Cord Magazine January 2018 Issue, no.159

ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ,

COMMUNISM, UNFORTUNATELY, LOSES TO FASCISM

H.E. MRS. NARINDER CHAUHAN Indian Ambassador to Serbia

IGOR MANDIĆ, Writer

www.cordmagazine.com

Serbian Deputy Prime Minister

RISING ECONOMY FOUNDED ON STRONG CULTURAL FOOTING

JANUARY ’18 / ISSUE No. 159

SERBIA WILL ALSO BE A LEADER IN CADASTRE REFORM

interviews opinions news comments events PRICE 300 RSD

Wishing You Happy Holidays And New Year 2018

AMBASSADOR H.E. SEM FABRIZI HEAD OF THE EU DELEGATION TO SERBIA

Key Factors:

E XC L U S I V E

STABILISATION & LAW

Guide

2018

Real Estate On The Shortest Route Between East And West

ISSN1451-7833

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COMMENT TANJA JAKOBI

Candidates From THE BACK BENCHES PAGE 8

A partially recovered but substantially more firmly-orientated negotiating Europe meets new members who, despite changes for the better, have tendencies common to pupils who have to re-sit exams. This is a combination that reserves a bit of room for optimism, but also for the question of why (if at all) lessons are learned with such difficulties in the Western Balkans

CONTENTS

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KEY FACTORS: STABILISATION & LAW

Ambassador H.E. Sem Fabrizi, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia

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WHAT MADE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU IN 2017?

42 CULTURE CALENDAR 44 DEFINING THE SPACE

Clive Head, Zoetic-Realism

48 FACES & PLACES 51

Guide 2018

Focus

20 GLOBAL DIARY 22 CHALLENGES IN THE MONTHS AND YEARS AHEAD The Global Economy in 2018

24 BUILDING A HOME FOR TOMORROW’S INNOVATIVE COMPANIES

Jungwook Lim, Managing Director at Startup Alliance Korea; Member of the Korean President’s Board for the 4th Industrial Revolution

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REAL ESTATE

Igor Mandić, Writer

68 CHILL OUT 70 DISAPPEARING BELGRADE Čubura

INDIA

Unique Market For The World

79 CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS, SERBIAN STYLE Orthodox Christmas

41

CHILDREN WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Vigor Majić, Director of the Petnica Science Centre

EDITOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs DESIGNER: Jasmina Laković j.lakovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović, Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić EDITORIAL MANAGER: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen

63 COMMUNISM, UNFORTUNATELY, LOSES TO FASCISM

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January 2018

82 FOR DEEP POWDER LOVERS Fashion

86 AFTER WORK

TRANSLATION & EDITING MRP EDITORIAL Halifax Translation Services office@halifax-translation.com PROJECT MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Nataša Trifunović, n.trifunovic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Nevena Đurković, n.djurkovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER: Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCIAL MANAGER: Dragana Skrobonja d.skrobonja@aim.rs EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs PRINTING: Rotografika d.o.o.

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COMMENT

Candidates From The Back Benches A partially recovered but substantially more firmly-orientated negotiating Europe meets new members who, despite changes for the better, have tendencies common to pupils who have to re-sit exams. This is a combination that reserves a bit of room for optimism, but also for the question of why (if at all) lessons are learned with such difficulties in the Western Balkans TANJA JAKOBI

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means of permanently escaping Russian influence. or the first time since Serbia entered the European inToday’s European foreign policy position is more complex, tegration process, a European official – European Comas it is often shown that the alliance with the U.S. is a rebus mission President Jean-Claude Juncker – has indicated with internal logic that is sometimes difficult to follow. Relaa timeframe by which Serbia (and Montenegro) could tions with Russia and Turkey hinder and complicate the search become EU members. This statement came at a moment when, for more efficient solutions to crisis hot spots worldwide. Poafter years of recession and stagnation, the EU is entering a litical tensions complicate the penetration of European compaphase of mild but seemingly stable economic growth. nies onto the markets of the future, such as Eurasian markets.

Such a series of events was last recorded almost two China is emerging as a strong foreign policy factor and future decades ago: it was then that the countries of Central and economic giant. The rise of Industry 4.0. creates space for the Eastern Europe seriously considered the hand of cooperation cards to be dealt again in an ever more globalised economy offered and, in 2004, many of them became new members of that weakens the role of nation states in leading development the Union. Membership came at an exceptional moment for policy. On the internal front, almost all EU countries are expethose countries and for the Union itself, which during that riencing political turbulence, where new political movements period recorded what was until then an historically-unpreceand separatist desires are being born on dented ten years of uninterrupted economic The Berlin Process the wings of citizen dissatisfaction with the growth. Under such conditions, connececonomic situation. tions between the economies of new and and Euro integration candidate countries have learned old members came strongly and swiftly. The painfully map out the littleToday’s from previous years of stumbling importance of this process was also clearly paths of connectivity between conflict and recession. The Berlin visible during the financial crisis – the new that counter strong Process and Euro integration painfully map EU member states weren’t generally hit as out the paths of connectivity that counter hard by the crisis (especially Poland) and afoutbursts pushing a strong outbursts pushing a return to the ter emerging from the crisis these countries return to the past past. Although such outbursts are allegedly began to record significantly higher ecomotivated by short-term motives of gaining election points, it nomic growth than both the older EU member states and the shouldn’t be overlooked that research shows young people are countries of Southeast Europe. agile receptionists of such messages and have views that could There are only limit possibilities of drawing parallels bepotentially see them become new cannon fodder for conflicts. tween these two historical periods: the European concept of a The foreign policy determination of candidate states, with single market has proven extremely successful. Although there the exception of Montenegro, is questionable. Serbia, and to a have always been various debates within the Union about its lesser extent Montenegro, have made it known to their Eurofuture, the one about unification was stronger. pean interlocutors that they are finding it toughest to harmoThe foreign policy situation was such that it demanded less nise in the two most important segments: building the rule of focus on the EU’s own territory: the alliance with the U.S. was law and a functional economy orientated towards the market. strong, and on the horizon there were no rivals with similar In this first area, Serbia received a serious lesson, while in the power in either military or economic terms. On the internal second area the logic of economic policy behind the budget front, European politics was led from within the framework of formulation does not provide much room for hope that the shifts between traditional parties to the left and right of centre. government is ready to essentially get to grips with building a Among the then EU candidate countries there was strong long-term stable and transparent business environment. ■ internal consensus for EU membership to be chosen as a

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B y L J U B I C A G O J G I Ć , P h o t o b y ZO R A N P ETROV I Ć

INTERVIEW

Key Factors: STABILISATION & LAW AMBASSADOR H.E. SEM FABRIZI HEAD OF THE EU DELEGATION TO SERBIA

The European integration process is a stabilising factor for the entire Western Balkan region. It represents the key ‘pull’ factor, operating at two levels: driving the countries of the Western Balkans towards the EU and simultaneously making stronger regional cooperation a reality

EXCLUSIVE

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ormalisation of the relationship with Pristina, building a society anchored in the Rule of Law, creating a modern, growthorientated and resilient economy, efficient public administration, promoting individual and collective rights, and creating a healthy environment: these are the building blocks of Serbia’s European perspective. These are the set of values and interests to protect and promote, and building blocks for the same priority: getting Serbia ready to join the EU family.

RECONCILIATION

TRANSFORMATION

EFFICIENCY

The very essence of the success of the EU is the lasting reconciliation between traditional enemies who chose cooperation after World War II, as testified to by 60 years of uninterrupted peace in the EU

European integration is a transformational process that ultimately defines the type of society Serbians want to live in and the international role they want their country to play

It is evident that a number of previous recommendations, including those related to the efficiency and independence of independent regulators, have not made much progress

■ After serving as EU Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, how did coming to the Balkans feel; do you believe this region will remain stable or are you inclined to agree with analyses that continue to link the Balkan countries to possible conflicts?

- Progressive implementation of the EU acquis during the negotiations, cross-border cooperation, important infrastructure projects - like the planned Belgrade-Pristina highway or the Serbia-Bulgaria gas interconnector - are some of the ongoing activities to pull in favour of an economic, social and political space. The increasing number of meetings of Western Balkan Leaders in the region and in Brussels shows political commitment to work together. These are all encouraging signs of the process initiated in 2003, when the EU declared the clear membership perspective of the Western Balkans in Thessaloniki. It is true that the region has been through a hard and violent history, also in the recent past, but the EU represents the very best opportunity to reconcile and together build a democratic, prosperous and secure future. The very essence of the EU’s success is the lasting reconciliation between traditional enemies who chose cooperation after World War II, as testified to by 60 years of uninterrupted peace in the EU.

■ You have been announced in Serbia as a diplomat known to have the great trust of EU High Representative Federica Mogherini, which could allegedly help in accelerating Serbia’s European integration process. What have you set as your priorities in Serbia?

- Serbia has made EU accession its strategic objective. That is a fundamental decision that will define the future of this Country for generations to come; a decision that the European Union, and the HRVP Mogherini in particular, very much respect and support.

My priorities are to support the necessary reforms and to bring the EU closer to Serbia and its citizens. I can count on a strong and motivated team. I have the responsibility of leading one of

My priorities are to support the necessary reforms and to bring the EU closer to Serbia and its citizens. I can count on a strong and motivated team. I have the responsibility of leading one of the largest EU Delegations in the world, which is also tasked with delivering the €200 million that the EU grants to Serbia every year

the largest EU delegations in the world, which is also tasked with delivering the €200 million that the EU grants to Serbia every year.

■ In that respect, with 12 negotiating chapters are ending this year. How would you rate Serbia’s tempo so far?

- Serbia opened six chapters in 2017, with the last two, on company law and external economic relations, opened at the Inter-Governmental Council in Brussels. held on 11th December. Considering that some of the most complex chapters are already open, Serbia’s integration process is well on track and there is positive dynamism in the negotiations.

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the progress achieved and I understand the attention that every negotiating step involves, including the expectation to open more chapters. However, opening chapters should not be seen as an objective in itself, rather it should be associated with progress in reforms aimed at meeting EU standards. These reforms need to be properly implemented in order to produce the expected positive results.

Reforms should have political priority throughout the whole year and not just when Inter-Governmental Councils are approaching.

Considering Serbia’s ambition to become part of the EU and the complexity of reforms, the tempo could be accelerated – if you went from adagio to veloce. In negotiating terms, we say that there

is “no speed limit” when it comes to the numbers of new chapters that could be opened, but at the same time EU integration is a matter of the quality and depth of reforms, rather than the speed of implementation. Progress in the normalisation of relations with Pristina and the reforms in the area of the Rule of Law, in particular, are two crucial elements that determine the pace of progress.

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■ Serbian officials insist that Serbia has received a possible date for EU entry for the first time since the beginning of the accession process, citing the year 2025. Given that European officials have so far been reluctant to discuss dates, especially over the long run, how do you interpret this new strategy introduced by EC President Jean-Claude Juncker?

- President Juncker in his State of the European Union address last September defined a number of objectives that the EU should deliver on between now and 2025, including a credible enlargement perspective for the Western Balkans. This is a midterm road map, which undoubtedly represents a very positive development for the Western Balkans, both in terms of the objective (enlargement) and the timeframe (2025). This timeframe is intended as a horizon during which Serbia and the region will have carried out all the reforms needed to join the EU. President Juncker also announced a strategy for the Western Balkans that will be presented in February 2018. The political message is that the EU’s doors are open, but that the region should do its part to meet these expectations. Success will be determined through good reforms and their results, not through date setting.

In negotiating terms we say that there is “no speed limit” in terms of the numbers of new chapters that could be opened, but at the same time EU integration is matter of the quality and depth of reforms, rather than speed

■ Since the finalising of dialogue on the normalisation of relations with Pristina is crucial to the success of the EU integration process, does that process imply Kosovo gaining a seat in the United Nations, i.e. Serbia not opposing that eventuality?

- Chapter 35, which covers the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, is undoubtedly an important chapter and the Dialogue is 10 |

an important element of Serbia’s further progress. The Dialogue, as the EU has continuously stressed, should lead to a binding agreement between Belgrade and Pristina on the comprehensive normalisation of relations. The EU does not take a position on final status, including the recognition aspect, which is for member states to decide. What this normalisation will ultimately entail and cover is up to leaders in Belgrade and Pristina to determine and agree upon. The EU, under the leadership of High Representative/Vice President Mogherini, will continue to facilitate this process.

■ Serbian President Vučić said this summer that the priorities of Serbia’s relationship with the EU are Kosovo and relations with Russia, while strengthening the rule of law comes in third place. How does this order of importance look to you?

- European integration is a transformational process that ultimately defines the type of society Serbians want to live in and the international role they want their country to play.

Normalisation of the relationship with Pristina, building a society anchored in the Rule of Law, creating a modern, growth-orientated and resilient economy, efficient public administration, promoting individual and collective rights, and creating a healthy environment: these are the building blocks of Serbia’s European perspective. These are the set of values and interests to protect and promote, and building blocks for the same priority: getting Serbia ready to join the EU family.

â– You have already mentioned the need is led by Greece. So, Serbia is working on it, The EU has stabilised for Serbia to harmonise its foreign but clearly this process needs to advance policy towards Russia with that of the further and progressively be completed, also and regained its spirit EU. This process progressed gradually considering important progress in the defence of initiative, in cases of other countries and ends and security sector, including PESCO. Serbia notwithstanding recent with EU accession. How do you view will have to fully align its foreign policy by economic difficulties, this stance of the EU when it comes the time of accession to the EU. to Serbia? persistent migrant flows, - EU member states and countries wishing â– Michael Davenport, your predecesterrorism and global sor as EU delegation head, expressed to become members have to conduct their instability.

The economy concern over media freedom in Serbia, international relations within the framework is back on track, migration while European Commission reports of the common foreign and security policy have noted that no progress has been (CSFP\CSDP). One can develop relations with is no longer a crisis, made in this area for years. How do you non-EU member states, including Russia or Brexit negotiations are see the situation? any other country in the world, provided this proceeding and we - As we are in the process of preparing the common framework is fully respected. It is are making significant Annual Progress Report for 2017, which as simple as that. Since Serbia is in the EU will be published in April 2018, it would be accession process, policy alignment is the progress in security premature to prejudge the findings of the ultimate objective, and relations with other and defence report. However, it is evident that a number of countries can be fostered if Serbia abides by previous recommendations, including those related to the efficiency the set framework. Serbia has already taken important steps. For and independence of independent regulators, have not made much instance, Serbian troops are part of EU-led missions in Africa, while progress. Domestic professional associations report an increased Serbia has also decided to join the EU’s HELBROC Battlegroup, which

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number of various forms of attacks and intimidation of journalists, as well as an apparent lack of reactions among judicial authorities to address these cases. Reports of international organisations also testify in this direction. All these elements do not indicate a better environment for exercising freedom of expression. The EU recently conducted a peer review that will result in further recommendations. In the meantime, it is important that the government follows through on its commitments and engages in meaningful dialogue with domestic professional associations.

proof is in our negotiating mandate for the accession process: progress is determined by the normalisation of relations with Pristina and reforms on the Rule of Law.

■ You are believed to be an optimist when it comes to the fate of the EU. You have said that you believe “the European project is unstoppable”. How will the EU look in 2018?

- The EU has stabilised and regained its spirit of initiative, notwithstanding recent economic difficulties, persistent migrant flows, terrorism and global instability. The economy is back on track, migration is no longer a crisis, Brexit negotiations are proceeding and we are making significant progress in security and defence. Without being complacent, we enter 2018 with a sense of renewed confidence. For the Western Balkans, next year will be characterised by a number of important initiatives, starting with the Strategy to be presented by the Commission in February.

More generally, despite many challenges, the underlying fundamental elements of our Union remain unaltered. The EU - as a Union of States - is the one that has the necessary dimension to deliver better prosperity in a competitive world and the critical mass to protect its citizens in a contested global scenario. In the EU, member states pool their sovereignty to deliver their primary objectives – strong democracy, more prosperity and effective security. Isn’t the fact that many Countries, including Serbia, want to join the EU further proof, if any, of the attractiveness of our proposition?

■ You have certainly heard impres■ Your Excellency, after half a year in SerDomestic professional sions among a section of the public bia, what are your initial impressions like? associations report - Belgrade is a lively city, where there is always in Serbia that the European Union an increased number of something going on at any time of day. The people doesn’t respond sufficiently to various forms of attacks are really friendly, the food is great and the traffic complaints of increasing political is not too bad. My family has also settled in, my pressure on the judiciary or violaand intimidation of tions of civil and media freedoms, are making friends with other kids in the journalists, as well as an sons due to its need to maintain good international school that they are attending, and apparent lack of reactions quite a number of them are Serbian. It hasn’t been relations with the authorities in among judicial authorities too difficult. After all, they all play basketball and order to cooperate on issues like Kosovo and geopolitics? football. My wife can already converse in Serbian to address these cases.

- Yes, I have heard that. However, if they envy her very much!), while I have made a Reports of international (I read, for example, our Annual Reports, number of visits outside the capital. I recently organisations also testify went to Vranje and Bujanovac, where I got a firstI think they would get quite a clear in this direction. All these hand impression of the Serbian interior. It was picture that this is not the case. This also goes for the media, which should elements do not indicate an exciting two days of interaction with the local carry these findings, analyse them communities and leaders, and students from the a better environment and make them available to the pubbilingual university faculty in Bujanovac, built for exercising freedom lic. More generally, I caution against with EU support. Overall, I have a very positive of expression looking at EU’s approach from a binary impression. I sense I will have exciting years perspective: stability vs democracy. ahead of me and am very much looking forward Our approach is rather more stability and more democracy. The to exploring Serbia and the region. ■ 12 |

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FOCUS

What Made A Lasting

IMPRESSION ON YOU IN 2017?

There were plenty of events in 2017 to raise the eyebrows or cause the heart to skip a beat. North Korea prompted international condemnation with its testing of ballistic missiles, the UN warned that the world is facing the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II, with up to 20 million people at risk of starvation and famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria. And while SpaceX conducted the world's first private flight of an orbital class rocket, terrorist attacks, hurricanes, floods and drought shook many parts of the globe. Europe continued to deal with the migrant crisis, Brexit, the Catalan challenge and uncertainty over the outcome of German elections 14 |

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n the brighter side, the IMF and World Bank confirmed stronger-than-expected economic recovery, particularly resilient in Europe. The Western Balkans and Serbia received some good news that they might be able to count on faster-track inclusion into the EU, provided they wholeheartedly embrace reforms. Many artists, musicians and

dancers brightened our days, while random passers-by, friends and loved ones made us smile.

Was 2017 a year in which the glass was half-empty or half-full, in historical, political, economic and cultural terms? For this issue of CorD we asked members of the diplomatic corps to share their thoughts with us. ■

In your view, what was the most important event that took place this year, in your country and internationally?

Year Of Uncertainty 2017 was a year of change and uncertainty, here and around the world. Changes in political sentiment in the Western world, Brexit and tension around the Korean Peninsula made it an unpredictable year globally

H.E. JULIA FEENEY

to set the course for the next ten years. Australia’s foreign policy is built on strong domestic foundations—a flexible economy, close partnerships with countries in our region, strong defence and national security capabilities and resilient democratic institutions. Our democracy and our institutions are robust and transparent, making Australia one of the safest and freest countries in the world. We recognise that an outward– looking Australia fully engaged with the world is essential for our future security and prosperity.

I hope that 2018 will be a year of continued growth in the Australia-Serbia relationship and a year of substantial progress for Serbia on its EU reform path. I believe that nations with flexible economies and resilient, democratic institutions will be the best prepared to face the uncertainty of the future.

AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRALIA TO SERBIA

150th Anniversary Reflects Our History

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etween Serbia and Australia, 2017 was a year of great growth in the bilateral relationship. We were able to welcome Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to Belgrade, as well as the Minister for International Development Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

We held the first ever Senior Officials Talks between Australia and Serbia in Canberra and our cooperation in the United Nations grew. In July we were proud to launch the Australia-Serbia Glac Archaeology Project, which will see the Sydney University and Australian experts work with Serbian students and experts to explore important Ancient Roman ruins.

This project will last for many years to come.

We were also proud to see the launch of the Australian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and hope that business will continue to grow in this direction. More Australian IT and technical expertise firms have looked to Serbia as a choice location to find young minds.

In response to the rapid changes in the world and concerns about isolation and nationalism, Australia released a Foreign Policy White Paper

In response to the rapid changes in the world and concerns about isolation and nationalism, Australia released a Foreign Policy White Paper to set the course for the next ten years

For Canada, 2017 was a very important year, with 1st July marking the 150th anniversary of our existence as a country

H.E. KATI CSABA

AMBASSADOR OF CANADA TO SERBIA

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ur sesquicentennial was marked with a year of events and celebrations across Canada and in countries around the world, including a Canada Day reception in Belgrade and a number of art exhibitions, theatre projects, ballet performances and other cultural events here in Serbia. For a young country like Canada, this was a major anniversary, and we used the occasion not only to celebrate, but to reflect on our history, including the treatment of Canada’s indigenous peoples over the years and how to move forward with reconciliation.

From a broader global perspective, without mentioning specific events, I think we have seen a concerning trend in 2017 around the growth of popuJANUARY

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From a broader global perspective, without mentioning specific events, I think we have seen a concerning trend in 2017 around the growth of populism and nationalism in different parts of the world lism and nationalism in different parts of the world, stoking fear and insecurity and undermining democratic processes. As you know, I am a recent arrival in Belgrade, so I cannot comment on the whole of the past year in Serbia. However, we were pleased to have our Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrew Leslie, here for President Vučić’s inauguration ceremony in June, and also several high-level bilateral meetings.

And, of course, I had the honour of presenting my credentials to President Vučić on 11th December, so that beautiful ceremony is still fresh in my mind.

I am looking forward to a busy year in 2018, advancing Canada’s priorities in Serbia and continuing to strengthen our bilateral relations.

I take this opportunity to wish all CorD readers happy holidays and all the best in 2018!

China Will Give New Contributions To The World

China brings to the world a new theory. The Communist Party of China, by combining the practise of social and economic development, catching the pulse of the times, propounds Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. For China, this has scientifically answered the historical question – where is China going after establishing a healthy society and provided a timeframe and path to future developments. For the world, Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has widened the path of modernisation for developing countries and given Chinese wisdom and scheme to solve the problems of humanity.

China will give new contributions to the world. The 19th Congress of the Communist Party again presented China as a strong and responsible country that will promote the building of a new framework of international relations and a common future for humanity. China pursues firmly an independent peaceful foreign policy, respecting the right of all nations to choose their own paths, while safeguarding international justice. Regardless if a country is small or big, rich or poor, they all have the right to enjoy progress; every country should contribute its efforts to the common interest, strengthen the dialogue of cooperation and in reaching a common victory. Regardless of the phase of development at which China stands, it will never seek hegemony and will never seek expansion. In the future, China will continue promoting the “One Belt and One Road” initiative and the “16+1 Cooperation”, in order to achieve policy coordination, facilitate connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration, people-to-people bonds; to support the multilateral trade system, promote the establishment of free trade areas, promote the establishment of an open world economy and greater promotion of global governance reform. In this process, China praises and seeks the support of friendly countries all over the world, and Serbia as a friend is even more needed. China seeks to strengthen and deepen bilateral relations with Serbia in the new era, to improve the level of economic cooperation in the field of infrastructure, in agriculture, cultural exchanges and other fields.

According to my view, the most important event that took place in 2017 was the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in Beijing during October

Improving Our Internal And External Security

H.E. LI MANCHANG

AMBASSADOR OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

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he Communist Party of China has 89 million members, a 96-year-long history, is the largest political party in the world and has been governing for 68 years, while China is also the country with the world’s largest population and second largest economy. The 19th Congress finalised the future development of China and emphasised a number of new ideas, thoughts and strategies – not only concerning China’s future and destiny, but also its inevitably important influence on the world.

The key word of the 19th Congress was “new”. Chinese development now stands at a new starting point. In the past five years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has taken new steps: the economy is growing fast; it is at the top among the world’s most important nations; domestic production has increased from 54 to 80 trillion Chinese Yuan, assuredly the second largest in the world, while its contribution to global economic growth exceeds 30 per cent. China’s foreign trade, foreign investments and foreign reserves are among the highest ranking worldwide. Some 60 million of people have been lifted out of poverty, the income of the middle classes is increasing, while the country’s strength is growing continuously.

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Looking at the European Union, 2017 has been a year of challenges – and the joint search for solutions!

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN

GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

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errorism has again taken its toll. The answer is even closer cooperation to increase our citizens’ security. Improving our internal and external security is one of the priorities of the EU’s so-called Bratislava Process.

In addition, at the beginning of November we signed the agreement on permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) in the field of defence. Thus, the EU will be better able to conduct joint peacekeeping operations. The EU is also working on finding sustainable solutions on migration, with Serbia as a close partner.

Dialogue Among Peoples And Religions

We are working closely together to support Serbia’s strategic goal of joining the EU Of course, the Brexit negotiations are an important topic – a fair solution is important both for the EU-27 and for the United Kingdom.

In 2017 we have seen elections in quite a number of Member States, one of them being Germany. Talks about the formation of a coalition are underway. Germany, in any case, will continue to support Serbia’s strategic goal of becoming an EU member. In Serbia we have witnessed presidential elections, with Aleksandar Vučić emerging as the clear winner, and a new government formed by Prime Minister Brnabić. We are working closely together to support Serbia’s strategic goal of joining the EU. In this regard, reform of the judiciary, rule of law and media freedoms are a priority. In 2017 Germany and Serbia have further developed their very good bilateral ties, culturally, politically and economically. I will do my best to support this positive bilateral trend and Serbia’s EU prospects.

Personally, I wish you a prosperous and peaceful 2018!

After 25 Years Ikea Opened Its Door In Serbia I shall remember 2017 in ”my” country as the year in which IKEA finally – after a delay of 25 years - opened its door in Serbia

H.E. JAN LUNDIN

AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN TO SERBIA

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his I see as the beginning of the real entry of this country into the global economy, to the benefit of us all. A lot is happening in Serbia right now, and I am confident substantial foreign investment will come provided problems in the area of the rule of law can be addressed in a satisfactory – and swift – manner.

Around the world, the economy, both in the U.S. and in Europe, shows good growth, and Sweden is no exception. 2017 was also the year in which the European Union managed – with the support of, amongst others, Serbia – to stabilise the migrant crisis that at one point threatened to destabilise the internal political situation in many EU countries. If a solution to the crisis over the Ukraine between the EU and Russia can finally be found, things look okay for Europe.

At the global level, we can only hope – or pray – that the situation in North Korea does not get totally out of hand.

Around the world, the economy both in the U.S. and in Europe shows good growth, and Sweden is no exception

H.E. ARCHBISHOP LUCIANO SURIANI

APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SERBIA

I would like to briefly review some moments of Pope Francis's Magisterium in the past year, which can also be significant and enlightening when it comes to some of the challenges being faced by people in Serbia

I

n 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation was commemorated. As we know, in Serbia, especially Vojvodina, there are members of ecclesial communities born of that event. Such an important anniversary teaches all believers in Christ the need to reflect on a past that, in the name of faith, has also unfortunately seen fratricidal struggles, and to pursue a common path towards unity. Receiving participants in a meeting on the Reformation in March in the Vatican, Pope Francis said: “All of us are well aware that the past cannot be changed. Yet today, it is possible to engage in a purification of memory.

We hope that 2018 will see significant progress on the path of peace-seeking in the world, which the Holy See especially takes to heart This is not to undertake an impracticable correction of all that happened five hundred years ago, but rather to tell that history differently, free of any lingering trace of the resentment over past injuries that has distorted our view of one another.” Though with obvious differences, a similar spirit animated the dialogue in 2017 within the mixed Commission between orthodox Serbs and catholic Croats on the figure of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac.

The need for dialogue between religions was underlined by the Pope in April in Egypt, during his meeting with the Great Imam of Al-Azhar: “In the field of dialogue, particularly interreligious dialogue, we are constantly called to walk together, in the conviction that the future also depends on the encounter of religions and cultures.

For the only alternative to the civility of encounter is the incivility of conflict; there is no other way.”

Further, he added with firmness: “Let us say once more a firm and clear ‘No!’ to every form of violence, vengeance and hatred carried out in the name of religion or in the name of God. Together let us affirm the incompatibility of violence and faith, belief and hatred.” Furthermore, attention to interreligious dialogue was also at the centre of the apostolic journey to Myanmar and Bangladesh in November.

We hope that 2018 will see significant progress on the path of peace-seeking in the world, which the Holy See especially takes to heart.

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history of the Balkans. May this anniversary help us reflect seriously on the tragedy of war, which brings death, division and wounds that often take decades to heal.

The hope is that all leaders of nations will really place the ultimate goal of peace at the centre of their political commitment. The Holy See will never stop working to ensure that the human heart is healed of the wounds which imprison us sterilely in the past, and that harmony, justice and peace reign everywhere in the world.

in the first round showed that the Serbian public strongly endorses the actions being taken.

I believe that the Serbian economy will continue to improve thanks to the stability provided by the current administration.

Optimism With Reason

Remarkable Improvement Of TurkishSerbian Relations Relations between Turkey and Serbia have witnessed a remarkable improvement in the last few years. Last year was no H.E. TANJU BILGIÇ exception. In fact, 2017 represented AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY TO SERBIA a milestone in our relations, with the visit of our President, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Serbia from 9th to 11th October

T

his was the first visit at the presidential level from Turkey to Serbia since 2009. The visit was a huge success, thanks to the diligent work of the Serbian Government.

The most important outcome of the visit was the signing of a joint declaration that established a High-Level Cooperation Council, a mechanism of joint annual meetings of the two cabinets under the leadership of the two presidents. The Turkish experience with this mechanism is highly positive, as our relations with several countries have improved dramatically following the establishment of such a council.

The most important outcome of the visit was the signing of a joint declaration that established a High-Level Cooperation Council, a mechanism of joint annual meetings of the two cabinets under the leadership of the two presidents This mechanism will allow us to institutionalise and formalise our cooperation in various areas, which will lead to more tangible results and better coordination. The most important development in Serbia, in my opinion, was the presidential elections of 2nd April 2017, which resulted in the election of Mr Vučić. This was very important for Serbia, because it signalled a continuation of the political and economic reform agenda that has been going on in the last few years. His election 18 |

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H.E. KYLE SCOTT

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

T

Last year on these pages I expressed optimism about Serbia's further growth and progress. I also conveyed my confidence in America's role as Serbia’s steadfast partner. Events have redeemed my optimism

his year brought peaceful elections of a new President and Prime Minister. The Serbian economy continued to grow. Serbia’s EU accession process moved forward, and Serbia is poised to open several more chapters by the end of the year.

Serbia launched an “internal dialogue” on Kosovo, an issue that is critical to peace and stability in the region. America’s support for Serbia has indeed been steadfast. The United States spent millions of

America’s support for Serbia has indeed been steadfast. The United States spent millions of dollars this year supporting reform in Serbia and has spent nearly one billion dollars over the last 15 years on assistance here dollars this year supporting reform in Serbia and has spent nearly one billion dollars over the last 15 years on assistance here. In the wider world, 2017 turned out to be a year of paradoxes: rapid changes occurring alongside reaffirmations of support for stability.

In the United States, the election of President Trump reflected a call by Americans for a shift in our country’s direction, but not a change in our policy in the Balkans.

In the EU, elections in several countries showed that their commitment to the EU remains strong, despite the crises of recent years.

Turning to 2018, I’m again optimistic about Serbia’s prospects, and for continued strong partnership with the United States.

I plan to continue reaching out to the Serbian people and government to strengthen economic and commercial ties and to encourage stronger recognition of America’s efforts to support Serbia’s strategic goal of joining the EU.

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BARRIERS

GLOBAL DIARY

“Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.” - Paulo Coelho, Brazilian lyricist and novelist

THE SOUL OF VENECIA ▶ Carnival in Venice (this year from January 27- February 13) is a one-of-a-kind celebration suspended between past and present with a traditional local allure featuring many event-within-the-event. Among these, the starting two-day Festa Veneziana with its typical masked regattas, the Best Masked Costume Contest, the Festa delle Marie and countless iconic parades. Each year, Carnival includes celebrations whose history dates back to the times of the Serenissima, such as the famous eagle flight or the well-known Flight of the Angel, to name but a few. Carnival in Venice is the purest example of the perfect meld of tradition, culture and entertainment all in one.

Carnival extravaganza is mostly associated with its countless events held for almost 18 days throughout the most significant locations in the vibrant city centre. Starting from the preparation days before the official kick-in of Carnival celebrations, a true triumph of traditional craftsmanship, to parades, contests to vote the most beautiful masks or even stunning regattas, adults and the youngest ones alike currently get struck by the unique Venetian atmosphere.

THE FIRST BITCOIN BILLIONAIRES

FIRST CROATIAN SILENT CAFE OPENS IN ZAGREB ▶ The first cafe in Zagreb that em-

▶ A few years ago, the twins Tyler

and Cameron Winklevoss brought a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg and accused him of stealing the idea of creating the Facebook social network.

The Winklevoss brothers received $66 million settlement from this case. With amount of approximately $11 million, in 2013 the twins bought around 100,000 bitcoins, when the cost of a single bitcoin was USD 120.

In 2017, the growth of the bitcoin was enormous, and since the beginning of last year, the price of cryptocurrency has increased more than 10 times. The Bitcoin course is now at more than $ 11,500, and this means that this has increased the wealth of the Winklevoss twins 100 times, so the Winklevoss brothers became the world’s first bitcoin billionaire.

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ploys deaf waiters opened this week in the Croatian capital Zagreb.

Silent Cafe opened its doors this week on Ulica Knez Mislav 7 in the city. The aim of the project is to show it is possible for people with this disability that they can still play an important role in society, to bridge differences and break prejudices.

Customers at the cafe order their drinks with the help of a tablet. After arriving at their table orders are placed via the tablet which sends a message to the waiter’s computer.

Customers also have the opportunity to learn basic Croatian sign language via video which is shown in the cafe to help make ordering easier

if they like. The aim of the project is to show that it is possible for people with this disability can still play an important role in society, bridge differences and break prejudices.

"BLACK" LIST OF OFFSHORE ZONES

matters, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said. American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Grenada, Guam, South Korea, Macau, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Namibia, Palau, Panama, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Trinidad and

▶ European Union finance ministers

adopted a blacklist of tax havens which includes 17 extra-EU jurisdictions seen as not cooperative on tax

SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE FIREWORKS CELEBRATION ▶ Sydney’s world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks has taken 15 months of planning and more than 10,000 hours to pull together, as Sydney Harbour Bridge is marking the 40th anniversary of Sydney’s Mardi Gras in 2018. This year the display pays tribute to the ‘78ers’ - the first gay rights campaigners to march in the Sydney Mardi Gras for gay rights in Australia in 1978.

More than 1000 accredited personnel and 300 volunteers for the planning and execution of the unique 2018 New Year’s Eve celebrations were involved. It took more than 5000 hours just to prepare and pull off the two impressive firework displays that are the lynchpin of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. The Sydney NYE fireworks are watching by million (sometimes billions) of people worldwide and have only been cancelled once in history - in 2003, the 9pm family fireworks were cancelled due to winds gusting up to 90km/h.

MORAL

“Corporate social responsibility is measured in terms of businesses improving conditions for their employees, shareholders, communities, and environment. But moral responsibility goes further, reflecting the need for corporations to address fundamental ethical issues such as inclusion, dignity, and equality.” - Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum

TIBETAN NEW YEAR ▶ The Tibetan New year, also known as Losar Festival, is the most important festival on the Tibetan calendar. Annual New Year celebration begins on December 29 and lasts 2 weeks. This year the Tibetan New Year will be celebrated on Feb, 16, 2018.

During the festival, people celebrate by some ancient ceremonies which represent the struggle between good and evil. Lamas are chanting and passing fire torches through the crowds. People perform the dance of the deer and amusing battles between the king and his ministers, and cheering for the coming new year by dancing and singing.

The last two days of the old year called Gutor, people begin to prepare for the New Year. On the first Gutor, people have to do some house cleaning, the kitchen must be cleaned in particular because it is where the family prepare food and is considered the most important part of a house.

On the 2nd day of Gutor, religious ceremonies will be performed.

People visit the monastery to worship, donate money, gifts to the monks and visit friends and relatives.

The most interesting food eaten on Tibetan New Year’s Eve would be Guthuk (hand-rolled noddle soup with broth) and it carries a special symbolic meaning for the New Year.

Tobago, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates are the countries listed, officials said. Le Maire said that other 47 jurisdictions are included in a public “gray” list of countries that are currently not compliant with EU standards but have committed to change their tax rules. Following multiple disclosures of offshore tax avoidance schemes by companies and wealthy individuals, EU states launched a process in February to list tax havens in a bid to discourage setting up shell structures

HUNGARY’S MOST EXPENSIVE APARTMENTS

abroad which are themselves in many cases legal but could hide illicit activities. Blacklisted countries could lose access to EU funds. In Serbia there are over 300 companies from the EU black list of countries.

NEW HEAD OF THE ROYAL HOUSE OF ROMANIA ▶ King Michael I, Romania’s last mon-

arch, died last month, at his private

H.R.H. MARGARETA and KING MICHAEL I

residence in Switzerland. He was 96 years old. Her Royal Highness Margareta, Princess of Romania, is next in line for the position of head of the Royal House. She is and will remain the Custodian of the Crown of Romania after King Michael’s death. Her husband Radu is Prince of Romania.

In a message to Romanians, Princess Margareta praises her father’s tireless work for the Romanian people.

“A new time starts for me and my Family and for the Royal House of Romania. Inspired by the same sentiments as my father, I will continue his work, for the fulfillment of our mission towards the Romanian people.”

The Royal House of Romania currently has only a symbolical status as the country is a republic ran by the President and Parliament.

▶ The record price for the most expensive flat in Budapest has been broken by a new penthouse, that is 140 square meters large. The flat will cost €1.5 million, as it costs €9.5 thousand per square metre, which is higher than that of the average in Vienna.

Most of these flats are the penthouses equipped with a terrace found atop of luxury buildings. The Hungarian luxury flats are usually rented for €19-22 per square metre, although a penthouse at Vörösmarty square is being rented for €7000 thousand per month. Hungary’s priciest luxury flat is at the Szervita square, belonging to Emerald Residence.

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THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IN 2018

B y M I C H A E L S P E N C E , P R O J E C T S Y N D I C AT E

Challenges In The Months

AND YEARS AHEAD The global economy will confront serious challenges in the months and years ahead, and looming in the background is a mountain of debt that makes markets nervous – and that thus increases the system's vulnerability to destabilising shocks.

Yet the baseline scenario seems to be one of continuity, with no obvious convulsions on the horizon

E

conomists like me are asked a set of recurring questions that might inform the choices of firms, individuals, and institutions in areas like investment, education, and jobs, as well as their policy expectations. In most cases, there is no definitive answer. But, with sufficient information, one can discern trends, in terms of economies, markets, and technology, and make reasonable guesses.

In the developed world, 2017 will likely be recalled as a period of stark contrast, with many economies experiencing growth acceleration, alongside political fragmentation, polarisation and tension, both domestically and internationally. In the long run, it is unlikely that economic performance will be immune to centrifugal political and social forces.

Yet, so far, markets and economies have shrugged off political disorder, and the risk of a substantial short-term setback seems relatively small.

The one exception is the United Kingdom, which now faces a messy and divisive Brexit process. Elsewhere in Europe, Germany’s 22 |

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severely weakened chancellor, Angela Merkel, is struggling to forge a coalition government. None of this is good for the UK or the rest of Europe, which desperately needs France and Germany to work together to reform the European Union.

One potential shock that has received much attention relates to monetary tightening. In view of improving economic performance in the developed world, a gradual reversal of aggressively accommodative monetary policy does not appear likely to be a major drag or shock to asset values. Perhaps the long-awaited upward convergence of economic fundamentals to validate market valuations is within reach.

In Asia, Chinese President Xi Jinping is in a stronger position than ever, suggesting that effective management of imbalances and more consumption- and innovation-driven growth can be expected. India also appears set to sustain its growth and reform momentum. As these economies grow, so will others throughout the region and beyond.

The world’s leading thinkers and policymakers examine what’s come

apart in the past year, and anticipate what will define the year ahead. whether President Donald Trump’s administration actually intends to When it comes to technology, especially digital technology, China retreat from international cooperation, or is merely positioning itself and the United States seem set to dominate for years to come, as they to renegotiate terms that are more favourable to the U.S. What does continue to fund basic research, reaping major benefits when innovaseem clear, at least for now, is that the U.S. cannot be counted on to tions are commercialised. These two countries are also home to the serve as a principal sponsor and architect of the evolving rules-based major platforms for economic and social interaction, which benefit global system for fairly managing interdependence. from network effects, closure of informational gaps, and, perhaps most The situation is similar with regard to mitigating climate change. important, artificial-intelligence capabilities and applications that use The U.S. is now the only country that is not committed to the Paris and generate massive sets of valuable data. climate agreement, which has held despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal. Even within the U.S., cities, states and businesses, Such platforms are not just lucrative on their own; they also produce as well as a host of civil-society organisations, have signalled a creda host of related opportunities for new business models operating in ible commitment to fulfilling America’s climate obligations, with or and around them, in, say, advertising, logistics, and finance. Given this, economies that lack such platforms, such as the EU, are at a disadvantage. Even Latin America has a major innovative domestic e-commerce player (Mercado Libre) and a digital payments system (Mercado Pago).

In mobile online payments systems, China is in the lead. With much of the country’s population having shifted directly from cash to mobile online payments – skipping checks and credit cards – China’s payments systems are robust.

Earlier this month on Singles’ Day, an annual festival of youth-orientated consumption that has become the single largest shopping event in the world, China’s leading online payment platform, Alipay, processed up to 256,000 payments per second, using robust cloud computing architecture. There is also impressive scope for expanding financial services – from credit assessments to asset management and insurance – on the Alipay platform, and its expansion into other Asian countries via partnerships is well underway.

Economic power and without the federal government.

In the coming years, developed and developinfluence will continue ing economies will also have to work hard to shift Still, the world has a long way to go, as to shift from west to toward more inclusive growth patterns. Here, I its dependence on coal remains high. The anticipate that national governments may take a east, without any sudden Financial Times reports that peak demand back seat to businesses, subnational governments, for coal in India will come in about ten change in the pattern labor unions, and educational and non-profit instiyears, with modest growth between now of job, income, political tutions in driving progress, especially in places hit and then. While there is upside potential and social polarisation, by political fragmentation and a backlash against in this scenario, depending on more rapid the political establishment. primarily in the developed cost reductions in green energy, the world Such fragmentation is likely to intensify. Automais still years away from negative growth countries, and with no tion is set to sustain, and even accelerate, change on in carbon dioxide emissions. obvious convulsions the demand side of labour markets, in areas ranging All of this suggests that the global on the horizon from manufacturing and logistics to medicine and economy will confront serious challenges in law, while supply-side responses will be much slower. the months and years ahead. And looming As a result, even if workers gain stronger support during structural in the background is a mountain of debt that makes markets nervous transitions (in the form of income support and retraining options), and increases the system’s vulnerability to destabilising shocks. Yet labor-market mismatches are likely to grow, sharpening inequality and the baseline scenario in the short run seems to be one of continuity. contributing to further political and social polarisation.

Economic power and influence will continue to shift from west to east, Nonetheless, there are reasons to be cautiously optimistic. For without any sudden change in the pattern of job, income, political, and starters, there remains a broad consensus across the developed and social polarisation, primarily in the developed countries, and with no emerging economies on the desirability of maintaining a relatively obvious convulsions on the horizon. ■ open global economy.

Michael Spence, a Nobel laureate in economics, The notable exception is the U.S., though it is unclear at this point Professor of Economics at NYU’s Stern School of Business….

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By MILOS BELČEVIĆ

INTERVIEW

Building A Home For

TOMORROW’S INNOVATIVE COMPANIES JUNGWOOK LIM

MANAGING DIRECTOR AT STARTUP ALLIANCE KOREA; MEMBER OF THE KOREAN PRESIDENT’S BOARD FOR THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

The South Korean economy is Asia’s 4th largest and the world’s 11th largest. With global brands like Samsung, Hyundai and LG, and IT companies like Naver and Kakao, Korea appears to be a start-up paradise. But what are some of the challenges it is facing; and what can Serbian start-ups learn from Korea?

J

ungwook Lim is the face of Korean start-ups. As the managing director of Startup Alliance Korea and a member of the Korean President’s Board for the 4 th Industrial Revolution, he works every day to brings entrepreneurs, media companies, major corporations, governments and other stakeholders together to foster a better ecosystem for the innovative companies of tomorrow. Fluent in Korean, English and Japanese, he helps Korean start-ups grow and go global, bringing to the table his perspective of Silicon Valley and the Japanese IT industry, along with his extensive network in the global start-up scene.

■ How important is it to have good communication and cooperation between different stakeholders in order to foster a good start-up ecosystem? How does Startup Alliance Korea do that?

- I actually don’t think everybody understands how start-ups work and what it takes to grow good start-ups. Most of the time,

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reporters don’t really understand how start-ups work, and neither do government officials, big corporations and so on… But if you go to Silicon Valley, everybody knows how start-ups work.

The ecosystem is actually optimised there, so everybody shares knowledge and experiences.

I think it is essential to provide opportunity and interconnect everyone, and that is what we do at Startup Alliance Korea. By organising so many events and meetups to let people connect to each other, we are trying to connect entrepreneurs and start-ups with media, big corporations and the government… So, basically, we’re trying to be a bridge with the start-up world.

■ Helping start-ups grow and go global by connecting people and building up the start-up ecosystem must be an exciting job. What are your favourite aspects of your work, and what would you note among the challenging parts?

- I think the most interesting part is that I’m always surrounded by really passionate people who want to change the world, who

are willing to try and learn something new and who always want to connect and share ideas. In this way I always grow and have the opportunity to learn and meet new people, as well as sharing with others the things I learn. That is what I’m really excited about.

When it comes to challenges, there are still so many people out there who are not very interested in start-ups; who think it’s just a bunch of people who want to raise a lot of money and just spend it with low motto, so they misunderstood what’s actually going on. I’m trying to change this perception of start-ups, and sometimes it can be a bit challenging to change people.

■ You have worked and gained vast expertise in both the Silicon Valley IT industry and in Korea. What are some of the main differences and similarities between the start-up ecosystems of Korea and Silicon Valley?

- Silicon Valley is a place that is really optimised for developing innovative small companies into big companies. Similarities with Korea are that there are a lot of tech-savvy people here as well, and we also have very good IT companies, like Samsung, Naver and Kakao, and many good gaming companies.

On the surface, it seems that Korea has a really good start-up ecosystem, just like Silicon Valley, but if you go deeper, Silicon Valley has much deeper ecosystems with all stakeholders – like investors, media, schools, lawyers, accountants etc. – knowing how to support entrepreneurs and start-ups, so that’s really different. The influence and the existence of the government is a lot stronger in Korea than in Silicon Valley, where you’re almost unable to feel the government, everything is private, kind of grassroots, and there is also less bureaucracy.

ups. This is important, because the world is changing so fast and Korean companies have to compete with other global companies.

For example, Samsung has to compete with Apple, and that’s why they’re serious about innovation and making investments. They have their own innovation centre, with offices around the world investing in start-ups, and they made their own creative labs programme within the company… They are a huge company, so they didn’t like “some small ideas”, but their attitude is changing and they now encourage their employees who have ideas to incubate them within the company, form a team, work on their idea for around a year, then spin off and go independent, with Samsung

Samsung is a huge company, so they didn’t like “some small ideas”, but their attitude is changing and they now encourage their employees who have ideas to incubate them within the company…LG is doing something similar, while Hyundai Motors are increasing their venture investments as well

■ As you’ve mentioned, Korea is home to global brands like Samsung, Hyundai, LG and Posco. What’s the relationship like between these global companies and new start-ups? Is it more competitive or is there room for collaboration, with everyone having something to gain and learn from each other?

- A lot of Korean people actually blame big companies for being family-controlled and greedy, as well as for playing unfairly towards smaller companies. The government has been pushing the big companies to do something about this, and they launched Centres for Creative Economy and Innovation hand in hand with the government, in order to help start-ups. However, this was at a superficial level.

The attitude has changed in the last two years, and now major companies are becoming more serious about working with start-

making a small investment and keeping less than 30% of shares in the company.

LG is doing something similar, while Hyundai Motors are increasing their venture investments as well. I think that’s quite a change and I hope we will see more of that.

■ Start-up campuses are also on the rise in Korea. One of them is Maru 180, a six-storey building where entrepreneurs can interact, exchange knowledge and experience, as well as accessing mentors, accelerators and investors. What are some of the main advantages of having this kind of

infrastructure?

- I think it’s very important. Maru 180 was started by the Hyundai Foundation. The daughter of Hyundai’s founder visited Google Campus London about five years ago and noticed that it works as a hub for Tech City London, where they have events and startups, and where investors stay under the same roof. There are JANUARY

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now several such start-up centres in Korea, and this helps people meet each other very often. At Maru 180 there are three or four well-known early stage VC investors, and they bring companies for their portfolio into the building. There’s also a big event venue there, with lots of events happening and bringing people together…

The existence of these centres is very important. I think there are similar places in Serbia as well, but there’s a difference in scale.

■ The future is definitely bright for start-ups and innovative companies, but it is also challenging – with start-ups having to navigate a rapidly and radically changing environment. What are some of the ways that start-ups can be future-proofed and start-up communities can be made more resilient?

- Rapidly changing landscape, challenges, fierce competition and so on are the destiny of start-ups. They are taking great risks and don’t know what’s going to happen even after the investments. It is very important to have some guts, to endure and never give up, to work hard, listen to the people and the feedback, improve the product over time, have constantly good relations with investors, hit the milestones and receive the next funding. Understanding the formula for growth and having a good, sustainable relationship with investors and customers is essential to the survival of start-ups.

that there is a lot of talent for outsourcing, but they aren’t actually solving some problem, or having a product, they are just earning their salary. I believe there are people who are really passionate about something and have ideas that they want to build upon, but they need to secure some money to start.

It is also important to go global for the bigger markets. Ideas are the same everywhere – I saw similar start-ups in Singapore, the U.S., Europe, everywhere… For example, you could have a start-up in Korea worth two to three million dollars, while some similar start-up in China that does almost the same thing and was launched at a similar time could be worth 100 to 200 million dollars, because they are targeting a bigger market, are more ambitious and received more funding.

■ Could you mention some of the Korean start-ups whose progress we should monitor in 2018?

- There are quite a few. HyperConnect, which provides a video-chatting app, is popular in the Middle East, where it is growing like crazy, with revenues of around 200 million dollars, while in Korea almost nobody knows about it.

There is also an interesting education tech company providing learning platforms specifically for Korean people, because we are obsessed with passing some government exams and specific tests. Like with Netflix, you pay a flat fee every month, for example ten or twelve dollars, and have unlimited access to different classes. They are now doing English classes as well, expanding ■ If you had to choose only one or to other areas of learning and making two pieces of advice for building good money. They have around 1,200 a successful start-up ecosystem, Serbia also needs to be more employees and even acquired a U.S. what would be your main advice connected with the world. I company, to try to replicate this success for start-up founders in Serbia; check TechMeme.com every there as well. and what would you advise the There are also some interesting government? day, and when I searched for FinTech companies. For instance, Toss, - There is no single solution, but it’s a Serbia I couldn’t find anything. which is a money transfer app that lets mutual effort. It seems that the Serbian Serbia is still almost invisible to you send money using your phone numgovernment doesn’t know that much the outside start-up world ber. They have about 10 or 11 million about start-ups. I don’t think money downloads in Korea, with several million solves everything – it’s just a starting active daily users, and this is why they are also able to cross-sell point. There’s a whole art to growing start-ups. You need to see all money loan programs and even sell Bitcoin on their platform. It the aspects of an ecosystem and try to make it more independent is also interesting that there are a lot of banks and finance institufrom the government, try not to make too many regulations and tions partnering with Toss. laws that can actually limit start-up growth.

Moving forward, a challenge for Korean start-ups is going global, Serbia also needs to be more connected with the world. I check but in order to go really global they need to get larger investments TechMeme.com every day, and when I searched for Serbia I couldn’t exceeding 100 million dollars. This is hard due to the limitations find anything. Serbia is still almost invisible to the outside startof the Korean market, so they need to be more exposed to foreign up world. You have to let the world know about you, to become investors in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and so on. ■ famous in a way, and then the talent will follow. My impression is 26 |

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JANUARY BUSINESS LEADERS’ MEETING POINT

PAGE 28

DRAGAN FILIPOVIĆ, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Generali Osiguranje Srbija

RADOMIR MILJUŠ, Director, Šinvoz, Zrenjanin

Damage Assessment

By Drone

Šinvoz Conquers New Markets

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CSILLA IHÁSZ, Chairwoman of the Management Board, UniCredit Bank Serbia

MIROSLAV PREŠERN, Director of OVEN Elektro Maribor, d.o.o. (Ltd.)

Clients Come First

Adapt To Rapid Market Changes

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NENAD AVLIJAŠ, Director, ASW Inženjering

MIODRAG MITROVIĆ, MITECO

Data Makes Money

We Discard Millions Of Euros At The Dump

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SRBISLAV VIDOJEVIĆ, Director, Timomed

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Honey Production As A Life Calling

CORPORATE

DRAGAN FILIPOVIĆ, CEO AND CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AT GENERALI OSIGURANJE SRBIJA

Damage Assessment By Drone Thanks to the constant introducing of innovations into its operations and the monitoring of trends, Generali Osiguranje enables its clients to purchase travel insurance and policies for households via mobile phone. In this, the company is unique in Serbia

A

t the end of a year that was a difficult one for business, Generali Osiguranje Srbija is recording excellent results and also expects to set new records. They believe that regulatory changes, the development of the economy and the growth of living standards will raise this branch of the economy to a higher level, the greatest benefits of which will be felt by their growing number of clients.

■ How would you assess Generali’s operations in 2017?

- Last year, 2016, was a record year for our company, and for this year we had even bigger and more ambitious plans. If we succeed in realising them, we will have set a new record on the Serbian market, in terms of profitability and services, but also in terms of the speed of settling damages.

Total premiums of all types of insurance in Serbia this year stands at around 800,000,000 euros, while in Slovenia it is 2,100,000,000 euros, which means there is a direct correlation between insurance, economic development and living standards in a country. That’s why we’re doing the groundwork for the time to come. In future we need to turn towards private individuals as much as 28 |

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possible, primarily due to the overall result, and it is important that our risks are resolved, with us having hundreds of thousands of new clients instead of just five major companies.

We are well rated within the Generali Group and are continuing along the path we have set... We have the most innovative products on the market, are the fastest at settling damage claims for clients and we generate profitability for our shareholders.

■ How does Generali interpret the digitisation process in its operations?

- I’m very proud of what we’ve done to date, because we operate in accordance with the trends of the Generali Group at the global level. We are the first company in Serbia to enable clients to buy

Generali Group requires that we operate as a truly European company in terms of standards, regardless of which market we are working on, and we adapt to that successfully two types of insurance via their mobile phones, travel insurance and household insurance policies. Until last year, our clients who only remembered at the Greek border that they didn’t have travel insurance were directed to the nearest town with a branch office. This meant losing time, which prompted most clients to opt not to buy the policy. That same client can today call any of our agents and, with five or six clicks on their mobile

phone, buy and pay for the insurance and continue their journey.

We have also enabled people to very quickly choose the type of insurance they want, buy it, pay for it and insure their household without our agent having to go out into the field.

Generali Group requires that we operate as a truly European company in terms of standards, regardless of which market we are working on, and we adapt to that successfully. We increasingly use drones to assess damage to crops.

This provides us with a safe and reliable video account and an indisputable claim for damage settlement, unlike situations where an army of people tasked with evaluating damage spend many hours inspecting some crop fields. We’ve also introduced the digital signature to damage settlement claims, thanks to which a large number of our employees are now able to do other things that benefit clients.

■ What are your expectations and forecasts for the year ahead?

- I am an optimist by nature and expect changes in everything we recently discussed during the Days of Serbian Insurance in Aranđelovac, and which relate to regulations; I expect that all the initiatives we are working on will bear fruit and that awareness of the importance of insurance will continue to grow among citizens. I also expect the development of our country’s economy and the growth of living standards to raise our branch of the economy to a higher level. ■

CORPORATE RADOMIR MILJUŠ, DIRECTOR, ŠINVOZ, ZRENJANIN

Šinvoz Conquers New Markets A lack of continuity in investments on the domestic market led Šinvoz to turn towards foreign partners. Long-term contracts provide this enterprise with operational continuity and stability, and as of recently it has also begun supplying parts for the auto industry (BMW and Rolls Royce...)

A

fter two decades of stagnation and decline, Zrenjaninbased company Šinvoz finally regained its feet. It now bids farewell to 2017, which saw the company celebrate its 130th birthday, with positive business results, new contracts and increased volumes of work. In constant search of experts and skilled labour, this company also hopes to increase its number of employees.

■ Šinvoz stagnated and decayed for 20 years, but you have resurrected it from the ashes. How did you succeed?

- We restructured in 2009 and mapped out the direction of development. We saw that we couldn’t rely solely on the domestic market, so we turned towards foreign partners. We signed long-term contracts that provide stability for our operations over a longer period.

We had to completely renew the factory, to restore it to the level of 20 years ago. Half a million euros has been invested each year, and we have permanently invested resources in staff training and the certification of the process in the factory.

■ You have conquered new markets and signed important new contracts.

What would you highlight?

- We signed a ten-year contract with Vossloh Kiepe, for which we are making air-conditioning units for railway vehicles, and an eight-year contract with multinational company Bombardier to deliver cabins and roofs for trains. Cooperation with these companies is tied down, with a tendency to constantly increase the scope and type of services.

We are still working for railway companies in Serbia and railways in the region.

We have a constantly open application contest for mechanical and electrical engineers, locksmiths, welders, electricians, electronics experts, CNC machine operators etc.

We offer them all safe employment and opportunities for additional education ■ Do equipment and the expertise of staff create problems when it comes to meeting customer demands?

- Equipment is not a problem – there is money for that and it is renewed as required, following the latest technolo-

gies. Two years ago, with the financial support of the owner of our factory, Nebojša Ivković, we adapted part of the plant covering 2,500 square metres and bought new machines and equipment, but we lack expert personnel. We have a constantly open application contest for mechanical and electrical engineers, locksmiths, welders, electricians, electronics experts, CNC machine operators etc. The response is very poor, while the quality requirements are very rigorous, so every new employee goes through additional training and education.

■ How are you ending this jubilee 130th year for your company?

- We will finish it with positive business results. Profits won’t be huge, because this year we invested significant funds in procuring machines and equipment, educating personnel and arranging infrastructure, but that will improve our operations in the years ahead. We are aware that there is no progress without development.

■ And what kind of plans do you have?

- We are partly involved in work for the auto industry, so for instance we became a supplier of parts for BMW, Rolls Royce... We plan to expand production capacities, build new halls, acquire new machines and new equipment, invest in personnel and certification. We don’t fear the future. ■ JANUARY

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LOCAL NEWS

BUDGET “The 2018 budget cannot give the maximum to everyone as the goal is to ensure stability and permanent GDP growth.”— DUŠAN VUJOVIĆ, Serbian Finance Minister DAHUA TECHNOLOGY

DATA CENTER

Dahua Technology To Better Serve Serbian Market

First State Data Centre In Serbia

Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. is a leading solution provider in the global video surveillance industry. With around 13,000 employees all over the world, Dahua solutions, products, and services are used in over 180 countries and regions.

As a leading solution provider in the global video surveillance industry, Dahua has been serving Serbian market since 2010, offering comprehensive video surveillance products, advanced and diversified solutions as well as end-to-end services. In November 2016, Dahua Technology SRB d.o.o was officially established in the business complex Airport City in New Belgrade. This showcased its commitment to Serbian market by better serving local customers and partners. Stronger and more timely support regarding technology, sales and marketing will be delivered to them.

OFFICIAL GAZETTE

Winner Of “Belgrade Victor” Award Public Company Službeni glasnik (Official Gazette) has won the Annual “Belgrade Victor” Award for business results achieved in 2016. The award is granted by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia Regional Chamber of Commerce of Belgrade. This significant recognition was presented at a Belgrade City Assembly ceremony and was given in recognition of outstanding results in developing and contributing to the success of the Belgrade and Serbian economy in the previous year.

“This recognition is the crown of our work in the previous year, which we marked as one of the most profitable public companies. I can already now announce that we will end 2017 with equally good results and with revenue growth many times higher than in previous years. I am proud of everything the Official Gazette has achieved and continuously does in the field of cultural development in Serbia,” said Dr Jelena Trivan, Director of the Official Gazette. With a tradition dating back more than two centuries, the Official Gazette has evolved into one of the most important publishers of capital editions, professional and theoretical literature.

The first state-of-the-art Data Centre in Serbia, which houses key information and communication infrastructureimportantfortheefficientfunctioning of electronic administration and the development of new services for citizens and businesses, was opened by Prime Minister Ana Brnabic.

In the premises of the Office for Information Technology and Electronic Administration, Brnabic pointed out that it is a “very important day for eGovernment and for all citizens, because we will no longer have a situation in which each individual ministry, each agency, administration will have its own data centres in unsafe conditions, but everything will be able to run centrally.”

There will be millions of useful savings in the future important for the citizens of Serbia.

UNICREDIT

SOCIETE GENERALE

International Work Experience Programme

Generator Competition Winners Declared

For the fifth consecutive year, the UniCredit Foundation and universities are jointly launching a competition for the International Work Experience Programme, under the auspices of which 30 students from Europe, including Serbia, will have the opportunity to spend three months of work experience practise at member banks of the UniCredit Group in Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia. The practise will take place from June to August 2018, and the UniCredit Foundation and universities will cover travel expenses, visas and other costs of up to €1,000 for the selected students. Additionally, monthly funding in the amount of €700 will be provided for participants.

The international programme of work experience in banks throughout the UniCredit Group is open to applicant students from different educational profiles who are in at least their second year of studies. It is also essential for candidates to be citizens of one of the countries where UniCredit operates, including Serbia.

Applications can be submitted via the link http://www.unicreditanduniversities. eu/index.php/en/fellow/show/fellow_id/26.

All documentation must be sent in English, in PDF format, by 4th January 2018 at the latest. The Scientific Committee of the Foundation will select the 30 successful applicants by 1st March.

In the final of the major prize competition Generator, organised by Societe Generale Bank, entrepreneurial innovations were presented by 10 teams and evaluated by an expert jury. The best entrepreneurial innovation was declared as the “Keep it cool” smart cooling system, which saves energy of up to 30 per cent, presented by Milan Đurica and the “Food Group” team, which won prize money of a million dinars, awarded

by Societe Generale Bank.

The 500,000-dinar public prize, which was chosen via voting on the generator.rs website, was won by the “PetGuards” team, who designed an online platform for finding reliable pet minders while owners are away.

Competition participants were also awarded by partner companies: the Vip mobile prize was won by semi-finalists “Plativoo”; KupujemProdujem awarded the “Cake Wizard incubator” team; retail chain Maxi awarded the “Kuponocikl” team, while ICT Hub gave a prize to the “Woobox” team.

The finalists were initially selected among 780 applicants, then 40 semi-finalists.

Generator is the first major prize competition organised by Societe Generale Bank to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its operations in Serbia.

“It is very important for Societe Generale Bank to once again highlight its great commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in the year of this anniversary of doing business in Serbia,” noted Maria Ruseva, President of the Executive Board of Societe Generale Bank.

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PROGRESS “Serbia has done a lot of work in the economy over the past years…, but reforms must be continued for the country to make progress and open new negotiation chapters.” — H.E. SEM FABRIZI, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia OTP BANK

OTP Bank Buys Vojvođanska Banka

Placements & postings appointments@aim.rs

▪ H.E. FRÉDÉRIC MONDOLONI, NEW AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SERBIA

Hungary’s OTP Bank bought Vojvođanska Banka, as well as NGB Leasing and the National Bank of Greece’s corporate loan portfolio in Serbia. This is one of the biggest recent banking transactions in the region and it was closed beginning of last month Belgrade. Karanović & Nikolić, in cooperation with the global law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, advised the buyer – OTP Bank, one of the leading banks in Central and Eastern Europe, throughout all of the stages of the acquisition process.

This is OTP Bank’s third successful acquisition in this year, after acquisitions in neighboring Croatia and Romania. After the realization of the financial part of the transaction, the company’s presence in Serbia is further solidified, in line with their strategic goal of increasing their market share in the countries in which OTP operates. Hungary’s OTP Bank now has a 5.7% market share in Serbia and is the seventh biggest bank in the country.

BELGRADE AIRPORT NIKOLA TESLA

Record 5 Million Passengers

H.E. Frédéric Mondoloni was born on 23rd September 1971 and graduated from the Institute of Political Sciences in Paris and the National School of Administration (ENA), as part of the “Valmi” generation, in 1998.

He began his professional diplomatic career in 1998, in the Directorate for North Africa and the Middle East, and then served from 2000 to 2002 in the Directorate for Strategic Affairs, Security and Disarmament. During 2002-3 he was an exchange diplomat at the State Department in Washington, and from 2003 to 2005 he held the post of first secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of France in Washington. From 2005 to 2007 he was a technical advisor in the Cabinet of the French Prime Minister, and from 2007 to 2009 Mr Mondoloni served as a diplomatic advisor in the Cabinet of the Minister of Defence. From 2009 to 2013 he was Director of the Office for Strategic and External Relations and Director of International Relations at the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), after which he transferred to the position of governor for France at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna (2009-2013). Prior to his arrival in Serbia, Mr Mondoloni was Counsellor-Minister at the Embassy of the Republic of France in Moscow (2013-2017).

Apart from his native French, Ambassador Mondoloni speaks English, Italian and Russian.

▪ H.E. JUNICHI MARUYAMA, NEW AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO SERBIA H.E. Junichi Maruyama (63) holds a BA in Law from the University of Tokyo and an MA in Public Administration from Princeton University.

His professional experience began in 1977 at the Japanese Ministry of Finance. In 1981 he was appointed to the Office of the Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs, Secretarial Division, Minister’s Secretariat, MOF. During 1983 and 1984 Mr Maruyama served as head of the Katsurngi Taxation Office, Osaka Region, and for the next two years held the post of Deputy Director, Coordination Division, Financial Bureau, MOF. Between 1984 and 1986 he served as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan to the U.S., followed by two years as First Secretary at the same embassy. From 1981 to 1991 he was Deputy Director for Foreign Exchange and Money Market Division, International Finance Bureau, and from 1991 to 1992 he was Deputy Director of the Commercial Banks Division, Banking Bureau, MOF. He spent the next two years as Research and Planning Division Director, Minister ‘s Secretariat, MOF, and in 1994/95 served as Deputy Director of the Financial Institutions Department, EBRD, followed by a stint as Director of the EBRD Central Asia Department (1995-1997). In 1997 Mr Maruyama was appointed Director of the Foreign Exchange and Money Market Division at the International Bureau, MOF, and for the next two years served as Director of the Development Institutions Division, International Bureau, MOF. During 2002-2003 he was Director of the International Organisations Division at the International Bureau, and the next year he was appointed Director of the Coordination Division and International Bureau, MOF. In 2004 Mr Maruyama became Deputy DirectorGeneral of the European Affairs Bureau, MOF, and from 2006 to 2009 he was Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs, Planning and Coordination Bureau, Financial Services Agency. In 2009 he served as Director-General of Yokohama Customs and from 2011 he became Vice-President at Citibank Japan Ltd. From 2013 to 2017 he was Managing Director and Head of Government Affairs at Citigroup Japan Holdings Corp., and from 2013 to 2017 he held the post of Managing Director and Head of Government Affairs at Citigroup Japan Holdings Corp.

In 2014 Mr Maruyama became Chairman and Representative Director of Futures Industry Association Japan and from 2017 he is Managing Director and Head of Government Affairs at Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc., and Citibank, J.A., Tokyo Branch.

▪ H.E. KATI CSABA, NEW AMBASSADOR OF CANADA TO SERBIA Belgrade international airport has handled a record five million passengers year-to-date, the Serbian government said in a statement on Friday.

In April, the managing director of Belgrade airport operator Aerodrom Nikola Tesla [BEL:AERO], Sasa Vlaisavljevic, said the airport targets passenger traffic of 5.5 million in 2017. The airport will book record-high results in terms of passenger traffic, number of aircraft handled and financial performance this year, he noted.

The airport has the capacity to handle up to 7.5 million passengers annually and expects traffic will rise gradually in the coming years, infrastructure minister Zorana Mihajlovic said back in July.

Ambassador Kati Csaba holds a BA in Political Studies and Russian from Queen’s University, graduating in 1988, and an MA in Central/Eastern European and Russian-Area Studies from Carleton University (1993). Mrs Csaba began her career at External Affairs and International Trade Canada in 1993, where she was engaged on Canada’s assistance programme to Hungary. In the following years, Kati occupied several programming and analytical roles covering Central and Eastern Europe, including four Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) postings in the region: second secretary in Kiev (1995 to 1997), head of aid in Sarajevo (1997 to 1999), head of aid in Moscow (2005 to 2009) and development director in Kiev (2009 to 2012). In 2013 she served as a member of the transition team responsible for the amalgamation of the then Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the then CIDA, after which she served as the director of amalgamation implementation at Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada’s Sub-Saharan Africa Branch (2014 to 2015). Most recently, she held the post of senior director responsible for Canada’s development programme with Ethiopia, based at the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa.

Kati was appointed Ambassador to both Serbia and Montenegro in December 2017 and has also been AmbassadorDesignate to Macedonia since November 2017.

Mrs Csaba is a married mother of two teenage children.

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CORPORATE CSILLA IHÁSZ, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD, UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA

Clients Come First UniCredit Bank has done something no other bank has previously done – it launched the initiative Uchange, listening to the complaints, wishes and needs of clients in order to offer them the kinds of products and services they want

need to walk in the shoes of our clients in order to understand what they really care about. With the aim of winning over the hearts of the people, we launched the UChange initiative.

T

he banking sector, perhaps more than any other, must constantly change and meet the needs of increasingly demanding clients. UniCredit Bank realised this on time and entrusted its clients with the main role of creating offers and introducing novelties.

Speaking to CorD about this is UniCredit Bank Serbia Management Board Chairman Csilla Ihász.

■ UChange is something unique on the Serbian banking market.

How did you get the idea?

- When was the last time you went shopping for daily groceries; one of those most mundane, let’s say transactional purchases you can do? Yet, you somehow felt engaged.

Valued. Something happened that made you feel understood, appreciated. Even respected. It touched you emotionally and you somehow felt special. We all have moments like this.

But unfortunately they seldom happen in banking. So, at UniCredit Bank Serbia we decided to embark on an exciting journey to understand more about our customers, their feelings and behaviour. We at UniCredit Bank realised that if we want to make a difference we 32 |

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■ You invited clients to lead changes aimed at improving their own experience. That is not common in the banking world. What did you do specifically and how did they react?

- When we decided to change the way of doing banking, the only thing that was clear from the very beginning was that we had to give the main role to the clients. We asked ourselves who better than them could know what could we do to improve their experi-

That’s because everything in banking is about the people and, thus, they will continue playing the main role in transforming our business ence in a branch? And that was a major milestone in our UChange initiative.

Together with 50 existing, prospective and former clients, we reshaped the way they feel in our branches. Colleagues presented them with potential solutions, which they tested and then suggest changes. It was nothing extraordinary for us when we sent invitations for the UClient event. But when I met the guests I realised that we had done something unexpected.

They told us that this was the first

time any bank had sought their opinion in this way. Even though they were sceptical about their role, once workshops started they soon realised that we really need them to make a change.

This was a breakthrough. I have to say that energy and engagement peaked.

When I saw how different groups defended their standpoints – with lots of passion – I was convinced that we had done the right thing.

■ What are the next steps? Is this actually just the beginning of creating an excellent customer experience?

- This very unique initiative, UChange, was made through different preparatory phases. First we listened to our customers through various communication channels in order to find out what bothers them about the way we do banking. We put all this data together and analysed the customer experience, clustered major pain points and observed them in three areas - space, people and service. Then we invited guests who, after a very productive all-day discussion, agreed upon three quick solutions that will be piloted in several branches in the months ahead.

We decided that all those engaged in creating an excellent customer experience at UniCredit branches will be the first to test the solutions.

That’s because everything in banking is about the people and, thus, they will continue playing the main role in transforming our business. ■

CORPORATE MIROSLAV PREŠERN, DIRECTOR OF OVEN ELEKTRO MARIBOR, D.O.O. (LTD.)

Adapt To Rapid Market Changes With its web shop, www.trgovina-oven.si the company OVEN Elektro Maribor has already achieved visibility and a presence in the region, and in this way citizens and enterprises in Serbia can also browse and order all products

“W

e live in times of fast changes and often too little time remains for the important things and people in our life,” says Miroslav Prešern, Director of OVEN Elektro Maribor, d.o.o. (Ltd.)

we prepared a catalogue of practical business gifts that can make your work easier and your free time more fun. We live in times of fast changes and often too little time remains for the important things and people in our life. At Oven, we have sorted products into four sets, to help everyone find the perfect innovative gift. The catalogue of business gifts can be viewed at: https://www.trgovina-oven.si/ media/files/E-katalog_Oven_LAST_pdf.pdf As for the services we offer on the market, they will be orientated primarily into self-sufficient or combined microsystems for producing electricity from renewable sources.

We also expect Serbian consumers and enterprises to respond to our extended offer of products and services in the future.

larger cities in the region and in Serbia. The conditions in the countries in this region vary a lot, of course. At the moment, the high price of e-bikes is quite a challenge.

Here we are counting on state subventions and other initiatives, though we are confident that in time the absolute prices of these products will drop. In any case, the business models of rental and purchase of e-bikes are future-orientated, and therefore unlikely to yield large profits in the first few years of business. That’s why we need to take the long view on this matter and remain persistent and patient.

Already on 1st February 2018 we are starting a new serious project – a rental service with 15 e-bikes, which will also be offered to tourists in various interesting packages. In this way, we will enable people to have a genuine experience of Maribor and the surrounding area.

Our company will only undertake the sharing of e-bikes; we will not be building any charging stations.

■ What are your experiences in selling green-related products and services on the Serbian market, given that you’ve announced the start of sales for July this year?

- In the second half of 2017 we, at the company OVEN, set up a web shop with related products for electrical mobility (e-bikes, scooters, hoverboards), heating (IR heating panels), cooling (air conditioning Our products need no units), smart home products (LED smart supporting infrastructure at lightbulbs, smoke detectors, water senall. We are definitely interested ■ OVEN’s plans in Serbia, accordsors), nature and health (nutritional and cosmetic hemp products), electricity in developing business models ing to what we’ve been able to hear (electricity storage facilities, industrial and read publicly, are clear –mini in larger cities in the region lighting), water (waste water treatment hydro power plants. What have you and in Serbia systems and rainwater reservoirs), acachieved in this field in Serbia in the meantime, in tangible terms? cessories (solar phone chargers, power - Yes, our plans are clear: small hydro banks, VR goggles), along with the option ■ Appropriate infrastructure is required power plants. From the time of signof renting e-bikes and hoverboards and for urban E-mobility and the use of your buying other services. products, and your company has itself ing the memorandum with the Serbian We are very satisfied with the effects specified that it will not invest in that government in previous years, and then and response, both in sales of products infrastructure. Given that OVEN products finding suitable locations, we are now in and placements of services. We have also represent the “future” for existing condithe middle of serious negotiations about translated our web shop into English, to a larger project. We will continue to tions in the countries of the region, what allow for marketing in other countries; the carefully and keenly observe the Serbian is their status on the market? catalogues of services will be redesigned market, since we are mostly interested in - Our products need no supporting infrafor international markets early in 2018. buying existing operational small hydrostructure at all. We are definitely interAs a new feature, at the end of the year ested in developing business models in power plants. ■ JANUARY

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REGIONAL NEWS

PERSPECTIVE “We both reaffirmed our commitment to the region (the Western Balkans), which has a clear European Union perspective, and encouraged continued reforms and reconciliation process in the region”— FEDERICA MOGHERINI, EU foreign policy and security chief

ROMANIA

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Dacia Limited Edition Can Be Purchased Online Only

Natron-Hayat Is Planning €120 Million New Investment

The 100 cars are available only in the Orange Atacama color and can be purchased exclusively online at a price of €18,900. Customers can book a car on the One.dacia.ro website by making a down payment of €500. The payment will be made by bank card through a payment processor. Once the booking is confirmed, customers can choose their own Dacia dealer for the car delivery.

E-commerce allows the company to be closer to its customers, Hakim Boutéhra, general director of Renault Commercial Roumanie, said.

The successful industrial tradition in Maglaj was continued by the factory of cellulose and paper Natron-Hayat, which used to be the largest manufacturer in the Balkans.

Sino-CEE Fund Chairman JIANG JIANQING and Magyar Eximbank CEO ZOLTÁN URBÁN sign the agreement HUNGARIA

Eximbank signs up to Sino-CEE Fund Hungarian Export-Import Bank Plc will subscribe to 100 million euros of Sino-CEE Fund on accumulative basis, according to a subscription agreement signed by the two parties in Budapest.

Aiming to raise a total of €10 billion, Sino-CEE Fund is actively pushing forward the investment cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries. Its investments into Hungary are expected to exceed €300 million.

The subscription by Hungarian Eximbank on behalf of Hungarian government to Sino-CEE Fund is a major step forward taken by Hungary in response to the call for enhanced cooperation between China and CEE countries. It will build partnerships with governments, enterprises, and financial institutions to promote capacity cooperation and industrial cooperation between China and CEE countries.

FYR MACEDONIA

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is extending two loans totalling €5 million to Sparkasse Bank Makedonija. “This is the first time the EBRD is GLIGOR BISHEV, CEO, Sparkasse Bank extending funds to support retail lending by a Makedonija, and ANCA IOANA IONESCU, EBRD Macedonianbank,”saidAncaIoanaIonescu,head of the EBRD office in Skopje. The first loan, of €2 mln, comes under the EBRD’s Green Energy Financing Facility for the Western Balkans, and will be used to support investments in energy-saving improvements in the residential sector. In addition, the EBRD said it is providing a €3mln loan to supply Sparkasse Bank Makedonija with long-term funding for mortgage lending operations. Sparkasse Bank Makedonija is owned by Steiermarkische Bank und Sparkassen AG, an Austrian savings bank backed by Erste Group. To date, the EBRD has invested 1.6 billion euro in more than 100 projects Source: EBRD in Macedonia.

MONTENEGRO

Record-Breaking Summer Tourist Season According to preliminary data, Montenegro’s 2017 summer tourist season was record-breaking in terms of the number of tourists and realised turnover.

However, efforts should be made to achieve such results in continuity, the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce (PKCG) said.

At the sitting of the committee of the PKCG’s Tourism and Catering Association, it was concluded that the long and high-quality tourist season, with good consumption, is what Montenegro needs.

Committee chairman Dragan Ivancevic said that Montenegro is a desirable destination but that the season is too short.

“That’s why we are not able to accept all those interested in staying in Montenegro during July and August,” Ivancevic said.

According to the PKCG, he assessed there is the need to improve the environment for business in the sector.

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“The parent company has invested more than €100 million so far, but we are planning to invest a total of €120 million. Our first goal is to increase the production capacity of cellulose to 120,000 tons a year,” said the Managing Director of Natron-Hayat Ltd. Maglaj, Mehmed Eray Nasoz. From the Municipality of Maglaj announced new investments and workplaces.

That is the main goal of the amendments to the Development Strategy.

10 THINGS

TO DO IN YOUR BUSINESS BEFORE 2018

EBRD Lending €5mln To Sparkasse Bank Macedonia

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MEHMED ERAY NASOZ

It’s beginning of the new business year, and often that means people start mentally shutting down, waiting on the festive season.

But you’re an entrepreneur, and there’s no such thing as taking time off! Use Christmas and New Year holiday as your planning time.

Jump on this right now so that you can set the course for what’s going to happen in your business this year.

Here are 10 things you should take action on in your business before 2018.

1. Develop Your Sales Strategy 2. Update Your Website 3. Engage customers 4. Develop New Products/Offers 5. Make a Marketing Calendar 6. Evaluate Your Social Media Strategy 7. Master Email Marketing 8. Send Direct Mail 9. Invest in Online Ads 10. Conduct a Year-End Review

STABILITY

BULGARIA

“The only purpose of the Kosovo Armed Forces today and tomorrow, will remain the same. It is the empowerment of peace, stability in the region and the provision of security to all the citizens of our country”— HASHIM THAÇI, President of Kosovo

World Leader In The Production Of Lavender Oil

▪ H.E. GUSTAVO TRISTÁ DEL TODO, NEW AMBASSADOR OF CUBA TO SERBIA

H.E. Gustavo Tristá del Todo (58) graduated with a degree in journalism from the Faculty of Communication, University of Havana. His professional experience at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs begin in 1980, when he spent a year at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, former Republic of Yugoslavia, department for Serbian language. From 1982 to 1986, Mr Todo was engaged at the Europe Division Official within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba. Between 1986 and 1992 he served as Economic and Commercial Attaché at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Yugoslavia, followed by his return to Europe Division Official at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1992-1999). Mr Todo was appointed First Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba to the Federal Republic of Germany in 1999, and from 2005 to 2009 he returned to the Europe Division Official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2009 he was appointed Political Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic Cuba to the Kingdom of Spain, and from 2014 he served another three years at the Europe Division Official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before this year being appointed Ambassador of Cuba to Serbia.

Apart from his native Spanish, Ambassador Todo also speaks Serbian, German and English. He is a married father of two daughters.

▪ H.E. SEYF ALLAH REJEB, NEW AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA TO SERBIA Last year Bulgaria retains its position as a world leader in the production and export of lavender oil. This is what Nikolina Uzunova Executive Director of the Bulgarian National Association “Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics” said.

“Last year continued the trend towards increasing lavender growing areas, and the interest in this culture is even strong in Northern Bulgaria. Until a few years ago, this area was not associated with essential oil crops in general and lavender in particular. The increased dimensions of lavender areas have affected the amount of lavender oil that was produced this year. The number of distilleries in which the oil is processed increased, and there are also a few in Northern Bulgaria,’’ Uzunova said.

Interest in lavender oil has led to more Bulgarian farmers turning to this raw material.

Traditional market for Bulgaria is Japan and China, where the quantities of exported essential oils increase each year.

Ambassador Seyf Allah Rejeb (47) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in legal sciences from the University of Tunis Faculty of Legal, Political and Social Sciences, as well as a Certificate of Specialised Studies in Administration and Public Policies. Mr Rejeb Joined the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994, serving initially at the National School of Administration “ENA” in Tunis for Secretaries of Foreign Affairs until 1995. Assigned to the Directorate for Training and Perfection from 1995 to 1996, he transferred to the Diplomatic Institute from 1997 to 1999, where he advanced to the level of Counsellor – a position he held until 2003.

In 2004 Mr Rejeb became a staff member of the Cabinet of the Tunisian Foreign Minister. In 2005 he was appointed as Head of Desk in charge of Japan, then in 2009 he became Deputy Director in charge of Libya and in 2014 became Deputy Director in charge of consular relations with Germany, Austria, Eastern European and Scandinavian countries. In June 2015 Mr Rejeb was promoted to the rank of Minister Plenipotentiary, and in 2016 he was appointed Director of Consular Conventions, Litigation and Studies at the General Directorate for Consular Affairs. Among Mr Rejeb’s foreign postings, he served as First Secretary at the Embassy of Tunisia to Japan from 1999 to 2004, then as Consular Section Head at the Embassy of Tunisia to Germany from 2009 to 2014. In August 2017 he was appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Serbia and Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia to Bulgaria and Montenegro.Ambassador Rejeb is a married father of one daughter.

▪ JELENA MATEJIĆ, NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF SERBIAN TSO ELEKTROMREŽA SRBIJE The Serbian government has appointed Jelena Matejić as the General Manager of state-owned joint stock company Elektromreža Srbije (EMS), Serbia’s electricity transmission system operator (TSO), after she has spent almost a year in the function of acting general manager of the company.

Ms Matejić graduated from the University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics and took specialist courses at the WIFI institute (Austrian Development Agency), earning the title of project manager. She has amassed many years of rich working experience in the private and public sectors, working for such companies as Mark Plan, Delta sport, Droga Kolinska Group and Atlantic Group. Ms Matejić has been employed at EMS since 2012, initially in the position of Executive Director for Investment and Strategy. She was appointed acting director in December 2016.

She has been the chair of the Serbian state Equity Fund’s Council since February 2015 and became a member of the Board of Directors of the Montenegro’s TSO Crnogorski elektroprenosni system in 2016. During this period, she was also a member of the Managing Board and a member of the Supervisory Board of public power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS).

CROATIA

ALBANIA

Start-Ups Leader In Southeast Europe

Forming National Airline

The data from Atomico, an international technology investment company and the largest European capital fund, which invests in startups, shows that in the period from 2012 to 2016, Croatian start-ups drew around $100 million of investments. According to a research conducted by The State of European Tech that was published at the world’s leading start-up event held in Helsinki last month, by the amount of investment Croatia was put side by side of Luxembourg, Lithuania, Portugal and Cyprus. In SEE region, according to Atomico, the most successful start-ups in drawing capital are those from Croatia that attracted $100 million of investments in the four-year period. The data also mentioned Romania and Hungary, however, these two countries drew investments less than $100 million The largest investments in start-ups was drawn by the United Kingdom ($18, 7 billion), followed by Germany ($11.4 billion), France ($10 billion) as well as Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia and Switzerland.

With the help of Turkic Airlines, Albania will set up a national airline that will be named Air Albania, announced. It is expected that the first flights will start in 2018.

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who is personally involved in forming the company, has specified that flights are scheduled to connect Tirana with Skopje, Podgorica, Pristina, Sarajevo and Zagreb.

“Our goal is to create an Albanian carrier. I am very grateful to Turkey’s Prime Minister and the Executive Director of Turkish Airlines for providing us with such valuable help. We are close to finalizing the project and I hope that the first flights will start soon, “Rama said without committing to specific deadlines.

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CORPORATE NENAD AVLIJAŠ, DIRECTOR, ASW INŽENJERING

Data Makes Money Artificial intelligence is becoming the next transformational force in our world, and this revolution can only be used by those who collect information about their daily operations

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he most important branch of artificial intelligence, machine learning, provides the opportunity to unlock and exploit knowledge hidden in this information, thereby increasing companies’ profitability.

- The domestic business environment doesn’t sufficiently stimulate the development of the IT industry and I’m afraid the IT sector is turning into a market of cheap labour, while creative young engineers leave the country due to a lack of development projects that would represent a challenge.

In my opinion, the state is the largest investor and user of IT, and as such needs to develop a strategy based on infrastructure development projects, which should engage our own resources, thus preserving autonomy with the applying of own software products in key functions of the state. In this way, the state would preserve its creative personnel and enable the sales

of such products on world markets.

ASW’s comparative advantage lies in the fact that it has evolved conceptually from a project-based to a production-based organisation, which is crucial in the IT industry. We develop our software products, plan their content and distribute them to our clients.

The formation of our machine learning laboratory is the result of a tendency to keep pace with innovations.

Our products and solutions have a lot of experience and knowledge built in from many years of work that we now place at the disposal of our clients, thereby becoming consultants in their business.

■ The industry you belong to is developing at the speed of light. Would you say that your company and your creative staff monitor trends?

- ASW and its team are at a world-class level when it comes to monitoring IT trends, incorporating them into products and ■ It is less known that you were one of providing customers with solutions that the 25 young “geniuses” who 33 years improve their business. The best example ago created the software for the Winter confirming this statement is the forOlympics in Sarajevo. How would you Machine learning is part of compare that time to today? mation of our laboratory for machine - We were a respectable team of engilearning, which we stepped into during the artificial intelligence the era of artificial intelligence. A sysneers who developed a very complex process in which machines product, and we were not geniuses. tem has been developed that provides develop intelligence by learning On the contrary, the availability of inour clients with the creation of new valindependently from the data ues by using the history of their busiformation favours today’s generations compared to us back then. ness expressed through large amounts and making decisions on the It was a good strategy to implement of statistics. Applying mathematical basis of what has been learned. such a complex project with domestic algorithms to such data provides deep The management of the resources and create new values that insight into existing business procompany receives an remain here or are sold to others. Our cesses and provides extremely precise irreplaceable consultant who Olympic Committee sold the software predictions for the future. to the next host of the games, Calgary, is in a position to anticipate and some members of our team be■ What is the environment in which and measure every the IT sector is developing in Serbia came highly respected IT experts of the combination to which a like? What are the comparative adInternational Olympic Committee, and particular decision applies remain so to this day. ■ vantages of your company?

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CORPORATE

MIODRAG MITROVIĆ, MITECO

We Discard Millions Of Euros At The Dump Waste management analysis shows that awareness of waste as a resource still doesn’t exist in Serbia and that, due to a lack of infrastructure, poor organisation and a shortage of modern technologies, Serbia annually discards raw materials worth millions of euros

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he European Commission adopted a new legal framework in late 2015 for the introduction of the model of the circular economy, in order to strengthen the economy through the sustainable use of resources and ensure sustainable economic growth. Proposed measures, such as increasing reuse and recycling of waste instead of landfill dumping, thus “closing the circle”, or extracting the greatest possible benefit from all raw materials, products and waste, along with increasing energy savings and reducing pollution of air, water and soil.

■ As the leading operator in Serbia and the region in the field of industrial and hazardous waste management, how would you assess trends in developing recycling and waste management?

- The waste industry is in its infancy in Serbia. Pioneering steps were taken in 2001, following the democratic changes.

When the country emerged from isolation, first to emerge was the export of hazardous industrial waste began, and operators from Western Europe charged excellently for this service. In later years appeared companies that started dealing with the treatment of hazardous waste, especially using waste as a resource. Special impetus was given to this process by a set of laws adopted in 2009, as well as the later establishment of a fund as an independent institution for eliminating historical pollution. This was followed by a period of stagnation in financing those jobs that are a state obligation. Some things

were launched as of 2017. After a ten-year break, a dedicated Ministry of Environmental Protection has been re-established, with this area having previously been dealt with by various ministries for which this was a secondary domain. Additionally, the so-called Green Fund began to function, though for now it only subsidises the recycling industry (EEE, waste tyres). Unfortunately, Serbia still doesn’t have an adequate administrative capacity to conclude the integration process

The 5th International MITECO Forum was held on November 30th 2017 with the message “TODAY RESPONSIBLE, TOMORROW SUSTAINABLE”.

The focus of this Forum were the topics related to the business environment in Serbia from both national and international perspective and the possibilities of creating an environmental policy in accordance with the EU postulates in accordance with EU directives, to which we aspire as a candidate country.

■ Are you succeeding in your mission of waste being treated as a resource, and not as an unnecessary thing, which practically extends the technological production chain?

- Confirmation that there is no systemic solution for the disposal of hazardous waste is also provided by the example of cement plans that cannot maximally utilise alternative fuel from waste, which inevitably leads to the prices of their products increasing. This doesn’t only mean cement companies losing out, but the domestic economy as a whole. It is necessary to secure sufficient quantities of reliable and stable waste that cement plants could use as an alternative to fossil fuels in the production process. MITECO has the potential and ability to prepare such alternative fuel from waste.

■ While around 90 per cent of waste is recycled in Germany, this figure is only about 10 per cent in Serbia. To what extent does this testify to the state and society’s relations towards their own surroundings?

- My associates and I, through the Waste Industry Association and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, are working intensively on introducing several main principles to the industry: introduce a landfill charge of a minimum €30/t for municipal waste; increase the insured sums for operators, thus contributing to reducing the black market in Serbia; and for all polluted locations to be cleaned with transparent funding from the budget of the Green Fund. Of course, we have to work on improving awareness and education of the wider public. Confirmation that Serbia is heading in the right direction is provided thanks to the fact that in spring 2018 we expect to open Chapter 27 of the EU accession negotiations. ■ JANUARY

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WORLD NEWS

RECOGNITION “I have determined that it is time to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. I am also directing the State Department to begin preparations to move the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.” — DONALD TRUMP, U.S. President U.S.

CHINA

Apple To Design Its Own Power Chips

Volkswagen, JAC Motors Teaming Up

German automaker Volkswagen AG is joining hands with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co Ltd (JAC Motors) to develop and sell commercial vehicles in China in an effort to grab a slice of the segment that is growing rapidly in the world’s largest car market.

The two companies will build a 50:50 joint venture in Hefei, Anhui province, where JAC Motors is headquartered, according to a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday.

Volkswagen said the partnership will involve a full range of cooperation covering research, development and sales of multifunctional vehiclesboth powered by internal combustion engines and new energy ones.

As the best-selling carmaker in China, Volkswagen and its joint ventures delivered some 2.9 million cars in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the first three quarters of this year, up 1.4 percent year-on-year.

Apple Inc is designing its own main power management chips for use in iPhones as early as in 2018, the Nikkei business daily reported.

Apple’s move would reduce its dependence onDialogSemiconductorPlc,thatmakespowermanagement chips for smartphone makers.

VLADIMIR PUTIN and XI JINPING RUSSIA

Russia-China Trade May Reach $66bn In 2017 Russia-China Trade May Reach $66bn In 2017 The volume of trade between Russia and China is growing and has already reached $61.6 billion in the first nine months of 2017, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The two countries have set a goal to boost trade to $80 billion by 2018 and $200 billion by 2020. Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said preferential trade rules are being considered, which would increase the use of national currencies in settlements.

In 2014, the Russian and Chinese central banks signed a threeyear ruble-yuan currency swap deal worth up to $25 billion, aimed at boosting trade and lessen dependence on the US dollar and euro.

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank became the first bank in the country to start issuing credit guarantees denominated in Chinese yuan. Moscow and Beijing plan to extend the swap deal and are looking to increase the use of domestic currencies in trade.

In May, the countries established a Russian-Chinese investment fund worth 68 billion yuan (over $10 billion) to develop trade, economic investment, and scientific cooperation.

“Based on Apple’s current plan, they are set to replace partially, or around half of its power management chips to go into iPhones by itself starting next year,” a source said, according to the Nikkei report. Shares of the Anglo-German chipmaker fell 7.2 per cent, while Apple’s shares were up marginally in premarket trading.

Source: Reuters

10 SOCIAL-MEDIA TRENDS TO PREPARE FOR IN 2018

BRAZIL

Entrusters Peer-To-Peer Shopping Platform Expands In Brazil Entrusters is a peer-to-peer shopping platform aimed at disrupting the global shopping and shipping model. American expatriate in Rio, Brandon Collier, has been the director of operations for the start-up since 2015 and is excited to see the business continue to grow in Brazil.

Entrusters defines itself as a platform changing the way people shop and travel the world. Shoppers around the globe can use the platform to order BRANDON COLLIER everyday retail products, and the Entrusters community of users earns money buying and delivering those items as they travel.

So far the Entrusters marketplace has taken millions of dollars in orders, according to Wesley McRae, co-founder and CEO. Describing how he got involved in Entrusters, Collier shares, “It’s funny, the business model for Entrusters was something I was engaged in long before even joining the startup at the end of 2015. If you are an expat or travel internationally to places where family or friends live, you undoubtedly have too!”

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Next year, social media is poised to create even more disruption as a number of new technological advancements go mainstream, and as social norms related to social media change. Here are the top 10 social media trends to prepare for as 2018 draws near.

1. Rise of augmented reality 2. Increasing popularity of Instagram Stories 3. Continued investment in influencer marketing 4. Focus on Generation Z (the oldest Gen Zers are 22 years old) 5. Increasing brand participation in messaging platforms 6. Expansion of live streaming 7. Rethinking Twitter 8. Digital hangouts go mainstream 9. Facebook Spaces goes mainstream 10. Social platforms embrace stronger governance policies

REACTION

UK

“I cannot silence my deep concern over the situation that has emerged in recent days. At the same time, I appeal strongly for all to respect the city’s status quo, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions.” — POPE FRANCIS, France

Just Eat Enter FTSE 100

Just Eat, the online takeaway company, was end last month officially promoted into the FTSE 100 list of Britain’s blue chip companies, with a valuation of £5.5bn (€6,25bn) – making it worth half a billion pounds more than the UK’s second biggest supermarket chain .

TheUK’sloveaffairwithhavingpizzas,curriesandkebabs delivered to their door has spawned a mobile food business with no products and no outlets that is more highly valued than Sainsbury’s, which sells 90,000 products through 1,400 stores – and also owns the Argos chain.

The man who came up with the idea was Dane, Jesper, now 44, when he couldn’t find a phone number online to order pizza when he was hungry in Olso. Realising there was a “massive gap in the market” he created his own website which would list all nearby restaurants. “I did not need to handle any product – I could just charge a commission for every transaction,” he said After the UK, the business expanded into Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain and Switzerland. In the first nine months of this year sales were up 45% to £385m. The company expects to make profit in the region of £160m in 2017.

ITALY

Alfa Romeo Returns To Formula 1 The new Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team will make its debut in the 2018 season, the first time that the company has competed on an F1 track in more than 30 years.

The 2018 car, emblazoned with Alfa Romeo’s snake-and-cross logo, will be powered by another Italian legend of motorsport: Ferrari, which has supplied Sauber with racing engines for many years.

Alfa Romeo, founded in Milan in 1910, dominated Grand Prix racing in the early 20th century.

In 1950 Italian driver Nino Farina drove its Alfetta to victory at the very first Formula 1 championship. After its early success, the company competed on and off, but finally withdrew as a constructor in 1985. Next season’s return will be its first direct involvement in F1 since then.

GERMANY

Stuttgart 21 Rail Project To Cost An Extra €1 Billion

The controversial Stuttgart 21 railway development project is now expected to cost a full billion euros more than previously projected, according to new Deutsche Bahn Supervisory Board estimates.

The project is slated to cost €7.6 billion, a full €1.1 billion more than the figure projected four years ago.

Construction, which began in 2010, is also expected to finish four years later than first anticipated, in 2024 instead of 2021. As recently as October Deutsche Bahn finally admitted that the goal of opening the project by December 2021 was not realistic, but at that stage they still claimed it would be operational in 2023.

The higher price tag can be attributed in part to increases in construction costs and more restrictive rules about species protection for lizards and beetles.

The plan envisions replacing Stuttgart’s main train station and building underground high speed links to other cities in Germany and Europe.

DENMARK

Denmark’s 'Biggest Ever Shopping Day'

Black Friday further established its spot as Denmark’s most important consumer event, with 2017’s edition setting record sales for the year. Close to 2.1 billion kroner (€282 million) were spent as the American shopping tradition continued to cement its place on the Danish calendar, according to an analysis carried out by payment service. Those figures make the biggest shopping day of all time in Denmark, eclipsing the total reached on last year’s Black Friday by 5.6 percent. Year-on-year increases in Black Friday spending since its introduction to Danish consumers in 2013 has made the tradition as firm a part of Danish culture as fellow American import Halloween, says the Danish Chamber of Commerce (Dansk Erhverv).

FRANCE

Apartment Prices In Paris Hit Record High Buying a property in Paris is more expensive than it’s ever been with house hunters now having to fork out a record €9,000 per square meter on average if they want to own a piece of the French capital, according to new figures.

The latest LPI-Se Loger property barometer showed that in October, properties in 12 of the French capital’s arrondissements cost €9,165 per square meter, marking a new record for the city’s real estate market.

On top of that, all of the city’s 20 arrondissements saw a rise in prices with an average annual increase of at least eight percent.

And it seems the trend is set to continue. According to the industry, sales increased by seven percent in just one year in Paris and with the city set to host Olympics 2024 it’s likely to continue this way for some time.

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CORPORATE SRBISLAV VIDOJEVIĆ, DIRECTOR, TIMOMED

Honey Production As A Life Calling “We constantly adopt new production technologies and invest in the development and quality of products,” says Timomed Director Srbislav Vidojević

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njaževac-based company Timomed d.o.o. (Ltd.) was founded in 1989 and grew from being a basic organisation of collaborators to become a limited liability company. Timomed is one of Serbia’s most renowned honey producers, selling 30 per cent of its total production on the markets of Europe, America and the Middle East. According to company director Vidojević, collaborators are vital to the the production, and Timomed has around 400 of them. This is especially so when it comes to honey, propolis, pollen powder and royal jelly.

- Our honey is produced in the Timok Frontier (Timočka Krajina) region, which is an ecologically clean area and consumers know that. That’s why, among other things, we protected the name and built a recognisable brand. Otherwise, our apiary, with about 500 hives, has developed into our Centre for the selection and reproduction of queen bees. Our goal is to achieve annual sales of around 1,000 tonnes of different types of honey - acacia, meadow, floral, linden, forest. I would add that our country’s policy of beekeeping subsidies is very important to us. Considering the importance of exports for the state, it would be a good idea for subsidies to be even higher, because that would prompt 40 |

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beekeepers to opt for even more hives and, thus, higher exports. I also advocate, in the context of assistance to beekeeping, that account be taken of the fact that vehicles for the transport of bees have to be registered for a full year, even though these vehicles are used for practically only three months. I think producers and the state could find a better solution than the existing one.

■ In your opinion, how dedicated is the state, or its competent services, to the fight against producers of fake honey, or how carefully does the state protect serious producers like you?

- Honey is honey and can be nothing else. The Guidelines regulate the issue

Our honey is produced in the Timok Frontier region, an ecologically clean area, and that’s why we built a recognisable brand that consumers trust of honey quality and only in that way can it be sold on domestic and foreign markets. Our Guidelines on honey quality are harmonised with the European Union’s procedural rules. The state, with its veterinary inspection bodies, ensures and controls the quality of honey on our market. The state is determined to fight any bad quality honey or the falsification of honey, and results are already evident. Thus, on the local market there

is only pure natural honey and nothing more. When it comes to the quality of our products, Timomed primarily possesses its own facility, which adheres to all standards for honey packaging and, as such, represents an example to other companies in Serbia. We have certified ISO, HACAP, HALAL and KOSHER standards for emerging markets around the world. We were the first to break through the barriers opening the way to new markets, while respecting all standards and guidelines for any country around the world.

■ One of the latest Timomed products is organic honey. Considering that you’ve won numerous awards for honey quality generally, why do you emphasise “organic”; how exactly does this product differ from others that you sell on domestic and foreign markets?

- Organic honey is produced and controlled according to prescribed standards of good manufacturing practise and has certificates obtained from certification bodies. It is a natural honey, produced according to the rules of organic production. Considering that we are situated on the ecologically clean territory of Stara Planina, in the last two years we directed some of our associates towards organic production. Our plan for the coming period is to produce and sell in excess of 100 tonnes of organic honey on the domestic and foreign markets. ■

PROFILE

Children Will Change The World VIGOR MAJIĆ Director of the Petnica Science Centre

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apable and dedicated individuals will easily create and attract lacking capital, establish an effective health system, attract high-quality capital, and resolve identified weaknesses and shortcomings. Without such individuals and without the high-quality production of new generations of such people, no country can achieve stable development and a high quality international position.

Since the Middle Ages, and in some places since even earlier, all more or less orderly and stable societies have tasked schools and universities with creating such individuals – and that is in no way done by the army, police, church, or the media. Simply put, the basic goal of a dedicated education system in any community is to help every child to develop and manifest their best abilities and to acquire the knowledge and skills required to live successfully and happily in a real environment and to create for their own benefit and that of the entire community. In successful and developed societies, the education system is an important segment of wise and far-sighted policies, as well as being a strategic investment designed with a reach measured in terms of decades.

It is true that few people in Serbia are satisfied with the quality of the education system. Various attempts at reforming, revising and reorganising it have been very common during the past four decades at least. Let’s be honest – it would be tough for anyone to find a country anywhere in the world where citizens and professionals are satisfied with the education system. Everyone would change and improve their system, which is a logical consequence of the rapid changes occurring in

I sincerely believe in the idea that people are the key factor in the development of society, incomparably more important than highways, luxury shopping centres or the strength of military units. The ability of a society to form, recognise and intelligently position the most capable individuals is a greater guarantee of rapid and successful development than the number of laws enacted, the frequency of smiling senior visiting politicians or the amount of foreign capital invested technology, economics and social relations.

And, despite various objections, Serbia has been assessed for many years as having very good education, the key argument for which being the results of individual competitors in mathematics or physics, as well as the successes of individual athletes or musicians.

Nevertheless, the results of our students in serious international tests of abilities, such as the PISA Test, for example, show remarkably poor results, especially in the area of cognitive abilities. Connecting information and drawing conclusions are not things that are learned in school, but rather are developed on the basis of innate intellectual abilities. School, of course, can help to encourage, apply and practise these skills.

If we start with the assumption that these

The results of our students in serious international tests of abilities, such as the PISA Test, for example, show remarkably poor results, especially in the area of cognitive abilities innate abilities are distributed more or less equally worldwide, i.e. that approximately the same percentage of very bright and curious children are born in our country as elsewhere in the world, how is it that by the age of 15 (when PISA testing is conducted) the percentage of our pupils who can successfully solve complex issues of the highest level of complexity lags behind by as much as ten per cent (!) compared to peers from developed regions of China or Finland, Korea etc.? Are dumb and disinterested children born in Ser-

bia? Certainly not! How, then, do we manage to demotivate them so much or teach them not to think with their own minds?

This directs us towards the role and function played by school in the development of children’s cognitive abilities. Something in the schools we have today does not work well and causes huge damage. To the best of my knowledge, no serious research has been conducted in our country that would identify this problem and offer something that could be done to improve the situation.

Still, no specific research is required for us to acknowledge that our schools are impoverished, poorly equipped, dysfunctional for citizens; that teachers are poorly paid and equally poorly motivated, that our curricula are obsolete, uninspiring and definitely not at all motivating for children who think, who are full of dreams and ideas.

However, school isn’t solely to blame.

Much that is negative sometimes happens with the best of intentions, within the family, where we transfer our frustrations and wrath to our children. Beyond the family, children grow up surrounded by messages and values transmitted by the mass media. All the misfortunes of poverty are reduced onto children, discouraging them from thinking freely, imagining and dreaming. Even children of rich and privileged classes, who grow up in a world of fake fairy tales and fulfilled desires, attending expensive private schools, form in an equally unhappy way that kills dreams.

They won’t become the creative leaders and successful designers of the future either, but rather petty snobs overly dependent on their parents and unable to communicate with their real environment and their peers from different fairy tales.

In the end, changes will still be brought to this world by the children. 

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CULTURE CALENDAR

TKV Exhibition ‘About the Invisible’

Don Pasquale

1 - 31 - Institut Français The French Institute presents this fantastic TKV exhibition in order to direct us towards the genuine treasures (sometimes hidden) that are located in different parts of Belgrade, and which will be exhibited as part of the Institut Français exhibition on 12th December. TKV will create several works specifically for this exhibition, in order to show us their work from

another perspective. Come and see this great exhibition, then don your boots and walk the city to see the exhibited works in their natural surroundings.

The French Institute has supported exchanges between artists in the domain of street art for many years already.

Exhibition: Anastas Jovanović ‘Art and New Media’

5 – National Theatre – 19.30

Jovanović’s complex social and artistic activities in the area of developing media culture and the visual arts. After a break of more than three decades, the public will again have the opportunity to see some of Jovanović’s most important artistic achievements, but also to acquaint themselves with some works for the first time.

Jovanović’s imposing gallery of contemporaries, recorded using the then modern media of photography and lithography, altered Serbian culture irreversibly.

Serbian Traditional Music 12 - Kolarac - 19.00

1-28 – Museum of the City of Belgrade – 10-19.00 Within the framework of celebrations commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Anastas Jovanović, the Museum of the City of Belgrade is organising the jubilee exhibition Anastas Jovanović ‘Art and new media’. Works were selected for the exhibition with a view to the new insights and understanding of Anastas

1 – Belgrade city centre

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The 4th Belgrade Christmas-New Year concert of Serbian traditional music will be held on 12th January from 7pm at Kolarac Endowment Hall, featuring the performance of the Serbian Orthodox Cantors, a chapel cantor group that deals with the preservation of Serbian traditional music. Its repertoire primarily fosters songs of a spiritual nature, but also national, ethnic and antiquated urban songs.

Moscow Circus on Ice

Open Heart Street Belgrade’s Open Heart Street is a traditional urban manifestation of a humanitarian character. Visitors are greeted precisely at noon on the first day of the year by Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali, after which follows a firework display and a carnival procession of entertainers.

Alongside Svetogorska Street and part of Makedonska Street (from Takovska to the Belgrade Youth Centre building), the Open Heart Street will this year also include

In the creative opus of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848, Bergamo), the comic opera Don Pasquale occupies the most prominent place. The audience always experiences this opera eagerly, while singers compete in mastering its difficult and satisfying roles, experts seek and find the original authorial version of the musical score, prove the authorship of

Skadarska Street.

Visitors will enjoy a variety of entertainment programmes on the small plaza in front of theatre Atelje 212, in “Srpska Kafana” tavern, in front of the building of Stari Grad Municipality, at Radio Belgrade, the House of Đura Jakšić in the Skadarlija Bohemian Quarter and at the “Familija” bistro.

As in previous years, apart from enjoying numerous performances, concerts and other entertaining contents, visitors to the Open Heart Street will also be able to join the humanitarian activities and help those must in need. The humanitarian activities of this year's Open Heart Street will be dedicated to children and the construction of a new facility of the Belgrade Shelter and larger space for children at the existing facility. The funds will be collected from sales of festive greeting cards/postcards, which will also be the main symbols of this year's Open Heart Street.

the librettist, while directors find new and original approaches to this indestructible piece. It seems that the ogre of time, which is so ruthless with many pieces from the music scene, hasn’t managed to harm this opera in the slightest. Don Posquale is a masterpiece, one of the best comic operas of all time, among those rare few that are always on some repertoire of the opera scene.

artists, with everything connected by acrobatics on ice skates.

This programme for all generations, which will be enjoyed by both children and their parents, has become a spectacular world attraction over the years, with the contributions of fun-loving spectators and packed halls worldwide.

Echoes of BELDOCS 24 - Belgrade Youth Centre - 19.00

15 – Sava Centre – 20.00 Following performance in front of more than 200 million spectators in more than 50 countries worldwide, the Moscow Circus on Ice is performing in Serbia for the first time ever, as part of its latest European tour. With a programme adapted to performing on ice, but inclusive of all elements of acrobatics and the accompanying contents that comprise a circus, the show includes spectacular lighting effects that contribute to the magic, and also includes the spectators in the performance.

Founded in 1964 as the first spectacle of its kind, the Moscow Circus on Ice still applies the golden standards required for the spectacular performing of shows of this kind. Apart from the precise performances of dancers, clowns and acrobatics, spectators will also see trapeze

As of January 2018, the BelDocs International Documentary Film Festival, in cooperation with the Belgrade Youth Centre, will have its own accompanying monthly programme, Echoes of BelDocs at the Belgrade Youth Centre. On 24th January the audience will have the opportunity to see the documentary masterpiece ‘Woman and the Glacier’ by director Audrius Stonys.

This film features Lithuanian scientist Ausra Revutaite, who has spent 30 years living in an old research outpost at 3,500 metres above sea level, where she studies climate changes on the Tuyuk-Su glacier in Central Asia. Apart from magnificent nature for company, Ausra also has a dog and a cat.

Panel Discussion marking the 80th birthday of Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky 25 - Belgrade Youth Centre - 19.00

Why has Russian actor and poet Vladimir Semyonovich Vysotsky, who lived for just 42 years and died more than three decades ago, been declared the second most important Russian of the 20th century, immediately behind

RECOMMENDS

Monteverdi Opera: L’Orfeo 26 – Madlenianum – 19.30 The New Belgrade Opera and Opera-Theatre “Madlenianum” presented its first interpretation of Monteverdi’s opera “L’Incoronatione di Poppea” in 2014, to great acclaim. Three years later, in the year marking the 450th anniversary of this great composer's birth, Madlenianum welcomes the performance of Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo”, generally acknowledged as “the first opera”.

Written in 1607, Monteverdi’s use of vocal and orchestral notes performed on instruments of the period set the basis for the further development of opera as a genre, while his expert writing of vocals

STAR WARS: ORIGINAL TRILOGY George Lucas 2150rsd

inspired generations to come. The story of Orpheus’s search for his love in the Underworld inspired not only Monteverdi, but later also Gluck and many other composers. Expert coaching and direction by historical performance experts Marijana Mijanović and Predrag Gosta, coupled with sublime stage direction by award-winning German director Daniel Pfluger, provide a rare opportunity to enjoy this music in the manner intended by the composer.

Luke Skywalker dreamed of adventures out among the stars and alien worlds. But when he intercepted a message from a beautiful captive princess, he got more than he had bargained for - and that was how the adventure of his life began. . . .

Forty years after the groundbreaking movie Star Wars: A New Hope first hit the silver screen, Star Wars remains one of the most beloved sagas ever told. Together, the three original Star Wars movies A New Hope,The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi told one epic: a heroic tale of innocence lost and wisdom gained, of downfall and redemption, of the never-ending fight between the forces of good and evil. Read the story of the movies in one paperback volume and rediscover the wonder of the legend that begins: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Traditional New Year Concert 13 - National Theatre - 20.00

The Great Stage of the National Theatre in Belgrade will host its traditional New Year Gala Concert on Saturday 13th January from 8pm.

The gala concert featuring the champions, soloists, orchestra and choir of the Opera of the National Theatre in

Yuri Gagarin?

Why did tens of thousands of spectators leave the stadium during the Moscow Olympics to attend his funeral?

How did a man who was prevented from leaving the Soviet Union for years manage to gain world repute that endures to this day?

The questions that are naturally posed by the unusual and turbulent life of this artist – regarding his songs, roles, loves and premature death - will be debated at this panel discussion on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of his birth.

Presenting the book El público 25 - Institute Cervantes - 19.00 Dr Vladimir Karanović wrote in reviewing this book that is the monograph publication of Federico García Lorca – The Public (El Público), translated by Bojana Kovačević Petrović and Aleksandra Mančić, represents an outstanding contribution to the wealth of translated litera-

Belgrade brings lots of joy to the audience. There are popular arias, duets and choral performances from the rich opus of the world’s greatest composers - Georges Bizet, Giuseppe Verdi, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Francesca Cilea, Richard Wagner, Franz Lehár, Pietro Mascagni et al.

The repertoire will include themes from operas like Carmen, Othello, A Masked Ball, Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon Lescaut, The Magic Flute, Adriana Lecouvreur, Tristan und Isolde, Judith, Cavalleria Rusticana etc.

ture in Serbia and the region. For the first time in the Serbian language, the reading audience is offered a text that’s integral and the closest to García Lorca’s original “drama in pictures”,

YAN-KIT’S CLASSIC CHINESE COOKBOOK Yan-Kit So 1999 rsd

which has long been marginalised, due largely to its poetic specificity, but also due to ideological colouring, the promotion of alternative and/or different sexuality, free-spiritedness, often unacceptable in many European and global societies in past decades. On 25th January at 7pm you will have the opportunity to attend the presentation of this book at the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade.

THE INNER LIFE OF ANIMALS: SURPRISING OBSERVATIONS OF A HIDDEN WORLD

March Festival Open for Applicants The Festival Board and Belgrade Youth Centre have notified producers and filmmakers that they are accepting submissions – until 15th January 2018, exclusively via website www.martovski.rs - for the 65th edition of the International short film programme competition of the MARTOVSKI FESTIVAL – BELGRADE DOCUMENTARY AND SHORT

Learn to cook traditional Chinese food with this extensive collection of authentic Chinese recipes from Chinese cookery expert Yan-kit So. Dim-sum, dumplings, Cantonese food you name it this classic book has every recipe and cooking method you need to prepare delicious, authentic Chinese food.

With thirty years as a favorite in home kitchens everywhere, Yan-Kit’s Classic Chinese Cookbook is a staple for cooking traditional Chinese food. Now this bestselling cookbook is reborn with wonderful photography that makes cooking Chinese food recipes understandable and simple. Even inexperienced cooks can find easy recipes in this complete collection, and more experienced chefs will find plenty to challenge and delight them as well.

Peter Wohlleben 2149rsd

FILM FESTIVAL. The 2018 Martovski Festival will take place at the Belgrade Youth Centre from 28th March to 1st April. Applying producers and filmmakers will be notified about whether their works have been accepted by 15th March.

We humans tend to assume that we are the only living things able to experience feelings intensely and consciously. But have you ever wondered what’s going on in an animal’s head?

More and more researchers are realising that animals in fact experience a rich emotional life. Acting as our interpreter of the animal world and of the fascinating science, Peter Wohlleben brings this new research to life with his own observations of his favourite creatures.

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INTERVIEW

CLIVE HEAD: Calder's Ascension

CLIVE HEAD ZOETIC-REALISM

Defining THE SPACE Clive Head is widely considered one of the leading realist painters of his generation. In the exhibition (16th November – 22nd December 2017), Clive Head: Zoetic-Realism, Hollis Taggart Galleries presented a selection of works, on canvas and paper, to launch the artist’s association with the gallery. This is the first solo exhibition to bring a substantial body of Head’s recent work together - twenty-four paintings, drawings and etchings were displayed in the exhibition

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CLIVE HEAD: Terminus

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orn in England, in Maidstone, Kent, Head has garnered much acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic over the many decades of his career. This exhibition, aptly titled, bears witness to the way Head capture life around him. His highly complex compositions of human activities are zoetic and energized. And, unlike past Photorealists, Head does not reveal a single moment frozen in time. Instead, with deft ability, he captures multiple perspectives with multiple concurrent timelines, moving through time and space. These fragmented urban depictions, most often with figures are in essence time-lapsed compilations.

The compositions are highly engaging and immediately fascinate the observer. Time seems to come to a kaleidoscopic halt on his canvases and his subjects are masterfully rendered.

Seen against Head’s forerunners such as David Hockney and Lucian Freud, and of his contemporaries such as Peter Doig, it was clear that Head had established a unique position in the contemporary arena. In one of the show’s highlights, Les Souvenirs du Café Anglais the artist characteristically fractures a scene from his familiar environment. The painting, which was previously shown in, REALITY: Modern and Contemporary British Painting, is simultaneously a study in motion and stillness, tantalizing the viewer.

Similarly Summer Ark, Wash Day with Actaeon and Siddal’s Ferry are based on observations from the rural Yorkshire village in the North of England.

A child prodigy beginning his instruction at the Reeds Art Club at the age of eleven, Head later attended Aberystwyth University.

In 1994, he became Chair of the Fine Art Department at the Uni-

Seen against Head’s forerunners such as David Hockney and Lucian Freud, and of his contemporaries such as Peter Doig, it was clear that Head had established a unique position in the contemporary arena versity of York, lecturing on method, theory and art history. He also began participating in exhibitions throughout the UK, Europe and America. He was commissioned in 2005 to create a painting of Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. In 2010, Head was invited by the National Gallery in London to show three large-scale paintings of the city; the exhibi-

CLIVE HEAD: Arcade

CLIVE HEAD: Crossing the Medlock

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by Picasso or Braque. In earlier works Head used a realist language of painting to render his experience into something coherent and whole. However, in later paintings the disjuncture of time and space remained visible in the paintings.

In interviews Head has always insisted that the language of realism he uses is not the same as the language of photography, and it is true that his paintings do not resemble photographs. Indeed, Head has been consistently critical of the futility of painters copying photographs. In this Head’s previous work as a neo-classical painter is significant as his spatial constructions are derived from classical ideas of perspective rather than being imported from a camera, computer or other machine.

In this it appears significant that Head has stated that his use of perspective is not bound by pre-determined rules in a mechanical way, but evolves during the process of making each individual painting a process a camera cannot match.

This means there is no predetermined vanishing point, where all the lines of perspec-

CLIVE HEAD: To the Silence of Tiresias

One of the primary differences between Head’s painted realities and the reality of everyday life lies in the way space is defined tion drawing record attendance and receiving myriad accolades.

One of the primary differences between Head’s painted realities and the reality of everyday life lies in the way space is defined.

Head does not present a vista or view like a camera, he shows an entire environment over time, and if we were to try to replicate seeing one of his environments in real life we could not do it by visiting the location. As a consequence Head’s paintings are more like the record of a living human body wandering around a location, rather than a static snapshot of a part of it. Consequently, his work most closely resembles a movie camera panning around a scene, but the closest painting equivalent is in the multiple viewpoints, shifts of scale and games played with time seen in a Cubist painting 46 |

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CLIVE HEAD: After Balham Falls

CLIVE HEAD: Flee to Banbury Cross

tive meet, but what Head calls ‘vanishing zones’. Head has also stated he ‘rejects the Modernist fragmentation and instead seek a seamless surface.’

In terms of subject matter, Head tends towards urban scenes, particularly London, although he has also painted New York, Moscow, Los Angeles, Prague, Rome and Paris, amongst other places.

Most recently Head has written of himself as a kind of anarchist artist, although he qualifies this by defining himself as a ‘private anarchist’ rather than a ‘political anarchist’. This seems to relate to the increasingly definite anarchist artistic position Michael Paraskos has pursued in recent years, and in particular Paraskos’s notion CLIVE HEAD: And Some Ran Away

CLIVE HEAD: Summer Ark

Most recently Head has written of himself as a kind of anarchist artist, although he qualifies this by defining himself as a ‘private anarchist’ rather than a ‘political anarchist’ of anarchist art being an attempt to visualise an alternative reality outside society and culture. Paraskos has in effect defined culture in political terms as a manifestation of the predetermined state that imposes its will on the individual. In Head this translates into an opposition to predetermined visual imagery. The most straightforward example of predetermined imagery is photography, but for Head it is not the use of photography itself that is the problem, it is the adoption of the predetermined, or imposed, language of the photograph by the painter. Notably Head also opposes other, nonphotographic, solutions to pictorial problems where those solutions are also predetermined, such as systemic art and contemporary Salon Painting. Consequently, an analogy is made between the political anarchists’ desire for a society in which predetermined structures such as those offered by the state are abolished, and the artistic anarchists’ desire for an art world in which predetermined, or cliched, solutions to visual problems are also abolished.

This exhibition was organised in collaboration with Landau Fine Art. ■ JANUARY

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FACES & PLACES

SEE MORE WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM 28/11/2017

Albanian Flag Day Commemorates 105 Years Of Independence Albanian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Ilir Bocka hosted a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel to commemorate the occasion of his country’s national holiday.

Albania celebrates its Flag Day or Independence Day, this year marking 105 years of independence, on 28th November, in remembrance of the event that took place in 1912 in Valona, when then Albanian leader Ismail Qemali proclaimed the independence of the Albanian state as he raised the Albanian national flag with the two-headed eagle.

The reception was attended by representatives of the Serbian Government, members of the diplomatic corps and figures from cultural and public life.

MRS AND AMBASSADOR BOCKA

29/11/2017

Romanian National Day Romanian Ambassador H.E. Dr Oana-Cristina Popa and the Romanian Embassy to Serbia organised a formal reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel to mark Romanian National Day. This country’s national day commemorates the date of 1st December 1918, when Romania achieved national unification.

The reception was attended by Serbian Government representatives, members of the diplomatic corps and the Romanian community in Serbia, as well as business leaders, public figures and representatives of religious communities.

30/11/2017

International Day Of Solidarity With The Palestinian People

H.E. DR OANA-CRISTINA POPA

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The Palestinian Embassy organised an event to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, hosted by Ambassador H.E Mohamed Nabhan. Addressing guests, Ambassador Nabhan stressed that “the Palestinian people have been fighting for 70 years for their freedom and independence, which they have not yet welcomed”.

“Serbia is a unique country for us, and we recognise it as such in accordance with Resolution 1244, just as we seek that other nations respect UN resolutions regarding our people,” noted Ambassador Nabhan.

The formal reception was attended by senior representatives of the Serbian Government, members of the diplomatic corps and figures from the cultural and public life of Serbia.

Performing at the reception were the Palestinian National Folklore Ensemble and current Miss Serbia Katarina Šulkic, who sang songs from Kosovo with the Culture-Art Society AMBASSADOR “Kosovski pečur”.

H.E MOHAMED NABHAN

30/11/2017

UAE National Day

H.E. JUMA RASHED ALDHAHERI with representatives of the Government of Serbia and members of the diplomatic corps

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates marked its 46th National Day with a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel.

UAE National Day is celebrated annually on 2 nd December, in remembrance of the date in 1971 when seven emirates united to form an alliance called the United Arab Emirates.

Addressing guests, Ambassador H.E. Juma Rashed Aldhaheri noted that relations between Serbia and the UAE are brotherly and based on principles of cooperation and mutual respect. With the end of his term in Serbia approaching, Ambassador Aldhaheri used this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other state bodies for their support during the four years that he has been in Belgrade.

The celebrated was attended by the highest representatives of the Government of Serbia, members of the diplomatic corps, and figures from political and public life.

H.E. PERTTI IKONEN (left) with embassy staff 6/12/2017

Centenary Of Finnish Independence The Embassy of Finland in Serbia commemorated the hundredth anniversary of Finnish independence with a series of events throughout the whole of 2017. They included, amongst others, the Days of Finnish Film at the Yugoslav Film Archives Cinematheque, the ‘Touch of Glass’ exhibition, which toured the region under the joint organisation of the embassies of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, the planting of five birch trees in the garden of the ambassadorial residence with President Vučić, as well as the planting of a hundred trees in towns and cities throughout Serbia.

The central celebration of the centenary saw Ambassador H.E. Pertti Ikonen, speaking in Serbian, note that the theme of Finland’s celebratory year is “Together”, which detonates that everyone – Finns and friends of Finns – are welcome to participate.

The reception was attended by a large number of senior government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, cultural and public workers from Serbia and friends of Finland.

08/12/2017

“Investing In The European Future Of The Western Balkans” Speaking at a conference organised by the European Movement in Serbia and the International European Movement, with the support of the European Investment Bank, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, H. E. Sem Fabrizi, said that Serbia has done a lot on the economic front SEM FABRIZI (left), GORDANA LAZAREVIĆ, HAKAN LUCIUS and in recent years and that political dynamism exists NENAD ĐURĐEVIĆ in the country’s EU accession process, but that reforms must continue in order for Serbia to further progress and open new chapters.

Companies from EU member states already employ 200,000 citizens in Serbia, while since the start of the negotiation process 15 years ago the EU has invested about €3 billion in Serbia through grants.

Announcing that Serbia would soon open new chapters in the EU accession process, Fabrizi also highlighted the need to reform the state administration, as well as the importance of reforms related to the rule of law.

Also speaking at the conference were Gordana Lazarević, President of the Economic and Business Forum of the European Movement in Serbia, Hakan Lucius, Head of Corporate Responsibility and Civil Society at the European Investment Bank, and Nenad Đurđević from the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia.

11/12/2017

Qatar National Day

AMBASSADOR H.E. SHEIKH MUBARAK BIN FAHAD AL THANI

The Embassy of Qatar in Serbia marked Qatar National Day with a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel. Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador H.E. Sheikh Mubarak Bin Fahad Al Thani said that intensive cooperation between Serbia and Qatar is noticeable, as well as that “the diplomatic activities of Qatar are aimed at achieving friendly relations with all countries, and Serbia occupies a special place in that”.

The reception was attended by the highest representatives of the Government of Serbia, the Chairman of the National Council for the Coordination of Cooperation with Russia and China, Tomislav Nikolić, Crown-Prince Alexander Karađorđević and Princess Katherine, as well as representatives of diplomatic, political and public life.

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FACES & PLACES

SEE MORE WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM 12/12/2017

OSCE Mission Presents “Personality Of The Year” Award

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishing of formal diplomatic relations between Sweden and Serbia, the Embassy of Sweden to Serbia organised a series of events throughout 2017, culminating in the December events.

The Swedish Embassy organised the Dialogue Club event, “On the media, responsibilities, new DIALOGUE CLUB generations and activism”, in cooperation with Creative Mentoring, on 29th November, which included discussions between Gunilla Kindstrand, a Swedish journalist and editor at publisher “Mittmedia”, and Serbian journalist Tamara Skrozza. The event also saw Swedish activist JOACHIM WAERN opening Swedish Linda Skogsby, of the Fryshuset organisation, and Serbian activist Sanja Kljajić speak on the Cult Films – Spirit of the Times role of young people in social change.

The Yugoslav Film Archives Cinematheque, in cooperation with the Krokodil Association, organised the two-day Debate ‘Zeitgeister – Past, Present, Future’ on 4th and 5th December, dedicated to the impact of history on the forming of identity.

Speaking about literature and Europe on this occasion were Swedish Ambassador H.E. Jan Lundin and historian Dubravka Stojanović.

AMBASSADOR JAN LUNDIN at During the festival ‘Swedish Cult Films – Spirit the debate Zeitgeister – Past, of the Times’, which was opened at the Yugoslav Present, Future Film Archives Cinematheque by Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Sweden Joachim Waern, the Belgrade public had the opportunity to see some of the most significant productions of Swedish cinematography.

And finally, as the crowning event, the Embassy of Sweden in Belgrade celebrated Saint Lucia’s Day CELEBRATION OF ST. LUCIA’S DAY at the Cinematheque on 11th December.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia awards the “Personality of the Year” Award to Serbian citizens who have contributed to promoting the values to which this mission is committed. This year’s “Personality of the Year” awards were presented to the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, Director of the Tutin-based civil society organisation “Impuls”, Dženeta Avgović, Deputy Public Prosecutor Tamara Mirović, President of the Independent Association of Journalists of Vojvodina, Nedim Sejdinović, and media rights lawyer Miloš Stojković.

Andrea Orizio, head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, said that good cooperation with the media and authorities in Serbia have contributed to fulfilling the OSCE mission, and that the OSCE recognises individuals who deserve particular credit for promoting its values. “We are here to help Serbia and its institutions make this country a fully functional democracy,” noted Orizio.

Photo: Aleksandar Dmitrović

Centenary Of Diplomatic Relations Between Sweden And Serbia

13/12/2017

Kazakhstan Republic Day Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Nurbah Rustemov, hosted a reception marking the 26th anniversary of Kazakhstani independence. Addressing guests, Ambassador Rustemov reminded of his country’s successes, noting “in more than a quarter of a century, our country has achieved great success in the political, trade, economic and H.E. NURBAH RUSTEMOV cultural-social fields. The economy has grown 20-fold. Kazakhstan entered the ranks of the world’s 50 most competitive economies in 2012”. The reception was attended by numerous guests from political spheres, representatives of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, friends of Kazakhstani and public figures.

ANDREA ORIZIO, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia 14/12/2017

25 Years Of Diplomatic Relations Between Serbia And Israel The conference ‘25 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Israel – Jubilee year’ reached the conclusion that relations between Serbia and Israel are today stable, with more developed political dialogue and intensified economic relations.

“We had a long period when diplomatic relations were interrupted, but H.E. ALONA FISHER-KAMM the warm feelings shared by the two peoples have been maintained and today we are celebrating 25 years of diplomatic relations,” emphasised Israeli Ambassador H.E. Alona Fisher-Kamm.

“It can be said that our bilateral relations are on the right track, with the prospect of being even better quality and with more content,” said Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić.

FOREIGN MINISTER IVICA DAČIĆ

14/12/2017

Emperor Akihito’s 84th Birthday Celebrated

H.E. JUNICHI MARUYAMA

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H.E. Junichi Maruyama, new ambassador of Japan to Serbia, welcomed guests to a reception marking the 84th birthday of Japanese Emperor Akihito at Belgrade’s Metropol Palace Hotel.

In his speech, Ambassador Maruyama greeted all in attendance, before highlighting the importance of good bilateral relations between the two friendly countries of Serbia and Japan.

Emperor Akihito is the 125th ruler of this island empire of his line, according to Japan’s traditional system of succession.

The reception was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, public figures and other representatives of Belgrade’s cultural life.

Guide

2018

Real Estate On The Shortest Route Between East And West

INTERVIEW

Serbia Will Also Be A Leader In Cadastre Reform Serbia this year entered the world’s top 10 countries for the issuance of electronic building permits, leaving some of the world’s most developed countries in our wake. And we have to preserve this achievement ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ Serbian Deputy Prime Minister

W

e believe it’s possible for Serbia to advance in a short period of time by at least twenty places, compared to its current position of 57th in the area of cadastre, and that the complete implementation of reforms can make us one of the leaders in this field, as we already are in the area of issuing building permits

• What more can Serbia do specifically in your area of competence to improve its ranking on the Doing Business Index?

- Following the introduction of e-permits, the next major reform we are preparing is cadastral reform, which is also crucial to Serbia’s further progress on the Doing Business list. Registering a property in the cadastre currently requires visiting five or six places, the procedure is too complicated, regulations enable major obstructions, while our goal is for the entire procedure of registering a property to be conducted in one place, at the offices of notaries, and for everything to be completed in just a few days.

That is a major task ahead of us.

There’s no standing still, because countries that don’t work constantly to improve their

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LUXURY REAL ESTATE GUIDE

regulations quickly lose their position. Serbia has exclusively advanced over the last three years and our goal is to enter the world’s top 20 countries in terms of conditions for doing business. To achieve this we must continue at the same pace, further improve the e-permit system, reform the cadastre and implement all other reforms – implementing the laws on bankruptcy and on companies, and abolishing para-fiscal charges.

• At your ministry do you conduct analyses about the impact of constructing major transport projects on real estate sector growth?

- The value of works carried out by companies from Serbia throughout the entire territory of the country in the third quarter of 2017 was up 6.3%, expressed in fixed prices, compared to the third quarter of 2016. Viewed in terms of

Registering a property in the cadastre currently requires visiting five or six places, the procedure is too complicated, regulations enable major obstructions, while our goal is for the entire procedure of registering a property to be conducted in one place, at the offices of notaries, and for everything to be completed in just a few days

regions, the value of works carried out at fixed prices increased the most in Belgrade, by 23.2%, followed by southern and eastern areas of Serbia, by 2.9%, and then in theVojvodina region, by 1.8%.

When we view the real estate sector alone, the value of construction works in the third quarter of 2017 is 29.1% higher than in the third quarter of 2016, expressed in fixed prices.

Completion of the construction of Corridor 10, the intensive construction of Corridor 11 and the modernisation of the railways have a very positive impact on implementation in all sectors of the construction industry and, consequently, also on the real estate sector.

• How much does the opening of key corridors represent an incentive for the construction of commercial real estate or greater FDI in parts of Serbia that were previously difficult to access?

- Every newly constructed road, especially those connecting certain cities with the most important European roads, is also changing the image among investors, who want to transport and export their products in the shortest possible times and at the lowest possible costs. If that was not the case, 55 new factories wouldn’t have opened right beside Corridor 10 in the previous period. With new factories, with the occupying of industrial zones, there is certainly an incentive for the development of commercial real estate, especially when the average time

REAL ESTATE

GROWTH

REFORMS

When we view the real estate sector alone, the value of construction works in the third quarter of 2017 is 29.1% higher than in the third quarter of 2016, expressed in fixed prices

Considering all the projects currently being implemented, and the fact that the fourth quarter of 2017 has not yet ended, we can expect a further increase in the construction sector’s share of GDP in 2017

The reform and adoption of the new law on cadastre registration will enable the entire job to be completed in one place instead of six

for issuing building permits is about six days and that applications are processed in a fully electronic procedure. With the introduction of e-permits, apart from the fact that there’s no more circling counters, thereby saving time and money, investors have gained another important advantage with this system in terms of predictability and transparency, as there are no “hidden costs” and they can monitor every stage of the procedure.

• Do you have information on the impact of road network development on the logistics sector, in terms of the construction of large warehousing facilities and the like?

- Serbia is the shortest route between east and west and, with the completion of works on Corridor 10, this year alone our highways were crossed by about 17 million more vehicles than three years ago. A developed road network is certainly one of the main preconditions for the development of the logistics sector, thus for instance we already have a large Delhaize distribution centre built in the vicinity of Corridor 10, which Ikea is immediately beside.

Operations will soon also commence at the Lidl distribution centre, which is likewise being built alongside Corridor 10. The recipe is clear: only high-quality infrastructure brings investors and their logistics, which is why Serbia is investing so much in this area.

• How would you evaluate overall investment and growth opportunities in the real estate and transport infrastructure sectors?

- The two most important things that every investor seeking to open a factory looks for when deciding where to locate – whether it’s a country, a particular region or a municipality – is the infrastructure connectivity and the time needed to obtain various permits.

Serbia has also made progress in constructing infrastructure and improving connections with neighbours, and in terms of procedures for issuing building permits, where we are ranked

10th in the world according to the World Bank.

All this represents a clear signal for investors that Serbia is a good place for investment.

Here I would highlight the project we are currently working on to construct around two million square metres of apartments for members of the army, political and security services, which we want to expand to young married couples and scientists and which would come at a very

In 2017, according to official statistics, there was significant growth in construction-dependent industries, such as cement production, which grew by more than 10 per cent in the first quarter alone, compared to the first quarter of 2016 affordable price and under special conditions.

This project will further boost the construction and real estate sectors.

• How much will the construction sector contribute to GDP growth this year and what are your estimates for the next two to three years?

- Considering all the projects currently being

implemented, and the fact that the fourth quarter of 2017 has not yet ended, we can expect a further increase in the construction sector’s share of GDP in 2017. The construction sector’s share of GDP increased in the previous three years from 4.3 to 6.2%. This means that we are very close to achieving our goal – of the construction sector contributing seven per cent to GDP. Also contributing to this will be changes in the regulations proposed by my Ministry, which will further reduce investors’ costs. Specifically, by amending the Law on Republic AdministrativeTaxes, we have proposed the abolition of seven administrative taxes, which will reduce investors’ costs by 5.7% of the value of the property. Among others, it includes the abolishing of the highest tax linked to construction, for the issuance of an operating license, which will nolongerrepresentaparafiscalcharge.

We expect the setting of the level of charges on the basis of the real costs of the competent authorities will act to stimulate new investments, which were previously in lower volumes than could overwise be expected precisely due to the unjustifiably high levels of fees and charges.

• Do you have an estimate of how much these works (road construction, major civil engineering works etc.) have contributed to the growth of activity in related sectors?

- It is well known that construction and infrastructure works have a positive impact on other branches of the economy, i.e. increased activity in this area has a multiplier effect. In 2017, according to official statistics, there was significant growth in construction-dependent industries, such as cement production, which grew by more than 10 per cent in the first quarter alone, compared to the first quarter of 2016.

• When will we see tangible progress in the organisation of the cadastre and what will LUXURY REAL ESTATE GUIDE

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this mean specifically for real estate sector development?

- I expect the new law on cadastre registration to be adopted in the first quarter of 2018, and we will strive to prepare all the bylaws in parallel, in order for the law to be implementable immediately. This is important because the more efficient work of the cadastre saves time and money, and increases predictability in business, but also because of Serbia’s ranking on the next list of the Doing Business Index, as it will enable enough time for it to start being implemented and to be taken into account during next year’s ranking process.

The reform and adoption of the new law on cadastre registration will enable the entire job to be completed in one place instead of six. At this point, anyone who buys real estate must visit at least five counters, including the cadastre, the tax administration and the local tax administration. The objective of the reform is for most of this work to be conducted in one place, at the office of the notary. The Notary would complete the inspection of the Real Estate Cadastre, authenticate the purchase agreement, and then send it in an electronic procedure to the cadastre, which would forward it on to the Tax Administration and the local tax administration.

The end goal of cadastre reform, together with the new e-space reform, which will introduce electronic procedures for approving planning documents, is for citizens to receive an efficient service in this area, and for Serbia to additionally improve its rating on the World Bank’s Doing Business list.

In practical terms, the introduction of ecadastre and e-space means that the entire construction process, from the preparation of planning documents, via the issuance of permits, to the registering of whatever is being built, will be done in a simple, fast and electronic process.

The cadastre is not the only reform we are implementing that has an impact on the real estate sector. A lot has already changed, and the real estate market was already set in forward motion with the adoption and implementation of previous laws. Here I am primarily referring to the Law on Planning and Construction, as well as the laws covering the conversion and legalisation of properties.

These processes are all interconnected.

Through the legalisation process, we help to legally protect houses and flats that were erected illegally, among other reasons due to a lack of

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planning documentation and permits that could entail waiting for up to several years. On the other hand, with the introduction of e-permits and the complete regulating of the work of the cadastre and planning documentation, we are creating conditions in which nobody will ever have a reason to build without a permit.

• How much has Serbia advanced in managing complex projects in your domain, including

For successful reforms it is crucial to have joint work and public debates, and to talk with everyone in the country and the economy, because there is a certain amount of resistance to every reform, and broad consensus is the best way to ensure laws can be properly applied the professional and financial management of these projects?

- Changes in project management are one of the main reasons why more than 150 kilometres of new sections of highways have been built and more than 200 kilometres of railways modernised in the last three years.

It is today known precisely how priorities are determined and on what basis, and it can no longer happen that the state borrows without existing project documentation. Care is also taken to ensure the bulk of the expropriation is completed before works start, to ensure commenced works are not late halted due to unresolved property issues. In the Ministry we have also applied a management method in the

sense that today a mentor is responsible for each particular project, whether it’s leading a project on a road or railway section, a bridge, a port or a factory.

The reason many projects are only being finalised today is partly due to the fact that we previously didn’t have an established system of management and accountability for what is being done. The consequence of that is that we had projects that ground to a halt, with the state paying millions in penalties.

There is no project in the last three years that hasn’t been finalised, and the implementation percentage of the Ministry I head, when it comes to capital projects, has been above 95 per cent for the last year or two. We expect a similar result this year too, given that significant payments are usually made at the end of December.

• In which ways does the Ministry develop cooperation with real estate sector experts and investors?

- Through the system for the electronic issuance of permits (CEOP), the Ministry is in constant communication with investors and experts from the real estate sector. One of the forms of cooperation is the organising of training courses and seminars, where we address specific problems and provide professional assistance and support.

I believe that one of the main reasons the laws we’ve adopted have yielded good results is that we included all interested parties in their preparation, from various business associations and non-governmental organisations, to experts from universities and the private sector. The best example is the adoption of the Law on Planning and Construction, the drafting of which included the participation of USAID, NALED, the Chamber of Commerce, the Foreign Investors Council, GIZ, AmCham and many other organisations and institutions.

We even sent this law to institutions that we might not have needed to for their opinions, in order for us to incorporate all useful suggestions and gain a high-quality, implementable law.

I believe that without such an approach we wouldn’t have had the kind of result we have today. For successful reforms it is crucial to have joint work and public debates, and to talk with everyone in the country and the economy, because there is a certain amount of resistance to every reform, and broad consensus is the best way to ensure laws can be properly applied. ■

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CORPORATE NEBOJŠA ŠURLAN, DIRECTOR OF THE BUILDING DIRECTORATE OF SERBIA

People Are Building, But Also Buying “We are planning a new project for the coming year and the start of construction of a residential facility in Block 63 in New Belgrade”, announced Nebojša Šurlan, Director of the Construction Directorate of Serbia, for CorD

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he Building Directorate of Serbia has been managing investments in construction and projects of national importance for 18 years.

Its director, Nebojša Šurlan, explains that the “real estate market has registered constant growth during the past two years.”

- There are several foreign investors present, and the reason lies in legislative improvements, leading to more efficient administrative procedures and greater legal certainty in doing business for investment companies. Data indicates that during the past year the total residential fund was increased by around 5,000 apartments.

So, people are building more, and they are also buying more. The conditions for buying an apartment are currently extremely favourable, since interest rates for housing loans are nearly twice below the values from around ten years ago, so banks are offering their clients housing loans at rates of around three per cent. Regarding loans for those buying homes in the new settlement called Zemunske Kapije, built by the Directorate, fourteen banks have signed annexes with NMIC for providing loans from the zero-phase of construction, with

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interest rates starting as low as around 2.6%, representing a record low in interest rates for housing loans. For several years now the Directorate has been approving interest-free loans of up to 9.1% for those buying their first apartment and holding the right to VAT refunds. This represents additional support to be used by buyers to secure a down-payment for a housing loan.

• Which of the Directorate’s projects would you note as above-average in success, primarily regarding aesthetics, but also regarding the use of modern technological and construction achievements?

- I would note our current project of building the Zemunske Kapije settlement.

Within the area of the former “Aleksa Dundić” barracks in Zemun we are building a modern settlement, with 1,700 apartments, i.e. around 200 thousand square

We are proud of the Zemunske Kapije project, a settlement with 1,700 apartments where, in addition to our previous experience in construction, we are applying new and modern designs metres of residential-commercial space.

We are making an effort to apply our past experience and lessons learned in this project, to be better and more successful.

The architectural design for the complex is modern and interesting. The settlement

will gravitate towards a central square, a pedestrian zone to be equipped with active features and lighting, as well as numerous commercial units, such as restaurants, cafés and shops. We made sure to provide quality thermal and sound insulation, so we envisaged a façade sandwich wall with exceptional thermal properties.

The apartments will be connected to the district heating system, with the option of regulating the temperature within the apartments and charging for heating by use. For office spaces we planned a heating system using heat pumps. In order to raise awareness of the importance of saving energy, LED lights have been envisaged for lighting hallways, stairways and halls, powered by photo-voltage systems on the roofs of buildings. We have also worked on innovations to the security and video surveillance system etc. I believe we will be proud of this project and that Zemunske Kapije will be a beautiful and comfortable place to live.

• What trends do you expect in 2017 for the construction sector and what are the Directorate’s plans for the coming year?

- For 2018, the Building Directorate of Serbia is focused on the construction of residential facilities in the Zemunske Kapije settlement, though we will complete two buildings in the Sunčana Strana settlement in Novi Sad, and we are also planning to start a new project - the construction of residential facilities in Block 63 in New Belgrade. ■

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CORPORATE BRYAN BEATON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, NAI ATRIUM

Company That Makes A Difference

Not only does Atrium sell and lease residential and commercial real estate, but is also a leader in the valuation of real estate assets, says NAI ATRIUM Managing Director Bryan Beaton

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ai Atrium isn’t just a real estate company. Its portfolio includes a large number of services both in Serbia and elsewhere in the world.

Bryan Beaton, managing director, has been working as a real estate expert in Belgrade and the region for 13 years. His goal now is to establish NAI as a market leader.

Stressing that NAI ATRIUM has been on the market for about 12 years, Mr Beaton notes: “We do a wide variety of real estate advising, such as Feasibility Studies, High-

CORPORATE AIRPORT CITY

A-Blok were indicating strong sales results.

• How would you evaluate construction industry trends in 2018, and where do you see an opportunity for your own further development?

- Atrium sees an opportunity to advise clients and ensure they are making the best decisions. The best time to engage Atrium is at the project concept and land purchase stage, to ensure the correct product is developed for the best market sector. Atrium can advise in all stages of development, from the acquisition of land to the sale of the end product.

In the end, having experienced advice will save the client money. ■

Promotion Of The Calendar 2018

Airport City Belgrade hosted a promotion of its 2018 calendar, inspired by the works of René Magritte.

What is the connection between this famous Belgian surrealist and Serbia’s biggest business park?

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t has already become a tradition for Airport City to set the creative benchmark extremely high for designers and photographers attempting to reimagine the visage of glass façades and floral parks in some completely different discourse.

This year’s homage to Magritte follows last year’s romantic and exquisite photographs of M. Trajković -using an antiquated technique from the early days of photography in the service of an unusual rhapsody at ACB, the previous year’s artistic movement and contemporary dance with the visually

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est and Best Use Studies and advising clients on acquisition and disposals of real estate. Moreover, we have a very large team of engineers and financial experts who keep our clients’ real estate assets in prime condition through property & facility management, technical maintenance, cleaning services and energy efficiency advisory services. The construction industry in all market sectors are in a boom (Up) cycle. This was sparked by low interest rates and strong occupier demand, which causes rental and sales prices to strengthen. The residential development market was the first to start significant development, when Central Garden and

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cold surfaces of the façades and rooftops of New Belgrade, and 2013’s black & white fashion photography of minimalised forms in a business environment...

Always ready to surprise and boldly try something new in building this otherwise unparalleled and impeccable business concept – the first business park in our country.

As stated by project director and ACB CEO Adir El AL, Airport City will continue to develop along with other projects of the same group of investors, such as the major new Skyline project. ■

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FEATURE EMERGING TRENDS IN REAL ESTATE®

Reshaping The Future In 2018

Europe’s real estate industry remains “cautious but positive” as it comes to terms with today’s low-return market and the longer-term disruptive forces of technology and social change

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merging Trends Europe reveals an industry that is buoyed by a brighter general economic outlook and, in turn, stronger occupier demand for much of Europe than previous years.

Continental European markets are benefiting from a relative slide in sentiment towards the UK, where, despite some semblance of normality returning to investment volumes in 2017, there is nonetheless widespread concern over the economic impact of Brexit in 2018 and beyond.

In contrast, following the election of Emmanuel Macron, interviewees are more upbeat about France than they have been for years. Germany, meanwhile, is consolidating its position as Europe’s safe haven for capital.

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According to Emerging Trends Europe, Germany accounts for four of the top six leading cities for overall investment and development prospects in 2018, with Berlin once again at Number 1. Though values in the German capital have rocketed over the past year, industry leaders believe the growth is sustainable, supported by a rising population and a vibrant technology sector.

The dominance of the German cities is broken by Copenhagen, which claims

Many leaders believe change is long overdue, but Emerging Trends Europe reveals an industry that is beginning to open its eyes to new entrants, new partnerships and new business models second place – jointly with Frankfurt – following an impressive ascent of the rankings over the years. Domestic and international players alike are drawn to the Danish capital for its strong employment growth and lively tourist trade.

Despite the brighter general outlook in this late-cycle market, there are enough warning signals to prevent confidence slipping into complacency. Historically low yields, a collective pressure to invest and a scarcity of available core assets are all uppermost in the minds of the industry leaders canvassed for Emerging Trends Europe. A rise in interest rates is a prospect that was not evident a year ago.

And when it comes to the geopolitical backdrop to business, international instability remains a big concern.

At the same time, the European industry is looking far beyond 2018 – and well beyond traditional real estate boundaries.

Many leaders believe change is long overdue, but Emerging Trends Europe reveals an industry that is beginning to open its eyes to new entrants, new partnerships and new business models.

The rise of co-working has been a notable phenomenon – as part of a wider real estate response to changes in how we work, technology and the in-vogue, “space-as-aservice” movement. A mixeduse approach to development is another noticeable movement undergoing a 21st century re-boot, recognising continued urbanisation trends, changing patterns of urban living and a more sophisticated understanding of the economic benefits of “good” densification. And increasingly, boundaries between real estate, social infrastructure and wider investment in infrastructure are becoming blurred.

Real estate is being reshaped by social, demographic and technological change.

And as the industry leaders interviewed for Emerging Trends Europe make clear, they are not simply talking about, but acting upon, this challenge. ■ Source: Urban Land Institute

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MY LIFE IGOR MANDIĆ, WRITER

B y R A DM I L A STA N KOV I Ć

Communism, Unfortunately,

Photo: ANTE CIZMIĆ

LOSES TO FASCISM

This writer and polemicist is a critic of socialism and the multi-party system, but also the government that expelled Serbs from Croatia. He has adopted the idea that patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels, while he says that today’s Croatia is coming apart at the seams. His new book, The Pre-Death Diary, has upset the public with its handling of the topics of aging, suicide and death

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Igor’s father, Emil Mandić, was the owner of a bookshop in Šibenik prior to World War II, but it was seized by the new government in 1948. He didn’t complete high school, but was very capable and educated, speaking Italian, German and Hungarian fluently. His mother was ethnically Italian,

from Premantura near Pula, and spoke only Italian under she was 18.

As a survivor of an upbringing in the strict spirit of Catholicism, she raised her two sons in the same way. Igor never really accepted those canons, so it wasn’t difficult for him to discard them: “When I was a little, my mother cooed to me in Italian, so my mother JANUARY

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Photo: GORAN MEHKEK

tongue is actually Italian. My homeland language is Croatian, and the linguistic language that I serve is Serbo-Croat. I was actually a provincial son, although that doesn’t exist as an explanation, but that’s how I felt during all of my schooldays. My father was a small bookseller in Šibenik, but when general nationalisation was carried out in Yugoslavia after World War II, he was ousted, he fell on low branches, and for a long time I dragged that blemish of being a provincial son. When I finally accepted it, I started to deepen it and, as a newly born Marxist, I wanted to cleanse myself of it by joining the

more than five decades as a journalist, literary critic, polemicist, essayist and intellectual who has always had the strength to confront negative happenings in society: “I’ve been on the scene for fifty years, like few others. I did what I wanted, how much I wanted and how I was able. I could have gone to the toolmakers, to be a professor in cobbling... but writing was my life obsession. I started writing to survive, because my father could no longer support me. After finishing college and army service, I returned to Split, where I soon lost all hope that I could live there. I had no option other than to return to Zagreb and conquer it. It was a megalomaniacal idea that I lived with and which kept me awake constantly.”

When he arrived in the city for his studies, he found a room with a local Zagreb lady and soon fell in love with her daughter, Slavica. She had a cat, Mukija, who she adored and constantly pampered, and Igor decided to let her know that he liked her by saying, “If only I was your cat!” That love was formalised by marriage, and in 1968 they received a daughter, Ada, who graduated in French and Italian and married a German with whom she lived in Heidelberg, preparing a doctorate with the topic “The motive of exile in Croatian novels”. She died tragically in 2004 in a hospital in Basel after an attempted suicide. Igor wrote about this in his book ‘Self under the skin’, while he also speaks about it today, as this tragedy greatly marked his later life: “I have nothing to hide there. During a depressed state, Ada attempted suicide by jumping from the balcony of an apartment in Basel, at a height of nine metres. She landed on her feet, broke her hip and something else, but was alive and League of Communists of I wanted to have a happy family, a solid job and a conscious, and she inYugoslavia. I really wantpeaceful death. Those are the only values I know. ed that, but they didn’t vited her husband and Two of those three values didn’t work out for me, want me. They didn’t give me to tell us that she had I didn’t realise them. Or I did, briefly. It was easy me a chance to make a done something stupid, career in the party.” but then God gave her for me to be honest, because when you’re poor Although he was another chance. She was it’s not hard to be honest born in Šibenik (1939), taken to the top cantonal he grew up in Split. As a boy he played the violin and read books. He hospital, located five minutes from the house where she lived with her completed studies in comparative literature at the Faculty of Philosophy husband. She was operated on there by top surgeons and received the in Zagreb, and since publishing his first book in 1970 he has written best possible care. This was primarily because her husband, Dr Constantine Beier, was professor of anatomy at the Medical School within more than thirty: that hospital. Cared for in that way, she died on the fifth night after “From my first stroke of the pen, I wanted to write intellectual, critical prose, for that to be my critical view of the world. So, I spent a lot of surgery in bed in the clinical ward. I don’t know whether she died from letters and paper to publish that pile of books that I sometimes think an embolism or shock lung, it doesn’t matter, but the doctors in Croatia is mainly waste material. And then I’ll convince myself that I’m wrong. said that such a complication occurs once in every two thousand cases!

At some gatherings, literary evenings, it happens to me that after the But Ada died on the watch of world-renowned Swiss medicine, while conversation people approach me with some copies of my old books to her husband sat beside her holding her by the hand. It is so terrible that sign. I parted from them long ago, thinking they are not used by anyone. it becomes bizarre and grotesque in its unnaturalness.”

When I see some book of mine from the 1970s of ‘80s that some reader Igor Mandić has never avoided conflict on the public scene by writing is offering for me to sign, I convince myself that those books are still in newspapers. Here he continued the best tradition of great writers needed by someone. Except for my critics and colleagues.”

Antun Gustavo Matoša and Miroslav Krleža. He was able to be ironic Igor Mandić has turned 78, and has been on the public scene for about others and towards himself. He explained how he wanted to be, 64 |

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at the very least, another Tito, but he failed to enter the Party. A little a fenced-in environment, I recognised the worst petty, egomaniacal fear more seriously, he explains what the highest qualities of the lifelong of being weighed against neighbours. I’m sure that publishing company president of Yugoslavia were: intended to make something good, but in their endeavour to present foreign “He created an authoritarian system that had become totalitarian a literature they made a serious violation against ourselves. Suddenly, Croatian literature became surrounded by such tiny literature, here I primarily few years after he took power. But this system quickly managed to grow mean Serbia, because other literature, Slovene or Macedonian, for example, to such an extent that Yugoslavia had such democratic freedoms that it doesn’t matter to us at all. That presenting of Serbian literature is shamewas made into a serious European country that was important in world fully low, because many world famous Serbian writers have been omitted, proportions. This is to Tito’s great credit and it places him among the greatest politicians of the 20th century. I, however, spent a great deal of my life, like any ignoramus, idealising capitalism. When I was at the height of my anti-communist sentiment, I asked Milovan Đilas: Is there a way to defeat communism, socialism? He answered: There is, fascism. Unfortunately, I lived long enough to convince myself that he was right.

Actually, perhaps I wasn’t really overly anticommunist, but again, as a naïve fool, I supported the notion of a multi-party system thinking that it was some sort of solution, despite the achievements of democracy in socialism. I didn’t know I was falling into the eternal misconception of all the fools who think this kind of democracy is something good. We all succumbed to Churchill’s claim that democracy, of this kind or the other, is the best of all solutions. As we see now, it’s not.

Unfortunately, I made a mistake like tens of millions with me all over the world who are now hitting themselves in the head.

Democracy, unfortunately, is not possible. it is contradictio in adiecto. The people have never ruled nor will they ever rule. The people do not rule, nothing comes from presumably so it would the people, the people For me, actually, nobody ever taught me to be a are a stupid mob. Here Croat. Neither my father nor my mother, nor in high indirectly show Croatian literature to be greater. applies Njegoš’s verse school in Split, was I taught that I am a Croat.

This is a disgrace of Croathe common folk are like Classical high school has no national identity tian intellectualism.” stupid cattle.”

Today he says of his Mandić didn’t miss political beliefs that he’s a convinced centralist: “By posture, housing, everythe opportunity to besmirch the HDZ, the party that was created by thing that determines me, I am a centralist. From a height view everything Franjo Tuđman and came to power after Croatia became a country. prepotently”. When he faces resentment for his lack of patriotism, Igor Asked why he can’t abide HDZ so much, Igor specifies: Mandić has long since replied “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”, “Because of everything they’ve done. I don’t think there’s any doubt adding that he didn’t come up with this expression [it was stated by English that Tuđman’s Croatia is the continuation of Pavelić’s NDH [WWII fascist state], with different means in a different constellation of forces writer Samuel Johnson in the 18th century], but he has adopted it: and relations in this region and around the world. Tuđman managed “I can love or defend the stone I grew up on, my mother, my father, to realise all of Pavelić’s ideas, first and foremost when it comes to my favourite cove, but it still isn’t a homeland. And who even dares to expelling Serbs from Croatia. What Pavelić didn’t get the chance to do, ask us such a question, to place us in front of this court, and ask us to Tuđman implemented: he cleansed Croatia of Serbs. This is the most express love for something as abstract as a homeland, which is difficult to damaging result of his rule, and it was continued by all his successors, conceive under the same name and in the same whole. In particular, this allowing the Ustashoids to penetrate the very pores of Croatian society.” is not Croatia that is a disparate, disunified, outdated and non-sovereign When the Lexicon of Foreign Writers was published in Croatia in 2001 little state. How can it be a homeland that we should love completely? by Školska knjiga, a company specialising in publishing schoolbooks, No abstract concept can cover all the parts of my totally tangible love.”

Igor was one of the few to publicly condemn the project: “For me, actually, nobody ever taught me to be a Croat. Neither my “Describing our neighbours as ‘abroad’, that lexicon showed that we father nor my mother, nor in high school in Split, was I taught that I am entrenched and encamped ourselves in a little bedsit apartment. In such a Croat. Classical high school has no national identity.”

P h o t o : M A R KO T O D O ROV

This writer claims that all projects in the last 200-300 years aimed This Croatian writer was friends for years with Serbian writer Momo at creating a Croatian state have failed, except the project when Croatia Kapor, and their friendship didn’t end when war broke out in Croatia was a republic in the Socialist Yugoslavia. He says that today’s Croatia in the early 1990s. Igor liked Momo as a talented and very affable man, is coming apart at the seams, concluding that the country is being whom he discovered as a writer as soon as he read his first book, Notes of abandoned by the people it needs the most - doctors, teachers and One Ana. After that he made efforts to become Momo’s friend. And after scientists. Instead of them, Momo’s Death (2010) “some little general is askhe wrote the text as an Both Momo and I suffered from the beginning ing for more weapons to be annex to the book The of the 1990s in the post-Yugoslav area, without procured, as if someone’s Legend of Kapor and any kind of nostalgia. We both were and remained titled “What composes threatening us and we need those weapons”. us, damn it”. rational and ironic about everything “I do not even know what put us together, but that’s where friendship, just like love, is difficult to describe.

It’s just like that, kind of plain. It happens that human paths converge and cross, until something separates them. It is known what in this case. The inevitable destiny of, for now, one of us.”

In Igor’s working study hangs a portrait painted for him by Kapor and some other Kapor paintings.

Mandić was in Belgrade for Kapor’s funeral, with a sad feeling of losing a friend, one of our great writers and painters, as well as a great in terms of lifestyle, wit, casualness. Speaking today about Kapor and his fate, Igor says: “Politics dragged us into her, grabbed us with her claws, and we didn’t suffer in her. There were deep, fateful reversals that dragged people into political whirlpools. When it comes to Momo, it was actually mostly speculative gossip, often also lies... I was drawn into various literary polemics, and not just literary, often with only myself to blame, but that didn’t determine me very importantly.

And nor him, I think.

“Both Momo and I suffered from the beginning of the 1990s in the post-Yugoslav area, without any kind of nostalgia. We both were and remained rational and ironic about everything. And he was also witty with it. His supremacy is clear, as can be recognised in how he managed to deal casually with all false and serious problems.”

Igor’s latest book, published just a few months ago, has attracted a lot of attention from the Croatian public, primarily due to the topic, but also because of one part in which he settles accounts with those who annoy him today on the political scene in Croatia. Under the title Pre-Death Diary, Mandić faces his own awareness of death, dealing specifically with the topic of aging, suicide and death. The topic of suicide has obsessed him from the moment his daughter decided to attempt to take her own life at the age of 36. For this book he compiled a long list of famous people who have killed themselves: singer Janice Joplin, musician Jimi Hendrix, poet Sergei Yesenin, actress Marilyn 66 |

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Monroe, painter Vincent Van Gogh, writer Jack London, poet Željko Sabol, writer Heinrich Mann, authoress Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić, writer Branko Ćopić, actor Bekim Fehmiu, psychiatrist Sigmund Freud et al. Speaking about himself, Mandić says that he’s been ready to die for the last ten years: “Death is a lying whore and chooses randomly, so she snatched our daughter before her time. I didn’t think about death until 2004, until the death of our child. In our civilisation death is a punishment that people fear, but I don’t fear death. I have come to terms with death. Old age is the ugliest period of human life. We’d be better off without it.

I was born a little old man and quickly became old.

And when our daughter died, since then I’ve been under the power of old age. There are few books on these obscure topics, such as aging, death and suicide. I no longer have any ideals, everything has been purged. Old age ate everything. Nevertheless, in the book I develop my emotional chronology that leads me towards death, with the remaining tendency to continue fighting to the death.”

It could be said that Mandić is calmly awaiting death, but hasn’t surrendered to it. He regularly takes medication prescribed for him by his doctors, takes care of his diet and, despite not liking to see anything green on the table, he regularly eats a portion of lettuce prepared for him every day by his wife Slavica. For his whole life he was a hedonist, always enjoying good food and drink, and he even co-authored a book with Slavica, entitled Married Couple’s Kitchen, in which they offered 240 recipes.

“I loved to drink, some would say I loved to exaggerate in drinking. Drunkenness is for me an escape to the other side, it is a kind of religion, though undoubtedly a tormenting religion.”

No matter how much he has spoken and written about death, Igor is still very interesting, even funny, and intellectually curious. And, as he has been all his life, very cynical. Thus he writes in his new book: “Just when I think how much cheer my death will bring, it occurs to Death is a lying whore and chooses randomly, so might not even disturb me to realise it, but I still give up regardless, she snatched our daughter before her time. I didn’t the surface in my case.”

“I wanted,” says Igor, knowing that everyone think about death until 2004, until the death of our “to have a happy family, is awaited by the same child. In our civilisation death is a punishment that a solid job and a peaceful end. No emptiness will people fear, but I don’t fear death. I have come death. Those are the only appear when my obituary appears, because values I know. Two of to terms with death. Old age is the ugliest even above this humble those three values didn’t period of human life opus of mine, as otherwork out for me, I didn’t wise above everything, after death follows eternal Nothingness. Every realise them. Or I did, briefly. It was easy for me to be honest, because single death sinks into it like a stone thrown into the sea, and that when you’re poor it’s not hard to be honest. That went naturally for me.” ■

CHILL OUT PERU

PERU’S FIST FIGHTING CHRISTMAS TRADITION ▶ Every December 25th, in Takanakuy, Peru the annual tradition of getting together as a community, and beating the snot out of each other to settle old grudges, all followed and celebrated in tandem with drinking, dancing, music and family support!

Takanakuy, Peru (“when the blood is boiling” in the Quechua language) is an annual established practice of fighting fellow community members held on 25 December, by the inhabitants of Chumbivilcas Province, near Cuzco in Peru. The practice started in Santo Tomás, the capital of Chumbivilcas and has now spread to other villages and cities, the prominent ones being Cuzco and Lima. The festival consists of dancing and of individuals fighting each other to settle old conflicts or simply to display their manhood.

It’s not just men going toe to toe in settling old disputes that have boiled up over the year since the last festival, it’s women too.

USA

‘SALVATOR MUNDI’ SOLD FOR $450MLN ▶ The last Leonardo da Vinci painting in private hands sold for $450m after a fevered, 19-minute round of bidding at Christie’s in Manhattan, New York shattering the record for the most expensive piece of art ever sold.

INDIA

GUINNESS RECORD: STUFFING 459 STRAWS IN THE MOUTH ▶ Guinness confirmed Manoj Kumar Maharana, 23, of Odisha,India broke the world record for most straws stuffed in the mouth without using hands by cramming 459 straws into his pie hole.

“Salvator Mundi”, Latin for “saviour of the world”, is one of roughly 15 surviving works by Da Vinci and depicts Jesus Christ in a flowing robe, holding a crystal orb and raising his right hand in benediction.

The 67.5cm tall portrait, painted around 1500 and once owned by King Charles I of England, was presumed lost until its rediscovery in 2005.

Maharana, who was allowed to use elastic bands to keep the straws together but not his hands, has to have all of the straws in his mouth and keep them there for 10 seconds without falling to obtain the title. Maharana was allowed to use his hands to get the straws into his mouth, but not to hold them in place. The previous record holder, British man Simon Elmore, stuffed 400 straws into his mouth at an event in Germany.

AUSTRALIA

DOLPHINS MALES GIFTING FEMALES TO SHOW AFFECTION ▶ It seems dating in the sea is just as complex as on land, with male dolphins off the West Australian coast observed offering up presents to females and cultivating “wing man” relationships to help each other score a mate. Researchers have examined coastal dolphins off the State’s north coast and found something rarely seen in mammals — males gifting females large sea sponges ripped from the ocean floor. They’ve also been seen tossing them about, possibly to show affection and strength. Simon Allen, from the University of Western Australia’s School of Biological Sciences, said the humpback dolphins’ gifting activities could be similar to human dating behaviour.

The research also found that the male animals appeared to develop a “wing man” in other male dolphins. “Just like sponge presentation or gift-giving, this is very rare among non-human mammals. We also form complex alliances,” Dr Allen said.

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N O R WA Y

THE FROZEN SOUND OF ICE MUSIC ▶ Norwegian percussionist and ice musician Terje Isungset creates music from instruments made entirely out of ice. In 1999, Norwegian jazz musician Terje Isungset was invited to create music in a frozen waterfall. Ever since then, he has developed and performed his ice music in venues all over the world. His performance relies entirely on ice – blocks of frozen water are collected from lakes and rivers to be cut and shaped with chainsaws and knives to form musical instruments. Isungset has built and played instruments like ice horns, ice drums, ice harps and the iceophone – a glacial xylophone.

Depending on the location, Isungset’s instruments can be made of weekold ice from the local river or ice from glaciers hundreds of years old. In some concerts, he has even played on ice harvested from the South Pole.

WORLD

LADDER TREES - THE LATEST ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS TREND ▶ The new trend for replacing your tree with a stepladder can look awesome or simply awful. If having pine needles all over your house is too much for you to bear, or space is at a premium, then grab a stepladder and some lights, we’ve got the solution.

Alternative Christmas trees are nothing new and there ICELAND

are some out-there options on sale right now, but this is an idea that can be delivered on a shoestring budget.

If your Christmas tree dies and you’ve left in a bind then the step-ladder solution makes a lot of sense.

Some people go with a triangle shaped ladder to evoke the ghost of traditional Christmas trees, while others simply prop any old ladder against a wall and throw baubles at it.

Whichever way you choose, we’re not sure it has quite the magic of a traditional tree...

CHINA

CHINESE NEW YEAR – THE YEAR OF BROWN EARTH DOG

REYKJAVIK WINTER LIGHT FESTIVAL

▶ If you celebrate Chinese New Year, it falls on February 16th, and the festival will last to March 2nd, about 15 days in total.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2018 is the year of the Dog and its characteristic word is action. The Chinese Horoscope 2018 predicts that this year of the Brown Earth Dog is going to be a good year in all respects, but it will also be an exhausting year. You will be happy, yet frustrated, rested, yet tired, cheerful, yet dull!

Chinese New Year is a public holiday in China (, which lasts for a few days. It is also a public holiday in countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, North Korea, Singapore, South Korea, and Vietnam. Based on historical documents, on the day when Shun, who was one of ancient China’s mythological emperors, came to the throne more than 4000 years ago, he led his ministers to worship heaven and earth.

From then on, that day was regarded as the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar. This is the basic origin of Chinese New Year. China adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1911, so Chinese New Year was renamed the Spring Festival.

▶ The Winter Lights Festival (1 - 4 February 2018) is an annual event that stimulates the city life in the midwinter. The Festival celebrates both the winter world and the growing light after a long period of darkness. The program is a mixture of art and industry, environment and history, sports and culture. The festival provides entertainment for Reykjavík’s locals and guests alike.

Winter Lights Festival is an event to be enjoyed by all and all events are free of charge. The programme reflects the many faces of Reykjavík.

Together with all the major museums and thermal pools in the Reykjavík capital area, the Reykjavík Ski Resort will join in on the fun. There will also be a beautiful light installation that brightens up the city.

You can also enjoy a thermal hot water during freezing temperature.

The best-known of all Iceland’s thermal complexes is the Blue Lagoon close to Reykjavík.

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ČUBURA

Disappearing

BELGRADE Čubura is one of the most famous quarters of Vračar and Belgrade generally. Even today, people from this neighbourhood will point out that they are Čuburci rather than Belgraders

Č

ubura emerged as a settlement around the Čubur Stream. regions, leaving younger generations deprived of a childhood spent by the water.

This stream no longer exists, having been filled in, liked many Then began the first major urbanisation of Čubura, which would reach Belgrade waterways, following urbanisation during the 1920s. its peak following World War II. It flowed from the start of today’s Čuburska Street towards the In the first half of the 20th century, including during World War II, Čubura was a quarter composed mainly of small family houses. It appears as though Southern Boulevard, then flowed into the Mokroluški Stream every other small family house was a tavern, so this family-bohemian quarter (today also filled in), which was the right tributary of the Sava (not yet filled). remained in memory as a quarter with the largest number of taverns per capita.

That’s why until recently older Čuburci could often be heard referring to the The symbols of Čubura are primarily the park, then the famous handicraft course of the Southern Boulevard simply as the stream. centre known as Gradić Pejton. Čubura is today administratively divided into Thus, the settlement emerged at the source and around the stream. The two local communities: Neimar and Vozarev krst. settlement was named Čubura, and the stream Čuburski. Or it was the other Čubura was long home to numerous famous taverns, with those gathering way around. That’s the eternal dilemma of those who represent land theories and those who represent aquatic theories about the origins of names. there including “poets, craftsmen, bohemians, peasants from Kalenić, and all Whatever the case, Čubura was born, so as they say it was worth swinging. enjoyed the same right – everyone could say what was on their mind, as long as But where did Čubura come from? Imaginations worked, so today we there was someone there to listen”. Legendary taverns disappeared one after have a mass of theories about the emergence of this name. another (“Stara Srbija”, “Sokolac”, “Kikevac”, “Mlava”, “Tabor”, “Trandafilović” ...)

The most acceptable is the one connected with the Čubur stream. Specifiin a wave of frenzied construction, with only the Kalenić Kafana tavern being cally, the stream didn’t have a large flow of water, preserved. The only civil uprising among Čuburci so a pipe was pushed into it so it couldn’t be filled was in defence of “Gradić Pejton”.

The symbols of Čubura with water. It was actually a larger barrel without Momo Kapor wrote on the pages of famous are primarily the park, a bottom. This original innovation in the history of daily newspaper Politika long ago: “For those then the famous Serbian waterworks was called a Stublina, but it who aren’t from Belgrade it should be noted that wasn’t appropriate to call the whole surrounding handicraft centre known Kalenić market is the city’s biggest and richest, and area Stublinara, Burara or possibly Cevara. That’s as Gradi Pejton. Čubura is located in Čubura. Older Belgraders still call it why we borrowed the Turkish noun for this device, rubber”. is today administratively Kalenić’s derived from the words ‘čuruk buru’ (hollow tube) Beside Momo Kapor, their Čubura origins divided into two local or čubura (çubura). The Turks are a wonder when have been hailed (and are still hailed) by the communities: Neimar their language includes a word for a hollow tube…. As likes of Velimir Bata Živojinović, Dušan Duda though there’s such thing as a tube that isn’t hollow.

Ivković, Dragan Gaga Nikolić, Zoran Hristić, and Vozarev krst Čubura, like most of Vračar, was urbanised Slobodan Marković (Libero Markoni), Olivera in the second half of the 19th century. Then around the stream emerged a Katarina, Strahinja Straja Rodić, Jovan Ristić Rica, Dušan Prelević Prele, settlement like a further periphery of Belgrade as a town. The stream was Rastislav Jović Kekec, Miroslav Novčić Nos, Slobodan Piva Ivković, Miša small, but knew how to flood on rainy days, causing problems for Čubura Stojanović Crnogorac, Dragoslav Gane Mladenović, Nikola Tolja Tasić, Milan locals. Ducks once swam unhindered in this stream. It flowed from today’s Radovanović Genga, Milan Rakočević Raf, Zvonko Vujić Voskar et al. For park through Čuburska Street all the way to the Southern Boulevard, where all of them there are little witticisms, especially for the greatest legend, it ended by emptying into the Mokroluški Stream.

Velimir Batu Živojinović, the fiercest boy and unrivalled actor: “Hey, we The stream dried up in the 1920s, with the ducks migrating to warmer are Crusader-Čuburci, there’s no messing with us!”. ∎

ć

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FRIENDSHIP “The friendship between India and Serbia has a long history rooted in the shared values of Non-Alignment and cultural ties. Over the years, the two countries have built upon these values and created a partnership based on both principle and pragmatism.” — H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN, Indian Ambassador to Serbia

INDIA Unique Market For The World

INTERVIEW

Rising Economy Founded On Strong Cultural Foundations

India celebrates its Republic Day on 26th January, with numerous ceremonies and parades commemorating this date

H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN, INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

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ith the strong cultural foundation of over 1.3 billion people with different religions, sub-cultures, societal norms and changing paradigms, India today ranks among the fastest-growing economies in the world.

• Your Excellency, which of India’s achievements during the last year would you highlight?

- Success of parliamentary form of government, rule of law and people’s faith in democratic process and institutions are the biggest achievements of independent India. India of 2017 is vastly different from India of 1947. The opening up of economy in 1991 and series of subsequent reforms since then have ameliorated the effects of colonization and not only lifted million out of poverty but expanded the market for goods and services, delivered financial prosperity and higher purchasing power to millions of middle class citizens. India is home to 1.30 billion people – 18% of the world’s population and world’s largest youth population. India’s economic success in recent years has helped to ensure that South Asia is the fastest-growing region in the world. Some of the achievements during 2017 are: • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the space agency of India, scripted history by successfully launching a record 104 satellites from seven countries on 15th February 2017. This is the highest number of satellites ever launched

in a single mission. Among other achievements in space include launch of 2230 kg South Asia Satellite (GSAT-9) and GSAT-17, India’s third communication satellite in May 2017.

South Asia Satellite is a communication satellite built by ISRO to provide a variety of communication services over the South Asian region.

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST), India’s biggest tax reform in 70 years of independence, came into force at midnight on 1st July 2017, amid a historic midnight session of Parliament. GST is a single tax on the supply of goods

INDIAN REPUBLIC DAY PARADE ON RAJ PATH IN NEW DELHI

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Forum (WEF). India has moved up 12 places from 52nd to 40th position in the Travel and Tourism Competitive Index (TTCI) of the World Economic Forum, released on 5th April 2017.

• In November India’s Manushi Chhillar won the coveted Miss World 2017 crown and became the 6th Miss World from India.

• On 9th June India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation • In October, India successfully organised the FIFA U-17 World Cup. • India’s longest bridge - the 9.15 km long Dhola-Sadiya bridge over the River Brahmaputra, in Assam - was inaugurated in May 2017.

• In the eyes of foreign observers, India is both one of the world’s largest economies and a country where diversity, traditional values and social relations have been preserved.

How would you explain this fusion?

- I believe that social relations as well as cultural diversity plays a key role in economic growth. India boasts of an immensely rich and diverse cultural heritage including numerous AMBASSADOR NARINDER CHAUHAN MEETS PM ANA BRNABIĆ languages, traditions and people. India holds its uniqueness in its diversity and hence has adapted itself Digitalization is one the top priorities of PM Ms.Ana Brnabic. Serbian to international changes with poise and companies have been visiting India to provide technical support to comfort. While our economy has welcomed international companies with open arms to Indian companies & institutions, particularly in the ICT sector invest since liberalisation in 1990s, Indians have been prudent and pro-active in adopting global approach and skills. With the strong cultural foundation and services, right from the manufacturer to the consumer of over 1.3 billion people with different religions, sub-cultures, which aims to remove tax barriers between Indian states and societal norms and changing paradigms, India today ranks create a single market. among the fastest-growing economies in the world. Being a • India jumped 30 spots to secure a place among the major economic, military, technological and space power, India top-100 countries on World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business is poised for a quantum leap in terms of economic success in ranking 2018, driven by reforms in access to credit, power the not so distant future. The rising economy of India founded supplies and protection of minority investors. With this on such strong cultural footing makes India a unique market year’s performance, India became the first ever country to for the world. India is witnessing all-round transformation and record highest jump in World Bank’s ease of doing business different sectors of the economy have become vibrant. Signifiranking. India is among the top 10 ‘Improvers’ globally, having cant progress has been registered in vital areas of renewable done better in 8 out of 10 business parameters. energy, railways, roads, power, space, health, infrastructure • The work on India’s first high speed rail project (bullet etc. India’s current economic growth has improved its standing train) between Mumbai and Ahmedabad has commenced. on the world’s political stage and many nations are moving to The rail project promises to transform railways and ‘create forge better relationships with India. new India’.

• India remains the most competitive country in South • India and Serbia have celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relaAsia, appearing at No. 40 in the Global Competitiveness tions. How do you see cooperation between the two countries?

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MARKET

The rising economy of India founded on such strong cultural footing makes India a unique market for the world

POTENTIAL

Serbian economy is in transition and India is an emerging economy. There is lot of untapped potential in India-Serbia trade relations

INFRASTRUCTURE

India can play an important role in building the infrastructure as well as software and security infrastructure for a truly Digital Serbia

- The friendship between India and Serbia has a long history rooted in the shared values of Non-Alignment and cultural ties. Over the years, the two countries have built upon these values and created a partnership based on both principle and pragmatism. India and Serbia support each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. We are like minded countries with common positions on many international issues. Earlier this year, we were privileged to receive in India H.E. Aleksandar Vučić where very warm meetings were held with Prime Minister Modi and Indian business community. Since the visit, we have seen forward movement in several areas of the ‘new relationship with India’ that President Vučić and PM Brnabić have referred to in their public addresses. Another big step is the participation in World Food India (Nov 2017) by Serbian agro-companies led by H.E. Branislav Nedimović, Minister of Agriculture. Minister Nedimović held bilateral meeting with Mr Radha Mohan Singh, Indian Minister of Agriculture, and Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing Industries, to discuss future bilateral cooperation as a follow-up of the meeting between the two prime ministers earlier in the year.

AMBASSADOR CHAUHAN WITH SERBIAN PM BRNABIĆ Due to combined and persistent efforts, bilateral trade has seen year-on-year growth of 30.5%.

Several Indian companies have taken Serbian companies are looking to working with India for our Digital interest in Serbian infrastructure projects, India, Start Up India programmes. Indian investors are interested in agri-machinery and food production. More agri-machinery, infrastructure, pharma, healthcare sectors… than 200 business visas have been given to Serbian companies to visit India.

The two governments have put the necessary instru(ALIMS) and Indian agency, the Central Drugs Standard Control ments in place including BIPA, DTAC, Trade Agreement (MFN Organisation (CDSCO) are working on agreement for cooperastatus), Tourism, Revised Air Services Agreement, Agricultural tion oin issues of the quality of medicines. The 2nd Session of Cooperation, S&T, IT & Electronics, Archives, etc. In our effort the India-Serbia Joint Committee on Science & Technology to enhance business opportunities, the India-Serbia Business was held in Belgrade in October 2017, where a new Programme Forum was launched in June 2016 followed by second meeting of Cooperation was signed with increased fields of cooperain February 2017 where duty differential for Indian imports and tion. It was agreed to hold workshops on (a) biotechnology & complex registration procedures for Indian pharma products human health and (b) ICT and thereafter announce joint calls were identified as some of the hurdles. Very constructive ideas in the second half of 2018. The Joint Working Group on IT & emerged from the Working Group on Agriculture where India Electronics in October 2017 exchanged cooperation agendas expressed interest in import of pulses, soyabean, oil seeds and in the field of e-Governance, Cloud Computing, IoT, Big Data, Serbia emphasized on export of fruits & vegetables to India Start-up ecosystem etc. apart from import of agriculture machinery. The two sides In November 2017, Serbia participated in the Global are negotiating phytosanitary agreement to ease export/ Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS-2017) in New Delhi and 8th import of fruits, vegetables and processed products. India Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES 2017) in Hyderabad. made expression of interest in importing copper & gold from Both sides have liberalised visa regimes and hope to see Serbia during the 3rd session of the Joint Economic Committee increased trade and tourism in future. Recently eight prominent Serbian tour operators undertook a familiarisation visit to India (JEC). The Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia JANUARY

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(Sept 2017) and held a workshop with 25 top Indian tour operators and government officials. Likewise a group of five Indian tour operators and three Travel Writers visited Serbia on familiarisation tour in October 2017 to form a network in order to enhance two-way tourism .

India has provided significant technical assistance to Serbia through its fully funded programme of Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Serbian nationals can benefit from the programme.

On the culture front, we have been able to successfully

• Your partners in Serbia thank you for supporting the territorial integrity of the country. Does India still not support Kosovo’s membership in international organisations?

- We take pride in the historic and special relationship with Serbia, which remains one of mutual trust, understanding and support to each other on issues of core interest. There are no outstanding Significant progress has been registered in vital areas of or unresolved bilateral issues. Serbia and renewable energy, railways, roads, power, space, health, India have a good track record of consistent infrastructure etc. India's current economic growth has improved and unconditional support to each other its standing on the world's political stage in multilateral fora and for elections in multilateral bodies. connect our two countries’ cultures and tried to bring India closer to Serbia through dance, art, photographs, films etc.

Indian cultural troupes continue to attract large audiences.

I am confident that in the coming year India and Serbia will work together to re-energise and redefine political, cultural as well as trade & economic ties.

INDIA IS EXPECTED TO BE 3RD LARGEST ECONOMY BY 2030

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• Can economic cooperation between our two friendly countries be raised to a higher level; which areas you consider as being interesting for cooperation?

- Economic and commercial cooperation occupies prominent position in the bilateral matrix. Serbian economy is in transition and India is an emerging economy. There is lot of untapped potential in India-Serbia trade relations. Coming after 30 years, the visit of Hon’ble Aleksandar Vučić to India in January 2017 has invigorated economic ties. We have seen a spike in visits by big business houses led by TATAs, GMR, RELIANCE, TAFE etc. CG Food India has invested in a noodle factory in Ruma and are now exporting too. Indian companies based in UAE are also investing. There is growing exchange of visits between Indian & Serbian tech companies. Serbian company Schneider DMS NS is working in “Smart Cities” project of Government of India. Yugoimport and sister companies are partnering for Make in India. Serbian companies are looking to working with India for our Digital India, Start Up India programmes. Indian investors are interested in agrimachinery, infrastructure, pharma, healthcare sectors. These partnerships can help us reach new heights in our trade and

commercial partnership. The sectors for enhancement of bilateral trade include retail medicaments, metals, petroleum products, bio technology, agro and agro-chemical products, mobile phones, petrochemicals, personal care products, Ayurveda and herbal products etc. Agro & agro processing, mining, ICT, healthcare, tourism, renewable energy sources, etc. are other sectors with potential for joint projects. India can play an important role in developing e-Government in Serbia. Serbian businesses are becoming aware of the huge Indian market and the opportunities it creates for them.

AMBASSADOR CHAUHAN PROMOTING INDIAN IT AT IT CONFERENCES IN SERBIA

• During your recent talks with the Serbian PM, you presented the ‘Digital India’ project and proposed cooperation Economic and commercial cooperation occupies prominent position in the bilateral matrix. Serbian economy is in transition and India between IT companies. Can it gain more is an emerging economy. There is lot of untapped potential in tangible forms?

- Digitisation is one the top priorities of PM India-Serbia trade relations Ms.Ana Brnabic. Serbian companies have been visiting India to provide technical support to Indian companies & institutions, particularly in the ICT sector. Digitisation initiatives in Serbia will provide business opportunities in various sectors, where India can be an important partner. Owing to the enabling policies by the Indian government, the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’ initiative, local manufacturing in the Electronics Industry is currently a hot topic. India-Serbia cooperation in this sector will enable Serbia to achieve its goal of digitisation.

ICT has been identified as one of the possible area of cooperation under the bilateral S&T agreement. The bilateral MOU on IT & Electronics aims to establish the institutional relation between the two countries and to encourage the business entities and IT companies from Serbia and India to work together. The two sides exchanged cooperation agendas in the field of e-Governance, Cloud Computing, IoT, Big Data, Start-up ecosystem etc. at the Joint Working Group meeting in Oct 2017. We can share the vision, approach, strategy and implementation methodology and management structure needed for developing and evolving e-government. Both countries can also enhance cooperation as per the Programme of Cooperation signed under the MOU on Agriculture and allied sectors, which envisages exchanges of information particularly for ICT in agriculture extension.

India can play an important role in building the infrastructure as well as software and security infrastructure for a truly Digital Serbia. In order to develop sufficient skills SERBIAN AGRICULTURE MINISTER to support digital initiative in Serbia, Indian institutions BRANISLAV NEDIMOVIĆ IN INDIA JANUARY

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can provide training and education to adopt digital technologies so that the benefits of digitisation can reach all sections of Serbian society.

• The Serbian Government decided in August to abolish visas for Indian citizens. Do you 'READ INDIA' AT THE RECENT BELGRADE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR think this can encourdraw full houses. Recently, the Kriyative Theatre Group age economic cooperation and interest in visiting Serbia? participated in INFANT Festival and BELEF Festival. In- I believe that the Serbian government’s decision to abolish dian folklore ensemble from Punjab participated in FIDAF visa for Indians will go a long way in enhancing people to “Belgrade Award’’. In August, the renowned Bharatnatyam people contact and eventually bilateral trade. dancer Ms Geeta Chandran and her group gave 70th Inde• When you first came to Serbia you were surprised by pendence Day concert. Growing Serbian interest in India is the popularity of Indian TV series, while today some Indievident by the institution of Hindi Chair at University of Novi an films are being shot in cooperation with partners from Sad, India studies at Belgrade University and Permanent Serbia. What are the prospects for greater cooperation beexhibition of Chandigarh’s Rock Garden at the Museum tween two countries in the domain of culture? of Naive and Marginal Arts. Regular student exchanges - Serbia cherishes Indian culture, Yoga, Ayurveda, as well take place under the International Association for the as our films, TV serials and cuisine. The Indian cultural Exchange of Students for Technical Expertise (IAESTE). manifestations we bring to Serbia are very popular and There is close collaboration in the field of films and film shootings have begun both ways. Prominent Serbian Film Producer & Director Goran Paskaljevic, shot the first ever Indo-Serbian film co-production ‘Dev Bhoomi’ (Land of the God) in India. The shooting of Indian films in Serbia has commenced and Indian films have been participating in the Auteur Film Festival.

Recently a delegation of Indian film professionals visited Serbia to explore film making opportunity and met senior government officials, Serbian Film Commission, Serbian film producers, production houses, studios, casting agencies, etc. The Embassy has been regularly organising Indian film festivals through various cultural centres in Serbia. Interest in Yoga & Ayurveda is boosted by successive International Day of Yoga events every June followed by Ayurveda & Homeopathy workshops. ■ INDIA'S KAMRAN PATEL SHOWCASED AT OCTOBER'S BELGRADE FASHION WEEK 78 |

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ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS

By GORDANA ANDRIĆ, BIRN BELGRADE

Celebrate Christmas,

SERBIAN STYLE

The Christmas celebration in Serbia blends Christian symbols and pagan traditions and involves a lot of logs, straw, sparks, clucking - and hearty food

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hile much of the Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus on 25th December, in Orthodox Serbia church bells toll across the country marking the beginning of the three-day festival on 7th January.

Following the reform of the calendar in the 16th century, the Serbian Orthodox Church, along with the Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem, Russia, Macedonia, Georgia and Ukraine, continued to calculate time according to the outdated Julian calendar.

While people in these countries now generally calculate time using the updated Gregorian calendar, religious holidays are still celebrated according to the Julian one, two weeks later than the Catholic Church and protestant faiths.

However, preparations for Christmas in Serbia start long before 7th January. Many Orthodox Christians begin fasting 40 days before Christmas.

Over that Lenten period, Serbs observe the rules of Lent and eat no meat, dairy products or eggs.

CHASING AWAY DEMONS Some parts of Serbia still nurture old Christmas traditions that have disappeared from other parts of the country.

“Koleda” is considered a pagan tradition. The Orthodox Christian equivalent is “vertep”, which is similar and is practiced in Vojvodina on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A group of costumed boys goes from house to house carrying a vertep, or litter, constructed as a wooden model of a house or a church, with two dolls inside – one representing the Virgin Mary, the other personifying the baby Jesus.

In front of each house they sing Christmas carols and recite poems praising the birth of Christ.

Christmas in Serbia is a family holiday, and the three Sundays prior to Christmas are dedicated to glorifying family members. The third Sunday before Christmas is dedicated to children, the second to mothers and the last to fathers.

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These days see the celebrated family members receive gifts, but those presents come in the form of a ransom. On the morning of “detinjci”, adults bind their children and those of their neighbours, either to one another or to a chair, and the children must give the adults presents in order to secure their release.

On the mornings of “materice” and “oci”, the children tie up their mothers or fathers in the same fashion, and again only release them after receiving gifts.

While this tradition is mainly followed by families with small children, for many Serbs the real Christmas celebration starts on Christmas Eve, 6th January. This day sees even those who are not very religious observe Lent, avoiding meat, dairy products and eggs.

IT ALL STARTS WITH AN OAK The oak tree is a crucial component of a proper Serbian Christmas and on the morning of Christmas Eve all Serbs go searching for a ‘badnjak’, an oak tree branch with golden leaves.

In towns and cities these branches are sold on streets or markets, but in the countryside people still spend this morning in the woods, cutting their own branches in the traditional way.

These oak branches are placed in front of the house until that evening. Before the family dines on Christmas Eve, the men bring into the house the badnjak, straw and pečenica – a traditional roast pork dish served on Christmas day.

In order to make the family home resemble the stable where Jesus was born, the men scatter straw across the floor, while mothers and children follow them, making clucking sounds.

The clucking in the Serbian tradition symbolises Christ’s wish to gather all people into one loving community, just as a hen gathers her chicks underneath her wings to keep them warm.

After the straw is scattered around the home, the family burns part of the badnjak in the house, provided they have a wooden stove or fireplace, or, if need be, in the courtyard of the apartment block or back garden.

The fire from the badnjak symbolises the fire that the three shepherds brought to warm the stable where Jesus was born.

In Serbian Orthodox tradition, the fire warms the family with love, sincerity and harmony, while the light from the fire simultaneously dispels 80 |

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the darkness of ignorance and superstition.

The roots of the Serbian cult of the oak long predate the arrival of Christianity.

According to some, before they adopted the Christian faith, Serbs worshipped a god called Badnja, and with conversion to Christianity they burned effigies of their old god. However, as they could not easily forget their beloved deity, they repeat the same act of farewell every year.

After the fire is lit, the family gathers around the dinner table.

Christmas Eve dinner is substantial, but restrictions on what may be consumed still apply, so it is usually based around fish, beans, potatoes and dried or fresh fruit.

According to the Serbian tradition, family members only leave home after dinner to go to church.

The badnjak is burned in a huge fire at midnight in front of churches nationwide. Everyone brings an oak branch with them and throws it on the fire, making as many sparks fly as possible, as the sparks are believed to be a sign of good luck in the year ahead.

FINDING A LUCKY COIN The next step in the celebration is Christmas Day lunch, which is the highlight of the day. Before the meal begins, the family breaks a special loaf of bread, the česnica, a homemade loaf baked with a coin inside.

Although many families now order the loaf from the nearby bakery, the baker still makes it with an obligatory coin.

Before the meal starts, the family breaks the bread into pieces and each person starts searching for a coin in his or her slice. Good luck for the coming year is guaranteed for whoever finds the coin.

The hunt for the coin is followed by a prayer; only then can lunch start. The meal is rich. Appetizers made of pršuta (smoked ham), cheese and pies, are followed by the main course of pečenica (roast pork), sarma (cabbage stuffed with meat and rice) and several kinds of cakes.

Preparing pečenica is also rooted in pre-Christian rituals. Traditionally, the pig should be slaughtered on the morning of Christmas Eve and roasted for FIRST VISITOR Christmas in Serbia is a family whole day over an open fire. In these While some attend Church services, holiday, and the three Sundays the modern times, the pork is more commonly most Serbs stay at home, impatiently awaitprior to Christmas are dedicated prepared in an oven when the host has time. ing the first visitor, the položajnik. to celebrating members of There are two beliefs about what the Instead of greeting each other with family should do after lunch. Some believe the usual “hello” or “good day”, Serbs use the family that every task a person begins on Christthe traditional festive greeting of “Christ is born, happy Christmas” for all three days of Christmas. The appropriate mas Day will be blessed, so they start the job that they intend to occupy response is “Truly, he is born.” them throughout the year. Others, meanwhile, believe that a person will The “položajnik” must enter the house with the right foot first, as this continue doing whatever they do on Christmas throughout the year, so will bring the family good luck in the coming year. most Serbs believe it is best to spend the day doing things they enjoy the The tradition of the položajnik symbolises the three wise men from most with the people they love the most. the East who came to worship the baby Jesus, and many people arrange The Christmas celebration does not end on 7th January, as this is a for someone they cherish to be the first to cross their doorstep. three-day festival. On the second day families visit their neighbours or On entering the home, the položajnik lights up the rest of the badnjak relatives, while on the third day the straw is removed from the house and and makes sparks fly. The more sparks from the fire, the richer, healthier hung in bundles from fruit trees, to ensure a fertile year. and happier the family will be. The položajnik is then served with breakfast Another bundle is stored in a dry place and burnt only on St George’s and when he – traditionally it should be a male – rises to leave, the family Day, to protect the crops against hail. A third is left by the nearest stream bestows presents on him, in order to show how special he is to them. and expedites the elimination of vermin present in the house. ■ JANUARY

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FASHION

Spending New Year’s Eve in a ski resort is both the best and the worst place to be. The slopes are rammed with screaming children and out-of-control beginners. The queues for the lifts make a small part of you die inside.

For seasonaires, it’s hell on earth

H

owever, it is also a glorious place filled with revellers celebrating the end of another year. Everyone is happy, no one is sober and most people will end up stumbling home singing before promptly puking on their own doorstep.

Regardless of where you plan to go skiing during the festive period and children’s school holidays, you may find our tips useful when it comes to selecting the most suitable equipment, which will show you in your best light on snowy mountain peaks. ■

Norrona, Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket The lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Jacket was made uncompromisingly to fulfill the big mountain free riders need for protection from the most demanding conditions out there.

Price: €699

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Norrona, Womens Lofoten Gore-Tex Light Pants The lofoten Gore-Tex pro light pants are the lightest pants for the hardcore women free riders.

Price: €499

Oakley Fall Line Prizm Cylindrical rimless style with a complete lens seal in a compact mid-sized fit.

Price: €160

Toni Sailer, Sports Womens Iris Splendid Jacket The outstanding functional properties truly stand out when skiing - such as the reliable warmth provided by Thermolite® and handfilled high-loft fibre balls.

Price: €700

Black Diamond, Boundary 100 Ski Designed to handle the wide-ranging conditions of an entire ski season.

Price: €470

Rossignol, Womens Rooster Stripes Roll Neck Elegant thanks to its feminine and close fit, it will keep you warm during cold winter days, in the ski resort or in the city.

Price: €170

Ortovox Rock'n'Wool Short Women's Thermal Pants The athletic cut merino wool thermal pants suitable for all intensive sports, particularly skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering and hiking.

Price: €65

Pieps, Micro Avalanche Beacon The Piers Micro is the smallest and lightest three-antenna beacon on the market.

Price: €330

Salomon, Women's Shiva Snow Helmet The light weight, half shell combines Twin Shell for less weight and more airflow, with EPS 4D to absorb more shock than traditional helmets.

Price: €80

DECEMBER

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FASHION

Arc’teryx, Beta AR Jacket Men’s Top rated, lightweight & packable, waterproof pro jacket. Hip length with a helmet compatible DropHood™.

Price: €600

Norrona, Lofoten Gore-Tex Short Gloves The lofoten gloves have a clean design and minimalistic construction in order to be as soft as possible.

Price: €129

Forcefield, Carve Back Protector The carve back protector is designed for all-day high level protection. Made using a 3D mouldable material, you won’t find anything more comfortable for everyday riding.

Price: €160

Mountain Equipment, Havoc Pant GORE-TEX® 40D fabric with GORE® C-KNIT® backer technology gives waterproof, breathable performance and soft shell bib ensures full protection on the biggest powder days.

Price: €390

Scarpa, Freedom 100 Ski Boots Scarpa's hard-charging freeride boot, the Freedom 100 is a light, versatile 3-buckle boot that can handle the rigors of daily resort abuse.

Price: €470

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Black Crows, Atris Ski The Atris skis are ideal for crushing it on big powder days with their double rocker profile and 108mm waist provide plenty of float in the deep stuff.

Price: €650

Berghause, Extrem Micro Down Insulated Jacket GoPro, Hero 6 Camera

Stance Sonora Socks Sonora is a sock that can ride the rails, stomp the hill, and repeat all day.

Price: €16

Record the most incredible footage ever with new GoPro Hero 6.

Price: €510

Versatile, all-mountain hydrodown insulated jacket from Berghaus.

Price: €220

Black Diamond, Saga 40 Jetforce Avalanche Airbag Pack A revolution in airbag technology, JetForce provides an added margin of safety to your avalanche tool kit, now with updated firmware.

Price: €980

Nitro, Mountain Positive Camber Snowboard Nitro's 2018 Mountain is a tapered directional snowboard with a specific emphasis on freeride.

Price: €500 DECEMBER

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AFTER WORK

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29 NOV

Promotion Of New Touristic Destinations In Korea

H. E. YOO DAE-JONG

30 NOV

In order to present Korean touristic offer to Serbia and increase the visibility of the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Pyeonchang 2018, the Korean Embassy in Serbia organized a seminar with the help of branch office of Korean Tourism Organization in Istanbul and Turkish Airlines, the key bound airline company that connects Serbia and Korea.

“After successful example from 2010-2012 campaign when we tested the capacities of our tourism industry and when we successfully attracted many visitors, we launched the new campaign 2016–2018 Visit Korea Year—for the purpose of consolidating the foundation for qualitative development that matches the quantitative growth in the Korean tourism industry said Ambassador of Republic of Korea in Serbia,” said Ambassador Yoo Dae-jong.

Serbia and Korea recently intensified their relations with various events and exchanges of human resources through various programs.

Anniversary Of Relations Between Morocco And Serbia

03 DEC

Diplomatic Charity Bazaar

The traditional diplomatic Charity Bazaar that is organised each December by the International Women’s Club (IWC) in Belgrade was this year officially opened by Serbian international basketball player Nataša Kovačević, in the presence of representatives of 40 diplomatic missions, and this year again attracted a large number of visitors.

Explaining that tea and spices are the most popular products from India at the bazaar, Indian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Narinder Chauhan said that she is glad that Belgraders turned up in such large numbers this year. Meanwhile, Mrs Milica Lundin, wife of the Swedish ambassador to Serbia, described the bazaar as “a wonderful event, as it gives Belgrade’s citizens a chance to get to know different cultures”.

Amongst other delicacies, visitors enjoyed Swedish pickled herring, Russian tea from an original samovar, delicious Belgian chocolate, traditional Brazilian Brigadeiro fudge balls, carrot & kiwi jam from Iran, tasty Austrian apple strudel and much more. The proceeds generated by the Charity Bazaar will be donated to marginalised and vulnerable groups.

MRS SAFAE SIJILMASSI BELHAJ

To mark the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishing of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia, the Embassy of Morocco in Serbia organised a photography exhibition entitled “Morocco-Serbia 60 Years of Friendship” at the Military Museum on Kalemegdan. The exhibition, held from 2nd October to 30th November, gave art lovers the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the history of relations between the two countries. Mrs Safae Sijilmassi Belhaj spouse of Excellency Ambassador of Kingdom of Morocco closed the exhibition on 30th November.

04 DEC

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15 Pearls Of Spain

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The photography exhibition “Spanish cities on the world cultural heritage list. Fifteen Pearls of Spain” was formally opened at the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade by the mayor of the city of Córdoba, Isabel Ambrosio Palos.

Spain is ranked the third country in the world when it comes to the number of cities included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Presenting the exhibition Mayor Ambrosio stated that the sixty exhibited photographs show 15 cities, each of which offers crosssection of the different civilizations whose legacy can be seen in Spain.

Also speaking at the opening of the exhibition were Spanish Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Miguel Fuertes Suárez and Director of the Cervantes Institute Enrique Camacho Garcia.

The exhibition will run at the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade until 6th February 2018.

ENRIQUE CAMACHO GARCIA, ISABEL AMBROSIO PALOS and H.E. MIGUEL FUERTES SUÁREZ

07 DEC

Applied Nostalgia Exhibition Opened

07 DEC

Conquer New Markets

Record results achieved in 2017 prompted company Hemofarm to organise a festive cocktail reception to share and summarise this pharmaceutical giant’s business year with friends, partners and associates. The event was hosted by Hemofarm CEO Dr Ronald Seeliger. Almost 5.5 billion tablets sold, tens of millions of euros invested and huge user confidence in 38 countries on three continents – these are just part of Hemofarm’s results. By joining Stada, Hemofarm became part of a large international family – Cinven and Bain Capital. Hemofarm also proved its business policy of continuous investment in production with the construction of its new Packaging Centre in Vršac, in which it has invested more than €21 million this year on construction and procuring equipment.

“This year marked the beginning of a new era for us; an era in which this company will strengthen its position even further on numerous markets. Our priority is product quality and care for consumers, but we don’t renounce our role as a hig-quality partner to the healthcare system in Serbia, the state and local communities, the entire society,” said Dr Seeliger.

The Gallery of the National Bank of Serbia is hosting the exhibition “Applied Nostalgia”, which presents photographs of Belgrade and the Estonian capital of Tallinn, marking the end of this EU member state’s six-month presidency of the Union.

Serbian Minister for European Integration, Jadranka Joksimović, and EU Delegation to Serbia chief Sam Fabrizi opened the exhibition, while attendees of the opening ceremony included the ambassadors of Slovakia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Poland, as well as representatives of other embassies.

The exhibition, which includes 48 photographs by Serbian author Marko Nikolić and Estonian photographer Rait Tuulas, forms part of the project “Applied Nostalgia”, which has been continuing for a decade and with which the Ministry for European Integration strives to promote cultural cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and EU member states.

07 DEC

NBA Christmas Meet-Up

The Nordic Business Alliance (NBA) in Serbia welcomed its members and associates to the Christmas Party hosted by Belgrade’s Radisson Blu Old Mill hotel on 7th December.

NBA Executive Director Andreja Pavlović welcomed guests at the ‘Christmas’ square in front of the hotel to this outdoor party filled with music, delicacies and warm drinks.

ANDREJA PAVLOVIĆ, NBA Executive Director

HEMOFARM CEO DR RONALD SEELIGER

07 DEC

Swiss Residence Hosts Exhibition

The residence of Swiss Ambassador H.E. Philippe Guex has again opened its doors to art. Under the auspices of the curatorial project “Staying here with you” performances were given by Katja Schenker, a multiple-award-winning internationally renowned Swiss artist, and Ivan Grubanov, a prominent Serbian artist with an international reputation. Apart from performances, the residence also saw the presenting of their installations and video works, while the curators of this project are Switzerland’s Esther Maria Jungo and Serbia’s Ksenija Samardžija.

The project “Staying here with you” is being implemented with the support of the Embassy of the Swiss Federation, the Swiss Fund for Culture in Serbia and the City of Belgrade Secretariat for Culture.

AMBASSADOR H.E. PHILIPPE GUEX

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08 DEC

Grants For Innovative Solutions

10 DEC

Some 25 innovative projects of Serbian enterprises have been supported with €2.45 million in grants as part of the support programme for technological innovations.

Within the framework of the Programme, which targets enterprises in an early stage of development, grants totalling €1.45 million were approved for 20 innovative projects, while funds amounting to a million euros were approved for five projects within the Programme for co-financing innovations. A ceremony organised by the Innovation Fund of the Belgrade City Assembly saw individual companies receive grants worth up to €80,000 for their innovative projects, under the auspices of the Early Development Programme, or up to €300,000 within the framework of the Programme for Co-financing Innovation.

Innovative projects are mostly emerging in the field of software and application development, information and communication technologies, as well as mechanics, mechanical engineering and new nanotechnology materials.

“This is an important contribution to the development of innovative capacities in Serbia, which includes the basis of future economic growth and the general economic advancement of our society,” said Nenad Popović, Serbian Minister of Innovation and Technological Development.

12 DEC

AmCham Presents Research Results

AmCham Management Board Chairman ZORAN PETROVIĆ

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Corax Receives “Good Example Of New Optimism” Award

PREDRAG KORAKSIĆ - CORAX

11 DEC

H.E. JULIA FEENEY, Australian Ambassador to Serbia

Caricaturist Predrag Koraksić, aka Corax, has become the 13th winner of the “Good Example of New Optimism” Award, which was formally presented to him in Novi Sad during International Human Rights Day. Prior to the award ceremony, an interactive exhibition of Corax’s works on human rights violations was organised on the streets, where connoisseurs of his work interpreted the most memorable caricatures for those in attendance.

This award is presented to individuals or organisations that fight with their work for the values clearly expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the “New Optimism” Proclamation, which serve as a good example to the community and society.

CANSEE Christmas Reception

Canadian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Kati Csaba and the Canadian-Serbian Business Association, CANSEE, hosted another successful traditional Christmas reception at the Canadian ambassadorial residence in Belgrade. The event, which marked the end of another very successful year for the CANSEE association, was attended by more than 80 distinguished H.E. KATI CSABA and guests, including CANSEE members, partners and associates, MS.MIRJANA DONČIĆ BEATON, representatives of the diplomatic corps and Serbian political Director of CANSEE and economic leaders.

H.E. Ambassador Csaba welcomed guests and stated that she is honoured to be the ambassador of Canada to Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro for the next three years. She said that Canadian businesses from various industries are already present in Serbia and that she is looking forward to further strengthening business links between the two countries.

Last year marked the 150th anniversary of Canada and this great jubilee was commemorated by numerous events organised by the Embassy of Canada to Serbia and CANSEE.

At ”The Fifth Lap Time Conference” the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham) presented the results of the survey conducted among AmCham members and for the first time this year also included micro, small and startup companies.

The conclusion of the research is that the predictability of amendments and the implementation of regulations, especially in taxation, and unfair competition of the grey zone are the biggest challenges to doing business in Serbia, while improving the efficiency of the judiciary and reducing corruption are the most important preconditions for new ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ, First Deputy Prime Minister investments.

“A better business climate is the common goal of the Government and the economy. We all need to systematically shift into fifth gear. Public debates on amendments to regulations that impact on the economy, the suppression of the grey economy and the development of e-government and e-business represent the basis for further progress,” said AmCham Management Board Chairman Zoran Petrović.

The panel discussion also included the participation of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlović, Justice Minister Nela Kuburović, and State Secretary at the Ministry of State NELA KUBUROVIĆ, Justice Minister Nela Kuburović Administration and Local Self-Government Ivan Bošnjak.

11 DEC

Exhibition Marks Centenary Of Serbian-Danish Relations

H.E. ANDERS CHRISTIAN HOUGÅRD

11 DEC

The Embassy of Denmark in Serbia, the Yugoslav Archives and the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organised the exhibition ‘Belgrade – Copenhagen’, commemorating a century (1917-2017) of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Denmark. The exhibition, comprising 198 documents and photographs from the funds of the Yugoslav Archives and the National Archives of Denmark, was opened by Aleksandra Fulgosi, Assistant to the Minister of Culture and Information. Speaking at the opening, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark in Belgrade, H.E. Anders Christian Hougård, said that this exhibition of archival material, documents and photographs in the Archives of Yugoslavia was “the crown on the commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Denmark.”

Professor Per Jacobsen, a Slavic specialist, great scholar of Serbian culture, academic and translator of the works of Andrić, Selimović and Tišme, said that links in the field of culture are much older than official diplomatic relations.

New Year’s Reception At Croatian Ambassadorial Residence

MRS BAKOTA and H.E. GORDAN BAKOTA (Left), PERO MIJAKIĆ and MARIJA RADULOVIĆ

12 DEC

In order to mark the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Serbia, H.E. Gordan Bakota, along with his wife Snježana Bakota, hosted a festive reception at their residence in Belgrade.

The reception was attended by numerous distinguished guests from economic and political life, as well as members of the Croatian Business Club.

Greeting guests, Ambassador Bakota expressed special thanks for support during the organisation of the gathering to Pero Mijakić, President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, and Marija Radulović, President of the Croatian Business Club.

EUNIC Serbia General Assembly

The General Assembly of EUNIC Serbia (European National Institutes of Culture in Serbia) convened on 12th December on the premises of Goethe-Institut Belgrade to adopt a new charter, welcome two new full members, elect a new President and two Vice-Presidents, and discuss future projects and fields of cooperation.

After a year and a half as President of EUNIC Serbia, Jean-Baptiste Cuzin, Director of the Institut Français, handed over the Presidency to Johannes Irschik, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum. Mr Irschik will be joined by two Vice-Presidents: Slavica Markovic-Sandić, Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the Swedish Embassy, and Davide Scalmani, Director of the Instituto Italiano di Cultura, while Mr Cuzin will remain a member of the Board in the role of special advisor. Major topics discussed during the General Assembly included the upcoming European Year of Cultural Heritage and cooperation between the EU Delegation and Serbian stakeholders in this regard, the recently launched EUNIC Artists-in-Residence programme and the European Day of Languages, which will be held on 26th September 2018.

12 DEC

Second Regular JBAS General Assembly Session

H.E. MR. JUNICHI MARUYAMA (Left)

Members of the Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia (JBAS) organised a meeting with new Japanese Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Junichi Maruyama, at the premises of the Embassy of Japan in Belgrade. This meeting provided a great opportunity to exchange more information about JBAS members’ activities, plans and conditions for doing business in Serbia. Ambassador Maruyama confirmed the Embassy’s continuing support to JBAS’s work, while his vast professional experience enabled him to share some valuable advice and information related to JBAS’s future development. A targeted sector-based approach will be among the priorities of JBAS’s agenda in the period ahead, which will ensure more efficient and effective activities of the Alliance aimed at supporting members.

JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) joined JBAS’s efforts to gather together all relevant Japanese stakeholders in order to jointly support Japanese business circles during operations in Serbia. Three new members joined JBAs – EuroCons, Raiffeisen Bank and Go Sushi – while additional Japanese companies will support the growth of the JBAS family in the coming period.

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12 DEC

AHK Christmas Celebration

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN (left) and AHK Director MARTIN KNAPP

13 DEC

The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) organised its traditional Christmas celebration to mark the successful completion of another business year together with its member companies, associates and friends.

The celebration, held at Belgrade’s Nacionalana klasa Restaurant, brought together AHK members, business partners and representatives of the leading companies in Serbia, who were welcomed by AHK President Dr.Ronald Seeliger.

DR RONALD SEELIGER, president of the AHK Executive board

SPK New Year Reception

14 DEC

Research By The Austrian Embassy's Commercial Department

Advantage Austria, the commercial department of the Austrian Embassy, held a conference to present the results of its sixth research into business conditions in Serbia, conducted in 2017 among Austrian companies operating in the country.

The survey showed that 66 percent of Austrian companies are convinced of a growing trend for their turnover in the coming year. Fifty percent expect to increase their investment in 2018, and a whole 90 percent said that, with today’s perspective, they would invest in Serbia today.

Erika Teoman-Brener, Commercial Adviser at the Embassy, told the conference that she was very pleased that the results show that Austrian businesspeople are increasingly satisfied.

The conference was also attended by directors of the Austrian companies CargoPartner and Tagor Electronic, who shared their views on the economic situation and their business experience in Serbia.

SPK President DANIJELA FIŠAKOV with Board of Directors

President of the Slovenian Business Club (SPK), Danijela Fišakov, welcomed guests to the SPK New Year’s celebration and briefly summarised 2017 as a successful year which resulted in an increased number of members for the Club. She also stressed that the SBC had throughout the year devoted more attention to individual members, micro-linking, and activities all over Serbia.

The number of club members has increased by 35 per cent in the last five years, with more than 120 events having been held, while assistance to Serbian companies looking to enter the Slovenian market, and vice versa, have intensified.

Fišakov recalled that 2018 would also be an election year for the SBC, with a new Board of Directors to be elected.

ERIKA TEOMAN-BRENER, Commercial Adviser at the Embassy

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