morning yoga sessions to art exhibitions, courses, concerts and talks, it is part of the summer buzz. Its exceptional offering is already being recognised in its recent CEEQA award (Central and Eastern European Real Estate Quality Awards) for Building of the Year in South-East Europe.

The state-of-the art marina sits at the heart of the action, ensuring that Luštica Bay is now on the map as a world-class sailing destination. Already in demand, the marina currently offers berths for 50 boats of up to 45 metres alongside professional yacht assistance from a multilingual team.

There are also boats available for charter and courses for all levels at the marina’s renowned sailing school.

Whether arriving by land or sea, the season has plenty to draw in the crowds with the busiest event calendar yet. There’s no better way to get things started than

with Luštica’s first Summer Music Festival (6th - 7th July). With non-stop entertainment, live music and open-air parties, it promises a night to remember.

The waterfront promenade is a wonderful setting for performances, and a brand new amphitheatre next to the Chedi has also opened in time for a season of concerts.

Highlights include Swedish music group the Sirocco Quartet (9th July), the renowned classical duo, clarinettist Adreas Ottensamer and pianist Yuja Wang (7th August), as well as performances from Kotor Art Festival and Operosa Festival throughout the summer.

Theatre lovers can enjoy Mediterraneo on Stage, the theatrical adaptation of the legendary Italian Movie (24th - 26th July), while worldwide expert Ichak Adizes is giving a talk on the secrets of business success at the Chedi (16th July).

For the first time there is also a variety of regular events up and running. Kick off the day with an outdoor HIIT class, gather for a seaside BBQ, try out Latin Night or Jazz Under the Stars at the promenade, or head to a beach party or movie screen at the Rok beach bar. Chedi’s The Spot restaurant is also becoming a go-to hangout with regular wine tastings, live band nights, Girl’s Night, and Friday cocktails and beats.

Keen golfers are also taken care of

For the first time there is also a variety of regular events up and running. Kick off the day with an outdoor HIIT class, gather for a seaside BBQ, try out Latin Night or Jazz Under the Stars at the promenade, or head to a beach party or movie screen at the Rok Beach Bar

with the Luštica Bay driving range open for the summer. Looking out across panoramic views of the bay there is nowhere more peaceful for practising those swings.

As the summer enjoyment unfolds, Luštica Bay will continue to focus on new developments across the site. Thirty residences in the Marina Village’s Magnolija buildings have just been completed and work continues on new Kamelija residences, expected to be completed by March next year.

Construction is also due to begin on three new villas, while work on the townhouses will start after the summer season.

The marina is on track for further

construction around its summer activities, significantly increasing the number of berths, including the installation of a new pontoon due to be finished mid-July. The final phase of the marina will accommodate up to 176 boats. Work is also beginning on a new fuel station and border crossing due to be operational in the near future, as well as dry boat storage and a service centre which will be completed for the winter season.

Last but not least, the second neighbourhood of Centrale will continue to be a key focus. Due to be the new town centre for the whole of Luštica Bay, the undertaking is fittingly ambitious, creating a commercial centre, a residential haven and a spacious and green gathering space for the whole community. Set around a central esplanade and communal piazza, sought-after residences will sit side by side with restaurants, shops, cultural spaces and an array of essential public services. Construction is already underway on the one- to threebed residential apartments, employing the same meticulous environmental principles used across the site.

While the future is full of exciting milestones, there is plenty to enjoy right now during this wonderful sun-filled season at Luštica Bay. We look forward to welcoming you.

July

33

Intention

REGIONAL NEWS

“There is no intention from Montenegro to take away a metre of space from anyone, but [the country] also does not intend to let anyone steal what is state property,” – MONTENEGRIN PRESIDENT MILO ĐUKANOVIĆ SAID AT A MEETING OF HIS RULING DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SOCIALISTS BULGARIA

TO BUILD ITS PAVILION AT THE WORLD EXPO 2020 IN DUBAI

ALBANIA

EU BUSINESSES LEAVE THE COUNTY The Albanian Institute of Statistics’ (INSTAT) data shows that 141 European enterprises closed their operations over the past year. The country counted 6,259 foreign-owned businesses in total during 2018, of which 4,056 were from European Union countries. In the last report of the European Commission, Albania is considered problematic with regard to competition, law enforcement in relation to ownership, and the instability of fiscal policies.

Most of the European businesses are from Greece and Italy. The enterprises with owners or co-owners of Italian and Greek origin represent 52.8 per cent of total foreign joint ventures. These investments are mainly concentrated in the counties of Tirana and Durres. Throughout 2018, 90 per cent of businesses in the Albanian economy were classed small and having up to four employees, or more specifically they are family businesses.

Bulgaria will present its pavilion and a holistic image during EXPO 2020, to be held in Dubai (UAE), within the Mobility subtopic, which is currently the best fit, taking into account our strategic geographical position from the point of view of transport corridors, access to markets and cultural influences, as well as the establishment in recent years of Bulgaria as a country with high technological capacity.

The period of EXPO 2020 Dubai will be 20th October 2020 - 10th April 2021, with 190 countries including Bulgaria included.

Bulgaria’s participation in EXPO 2020 will contribute to the promotion of Bulgarian production, technologies, services and innovative solutions, Bulgarian scientific and cultural achievements, as well as to finding opportunities for the realisation of Bulgarian goods on international markets.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

FEDERATION HIRES IHS GLOBAL TO PREPARE OIL, GAS EXPLORATION TENDER

The Bosnian Federation’s government has signed the contract with IHS Global. Back in December, the Federation said it had picked the 1.28 million marka ($740,000/654,500 euro) bid of IHS Global for the delivery of consultancy services.

The consultancy services contract signed with IHS Global has a term of 16 month and includes the preparation of tender documentation, the publishing of an international tender for oil and gas exploration and exploitation, as well as recommendations for the best model of agreement with the future contractor and the optimal fiscal parametres concerning the project’s short- and long-term economic impact.

In a second phase, expected to last six months, IHS Global will also help evaluate the bids and provide expert advice in the negotiations.

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10 LITTLE THINGS SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO DIFFERENTLY Successful people think differently, act differently and ultimately distinguish themselves from unsuccessful people by taking a distinctive path toward their goals.

1. They strive for consistency.

2. They set daily goals.

3. They nurture the right relationships.

5. They take action.

6. They practice positive self-talk.

7. They stay healthy.

8. They meditate.

9. They act on small improvements toward their major goals.

10. They wake up early.

Authority “We need to recognise that we have been defeated. We lost the territory. I do not want to continue with lies and deceit. I have told everyone: There is no Serbian authority in Kosovo except in hospitals and schools” – SERBIAN PRESIDENT ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ WARNED DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE ON KOSOVO HUNGARY

BUDAPEST-BELGRADE RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION SET TO START

MONTENEGRO

BAR FOLLOWS THE SMART CITY DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Montenegro and the Municipality of Bar have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing the green economy on the territory of this city.

The memorandum was signed on the second day on the international conference “Green Days 2019: Unlocking Green Growth Potential” held at the hotel Hilton.

“The smart city concept is part of the new solutions implying the introduction of the energy efficiency concept in the public buildings and development of infrastructure for e-mobility, which should be powered from the renewable energy sources,” says a press release issued by the UNDP. The memorandum was signed by the UNDP Resident Representative to Montenegro Daniela Gasparikova and Mayor of Bar Dusan Raicevic.

NORTH MACEDONIA

SOLAR TENDERS FOR 35 MW The government of the North Macedonia country is tendering several PV projects with a total generation capacity of 25 MW in Sveti Nikole and another 10 MW in Makedonski Brod, all on public land. Another tender, for 27 MW of capacity on private land, will be launched in the coming weeks.

A first tender is for the construction of several plants with a combined capacity of 25 MW in the municipality of Sveti Nikole, in the north of the country. Another 10 MW of project capacity will be tendered in Makedonski Brod, in central North Macedonia.

In order to meet the needs of all investors, the parcels to be built are divided into different sizes. There are plots on which it will be possible to build photovoltaic power plants of 10 MW, 5 MW, 2 MW and 1 MW.

The Hungarian Finance Ministry has submitted a loan application for the implementation of the Hungarian section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line to China’s Eximbank on behalf of the Hungarian government. The loan agreement will be ready for signing after an evaluation, paving the way for the project’s planning and licensing. The main contractors involved in the upgrade of the Soroksár-Kelebia line signed the investment agreement on 24th May, while it will enter into force when the credit agreement with China’s Eximbank is adopted, confirmed Finance Minister Mihály Varga. The Hungarian state is financing 85 per cent of the investment using the Chinese loan, while the remaining 15 per cent will come from its own resources. The project’s completion date is 2023.

ROMANIA

LARGEST BREWER SPENDS €22 MILLION TO UPGRADE CAPACITIES Ursus Breweries, Romania’s largest beer producer, has completed an investment of 22 million euros in expanding the capacity of its factories in Brasov and Timisoara. Ursus Breweries is part of Japanese group Asahi, which took over the company from SABMiller in 2017, as part of a regional deal covering the South African group’s assets in Europe. Production capacity has increased in line with market demand, the company’s official commented, as one of three beers consumed in Romania comes from their portfolio. Ursus Breweries is the largest beer producer in Romania. It produces local brands Ursus, Timisoreana, Ciucas, Azuga Nepasteurizat, and distributes international brands Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch, St. Stefanus, Meantime, Oak and Kingswood Cider.

CROATIA

TELECOM (HT) PROCLAIMED BEST MICROSOFT PARTNER Croatian Telecom (HT) has won the title of Microsoft’s best business partner in Croatia for 2019. Microsoft has stated that Croatian Telecom is recognised as one of their best global partners in excellence, innovation and the implementation of Microsoft-based user solutions. Microsoft and Croatian Telecom collaborate most intensively in offering cloud services for business, especially Office 365 and Microsoft 365.

Microsoft Croatia. emphasised the fact that the competition for the award was very high.

In the final, there were 2,900 companies nominated from as many as 115 countries.

Croatian Telecom has announced a new vision of its business, with which it wants to position itself as a digital company rather than as a primary telecom.

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35

JELENA V. JONOVSKA, LAWYER, LAW FIRM JONOVSKI

Language And Customs Connect The Slavic Countries Thanks to authorised permanent court interpreters for Macedonian, Bosnian, Slovak and English, Jonovski Law Office provides its clients with additional security in business negotiations when concluding a contract, and in any judicial or other proceedings

W

e are currently working hard on an important construction and environmental project in Vojvodina, where various branches of law and even public procurement intertwine. I believe that I will be able to publish important results at the end of the year, announces Jelena V. Jonovska.

Your office has authorised permanent court interpreters for Macedonian, Bosnian, Slovak and English as associates. Does this provide additional security for your clients?

In addition to these languages, we have excellent permanent cooperation with translators for Romanian, Czech, French, German and Russian. Although for many years English has been considered the primary language of the business world, even in the area of law, the fact is that many misunderstandings and even large-scale disputes arise, often due to inappropriate translation.

Language is a living affair, a link between cultures, nations, a path that two business partners must share to reach a common goal. We help them in this, facilitating mutual understanding.

Our translator team is constantly present, from first contact, through internal meetings,

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business meetings, drawing up drafts and agreements, and in case of dispute - in resolving disputes, either by directly engaging our interpreters to be present at hearings, or by having our translators check the translations made by other interpreters during the course of the proceedings.

The language of law is a specific language, with its own vocabulary and often different meanings of expressions from

Our target group is not only companies from Slovakia, but also from the Czech Republic and Poland, and we also hope from Russia and Belarus, which is why I am intensely learning Russian

those in everyday speech, so it is of the utmost importance that our translators are also lawyers by education and have special knowledge in the field of legal terminology.

How many Slovakian companies today do business in the Banat? Is there a growing interest in potential investors from that country?

Not only in Banat, there are numerous Slovak companies throughout Serbia. Due to the Slovak national minority in Vojvo-

dina, the majority of Slovakian investors are present there. In the last three years, a jump in business interest in Serbia has been evident. The Slovaks see Serbia as a friendly country because our social, political, cultural, business and private connections go back three centuries. Differences in the business mentality are negligible, the legal and business system is based on similar foundations and customs, and so cooperation between Serbian and Slovak companies is usually a long-lasting and of high quality.

In fact, this is true for all the Slavic countries that cooperate wonderfully thanks to the fact that we have similar languages, customs and culture in a general sense, but also in the business world.

You are representing a Czech-Slovak consortium of investors in the field of electricity generation from renewable sources. Does this mean you have a perfect command of the energy laws, which are very specific?

For a job to be successful, a knowledge of corporate law is not enough. Knowledge of a number of other areas is also required: banking, taxation, accounting, administrative law and administration in the broadest sense, obligation law, negotiating skills... The energy sources law is by itself a complex combination of public-private branches of law, so it is necessary to know several areas of law. We are honoured to be a full member of the Serbian Energy Law Association from this year. www.jonovski.rs office@jonovski.rs

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Confidence “There’s been a tumble in business confidence, a deepening slowdown in global trade and sluggish investment in emerging and developing economies,” – DAVID MALPASS, THE NEW WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

WORLD NEWS CHINA

ASIA’S LARGEST ‘RO-RO’ PASSENGER SHIP SETS SAIL IN SHANDONG

RUSSIA

ADIDAS, NIKE & UNIQLO WANT TO PRODUCE IN RUSSIA

The largest and most luxurious “ro-ro” (roll-on/roll off) ship in Asia, Zhonghuafuxing (Rejuvenation of China), set sail from Shidao Bay in Rongcheng city, Shandong province on Saturday morning.

The ship, built by Shandong-based Huanghai Shipbuilding Co Ltd, is 212 meters long and 28.6 meters wide with a gross tonnage of 45,000 tons. It features a 3,000-meter-long driveway and is able to hold 2,000 passengers, with a maximum travel speed of 5,000 nautical miles.

Equipped with a string of high-tech systems, it is estimated to be put into use between the two coastal cities Yantai and Dalian, starting in October.

Global clothing manufacturers Nike, Adidas and Uniqlo are expressing strong interest in locating their production lines in Russia, according to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Yevtukhov.

“As far as I know, sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas, as well as the Japanese brand Uniqlo, want to locate their production in Russia,” the official told journalists, on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. According to the deputy trade minister, the current price-quality ratio of textile products in Russia is optimal, with the country’s geographical position and developed infrastructure making it beneficial from a logistical point of view.

Source: AFP / Franck Fife UK

Jaguar Land Rover and BMW have been revealed as the latest carmakers to join forces on the development of electric vehicle technology. The pair said they would use their own existing facilities to jointly develop electric motors, transmissions and power electronics. Both are under pressure to invest heavily but save costs at the same time as the new car market stutters in the face of the global economic slowdown. In BMW’s case, it announced a 78% decline in first quarter profits last month and warned annual earnings would be down on the previous 12 months. The company made a £1.2bn legal provision for a possible EU fine over alleged collusion among German carmakers. JLR has been the subject of bid speculation since it announced plans to cut thousands of jobs to save cash.

July

BAGHDAD’S GREEN ZONE REOPENS TO PUBLIC AFTER 16 YEARS Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone has reopened to the public after 16 years.

Maj Gen Jassim Yahya Abd Ali said the area,

which houses the US embassy and Iraqi government offices, was now open “24 hours a day without any exceptions or conditions”. He said authorities had removed 12,000 concrete walls from the area.

The zone, measuring 4 sq miles, has been off limits to the public since the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.

Before the war it was home to Saddam Hussein’s palaces. It became known as Little America after it was seized by US military forces, and in later years it became a hated symbol of the country’s inequality, fuelling perceptions among Iraqis that their government was out of touch.

JAGUAR LAND ROVER AND BMW FORM ELECTRIC PARTNERSHIP

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IRAQ

QATAR

COMPENSATION SOUGHT FROM BOEING Qatar Airways plans to seek compensation from Boeing over the grounding of three 737 MAX aircraft by Italian airline Air Italy, where the Qatari company is a major shareholder, group chief executive Akbar al-Baker told Reuters.

Boeing MAX jets have been grounded worldwide and airlines are cancelling multimillion contracts following crashes in October and March that killed nearly 350 people.

“Boeing has to compensate us for grounding,” al-Baker said, but did not elaborate on the potential cost.

Decisions “If you’re a C.E.O., it’s pretty hard to be particularly aggressive and ambitious in making M&A strategic decisions or capital decisions,” “You have to be much more cautious and a little bit worried right now.”

– JOHN WALDRON, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF GOLDMAN SACHS USA

BITCOIN APPEARS TO BE BACK IN BUSINESS

SPAIN

SAGRADA FAMÍLIA WINS A BUILDING PERMIT AFTER 137 YEARS Property owners have a new yardstick for measuring their frustration over building permit requests that are lost in the labyrinth of local government bureaucracy. Barcelona city hall has finally issued a work permit for the unfinished church designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí, 137 years after construction started on the Sagrada Família basilica.

The city has granted the current builders a licence that is valid until 2026. The builders think that would be enough time to finish raising the landmark Roman Catholic church’s central towers. The basilica’s first stone was laid in 1882, but Barcelona officials said there was no record showing whether a building permit first requested in 1885 had ever been granted or rejected.

GERMANY

STADA PHARMA BUYS SIX OF GSK’S CONSUMER BRANDS P r i va t e e q u i t y backed generic drugmaker Stada said it would buy six consumer healthcare products from British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline to bolster its presence in Europe.

The price tag for the mainly Europe-focused brand portfolio, which include itch relief cream Eurax, antiseptic cream Savlon and Tixylix cough liquids, was in the high double digit million pound range, according to a person close to the deal. Stada declined to comment on the price. GSK is streamlining its product offering as it prepares to fold its consumer business. into a joint venture with Pfizer by the second half of this year, creating a market leader that will primarily look to the United States and China for growth.

Having crossed above the $9,000 level, ahead of Facebook announcing its own cryptocurrency, Libra, bitcoin is now up 146% this year. But that could be just the beginning for its bounce back, says bitcoin bull and Fundstrat Global Advisors’ research chief Tom Lee. “I think bitcoin is easily going to take out its all-time highs” of $20,000, and has the potential to run to $40,000 if its use cases grow. We’re deep into a bull market, and people are pretty silent about it.” Lee said In his latest note, Lee wrote that he felt there was a lack of conviction about bitcoin’s recent rally, based on his attendance at the CryptoCompare Digital Asset Summit in London in Jun. INDIA

FLIPKART MOVES TO INDIA FROM CHINA, MALAYSIA Walmart-owned Flipkart has reportedly relocated a significant portion of manufacturing and sourcing for its in-house brands to India. The homegrown e-commerce major was sourcing products for its brands from China and Malaysia. This move has helped Flipkart to reduce costs and comply with the government’s Make in India norms. Flipkart’s private brands include MarQ, Perfect Homes, Billion and Smart-Buy. These brands account for 8 per cent of the company’s total sales. The company is sourcing most high-end Android TVs, air conditioners, washing machines, consumer durables, textile and smaller appliances from India, a report by The Economic Times said. Also, 50-60 per cent of accessories are also sourced from India.

FRANCE

GUCCI TO TIGHTEN ITS GRIP ON E-COMMERCE Kering, owner of brands including Gucci, will tighten its grip on its e-commerce operations, focusing on its own branded sites to sell its luxury products or ventures where it can control its image and client data.

After shifting into online shopping later than more accessible fashion labels, many luxury groups are now investing heavily in ecommerce while working on ways of retaining as much control of distribution and pricing as possible - two elements that help them maintain their aura of exclusivity.

Kering had already said it would wrest back control of web operations for brands such as Balenciaga and Alexander McQueen which had been developed by Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP) - an online retailer now fully owned by the group’s rival Richemont.

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Enterpreneur ALKIVIADES ‘ALKI’ DAVID

Hollywood’s Biggest

Troublemaker

Alkiviades ‘Alki’ David is heir to the Coca-Cola Hellenic shipping and bottling company, and is one of the most famous entrepreneurs, known for his diverse interests and business ventures. He is also a successful producer and actor, but also one of Hollywood’s biggest troublemakers 40

July

David was born in 1968 in Nigeria, West Africa.

He attended school in Switzerland, where his father was a managing director at the Hellenic Bottling Company that went on to merge with Coca-Cola Beverages in 2000. He spent some time serving in the army, after which he decided to study film at the Royal College of Art in London. After earning his degree, he headed to Los Angeles, where he spent eight years living and working and was, among other things, the co-owner of a film production company. He returned to London in 1998, where he co-founded an agency called Independent Models. David wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do, which is why he tried his hand at various jobs.

He worked at Coca-Cola as a laboratory analyst, served as a commodities broker on world markets, worked at a fish farm, coached water skiing, spent time as an advertising salesman and even as a scuba diving instructor.

David’s past may seem a little dubious, but his present is fabulous. Following graduation from the Royal College of Art, he got into producing films – a venture that took him to California’s Beverly Hills, where he founded a facility named the Beverly Hills Video Group. He spent the next seven years working there, establishing important contacts and forging business relations that proved extremely useful for his later direction and acting career. At the age of 27 he established BIOS; a non-profit foundation that worked to preserve and conserve the nature of the Greek islands, and to educate people on marine conservation issues.

This foundation also sponsors an annual free-diving event held on the Greek island of Spetses, where David’s home is located.

David sold the Beverly Hills Video Group and returned to London to launch a joint venture with ICM Europe Chairman Duncan Heath. This business endeavour comprised a television production company and renowned modelling agency ICM Models. David returned to acting with an eminent mini-series aired on channel TNT called ‘The Grid’. As a talented writer and producer credited with authoring The Freediver and The Fishtales, he produced a series of short YouTube videos that endorsed the reality show ‘Killing the Cheeky Girls’, along with prank videos named ‘Road to Hell’. He has also appeared in some films, including ‘The Bank Job’ and some others screened on UK TV. David is currently responsible for operating and managing FilmOn, a media company that he personally founded, as well as some other companies

in Los Angeles and London. Moreover, he is also the owner of ‘Rock Label’, which he distributes via Universal Music UK. Alongside this, he also owns an internet-based modelling agency and content development agency. David has a personal net worth of $1.9 billion and ranked 47th on the Sunday Times’ Rich List.

At his Beverly Hills mansion, Alki David, one of Hollywood’s biggest troublemakers, is showing his guests the 16,200-square-foot palace that, according to records, cost him $16.5 million in 2010. It’s one of many places where Alki – as everyone calls him -- likes to relax. Others include a mansion in Greece, a ski lodge in Switzerland and several properties in the UK. His State-side residence allows him to consider the Hollywood

of years past -- his home used to serve as Mary Pickford’s hunting grounds, while his neighbours’ mansions once belonged to Sammy Davis Jr. and Charlie Chaplin -- as well as to be shoulder-toshoulder with celebrity neighbours, like newcomers David and Victoria Beckham.

On this particular night, this 44-year-old Greek immigrant is hosting a soiree – if you can call it that. In truth, producers are filming a “party” for an upcoming TLC reality show tentatively entitled Trophy Wives, which will feature his third wife – model and fashion designer Jennifer Stano (he’s has two sons, Andrew (17) and Alexander (15), from his first marriage). As a DJ plays something that sounds like electro-porn-funk at barely audible levels, so as not to interfere with the show’s

At his Beverly Hills mansion, Alki David, one of Hollywood’s biggest troublemakers, is showing his guests the 16,200-square-foot palace that, according to records, cost him $16.5 million in 2010, one of many places that Alki likes to relax

production, the cast moves around the “party” with cameramen tracking them throughout. Alki, after changing $1,500 silk shirts twice so he’ll look good on camera, regales a crowd of admirers with the tale of how a few days earlier he phoned his wife’s modelling agency pretending to be a ‘john’ requesting a hooker.

The whole scene has an eerie, fun house-like quality. But here stands a guy trying to shake up the $22-billion-a-year TV business by operating what might be the world’s biggest TV streaming service, FilmOn, an company with 85 employees that operates out of a surprisingly nondescript building in Beverly Hills. Well, it is at least nondescript for a guy who owns 12 cars – including the last ever

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Enterpreneur handcrafted Aston Martin convertible -- three yachts and a Triumph Bonneville motorcycle that once belonged to the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones.

FilmOn, to put it simply, uses millions of small antennas to retransmit live TV, along with films and original content, to computers and mobile devices worldwide. The company makes $24 million a year thanks to subscribers who pay between $11.95 and $17.90 a month, as well as licensing FilmOn to companies like Lenova (all of its new computers will have FilmOn preloaded). As a result, Alki has been sued in federal court by CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox for copyright infringement caused by the co-opting of their network feeds to service his tens of thousands of customers.

When Barry Diller’s Aereo, which provides a similar TV-streaming service, received judicial approval – on the grounds that Aereo was just capturing public airwaves and transmitting unique signals for each of its individual subscribers – Alki started a new website, calling it BarryDriller.com, to get around the existing lawsuits and just kept on streaming. Of course, this led to a new round of litigation, most recently from Diller in late August 2012, claiming that Alki had created BarryDriller. com to “mislead the public into believing that the defendant’s service has been judicially sanctioned”.

In late September that year, a judge granted Diller’s request for a preliminary injunction, but Alki remains undeterred.

The same guy who lives in the heart of Beverly Hills, gallivanting around in front of the glare of reality TV cameras, has been served legal papers which allege, among other things, that he threatened “every revenue model supporting the United States television industry”.

Alki, a self-professed eccentric, is undeniably a punk. He doesn’t have the renowned status of Diller. He says things like, “bucking the trend is inspiring; it makes me realise I exist”. However, he also has a 10-figure war chest (he’s poured $17 million into FilmOn) and a new coterie of bad-boy partners – including Charlie Sheen, Ice-T and Andy Dick – who have joined his revolution.

Alki’s backers don’t mind that he is the type of renegade businessman who will offer $1 million to anybody who would streak in front of President Obama (as he did in August 2010), try to engineer a $10 million purse for a boxing match between Chris Brown and Drake, and trick news outlets into believing he had provided the first live webcast of an assisted suicide. And if Sheen and Ice-T care that

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Finally, David was arrested on 9th May on multiple drug charges after flying to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts on a private jet loaded with 5,000 cannabis plants, seeds, and cannabidiol valued at $1.3 million Alki’s TV-streaming service is subject to lawsuits, it certainly hasn’t been enough to compel the actors to resign from FilmOn’s board of directors.

Alki has also used some of his personal wealth to venture into the world of independent film, writing, directing, producing and starring in 2004’s Freediver and 2007’s Fishtales. “I remember filming the ending scene,” says Matthew Rhodes, one of Freediver’s producers and now president of Mandalay Vision. “Alki yells ‘Action!,’ dives a couple hundred metres off a yacht, jumps on a jet ski, rides it, grabs a girl dying in the water, with helicopters all the while buzzing from above. I just sat there and said, ‘You got to be kidding me’.”

In the process of producing those films, Alki felt he was being ripped off by distributors.

Coming from a family of shipowners, Alki is sensitive about “pirates”, who he believes are all over Hollywood. That’s why he developed a

digital-delivery system to deliver trailers and fulllength reels directly to buyers.

Alki says he realised that going through brokers didn’t make as much sense as going straight to consumers, so his system eventually evolved into FilmOn. Today, despite his legal woes, he streams about 160 live TV channels worldwide, including his new L.A.-based, over-the-air station KILM, which was launched in September 2012 and is available on cable TV in more than five million homes in the Los Angeles area.

Finally, David was arrested on 9th May this year on multiple drug charges after flying to the Caribbean island of St. Kitts on a private jet loaded with 5,000 cannabis plants, seeds and cannabidiol valued at $1.3 million. The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force reported that David was charged with Possession of Controlled Drugs, Possession with Intent to Supply and Importation of a Controlled Drug into the Federation. David refutes the charges.

David says he is working to create a major consortium of cannabis growers throughout the Caribbean and wanted to start a farming operation on St. Kitts. Originally detained on 7th May, David was formally arrested two days later, with bail set at $300,000. Released the day after his arrest, David jetted back to Burbank,, California, without his cannabis plants, which the authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis seized as evidence. David is due back in court on 23rd September.

As an entrepreneur, David has branched out into multiple businesses, including CBD. “The Eastern Caribbean is in a perfect position as cannabis shifts from being an illegal $400 billion business globally to a legal one worth 10 times that,” he told the Jamaica Observer. “It will be the Silicon Valley of cannabis, the Wall Street, the Hollywood,” he added. A spokesperson for David stated the St. Kitts-Nevis project would create thousands of jobs and double the GDP of St. Kitts-Nevis in just two to three years.

That’s all you need to know about Alki David and how his St. Kitts cannabis deal went up in smoke.

“Once you get past this image of an eccentric billionaire doing these acts of ridiculous Impressionism,” says Alki of his business philosophy, “I’m more of a Dali than a Picasso.”

PROFILE

Creating Change Through Innovation And Strong Partnerships I am excited to be in Serbia, because it has the potential to create regional change by addressing critical development concerns that go beyond borders, such as migration, climate change and pollution. It also plays an important role in unblocking political constraints in the region that can unleash development opportunities. I hope that the UNDP, as a trusted and neutral partner, can foster more cooperation at a strategic level, engage the youth in dialogue, and help position Serbia on the regional and international stage as an expert and provider of solutions

FRANCINE PICKUP, RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE, UNDP SERBIA

M

y motivation lies in creating change through innovation and strong partnerships. I am delighted that Serbia is one of the 60 countries worldwide to launch the UNDP Accelerator Lab, applying new techniques to make sense of the world around us, identify solutions and experiment with scaling them up. One of the challenges we will attempt to tackle is depopulation, which is a complex issue that’s faced not only by Serbia, but also other countries in the region, including in the EU. We need new approaches that address the complexity of current development challenges.

In my previous postings in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, I became interested in working with the private sector and exploring how innovative finance can leverage private capital for sustainable development. In Indonesia, the UNDP supported the Government in issuing the first sovereign green Islamic bond, while we worked with the Angel Investors Network to support social enterprises that generate profits and social good. In India, we established the SDG Finance Facility, a

platform in which government, private sector and development partners work together to design financing instruments and policies.

People from diverse backgrounds bring different perspectives to the table, find better and more inclusive solutions.

I was always interested in the world, curious about other cultures and what they can teach you about your own. Studying Social Anthropology at Cambridge University gave me a new view on the world and shaped my

My philosophy on life can be summarised as: listen to different voices, question your assumptions and bridge divides philosophy on life, which can be summarised as: listen to different voices, question your assumptions and bridge divides.

When I started my Ph.D. in Development Studies at the London School of Economics, I was fascinated by Russia, a country which was then undergoing massive transition from a centrally planned to a market economy. I spent a year living in Ekaterinburg, a large industrial city in the Ural Mountains, exploring

how people’s lives had been turned upside down and how social networks and social capital were critical for getting things done.

I came to understand the difference between the theory and reality of transition, who were the winners, with new business opportunities, and the losers left behind by reform.

In my early career, I wanted to challenge power relations, particularly gender ones.

My first jobs were with Oxfam and Amnesty International, where I focused on genderbased violence and demonstrated that gender inequality is a humanitarian and development issue, and not just an issue of women’s rights.

During that time, I worked with women from the Western Balkan region and CSOs, building a women’s solidarity and peace coalition, fighting against patriarchy and discrimination.

While the work of grassroots organisations is vital, I was drawn to having a high-level, policy impact. My experience has shown that you can influence people in power if you provide solid, evidence-based arguments.

Driven by that realisation, I joined the United Nations in 2002, initially as a researcher and analyst, then later as a manager, working for the World Bank, OCHA, UNSCO, FAO, ILO and UNDP. I was fortunate to work with strong teams and it was rewarding to be part of positive change. I am delighted to be leading the capable and committed team we have here in UNDP Serbia.

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Art

Contemporary Portuguese Art

SANTIAGO RIBEIRO

An Exciting

Combination 44

July

Lisbon has all the ingredients needed to become Europe’s next red-hot art destination: new galleries are opening there, international dealers are setting up outposts, and dozens of artists are flocking there for its affordable housing and studio rents. The city, which boasts a refreshing mix of commercial and non-profit spaces, also has a contemporary art fair, ARCOlisboa

I

n terms of art, is Lisbon the “New Berlin”, as it has been proclaimed by many articles in the past few years? A promised land for artists from all over the world to come, settle, and live a life devoted to creating art?

Lisbon offers space and opportunities to start new things. The city’s art scene is open, friendly and unpretentious, while the city feels like an exciting combination of Europe and Latin America.

While some cities seem to be at breaking point and throwing artists out, other cities seem welcoming to them, and Lisbon is currently among the latter. This is a very positive thing, but whether this development remains sustainable in the long run will depend on how solid the projects starting now prove to be. They must keep bringing new elements and maintain a dialogue with the City.

Every so-called ‘New Berlin’ has, unfortunately, suffered from that label, which is a sign of the art world’s constant need to get excited about new locations. Perhaps Lisbon is the new Berlin, but one hopes that it will never be reached by those grey skies.

Besides more favourable weather, picturesque views and abundant sunlight, Lisbon also offers more affordable rents for housing and artists’ studios. While an individual studio in Berlin might set an artist back an average of €400 a month, a similar option in Lisbon has a monthly rent of €200-250, which also helps explain the Portuguese capital’s appeal to young creatives The central pillar of the entire Portuguese culture scene (including science, visual arts,

dance and music) is the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Founded and funded by an American oil baron who sought refuge in Lisbon in 1942, this now mighty foundation not only maintains the best ensemble of public art collections in the country (in both works of old masters and modern art,) but is instrumental in funding an entire array of artistic events, from small grants for artists to stage their first shows, to the organising and funding of concert series and museum retrospectives. There is hardly an event in the country that doesn’t include the discreet appearance of the small moniker of the foundation. Until recently, there was also the Institute for Contemporary Arts (EAC), a state funded organisation that provided small grants and organised shows, from 1994 onwards, to support less established artists. Unfortunately, with the

PAULA REGO, WAR

The art scene here is open, friendly and unpretentious, while the city feels like an exciting combination of Europe and Latin America

EVELINA OLIVEIRA - EXPOSIÇÃO DE PINTURA

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Art

Contemporary Portuguese Art

VICTOR LAGES

JOANA ROSA BRAGANÇA.

Every so-called ‘New Berlin’ has, unfortunately, suffered from that label, which is a sign of the art world’s constant need to get excited about new locations recent change in government from Socialist to Social-Democrat, there has been a round of fiscal belt tightening, and the EAC was merged with a larger, pre-existing arts organisation that is widely perceived as short prelude prior to the government’s total withdrawal from the funding of contemporary art.

So, although committed artists enjoy an intimacy and access to modes of institutional support, the centralisation of funding is under threat within the Portuguese model: one threat is the inherent risk of the individual tastes of funding directors becoming proscriptive to the scene at large, while a second is the instability and demoralisation caused when a centralised support mechanism for the entire scene is

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MURAL BY AKACORLEONE (PEDRO CAMPICHE)

By author

ADRIANO FARINA

JOAO LAURO, NI LE SOLEIL NI LA MORT

suddenly removed due to events beyond the art world itself.

The centre of all things experimental is the art/music/performance space, ZDB, (the name being an arcane homonym/acronym for Joseph Beuys), which runs on young energy alone, having taken the brave step of shunning state funding in favour of artistic freedom. Some smaller Lisbon galleries could be said to exhibit a lack of professionalism at times (irregular hours etc.), as well as the asinine “high seriousness” that accompanies a jangling cash register.

The situation is in transition, however, as new galleries and new money continue to slowly enter the scene. One gallery that has taken an innovative approach is Lisboa Vinte (Lisbon

20). The gallery is located anywhere the artists decide they need to stage their show, after which the gallery director works out the arrangements and technicalities necessary for securing the desired space. This project strives to build upon one of Lisbon’s greatest untapped assets—the city itself. For there are few cities in the world that offer a richer diversity of possible art spaces: from the tangled topology of medieval alleys in Alfama, to the elegant grid system of the waterfront’s post-1755 earthquake reconstruction, from crumbling limestone palaces to brilliant open squares. With an increasingly integrated European economy intent on overcoming geographical divides, it will be interesting to see how the Lisbon scene develops.

JORGE SANTOS SERENADE

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&FACES PLACES 5/6/2019

Italy Republic Day 2019

On the 2nd June 1946, the Kingdom of Italy held a national referendum to choose a form of government, with over 12 million Italians voting in favour of a Republic—putting an end to 85 years of monarchy. The second day of June has since become a national holiday known as Festa della Repubblica, which is celebrated all over Italy and in Italian communities worldwide.

Italian Ambassador to Belgrade H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio hosted a reception to mark National Day of the Republic, 140 years of diplomatic relations between Belgrade and Rome, as well as 10 years of strategic partnership.

Ambassador said that Italy is Serbia’s ally and is encouraging Belgrade to continue reforms on the path of Euro-integration and efforts to reach a compromise solution regarding the Kosovo issue.

“On both of these issues, Italy is with Serbia,” said the ambassador at the celebration of the National Day of Italy.

Speaking in Serbian, Italian and English, the Ambassador said that the Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte visited Belgrade three months ago affirming Italy’s support to Serbia.

The reception was attended by a large number of officials, representatives of the Government, diplomatic community, figures from public and political life.

Publication: ITALY & SERBIA Always Together - After 140 Years, Let’s Go Forward!

10/6/2019

National Day Of Portugal

The Embassy of Portugal to Serbia marked the country’s national day with the reception at the Belgrade’s Metropol Hotel.

Newly appointed Ambassador of Portugal H.E. Virginia Pina welcomed guests and in her speech confirmed relations between Portugal and Serbia are excellent and added that her mission is further to improve relations between two countries.

12/6/2019

Russian Embassy Marks National Day In Belgrade

The Embassy of Russia to Serbia organised a festive reception to mark the National day of Russia and the departure of Ambassador H.E. Aleksandar Chepurin after six-year term.

On the occasion of Russia Day, Ambassador Chepurin presented his book of essays about Serbia and Serbs to President Aleksandar Vučić.

The reception was attended by numerous officials, members of the diplomatic community and friends of the Russian Embassy.

6/6/2019

The Embassy Of Sweden In Serbia Celebrate National Day

The guests at the Belgrade Botanical Garden were welcomed by Swedish Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Jan Lundin on the occasion of marking country’s national day.

Sweden commemorated its national day in memory of 1523 when Gustav Vasa was crowned king.

In his speech, ambassador Lundin emphasised the importance of good bilateral relations between Sweden and Serbia and pointed to the importance of Swedish assistance to Serbia in EU accession negotiations and the rapid opening of chapter 27 in negotiations related to ecology and environmental protection.

Representatives of political, cultural and diplomatic community of Serbia were present at the marking of the National Day of Sweden.

The publication Švedska u Srbiji was presented at the marking of the National Day of Sweden.

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SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

13/6/2019

British Embassy In Serbia Celebrates The Queen’s 93rd Birthday

Outgoing British Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Denis Keefe welcomed guests to mark the 93rd birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Celebration of The Queen’s 93rd Birthday was organised in the spirit of the 80s, a period of rich cultural, sports, scientific and many other ties between Great Britain and Yugoslavia.

At the event held at the ambassadorial residence Elsie Inglis House, H.E. Keefe used the opportunity to wish Serbia enough energy and courage to develop the economy, society, political system needed for entering the European Union.

He pointed out the importance of furthering the cooperation with all who contributed to the deepening of relations between Serbia and the United Kingdom.

Queen Elizabeth II was born on 21st April, but the central official celebration of her birthday is organised on the first, second or third Saturday in June.

This year, the central celebration of The Queen’s Birthday, traditional Trooping of the Colour, was held on 8th June in London.

14/6/2019

Commemoration Of The Africa Day

On the occasion of the Day of Africa and Serbian-African friendship, African ambassadors in Serbia hosted a celebratory reception.

This year’s celebration of the African Day began at the Palace of Serbia and will be continued on 28 June with an exhibition of Egyptian artefacts at the Museum of African Art, where also Afro-festival will be held on 29 and 30 June, with Egypt being this year’s honorary guest.

“Based on many historical ties between our countries and nations, we can build relationships not only closer cooperation and even greater understanding but also relations of strategic partnership, with a peaceful and measured foreign policy based on respecting international law and basic principles of the UN Charter”, said Ivica Dačić.

Ambassador Algeria and the head of the African group H.E. Abdelhamid Chebchoub was the host of the events on behalf of Algeria, Angola, Congo, Egypt, Guinea, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia.

“Close ties of friendship and cooperation between the African continent and the former Yugoslavia and Serbia were built on the various assistance provided to the struggle of African nations for freedom, but based on the common vision of the world through the principles of the Movement of Non-Aligned and Commitment to the Multipolar World,” said Chebchoub.

21/6/2019

Farewell Party For The Ambassador Of Norway

The farewell party in honour of the Ambassador, H.E. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad, was held at the Residence of Norway on the 21st June 2019.

Ambassador of Norway Arne Sannes Bjørnstad and his wife Mrs Hager Jemli Bjørnstad welcomed almost 200 political figures, representatives of the diplomatic community, civil society, the arts scene, the private sector or the media.

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&FACES PLACES 21/6/2019

Statehood Day Of Slovenia

The Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia marked the 28th anniversary of the Statehood Day with a reception in Belgrade’s Metropol Hotel.

Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia, H.E. Iztok Jarc, said in his speech that he encouraging the progress of good bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of economy and politics.

“A record trade exchange has recently marked economic cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia,” said Ambassador Jarc.

In his speech, Ambassador confirmed Slovenia’s support for the accession of Serbia to the EU. “The path of the EU accession is never easy. Slovenia had successfully completed its accession 15 years ago, and since then we have gained a lot in this period as a state and as a society, even more than expected. That is why we sincerely want Serbia to quickly and successfully join the EU family, and we are working hard to support it on this path,” the ambassador said in his introductory speech. The celebration was attended by Serbian Government officials, representatives of the political and diplomatic corps, church dignitaries, as well as guests from the Serbian public and cultural life.

25/6/2019

Statehood Day Of Croatia

The Croatian Embassy in Serbia celebrated the Croatian Statehood Day, in memory of 25 June 1991, when the Croatian Parliament passed a decision on the independence of Croatia. Ambassador H.E. Gordan Bakota stated that his country would remain a strong advocate for the European path of all Western Balkan countries.

Croatian Ambassador Gordan Bakota welcoming guests and in his speech pointed out the importance of bilateral cooperation between Croatia and Serbia.

Intensive economic relations and cultural cooperation show progress and influence the significant deepening of cooperation between the two countries, said ambassador. He pointed out that Croatia plans to organise the EU-Western Balkans Summit when it assumes the EU Council presidency next year.

The reception was attended by representatives of political, diplomatic, cultural public figures of Serbia, among them Minister Zoran Djordjević, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia Andrea Oricio, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sam Fabrizi, US Ambassador Kyle Scott, Franch Ambassador Frederic Mondoloni, Prince Alexander Karadjordjević, military officials, church dignitaries, and others.

26/6/2018

Canada Day And Canadian Armed Forces Day Marked

22/6/2019

Embassy Of The Order Of Malta In Belgrade Marks Its National Day

Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta headed by Ambassador H.E. Alberto Di Luca marked the feast day of its patron saint, St John Baptist, the National Day of this country.

The national day was marked at the National Theatre with the famous opera “La Boheme” by Giacomo Puccini, whose protagonists were the Canadian soprano Claire Coolen, the American tenor Joshua Kohl and the baritone bass Jacopo Buora.

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Canadian Ambassador H.E. Kati Csaba hosted a reception to mark the Canada Day and Canadian Armed Forces Day. Addressing the guests in Serbian and partly in French and English, Ambassador Csaba thanked numerous local partners - officials from the public, political and civil sectors who, as she said, contribute to the improvement of relations between Serbia and Canada.

Ambassador Kati Csaba said that the bilateral relations between two countries are being built on the strong bases with about 100,000 Serbs living in that country. Ambassador Kati Csaba recalled that Canada is a country whose prosperity is based on democracy, multilateralism, multiculturalism, gender equality, dedication to climate change and fostering media freedom.

Canada this year celebrates half a century of bilingualism and equivalence between the English and the French, said the ambassador, adding that this multiculturalism is precisely the key to Canada’s identity.

The reception was attended by representatives of the international community, among them ambassadors Kyle Scott, Philip Guex, Jan Lundin, Denis Keefe, Carlo Lo Casio, Frederick Mondoloni and many others.

My life

Marko Nicović, lawyer

By Predrag Jeremić

THE SERBIAN ELIOT NESS

There is no film frame that could encompass the entire career and “life story” of the gentleman (former comrade) Marko Nicović. The glory he earned with his police badge while wearing the highest quality blazer and Ray Ban sunglasses is on a par with the heroes of Hollywood action films like Rambo or the real fighter against smugglers in America during the 1930s - Eliot Ness!

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My life

Marko Nicović, lawyer

S

pending time at the Imperial Golden Temple of the Golden Pavilion in Japan, walking hand-in-hand with the chief monk, meant the greatest honour afforded to any European man in the Land of the Rising Sun... Japanese holy men taught him how to use the power of his mind, how to be healthy and strong, to create from his “own” karate a life philosophy, who gave him everything and thanks to whom he received everything in his life. This Serbian Samurai is proud to show off all the medals and decorations that he’s won as a top karate master. With special respect, he offers us to show us how he was he only European man to receive special recognition from then Japanese Prime Minister Hashimoto for his contribution to the promotion of karate, as a special form (for the Japanese, perhaps the most important) of art and as a lifestyle: “Here, see how I looked at the peak of my power, when I smouldered and burned in karate!

Forget about Bruce Lee. Who’s he? What can a person do who weighs 57 kilos dripping wet?!”

He shows us an old black and white photo of Marko Nicović the young master. Ripped and toned. Without weights, anabolic enhancers and all other stimulants...

He’s long since entered his eighth decade, but he remains trim and strong. His muscle mass, of course, isn’t like it used to be (like in these photographs), because now he comes across bonier, as though carved from the angry rock of Kolašin...

One doesn’t know what to get to grips with first in the rich career of this native of Kolašin, who the world heard all about and came to admire long ago, almost as much on the sporting ‘tatami’ as in his career as a top police operative that once saw him gain the admiration of such a powerful organisation as America’s DEA, which was even able to learn something from him! The crowning glory of his career in the police came in 2004 when he served as the chairman of the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association, INEOA, leading the coordinated fight against drugs trafficking. All of those fond recollections are contained in his spacious office in the loft of his villa in the elite Belgrade neighbourhood of Dedinje, where this top world policeman today spends his days working as a lawyer and spending time with his wife. Kindly, just as he was with his opponents – whether those in sport or those on the other side of the law – Marko

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NICOVIĆ WITH HIS HANDGUN IN THE HOMICIDE SQUAD OF THE BELGRADE POLICE

Marko Nicović had the honour of being invited to the U.S. state of Georgia to attend a special training centre for all specialist services, together with representatives of another 33 countries. Nicović succeeded in being declared the best of all trainees who attended that course Nicović is unable to respond to the invitations of all journalists for interviews or guest appearances on various television channels. The public is always enthusiastic to hear new stories from the rich professional opus of this “adopted” Belgrader.

Marko Nicović’s biography is as patterned as leopard skin, filled with all the varied details the represent life. Cheerful, healthy, but also courageous, at moments even beyond brave, filled with the spirit of adventure, dignified towards his nation and with a strong sense of justice and honesty...

It was logical that he would switch to practising

law towards the end of his career... We would conclude that this rounded off his career – from the time when he used the strength of his muscles and brave heart to defend the weak and vulnerable, to total mastery of his mind and authority...

“After primary school in my native Kolašin, I completed high school in Peć,” says Marko as we sit on the comfortable and stylish dark blue furniture in the office of his Dedinje villa.

He reminds us that it used to be the home of Vlajko Stojiljković, the Milošević-era interior minister, while his former next-door neighbours also included politician Borka Vučić and former foreign minister Jovanović... “All Sloba’s people, and it was precisely because of his ignorance that I had lots of problems, as you already know very well,” he says with a wry smile, reminding us of the period from the end of the 1990s.

Although I’m known in Belgrade and Serbia as one of the more experienced journalists in the scope of police work and on issues of crime, I again listened with great care to his recollections of his high school days in Peć, “socialising with shqiptars”...

“I was a great student, and with that there was no problem, but I had a problem with my marks from governance, because I was constantly fighting with shqiptars [an ethnonym for Albanian] and always based on the rule of defending others,” he recalls everything as if it happened yesterday.

By Predrag Jeremić

As a sign of gratitude and respect for the results of Nicović’s team, the DEA donated 32 VW Golf vehicles with special turbo engines to the Belgrade police, as well as three special surveillance vehicles

MARKO IS AN EIGHTH DAN IN KARATE – THE HIGHEST RECOGNITION EVER GRANTED TO A EUROPEAN IN JAPAN

“It was known that without an adequate grade from governance you couldn’t enroll in college, but since my father was a first-defender, a Partisan, I somehow muddled through and thus arrived in Belgrade to study.”

It was as a high school pupil that Nicović began training karate and judo. A tall, bony, powerful young man, he was incredibly fast and agile, making him a genuine talent in martial arts.

However, after two years of studying in Belgrade, the rebellious youth within him emerged: “There were six children in my family. It was way back in 1964, as the eldest son, that I set off for Belgrade, for the Faculty of Technology. I lived in Studenjaka, the largest student settlement in the Balkans! In the second year, us students we taken to the then famous viscose factory in Loznica! We entered the hall and the stench of those materials was unbearable for me. I told myself that I should go to Paris for twenty days!

And I stayed two years!?

A powerful highlander with an extremely lean build, his beautiful facial lines didn’t go unnoticed in the City of Light. Although he admits that he spent several nights sleeping in the hall of the main railway station... Until he met “some of our people”, who immediately noticed the martial arts talent of their countryman from Kolašin!

“I met Stevica Marković, Ratko Belić and others, who were already part of the elite jet set,

so they found me work around the discotheques.”

And he enjoyed it. His two years of “Parisian youthful craziness” passed in a flash, although karate remained his favourite hobby and main love.

And then he was “bowled over” by a letter...

“A letter arrived from home, from my father – my mother had died back when I was only six years old! My father called me to come back, as the eldest son, to take care of my brothers (there were five of us siblings) who had started studying at college in Belgrade! So, in 1968 I returned to Belgrade. I also returned to my karate. Plenty of karate clubs had then already been formed in Belgrade. I began to deal professionally with karate and continued my studies. Already by the next year I was a national team representative in karate.

And then something happened that would completely turn around Marko’s life from that of a very successful young karate fighter. At the Belgrade Law School, where he’d gone to enrol in postgraduate studies, he met famous Valjevo native Toma Jeremić, who was then “a god and a bludgeon” of the Belgrade police: “Come and work with us,” said, Jeremić, inviting him personally, and then continuing without waiting for Marko’s response, adding: “you’ll work as an inspector on homicide squad!?”

“It was all over in a day, and so I ended up from the Law School working on homicide squad of the Belgrade City Police Department! The way it

looked was just like in Fellini’s films... The captains drove those famous “100s”, while the inspectors had those little Fiats! I was already known in the city through sport, and as a trainee I was being tested by my colleagues. When I started solving the most complicated murder and rape cases, there was a lot of jealousy, because the best officers received a 10 per cent bonus on their salary, and that 10 per cent was subtracted from those with poorer results!? Salary instalments were then paid by the cashier at the police station, not at a bank as they are today. And I also withdrew that bonus and then returned that money to my colleagues who’d been punished for their poor results”!?

Marko, thus, found the “catch” for them to accept him, for his colleagues to like him, but primarily respect him... His fellow inspectors gossiped about him at the beginning of his career, claiming that he was young, pretty and highly educated (only three others in the homicide squad department were college educated!?), who spoke fluently English, French and Spanish, who needed a police badge to seduce girls around the city, in order to be a reveller around town... But his working performances were impressive from day one: there were no unresolvable cases or fears for him. His colleagues reminded him constantly, “you have to have a noose and brains”. All of this was accompanied by swift progress through the ranks of the Belgrade police, which meant that in just four years of work he’d bypassed many level that should realistically have required 12 years of the highest quality work! He recalls fondly that his “classmate” was Tito’s grandson, Edvard, but he didn’t succeed in the police and quickly left to join the stewards ...

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My life

Marko Nicović, lawyer

If the invitation of experienced police operative Toma Jeremić paved the way for the young Nicović in the police, it was the 1983 murder of the Turkish ambassador in Belgrade’s Tašmajdan Park that led to him becoming a world-renowned police officer respected by members of police forces worldwide! An Armenian terrorist organisation had at that time murdered 76 diplomats around the world, as revenge for the genocide committed by Turkey against the Armenian people in 1912! Nicović managed to quickly resolve this case and arrest the two Armenian assassins. One was found in Belgrade and ended up being shot in the back by a police officer during his arrest!

His accomplice was later arrested in Novi Sad, following a long and extensive investigation led

by Nicovicć, as a senior Belgrade police inspector.

“I opened up the arrested Armenian, after long and exhaustive questioning, and that was only thanks to our mutual love – karate,” says Marko, recalling

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July

Japanese holy men taught him how to use the power of his mind, how to be healthy and strong, to create from his “own” karate a life philosophy, who gave him everything and thanks to whom he received everything in his life the details that made his career as a policeman global.

“He revealed to me their entire chain of command of the organisation, so I was shown special respect by the then Federal Minister of the Police of Yu-

goslavia, Stane Dolanc, at the level of the republic

by Svetomir Lalović, and by Srđan Andrejević, as the head of Interpol in Belgrade”... Congratulations were received from almost all police services around the world. And everyone was asking who was that policeman called Marko Nicović?

But trouble also came. On the horizon. In an act of retaliation, the Armenian terrorist organisation threatened to kill Yugoslav ambassadors and other diplomats around the world!? Nicović hit the road: Lebanon, Syria, Beirut, Egypt... A compromise was made, with the arrested Armenians released after just a few years of imprisonment!

Testifying to how important they were to their organisation and their people was the fact that they had streets named after them in Beirut!

Marko received a decoration of the nation from the State of Yugoslavia. A promotion also came, with him soon named as the chief of narcotics for the City of Belgrade Police Department!

By Predrag Jeremić

NICOVIĆ AS A LECTURER OF THE NEW YORK POLICE

“In homicide squad I’d worked until then in response to events, while in narcotic squad you work ahead of events,” explains Nicović. “My existing connections around the world via karate helped me a lot in my new job at the police. Belgrade was becoming a real graveyard for smugglers, so they started falling in areas they’d previously passed through easily. In many major cases of drugs seizure I’d been the agent provocateur, the man who conducted arrests and seizures. The officers of America’s DEA even heard about me, and in 1984 they came to personally meet one of the top three police chiefs in Europe! They dubbed me the “Grey Fox”, because of my skill in organising ambushes and seizing large quantities of narcotics en route to Europe.”

Nicović was invited to hold lectures at the American Academy... Imagine, a police officer from communist Yugoslavia! Nicović was then also Party Secretary of the League of Communists in

the Belgrade police. But that didn’t bother them, as they were only interested in the results of the fight against world drug traffickers. Marko is still grateful to then City Secretary (the title of the then top man of the Belgrade police) Branko Kostić, who allowed him to tailor 46 members of his anti-drug department according to his standards and to assign them with tasks.

“I brought them together and told them to let their hair and beards grow, to wear worn-out jeans, ear-rings, ripped t-shirts and sports shoes, and to smoke on the streets, because that’s the best way to disguise ourselves for the job we need to do! My people were installed in hotels, as receptionists, waiters, porters, girls as maids, all with the aim of conducting arrest and seizure operations”...

That was very bold for the then Belgrade police, which was still suffering from its former rigidity!

And they were reported on to the city secretary, in the style of “those officers of Marko’s look like scumbags and not like police officers; what exactly did Marko want” They were protected by Kostić thanks to the exceptional results achieved in the fight against drug smugglers. Kostić responded to critics of Nicović’s method of working with a question: “does he have results? Yes, he has. Then let him work how he wants!”

Thanks to Marko and his outstanding results alone, Yugoslavia was given the honour, in the fight against narcotics traffickers, of staging the General Assembly of Interpol in 1976, which was held at Belgrade’s Sava Centre and attended by 161 interior ministers of countries from all over the world. Nicović attracted special attention from the experts of America’s DEA, becoming party to major operations on Europe’s mainland aimed at cutting off international narcotics smuggling channels. They were also part of the operation that led to the “fall” of the Mayor of New York City... Nicović became a frequent guest lecturer from Yugoslavia at their academy! His fame as a police officer grew to massively exceed the function he then performed at the Belgrade police.

Journalists enjoyed hearing the juicy details of operations conducted successfully and Nicović became a favourite of the nation. Smugglers fled from Belgrade “like the devil from the cross”!

Then the unfortunate wars of the ‘90s arrived on the territory of Tito’s Yugoslavia. The City of Belgrade Police Department lost its independence from the Serbian Interior Ministry due to completely bizarre reasons:

“A story broke that immediately made it to Milošević, about how the powerful Marko Nicović had his own team on the streets that could kill anyone, even Milošević, alluding to some activities of the Federal Security Services of Yugoslavia around the world, and particularly after they resolved the murder in the “Nana” nightclub,” says Nicović. “And then Milošević, who was totally uninformed, listened to those gossipers and just said “Clean him out!”, having become convinced that I belonged to the Americans!? And I was reassigned, “overnight”, to the position of an advisor to the Interior Ministry, practically without any authority. And, I wanted to arrest all the war profiteers, which was why I

Thanks to Marko Nicović and his outstanding results alone, Yugoslavia was given the honour of staging the 1976 General Assembly of Interpol in Belgrade, which was attended by 161 interior ministers of countries from all over the world ended up in a serious conflict with Badža [then Serbian police chief Radovan “Badža” Stojičić, who enjoyed the full trust of Milošević until his death], who constantly filled the president’s head with stories of “how I wanted to arrest those who bled for Serbia, and that cannot be allowed!”

Regardless of what had happened, the career of world-renowned and recognised police officer Marko Nicović experienced a political revival in Serbia, while his service remained very well appreciated and respected around the world...

The Milošević era passed, but Marko didn’t seek the complete restoration of his reputation in response to everything he’d experienced and survived in the Serbian police. He was satisfied with the international reputation he still enjoys today, while he has practically no contact with the Serbian police... that is except, of course, if they have to contact him in some case that he has today as a lawyer...

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CHILL OUT INDIA

World’s Biggest Shiva Statue Nears Completion According to reports, the construction of the statue of Shiva is in the final stage and is expected to be completed by August. Being constructed at Ganesh Tekri in Rajasthan’s Nathdwara, the landmark monument is being built with 2,500 tonnes of refined steel. glazed by high-quality copper, holding a zinc-built pedestal on which the entire statue sits.

The statue stands at 351 feet and has three viewing galleries at 20 feet, 110 feet and 270 feet connected by elevators. The shoulder of Lord Shiva stands at 260 feet while His trident will rise up to 315 feet.

On being completed, the Statue of Belief is expected to be the fourth tallest statue in the world after the Statue of Unity, Spring Temple Buddha and Laykyun Setkyar.

GREAT BRITAN

Appleby Horse Fair – The Biggest Of Its Kind In Europe The fair in the Westmorland area of Cumbria attracts around 10,000 travellers and about 30,000 visitors every year. Members of the travelling community gather to buy and sell horses and socialise over six days. They can be seen tending to their horses and smoking outside traditional caravans as they wait for the fun to begin. The horse fair generates some controversy. The Gypsy and Traveller attendees include British Romanichal, Irish Travellers, Scottish Gypsy and Traveller groups, Kale (Welsh Romanies), and more. The fair customarily ends on the second Wednesday in June, and starts on the Thursday before that.

The Appleby Horse Fair calls itself ‘an annual gathering of Gypsies and Travellers in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland in Cumbria. There’s usually about 1000 caravans, several hundred horse.

EGYPT

Iftar Table Served 7,000 People Egypt broke a Guinness World Record when an Iftar banquet table was set up measuring 10,465 feet long and serving nearly 7,000 people.

A Guinness adjudicator was on hand to verify the banquet table set up in Cairo for Iftar, the traditional Muslim meal to break the Ramadan fast, was officially a new world record. The record-keeping organisation said the 10,465-foot table was confirmed longer than the previous record-holder, a 9,789-foot table set up in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, in 2018. The table was set up at the country’s new administrative capital, which is under construction.

LITHUANIA

Babies Race A baby crawls during the Baby Race event to mark international Children’s Day in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Saturday 1st June 2019. Twenty five babies took part in the crawl competition, with a red carpet to protect their knees, as mums, dads, grandparents and other onlookers encouraged the competitors.

In Lithuania, the rat race of life apparently starts early.

Twenty-five babies have taken to the red carpet in Lithuania in a crawling race as their parents, grandparents and onlookers cheered the spectacle.

This month’s event in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, was the 20th annual event staged by a local radio station to mark International Children’s Day, celebrated in this Baltic nation each 1st June.

Teams waved toys and even banged baby food cans to spur the 7-to-11-month-old baby girls and boys to move faster on the carpet.

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ISRAEL

Biblical Style Beer Scientists from Hebrew University, Tel Aviv University and Bar Ilan University joined the Israeli Antiquities Authority to resurrect yeast from ancient beer jugs to create a 5,000-year-old brew.

Using yeast that lay dormant for thousands of years, a team of Israeli biologists, archaeologists and beer makers has successfully brewed the beer that Goliath of Gath may have quaffed as he set out to meet a young shepherd named David. And assuming seed funding is secured, soon the brew will hit supermarket shelves, too. In a multilayered, interdisciplinary long-term experiment, scientists isolated six yeast strains from 21 sherds of beer or wine vessels excavated from four ancient Holy Land sites.

Once populated by Philistines, Canaanites, Egyptians, or Judeans, the sites include biblical Tell es-Safi/Gath (ca. 850 BCE), Bronze Age En-Besor in the Negev and an Egyptian brewery found in Tel Aviv’s Ha-Masger Street (both ca. 3100 BCE), and Jerusalem’s Ramat Rachel (ca. 8th to 4th centuries BCE).

GERMANY

Circus Roncalli Replaces Animals With 3D Holograms Circus Roncalli founder Bernhard Paul spent more than $500,000 of his personal finances to perfect this modern, humane approach.The holographic portion of the Circus Roncalli show currently includes elephants, horses, and even a goldfish.

Circus Roncalli was once like any other — a gathering place for the young and old alike to take in clown and trapeze shows, and marvel at Earth’s majestic creatures.

The German circus has now decided to take a stance against wildlife abuse by replacing real animals with 3D holograms.

Founded in 1976, the traveling circus has been a popular attraction in Germany for decades. And in the early days, founders Bernhard Paul and André Heller didn’t think twice about using actual animals as part of the appeal.

JAPAN

Dress Codes Requiring Women High Heels ‘Necessary’ Dress codes by Japanese companies that require women to wear high heels are “occupationally necessary,” Tokyo’s labor minister said in response to a growing movement to dismiss the mandate.

Takumi Nemoto, Japan’s health, labor and welfare minister, “It is socially accepted as

USA

Man With Luscious 2.5-Foot-Long Beard Lance Wooton, a 32-year-old IT supervisor from Kentucky, has made a worldwide name for himself thanks to his incredibly luscious, waist-long beard.

Wooton started growing his facial hair in June of 2014 to compliment a pirate costume he planned on wearing for Halloween. By the time October came around, he had already grown an impressive-looking beard, which happened to draw the attention of a friend who owned a local barbershop and invited him to check out some beard care products. He didn’t even know such things existed, but he bought some, used them on his beard and posted photos of the results on social media. He was instantly hooked, and today, his luscious facial hair measures 2.5-feet and reaches down to his waist.

something that falls within the realm of being occupationally necessary and appropriate,” he said. “Whether the employers’ requirement to wear high heels is an abuse of power or not depends on whether the requirement goes beyond the social understanding of what is necessary and appropriate.”

Nemoto said the rule would only be “abuse” if an employer tried to make an injured employee wear the shoes.

Nearly 19,000 people in Japan delivered a petition asking the government to ban corporate dress codes that mandate high heels.

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Summer Gadget Trends

2019 Awake RÄVIK

Electric Carbon Fiber Surfboard €19,508

Hit the beach in style this season with chic summer essentials, cool accessories and high-tech devices designed to take your sunny escape to the next level. If you've already picked your destination, that's means the time's right to gear up for your next trip to the seaside. Sure, you will remember to pack a classy swimsuit and a cool pair of sunglasses, but don’t forget to bring along those little extras that make all the difference.

Gadgets can encompass a wide variety of tech-related products, but this list of 2019 gadget trends showcases some of the best and most innovative pieces of technology to automate or improve the lives of almost all users.

From swimwear, bags and flip flops, to the latest beach gadgets, we’ve got you covered for a stylish, fun-filled summer in the sand.

The biggest gadget trends for summer 2019 may surprise you, but these are the new products you should try this summer.

With the change in the weather comes a whole new season of gadget fashion and a stack of new trends to try.

Olympus Tough! TG-5

As the name suggests, this is one tough camera Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12MP | Lens: 25-100mm | Waterproof: 15m | Freezeproof: -10° | Shockproof: 2.1m | Monitor: 3-inch, 460K dots | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner €356

La Roche-Posay My Skin Track €53

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July

Waterproof Speaker: Drifter Action

60 degrees of panoramic video, featuring you in your enviroment €312

SwellPro Spry Waterproof Drone

This waterproof drone not only flies but also floats and can even go underwater €1,100

Life Smart Brand Culer

Solo Single Port Flash Evaporative Air Cooler Refurbished €125

Diving Mask

With Add on Lenses €69

Scorkl

Shader Premium

Portable Shade & Personal Sun Protection €122

Underwater Breathing Device €227

July

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Culture

calendar

EXIT festival

3-7 July – Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi Sad

EXIT is a Serbian rock, indie and electronic music festival held each summer in Novi Sad’s magical 18th century Petrovaradin Fortress.

2019’s lineup will feature a headline set from the one and only The Cure, who will be performing in Serbia for the first time, bringing with them their hits ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ and ‘Friday I’m in Love.’

Joining them will be a selection of some of music’s biggest stars from across the genres, including techno master Carl Cox, EDM super duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike and American rock stars Greta Van Fleet.

Each year, the festival showcases a diverse music program that covers rock to punk, hip-hop, and the best electronic music across over 40 stages inside the fort’s moats, trenches and even tunnels.

And aside from the music, festival-goers are also encouraged to explore Novi Sad: one of the European Capitals of Culture for 2021.

Belgrade Summer Festival BELEF Until 7 July

Cultural Summer in Belgrade begins!

Belgrade Festivals Centre (CEBEF), under the patronage of Belgrade City Assembly, is organising Belgrade Summer Festival - 28th BELEF, from 21st June to 7th July 2019 in Belgrade.

BELEF is a unique phenomenon.

Every Summer Belgrade hosts a new, provocative, fun and educations.

Never the same and never boring.

Music, play, comedy, (tragedy!), exhibitions, performances, parks, and walking…and... maybe unexpected encounters.

Program: www.belef.rs

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Vasil Hadzimanov Band 10 July – Bitefartcafe Summer Stage

Vasil Hadžimanov Band will hold a concert on the summer scene of Bitefartcafe on Kalemegdan.

Vasil Hadžimanov is certainly the author who, in one of the key moments of the Serbian music history and at the time of the production vacuum that would support the true values, correctly perceived the message of the predecessors, and, inspired by them, continued creating authentic musical statements.

All the music by Vasil Hadžimanov in Serbia has been declared as the works of art of cultural significance for this country.

So far, VH Band has released seven studio albums, which have received fantastic reviews around the world. With their talent, work and constant movement of borders, band members are recognised by world critics as top musicians, each in their category. So far in their successful career, Band has been collaborating with great musicians from all over the world and performing at prestigious festivals, and built an excellent reputation.

Their seventh album, Lines in Sand, was released by the American publishing house MoonJune Records. With this album, VHBand again moves the boundaries of progressive music, which music critics around the world rewarded with great reviews.

(Re)Evolution: Dragan Ilić retrospective exhibition Until 8 July - Museum of Contemporary Art

The Dragan Ilić retrospective exhibition represents a cross-section of the artist’s body of work that spans over several decades. The exhibition showcases his most significant conceptual works and a selection of artistic projects in different media, which were realised in Australia, USA, Japan, as well as Belgrade – at the Students’ Cultural Centre, the Centre for Cultural Decontamination and other institutions. Belgrade audiences are familiar with Ilić’s radical, interactive performances, in which the audience threw sharpened pencils at the artists, his drawings that were executed with the help of a robot, and the art space ITS-Z1 that the artist founded in Belgrade. The starting point in the work of Dragan Ilić is the conceptual analysis of the de/reconstruction of the drawing process, like registering physical activities on paper, following “kinetic lines” (Stelarc) that the artist produces meticulously and thoughtfully, and opening space for different artistic activities that culminate with the creation of a drawing. At the heart of his artistic research, Ilić confronts primordial modes of human creative activity – drawing – by utilising possibilities provided by new technologies. The artist’s experiments focus on the intersection of art, science and technology, and especially emphasise the use of robotics in his artistic practice.

Havana D’Primera 24 July – Barutana

Exhibition ‘Return of Max Aub’

9 July – Instituto Cervantes

The exhibition presents a chronological and panoramic walk through the creative work of Max Aub, as a homage to one of the most important representatives of literature in the Spanish language. The work of this novelist, poet, narrator, anthologist, essayist, critics, historian, even a painter, contains so many areas, corners, river streams, and traps, so that it could be called the same name that he gave to his most famous narrative cycle, and also his masterpiece: “magic labyrinth.”

This work can not be understood without a brief review of Aub’s life, which, like the lives of many of his generation’s Spaniards, took place under the decisive and undeniable influence of the Civil War. The exhibition is presented in four cycles according to the chronological segments (first year, Civil War and post-war period, Mexico and the last years that include his two returns to Spain) which, in addition to the desire to satisfy visitors who are already well acquainted with the life and work of Max Aub, have a certain didactic meaning.

RECOMMENDS

The Belgrade Youth Center (Dom Omladine) in cooperation with the Binta Sound label presents the best Cuban salsa band of the new generation - Havana D’Primera!

The concert will be held in Barutana, and the tickets priced at 1500 rsd are in pre-sold via the Ticketvision.

Alexander Abreu, the king of the trumpet, or as he is called “the god of the wind”, and his orchestra of Havana D’Primera, have been the most popular Cuban orchestra in recent years, both in Cuba and around the world. Alexander Abreu is a charismatic young Cuban singer, the leader of a new generation of Cuban music, and at the same time a respected, multi-award winning jazz trumpeter. His Havana D’Primera Orchestra is made up of some of the best and most influential musicians of the moment, which, with the enormous popularity of salsa all over the world, is enough to promise a great spectacle for all fans of Latin sound!

In the current panorama of Cuban popular music, Alexander Abreu and the Havana D’Primera Orchestra are today the most populous group, that equally delights critics and the public.

Cultural Heritage Topcider

27 July – Museum of African Art The tour can include visits to the following institutions: the Museum of African Art (14, Andre Nikolića Street), the Memorial House of King Peter (40, Vase Pelagića Street), Heritage House – the Legacy of Petar Lubarda (1, Iličićeva Street), Vespa Museum Serbia (2, Brzakova Street), Public Aquarium and Tropicarium Belgrade (3, Milenka Vesnića Street).

Gathering point: the Museum of African Art; 14, Andre Nikolića Street.

Special Offer: Tailored Tour It is possible to tailor your own tour by combining a maximum of 4 institutions in one tour. For this reason, it is necessary to contact kulturnabastinatopcidera@gmail.com at least three days before the planned tour.

Entrance fee for a group (min. 10 persons): 500 RSD per person; Entrance fee for a group (under 10 persons): 5000 RSD for the whole group; Approximate duration: 170 minutes For all information please contact us at kulturnabastinatopcidera@gmail.com More information: http://mau.rs/en/

Jennifer Boles 9570rsd

Most decorating books focus on one designer; the rest focus on one period, one trend, one room. This book, for the first time, has the big picture: ALL the names everybody must know from the entire 100-year history of interior design. Each designer is profiled and illustrated with three to four photographs of their best work; what we can learn from them – and how they changed decorating forever – is clearly highlighted to catch the eye. And to put it all together, a final chapter presents the 10 most important rooms of the past 100 years.

MAGRITTE: LIFE LINE Xavier Canonne 5104rsd

The book presents about seventy paintings, gouaches and drawings by René Magritte and includes interesting studies by international researchers such as Julie Waseige and Xavier Canonne both on the artist’s poetic and art evolution. The volume’s starting point is Magritte’s lecture at the Royal Musée des Beaux-Arts in Antwerp held on 20 November 1938, today known as ‘La Ligne de vie’.

It was through a series of examples (that) on that occasion Magritte outlined the genesis of his art, endeavoring to define the thirteen years of surrealist painting. Although the visible manifestations of the World’s Mystery he continuously offers to us, he has anyhow refused to explain his works. This conference was one of the rare occasions in which the artist opened up to the public, clarifying his beginnings and the evolution of his painting until 1938, the period now recognised as the most representative of his entire career.

LEONARDO DA VINCI: A LIFE IN DRAWING

French Film Caravan Until 31 July

French movie wagon is a program aimed at promoting French film across Serbia in partnership with local cultural centres. During 2019, French film caravans sponsors are Île de France and the company Mlekoprodukt.

The new French movie caravan, New French Film, will visit the following cities in June and July: Kruševac, Trstenik, Smederevo, Sombor, Pančevo, Kovin, Bačka Palanka, Zaječar.

Selection of films for June: Les souvenirs , directed by Jean-Paul Rouve Jalouse, directed by David Foenkinos, Stéphane

INSPIRED DESIGN: THE 100 MOST IMPORTANT INTERIOR DESIGNERS OF THE PAST 100 YEARS

Martin Clayton 3980rsd

Foenkinos Gueule d’ange , directed by Vanessa Filho Numéro une , directed by Tonie Marshall More: http://www.institutfrancais.rs/

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

Drawing was Leonardo da Vinci’s primary artistic activity.

He used drawing to think, to explore the world around him and to develop his other artistic projects. His drawings are among the most diverse and technically accomplished in the entire history of art, and the Royal Collection holds by far the most important selection of these.

In 2019, to mark the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death, a series of special exhibitions of his drawings will open simultaneously at 12 venues across the United Kingdom, including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Southampton and Sunderland, with a further venue to be announced. This publication includes all 200 of the drawings shown across these venues and provides an authoritative account of Leonardo’s works within the Royal Collection.

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AFTER WORK 04 EXPORT OF ICT SERVICES SERBIA’S JUN LARGEST NET EXPORT BRANCH Speaking at a conference dedicated to innovations and digital technologies in Fin Tech 4 Business Prime Minister Ana Brnabić said that net exports of ICT services from Serbia in the first three months of this year increased by as much as 31.6% compared to the same period of 2018, indicating that it will exceed by far the last year’s €1.13 billion.

Brnabić pointed out that 2018 was the first year when the export of ICT services from Serbia exceeded €1 billion and noted that this sector records an incredible yearly growth.

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05 JUN BUSINESS FORUM SWEDEN IN SERBIA There are great opportunities for the further improvement of the business cooperation between Serbia and Sweden, especially in the field of agriculture in which Serbia has enormous potential, which has only been partly used so far. This was the conclusion of the business forum “Sweden in Serbia - Investments and Cooperation for the Future” organised by the Embassy of Sweden and Serbian Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of marking the National Day of Sweden and development projects implemented in Serbia by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

With the presence of more than 80 businesspeople and representatives of Swedish companies that successfully operate in Serbia, whose products are used daily, the forum highlighted examples of good business cooperation between Sweden and Serbia and presented new business opportunities with Sweden.

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05 JUN 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HBA On June 5th, in honour of the 15th anniversary of its foundation, the Hellenic Business Association of Serbia (HBA) held a celebration in Grand Casino, attended by members of the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade, members and partners of the Association.

During the ceremony, the Management Board of the Hellenic Economic Association of Serbia presented a plaque to the Head of the Department for Economic and Trade Affairs of the Embassy of Greece in Belgrade, Haralampos Kunalakis, in gratitude for his work and contribution to the work of the Association.

At the event, HBA proclaimed its first honorary member, Georgios Lihnos, who is one of the founders of the Association.

The celebration was preceded by the General Assembly, where the financial report for 2018 was voted.

06 CCFS CELEBRATES JUN THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY French companies, members of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, employ more than 10,000 people in Serbia.

“The arrival of French President Emmanuel Macron in mid-July will seal positive tendencies, bring in more French companies and open new jobs in Serbia,” said Sanja Ivanić, Executive Director of the Chamber, on the occasion of the anniversary, adding that the future of successful cooperation lies in the arrival of small and medium-sized enterprises.

President of the Chamber Dragoljub Damljanović said that among the big French companies operating in Serbia are Le Belier Kikinda, Michelin, Schneider Electric, Atos, Lafarge, Crédit Agricole and Societe Generale Bank.

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AFTER WORK 12 AHK HOSTS TRADITIONAL JUN SOMMERFEST The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK), held its traditional ‘AHK Sommerfest’ in the pleasant atmosphere of Gabiano splav, on the occasion of the coming summer break.

The event was attended by Ambassador of Germany to Serbia H.E. Thomas Schieb and his wife, members of the AHK, partners and friends.

13 FIC COCKTAIL: JUN FOCUS ON TOPIC OF GROWTH On June 13, around 80 FIC members, potential members and other guests gathered for a pleasant cocktail in the premises of the Crowe RS, sponsor of the event.

It was the occasion for FIC officials to thank the outgoing Executive Director Ana Tozzi for almost 12 years of committed work in FIC and wish a warm welcome to her successor Aleksandar Ljubić. FIC VP Vladislav Lalić said she will be missed, citing in particular her commitment, knowledge and persistence.

Ana Tozzi said it was hard to say goodbye after almost 12 years spent in FIC but easy to say thank you. She reminded that FIC has grown to become a strong organisation respected for expert views, representing the wider business community and not specific interest groups.

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16 AMBASSADOR SUBRATA BHATTACHARJEE JUN MARKS INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY The Embassy of India in Serbia, with the support of the City of Belgrade, organised another traditional, annual event marking International Yoga Day, this year on the plateau in front of the National Assembly of Serbia.

Ambassador Subrata Bhattacharjee and his wife were joined by Tamara Djukanović Vučić, wife of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, and hundreds of yoga practitioners from Belgrade and Serbia.

Ms Vučić addressed the gathering at the beginning and participated in all Yoga exercises throughout one hour. She spoke on the importance of Yoga for health and said that the practice of yoga is good for both mind and body.

19 AMBASSADOR KYLE JUN SCOTT HOSTS PRESIDENT VUČIĆ US Ambassador H.E. Kyle Scott hosted Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in his Residency for an event paying tribute to allies from the Second World War, Serbs and Americans who were part of the Halyard Mission in 1944.

17 AMBASSADOR LUTTEROTTI HOSTS AUSTRIAN JUN BUSINESS CIRCLE SUMMER RECEPTION The Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Serbia H.E. Nikolaus Lutterotti and the Austrian Commercial Counsellor Ms Erika Teoman-Brenner hosted the Austrian Business Circle Summer Reception.

The event held at the ambassadorial residence gathered many representatives of the Austrian business community in Serbia.

Ambassador Lutterotti said that excellent political relation between Austria and Serbia, and to a large extent, it is due to the work of the Austrian business in the country.

Ambassador pointed out that Austria is one of the largest investors in Serbia.

Around 400 Austrian companies are operating in Serbia, created many thousand jobs. The work of Austrian companies impacts the work of the Embassy and the Austrian Government, and the relations between the two countries.

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AFTER WORK

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19 SERBIA HAS GREAT MINING POTENTIAL JUN AND IS ATTRACTIVE TO INVESTORS Mining is one of the branches of industry that will develop most in Serbia in the coming years because the country has great mining potential and is very attractive for foreign investments, the conclusion of the fourth European Mining Academy in Belgrade, entitled “Mining for Generations”.

“Today we are talking about cooperation between Serbia, not only with Sweden but also with the entire European Union, precisely because we feel that Serbia is part of the answer to the question of where Europe will continue to take its supplies in the meantime while creating great economic potential in this country. Many jobs will open in both Europe and Serbia precisely because Serbia is on the right track in the mining sector,” said Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, H.E. Jan Lundin.

27 AMBASSADOR OANA-CRISTINA POPA JUN OPENS NEW ROMANIAN EMBASSY 24 DAYS OF KOREAN CULTURE 2019: JUN COOKING SHOW-THE BIBIMBAP In celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Serbia, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted the Days of Korean Culture 2019: “Korean Food Event: Cooking Show-the Bibimbap & the Samgyetang”.

Ambassador of Korea to Serbia H.E. Choe Hyoung-chan welcomed members of the diplomatic community, friends and partners of the Embassy.

Korean Chef Choi, Gwangho introduced Korean style mixed rice bowl “Bibimbap”, and all the guests had an opportunity to make and taste their own Bibimbap.

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Ambassador of Romania H.E. Oana Cristina Popa was the host of the inauguration of the new premises of the Romanian Embassy in Belgrade.

The event was held in the context of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Romania and Serbia.

On this occasion, Ambassador said Romania would continue to advocate for the EU’s enlargement to the Western Balkans and that Serbia must continue reforms on its path to the EU. “Romania will continue to promote the EU enlargement and to make sure that the European perspective of the Western Balkans remains on the table,” Ambassador Oana Cristina Popa said at the opening of the new headquarters of the Romanian Embassy in Belgrade.

Human Resource MANAGEMENT

2019

Linking The HR Function With The Strategic Objectives Of The Organization

INTERVIEW

MAX BLUMBERG, Ph.D., BLUMBERG PARTNERSHIP FOUNDER, VISITING PROFESSOR AT LEEDS UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

People Analytics Vs. The Human Touch Max Blumberg bridges the worlds of business performance and analytics to improve strategy execution, design powerful people processes and increase sales force effectiveness

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pon completing his Ph.D., Max Blumberg launched the Blumberg Partnership, a top 50 analytics consultancy which delivers analytics and machine-learning solutions to clients that include Nestlé, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Lloyds Register, the BBC, Fujitsu, Barclays Corporate and Friends Provident.

With truly unique expertise and a practical grounding in strategy, finance, marketing, economics, computer science, mathematics and HR, he developed a full-systems approach that can be applied to diagnose and solve complex challenges arising from operating models, organisational structures, and job design. He was a speaker at the recent HR Experience conference in Belgrade, organised by Infostud, where he spoke on talent acquisition, people analytics and the challenges faced by the HR industry.

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• The overall impression is that the talent pool today plays an increasing role in a company’s success, and that the talent base is scarce.

Based on your experience, would you say that this is so, and do companies have an adequate response to such challenges?

- That’s an interesting question. Depending on the industry, wherever there is a scarcity of talent, someone will try to automate this work. Therefore, I think talent has an important role for jobs that cannot (yet) be automated.

For example, the work performed by STEM workers is not easy to automate, and hence it is widely recognised that STEM workers are an increasingly scarce resource (until technology discovers a way to automate their tasks).

In contrast, however, many routine tasks like clerical work, administrative work – and even some aspects of medical practise – are to

some extent already being automated. So, for companies, certain kinds of talent – particularly automatable talent – are not considered particularly important in the eyes of many companies.

• How can companies recruit employees with rare skills that cannot be automated?

- There are many approaches to acquiring scarce skills, but in the end it all comes down to simple supply and demand: if there is a shortage of the skills you require – like STEM skills – you can expect to pay a lot of money to acquire those resources. So, for instance, some companies build communities of these skills so that potential employees feel an affinity with the employer brand even before they join the company, or after they have left. For example, some consultancies invite STEM students to join communities even before they graduate. I also

By Miloš Belčević think that government should be encouraging more people to take on STEM education and careers – particularly from poorly represented groups based on gender and ethnicity etc.; but that’s a long-term project. Another approach for acquiring rare skills is to outsource them or use contractors – but only on condition that the skills you’re outsourcing are not among your key strategic capabilities (which you should never ever outsource). The bottom line is that, if you cannot outsource or automate, you’ll need to work hard and invest significantly to attract scarce talent. Companies that excel at this are, for example, Facebook and Google: many STEM workers – whether they admit it or not – would love to work in these kinds of innovative environments.

automate these, this is not people analytics – it is just simple task automation. For me, people analytics is not just about simple automation, reporting, pretty graphs etc., rather it is about making usable statistical models to make useful predictions.

What about AI? Someone once asked me: how can we best use AI in our company? My answer was a question: what’s the most important prediction that your managers could make so that, if they get it right, your company would make millions? For example, if you work in a gold exchange and you could predict the price of gold, that would be amazing, right? If you believe that predicting which employees would be the best to make your business profitable, that’s a

• Can digitisation and automation be used to manage teams?

- Companies tend to replace people with automation wherever they can, and this goes for managers as well, but the skills relevant for good management – like emotional intelligence, collaboration and so on – are probably among the last areas that will be automated.

Be very careful about using technology to replace certain tasks usually performed by human managers. For example, say you have the choice to invest a million dollars in management soft skills training versus building an attrition model to predict whether employees are likely to leave your company. In this instance, the ROI for manager training is likely to be much

“Be very careful about using technology to replace certain tasks usually performed by human managers.” higher, because while the attrition model will only fix attrition, the manager training is likely to improve retention, productivity, engagement, innovation etc. It has a whole range of positive consequences, whereas the attrition model will only address a single issue.

• When it comes to people analytics and AI, what are some areas where these emerging technologies could help HR? - Before we answer this, we need to be careful how we define ‘People Analytics’. If you have a thousand job applications to process and simply

great job for AI in the field of people analytics.

• There’s a lot of buzz around all the things we’ve discussed, but in reality how many companies are actually eager to really embrace scientific methods in HR? - I would say that a lot of analysis in HR has been very basic up until now. I mean, some companies have had some good results, but very few are using scientific people analytics to make predictions that make them those millions. And I think many senior managers are looking at their people analytics spend and

asking “shouldn’t we be getting more for our investment?”. As a result, business consultants like myself, with deep statistical experience, are suddenly getting a lot of calls requesting help in leveraging their people analytics investments.

But I’m very curious about why these requests are suddenly coming now. I personally believe it is because people analytics vendors have made promises they cannot keep and HR bosses are suddenly having to justify their investments.

And that’s why they are now starting to look for more sophisticated solutions.

• What’s your vision of a company in the future?

- I think the company of the future will be managed by a very small, senior executive group, and then below them there will probably be a lot of automation, outsourcing and gig work going on.

This top team needs to be very innovative and very good at working in small teams; it’s a whole different psychology; it’s the way that boards typically need to learn to operate.

I also think that we are moving from the age of people analytics into the age of resource analytics, where you are looking to determine the best balance of resource that you’re going to need across the organisation, what percentage will be automated, what will be outsourced and so on. In other words, workforce analytics will be replaced by the more general “resource analytics”.

• The way companies are surveying workforces and collecting data about them sometimes seems to be at the edge of invading someone’s privacy, or even over the edge. Are they sometimes being too intrusive? Where’s the limit?

- I think it’s about transparency. If you’re going to use your employees’ data, you must let them know. But I also have to say that, as an employee, it is naïve to think that your data is not being used by your employer.

More generally, I think it is unfair is when companies make money on the basis of employee or consumer data – selling it to advertisers – without sharing any of that profit with the people whose data they used.

Finally, I’m very keen on the idea of value equity for employees. What I mean is that if there is a profit improvement of 20 per cent for the investors of a company, then there should also be a 20 per cent increase in employee benefits. Why should one group win at the expense of another? ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

MARINA MITIĆ JEKIĆ, HR DIRECTOR, STADA CEE REGION AND HEMOFARM AD

Dedication Is Always Rewarded With Trust As of this May, the Faculty of Technology Novi Sad has launched an event that it will organise annually entitled “Hemofarm Day”, which emerged as a result of cooperation between this faculty and company aimed at ensuring the better adapting educational profiles to meet the needs of the market

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ne of the activities within the scope of this year’s event was the competition “Pharmaceutical INNcububator”, which brought together undergraduate and masters’ students and tasked them with proposing ideas and creating products in the field of the pharmaceutical industry. The best of them will be rewarded with intership program at this company.

Cooperation with this college was actually established at the initiative of Hemofarm’s Human Resources Department. And here Marina Mitić Jekić, Stada CEE Region and Hemofarm HR Director, speaks about the everyday life of employees, the company’s relationship towards employees, and investments in both current and future employees.

• Hemofarm has 2,700 employees in Serbia, and almost 70% of them work in Vršac, where the company’s production complex and headquarters are located. As many as 34 per cent of your employees are highly educated.

Is it difficult to access high-quality personnel in smaller communities?

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- A trend that we notice in the world and in this region is that companies are launching their greenfield investment projects in smaller communities. During its infancy, nearly 60 years ago, Hemofarm set off from the small city of Vršac, but in the meantime it has grew to become a regional pharmaceutical giant operating on three continents.

When it comes to employment, there are high-quality workers in small communities, and the problem arises when it comes to the engagement of highly educated experts with very specific profiles, such as, for example, graduate pharmacists or technologists in our case. A significant number of employees travel on a daily basis from Belgrade to Vršac, and that’s a topic that has a constant presence around our table. The human resources sector and leaders of business have a common task in this area – to maintain the motivation of existing workers and attract new colleagues who are willing to work away from the place where they reside. At the end of the day, employees will always recognise dedication and reward it with trust, and vice versa.

• It seems that your approach to people extends beyond the legal obligation to care for employees. Do you believe that a satisfied

worker is the best worker? Is it necessary to identify with the company?

- I think that’s a general trend and that every serious employer strives to offer more than that which is required by law. Hemofarm has various benefits available to employees and we work every day to adapt them to the real needs of our employees as much as possible. Consider that we are a company founded in 1960 and that we have employees among us who have been with us for decades, as well as those that joined us relatively recently. Here we approach our job with the task of making Hemofarm a comfortable place for all of these different groups.

Furthermore, the satisfaction of employees is a relative thing; in some stages of a career and life, it is more important for someone to be able to regularly attend training and improve themselves professionally; in another stages it may be more important for them to have supplementary health insurance for themselves and their family, while in some stages striking a good balance between work and private life can be more important. As someone who’s been doing this job for years, I think it is more satisfying when you know why you are coming to work, in an environment in which people collaborate well, and where your work is recognised and appreciated.

• Companies today pay great attention to the professional and personal development of employees through continuous education. Is that an imperative of the times in which we live?

- Of course! Like other major companies, we deal with this topic on a daily basis and our goal is to have the best possible overview of the needs of the organisation, which forms the basis for all other activities. In practise, that means that all training courses are planned in cooperation with the Human Resources Department and line managers, while additional training is also organised by the HR department in accordance with the general needs of the company. An example of this second type of training is the “Leadership Campaign”, within the framework of which around 250 employees will undergo five-day training on techniques for managing teams within the company. We also pay great attention to so-called specialised expert training, because a pharmaceutical company must have something like that in its training plan. The Stada Group this year launched a talent management process that will focus additionally on personnel who have been identified as having the potential to take on future leadership roles within the company.

college. Companies also adapt to this, so submitting a CV at an employment fair is something that will gradually be replaced entirely by online applications.

We are very active on social networks and are leading the way with LinkedIn, via which we directly filled a large number of challenging job positions last year. We are

With the introduction of a modern system through the Success Factors project, it is planned for Serbia – together with Germany – to be the first country in which the Stada Group will implement this modern HR software • And while we’re on the topic of the new age and its achievements, tell us more about e-recruitment. Can candidates use digital channels to more easily find a job and establish communicate with potential employers?

- Keeping pace with trends is one of the things that you mustn’t fail to do, otherwise you’ll certainly lose the market battle regardless of the area of business, including human resources. There is an increasing number of digital solutions around us for various aspects of life and, when it comes to HR, these solutions are most prominent in the field of candidate selection. Young people today are much more focused on social networks than, for example, my generation was at the time that we graduated from

also working on the introduction of a modern selection system that is part of the global Success Factors project, and it is planned for Serbia – together with Germany – to be the first country in which the Stada Group will implement this modern HR software.

• Many young and highly-educated people abandon Serbia in search of employment, a good income and a better life. Can companies like Hemofarm bring a halt to that trend?

- In the time of globalisation, I think it is questionable whether anyone could halt this process and whether they should even try to do that. I represent the approach that societies and companies should devise a strategy for retaining quality high-quality

personnel despite outflows, which are not specific to Serbia, and thereby achieve a healthy balance. Hemofarm, as part of the Stada Group and as a large multinational

company, certainly offers the possibility to work in a large system, and that’s what candidates recognise with us.

For example, we launched a programme in which we were joined by 11 young people from the faculty for a six-month period, and all of them were employed at Hemofarm upon completion of this professional internship program. However, in this area we’re not only working as a company. The Hemofarm Foundation is also very active through programmes for scholarships, mentorship programmes and summer internship, which additionally motivates the best students of medicine, pharmacy and other faculties of science to learn from the best through direct cooperation with colleagues from Hemofarm.

In this way we’re not only impacting on the personal and professional development of young people, but also motivating them to stay in our country and acquire knowhow.

The best proof of this is the fact that some former Foundation scholarship recipients are today managers and directors at Hemofarm. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

MIROSLAV VRANEŠ, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, DELL TECHNOLOGIES

IT's Main Product Is Smarts

The IT sector is one of Serbia's largest net exporters, with strong potential for future growth and average wages that are almost triple those of other economic sectors. Thanks to IT, the main product of which is cleverness, Serbia is known around the world as a country of intelligent and capable people

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ersonal careers currently develop the fastest in IT, with a high-quality market offer and above average conditions. When we add to this the constant need to improve, through additional training and education, as well as companies’ struggles to retain existing high-quality personnel, IT forms a picture that can only be desirable.

• In Serbia we see ourselves as leaders of the IT sector in this part of Europe. Do we rate ourselves correctly?

- Serbia is definitely a country that has recognised the importance of IT as an important branch of industry, because IT is being taught in various forms from the earliest age in educational institutions. However, other countries also aren’t sleeping in this respect... More important than being a leader is retaining a leadership position.

The need for IT professionals is growing constantly. However, it is also a branch that’s constantly advancing and in which the rules change often, where new players overcome old ones and new technologies 6 |

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replace pre-existing ones, so the constant training and advancement of personnel is inevitable for us.

• Many students of the University of Belgrade School of Electrical Engineering, particularly those specialising in software engineering, manage to find work already by the third year of their studies. Is that good for both them and the companies that employ them?

We also mustn’t forget the specialised courses and training constantly taking place in various sub-divisions of IT. IT is foundational to every branch of industry and, as such, is an unavoidable factor in the growth of primary industry. The current need for IT engineers exceeds the possibility of “producing” them. Companies are in a race to attract high-quality personnel, which leads to the very fast hiring of young IT professionals. This is very good

Freelancing is a model that's accepted well in the IT sector worldwide, so it is also constantly growing in our country too

- Software engineering is present as a subject in various forms in an ever-increasing number of colleges, because – apart from the School of Electrical Engineering – other state and private educational institutions also engage in the training of IT personnel...

from the perspective of companies, because they get quality “raw material” that they can later shapes to suit their needs.

It is a young branch, which has creativity at its basis, and the best results are achieved much sooner than in other

industrial sectors. Among other factors, just compare the average age of top IT engineers and top surgeons...

• Unlike doctors, IT experts don’t have to go abroad in search of work, because they can find well-paid jobs here. Does this place employers in a difficult position? They first need to find an expert, then provide them with a good salary and various benefits in order to retain them?

- The beauty and challenge of IT is reflected precisely in that fact, in the possibility of generating an income efficiently from almost any point on the planet. In Serbia it has already been established that our experts are engaged in many projects being implemented abroad, while they are employed or working as freelancers based in Serbia.

It is as difficult to find a good employer as it is to find a good expert. If an employer monitors, supports, and invests in personnel, then they will retain their staff, because nobody needs workers who don’t further develop themselves, who are unable to keep pace with constant changes and new trends.

intending to keep pace with new trends and work on good projects must select the environment in which they will build their careers accordingly.

• An ever increasing number of IT personnel are seeking “freelance” engagements. How positive or negative is that for employers?

- From an employer’s perspective, this should be the cheapest and most reliable form of cooperation, as rules and obliga-

experience, possibilities, recommendations and qualities of the person you want to engage. After all, the IT market has long been global and not local.

I think this form of engagement will also be present in other branches of industry in the future. Is a law firm that represents

Salaries are above average in the IT sector, while certain benefits are also implies, but companies' products themselves aren't cheap

multiple clients classed as a freelancer?

Or a surgeon who, based on call and needs, operates in numerous different clinics in the country and abroad? Is a professional athlete a freelancer?

• Established selection and hiring practises from other sectors aren’t applied on the IT market. Have we reached a

situation where candidates choose an employer to a greater extent than employers choose them?

- In principle, the market always dictates the rules, because here the principle of supply and demand also applies. I consider that both candidates and firms choose simultaneously, that not all demands and needs are the same, which is good. Healthy companies with good prospects must choose high-quality personnel if they want to continue having high-quality work on the market. On the other hand, engineers

tions are defined with a simple contract and usually relate to a limited set of activities, part of a project or a project as a whole. On the other hand, a freelancer has complete freedom to organise their own time, methods and intensity of work in accordance with their needs. A freelancer also holds their career in their own hands, deciding for themselves on their own advanced training and development directions. I expect this model to develop further, that a market system of supply and demand will be created in which you will publicly see the

• Is the IT sector among the key drivers of Serbia’s economic development?

- It certainly can be, because IT is a branch in which the main product is smarts. If you are in a position to sell your intellect on the global market, then that impacts significantly on the image of Serbia as a country of smart and capable people, and that’s probably what we all want. But there is a need to constantly invest in that and implement it in practise. Are we mistaken if we say that the Germans and Japanese are diligent and well organised? I would sincerely love for IT to be one of the pillars of our country’s economy in the future. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

OLIVERA GVOZDENOV, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ERNST KLETT PRÄSENZLERNEN OSTEUROPA GMBH – BELGRADE BRANCH

Learn And Apply Knowledge In Real Time The HR business means people, and it practically involves a whole raft of continuous activities related to company growth, organisation development and internal culture

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esides regular processes, new requirements are identified through a focus on the necessary skills, rather than on regular degrees or diplomas, motivational employee experience and defining a company brand that will attract the best talents existing on the market.

• What are the key focus areas for Klett DUAL school?

- Our mission is to equip the current and future workforce with relevant knowledge, highly demanded professional technical skills and the valued Mechatronics certificate.

Klett DUAL understands significant investments and efforts by companies aimed at achieving business objectives. Sustaining a presence locally, or expanding business to new markets, is hardly sustainable without a local workforce. Our objective is to help companies with production facilities in Serbia and Southeast Europe in satisfying their demand for a trained, high-quality workforce.

Companies do not have enough time or specific technical programmes and didactic equipment to educate, prepare or equip their workforce to operate with minimum additional support. This is where Klett DUAL offers high quality solutions – to both on-thespot problem solutions for maintenance of the Mechatronics systems and the short to mid-term dual education of employees, including future Mechatronics experts training. We 8 |

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work together with the HR and production departments of international and local companies to forge partnerships and define how to address specific needs and achieve goals.

The resulting benefits are numerous and relate to actual business support delivered

by HR, employee motivation at the individual and team levels, and, hence, employer branding that’s valuable for current employees, in addition to making the employer desirable for new hires.

• How was Mechatronics chosen as the first programme in Klett DUAL School?

- Mechatronics is a multidisciplinary branch that unites mechanical engineering, electronics and informational technologies. Every industrial company that owns production facilities needs to have these specific experts in their teams, not only for everyday work,

partners and we are officially recognised by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development. We can issue certificates on the basis of the Law on Adult Education.

• What are the requirements for enrolling in Klett DUAL professional courses?

- Participants in the Mechatronics programme should preferably be working in the production facilities of the respective company, working as production operators, maintenance technicians or team leaders. There are no limits regarding age or gender. Demand by employers is focused on required hard or soft skills, rather than a general diploma.

However, we are also open to high school graduates and individuals interested in Mechatronics certification, whether they are employed or not. Opening the doors to

Our programmes are developed with German partners and we are officially recognised by the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development. We can issue certificates on the basis of the Law on Adult Education but also to solve technical problems and equip new employees with relevant skills.

Serbia clearly has an insufficient number of certified Mechatronics professionals. Our programmes are developed with German

potential employment based on pre-agreed criteria with companies is a winning approach for everyone and addresses the long-term workforce development needs in Serbia and on surrounding markets. ■

IVAN BAKIĆ, HR DIRECTOR, NECTAR GROUP BUSINESS

We Proudly Nurture Our Winning Spirit Nectar was founded as a small entrepreneurial venture that has rapidly developed into a regional leader in the production and sale of juices, refreshing beverages, water and food. Although we operate on 10 business locations in three countries, all the employees function as one team, one family

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ectar is a family company that puts the consumer at the centre. We also insist on excellence and innovation in what we do, and care for both the environment in which we operate and for our employees. We are proud of all our successes and we nurture our winning spirit, they say at Nectar.

• Within two decades, Nectar has grown from a small family company to a regional leader with more than 1,300 people. Would the company be so successful if the people did not perceive it as their second home?

- I’ll answer right away - certainly not. We started from the production of apple vinegar and became a regional leader in the produc-

the development and growth of the company has attracted similar people - people who share the values of entrepreneurship, a positive and engaged attitude, a focus on solutions instead of obstacles and the idea of achieving the most through team work. I mustn’t forget a very important aspect in the efficient use of resources and the enormous energy of the employees that has been transferred through acquisitions of the companies that are now members of the Nectar Group.

• The business philosophy “It does matter” encourages the employees to be interested and motivated to learn, to improve and prosper?

- I can state proudly that everyone at the company is living our “It does matter” busi-

So far we have done a lot to strengthen the capacities of our people, both in technical and management skills tion and sale of juices, refreshing beverages, water and food at a tremendous speed. The great initial enthusiasm of the owner was transferred to the first “core” of the employees, who carried the company’s expansion, development and marketing of new products. It’s impressive how quickly the entire expansion took place and how high product quality has been maintained throughout the innovations.

This core group of people who carried out

ness philosophy in the way they approach the business and how they treat the wider community. I think it’s already a common phrase that continuous improvement is an imperative to develop the company through the development of individuals. So far we have done a lot to strengthen the capacities of the employees in two directions – one is development of personal resource management skills, and the other is management of others. I believe that

the best result in terms of costs and effect, or investment, can be achieved by combining external and internal training.

• A good HR manager has to understand the essence of the business of the company in which he works, but also to be well acquainted with the desires, needs and expectations of employees. How can you reconcile these two things?

- In a company that is so widespread (10 business locations in three countries), it is a great challenge to unite all the employees and create a constructive organisational culture, especially because each location and each member company has their specific organisation, management, geographical and socio-political differences and, of course, great individual differences among employees. It is imperative to be present, to have direct contact with people and, as a beautiful Japanese statement says: “Go to the source and see”. There is no HR tool or approach that can replace direct contact with people.

We have developed a whole range of tools to support our employees in achieving their maximum in the company - from a precise job introduction programme, support programmes for new colleagues, a mentoring projects, work performance assessment system, talent identification and special development programmes and a training system, to promotions and rewards. ■ J U LY

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HR, THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

Top Talent Knows The Difference Smart companies have already come to understand the value that HR has to offer, and ever more companies will come to rely on HR as a strategic business partner

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ach company has its own unique culture, encompassing the values, visions, ideals, norms, working language, systems and habits of a group who work together. A good HR officer or department develops and manages their company’s culture. They recruit new staff, maintain benefits and payroll, mediate conflicts and engage in training and development. The role of HR is at the core of a company’s success.

A simple breakdown of the responsibilities of HR functions would include recruiting, training and development, union negotiations and labour relations, compensation and benefits, employee relations, organisational development, legal compliance, employee engagement, human resources information systems and health and safety.

Human resources managers oversee the most important component of a successful business – a productive, thriving workforce.

This requires viewing people as human assets, not costs to the organisation. And, as with any other asset, a talented workforce can be used strategically to add value to an organisation.

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The HR team suggests how the management team manage people strategically as business resources. This includes recruiting and hiring employees with specific skill sets to meet the company’s current and future goals, coordinating employee benefits and suggesting employee training and development strategies. In this way, HR professionals are consultants, not workers in an isolated business function; they advise managers on many issues related to employees and how they help the organisation achieve its goals.

Managers and HR professionals work together at all levels of an organisation to develop employees’ skills. For example, HR professionals advise managers and supervisors on how to assign employees to different roles within an organisation, thereby help-

ing the organisation adapt successfully to its environment. In a flexible organisation, employees are shifted around to different business functions based on business priorities and employee preferences.

HR professionals also suggest strategies to increase employees’ commitment to the organisation. This begins with using the recruiting process or matching employees with the right positions according to their qualifications. Once hired, employees must be committed to their jobs and feel constantly challenged by their manager.

An HRM team helps a business develop a competitive advantage, which involves building the capacity of the company so it can offer a unique set of goods or services to its customers. To build an effective human

resources department, private companies compete with each other in a “war for talent”. It’s not just about hiring talent; this game is about retaining top people and helping them grow and stay committed over the long term.

HR management requires strategic planning to address not only the changing needs of an employer, but also a constantly shifting competitive job market. Employee benefit packages must be continually assessed for costs to the employer. Tweaking the packages also provides an opportunity to increase

employee retention through the addition of paid leave days, flexible working arrangements or retirement plan enhancements. For example, many human resource professionals have in recent years overseen the addition of preventative health components to traditional health plans for both employment recruitment and retention efforts.

One of the most indispensable ingredients of a business is its employees. The human capital serves as the ambassador of your organisation, as it is the employees who put procedures into practise.

The HR department is a significant contributor to organisational success, since they are mainly responsible for maintaining and organising the workforce. They oversee the people operating within the organisation and deliver HR services that meet the needs of both the company and its employees.

HR practises are implemented in order to enhance the human capital of an organisation

and decrease the financial risks. Employees must be considered human assets and not costs to the organisation.

The HR management team usually offers suggestions on how to strategically manage people as business resources, and these include the recruitment/hiring process, employee benefits and skills training.

HR’s role is vital in keeping employees focused on achieving the company’s goals while providing opportunities for employee growth and advancement.

HR personnel are no exception when it

of hiring managers, who help them make informed decisions.

An effective hiring process builds the foundation for all tactics, with companies positioning themselves to choose candidates that are a good fit for both the job and the organisation: they make sure to determine what competencies and skills are required for success, and then use valid hiring tools to identify individuals who possess these characteristics. This ensures companies are rewarded not only with a strong employee retention rate, but also with loyal employees who contribute to the organisation’s long term success.

After putting in the time, effort and investment to hire the best employees possible, there is then a need to retain that talent.

Salary level, retirement plans and holiday benefits are high on the list of reasons why those great employees took the job, but they are not reason enough to keep them employed for the long haul. Job satisfaction, however, will increase employee retention rates.

Companies need to create an environment that makes employees feel like they are an asset to the company. In making the expectations and goals of the company

To build an effective human resources department, private companies compete with each other in a “war for talent”. It's not just about hiring talent; this game is about retaining top people and helping them grow and stay committed over the long term comes to training and development, as they serve as the medium between employees and the company. They develop HR strategies to help address demands of change management and integration, as well as measurements of performances that are in line with strategy implementation.

A human resources department is much more than the place to go for employee assistance, employee conflict or compliance issues. In general, hiring managers are in charge of hiring processes, while recruiters are the trusted consultants

clear, creating an open and honest working environment and providing opportunities for employees to grow and learn, organisations let their employees know that there is room for advancement in the company and that good work is recognised and rewarded.

Monetary bonuses are always nice, but recognition of a job well done goes a long way to creating good will and loyalty.

However, the feedback and praise must be sincere. Top talent is smart enough to know the difference between sincere appreciation and platitudes. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

SONJA ĆETKOVIĆ, DIRECTOR, POSLOVI INFOSTUD

Employer Branding – How To Begin There is talk on all sides about employer branding (EB), and it's long been clear to you that this is today the most effective way to attract (and retain) high-quality employees. You have also made the decision to finally engage in activities. However, where do you start?

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here are three possible approaches that can be led, depending on the resources you have at your disposal and the current situation in your company.

• Systemic approach to employer branding - A systematic approach requires that you have the commitment of the entire company, primarily top management, to deal with the creation and advancement of conditions, a climate and culture in which employees will be satisfied and that will make your company a place where people will want and love to work . This is very important, because real change and improvement can only come if the decisions brought at the highest level of the company integrate aspects that show employees that they are respected and important. By entering into such decisions, expectations, processes and practises across the entire company, we actually engage every employee in creating a desirable workplace.

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• Before any action, it is important to make a diagnosis, in order to find out if, and to what extent, your company is already a desirable place to work and why, or if it’s not then why not.

- In order to determine this, you can use research of the current status of your brand as an employer that exists on our market, but a basic picture can also be given to you by your immediate environment – simply

the main factors of dissatisfaction for them.

When you get this analysis of the current situation, define a strategy and set of coordinated, systemically-planned activities.

Focus on improving those factors that most negatively impact on your brand as an employer. That can sometimes be simpler things like purchasing new equipment, unburdening employees by hiring a few new people or introducing more flexible working hours.

The first thing that it's important to be aware of is that you already have a specific employer brand; that a pulic perception about your company as an employer already exists. This image is primarily built by your employees

ask around. It would be very useful for you to also conduct employee satisfaction surveys or, again, at least to try to get honest feedback from colleagues regarding what they like about the workplace and what are

When you have your first results, you can define what and how you will communicate externally. Consider who you primarily want to address, where these people move, and with which channels and messages you want

to reach them in order to show them that you are a company where it is great to work.

For this purpose use job advertisements, job interviews, employer profiles, social networks, articles on relevant portals, offline activities etc., every relevant point of contact with your target group.

• Question that additionally imposes itself is - who will primarily push this story?

- There is often, in practise, a lack of understanding of the role between human resource departments and external communications departments - who should be involved in which stage of employer branding, who should do what, what is the responsibility of whom, and who makes the final decisions.

Given that employer branding is actually a mix of HR, marketing and PR, you can try to create a working group in which the HR department will define goals and content, while the marketing, PR and corporate communications departments will find the best channels and ways to present that content to target groups. The second option is to hire an employer branding specialist who will lead employer branding activities and

The first thing that it’s important to be aware of is that you already have a specific employer brand; that a public perception about your company as an employer already exists. This image is primarily built by your employees.

To find out “what’s said about you”, you can use the methods explained in the systemic approach – tools for researching the employer’s brand and employee satisfaction, or by investigating the immediate environment and questioning colleagues from the company. Then you will have the possibility

If you don't have anything to boast about at the current moment, and if negative aspects within the company prevail, call a halt to marketing activities regarding employer branding, as a false image will not bring good effects

cooperate on implementation with the noted departments.

• Ad hoc approach - This is the approach for you if you don’t have sufficient resources to deal systemically with employer branding or if you don’t have a clear commitment of the entire company that it wants to create, advance and promote your company as a great place to work. Don’t be concerned, because even without that commitment you can have a positive impact on employer branding, certainly much better than if you don’t do anything.

to influence your brand, by discovering: • the main negative perceptions of your company as an employer that you need to change, • what makes you good and different from others that you need to communicate and highlight, • what could you introduce to make your brand more positive and ensure the best employees choose you specifically.

You might realise that you’ve taken for granted some things that really mean a lot to employees – and which will also mean a lot to potential future employees. Perhaps it is

a fact like employees being able to be absent from work without complicated procedures whenever they have a private situation or obligation, or perhaps them having paid lunch or the possibility of working from home. Note that you provide such things in job advertisements or company profiles on various portals and social networks.

• Temporary halts - If you don’t have anything to boast about at the current moment, and if negative aspects within the company prevail, call a halt to marketing activities regarding employer branding, as a false image will not bring good effects. Work on internal activities that will lead to improvement; to more satisfied employees. With growing shortages on the Serbian labour market, this is the only long-term sustainable way to get to employees with whom you will ensure your company’s growth.

In the end, don’t forget that what you do within the company and how your employees feel is of essential importance. Start improving your situation as soon as possible and never stop. A systemic approach is perhaps demanding, but it is much more fundamental, shifting and improving the entire company, so results are better and more enduring.

However, if your current situation doesn’t allow more, start with a little. Even a little is better than nothing. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

DRAGAN REŠČIK, HEAD OF HR AT PROCREDIT BANK

Our Bank Promotes Diversity “ProCredit Bank is not for everyone, because it takes a much broader view of banking. To this end, and for the last 18 years, it has been developing two key qualities among its staff. These are expertise and human warmth, i.e. understanding, empathy and a selfless desire to be of assistance not only to clients, but also to colleagues

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t is important for us to empower innovation and willingness to look at challenges from a new angle, to reconsider previous solutions. This is the road to progress in which we firmly believe, reveals Dragan Reščik.

• Your website says: “ProCredit Bank” is not for everyone... What does this mean?

What does the process of selecting candidates to work with your bank look like?

- Indeed, it is true. Although there is a belief that all the banks are the same, ProCredit Bank takes a completely different approach to banking, starting from the selection of new team members. It is commonly believed that banks should employ brutally ambitious people who have graduated in economics, finance or management, but in our team we want to see colleagues of all profiles, from all faculties, with different interests, and above all those who share our values.

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sidering decisions, to have an attitude towards the dilemmas that surround us and to bring their personal characteristics into the daily life of the institution.

Individual differences give us strength and make us unique as an organisation – we have a flat structure guided by direct and clear communication, in which the distinction between formal and informal interaction does not exist and in which everyone makes a selfless contribution.

All ideas are welcome and personal development is a must.

• Tell us about your Onboarding process?

- The Onboarding process is a unique programme intended for new members of our team. Over a six-month period, new colleagues have an opportunity to get acquainted with our company and their future colleagues in an international group.

They together undergo theoretical and practical training in the field of banking, philosophy, ethics, environmental protection and many other areas. All this takes place at our Training Centre on Mount Avala where, in addition to their salary,

Banking is first of all people, emotions, communication, and only then figures, projections, balance sheets...

What’s more, we have no problem saying that we are not a bank for everyone.

We are here for those who are willing to adopt a much broader view of banking than the one usually taken.

the Onboarding participants are provided with accommodation, recreation, food and all they need.

• Why is a cover letter important? What

does it tell you about a candidate?

- Based on the cover letter, we actually assess the person applying for a job at ProCredit Bank. A CV speaks volumes, but as we have in our ranks colleagues who have graduated in philology, philosophy, mechanical engineering or sociology, the cover letter helps us gain an early understanding of the emotions and motivations that prompted a candidate to apply.

• Do you expect employees to fit into a standard profile or do you appreciate differences?

- Our bank promotes, encourages and inspires diversity in ideas, understandings, views and approaches. It is important that these views are based on common sense and clear arguments, that they are not threatening or insulting for people, but are creative, engaging and critical. We live in a time where challenges await us at every turn. The truth is that education or previous work have not prepared us for many of these challenges. And in order to have different and new viewpoints, it is important not to restrain our employees but to encourage them to differ from market stereotypes, to be free and creative

advisor have, in addition to expertise?

- In communication, there are two key qualities that people first recognise in each other. These are expertise and human warmth, i.e. understanding, empathy and a selfless desire to provide assistance.

ProCredit Bank has been inspiring these values for almost 18 years. We therefore expect every member of our team to be engaged, open in communication and responsible, both toward the team and the clients with which we work. Understanding the clients’ needs and opportunities is

We expect every member of staff to be engaged, open in communication and responsible, both with the team and with our clients

in the work they do.

We are building a team of people whose business backgrounds and personal interests can differ completely. In private life, our colleagues are poets, mechanics, farmers, successful sportspeople, tattoo artists etc. Their different life experiences make us special and bring advantages compared to all others, who demand monotone and almost identical behaviour among their staff.

• Both people and companies have high expectations of bank staff. What qualities should a good bank clerk or key account

what truly lies behind the figures and all projections. An excellent knowledge of mathematics or spreadsheets is often insufficient for a proper understanding of this. It is important to have the strength and courage to say YES and sometimes NO to clients.

• Former HR departments used to deal only with recruitment, salaries and labour disputes, while today’s HR departments and managers have far more tasks and functions. What is your role?

- The role of our HR team is to select the candidates we believe will be satisfied

working for ProCredit Bank, and will therefore provide an important contribution to our team. It is important to actively encourage staff to educate themselves, to boost their satisfaction with the bank, to have open discussions about everything that bothers or upsets us, and to always be there for each other. That is the team and that is ProCredit Bank.

• HR is an area in which many skills and knowhow converge. Is there any room for improvisation and what do you think about employee leasing?

- Improvisation is not necessarily a bad thing. Moreover, it is very desirable in business, including HR. Of course, here I am speaking about improvisation that is not associated with lacking professionalism.

Although employee leasing is still not sufficiently regulated by law, I would not call it improvisation. At our bank, this method of engaging young people through specific tasks and cooperation is an excellent way to meet candidates who have great potential for our Onboarding process. Furthermore, this form of engagement allows many young people to learn the details about our bank and its qualities, and then to apply for the Onboarding process with positive and warm recommendations from colleagues with whom they already work. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

MIRA MITROVIĆ, DIRECTOR, BIZPLIZ

Our Massages Are Unique BizPliz is a physiotherapy treatment devised to relax employees in the workplace and to relieve stress, muscular blockages and back pain in just 15 minutes.

Workers who use this service are more satisfied, with an improved mood, able to concentrate more and achieve better results for their companies

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his original programme and unique service is the brainchild of Mira Mitrović, a physiotherapist. Today she has a team of professional and trained physical therapists who travel to clients’ workplaces with special chairs and massage their staff members for a affordable price.

• Japanese employers have begun introducing “sleep rooms” and mandatory workplace naps in an effort to boost productivity. However, you are offering employers something better...

- The topic of productivity optimisation is an eternal one in business circles, and after many stages of a strict approach, with fixed working hours and models of rewards of a purely financial nature, it has somehow been understood globally that employees can and must be motivated in a variety of ways, primarily with a view to their health and, of course, their mood and level of relaxation. Our model places massages within the scope of working hours, in an acceptable and flexible way. It doesn’t cost a lot, either in terms of time or finances, and its returns are manifold – in terms of productivity, the satisfaction of employees, and their positive mood.

And all this requires is around 30 minutes in a working environment, without special requirements and conditions.

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own office. How did you come upon the idea of expanding your business to the corporate segment?

- Essentially, demand defined the scope - when you sit down to speak with people in business, they are aware that they can afford to give themselves – individually and collectively – a short break during working hours, at the level of a 30-minute break. It is important for the service be adapted to the workplace, without some special preparation, and ultimately for the

easily and without problems, and mounted in a few seconds in a minimum free space. We think that all of this ensures that our offer is really different and unique on the market. And even more so given that our therapists have been trained, among other things, for this kind of work.

• Which employers offer their employees this instant relief from physical stress and pain?

Could it be estimated how much employee satisfaction and positive health impacts on a company’s operations and results?

- The companies that engage us vary, coming in all sizes, and the list comprises those that have modern and motivated managers who care about their employees. Moreover, we’ve received only positive comments, from both individuals and companies. We consider that as confirmation that our work has been recognised and accepted in the right way. We are working on the creation of adequate questionnaires that could realistically measure operational improvements following the introduction of this benefit for employees. We believe that we’ll be able to apply it by the end of this year,

The treatment doesn't require that the client prepares; it lasts 15 or 30 minutes, is performed through clothes, without any kind of preparatory assistance, and has been adapted in terms of pricing to suit the present reality price to be relatively low so that it is acceptable to both the individual and the company. These limits defined our business model and in some way forced us to be creative.

The chair is such that it can be transported

and to include it in the measurements taken by companies in this context. For us, this is certainly just additional motivation to work even better on the quality of our services and their improvement. ■

IVANA VLAHOVIĆ, HR DIRECTOR, BEL MEDIC BUSINESS

A Good Team Is The Key To Our Success Bel Medic has been the leader in private healthcare for 24 years, a high-quality service institution, with top specialists in all fields of medicine, nurses and orderlies who, in addition to their professional skills, above all show that they are good, caring people

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he key to their success is perseverance, persistence, clear goals, good control and management of all processes and procedures that guarantee quality service, security and safety for patients. Their patients know that they can get the best doctor for their problem at any moment in Bel Medic .

• Bel Medic has been the leader in private healthcare in the region for almost a quarter of a century. How do you get to the top and how do you survive there?

- From the very beginning of her career, dr Jasmina Knežević had the idea of providing the patient with a better service – high-quality treatment, security and a human touch, which was quite lacking in state practice. The key to success in this way of development are perseverance, persistence, clear goals, good control and management of all processes and

and on developing empathy, dedication and patient care. People are the key to the success of each company and this synergy of all our employees has contributed to Bel Medic being a leader in private healthcare in Serbia.

• Your healthcare system has 400 permanent staff and nearly 400 consultants, eminent experts of all specialties. Is it a privilege to be part of the great Bel Medic family?

PROF. DR ĐORĐE BAJEC WITH HIS TEAM

When we employ new team members, in addition to expert knowledge and reputation, we expect them to be good people whose value system is compatible with Bel Medic's procedures that guarantee quality service, security and safety for patients. Patient care is at the forefront with the possibility for a patient to get the best choice of doctors at any time for his or her problem. We place great emphasis on the education and development of professional skills of our staff,

- When you work in the company of good people who are top experts in their field, it’s definitely a privilege and the honour to be a part of such team. We are trying to hire experts in all areas that support the whole system because the system cannot function perfectly without excellent people in finance,

marketing, quality control, sales, human resources and other related operations. Of course, a special emphasis is given to medical personnel, we try to employ the best doctors in Serbia, to motivate them and provide good working conditions and an environment in which they will be most satisfied, so they will give the best possible results so we can cooperate on a long-term bases. This certainly applies to the middle layer of medical staff, we have top nurses and orderlies, anaesthetists, radiologic technicians...

• Twenty four years ago, the founders of Bel Medica wanted to create an institution better than its individuals. Does this mean that the selection of a candidate for each workplace is approached with extreme care?

- Developing Bel Medic, dr Knežević concluded that the system cannot rely on the conscience and responsibility of the individual. That is why it is very important to set clear rules and procedures at every level and it is necessary to form a good team of people who will respect and implement the defined procedures in their daily work. The HR department has eight members who are, among other things, engaged in recruiting and selecting top experts in their fields. Each candidate has several rounds of conversation, often certain tests too, in order to increase the chance of employing a person who will be an important member of Bel Medic and will create additional value for Bel Medic with their work, regardless of the workplace they are assigned. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

TAMARA STANIVUK, HR MANAGER AT EWE

Bound By A Common Vision For almost quarter of a century, the company Ewe has been a leader in distribution of computers and computer equipment, white goods, home appliances, security equipment and mobile devices, and in creating solutions for clients on the markets of Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia

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eam spirit, respect, enthusiasm and integrity are the values promoted by Ewe, both internally and in communication and relations with partners and clients. They believe that this attitude towards their staff contributes to their own understanding of their value to the company.

• Ewe is a leading distributor for major world brands in the IT / tech industry that is developing daily. Do we have enough professionals in Serbia for more sophisticated client demands?

- The challenging business environment we have been operating in for 25 years has led to the development of high-quality staff in the IT / tech industry. In every sense, the professionals here do not at all lag behind their colleagues on the world market.

The market is changing rapidly and setting new demands, and another challenge is the continuous emerging of new companies in our industry, so we need to follow these changes at all levels. We therefore try to be ready for what is coming through proper development of the HR sector, especially when it comes to young people with different perceptions and understanding of the business environment.

• Ewe has been operating for 25 years and has a team of 300 people. Many of 18 |

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them have been in the company for a very long time, which is not typical for the IT industry. What does this say about you as an employer?

- In times of rapid development and globalisation, we have to follow novelties in all areas of the business, including human resources.

Our company deviates from traditional approaches to human resources where the competencies and capabilities of the staff

suggestions, we have built together a profitable company with stable growth.

• Can the strategy of any company, small or large, be implemented if employees do not share the same vision, values and goals, if they do not see themselves as an important part of a community?

- We at Ewe pay special attention to this issue.

We believe that each family has its own vision

Our desire is to build and develop young people through our business environment and the system of values we set

are balanced with the requirements of the position. A different approach has proven more productive and sustainable – we organise our staff in such a way that we recognise their capacities, desires and needs, and then assign them to the positions where they will contribute the most to the development and profitability of the company. We deeply believe that this attitude towards our staff has contributed to their own understanding of their value to the company, and as a result we can be proud of a large number of employees who have long been part of our team. With the assignment of responsibility and appreciation of their opinions, ideas and

and goal, even if they talk about daily errands, so every successful company must have a vision and goals that it strives for. We insist that those unspoken visions and values, that are often intangible and not clearly defined, still be embedded in everyday organisation in carrying out tasks and achieving targets.

Team spirit, respect, enthusiasm and integrity are the values promoted by Ewe both internally and in communication and relations with partners and clients. We have proved that it is possible to implement exactly these values in our everyday work, so our company is made up of motivated staff who understand their importance in our team. ■

NEWS

Sleeping at Work

Work-from-home

Global Meetup 2019

Forced to Smile at Work

One in five employees reports falling asleep at work, according to a recent Gallup survey of more than 1,000 employees across various industries.

Seventy per cent of tech workers—the highest percentage of all workers surveyed—admitted to sleeping during working hours and reported spending more than 11 per cent of their workday sleeping.

The construction industry had the next highest percentage of workers who reported sleeping on the job— 68 per cent, even though 66 per cent of them admitted that sleeping while at work is prohibited.

Other industries that saw more than 50 per cent of employees report sleeping at work included government and public administration, finance and insurance, information services and data processing, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and medical and healthcare workers.

“It’s not about where you live, talent is everywhere around the world” – it was with these words that Global Meetup cofounder Hendrik Halbe opened the Global Meetup 2019, held in Belgrade on 17th June. The event saw 150 start-ups and more than 300 corporates, network partners and investors arrive in the German capital for three days of networking, unlocking business opportunities, being inspired and, of course, exploring the city and having fun.

An informal dinner preceded events, as a way to ensure everyone was acquainted before starting to do business together. Organisers emphasised the importance of forging valuable personal connections, and not merely diving straight into business meetings.

The official two-day programme focused on unlocking business opportunities, with each participant carefully and strategically placed to match their expertise and field of interest. Together, start-ups, corporates, and key industry players explored the future of different industries.

Amazon posted a recent job listing in the U.S. for customer service associates, which revealed that the role pays $15 per hour, offers overtime pay and also covers healthcare after 90 days of employment. Amazon’s offer is open to 3,000 worker candidates living in 18 American states: Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Washington, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, Arkansas, Arizona, and Alabama.

The work-from-home part-time role covers between 20 and 29 hours per week, with remote employees expected to work up to 60 hours a week when there is a customer need, says the job listing. Workers are also expected not to live in a location within 50 miles of an Amazon customer service centre.

The offer is unique for a work-from-home customer service role due to the health coverage aspect.

If you are working in the service industry, then you must be aware of how much weight the phrases, “the customer is always right” and “service with a smile” carry. But all this forced smiling can come at a price. Researchers at Penn State have found a link between forced smiling at work and increased instances of heavy drinking after hours.

The study clearly reveals how the “service with a smile” policy hampers the mental well-being of workers. Hiding emotions and being obliged to behave in a particular way negatively impact on workers, and employers must take steps to resolve this issue. Employers may want to consider allowing employees to have a little more autonomy at work, like providing them with some kind of choice on the job. And when the emotional effort is clearly linked to financial or relational rewards, the effects are not so bad.

Agile is becoming more common

Agile ways of thinking, working and organising are becoming more common all over the world. This was first identified as an HR trend in 2016. Since then, HR departments and professionals have been experimenting with the introduction of agile principles, practises and ways of working, in their work and within their organisation. In some cases, HR is called upon to support an enterprise-wide agile transformation. HR instruments around performance, feedback and learning often have to be redesigned to support an agile organisation.

To provide insights into the role of HR in agile organisations, Organise Agile and the HU University of Applied Sciences launched the first international State of Agile HR. It provides insights into current developments and trends and various agile and HR frameworks are the basis of a survey, including HR trends for 2019.

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Partner 2019

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ISSUE No.# 13

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ISSN broj 2560-4465

SLOVENIA - SERBIA

STRONG Growth Potential H.E. Iztok Jarc, Ambassador of Slovenia to Serbia ● Zdravko Počivalšek, Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology ● Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia ●Danijela Fišakov, President of the Slovenian Business Club in Serbia ● Professor Jovan Despotović, Director of CEKIBEO d.o.o. (Ltd.), Belgrade ● Branko Greganović, Chief Executive Officer at NLB Banka ● Dejan Turk, CEO of Vip mobile and A1 Slovenia ● Aleksandar Spremić, Director, Halcom Boštjan Škufca Zaveršek, President of Prva Group ● Tadej Beočanin, Mayor of Ajdovščina

H.E. IZTOK JARC

FOREWORD

Ambassador of Slovenia to Serbia

Respected readers, As you may know, I arrived in Belgrade only recently and I am glad to observe the dynamic development of truly diverse relations between Slovenia and Serbia.

In the last period, I’ve been paying special attention to developments in negotiation’s process for Serbia’s accession to the European Union, so allow me first to touch briefly on this important process for Serbia and the region. Based on my personal experiences, I can say that the road to the EU for a candidate country is never simple; it includes obstacles that sometimes seem insurmountable. Great enthusiasm of the significant part of society is needed to create enough energy to overcome them.

Slovenia successfully concluded its path to the EU 15 years ago; t is with pleasure that I can share with you my belief that we have gained a lot during this period as a state and as a society; benefits are even greater than it was originally expected.

That is why we sincerely want Serbia to quickly and successfully advance towards the EU family and we are making efforts to support it. Our support is as visible within the EU as it is in Serbia, where numerous Slovenian experts are cooperating in the harmonisation process.

At the same time, we are encouraging the advancement of our good bilateral cooperation, particularly in the fields of economy and politics. As for economic cooperation, it has been marked by a record trade exchange recently, exceeding a billion euros by a significant margin, and by large investment dynamics in both directions.

Good statistics is not preventing us from seeing untapped potential, primarily in IT sector, agriculture and knowledge transfer, where we will try to focus our attention in the future.

I can also highlight the enviable dynamics of our political cooperation, which is well reflected in regular meetings at all political levels. During the course of this year, we’ve welcomed to Serbia our President Pahor and three of our ministers, similarly there are numerous visits of Serbian officials to Ljubljana, where the National Assembly Speaker will head in a few days. For the second half of the year, we are preparing a visit of the prime minister of Slovenia to Serbia and the organisation of a fifth joint session of the two governments in Belgrade.

In the record of our bilateral relations, the field of culture occupies a special place.

I’m delighted to be able to emphasise excellent cooperation with Minister Vukosavljević and his team. Our commitment to target

mutually beneficial goals led to us to deal with the raft of serious issues related to succession in a way that will deepen our cultural cooperation. We are planning to prepare a joint cultural project – an exhibition of founding documents of the University of Ljubljana, which celebrates its centenary this year, and also a forum has been established for the exchange of good practises in the field of cultural heritage protection. I am very grateful to the minister for such an approach, which is a good example of the” illuminated or European approach” to resolving open issues that are not always simple.

Dear readers, allow me to point out that I have been very warmly and nicely received in Serbia, which has truly helped me to successfully adapt to my new environment over the past few months. Now I understand completely why Slovenians are happy to visit Belgrade and Serbia, where – alongside all cultural and natural sights – they can also experience the renowned Serbian hospitality. At the same time, the number of Serbian guests in Slovenia is constantly increasing; they have a special place among tourists because they know our main sights very well and they need to be offered something more; the varied Slovenian cuisine, which has evolved over the centuries under the influence of different cuisines: Italian in the west, Germanic in the north, Balkan in the south and Hungarian in the east. A special place in Slovenian gastronomy is occupied by wine, which is why we decided that this year’s reception commemorating the 28th anniversary of the statehood would include the presentation of typical representatives of nine Slovenian wine regions, at which visitors will be able to convince themselves of the diversity I just mentioned.

Also testifying to the importance of wine in Slovenian gastronomy and culture is the Slovenian national anthem itself. Entitled Zdravica [A Toast], its verses are written in the form of wine glasses. With the poem our greatest poet toasts all nations that work together with good intentions on a mutually cooperative basis. Well, here’s to the health of the Slovenian-Serbian friendship!

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INTERVIEW

ZDRAVKO POČIVALŠEK Slovenian Minister for Economic Development and Technology

Business Growing On Both Sides Economic cooperation between Slovenia and Serbia gets better each year, both in terms of exports and imports, but also in terms of investments. This is a result of the strong growth potential of technologically advanced Slovenian companies and the ability of Serbia's domestic market to offer strong opportunities for business development

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lthough major European economies are bound to slow down due to the changing global environment, Slovenia need not to worry, despite Slovenia’s real term GDP growth of 3.2% in Q1 being the slowest since the final quarter of 2016, when it ran at 3%. But Is this a cause for concern or satisfaction, considering current EU trends?

“The growth of Slovenian GDP in real terms was 4.5% in 2018. The growth of the Slovenian economy also remained high in the first quarter of this year. It has been slowing down slightly, as you mentioned, but is still above the EU 4 |

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average. I am an optimist, and it is our task as a government to maintain conditions that will continue to enable the economy to also achieve above-average economic growth in relation to the EU in the future”, says Slovenian Economic Development andTechnology Minister Zdravko Počivalšek. “We do all we can to raise the competitiveness of our economy and constantly take measures to create a stable, predictive and competitive business environment.”

The rising trade exchange, as well as the level of investments between Slovenia and Serbia, is a result of improved economic conditions in both countries.

• How close is Slovenia to the phase in which GDP growth will be more or less equal to mature EU economies? Where are the possibilities for more robust growth?

- It is my firm belief that we still have room for growth. Companies operating in Slovenia demonstrate every day that they can compete effectively on the global market, while at the same time exploring many local advantages.

We are committed to diversifying our exports further and developing products and services with high added value. In order to accelerate this process, we wish to attract investment with high-tech products and services.

STRENGHT

GOAL

COOPERATION

We have a digital and automation-intensive economy that delivers smart products on a daily basis

We are interested in improving land, sea and air connectivity with China and strengthening cooperation in the field of high technologies and innovation

Slovenian companies are extremely well acquainted with the Serbian market and business is consequently growing on both sides

economy, offering green, creative and smart solutions. The European Innovation Scoreboard lists us among the world’s strongest innovators. We have a digital and automation-intensive economy that delivers smart products on a daily basis.

As a pioneering country in the field of Artificial Intelligence, we are setting up an International Artificial Intelligence Research Centre with UNESCO. These are the main fields in which we are strengthening cooperation with Asian countries, apart from our traditional sectors

connect businesses from the CEE region with the Far East.

In short, we may be a small country, but we make great partnerships across the globe – due to our efficiency and progressive nature.

The Slovenian Government has adopted the Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy, which defines nine priority areas and within which we see a lot of possibilities for robust growth. These areas are smart cities and communities; smart buildings and homes, including wood chain; networks for the transition to a circular economy; sustainable food production, sustainable tourism; factories of the future; health – medicine, mobility and the development of materials as end products.

I think there’s also a lot of potential for development within digital technologies, which have huge potential for increasing the productivity of companies. That’s why we promote and implement measures that support digitalisation.

• How resilient is the Slovenian economy to external turbulences, considering that it is focused on the EU markets? To what extent have you managed to increase the presence of Slovenian companies in non- EU markets?

- It is important to be prepared for external turbulence, especially in this period when global trade tension is broadening. We are taking steps to further diversify our exports and increase our presence on non-EU markets.

The Slovenian government has adopted its internationalisation action plan, which encourages the systematic research of third markets and defines our priority markets and key measures to increase our exports to those markets. Slovenia traditionally trades the most with countries in the EU. However, exports to markets outside the EU have been increasing, which is also shown in the latest data for the first quarter of this year.

• What might the Slovenian economy offer when it comes to the forthcoming shift of global economic power to Asia? How do you envisage your role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative?

- Slovenia is an open, export-orientated

• After two years of construction, Japanese corporation Yaskawa – the world’s biggest manufacturer of industrial robots – has opened a new industrial robot production facility and a European centre for the development of robotics in Kočevje. Is Slovenia ready to attract more such investments?

Slovenia has the highest number of companies operating abroad in Serbia and the interest among Slovenian companies for business opportunities in Serbia is increasing

of the automotive, pharmaceutical and food processing industries, and green technologies, not to mention tourism, which is gaining more importance annually when it comes to incoming tourists from Asia.

Of course, among Asian countries, China is Slovenia’s largest foreign trade partner. As a result of deeper cooperation with China within the 16+1 initiative, bilateral trade between Slovenia and China has increased annually by more than 15 per cent since 2013.

Slovenia recognises the increasing relevance and benefits of synergies with the Belt and Road Initiative, which will further strengthen relations between China and Slovenia, widening economic cooperation.

We are especially interested in improving land, sea and air connectivity with China and strengthening cooperation in the field of high technologies and innovation. Specifically, Slovenia has a central geographical position at the heart of Europe. With modern infrastructure and via the Port of Koper, we

- Yes, definitely. We are ready and, as I mentioned, we are working systematically to attract more investments with high-tech products and services, like Yaskawa, to Slovenia. Companies operating in Slovenia can use the opportunity to cooperate with our institutions of innovative environment and our highly awarded research institutions, and thus benefit from our support environment and incentives for R&D. We have one of the lowest tax rates on corporate profits in the EU and many tax breaks and incentives for investors.

Among our comparative advantage, I always emphasise that people are our very important advantage; people who are highly motivated, educated and experienced, with good knowledge of language and strong regional connections. Slovenia is among the best performing countries regarding knowledge and skills. For example, in the recently published EBRD knowledge economy index, which measures instituJ U LY

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tions for innovation, skills for innovation, innovation systems and ICT infrastructure, Slovenia occupies second place.

• How does the Slovenian government support domestic companies entering foreign markets?

- The Ministry of Economic Development and Technology devotes a lot of attention to supporting our companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in entering foreign markets. We have been supporting them in cooperation with public

agency SPIRIT, and we recently introduced the voucher-based measurement system implemented by the Slovene Enterprise Fund. In addition to traditional measures like the co-financing of market research, visits to trade fairs and business events that encourage companies to enter foreign markets, we also support new forms of promoting the internationalisation of companies, such as the digitalisation of companies and introducing e-contents into business operations, supporting new business models in business operations, and partnerships with the goal of jointly entering a selected foreign market, to name just a few.

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• Where are Serbia and the Western Balkans positioned on your map? To what extent is the Western Balkans suitable as your production base?

- Many Slovenian companies have already acknowledged the Western Balkans as their production base. With the Western Balkans, and especially Serbia, we have traditionally very close economic ties. Slovenian companies are extremely well acquainted with the Serbian market and, consequently, business is growing on both sides. For instance, last year we achieved commercial exchanges

worth 1.85 billion euros, which is 13 per cent more than in the previous year. Slovenia has the highest number of companies operating abroad in Serbia, and interest among Slovenian companies for business opportunities in Serbia is increasing. Among all foreign trade partners outside the EU, Serbia holds a very high place among Slovenian economic partners, both in terms of exports and imports, as well as investments, which serves to prove the consistency and quality of our cooperation.

• Who are your major partners when it comes to the exploration of new market opportunities in Serbia?

- Among different stakeholders, I would like to

mention the Slovenian Business Club, which works in cooperation with our embassy to help Slovenian companies on the Serbian market, as a meeting point of information, knowledge and influence. There are also good relations with other institutions, ministries and the entire Serbian government.

• After years of restrictions, Slovenia is now opening its doors to foreign workers.

Where (in which countries) do you see your hiring base?

- Indeed, with such economic growth, our companies are facing a lack of skilled workers in Slovenia. First, we are looking for new workers among unemployed and retired people. Second, we are also striving to enable younger workers to enter the labour market faster after finishing school. Of course, on the other hand, we had to opened our doors to foreign workers too. With certain countries, for example Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, we have signed agreements regarding the employment of foreign citizens in Slovenia.

In Slovenian tourism in particular, especially in hospitality, there is a gap between the needs of the tourism industry and people being prepared to work in this sector.

Therefore, our tourism industry is in favour of employing waiters, chambermaids, cooks and people of other similar professions from EU countries, because they are easier to employ due to the internal market and free movement of people and services. Workers from the countries of the former SFRY are also very welcome, because the language and culture do not represent big barrier. I must admit that our tourist companies are very satisfied with employees from Serbia, because you have a very good quality of education for hospitality and tourism.

• On the occasion of World Tourism Day, you have said that tourism is at the forefront of digital innovation. How well is Slovenia prepared for these trends?

- There are some projects being carried out in Slovenia in the field of digital innovation in tourism, especially in cultural heritage offered to tourists. The biggest step in digitalisation has been taken by the promotion of Slovenian tourism, carried out by the Slovenian Tourist

Board. At the 2019 ITB fair in Berlin, Slovenia won four gold medals and two silvers under “The Golden City” for digital campaign.

• Although Slovenia is breaking records in tourism revenues each year, you’ve said there’s not time to rest, as tourism infrastructure still needs to be improved significantly.

We welcome both domestic and foreign investors. According to our tourism strategy, Slovenia is going to become an attractive green tourist destination for five-star experiences. In order to realise this vision, we need attractive tourist products, the highest quality tourist offer and, of course, modernised tourism infrastructure. Our government

Slovenia is going to become an attractive green tourist destination for five-star experiences. For the realisation of this vision, we welcome both domestic and foreign investors What does that mean in terms of investments and required facilities?

- We need some improvements and the modernisation of existing tourism infrastructure, as well as greenfield investments.

is taking an active role in the consolidation of Slovenian tourism companies with hotel capacities that are state-owned. First, we need to improve their performance and only then privatise responsibly. Something has

already been done in that direction, but we should not rest.

• Your strategy for the Sustainable Growth of Slovenian Tourism for 2017-2021 is somewhere in the middle of its implementation.

How satisfied are you with what’s been done to date?

- We are satisfied with the realisation of measures and actions taken to date. By creating four macro destinations in Slovenia, we managed to convince tourism stakeholders from each macro destination to cooperate in preparing tourist products and stories. Several five-star experiences have been created and will be promoted under the brand “Slovenia, Unique Experiences”. Regarding results achieved to date, I am pleased to say that we have already reached almost 15.9 million overnight stays, which we initially planned to reach in 2021. Therefore, I am optimistic regarding the achieving of our strategic goals and vision. ■

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INTERVIEW MARKO ČADEŽ, PRESIDENTOFTHE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA

Both Quantity & Quality Of Cooperation Improving

Slovenian and Serbian companies are entering into increasingly complex forms of cooperation, creating consortiums for joint production operations and the joint development of products and services in almost all segments of business, from agribusiness, via industry to ICT, the creative industries and scientifictechnological cooperation

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onsidering the growing mutual interest among the two countries’ businesspeople in connecting and expanding possibilities for cooperation, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry has decided that the first representative office in the region that it will renew will be precisely in Ljubljana. The results of the trade exchange, as well as the creation of new opportunities for operations and cooperation between Slovenian and Serbian companies, ensure that this decision is fully justified. Specifically, the trend of growing mutual trade, which has lasted for almost two decades – with the exception of certain declining results during the years of the global economic crisis – continued in the first months of this year.

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“It is realistic to expect that we will this year surpass last year’s record-breaking trade exchange result, which, according to official Serbian statistics, amounted to 1.14 billion euros, or 1.65 billion euros if we count the exchange of services,” says CCIS President Marko Čadež. “However,” he continues, “for small economies like Serbia and Slovenia’s, apart from increasing the exchange, there is also growth in the number of companies trading mutually and the value of investments, both Slovenian in Serbia and Serbian in Slovenia, and it is particularly important that our companies, particularly SMEs, are increasingly connecting through joint projects.”

• Can you cite any specific examples?

- Footwear manufacturers DAG-CO from Serbia and Alpina from Slovenia are appearing jointly in Austria and Germany, while textile company STIM-IMPORT from Loznica is working together with its Slovenian partner in establishing a presence on the Swiss market.

Jointly approaching customers in Europe and the world are our manufacturers of personal protective equipment, furniture and honey, such as Serbia’s Medino and Slovenia’a Me-

dex. Winning over investors from elsewhere in the world are Slovene-Serbian start-ups Prospeh, with its application for the food industry, Origin Trail and LeanPay, which are focused on point-of-sale financing. There are also ever more film co-productions with the joint stamp of Slovenian and Serbian producers and filmmakers, who participate together in competing for support funding in both countries. We are also recording examples of consortiums of Slovenian and Serbian construction and design companies.

• In which areas does the most room exist for Serbian companies to further penetrate the Slovenian market and for cooperation among businesspeople from the two countries?

- According to CCIS analysis, the greatest chances for increasing exports to the market of Slovenia are among producers of foods, plastics and furniture, as well as the electrical and metal industries. Apart from the industrial branches in which we traditionally cooperate, potential areas of future cooperation and company networking, but also the expected new wave of Slovenian investments, are to be found in sectors such as IT, tourism – with an emphasis

on new tourism products and concepts, and the green economy, especially the recycling industry, municipal waste management and wastewater treatment.

• The most recent Serbian-Slovenian Business Forum, held in Belgrade at the beginning of this year, included plenty of companies hailing precisely from the IT sector and tourism.

Is it possible at this stage to provide some indication of possible volumes of cooperation in these domains?

- The possibilities are enormous when it comes to mutual connections and joint bilateral and regional projects in these areas. In Serbia, which is the region’s fastest growing IT market, there are almost 90 ICT companies with Slovenian capital already operating, while Serbian company Comtrade, the largest software company in Slovenia, now has more than 600 employees and centres in three locations in Slovenia - Ljubljana, Maribor and Nova Gorica, while the examples of joint start-ups that I’ve mentioned indicate that our innovative communities already collaborate and utilise opportunities to connect mutually.

In the field of tourism, Slovenia is a regional leader in ecological, rural, spa and wellness tourism, and is having great success in building the glamping [glamorous-camping] concept, which has been a trend around the world in recent years. This creates opportunities for Slovenian investments and the applying of

• Representatives of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Slovenia have also noted the possibility of cooperation in transforming the economies of the two countries towards Industry 4.0. Are the two chambers working on tangible steps towards realising this plan?

- Apart from Slovenia being one of Europe’s best examples of the digitisation of public administration, the Slovenian economy has also already reached a high level of digital transformation. Serbia has more than 200 manufacturers of automotive parts – automotive industry suppliers – and the Slovenian economy’s experience in digitising and automating operations in this segment is especially

We expect a new wave of Slovenian investments in IT, in tourism – with an emphasis on new tourism products and concepts – and in the green economy, especially the recycling industry

Slovenian experiences in Serbia. Simultaneously, with their investments, large Serbian companies have already become part of Slovenian tourism. Alongside its investments in Slovenian banking, Serbia’s MK Group also became the owner of the Kempinski Hotel and Portorož Airport, and is interested in further investments, while Delta Real Estate plans to build another hotel following its construction of the Intercontinental in Ljubljana.

useful for us, as its production processes are based on the basic postulates of Industry 4.0 and are aligned with the requirements of multinational companies. Slovenian companies that operate in Serbia apply the latest technologies in our country and transfer this concept to the local market through business arrangements with suppliers and partners.

We are grateful to the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Slovenia for using joint

activities with us to share their experiences, knowhow and recommendations for smart growth created through the European project INDUSTRY 4EU. With the Pomurje Technology Park and partners from another nine countries, we are finalising the Smart Factory Hub project, the main goal of which is to improve conditions for the application of new technologies and innovative solutions in factories, based on the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

• The CCIS is opening its first foreign representative office in Ljubljana. On which services can Slovenian and Serbian businesspeople rely?

- Our goal is to ensure that both Serbian and Slovenian companies – in direct contact and together with colleagues from the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Slovenia and the Slovenian Business Club in Belgrade – are as well informed as possible about the offers, needs and opportunities for trade, investment and other forms of cooperation on our markets, for us to promote opportunities and potential to invest in our economies, to encourage joint bilateral and regional projects, and joint appearances on world markets, to integrate our resources as best as possible and network companies, and to be as useful as possible in providing support for our businesspeople in establishing contacts, preparing and implementing investment projects, and in other business arrangements. ■ J U LY

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INTERVIEW

DANIJELA FIŠAKOV, PRESIDENT OF THE SLOVENIAN BUSINESS CLUB IN SERBIA

Nursery Of Good Business Ties Last year's trade exchange between Slovenia and Serbia exceeded 1.5 billion euros, while this exchange has more than doubled over the past ten years. The Slovenian Business Club has for years represented a source of new ideas for the development of cooperation between the two countries' businesspeople

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he Slovenian Business Club considers it an obligation to support cooperation between the Slovenian and Serbian economies and will continue to do that, as it always has to date, with dedication, says Danijela Fišakov, President of the Slovenian Business Club.

• Considering the experience of the companies gathered together in the SBC, how would you assess the possibilities of further developing cooperation between the two countries’ businesspeople?

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and number of over 600 business leaders present, best illustrate the importance of interconnectivity between the economies of Serbia and Slovenia. The level of trade achieved between the two countries and the fact that cooperation is on an upward trajectory indicates a favourable business climate that is improving every year. I believe that better mutual relations in the foreign policies of the countries will further contribute to even faster growth in the exchange than has been the case to date. The Serbian market constantly produces interest among Slovenian companies. Companies that were discouraged and at some point withdrew from Serbia are again interested in this market and relaunching their operations here.

We pride ourselves on the fact that our members are raising their own bar when it comes to planning future activities. When it comes to the experience of business leaders, there are many examples in which Serbia is the second most important market for Slovenian companies after Slovenia. In our ranks we have significant examples of good practise, that is, the successful conducting

of business in accordance with established goals. Such examples encourage other companies and I think that their number and the volume of exchange still remain far below realistic possibilities.

• To what extent are topics and speakers at SBC events changing with the expansion of cooperation between the two countries?

- The Slovenian Business Club demonstrates its engagement on a daily basis by monitoring all current affairs and trends in the development of cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia. This kind of activity is very important for our members who operate on these markets. With the aim of providing timely information and adequate support to its members, the SBC realises close cooperation with the chambers of commerce and industry of Serbia and Slovenia, the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Slovenia and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Serbia, as well as with other relevant state and other bodies in Serbia and Slovenia. The SBC also cooperates with other bilateral chambers.

With the high volume of work they perform on a daily basis, many companies find it difficult to always remain informed in a timely manner regarding all happenings. This is precisely where they are helped by the SBC, which primarily provides its members with information and invitations to attend conferences, fairs and similar gatherings.

Then the SBC also itself organises events that address current topics, and where relevant guests familiarise participants with the issues in question and answer their questions. The number of topics addressed has been increasing constantly over time, due to new ones constantly appearing, while many dating back to earlier periods still remain topical.

leaders of both countries were exchanged, while numerous opportunities for future cooperation in this area were mentioned.

• When it comes to digitalisation, how much has the SBC modernised its communication with members in this domain?

- The internet and platforms based on it represent a dramatic leap in the development of all industries, including those that deal with communication. Smartphones have

on the other, dictate the necessity to use all modern communication tools.

Of course, regardless of their undeniable usefulness, modern communication tools cannot completely replace direct conversation. A personal conversation between two people is irreplaceable. At the Slovenian Business Club we pay special attention to this activity.

New technologies have not only enabled us to communicate faster and better with our

• The business forum held between the two countries at the beginning of the year was sponsored by NLB Banka, which is an SBC member, while one of its main topics was the digital transformation of the economy and the state. Which forms of cooperation between the two countries’ businesspeople are possible in this domain?

- This year’s topic of the Serbia-Slovenia Business Forum, under the title “Digitalisation of Economy and State”, met with a great response among companies and the

With the high volume of work they perform on a daily basis, many companies find it difficult to always remain informed in a timely manner regarding all happenings, but in that they can always rely on the SBC

media. It seems to me that this response was the largest to date. A successful panel debate on the topic of the digitalisation of the economy and the state was organised within the plenary part of the forum. One of the participants in this panel discussion was NLB Banka CEO Branko Greganović, also a member of the SBC Management Board, who presented his bank’s operations in light of digitalisation.

In the opinion of those present, this panel debate received the highest rating. Significant and important experiences of the business

become virtual offices, while social networks are now interactive bulletin boards, accessible to users even in places where it was previously almost impossible to imagine.

The Slovenian Business Club keeps pace with all contemporary trends in this area and actively applies them in its communication with members. The broad geographical distribution of our membership and the plethora of obligations of leading people in member companies, on the one hand, and the large amount of information that needs to be made available to them in a timely manner,

members, but rather also, driven by ecological awareness, we minimise the use of paper within the scope of SBC activities and propagate such a practise among our members.

• This is the sixteenth year that the Slovenian Business Club in Belgrade has been striving to build business relations in the business domain with its members that are a close as possible to a friendship. In which primary areas can SBC members expect your help and support?

- The focus of the Slovenian Business Club is always on its members, and we try to create an atmosphere in which representatives of every member will feel free to express their needs and desires. And all of our activities are directed towards creating benefits for members.

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for members to solve some problem they have. We encounter various situations in our daily work with members. We often direct members towards one another in terms of perceiving problems through specific business models and examples of good practise.

Every situation is always viewed individually and directed towards relevant people from a particular sphere or to find solutions through the channels available to us.

• How is your cooperation in Serbia with state institutions and organisations that deal with support for the development of business and employment?

- There is an ever increasing number of events at the national and regional levels that are focused on connecting the economies of Serbia and Slovenia. Various incentives for investment and new employment are current. Development agencies exert efforts

resentatives of the Support Unit of the Coordination Commission for Inspection Oversight. At the start of this year, we enabled our members to get informed about the possibilities of using EU funds, as well as about Serbia’s progress towards the EU. We achieve extremely close cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, the Tax Administration of Serbia and the development agencies of Serbia and Vojvodina. We will also transfer the positions built up into good practise this year as well. The reorganisation of several other events of this format is also planned.

• Given that you collaborate closely with the Embassy of Slovenia in exploring new investment opportunities in Serbia, can you tell us what the focus of your attention will be this year?

- Since its very inception, the Slovenian Business Club has achieved close cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia.

In our joint mission to support the work of Slovenian companies in Serbia, the SBC has organised a multitude of events together with the Embassy and provided support to many companies on various issues. When we

• Some new additions, such as individual advisory services for companies, proved to be good. In which way and how often do you advise members on changes to working formats?

- Business is a living organism and participants sometimes need time to direct their operations in the right way. Most companies, regardless of how much they’ve previously researched a market, face various challenges when launching operations in some different environment that can sooner or later ensure that primarily micro and small companies realign or redirect their operations to a segment, i.e. niche of business, that may differ from what they planned initially.

Our members, both at the start of their operations and in later phases of work, often address us in their search for solutions to the problems they encounter.

We adapt and change the formats of our activities in accordance with their needs.

Contact occurs daily, and we are open to suggestions.

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In our ranks we have significant examples of good practise that testify to Serbia being the second most important market after Slovenia for many Slovenian businesspeople

to secure subsidy programmes and present businesspeople with conditions of current and future calls for subsidy applications, opportunities to gain state aid, possibilities of accumulating incentive measures etc.

Also contributing significantly to advancing cooperation are numerous bilateral meetings organised at different levels and in different forms. The SBC cooperates with all relevant bodies in both countries. We try, both at our own events and those of others, to provide members with the necessary information and to host people who cover areas that are of interest to members.

For example, at one of the events organised last year, the SBC hosted rep-

consider the Embassy of Slovenia in Serbia, we consider it as being extremely close to us, while I would say that we see ambassadors, economic councillors and other diplomatic staff members as friends. Since I’ve been working on this mission, this is now the third ambassador and third economic councillor with whom I’ve worked and this closeness is confirmed every day.

We recently implemented a joint project in the field of IT-digitalisation by organising a successful panel debate at the Technical Fair, and in the second half of this year we will organise a business forum in the field of IT-agriculture in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina. ■

PROFESSOR JOVAN DESPOTOVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF CEKIBEO D.O.O. (LTD.), BELGRADE BUSINESS

Fusing Experience And New Technology The CEKIBEO team aspires to bridge the gap between civil engineering branch – such as hydraulic and structural engineering, transportation and hydraulics, roads-highwaybridges and hydraulics – topping them all with awareness of environmental issues

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EKIBEO d.o.o. (Ltd.) provides civil engineering solutions based on the joint work of different civil engineers, using experience and modern, global technology.

• What are the basic principles upon which CEKIBEO was established, and what aspects were covered by the Slovenian partnership?

- CEKIBEO (Ltd.) consultants (CE-ntre of Quality–KI in Belgrade-BEO) arose from a shared need to work jointly from three directions: first from Canada, where experience in the development of the city of Toronto was brought by the late Miloš Jauković; second from Serbia and the civil engineers of Belgrade University – hydraulics (Jovan

design projects and as a reliable partner in major projects in Serbia, such as Corridors.

Are you satisfied and content?

- The common experience, knowledge and joint work of the partners promoted a modern approach to many water domains, such as urban waters for supply, rainfall run-off and flood protection, as well as waste water and solid waste management in cities, such as Maribor, Podgorica, Bijeljina, parts of Belgrade and other Serbian cities, and the airports of Podgorica and Belgrade.

In recent years, lots of work and supervision of hydraulic structures and the drainage systems of bridges and highways in Serbia and Slovenia (to a much lesser extent) have been done, for example with the Corridor 11 highway stretches.

We are familiar with modern Slovenian solutions for environmental protection at a general level, such as the management plan for the River Sava Basin Despotović), and structural (the late Petar Dulić); and thirdly and finally, from Slovenia, adding EU environmental experience and leadership gained at the Institute of Environmental Engineering (IEI) from Maribor (Uroš Krajnc and Željko Blazeka).

During the late 2000s, EU projects for Serbia and the Region seemed promising.

• Over the course of 15 years, CEKIBEO Ltd. became recognised for the high quality of its

Our mutual connections among disciplines of civil engineering are promising for projects, either for water engineering or hydraulic structures along major rivers in Serbia or regulation of Great War Island’s Galijas channel at the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube in Belgrade.

Small rivers and streams, in conjunction with roads and highways, are also under construction. In those projects, CEKIBEO Ltd. Fused its rich experience with the latest technological

JOVAN DESPOTOVIĆ AND PETAR DULIĆ

innovations in conjunction with the University of Belgrade Faculty of Civil Engineering.

• Hydraulic and environmental engineering follow modern scientific and technological achievements. Is CEKIBEO capable of implementing such modern solutions in Slovenia, e.g. Maribor and Ljubljana, and also in Serbia?

- Technological advancements were successfully achieved in projects around Maribor, and serve as a starting point for implementing such ideas in other places, including Serbia, but also Ljubljana.

The most famous mathematical models were used for the development of the waste water system in Maribor. The same approach was used for the modelling of storm water drainage systems in Podgorica, Bijeljina, and along highways and bridges in Belgrade over the river Sava.

CEKIBEO tried to implement the Maribor waste water treatment plant experience in two Serbian cities, but they were severely flooded in 2014, thus postponing the implementation.

Our major references are the main and executive design projects of rainfall run-off drainage and treatment system tailored to local pluvial data for run-off water from bridges and highways. CEKIBEO has designed, managed and/or supervised drainage systems on several bridges in recent years, such as those over the river Sava: Gazelle, Ada, Ostružnica – with the highest environment protection standards, in cooperation with advanced technologies from Italy’s Stormwater, e.g. SWERMR. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

BRANKO GREGANOVIĆ, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT NLB BANKA

We'll Repeat The Historically Positive 2018 NLB Banka Belgrade is part of the NLB Group, which operates on 12 markets with its 45 members. It represents a stable partner that enables the use of numerous financial products and services for every type of business, supports clients in different circumstances and fosters partnership relations with them

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echnology is advancing and changing faster than ever before, and it is necessary to constantly improve the solutions that are offered to clients, enabling them to use all products and services in the simplest way, in the shortest possible time, and that is worked on every day at NLB Banka.

• The NLB Group generated profits of 203.6 million euros in 2018, while NLB Banka Belgrade made 5.2 million euros, which was 40% more than 2017. Do you expect such good results again this year?

- Last year was “historic” for all of us at NLB Group, due to the successful privatisation process, which was of the greatest possible importance to all of us. The new ownership structure enables us to continue operating in accordance with our plans and our ambition to become the most important regional bank in the countries where we operate. This is more important to us than financial indicators, although they were also really good. This year also started well for the NLB Group, which realised post-tax profits of 57.9 million euros in the first three months.

• Last year saw you invest almost 300 million euros, increase the level of issued credit by 35 per cent and deposits by 36 per cent compared to the previous year. Is this an in14 |

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dicator that you have the trust of clients?

- The trust of clients is our most important imperative. Of course we want to achieve good business results, but the way we achieve them is also extremely important to us. We want to be a true partner to our clients, someone who can provide them with adequate solutions to all their financial needs at any moment. We believe that good business results are only the consequence of such an approach.

• Do you manage to adapt to most of your clients’ needs and to improve their user experience?

- That adaptation is a journey that never

• “NLB Organic” is a project of which you are extremely proud. What made you decide to support organic production?

- NLB Banka gives a special place in its operations to agriculture. Our concept is NLB IN THE FIELD - we don’t wait for clients in our offices, rather our advisors go to farms, analyse needs and opportunities together with clients, then advise them on the best solutions for their business. I would highlight the fact that, in the market of credits with subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture, we were the bank with the largest number of approved loans last year. Our focus on agriculture is also reflected in our socially responsible operations, and we launched the

We have the knowhow and the will, and our goal is to be the first door that clients will knock on when they need advice in realising personal and business plans ends. On the same day last year we launched our new e-banking and m-banking platforms, as well as instant payments, and in this way we enabled our clients to more easily use the new generation banking services, to realise transactions without any time and geographical constraints and, finally, all of that with a new design, so that every contact they have with the bank will be as pleasant an experience as possible.

‘NLB Organik’ funding contest as far back as 2012. We reward organic producers and promote organic production, its importance to the preservation of soil, human health and potential, particularly in underdeveloped areas that have excellent conditions and lack other opportunities for growth and development. We are proud that nearly 400 projects have participated in our contest since its launch. ■

DEJAN TURK, CEO OF VIP MOBILE AND A1 SLOVENIA BUSINESS

Changes Are The Only Constant

Vip mobile, which is part of the international A1 Telekom Austria Group, the leading telecommunications provider in the CEE region, holds a leadership position in Serbia in different segments, despite being the youngest operator on the market. Having already amassed more than 2.2 million users, the company sees opportunities for further growth primarily in the development of digital services

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his dynamic company, which has more than 1,000 employees, is known primarily on the market for innovation. A business policy that’s focused on innovation and listening to the needs of user has resulted in unique offers that were introduced first by Vip, and thus it stood out among the competition.

• You’ve been at the helm of Vip mobile for five years already, while for four years you’ve been the CEO/CMO of the new “Serbia and Slovenia” organisational unit within the framework of the A1 Telekom Austria Group, and you’ve spent three years as the CEO of both Vip mobile and Si.mobil. How would you summarise this period?

- The telecommunications industry is evolving and growing constantly, and it isn’t easy to

and providing numerous benefits for employees.

I can say that I’m proud to be at the helm of a company that is increasingly recognised, year on year, as being a driver of positive changes – both in telecommunications and in society as a whole. We are the first company in Serbia to hold the Family Friendly Enterprise Certificate, and we’ve spent many years improving the benefits with which we support employees in harmonising their careers with their family life. Nurturing all of these values internally led to the birth of our campaign “Mum, Welcome to the World”, which really brought something new to our market.

• Vip is a relatively young brand that has risen to the very top in a short period. You started from zero, from one base station, and now

With investments to date exceeding a billion euros, Vip represents the largest greenfield investment in Serbia summarise this period. Changes are the only constant, and that’s why it’s important to be innovative, courageous and unique in order to respond to market demands and operate successfully. We achieve that year after year, which I would single out as our greatest achievement.

If we summarise the values that we nurture, they can be covered by our slogan “different story”, which for us means creating unique offers for users, implementing significant CSR projects

your 4G network covers almost 97 per cent of the population. How important is that for the development of the economy, business operations and improving citizens’ quality of life?

- We are led in our operations first and foremost by the interests of users, of which we now have more than 2.2 million, and we see an opportunity for further growth primarily in the development of digital services intended for private users and businesses. That’s why we

already offer solutions like the smart home system Vip Čuvarkuća [House Guardian] and the application “Children’s zone for security on the internet”, while we are also working on the development of Narrowband Internet of Things technologies.

I consider that we contribute to the development of the economy through our successful operations, as well as by supporting the digital transformation of the society by investing in high quality networks and new technology.

• If we view the market from the business side, as opposed to the customer side, there is a trend of companies consolidating around the world. Do we also need reorganisation in all segments, including the field of telecommunications?

- The consolidation trend is definitely present, and in conditions of increasing competition and ever-faster changes to operations, this is one of the ways for many to additionally strengthen their position on the market. Moreover, merging companies can be useful in many ways, in the sense of sharing experiences and ideas, additional support and creating conditions for greater security and a better offer for users.

The fact that Vip is part of the international A1 Telekom Austria Group, the leading telecommunications provider in the CEE region, was of great importance to us taking over the leadership position in different segments, despite us being the youngest operator on the market. ■ J U LY

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BUSINESS

ALEKSANDAR SPREMIĆ, DIRECTOR, HALCOM

We Have A Strong And Clear Focus Halcom is a pioneering company in the development of modern solutions for payment systems, and thanks to its rich experience and innovation, its solutions are used by more than 70 banks, as well as three central banks and clearing houses on eight markets across three continents

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alcom is recognised on every market where it operates as a preferred partner, and we’re really proud of that. We are extremely committed to the quality and stability of solutions, which means a lot to clients, because the processes we cover are crucial to their operations, explains Halcom Director Aleksandar Spremić.

• Is the nurturing of relations with clients the secret of your success?

- Our main goal is a strong local appearance and a good business relationship with clients, and I would say that we have had great experience over the past 15 years on local markets, both with banks and with end users. Halcom’s palette of business solutions is today much wider than it was several years ago, when it was focused solely and exclusively on electronic banking for large companies. Our focus has expanded to encompass web and mobile solutions for digital banking for small businesses and entrepreneurs, solutions for the secure delivery of E-invoices and other documents, qualified certificates on cards and cloud, and solutions for central banks – clearing and central registers.

• Your Hal E-Bank represented the first ebanking solution in Slovenia, while it was simultaneously also one of the first in the world to operate on the basis of smart 16 |

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cards. Things have changed a lot since then, but Halcom remains a leader... How do you succeed in that?

- This question sounds really nice, but maybe at the same time it’s just an answer. Being the first in anything means plenty. Being the first and then remaining among the best after 15 years is an achievement worth mentioning.

What Halcom has done in Slovenia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is really significant.

The security of operations using smart cards – qualified electronic certificates – has impacted greatly on rapid growth in the number of users and banks. And why that is is very simple - because this way of using has enabled the solving of the main problem –

tronic Identification and Trusted Services in Electronic Commerce. How important is this step, both for our country and for companies?

- Yes, since 10th June Halcom has started issuing certificates in accordance with the new Law, and there are two important junctures here. The first is that our laws are being aligned drastically quicker with EU laws, and the other is that certification bodies must satisfy the strictest requirements and pass checks and accreditations by the state.

This really wasn’t a problem for Halcom, because we already have experience and compliance with EU laws in Slovenia, and the same standards had to be fulfilled in Serbia.

Halcom offered the first cloud-based solution when no one even knew what that meant, but banks and clients accepted it immediately trust. Qualified electronic certificates enable us to maximise the security of operations at a distance, both in digital banking and in any other relationship between a bank, a client and Halcom.

• As of 10th June this year, Halcom has begun issuing qualified certificates for electronic signatures that are in line with the Law on Electronic Documents, Elec-

It is very significant that the new Law brings much more than the aforementioned.

It defines qualified trust services that will bring a significant leap in efficiency and productivity to Serbia and all companies – we’ve gained a basis on which to work at a distance, whether that relates to the submitting of documents, contracting without signatures and stamps on paper, validation checks of certificates etc. ■

BOŠTJAN ŠKUFCA ZAVERŠEK, PRESIDENT OF PRVA GROUP BUSINESS

Voluntary Pensions Are The Future Prva Group, with its companies, is one of the biggest providers of voluntary and mandatory pensions in Southeast Europe. This group is also active in life and health insurance on some markets, and is thus being able to provide a full range of services for its 500,000 customers

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he challenge for Prva Group is not only to increase its market share, but also to educate the market in a way that would result in better inclusion. From this perspective, the group’s activities on the market don’t relate only to growing the business, but rather it is equally important that they support the goals of the Government of Serbia.

• You took over the chairmanship of the management board just a few days ago, and did so following a very successful year for Prva Group.

Do you operate equally well on all markets?

- Last year was very demanding for financial markets, yet we managed to achieve yields that were among the best in every operating country. This helped us grow again, and now Prva Group has over a billion euros of assets

• You are striving to become the largest provider of voluntary and compulsory supplementary pension insurance in the region, with a market share of at least 25% in the countries in which you operate. How far away from achieving that goal are you?

- Our market share across the region ranges by market from 17% to over 50%, which indicates that every market is a challenge in itself. What could be defined as a common point is that the absolute growth potential is much more important than the struggle for relative shares on all markets. With high economic growth in Slovenia over the last few years, we believe that the increase in paid premiums mainly came as a result of the additional hiring of employees and had barely anything to do with new companies providing benefits to their

Pension companies like Prva Group are here to help and support with all their knowhow and experience under management – another sign of trust and importance for customers and the region in which we operate.

Being present in a region that has intense economic cooperation is also one of our advantages, as many companies are active on all these markets and seeking a partner that can support them. Markets vary, and we are the ones who can advise clients on how to best implement pension savings for employees.

employees. The same applies to all markets.

In Serbia, for instance, we are below our target market share, but we see the greatest issue as being in the relatively small number of businesses and the respective active population included in systems.

We notice that pension products are well recognised and well used in international companies, and partially also in public companies. Compared to Slovenia, the number of

companies included is a few times lower, which represents great growth potential in absolute terms for all market players.

Therefore, a trusted and experienced pension company such as our DDOR Garant in Serbia could be a great partner.

• Pension system reform was completed in Slovenia almost 20 years ago, while in Serbia it practically hasn’t even started.

What should our country do if it wants a sustainable system?

- We had two pension system reforms in Slovenia in less than 20 years, and now we are again facing another. Our latest change was the introduction of life cycle funds, which are suitable for attracting new participants into the system.

Based on our experience, one recommendation for the development of the pension system in Serbia is the introduction of life cycle funds. Another thing that’s important for supporting a sustainable system is the general acceptance of measures. People should grasp the rationale behind private pensions and the state should promote them.

Linking some tax reductions to pensions is a very good incentive, but that shouldn’t be the only one. Promoting from the top would mean that all public enterprises should be included in voluntary pensions. This would set the standard on the labour market and push all others to follow suit. ■ J U LY

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ACTIVITIES OF THE SLOVENIAN BUSINESS CLUB

16 Years And Counting

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he Slovenian Business Club in Serbia forms a stable, unbreakable bridge between the economies of Serbia and Slovenia that has been fulfilling its mission successfully for 16 years already. The club works on the continuous advancement of cooperation between the Serbian and Slovenian economies, as well as regional connections, with a focus on member companies and their needs.

The SBC, on the one hand, organises events at which members gather, network, exchange experiences and information, educate and create opportunities for future business cooperation, while – on the other hand – it works with companies to find solutions to specific problems and offer them support in finding potential partners for cooperation. ■

• LECTURE ON LEADERSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY

The Slovenian Business Club organised a working breakfast in May 2019 in cooperation with the Ljubljana Faculty of Economics, which is the third college worldwide to include neuro-leadership in its MBA programme. The main guest, Nikolaos Dimitriadis Ph.D., revealed to participants the ways in which the latest neuroscience discoveries can help leaders understand how brain functioning improves approaches to leadership, what the difference is between brain and mind 18 |

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etc. The lecture was accompanied by a panel debate on leadership in the 21st century, with the gathering culminating in a cocktail reception.

• PANEL DISCUSSION: “INDUSTRY 4.0, SLOVENIA–SERBIA” Under the scope of the 63rd International Fair of Techniques and Technical Achievements in Belgrade, and under the joint

organisation of the Slovenian Business Club and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Serbia, a panel discussion was held in May on the topic “Industry 4.0, Slovenia-Serbia, Digital Transformation of the Economy”. The panel discussion was opened by SBC President Danijela Fišakov, while those in attendance were addressed by H.E. Iztok Jarc, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia, and Goran Križ, economic advisor at the Embassy, while the panellists included representatives of companies operating successfully in Serbia.

The panel included discussions of the direction in which the digital transformation of industry is moving, the experiences of companies that apply Industry 4.0 solutions, and whether Serbia has the potential to export software solutions and technically demanding products worldwide.

In order to secure contacts for its members with representatives of the economies of other countries in Serbia, the SBC – in cooperation with the chambers of commerce of Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK and the Netherlands, the Belgian-Serbian Business Association, the Hellenic Business Association, the Croatian Business Club, the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Nordic and Japanese business alliances and the Canadian-Serbian Business Association – organised a very successful International Networking Reception. Best testifying to the significance of this event is the fact that it was attended by more than 300 companies.

• WORKING BREAKFAST ON NOVELTIES IN DIGITAL MARKETING

• INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING RECEPTION BRINGS TOGETHER 300 COMPANIES

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ACTIVITIES OF THE SLOVENIAN BUSINESS CLUB In cooperation with Belgrade-based agency and SBC member company Degordian, the Slovenian Business Club organised a working breakfast on the topic “Implementing Marketing Strategies on Digital Communication Channels”. Representatives of Degordian took the opportunity to present online strategies that should be implemented with the aim of raising brands’ digital visibility, while participants were also introduced to the goals of digital marketing.

number of participants. They included more than 600 people from around 400 Serbian and Slovenian companies from all sectors, mostly from the IT and tourism industries. More than 250 B2B meetings were held under the auspices of the forum.

• WORKING MEETING ON SERBIA’S PROGRESS TOWARDS EU ACCESSION

• BOTH PRESIDENTS ATTEND SERBIA-SLOVENIA BUSINESS FORUM

At its first working meeting of the year, held at the end of January, the Slovenian Business Club, in collaboration with the German-Serbian, Swiss-Serbian and Italian-Serbian chambers of commerce, hosted representatives of the European Union Delegation to Serbia. Discussion topics included Serbia’s advancement towards the European Union, opportunities to improve the business and investment climate in Serbia with the help of EU funds, environmental standards, the development of transport, border crossings, the importance of continuous work on the rule of law and media freedom in the Republic of Serbia.

• TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR RECEPTION HELD

The third, most important and highest-attended Serbia-Slovenia business forum, under the title “Digitalisation of Economy and State”, was organised at the Palace of Serbia on 28th January 2019. Opened by the respective presidents of the chambers of commerce of Serbia and Slovenia, Marko Čadež and Boštjan Gorjup, participants were then addressed by the presidents of both countries - Aleksandar Vučić and Borut Pahor.

President Pahor emphasised that his visit to Serbia was aimed at strengthening trust and mutual respect between the two countries, while President Vučić announced that relations between the two countries are very important and that trade between Serbia and Slovenia has increased two and a half times in the last 10 years.

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The Slovenian Business Club celebrated 15 years of successful work and stable growth within the scope of its New Year’s reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. On this occasion, SBC President Danijela Fišakov presented notes of thanks

and gifts to individuals, institutions and companies that have provided specific contributions to the SBC’s development.

“From its inception until today, more than 600 companies have been among the membership of the Slovenian Business Club, while its events have been attended by more than 40,000 participants. Each of them inscribed some letter with their own style and handwriting, while some have even written entire pages in this success story of ours. I thank them,” said SBC President Fišakov.

• WORKING MEETING OF TWO MINISTRIES OF LABOUR

Business Association. In ten-minute one-to-one meetings, representatives of 41 companies presented their services and products, with the culmination of the meetings followed by a cocktail reception held in the hotel.

• MARTINOVANJE, THE HOLIDAY OF YOUNG WINES, CELEBRATED

On the occasion of the signing of a protocol on the implementation of the Agreement on Employing Citizens of the Republic of Serbia in the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Business Club organised a working meeting in early November 2018 that was attended by Slovenian Labour Minister Ksenija Klampfer and representatives of the ministries of labour and social affairs of Slovenia and Serbia.

Under the organisation of the Slovenian Business Club, the fifth Martinovanje – a holiday marking the arrival of young wines – was held at Belgrade’s Ser Gilles Restaurant and attended by a record 220 guests. Martinovanje is celebrated annually in Slovenia on 11th November, but last year it was marked in Belgrade on 26th October. Martinovanje represents a form of promoting Slovenia as a tourist destination, and this time the event included the presenting of two of the country’s vineyard regions – Brda and the Vipava Valley.

• SPEED BUSINESS MEETING BRINGS TOGETHER 41 COMPANIES A fifth consecutive ‘speed business meeting’ was organised at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel in October last year.

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BUSINESS

TADEJ BEOČANIN, MAYOR OF AJDOVŠČINA

Awakening The Economy Of Ajdovščina Ajdovščina is situated in western Slovenia, alongside the border with Italy, and represents the economic, educational and cultural hub of the Vipava Valley.

Ajdovščina was hit quite hard by the economic recession, but the local economy has recovered with the great help of various grants and other stimulations

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e have been introducing various measures to ease economic development and create an attractive and supportive business environment. Our opportunities lie in the area of tourism, the wine industry, outdoor activities, small businesses, entrepreneurship and agriculture, says Ajdovščina Mayor Tadej Beočanin.

• Considering the variety of actions, you can really boast of being capable of creating programmes and projects that improve the lives of all citizens and economic environment.

What are the main characteristics that form the basis of your tourism and the development of industry and entrepreneurship?

- Fertile soil, the strong influence of the Mediterranean climate, an abundance of water resources, coupled with a favourable transport position, create ideal conditions for the development of agricultural activities, industry and entrepreneurship. Our favourable natural conditions are perfect for growing vines (which in turn produce premium wines), indigenous Vipava cherries, apricots and peaches, which ripen earlier here than elsewhere in Slovenia.

As a result, a strong food processing industry developed in this region that’s growing continuously. So, considerable opportunities lie in the area of tourism linked to the wine industry (wine tasting and gastronomy) and outdoor activities (paragliding, hiking, downhill cycle racing etc.).

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located, was declared a Top 10 Best Europe destination by Lonely Planet. In the first six months of 2018, tourist visits were up 46% compared to the previous year, though there is a shortage of hotels, facilities for outdoor activities and additional restaurants.

• What about your local economy? How did you create a supportive business area following the economic recession?

- We have been introducing various measures to promote and facilitate economic development, and to create an attractive and supportive business environment. It is for these reasons that the Municipality allocates substantial funds each year for subsidies and grants... For example, the

in financing large projects due to the recent restructuring of the Slovene banking system.

• The development of the City of Ajdovščina is based on excellent integration of small business zones. In which part does the Municipality invest the most?

- Due to economic growth, the municipality has envisaged the building of a residential housing complex with 280 apartments, for which it is seeking investors both locally and internationally.

The Municipality also invites hi-tech companies to the region. The excellent integration of small business zones into the transport system enables dynamic operations at reduced operating costs. These small business zones boast modern

Ajdovščina has a favourable geographical and transport location – with close proximity to the border and large markets – and knowledge of the Western Balkan markets Municipality offers subsidised compensation for superficies of up to 100% for production, research and development facilities that are newly erected on land owned by the Municipality of Ajdovščina, [thereby] stimulating new investors and promoting new businesses, and consequently creating new jobs. The small size of the municipality (20,000 inhabitants) and its constant need to strive for recognition and promotion are key factors hindering faster growth. Moreover, banks are cautious

transport infrastructure linking them to Ljubljana to the east and Italy to the west, promoting the swift movement of goods and people. All small business zones are within a kilometre of motorway access and the local railway station, ensuring connections to all four corners of the world. Ours is an export-orientated economy that nurtures a supportive environment for new businesses that’s conducive to entrepreneurship, small business and, ultimately, job creation. ■

FRAGMAT S D.O.O. (LTD.) BUSINESS

Our Portfolio Says It All

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ragmat S d.o.o. (Ltd.) Šid is a waterproofing and thermal insulation materials production company and one of the members of the system of TIM d.d. Laško, within the system of Ljubljanabased Fragmat.

Thanks to its knowhow and experience in the field of thermal and hydro isolation, Fragmat S has become the leading factory for the production of waterproofing materials based on modified bitumen, bitumen emulsions, polymer modified bitumen, PmB, for roads and waterproofing of bridge structures, as well as thermal insulation materials based on expanded polystyrene (EPS).

Fragmat S d.o.o.’s factory extends over an area of 5.6 hectares in the town of Šid, and since 2007 the company has also had distribution centre in Belgrade. That same year saw the product range expanded to include packaging based on expanded polystyrene.

Production processes adhere to the highquality ISO 9001 standard, with the company

possessing an official certificate which - along with the capabilities of workers – guarantees recognisable quality. The impressive Fragmat S portfolio includes a large number of successfully completed projects in Serbia and abroad, from exclusive business and residential buildings, via production and service facilities, to luxurious villas and hotel complexes. ■

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TOURISM

Hidden Gem

PTUJ CASTLE

Tiny Slovenia is a veritable treasure trove of attractions and activities – from Venetian coastal towns to white-water rafting – that would rival a country many times its size. Despite being Slavic to the core, its cuisine, culture and even architecture have been influenced strongly by its neighbours – Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. The incredible mixture of climates here brings warm Mediterranean breezes up to the foothills of the Alps, where it can nonetheless snow even during summer. And with more than half of its total area forested, Slovenia really is one of the world's greenest countries. The general and unerring impression is also that Slovenia is quietly conservative, deeply self-confident, remarkably broad-minded, extremely tolerant and very, very hospitable

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lovenia can be called a “hidden gem” and still claim to remain hidden. But those who come to this tiny country that’s nestled between the Alps and the Adriatic feel like they’ve discovered a little-known paradise. While cheap flights 24 |

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from Europe’s major cities have made it an easy weekend destination, and the capital of Ljubljana is popular on the stag and hen party circuit, the entire country boasts wonderland landscapes. Beyond the confines of the charming, Slovenia offers travellers a destination

that is easy to navigate, while it is one of the safest countries in Europe, and also the cleanest (it won National Geographic’s 2017 World Legacy Award as the most sustainable tourist destination, while Ljubljana was declared Green Capital of Europe in 2016).

THE SOČA VALLEY

Every season has its attractions in Slovenia. Spring is a great time to be in the lowlands and floral-carpeted valleys, while snow can linger in the mountains until late June. Summer is the ideal time for hiking and camping, while it’s also the peak season for visitors – when accommodation in Ljubljana and on the coast can be in rather short supply, so be sure to book ahead. Autumn is beautiful, particularly in the mountains of Gorenjska and Štajerska, and is also a great time for hiking and camping, particularly because it’s cooler.

Ljubljana in winter, under a light covering of snow, resembles a scene out of a fairy tale, while over Christmas and into January the illuminations on Castle Hill and the winter markets are magical. Otherwise, winter in Slovenia is perfect for skiers.

The twin lakes of Bled and Bohinj are Slovenia’s most talked about attractions.

Bled dazzles in all of its regal finery – an elegant church spire punctuates a lonely island in the middle, a crumbling stone castle sits high atop a nearby bluff, and open-air terraces line its banks to serve sunbathers.

Bohinj, on the other hand, prefers to flaunt her natural beauty. Stringently protected under the mandate of the Triglav National Park, it catches the reflection of the pinestudded mountains in its clear, emerald

waters. Ask any Slovenian and they’ll likely say they prefer Bohinj, though most tourists opt for the dramatic juxtaposition of history and nature at Bled.

Walkways are plentiful around Bohinj’s edge; most hikers choose to take in a bit of the lake before departing on a more vertical

traveller’s to-do list. Often called the Valley of the Seven Lakes (though there are actually 10) the Julian Alps’ most scenic trek eventually clears the tree line and features stony moonscapes dotted with cool blue lakelets.

River gorges, canyons, streams, meadows and forests cover the landscape in Slovenia’s only national park, which is home to the Julian Alps. You don’t need long in Slovenia’s small and slow-moving capital city, so heading to Triglav seems more than appropriate after a few of days of feasting on dumplings, goulash and cream cakes while strolling the leafy river’s bridges and touring the city’s castle. The park has hiking trails and mountain passes, along with the exhilarating Mount Triglav climb.

Hiking has a historical twist around Kobarid, which is situated not too far from Bovec.

Walking in the valley and up the ridges reveals its disturbing history from World War I, when the area was known as the Soča Front – a horrific zone of trenches and mines that divided Austro-Hungarian forces from the Italian army. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers lost their lives in the fight over the land – and today only hollowed out bunkers and exposed underground passageways remain.

The region of the Slovenian Riviera features a distinct blend of Roman, Venetian and Medieval architecture, with towns so closely clustered that they all blend together seamlessly hike into the surrounding mountains. Mount Vogel is a popular choice due to the views and amenities that await at the top, and, most importantly, due to its cable car that links Bohinj to its ridges. A thriving ski resort in winter, Vogel is a hiker’s paradise iduring the warmer months, with trails leading to compelling observation points in every direction.

Triglav National Park represents the essence of rural Slovenia, with the country’s highest peak that is a rite of passage for every Slovenian, but hiking its lake-lined gorges – which are well preserved within the limits of the national park – should feature high on any

In the evenings you can delight in one of Slovenia’s culinary treasures. The nation’s most famous chef, Ana Roš, was catapulted to international fame thanks to the Netflix series Chef’s Table. A seat at her restaurant is today the most coveted reservation around.

She approaches her locally-foraged, fished, and found ingredients in a less disciplined fashioned than the New Nordic chefs of Copenhagen – that playfulness is noticeable in the servers’ attitudes as well, as they pass your table filling your glasses with local wines.

Around a 40-minute drive from the scarred earth of war you will find the Brda J U LY

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region, also situated along the Italian border, halfway between the snowy Alps and the breezy Mediterranean. Sliced up by international accords, the line drawn between the two countries is wickedly arbitrary, zigzagging as it does through private vineyards. During the Yugoslav era, soldiers patrolled grape fields to keep Slovenians well within the socialist side of the border, while their produce was managed by the state. The Brda region has today flourished and produces some of the world’s highest quality wines, largely due to the so-called ‘opoka’ soil beneath the vines – coveted marl-rich earth.

At Klinec, in the border village of Medana, you can sample the finest in home-cured hams, slow-stewed meats, a cavern of cheese and freshly baked bread – it’s everything you’d want from a meal in a small Italian hamlet, except you’re in Slovenia, so it’s delightfully untouristed. A vineyard visit down the street will take visitors deeper into the complexities of local winemaking, including a tasting of the locally celebrated rebula grape (ribolla in Italian) and an introduction to skin-contact wines – white blends made using a red blend technique.

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possess. And in the south-western corner of the Julian Alps, almost every facade in the village of Bovec has been turned into a paddling operator selling heart-pumping trips down the white waters of the gorges. You can kayak through some of the calmer sections of the emerald river system, hop aboard a guided rafting trip down some Level 5 rapids, or try a canyoning adventure between the rock crevasses carved out by millions of years of stone-scraping glacial run-off.

Across the country, in Kreslin’s Prekmurje flatlands, you can taste the finest Styrian pumpkin seed oil, hand-pressed in century-old presses by the family and with such a flavour and delicacy that it is used not only to dress salads, but as a sauce for ice-cream and to flavour bars of dark chocolate. You can wind through the hills of Tolmin, above the emerald Soča,

LIPICA

feed the glassy tides of Lake Bohinj below.

Travellers with an accredited mountain guide can continue their ascent towards Mount Triglav and Mount Kanjavec, staying in prim-but-basic ‘bivis’ - permanent bivouac huts along the route – or at Savica, tumbling back to the inhabited valleys only to ascend along a different route the next day.

There’s something supernatural about the colour of the River Soča – it glows with an iridescent turquoise tint that only the finest and clearest water in the world could

experiencing a real-life Narnia and meeting a farmer bringing back the colossal, leopard-skinned Soča trout, with meat that’s so delicious that it is today served only raw, as a form of carpaccio.

At the salt flats near Piran, on Slovenia’s 46km of karst-land coast, you can meet families that have been harvesting salt for generations, from flats that date back to the Roman empire, when salt was used as form of payment (the term salary comes from salaria, meaning salt).

PIRAN, CAPE

The Slovenian Riviera refers to Slovenia’s small coastal region along the Adriatic, sandwiched between Italy and Croatia. Due to its location, this region features a distinct blend of Roman, Venetian and Medieval architecture, with towns that are so closely clustered that they blend seamlessly together. Here you won’t find classic beaches like those of other riviera regions, but there are still ways to connect with the water and bask in the glorious Slovenian sun.

Piran is one of the most visited beaches in the country among holidaymakers.

Steeped in red-roofed Renaissance architecture, it’s somewhat reminiscent of Dubrovnik due to it being enclosed by stone walls and situated immediately beside the waterfront.

Portorož is the jewel in the crown of the Slovenian Riviera – and also its most modern destination. Its ritzy Hotel Palace was a frequent getaway for Austro-Hungarian royalty, while its casino, beach and watersports options are loved by all.

Koper, located just five kilometres from the Italian border, is Slovenia’s main port city. It has an impressive array of historic architecture, ranging from the Venetian Gothic loggia, via its 15th-century palace to the 14th-century Cathedral of St Nazarius.

There’s something supernatural about the colour of the Soča River – it glows with an iridescent turquoise tint that only the finest and clearest waters in the world could possess Izola is an ancient Roman port that’s bursting with Venetian charm and historic stone architecture that ensure strolling through this quiet fishing village is a treat for the eyes.

Salt-making has been an important practise in Slovenia since at least the 13th century, so it made sense to protect the precious ecosystem that allowed the creation of such a prosperous market. Visitors to the Secovlje Salina Nature Park are today treated to glimpses of rare flora and fauna that are specially equipped to deal with these salty conditions, including a wide array of birds and the Etruscan shrew – the world’s smallest mammal.

The Strunjan Nature Park, just north of Piran, is a breath of fresh air away from Slovenia’s coastal towns. Covering a total of four kilometres of coastline and featuring a peninsula with rocky cliffs that tower above the waterfront, alongside is a long pebble beach that’s incredibly popular during the

summer months. There are also scattered salt pans and the chance to see all kinds of plants and wildlife that call this beautiful slice of coast home.

Piran has special hiking and cycling trail connections to other towns along the coast, as well as the lively Portorož. There’s even a 130-kilometre-long cycling trail known as Parenzana, which runs from Trieste in Italy right down to Croatia via a number of Slovenia’s coastal regions.

Predjama Castle, which is not strictly on the riviera but is close enough for an easy excursion, is a spooky looking castle that appears as if it’s come straight out of a fairytale, carved into a hillside and surrounded by green, sloping fields and a network of underground tunnels. Built into the mouth of a cave and representing the largest cave castle in the world, today you can visit between May and September, but beware of the family of bats that has laid claim to its shadowy walls. ■ J U LY

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COMPANY REGISTER

ABC NEPREMIČNINE D.O.O. Tivolska 48, 1000 Ljubljana tel: +386 1 3000000 andrej.kuplenk@abc.si www.abc.si ACTAUL I.T. D.O.O. Zelengorska 1g 11070 New Belgrade tel: +386 5 662 27 00 marko.milotic@actual-it.si www.actual.si ADVOKATSKA KANCELARIJA JOKSOVIĆ, STOJANOVIĆ&PARTNERI Internacionalnih brigada 38 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 344 03 74 milan@jsplaw.co.rs www.jsplaw.co.rs

ADVOKATSKA KANCELARIJA ODI D.O.O. Kneza Miloša 64 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 24 30 407 serbia@odilaw.com www.odilaw.com AGENCIJA ZA PREVOĐENJE ZORAN POPOVIĆ PR Berbersko, Ciglana b.b 23000 Zrenjanin tel: +381 23 533 591 zorandxb@gmail.com www.prevodjenje.rs AIGO BUSINESS SYSTEM D.O.O Kneginje Zorke 25-27 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 20 90 800 ivana.djokovic@aigo-bs.com www.aigo-bs.com AKTIVA FITEP A.D. Patrijarha Dimitrija 24

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11090 Belgrade tel:+ 381 11 219 40 15 office@aktiva-fitep.rs www.aktiva-fitep.rs AKTON D.O.O. BELGRADE Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/16 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 22 00 661 vladimir.kosanovic@akton.rs www.akton.rs ALCA TRGOVINA D.O.O. Belgradeska 7 11272 Dobanovci tel: +381 11 205 44 00 info@rs.alcagroup.com www.alca.rs ALEDJO D.O.O. Borčanskih žrtava 1914, 53 11000 Borča, Belgrade tel: + 381 11 33 22 486 snezana.aledjo@gmail.com www.aledjo.rs ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA D.O.O. Mekenzijeva 67 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 245 05 08 m.vidakovic@aim.rs www.aim.rs APO PLUS D.O.O. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 6/15 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 220 06 35 office@apo.rs www.apo.rs ASCALDERA D.O.O. Koste Glavinića 2, 11000 Belgrade tel: +386 5 915 71 94 irena.jaksa-zupancic@ ascaldera.com www.ascaldera.com

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ASEE D.O.O. Ljubice Ravasi 16 21000 Novi Sad tel: +381 11 3640 740 office@asee.biz bgoffice@asee.biz www.asee.biz

CABLEX-S D.O.O. Slavka Adamovića 32 22420 Platičevo tel: +381 22 215 05 15 goran.mikanovic@ cablex-group.com www.cablex.si

ATLANTIDA ROGAŠKA D.O.O. Atlantida Boutique Hotel5* Cvetlični hrib 1 3250 Rogaška Slatina tel: +386 3 620 1600 danijela@ atlantida-rogaška.com www.atlantida-rogaska.com

CASH BACK IMO D.O.O. Stevana Mirkovića 8 11080 Belgrade tel: +381 11 307 66 40 cashbackbelgrade@eunet.rs www.refundacijapdv.com

COLOR MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS D.O.O. PETROVARADIN Štrosmajerova 3 21132 Novi Sad tel: +381 11 404 49 63 ruza.ristanovic@color.rs www.color.rs

CBS INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. Omladinskih brigada 88b 10070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 225 8777 office@cw-cbs.rs www.cw-cbs.rs

COMTRADE SOLUTIONS DENGINEERING D.O.O Savski nasip 7, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 20 15 603 info.si@comtrade.com www.comtrade.com

CELJSKE MESNINE Z DEŽELE D.O.O. Autoput Belgrade-Novi Sad 96 11080 Zemun, Belgrade tel: +381 11 375 02 27 celjskemesnine@mts.rs www.celjske-mesnine.si

CONFIDA CONSULTING Knez Mihailova 22 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 303 91 04 office@confida.rs www.confida.rs

AVIO CHEM D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 231, lokal 328, 11000 Belgrade mob: +381 69 349 31 33 info@avio-star.com www.avio-star.com BEOTIM D.O.O. (SLOTIM GROUP - ĆERKA FIRMA U SLOVENIJI) Sarajevska 40/23, 11000 Belgrade tel:+381 11 361 17 19 marko@beotim.net www.beotim.net BIMEX D.O.O. Đorđa Stanojevića 9A 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 630 78 80, dusica@bimex.si www.bimex.si BTS SER COMPANY D.O.O. Bulevar vojvode Mišića 14 Belgradeski sajam, hala 6 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 26 56 068 milan.mihailovic@btscompany.com www.bts-company.com

CENTER POSLOVNE ODLIČNOSTI EKONOMSKE FAKULTETE V LJUBLJANI Kardeljeva ploščad 17, 1000 Ljubljana tel: +386 1 5892 749 cpeof@ef.uni-lj.si www.cpoef.si CINKARNA CELJE D.D. BELGRADE Resavska 76 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 265 94 84 d.barba@yubc.net www.cinkarna.si

COFACE PKZ D.D. Davčna ulica 1, 1000 Ljubljana tel: +386 1 2005 800 natasa.arko@sid-pkz.si www.sid-pkz.si

D.R. GILBERT CENTAR GROUP Vojvode Savatija36 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 404 28 09 d.ristovski@ drgilbert-centar.com www.drgilbert-centar.com DATA D.O.O. Dunajska Cesta 136 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija tel: +386 1 600 15 30 data@data.si www.data.si DATALAB SR D.O.O. Bul. A. Čarnojevića 99v 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 404 86 00

info@datalab.rs www.datalab.rs DDESIGN AGENCIJA Majke Jevrosime 7 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 286 17 01

agencija.ddesign@gmail.com

DDOR GARANT A.D. BELGRADE Maršala Birjuzova 3-5 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 303 61 42 aleksandar.siljegovic@ garant-penzije.eu www.garant-penzije.eu DEGORDIAN D.O.O. Generala Anrija 26 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 64 121 44 57 igor.grmusa@ degordian.com www.degordian.com DETEL.COM D.O.O. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 10ž, lok br.28 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 383 56 95 office@detel.rs www.detel.rs DHL INTERNATIONAL BELGRADE D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 36 v 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 310 55 00 info-rs@dhl.com darko.babic@dhl.com www.dhl.rs DOBA FAKULTET MARIBOR Prešernova ulica 1 2000 Maribor, Slovenija tel:+386 2 228 38 90 polona.baloh@doba.si www.vpms.si www.doba.rs

DON DON D.O.O. Bulevar Zorana Đinđića 144b 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 267 09 35 office@dondon.rs

www.tvojih5minuta.rs

EKO-METAL D.O.O. Grobljanska 2 22408 Vrdnik tel: +381 22 465 306 office@ekometal.com www.ekometal.com

DRI D.O.O. Terazije 23 11000 Belgrade tel: +386 1 306 81 42 ales.hojs@dri.si www.dri.si

EKSPOGRUPA D.O.O. Tomšićeva 3 1000 Ljubljana tel: +386 5 905 1410 miha.cebulj@messe-berlin.si www.messe-berlin.si

DSV TRANSPORT D.O.O. Struževo 90, 4000 Kranj tel: +386 31 381 736 primoz.sirok@si.dsv.com www.dsv.com

ELITON BG D.O.O. (TONELI) Miloša Pocerca 30/21 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 361 09 42 info@elitonbg.rs www.toneli.si

FENIKSŠPED D.O.O. Zgornji Brnik 130e 4210 Brnik Aerodrom, Slovenija tel: +386 4 201 68 02 Belgrade@fenikssped.si www.posta.si/o-nas/ skupina-posta-slovenije/ fenikssped

ESOTECH SOLUTIONS D.O.O. Španskih boraca 52, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 233 01 94 esotech.solutions.bg@ gmail.com www.esotech.si

FERROČRTALIČ D.O.O. Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 94, lok.4 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 312 29 72 prodaja-srbija@ ferrocrtalic.com www.ferroecoblast.com

ETI B D.O.O. Zvečanska 56/17 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 369 10 92 miodrag.stojkovic@etib.rs www.eti.si www.etib.rs

FLOOREKSPERTS D.O.O. Koče Popović 6 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 228 14 09 vladimir.miletic@alpod.si www.floorexperts.com

EBM PAPST D.O.O. Konjovićeva 78, 25000 Sombor tel. +381 63 890 1500 info@rs.ebmpapst.com www.ebmpapst.com E-DISTI D.O.O. Učitelja Miloša Jankovića 2, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 383 5349 zoran@e-disti.com www.e-disti.com EKAPIJA.COM D.O.O. ZA ELEKTRONSKE KOMUNIKACIJE Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 10A 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 715 22 40 urednik@ekapija.com www.ekapija.com EKO DEŽELA D.O.O. Trojarjeva ulica 20, 4000 Kranj tel: +386 41 505 092 tomaz.cepon@mojpes.com www.ekodezela.si www.mojepes.si

ETOL JVE D.O.O. Bulevar Vojvode Stepe 40 21000 Novi Sad tel: +381 21 630 20 11 ernest.kremzar@ etol-jve.co.rs www.etol.com EUROCOM INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. Batajnički drum 211B 11185 Belgrade

thomas.mori@fridro.si www.fridro.si

tel: +381 11 41 55 000 radoslav.salipurovic@ eurocom-bg.rs www.eurocom-bg.rs

G4S SECURE D.O.O. Viline vode 6, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 209 79 00 office@rs.g4s.com www.g4s.rs

EUROTRANSLATE D.O.O. Vrtlarska 35b, 11080 Zemun tel: +381 11 314 96 17 tina.zucko@eurotranslate.rs www.eurotranslate.rs

GASTOL TST D.D. Čiginj 63, 5220 Tolmin tel: +386 5 380 12 80 tadeja.trtnik@gostol-tst.eu www.gostol-tst.eu GORENJE D.O.O. Milutina Milankovića 7 11070 Novi Belgrade tel: +381 11 353 41 00 officeBelgrade@gorenje.com www.gorenje.com www.gorenje.si

FOCUS FACTOR PLUS D.O.O. Vladimira Popovića 6/A209 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 26 94 922

office@focusfactor.rs www.focusfactor.rs FRIDRO D.O.O. Obrtniška ulica 12 2360 Radlje ob Dravi, Slovenija tel: +386 2 88 79 144

tel: +381 11 225 98 14 ozuvic@ tulipinnputnikbelgrade.com www.tulipinnputnikbelgrade.com

ninko.tesic@impol.rs www.seval.rs INEA SR D.O.O. Batajnički drum 10/ deo 1b, 11080 Belgrade tel: +381 26 461 54 01 info@inea.rs www.inea.rs

HSE BALKAN ENERGY D.O.O. Milutina Milankovića 27 11070 New Belgrade Drago Skornšek, direktor tel:+381 11 311 55 86 balkan.energy@hse.si www.hse.si

INFINITIV STUDIO ZA UČENJE STRANIH JEZIKA Đorđa Stanojevića 9a, 11070 New Belgrade mob: +381 69 77 06 03 studiojezikainfinitiv@ gmail.com www.infinitiv.rs

HYUNDAI SRBIJA D.O.O. Milutina Milankovića 7v 11070 New Belgrade tel : +381 11 22 52 301 office@hyundai.co.rs www.hyundai.co.rs

GRAH AUTOMOTIVE D.O.O. Kneza Miloša Obrenovića 9A 34227 Batočina tel: +381 34 501 060 aca.zlatic@ grah-automotive.com www.grahautomotive.rs

IB INTERBILANZ CONSULTING & AUDIT D.O.O. Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 115 E/4. sprat 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 655 70 43 office@ibgroup.rs www.ibgroup.at

HALCOM A.D. Belgradeska 39, 11000 Belgrade tel:+381 11 330 65 02 info@halcom.rs www.halcom.rs

IKTI Ljuba Vučkovića 28 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 39 72 632 dragan.cakarevic@ikti.rs www.ikti.rs

HOFF D.O.O. Nehruova 188, 11070 New Belgrade mob: +381 60 3219003 office@hoff.rs www.hoff.rs

IMAGINE D.O.O. Gosposvetska cesta 84 2000 Maribor, Slovenija tel: +386 2 320 60 60 prodaja@imagine.si www.imagine.si

HOTEL PUTNIK BELGRADE D.O.O. Palmira Toljatija 9, 11070 New Belgrade

IMPOL SEVAL D.O.O. Prvomajska bb 31205 Sevojno tel: +381 31 591 101

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INFOSTUD 3 D.O.O. Vladimira Nazora 7, 24000 Subotica tel: +381 24 415 56 15 poslovi@infostud.com www.infostud.com INTRA LIGHTINIG D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 26 V III, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 2698 476 tadej.agrez@ intra-lighting.com www.intra-lighting.com

IOLAR D.O.O. Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 102/22, 11000 Belgrade tel. +381 11 2601 192 gregor.osovniker@iolar.com www.iolar.com IPB D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 36D/1/15 11070 New Belgrade tel:+381 11 27 55 110 info@ipb.rs www.ipb.rs

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COMPANY REGISTER ISTRABENZ PLINI D.O.O. Sermin 8a, 5000 Koper tel: +386 5 663 46 00 info@istrabenzplini.si www.istrabenzplini.com ITPNET D.O.O. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 102 6/22 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 260 78 75 nenad.mijatovic@itipo.net www.itipo.rs JANKOVIĆ, POPOVIĆ & MITIĆ A.O.D. Palmotićeva 16a 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 20 76 850 info@jpm.rs www.jpm.rs JUB D.O.O. Dositejeva 5, 22310 Šimanovci tel: +381 22 409 999 vladan.milovanovic@jub.rs www.jub.si KOLEKTOR ETRA D.O.O. Svetosavska 394d, Barajevo, Belgrade tel: +381 11 355 21 66 simon.palfi@kolektor.com www.kolektor-etra.rs KORONA D.D. Cesta v Mestni Log 88a 1000 Ljubljana tel: + 386 1 28 03 500 korona@korona.si www.korona.si KOSTAG D.O.O. Bulevar Zorana Đinđića115 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 328 22 11 office@kostag.rs www.kostak.rs KOVINTRADE D.O.O. Batajnički drum 23, 11000 Belgrade tel : +381 11 362 27 22 info@kovintrade.rs www.kovintrade.rs KOVIS BP D.O.O. Industrijska zona bb 24000 Bačka Palanka tel: +381 21 754 186 info@bp.kovis-group.com www.kovis-group.com KRAS BEO D.O.O. Bosanska 22, Novi Banovci 22304 Stara Pazova tel: +381 22 341 072,

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nikic.milutin@pivka-s.co.rs www.kras.si LAMARGO D.O.O. Dunajska Cesta 136, 1000 Ljubljana mob: +381 63 7112 750 nikola.vasovic@vasovic.com www.lamargo.info LAW OFFICE MARIĆ Bulevar oslobođenja 78 21000 Novi Sad tel: +381 21 661 81 19 adv.rajkomaric@gmail.com www.lawyermaric.com MARK MEDICAL S.P.A. Partizanska cesta 109 6210 Sežana, Slovenija tel: +386 5 70 70 200 info@mark-medical.com www.mark-medical.com MARKAT MEDIA D.O.O. Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 137 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 2417 916 natasa.lozovic@ markatmedia.rs www.markatmedia.rs MARMOR HOTAVLJE D.O.O. Ustanička 128 a 11010 Belgrade tel: +381 11 3474 183 igor.pribakovic@m-h.si www.marmor-hotavlje.si MATICA MB D.O.O. Aškerčeva ulica 17a, 1230 Domžale, Slovenija tel: +386 5 99 58 319 ana@maticamb.si www.maticamb.si MDM D.O.O Brnćićeva 17, 1231 Ljubljana – Črnuče tel: +386 1 2004 930 info@mdm.si www.mdm.si MEDIA SKILLS Novopazarska 28/10 11000 Belgrade tel: +3811 11 32 33 300 office@mediaskills.rs www.mediaskills.rs MERCATOR-S D.O.O. Termerinski put 50, 21000 Novi Sad tel: +381 11 2202 600 office@mercator.rs www.mercator.rs

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MGM UNIT D.O.O. (MARK HOTEL) Žanka Stokić 42, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 65 33 45 014 office@ markhotelbelgrade.com www.markhotelbelgrade.com

NBGP PROPERTIES D.O.O. (CROWN PLAZA BELGRADE) Vladimira Popovića 6, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 22 04 115 lenka.dmitrovic@ihg.com www.crowneplaza.com

MILOŠ KLINIKA BELGRADE Božidara Adžije 25, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 245 57 59 info@milosklinika.com www.milosklinika.com

NETPLANET D.O.O. Maksima Gorkog 50/1, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 744 62 79 office@netplanet.rs www.netplanet.rs

MK MOUNTAIN RESORT DOO KOPAONIK Takovska 45a 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 36 5471 055 nikola.avram@ mkresort.com www.mkresort.com MOJ UPRAVNIK D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 73 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 41 21 308 office@mojupravnik.rs www.mojupravnik.rs MPP JEDINSTVO A.D. Prvomajska bb 31205 Sevojno, tel:+381 11 237 01 45 officebg@mppjedinstvo.co.rs www.mppjedinstvo.co.rs

OVEN ELEKTRO MARIBOR D.O.O. Vetrinjska ulica 2 2000 Maribor, Slovenija tel: +386 2 220 07 82 miroslav.presern@ oven-em.si www.oven-em.si

N.T.S. D.O.O. Vladimira Popovića 34, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 60 735 22 22 velimir.kuzmanovic@ nts-international.net www.nts-international.net OMNISOFT D.O.O. Vojvode Stepe 129 11000 Belgrade tel: + 381 11 4047 100 branislav.cicak@omnisoft.rs www.omnisoft.rs

PANTEON PLUS D.O.O. Španskih boraca 24a/6L 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 26 06 106 info@rs.panteongroup.com www.panteongroup.com

NEW COMPANY D.O.O. (IN HOTEL) Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 56; 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 310 53 00 office@inhotel-belgrade.rs www.inhotel-belgrade.rs

OPŠTA BOLNICA BEL MEDIC Koste Jovanovića 87, Viktora Igoa 1, 11000 Belgrade tel:+ 381 11 309 1000 belmedic@belmedic.rs www.belmedic.rs

NEW MOMENT NEW IDEAS COMPANY D.O.O. Hilandarska 14 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 322 99 92 zarko@newmoment.com www.newmoment.com

OPŠTINA SUBOTICA Trg Slobode 1 24000 Subotica tel: +381 24 626 877 ler@subotica.rs www.subotica.rs

NLB BANKA BELGRADE A.D. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 165v 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 222 51 00 kabinet@nlb.rs pr@nlb.rs www.nlb.rs

OPŠTINA VRNJAČKA BANJA Kruševačka 17a 36210 Vrnjačka Banja tel: +381 36 612 627

predsednik@ vrnjackabanja.gov.rs www.vrnjackabanja.gov.rs

PERUTNINA PTUJ D.O.O. (PERUTNINA PTUJ - TOPIKO A.D.) Petefi bragade 2 24000 Bačka Topola tel: +381 24 715 855 office@perutnina.rs www.perutnina.eu www.poli.rs

PETRIKIĆ I PARTNERI A.O.D. Krunska 73, 11000 Belgrade tel. +381 11 32 08 900 belgrade@cms-rrh.com www.cms.law PETROL D.O.O. Patrijarha Dimitrija 12v, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 71 52 230 petrolbg@petrol.si www.petrol.si

POŠTA SLOVENIJE D.O.O. Slomškov trg 10 2000 Maribor tel: +386 2 449 2000 vinko.filipic@posta.si www.posta.si

RIKO D.O.O. Bizjanova 2 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija tel: +386 1 581 63 00 riko@riko.si www.riko.si

PRISTOP D.O.O. Milutina Milankovića 136A/I 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 71 51 750 bojan.jelacin@pristop.rs www.pristop.si

RLS MERILNA TEHNIKA D.O.O. Poslovna cona Žeje pri Komendi, Pod vrbami 2 SI-1218 Komandi, Slovenija tel: +386 1 527 21 00 mail@rls.si www.rls.si

PRO KOLEKT D.O.O. Internacionalnih brigada 59 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 24 02 866 office@prokolekt-serbia.com www.prokolekt-serbia.com PROFIL GROUP D.O.O. Kralja Petra 45, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 263 87 05 zoran.lazukic@ profil-group.com www.profil-group.com PRVI FAKTOR - FAKTORING D.O.O. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 165v 11070 New Belgrade tel:+381 11 4040 761 zeljko.atanaskovic@ prvifaktor.rs www.prvifaktor.rs PSC AUTO D.O.O Dragoslava Srejovića 2C, 11060 Belgrade tel: +381 11 41 41 720 info@psc-auto.com www.psc-auto.com RCL INT. D.O.O. Prizrenska 7, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 3623 114 relja.mirovic@rcl-group.com www.rcl.si RDEČA ORANŽA Titova Cesta 2A, 2000 Maribor tel: +386 5 169 18 62 martin.korosec@oranzd.si www.oranza.si REPRO KOLINSKA D.O.O. Središka 5, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija tel: +386 1 472 17 91

bojan.fink@reprokolinska.si www.reprokolinska.si

ROTO GROUP D.O.O. Blok 16 bb, 26310 Alibunar tel: +381 13 641 690 alibunar@roto.si www.roto-alibunar.rs SAOP D.O.O. Kotorska 64, 21000 Novi Sad tel. +381 21 631 00 64 info@saop.rs www.saop.rs SAVA NEŽIVOTNO OSIGURANJE A.D.O. Bulevar vojvode Mišića 51 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 36 44 804

kabinet@sava-osiguranje.rs www.sava-osiguranje.rs SGS BELGRADE D.O.O. Jurija Gagarina 7B, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 715 52 75 sgs.Belgrade@sgs.com www.sgs.rs ŠD MEDIA ŠPORT Slovenčeva ulica 23 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija tel: +386 4 041 40 00 slavko.sakelsek@ mediasport.si www.mediasport.si SI-CARGO LOGISTICS DOO Jurija Gagarina 32 II, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 35 32 815 office@slo-zeleznice.co.rs www.slo-zeleznice.si SIMIČ & PARTNERJI D.O.O. Parmova ulica 53 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija tel: +386 1 300 06 00 info@simic-partnerji.si ivan.simic@simic-partnerji.si www.simic-partnerji.si SIQ D.O.O. Cara Dušana 266 11080 Zemun

tel: +381 11 316 93 96 siq.Belgrade@siq.si www.siq.rs SLATINA SPA D.O.O. Slatinski venac 16, 36000 Vrnjačka Banja tel: +381 36 200 630 info@hotelslatina.rs www.hotelslatina.rs SOFTNET D.O.O. Vladimira Popovića 40 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 422 02 00 info@softnet.rs www.softnet.rs SR RE D.O.O. Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 165v, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 222 5374 office@ream-srbija.com www.nlbrealestate.com STELKOM D.O.O. Špruha 19 1236 Trzin, Slovenija tel: +386 1 620 22 00 info@stelkom.si www.stelkom.si TAB BATERIJE D.O.O. Zemunska 301 bb 11277 Ugrinovci tel: +381 377 44 52 mihailo.puzic@tabbaterije.rs www.tabbaterije.rs

TECHNOCONSULTING Antifašističke borbe 15/20 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 311 74 52 mvtechno@eunet.rs TRANSPORTŠPED D.O.O. BELGRADE Omladinskih brigada 19 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 318 57 29 office@transportspred.co.rs www.transportsped.co.rs TREVIS D.O.O. Cara Dušana 91, 11080 Zemun tel: +381 11 219 58 39 prodaja@trevis.rs www.trevis.rs TRIGLAV OSIGURANJE A.D. Milutina Milankovića 7a 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 330 51 00 office@triglav.rs www.triglav.rs TURISTIČKI SVET D.O.O. Požeška 65b, 11030 Belgrade tel: +381 11 305 07 89 turistički svet.press@ gmail.com www.turističkisvet.com UNIOR TEOS ALATI D.O.O. Subotička 23, 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 744 03 30 office@uniorteos.com www.uniorteos.com

VUKOVIĆ I PARTNERI A.O.D. Vladete Kovačevića br. 2A 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 2642 257 info@vp.rs www.vp.rs

UNIVERSAL EXPRESS D.O.O. DISTRIBUTIVNI CENTAR INTEREUROPA DOBANOVCI Zemunska 174 11272 Belgrade – Dobanovci tel: +381 11 442 61 80 office@intereuropa.rs www.intereuropa.rs

WEISHAUPT D.O.O. Omladinskih brigada 88 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 3533 430 info@weishaupt.rs www.weishaupt.rs

VENKA VOJO D.O.O. Vojkovo nabrežje 23 6000 Koper – Capodistria tel: +386 51 228 856 info@venkavojo.si www.venkavojo.si VIP MOBILE D.O.O. Milutina Milankovića 1Ž, 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 225 3002 ceo.office@vipmobile.rs www.vipmobile.rs

VESIMPEX D.O.O. Patrijarha Dimitrija 24, 11090 Belgrade tel: +381 11 404 9070 info@vesimpex.rs www.vesimpex.rs WORLD TRANSPORT OVERSEAS SERBIA D.O.O. Viline vode bb L 14-6 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 785 02 56 manager.adriatic@wto.rs www.wtogroup.eu

VISAN D.O.O. Jerneja Kopitara bb 11080 Zemun tel: +381 11316 11 55 visan@visan.rs www.visan.rs

ZAJEDNIČKA ADVOKATSKA KANCELARIJA TSG Carice Milice 3 11000 Belgrade tel: +381 11 328 51 53 office@tsg.rs www.tsg.rs

VIZIJA RAČUNOVODSTVO D.O.O. Zelengorska 1g 11070 New Belgrade tel: +381 11 220 16 05 info@vizija-racunovodstvo.rs www.vizija-racunovodstvo.rs APRIL

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