CorD Magazine, June 2021 issue no. 200

PRESIDENT OF THE FISCAL COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

www.cordmagazine.com

Poor Institutions Inhibit Economic Growth

IGOR KOKOŠKOV

GABRIEL FELTZ

HEAD COACH OF SERBIA’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM

CHIEF CONDUCTOR OF THE BELGRADE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

I’m In Serbia Because of Emotions

Society is Sick of Isolation

JUNE 2021/ ISSUE NO. 200

PAVLE PETROVIĆ

interviews opinions news comments events

CONTENTS

06 TWO CAMPS COMMENT

By Zoran Panović

08 THE BALL IS UNDOUBTEDLY IN SERBIA’S COURT

55 STIMULATING SELFREFLECTION NATALIJA DIMIĆ Profile

HOW TO ACCELERATE SERBIA’S EU INTEGRATION DYNAMICS Focus

24 GLOBAL DIARY 26 POOR INSTITUTIONS INHIBIT ECONOMIC GROWTH PAVLE PETROVIĆ FEATURE

70 CHILL OUT

56 PARLEZ-VOUS LUXE?

72 SPRING COCKTAILS SEASON Fashion

THE POWER OF PARISIAN PANACHE Art

60 SOCIETY IS SICK OF ISOLATION GABRIEL FELTZ My Life

74 CULTURE CALENDAR

31 BUSINESS DIALOGUE 52 STRIPE’S 30-SOMETHING BILLIONAIRES PATRICK AND JOHN COLLISON Enterpreneurs

66 I’M IN SERBIA BECAUSE OF EMOTIONS IGOR KOKOŠKOV Sport

76 FACES & PLACES

@CORD_MAGAZINE

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EDITOR IN CHIEF: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs DESIGN: Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Ljubica Gojgić Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić, Miloš Belčević PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen TRANSLATION & EDITING MRP EDITORIAL

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SALES MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović, v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER: Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

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Comment

Two Camps

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ

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s the story of the dialogue unfolds, pseudo-topics disappear as the opposition admits that it is only interested in that which crucially interests the government - the media. One even gets the impression that the political clash in Serbia is merely a reflection of the media and telecommunications war: the clash of the titans between state-owned company Telekom and United Group, a company that operates in eight countries of Southeast Europe. These two centrifugal forces significantly support, portray and create the political mood in Serbia. The media companies from this other, anti-Vučić camp (H1 and Nova S) have a stronger influence than opposition political parties, which is why the government recognises them as the main opposition. By aggressively insisting that opposition media companies are “tycoon owned”, Vučić ignores and sweeps aside the fact that the main media outlets that support him are also owned by tycoons. The problem for the opposition is that the TV companies close to it don’t have a national frequency, which is very important in Serbia even during the age of digitalisation.

The opposition finally remembered to seek a national frequency, but it is dishonest

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In Serbia we’re seeing a clash between strong, arrogant authorities and a weak, conceited opposition. Without the slightest cynicism, the famous dialogue between the government and the opposition on election conditions should develop into a kind of “permanent conference”. In a country there even has a “ministry for dialogue”, there is no social and national consensus whatsoever between the government and the opposition. Except over the issue of vaccination, where even the opposition can’t ignore the successes. In an atmosphere in which the real opposition is treated as “antisystemic”, the opposition issue becomes inclusive. when it says that this should be ‘objective’ TV, because it would then presumably report objectively on Vučić’s good moves, so it clearly needs an opposition, national TV station that will at least to some extent counterbalance Vučić’s scorched earth media propaganda TV artillery and tabloid print infantry. The political dark tabloid is as much a Serbian brand as ajvar chutney. Despite shortcomings in providing information, public service broadcasters are still the most suitable avenue for exiting a regime of media apartheid. They still have the least fierceness of loathing and evil blood of hatred.

It is hard to imagine Vučić sitting in the front row of the Assembly listening carefully to the expositions of some ‘Serbian Krivokapić’ like Milo Đukanović listened to the expositions of the real Montenegrin Krivokapić. It is still hard to imagine Vučić and Đilas cohabitating in a way that would make Milanović and Plenković in Croatia look like a quarrel between children in nursery school. Before the first round of Croatia’s presidential elections in December 2019, the then serving president, Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, stood in the studio of Croatian Television with her main opponents, Zoran Milanović and Miroslav Škor. And with some

other outsiders. Kolinda heard criticism of herself and her party that evening. Vučić would agree to a TV duel in the second round, because he isn’t planning for there to be a second round, and it is important for the opposition to force him to do so before the first round, in accordance with the Croatian model. But they aren’t seeking that yet. The second round is a psychological luxury and a risk even for Vučić.

The 2012 TV duel between presidential candidates Tadić and Nikolić now seems somehow romantic, surreal. Such is the regression. It is tough to imagine that Vučić would pass up a slot on TV, like Milošević did back in the presidential campaign of 1990, when he refused to use the minutes allotted to present himself on state TV, leaving that populist time for the adaptation of Serbian writer Antonio Đurić’s play Thessalonians Speak, dedicated to Serbian suffering and heroism on the Thessaloniki Front in World War I. Vučić knows how to be interviewed on television stations (favoured by him) in ten days like Milošević knew after ten years in power.

The opposition in the EU can be trusted like Vučić in the Covax programme, although the vaccine against stabilocracy has yet to pass all clinical trials.

Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

The Ball Is Undoubtedly

In Serbia’s Court While the stalemate on the EU accession process has clearly been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more than fatigue that’s preventing Serbia’s progress on the EU accession path. In our survey, distinguished interlocutors offer straightforward answers and a helping hand for changing the tide.

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t’s often said that “it takes two to tango”, but it seems that CorD’s interlocutors from the international community firmly believe that Serbia would be knocking on an open door if it really intended to embrace the EU accession path. As the second year without an open or provisionally closed chapter in EU acces-

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sion negotiations continues to unfold, concrete and tangible results on chapters 23 and 24 seem to be more needed than ever. And this is only the start of quite a long list. What makes the glass half full is that some positive steps on the Serbian side have been noted and encouraged.

H.E. SEM FABRIZI

HEAD OF THE EUROPEAN UNION DELEGATION TO SERBIA

REFORMS CREATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE THE ACCESSION PROCESS. THE NEW METHODOLOGY – RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE EU, WITH THE FULL APPROVAL OF SERBIA – SHOULD ACCELERATE THE ACCESSION PROCESS, INCLUDING BY MAKING IT MORE POLITICAL AND PREDICTABLE

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he reform process remains the main avenue for speeding up the accession process. The adoption and implementation of reforms on the rule of law, continuous engagement in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Priština dialogue and progressive convergence with EU foreign policy should continue to be front and centre among Serbia’s actions.

Serbia’s economic convergence with EU market governance and new priorities should continue as well. Looking at the most recent data, the EU remains a crucial partner of Serbia’s growth and modernisation. Some 65% of Serbia’s total trade is conducted with the EU and the Union’s firms represent 70% of all foreign investors in Serbia. A positive trend that will further benefit from Serbia’s continued reform process of key elements for investors and business operators includes the reform of public administration, public procurement, and green and digital plans.

The new methodology – recently approved by the EU with the full approval of Serbia – should accelerate the accession process, including by making it more political and predictable.

THE EU REMAINS A CRUCIAL PARTNER OF EU assistance to Serbia for reforms and modernisation will SERBIA’S GROWTH AND MODERNISATION. continue in the accession process. EU assistance is dependent PROVIDED IT PERSISTS WITH PUBLIC on several instruments, including policy assistance and financial support, particularly grants and loans. A great amount of work is ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC PROCUREMENT done every day to help steer the legislation and its implementation REFORMS, AND THE GREEN AND DIGITAL PLANS, to ensure Serbia operates according to EU governance in the SERBIA COULD ATTRACT NEW INVESTORS AND different areas of the accession process.

In addition to policy assistance, Serbia also receives significant BUSINESS OPERATORS transfers of EU funds to support reforms. With IPA I and II instruments (2007 – 2020) Serbia has benefitted by over €3.3 billion in grants (i.e.: funds that Serbia will never have to pay back).

Beyond reform-related assistance, the EU has also provided substantial assistance to Serbia during difficult moments, such as the floods, the migrant crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the new IPA III instrument, the EU is providing funding of nine billion euros in grants for the Economic and Investment Plan to support the economic recovery of the Western Balkan region after the pandemic. Serbia will benefit significantly from this plan and will emerge from the crisis stronger and more connected to the region and the EU, and with a greener economy.

The combination of a substantial policy and a financial package is designed to help Serbia adopt EU-related reforms and modernise the Country.

It is very important to redouble efforts to accelerate the accession process.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

H.E. NIKOLAUS LUTTEROTTI

H.E. THOMAS SCHIEB

AMBASSADOR OF AUSTRIA TO SERBIA

AMBASSADOR OF GERMANY TO SERBIA

UP TO SERBIA TO DECIDE

TANGIBLE PROGRESS NEEDED

SERBIA SHOULD DELIVER CONCRETE AND TANGIBLE RESULTS WHEN IT COMES TO AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THE EFFECTIVE FIGHT AGAINST ORGANISED CRIME AND HIGH-LEVEL CORRUPTION, THE STRENGTHENING OF INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS ENSURING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT’S CONDUCIVE TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, BE THAT EXPRESSION BY CITIZENS, JOURNALISTS OR REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY

WE NEED TO SEE TANGIBLE PROGRESS IN FIELDS LIKE JUDICIAL REFORM, MEDIA FREEDOM AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND ORGANISED CRIME. THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF SERBIA SEEMS TO HAVE STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS IN THIS CONTEXT IS TO BE WELCOMED

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ustria is committed to supporting Serbia’s EU accession process and we have an interest in speeding up the dynamics of Seria’s EU integration. Bur it is up to Serbia to determine the speed and quality of its EU-related reforms. More reforms and their implementation will have a positive impact on the EU accession process. Irreversible reforms in the area of the rule of law are fundamental. Serbia should also deliver concrete and tangible results when it comes to chapters 23 and 24. These include an independent judiciary, an effective fight against organised crime and highlevel corruption, the strengthening of independent institutions, as well as ensuring an environment that’s conducive to freedom of expression, be that expression by citizens, journalists or representatives of civil society. Passing relevant laws is a crucial first step, but those laws must also be implemented and take effect.

We are happy to hear that President Vučić is committed to a reinvigorated reform process, and we can see that efforts to that effect have increased. Continuous engagement in good faith to negotiate and

WE ARE HAPPY TO HEAR THAT PRESIDENT VUČIĆ IS COMMITTED TO A REINVIGORATED REFORM PROCESS, AND WE CAN SEE THAT EFFORTS TO THAT EFFECT HAVE INCREASED achieve normalisation, and to reach a comprehensive legally binding agreement between Belgrade and Priština, is also crucial to advancing on the EU path. We are confident that the new methodology will lead to a more dynamic accession process. We will certainly continue to assist Serbia bilaterally, particularly through Twinning and IPA projects.

The Austrian government stands fully behind the enlargement process and considers it a foreign policy priority. We are also well aware that Serbia needs to tackle other major challenges, such as the economic consequences of the global pandemic. The EU, and Austria, will continue to lend Serbia their full support.

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erbia should become a member of the EU as soon as it is ready and has fulfilled the conditions for membership - this has been Germany’s position since the beginning of EU accession negotiations with Serbia.

Germany is helping Serbia on its EU accession path, primarily through development cooperation, while Serbia needs to do its part. The steps towards full membership are clear: Serbia needs to adopt the complete legal framework of the EU, the so-called acquis communautaire. This ultimately means fully aligning itself with the foreign policy positions of the EU and overcoming unresolved disputes with its neighbours, i.e. with Kosovo. While some parts of the acquis are rather technical in nature, others touch on

SINCE THE DEMOCRATIC CHANGES OF 2000, THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN TWO BILLION EUROS TO SUPPORT SERBIA ON ITS PATH TO EU MEMBERSHIP core principles of the EU, i.e. those related to the rule of law. Serbia needs to achieve substantial progress in these areas, in accordance with the action plans of the Serbian Government. Tangible progress in fields like judicial reform, media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime will lead to the opening of chapters or, under the new enlargement methodology, clusters of chapters. The fact that the Government of Serbia seems to have stepped up its efforts in this context is to be welcomed.

The overarching goal of German-Serbian development cooperation is indeed to support Serbia on its path towards EU membership. Since the democratic changes of 2000, the German Government has allocated more than two billion euros to Serbia through projects run by GIZ or KfW. In the coming years, these organisations will focus on job creation, in particular for young people, the implementation of the Green Agenda, by expanding renewable energy sources and fostering decarbonisation, and of course the provision of expertise in the area of the rule of law.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

H.E. ATTILA PINTER

AMBASSADOR OF HUNGARY TO SERBIA

MOMENTARY SETBACK

H.E. CARLO LO CASCIO

AMBASSADOR OF ITALY TO SERBIA

SIGNIFICANT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO FINALISE REFORM OF THE JUDICIARY, WHICH IS A CRUCIAL MATTER FOR SERBIA AND HAS BEEN A LONG-STANDING ISSUE. I NOW SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPLETE THIS TASK

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personally believe that Serbia has made significant achievements regarding EU integration thus far, while the current slow progress is just a momentary setback. There are many political and administrative fields in which progress can be achieved, but I can see that plans are already in motion here. The new accession methodology will give more opportunities for Serbia to present its results. I think that the government is committed

ITALY’S ASSISTANCE IS UNQUESTIONABLE

WE BELIEVE IN THE SERBIAN GOVERNMENT’S CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED GOALS IN THE AREAS OF THE RULE OF LAW, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND GOOD GOVERNANCE, WHICH IS WHY WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT IT VERY STRONGLY

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erbia’s progress in the economic area has proved remarkable in the last few years. However, structural reforms related to this and various other sectors have to be approved and then implemented to show a positive effect on the state administration and overall credibility. Further improvements are needed in the areas of the rule of law, fundamental rights and good governance: reforms in the field of the judiciary and public administration are key actions, as are enforcement in the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as additional developments on media freedom.

We believe in the Serbian Government’s capacity to achieve the desired goals, which is why we continue to support it very strongly. We have always been very sympathetic towards Serbia’s aspirations to join the EU, because its great potential has always been very clear to us. There could not be better proof WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS of this than Serbia’s successful vaccination campaign and significant economic achievements.

SERBIA’S ASPIRATIONS TO JOIN THE EU, BECAUSE ITS Going more into detail about Italy’s assistance to Serbia in various aspects, GREAT POTENTIAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY CLEAR TO we have a long story of cooperation with Serbia, also under the umbrella of US. SERBIA’S SUCCESSFUL VACCINATION CAMPAIGN multilateral programmes. As an example, the fight against corruption and organised crime is the key priority of IPA assistance in the area of the rule of law.

AND SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS ARE GOOD Around 16 million euros has been mobilised to support Serbia in preventing and EXAMPLE OF THAT POTENTIAL fighting corruption and organised crime since 2013.

It was on 12th May that the project “Countering Serious Crime in the Western Balkans”, which is being jointly implemented by the Italian Ministry of Internal Affairs and co-financed by the European Commission, organised the first of three online workshops on SPOC – Single Point of Contact(s) – and Interoperability, entitled “Awareness: the Impact of Interoperability on Police Cooperation and Daily Work”.

These workshops will create a unique opportunity for an in-depth discussion on preventative and enforcement issues of common interest with regard to specific geo-criminal areas. It aims to identify solutions that can facilitate direct and effective cooperation among countries by putting into practise more coherence in the multitude of information systems and databases created for law enforcement purposes, in line with the actual strong need to fight crime and terrorism.

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to these reforms, while leading Serbian politicians stand up for the EU agenda on regular occasions. Significant steps have been taken to finalise reform of the judiciary, which is a crucial matter for Serbia and has been a long-standing issue. I now see the opportunity to complete this task. I’ve also witnessed a strong commitment to green growth and the environmental protection agenda, which is also aligned with the aims of the EU Green Deal. The Government’s Serbia 2025 plan also supports this aim, ensuring that efforts are also supported by financial HUNGARY HAS RECENT EXPERIENCE WITH ACCESSION means. I would say that if Serbia continues on this path and develops its agenda NEGOTIATIONS, SO WE CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT FOR with political commitment, the integration process will gain traction!

Hungary supports Serbia on its European path and we would like to stress SERBIA UNTIL IT ACHIEVES FULL MEMBERSHIP! that accepting the country as an EU member state would be beneficial to both sides. Our relations are now very close; we like to refer to Serbia as a strategic partner. Supporting the country’s EU accession is an integral part of this partnership. We use every occasion and forum to voice this opinion – be that in Brussels, Budapest or Belgrade. And we don’t only provide political support, but rather also expert assistance to the Ministry of European Integration. An experienced seconded expert from Hungary is working there to assist the Serbian staff on all matters. We also previously welcomed Serbian officials to Budapest for professional training.

NO SHORTCUTS TO MEMBERSHIP

H.E. THEODORUS REINTJES

AMBASSADOR OF THE NETHERLANDS TO SERBIA

ENLARGEMENT SHOULD BE A WIN-WIN ACCOMPLISHMENT. IT SHOULD BENEFIT AND STRENGTHEN BOTH THE CANDIDATE COUNTRY AND THE EU AS A WHOLE. WE THEREFORE INSIST ON ALL EU PRINCIPLES BEING TRULY EMBRACED

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erbia is part of the European family, with a clear path towards EU membership. The steps taken need to reflect the true acceptance - and application- of values that underlie both our Union and Serbia’s own society, such as democracy, judicial independence, media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Some promising steps in the reform process have been taken over recent months, and we look forward to seeing real, concrete and tangible results in the coming period.

When it comes to speeding up the dynamics, the implementation of Serbia’s reforms will continue to determine the speed of Serbia’s progress towards full EU membership. Our expectations of Serbia remain high; we need to see full political SOME PROMISING STEPS IN THE REFORM PROCESS commitment and a concrete and credible track record. There are simply no HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER RECENT MONTHS, AND WE LOOK shortcuts, and we insist on this for a good reason: enlargement should be win-win; it FORWARD TO SEEING REAL, CONCRETE AND TANGIBLE should benefit and strengthen both the candidate country and the EU as a whole.

We were pleased that Serbia accepted the revised enlargement methodology.

RESULTS IN THE COMING PERIOD It places an even stronger focus on the fundamentals, but also on the need for increased political dialogue.

In terms of assistance, the figures leave no doubt: the EU is Serbia’s most important partner. Bilaterally, trade between the Netherlands and Serbia is on the rise (totalling nearly €1 billion a year) and the Netherlands is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Serbia. Furthermore, our sustained assistance and cooperation in the area of the rule of law, through programmes such as MATRA and the Multi Donor Trust Fund, illustrates that Serbia can continue to count on us.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

H.E. MARIA VIRGÍNIA MENDES DA SILVA PINA AMBASSADOR OF PORTUGAL TO SERBIA

UP TO SERBIA TO SPEED UP INTEGRATION DYNAMICS THE REPORT ON SERBIA’S PROGRESS PUBLISHED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION LAST AUTUMN CLEARLY IDENTIFIES WHAT NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PRACTISE. IN FACT, THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED AS A REFORM ROADMAP

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he latest discussions in the European Union have only reasserted the European prospects of the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia.

In this light, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union is putting forth a concerted effort, together with all Member States and the European Commission, to hold an Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia under the new methodology prior to the end of the Portuguese Presidency, during the upcoming month of June.

Nevertheless, this is a two-way process, which means that Serbia needs to speed up its EU integration dynamics, reinvigorate its reform impetus, focusing specifically on the rule of law, fundamental rights and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as on the fight against corruption and organised crime. This means not only the adoption of the necessary legal frameworks in those areas, but also their full implementation. I believe that the Serbian Authorities are quite aware of this and that there will I BELIEVE THAT THE SERBIAN AUTHORITIES ARE QUITE soon be more tangible results, which are needed to demonstrate AWARE OF THE NEEDS AND THAT THERE WILL SOON BE MORE their clear commitment to European integration.

TANGIBLE RESULTS, WHICH ARE NEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE Serbia should also continue working on the implementation of economic reforms, with an increased focus on environmental THEIR CLEAR COMMITMENT TO EUROPEAN INTEGRATION protection, as the green economy will be an essential dimension of the sustainability of Europe.

When it comes to steps forward, the Report on Serbia’s Progress published by the European Commission last autumn clearly identifies what needs to be put into practise. In fact, this document should be used as a reform roadmap, in order to build a better Serbia - not just for the sake of EU accession, but mainly for the wellbeing of the Serbian people, as it will ensure an unquestionable improvement of their living standards.

Let me stress that Portugal, having benefited from its own EU accession, remains a staunch supporter of the enlargement process and the accession of candidate countries, provided they meet the defined criteria. It is also undisputable that relations between our two countries are excellent, therefore Portugal stands ready to assist Serbia on its path to the European Union, where we strongly believe Serbia belongs.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

H.E. DAMJAN BERGANT

AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA TO SERBIA

NECESSARY STEPS WELL KNOWN

THE SUCCESS OF NEGOTIATIONS DEPENDS MOSTLY ON SERBIA’S ABILITY TO FULFIL ITS COMMITMENTS. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE ALL THE WORK NECESSARY TO ENABLE SERBIA TO PROGRESS IN ITS NEGOTIATION PROCESS WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

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s the representative of a country that has a political and geographical position in the neighbourhood of the Western Balkan region and is a member of the EU, I must once again reiterate that we consider the EU accessions of all Western Balkan countries is being extremely important.

It is therefore in Slovenia’s interest for Serbia to become an EU member state.

H.E. JAN LUNDIN

AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN TO SERBIA

SAFEGUARD ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES FOR SERBIA TO SPEED UP ITS EU INTEGRATION, GIVEN THAT STANDARDS ARE HIGH AND IT’S MORE DIFFICULT TO ENTER THE EU TODAY THAN IT WAS DURING PREVIOUS ROUNDS OF ENLARGEMENT

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he EU has gradually come to understand how challenging some parts of the enlargement requirements are for Serbia, and indeed all (potential) candidate countries in the region. Some challenges linked to developments are only partly in the hands of the Government of Serbia, such as the comprehensive normalisation of relations with Kosovo, or an improved track record regarding the rule of law (where an independent judiciary can be reformed to some extent by new laws and regulations, but developing a new “culture” of the rule of law takes time, as a consequence of legal and institutional reforms). Enlargement will thus take several more years, and this process cannot be I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT SERBIA’S RECENT TENDENCY sped up easily.

TO BACKSLIDE ON RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL INDICES, The EU - including Sweden - is here to support Serbia in this process. However, E.G. ON THE RULE OF LAW, GOVERNANCE AND MEDIA a lot can be, and is being, achieved while Serbia waits to be ready for the ultimate prize of accession to the Union. Infrastructure is steadily improving, and is funded FREEDOM, WILL BE REVERSED. by the EU to a large degree. Serbia’s economic progress is bound to continue regardless of EU membership, albeit at a slower pace than would have been the case had laws and institutions worked better in areas such as, for example, real estate registration and public procurement, which are areas where Sweden has provided substantial bilateral technical assistance over the last 20 years. We shall continue supporting Serbia’s reforms bilaterally, with some 12 million euros a year until at least 2027, and the EU (to which Sweden is a net contributor) will of course provide much more.

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The success of negotiations depends mostly on Serbia’s ability to fulfil its commitments. In order to become a member of the EU, the candidate country must fulfil its commitments not only in the field of economy, but also in political domain and other fields. This means progress on ecological issues, the green agenda, human rights, media freedom and all other fields that are already included on the agenda of negotiations between Serbia and the European Commission.

It is very important for Serbia to continue all the necessary work and ONE OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE SLOVENIAN PRESIDENCY WILL internal procedures to advance along the necessary steps that will enable BE TO FOCUS THE ATTENTION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON Serbia to progress in its negotiation process with the European Commission.

THE PROBLEMS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS Slovenia’s support for Serbia’s accession process is twofold. Firstly, as a traditional supporter of Serbia’s integration, Slovenia is as ready as it was in the past to help and assist on all possible fields through twining programs and with all other means that are available. Second, Slovenia is active within the EU institutions and cooperates with other EU member states in order to keep the enlargement process high on the EU agenda.

Slovenia will take on the responsibility of presiding over the Council of the European Union on 1st July. The role of the Presidency of the Council of EU is to coordinate member states within the Council. One of the priorities of the Slovenian Presidency will be focusing the attention of the EU on the problems of the Western Balkans, including the wish to enforce the accession negotiation processes of the countries of the region.

DEMOCRATIC REFORMS IMPROVE RESILIENCE

H.E. URS SCHMID

AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO SERBIA

REFORMS WILL BRING SERBIA CLOSER TO EU MEMBERSHIP, BUT WILL ALSO STRENGTHEN THE COUNTRY IN VARIOUS WAYS AND SHOULD FIRST AND FOREMOST BE IMPLEMENTED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SERBIA’S CITIZENS

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he road to EU integration has had a positive impact on the reform agenda for a long time. Switzerland supports Serbia on its path to EU integration. The associated reforms don’t only help Serbia move closer to EU membership, but also strengthen the country in various ways and should first and foremost be implemented for the benefit of Serbia’s citizens. Democratic reforms contribute to improving the resilience of the state and society. Economic reforms strengthen Serbia’s economic performance and help attract more foreign investors, who seek more legal security to do sound business and should therefore be able to count on a strong rule of law.

When one sees, for instance, the dynamism of the IT sector in Serbia and the prospects linked to digitalisation, there is no doubt that positive development is SWITZERLAND IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE happening. However, all sectors are equally important - from agriculture to industry NORMALISATION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN BELGRADE and various services, including tourism, etc. - so no one is left behind, even more so during these very challenging times. Switzerland, for instance, is providing support AND PRIŠTINA... WE ARE ALSO FOCUSING ON THE AREAS to private sector development and vocational education and training. Serbia’s good OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT, and friendly relations with its neighbours, including the normalisation of relations ENERGY AND RESILIENT CITIES between Belgrade and Priština, will one day contribute to creating a stable, peaceful and prosperous region. This is in the interest of all countries concerned, as well as Europe as a whole. Switzerland is contributing to the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Priština.

It is also particularly important for Serbia to concentrate on the development of its municipalities, which will have to absorb most of the EU funds in the future. Moreover, towns and municipalities will also have to implement 70 per cent of all EU laws and regulations. This is another area where Switzerland is providing support, helping to build the capacity of municipalities to deliver good services to citizens. More generally speaking, Switzerland’s development cooperation focuses on the areas of good governance, economy and employment, energy and resilient cities.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

H.E. ANTHONY F. GODFREY AMBASSADOR OF THE U.S.A. TO SERBIA

WE WANT SERBIA TO SUCCEED THE UNITED STATES HAS NO HIGHER PRIORITY FOR OUR WORK IN SERBIA THAN TO ADD A 28TH STAR TO THE EU’S FLAG

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erbia is a European country, not just in terms of geography and culture, but also in terms of how citizens of Serbia support the values born out of Europe’s Enlightenment: tolerance, liberty, justice, innovation and education. Of the approximately 200 countries on Earth, only 27 have the good fortune of being members of this unprecedented and highly successful experiment that’s meant to unleash the economic potential of member states, while also protecting the benefits and liberties that have been denied to so many others.

The United States has no higher priority for our work in Serbia than to add a 28th star to the EU’s flag. Not only will joining the EU improve the lives, incomes and opportunities of Serbian families, but a Europe that is more unified is directly in the interests of the United States. We want Serbia to succeed.

While the accession process is not without its political frustrations, the path to accession is fairly clear: Serbia must demonstrate full respect for the rule of law and its commitment to guaranteeing the rights of all citizens. The status quo between Belgrade and Priština continues to block Serbia’s I AM VERY PLEASED TO SEE THAT PRESIDENT VUČIĆ IS EU path, and I believe it also chills the entire region. I am very pleased to see that President Vučić is willing WILLING TO RETURN TO THE EU-LED DIALOGUE BETWEEN to return to the EU-led Dialogue on this issue. We know BELGRADE AND PRIŠTINA from world history that instability and unfinished conflicts in the Balkans are bad, not just for the region and for Europe, but for the entire world.

The United States has been very active in partnering with Serbia to address many key challenges on Serbia’s European path.

Improvements in the rule of law and media environment are two of the immediate needs, and areas that demand more attention.

From providing equipment and training to anti-corruption prosecutors, to enhanced border security technology, to training judges and police, the United States has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the rule of law in Serbia. We continue to support Serbia’s media through training and development programmes, as well as through media literacy programmes and our advocacy for improved safety for journalists. Serbia’s recent reforms to align its energy regulations with the EU’s are a promising step towards integration with EU institutions. We encourage Serbia to accelerate its progress towards the EU by reorganising its public sector energy companies, allowing it to open Chapter 15.

The alternative to EU accession – which unfortunately seems to be the intention behind the malign influence we see so frequently knocking on Serbia’s door – is persistent divisions that leave both Europe and the Balkans weaker, poorer, less stable and completely separated from the values of the continent where the Enlightenment was born, and where so many young people seek to live, work and raise families.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

MATTEO COLANGELI

ALESSANDRO BRAGONZI

EBRD DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL HEAD OF THE WESTERN BALKANS

HEAD OF EIB REGIONAL REPRESENTATION FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS

FOCUS ON SERBIA’S GREEN ECONOMY TRANSITION

FOCUSED ON REGIONAL RECOVERY

THE EBRD IS COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING SERBIA’S EU INTEGRATION AND OUR ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THAT PROCESS. WE ARE WORKING TO STRENGTHEN THE SUSTAINABILITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF THE SERBIAN ECONOMY AND TO ACCELERATE ITS CONVERGENCE TOWARDS EU STANDARDS IN MANY AREAS

IN LINE WITH OVERALL EU PRIORITIES AND THE COMMITMENTS MADE BY WESTERN BALKAN LEADERS AT THE SOFIA SUMMIT OF NOVEMBER 2020, WE INTEND TO PROVIDE SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FOR THE GREEN AGENDA, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND INCLUSIVE ACCESS TO FINANCE

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he EBRD has two key priorities. The first is to accelerate transition to the green economy, with a view to reducing energy intensity and environmental pollution. The starting point of this is to lower overall consumption through energy efficiency investments, both in the industrial and residential sectors, which we support with targeted financing programmes that are largely implemented through commercial banks.

The second step is to increase the electrification of the economy, including through substantial investments in energy grids and electrically powered transport. The third is to switch from coal and rapidly increasing the share of renewables in the Serbian power mix. In this area, we are keen to offer support to the authorities in setting up renewable energy auctions to attract quality private investors and take full advantage of the lower prices driven by the rapid advances in solar and wind power technologies.

We are working to strengthen the competitiveness of the private sector by helping companies raise business standards in terms of digitalisation, environmental performance and social inclusion. We are

THE STARTING POINT OF OUR INTERVENTION IS TO HELP LOWER OVERALL ENERGY CONSUMPTION THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY INVESTMENTS, BOTH IN THE INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SECTORS doing this, for example, through a number of programmes to improve access to finance and skills for Serbian SMEs. We are also working on two other important ingredients for integration into global value chains.

The first is access to modern transport infrastructure, with the EBRD’s focus increasingly on financing the upgrade of Serbia’s railways system.

The second is a business environment that attracts quality FDI and enables local companies to grow. We have a number of initiatives in this area, for example to support the digitalisation of public administration and the efficiency of business inspections.

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s the EU Bank, all our activities in the Western Balkans are governed by an EU mandate. This means that our financing contributes to the implementation of the EU’s enlargement policy and supports the relevant national development plans. Looking to the future, the EIB is working together with the European Commission to support the rollout of the Economic and Investment Plan announced in 2020. This plan is a blueprint for the socioeconomic recovery and development of the region, promoting investments in the areas of sustainable transport, inclusive growth, the green and digital transitions and the creation of the common

EIB HAS A LONG HISTORY OF SUPPORTING SOCIOECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIA (€6.2 BILLION INVESTED TO DATE) ACROSS KEY SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY market. It aims to support the implementation of substantial reforms and enable the countries of the region to benefit from up to €9 billion of EU grants under the Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA). This grant support will be combined with financing from EIB and other leading International and European Financial Institutions and should also crowd in financing from private sector investors.

In line with overall EU priorities and the commitments made by Western Balkan leaders at the Sofia Summit of November 2020, we intend to provide substantial support for the Green Agenda, digital transformation and inclusive access to finance. We strongly encourage investments that will enable the creation of a well-connected common market that’s aligned with EU standards. As the Climate Bank of the EU, EIB stands ready to support a sustainable green recovery and the transition towards a greener economy. Facilitating greater investments in the energy sector for more sustainable and energy efficient projects is a central pillar of the EIB strategy for Serbia.

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Focus

How to accelerate Serbia’s EU integration dynamics

JOVAN PROTIĆ

ILO NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR SERBIA

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

CITIZENS HAVE, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT YET BEEN IN POSITION TO BENEFIT FROM THE EFFECTIVE RULE OF LAW, TRANSPARENCY OF GOVERNANCE AND EFFICIENT INSTITUTIONS, WHICH WOULD IMPROVE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THEIR DAILY LIVES AS A RESULT OF PROGRESS ON THE FULFILMENT OF EU STANDARDS

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f it wants to accelerate towards full membership in the EU, Serbia clearly needs to pick up the pace of the harmonising of its legislation with the EU Acquis, which can be tracked through the closure of negotiation chapters. During the more than seven years since the start of its accession negotiations, Serbia has provisionally closed only two of the 35 accession

SEBASTIAN SOSA IMF RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN SERBIA

REFORMS WILL KEEP LABOUR AT HOME

SAFEGUARDING MACROECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STABILITY REMAINS A PRECONDITION FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH. BUT MORE IS NEEDED TO SECURE A STRONG ECONOMY AND BETTER PROSPECTS FOR THE WORKFORCE

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erbia needs to accelerate the implementation of structural and institutional reforms in order to complete its transformation into a dynamic, private sectordriven market economy that’s able to compete successfully on the Single Market when it joins the EU, including the single labour market. Achieving this goal is critical to limiting the risk of skilled workers leaving the country to pursue better prospects elsewhere in the EU. THE POLICY COORDINATION INSTRUMENT THAT EXPIRED IN Reaching this goal requires efforts in several areas. Safeguarding JANUARY 2021, AS WELL AS THE NEW ONE THAT SERBIA IS macroeconomic and financial stability remains a precondition for sustainable growth. Further addressing Serbia’s infrastructure gaps would help to support CURRENTLY DISCUSSING WITH THE IMF, AIM TO MAINTAIN competitiveness, foreign investment and integration into regional and global MACROECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL STABILITY, WHILE value chains. Well-designed investments in environmental protection would SUPPORTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF STRUCTURAL AND not only support economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, but also foster INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS IN THESE AREAS greener and more resilient growth over the medium term. Fighting informality would both facilitate doing business and generate fiscal revenues. Improving the quality of institutions and governance, which includes having well-governed and managed SOEs, is a priority. In this context, a credible commitment to fight corruption, enhance rule of law and strengthen regional cooperation would be important both in terms of the EU accession process and for accelerating the country’s convergence towards EU-income levels.

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negotiation chapters, which does not provide a clear indication of whether and when the country will achieve its goal of full EU membership in the foreseeable future. As a result, the country’s citizens have not yet been in position to benefit from the effective rule of law, transparency of governance and efficient institutions, which would improve various aspects of their daily lives as a result of progress on the fulfilment of EU standards.

EU Accession Negotiation Chapter 19, on social policy and employment, undoubtedly represents a complex step in the accession process, as it determines whether Serbia’s citizens will be entitled to attain well-protected labour rights in productive employment, with adequate social support to those who face objective difficulties in supporting themselves through their work.

Three consecutive Decent Work Country Programmes that the ILO has been implementing in Serbia since 2008 articulate the needs of its tripartite constituents and contribute, in many instances, to the goals and targets that Serbia should include in its platform for negotiations on Chapter 19. More THE ILO INVITES SERBIA TO TAKE GREATER ADVANTAGE OF ITS decent employment opportunities and the effective protection of labour and social rights represent the backbone of the fair and inclusive social market EXTENDED OFFER FOR COLLABORATION, WHICH COULD SPEED UP THE PACE OF SOCIAL POLICY AND EMPLOYMENT REFORMS economy model of the EU, to which most of its citizens strive.

Hence, the ILO stands ready to provide technical support, comparative experiences and evidence-based tools to its Serbian partners in their efforts to fulfil international labour standards and EU directives, and invites Serbia to take greater advantage of its extended offer for collaboration, which could speed up the pace of social policy and employment reforms.

WORKING TOWARDS SDGS HELPS WITH EU ACCESSION

FRANCINE PICKUP

UNDP SERBIA RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE

UNDP IS HELPING SERBIA TO TACKLE COMPLEX CHALLENGES, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, DEPOPULATION AND GOVERNANCE. ALL THREE ISSUES ARE RELEVANT FOR ACHIEVING THE SDGS AND ARE COVERED BY EU ACCESSION CHAPTERS AND THE EU’S WESTERN BALKANS’ ECONOMIC AND INVESTMENT PLAN

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he reforms that Serbia needs to make on its EU path are aligned with progress towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These global goals are neutral and designed by all countries to build a better future for everyone by ending poverty and inequalities, while ensuring prosperity and protecting our planet.

This is why working towards the SDGs is also helping Serbia to become an EU member. For example, UNDP Serbia is now working more closely than ever with the Government and the EU to tackle complex challenges like climate change, depopulation and governance. All three of these issues are relevant UNDP IS HELPING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES to achieving the SDGs and are covered by EU accession chapters and the EU’s SHIFT TOWARDS DECARBONISATION, THE CIRCULAR Western Balkans’ Economic and Investment plan.

In order for Serbia to realise the potential of the Green Agenda and integrate ECONOMY AND DE-POLLUTION, THUS SUPPORTING into the European market, UNDP is helping local communities and businesses shift SERBIA’S EMBRACING OF THE GREEN AGENDA AND towards decarbonisation, the circular economy and de-pollution. Together with the INTEGRATION INTO THE EUROPEAN MARKET EU delegation, we are also working to scale-up green investments, while focusing on micro, small and medium-sized companies.

Another serious challenge for Serbia’s development is depopulation. Our Accelerator Lab is working with a broader ecosystem of actors to change the narrative and approach. Instead of a defeatist ‘nothing can be done’ attitude, we are focusing on maximising the existing human potential - investing in citizens’ education, skills and health from youth to old age and creating a favourable environment for all to contribute to the society and economy. In parallel, UNDP is advocating for public policies that adapt to the changing demographics.

Strong and inclusive governance is also needed for transformational changes that lead to both EU membership and achieving the SDGs. We are helping the Serbian Government to accelerate digitalisation, become more cohesive inside and wide open to the external world, to learn through experimentation and to treat data as a strategic resource.

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GLOBAL DIARY

“If we weren’t clear before, we know now: Our world is interconnected.

Our world is interdependent, and our world is fragile.” – KAMALA HARRIS, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT

ISRAEL, HAMAS AGREE TO CEASEFIRE TO END BLOODY 11-DAY WAR

Photo: Youseff Massoud

Israel and Hamas agreed to a cease-fire on 20 May, halting a 11day war that caused widespread destruction in the Gaza Strip, brought life in much of Israel to a standstill and left more than 200 people dead.

Like the three previous wars between the bitter enemies, the latest round of fighting ended inconclusively. Israel claimed to inflict heavy damage on Hamas but once again was unable to halt the Islamic militant group’s nonstop rocket barrages. Almost immediately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced angry accusations from his hard-line, right-wing base that he stopped the operation too soon. Hamas, the Islamic militant group sworn to Israel’s destruction, also claimed victory. But it now faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding in a territory already suffering from poverty, widespread unemployment and a raging coronavirus outbreak.

The president of Belarus signed a law sharply restricting news media activities and allowing them to be shut down without a court hearing. The move by President Alexander Lukashenko came a day after the arrest of a prominent opposition journalist

Photo: AP Photo

BELARUS PRESIDENT SIGNS TOUGH NEW LAW ON MEDIA RESTRICTIONS

whose commercial flight was forcibly diverted to Belarus because of an alleged bomb threat.

The arrest and flight diversion was condemned

by Western countries and drew new attention to Belarus’ crackdown on media since widespread protests against Lukashenko arose last year.

Under the new law, news media are banned from making live reports on unauthorized mass gatherings. It also allows the Information Ministry to order a media outlet’s closure; previously media closures required a court decision.

VOLCANIC ERUPTION, ENSUING CHAOS KILL AT LEAST 15 IN CONGO

Photo: Enoch David via Routers

Torrents of lava poured into villages after dark in eastern Congo with little warning, leaving at least 15 people dead amid the chaos and destroying more than 500 homes, officials and survivors said Sunday.

The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo on Saturday night sent about 5,000 people fleeing from the city of Goma across the nearby border into Rwanda, while another 25,000 others sought refuge to the northwest in Sake, the U.N. children’s agency said Sunday.

More than 170 children were still feared missing Sunday, and UNICEF officials said they were organizing transit centers to help unaccompanied children in the wake of the disaster.

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“I would like to run for a second term as president. The pandemic has inflicted deep wounds. I would like to help heal these wounds,’’ – FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, GERMAN PRESIDENT

Photo: Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters

TOKYO OLYMPICS GO AHEAD EVEN IF STATE OF EMERGENCY The IOC vice president in charge of the postponed Tokyo Olympics said the games would open in just over two months even if the city and other parts of Japan were under a state of emergency because of rising COVID-19 cases.

“The advice we have from the WHO (World Health Organization) and all other scientific and medical advice that we have is that — all the measures we have outlined, all of those measures that we are undertaking are satisfactory and will ensure a safe and secure games in terms of health,” said John Coates, member of the International Olympic Committee. “And that’s the case whether there is a state of emergency or not.”

PUSH TO REVIEW U.S. 2020 ELECTION BALLOTS SPREADS Six months after Donald Trump’s loss, people doubting the election results are continuing their push for repeated examinations of ballots and finding limited successes. A Georgia judge awarded the chance to review mail

ballots in a large Georgia county that includes Atlanta. Officials in a rural Michigan county have expressed interest in a review of their voting machines. A similar debate has caused sharp divisions in a New Hampshire town. In some cases, the efforts have been inspired by an audit of the votes in Arizona’s Maricopa County, an elaborate exercise engineered by the GOP-led state Senate.

ANTARCTIC ICEBERG MORE THAN 40 TIMES THE SIZE OF PARIS COULD DRIFT FOR YEARS A vast iceberg that broke off Antarctica in early May could drift through the ocean for several years before it breaks up and melts away, a scientist from the European Space Agency said.

The iceberg, dubbed A-76, is more than 40 times the size of Paris, or about 73 times as big as Manhattan, making it the largest currently afloat.

“Parts of Antarctica are in arrears, and that’s largely a consequence of increase in temperature or large calving events that have removed ice and destabilized the ice shelves themselves,” said Mark Drinkwater from the European Space Agency.

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Feature

PAVLE PETROVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE FISCAL COUNCIL OF SERBIA

Poor Institutions Inhibit

Economic Growth The possible higher-than-expected economic growth in 2021 is good news, but isn’t also an indicator of a sustainable trend. Serbia needs far better quality institutions, less corruption and consistent respect for the law in order to overcome constantly lagging behind the EU and its new members. All international surveys rank Serbia bottom among European countries according to these indicators.

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xThe greatest economic challenge confronting Serbia is achieving high economic growth and maintaining it over the long run. Serbia currently stands at about 55% of the level of economic development of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe that are EU member states (CEE11) and

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at about 35% of the level of development of Western Europe. In order to reduce this excessive difference and move Serbia closer to the CEE11 countries, and then to developed Europe - it is necessary to achieve relatively high GDP growth rates of at least 5% per year in continuity. That 5% is an appropriate benchmark because the

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PAVLE PETROVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE FISCAL COUNCIL OF SERBIA

comparable CEE countries had the same rate of economic growth when they were at a similar level of economic development as Serbia.

However, Serbia has long since failed to reach and maintain such economic growth rates. In the years prior to the health crisis, from 2017 to 2019, economic growth reached an average of 3.6% annually, which was lower than the average growth of CEE11 countries (over 4%). This means that, even before the crisis, Serbia was moving further and further away from those countries in terms economic development, instead of narrowing the gap.

We have analysed and quantified the factors inhibiting Serbia’s economic growth, and the poor quality of institutions stood out as the most significant factor by far. The poor quality of institutions is primarily reflected in pronounced corruption and an insufficient level of the rule of law. All international surveys rank Serbia bottom among European countries according to these indicators. Alongside the improving of institutions (which is crucial), structural reforms are also important to ensuring Serbia’s faster economic growth, such as education reform, reforming the operations of public companies and

sanitary landfills etc.). But no matter how much the increase in public investments has its good sides, Serbia’s relatively high economic growth cannot be based on them permanently. In order for the rate of economic growth to be constantly maintained at over 5%, public investment would have to increase annually by a new 2% of GDP, to 9.5% of GDP in 2022, 11.5% of GDP in 2023, and so on. That is

THE COUNTRY’S PUBLIC FINANCES ARE CURRENTLY STABLE, BUT ANYONE WHO DEALS SERIOUSLY WITH FISCAL POLICY IN SERBIA FEELS UNEASE WHEN PUBLIC DEBT IS AT AROUND 60% OF GDP, WHICH IS CURRENTLY THE CASE others. The empirical analysis that we conducted shows that improving institutions could accelerate economic growth permanently by over one percentage point annually, while other reforms could add another 0.5 p.p. to that.

With a somewhat narrower horizon, looking only at 2021, the Fiscal Council’s latest forecast is that Serbia’s GDP growth could total around 5.5%. The European Commission made a similar forecast (5.3%), while the Government’s forecast of 6% is slightly more optimistic but still attainable. Growth of approximately 5.5% in 2021 would be a good result, considering that Serbia didn’t experience an excessively deep decline in economic activity during the crisis of 2020, as well as the fact that lower GDP growth in 2021 is currently forecast for the CEE11 countries (slightly under 4.5%). However, this relatively good result is not sustainable in the long run. Behind the growth of Serbia’s GDP in 2021 aren’t only market trends, but also a strong increase in public investments. With the recently adopted supplementary budget revision, public investments have increased to a very high 7.5% of GDP (compared to 5.4% in 2020). Were it not for that increase in government investment, GDP growth would most likely total around 4% in 2021.

The Fiscal Council welcomed, in principle, the planned strong increase in public investment in 2021. This is a good fiscal policy measure during a crisis, and there is a need for that because the country’s basic infrastructure is in bad condition. Within the scope of the increase in state investments, it is particularly positive that in 2021 slightly larger funds (of approximately 150 million euros) have been allocated for the first time to reduce the country’s environmental pollution (with the construction of sewers, water treatment facilities,

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impossible. Serbia has neither the capacity to implement that, nor a budget that can afford it. So, the truth must be faced, and that truth is that the only really sustainable way for Serbia to permanently accelerate its economic growth, reach the level of CEE11 countries and become a successful European economy is by strengthening institutions, work on which must begin immediately.

The fiscal policy that Serbia led during the health crisis of 2020, and even in 2021, was very expansive. The budget deficit of 8.1% of GDP realised in 2020 was among the largest in the CEE region (where it averaged 6.5% of GDP), and a similar policy is planned for 2021, as the recently adopted supplementary budget rebalance envisages that deficit as being at about 7% of GDP. Increasing the expansiveness of fiscal policy during the crisis is justified. A significant part of the economy and citizens were imperilled by the health crisis and it was economically acceptable for the state to assist them. However,

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PAVLE PETROVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE FISCAL COUNCIL OF SERBIA

the majority of the anti-crisis measures were non-selective, so budgetary funds were also received by those citizens and companies that didn’t need them. The same influence on remediating the crisis could be achieved with far less spending of budgetary funds, and the main criticisms of the Fiscal Council were directed accordingly.

One particularly controversial measure was the distribution of 100 euros to all adult citizens in 2020, which was extended to 2021 in a similar form. The analysis we conducted unequivocally shows this to be an inefficient and poor economic policy measure. The impact of the non-selective distribution of funds to citizens on stimulating economic growth is insignificant, totalling only 0.1 to 0.2 pp,

IN ORDER FOR THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH TO BE PERMANENTLY MAINTAINED AT OVER 5%, SERBIA SHOULD SHARPLY IMPROVE ITS INSTITUTIONS, SPECIFICALLY RULE OF LAW AND CONTROL OF CORRUPTION AND REFORM EDUCATION and only about 10% of the funds paid were returned to the budget through taxes as a result of increased spending. This is also a poor measure from the perspective of social policy, because there is no justified measure of social policy in which the same amount of funds are given to both poorer and wealthier citizens. At the same time, there was no money in the budget to cater for such a policy, so the state first had to borrow (with interest) over a billion euros in order to non-selectively distribute funds to citizens (600 million euros in 2020 and around 450 million euros in 2021).

Serbia also misspent funds allocated to assist the economy in a similar way. Specifically, practically all private companies were entitled to assistance, including pharmacies, food delivery companies and others that were even more successful during the health crisis than they’d been before. Other European countries, as a rule, distributed state aid much more responsibly and directed funds to where there was a objective need for that.

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As a result of very high fiscal deficits in 2020 and 2021, Serbia’s public debt has grown relatively strongly and could easily exceed 60% of GDP by the end of 2021. This may not seem like excessive indebtedness at first glance, considering that EU countries’ public debt was an average of around 90% at the end of 2020. However, the key difference is that Serbia pays much higher interest rates on its debt compared to EU countries. Due to interest rates being so much higher, Serbia paid 2% of GDP from the budget to cover interest in the servicing of public debt in 2020, while EU countries - with significantly higher debt - paid only about 1.4% of GDP. The Fiscal Council constantly warns the government and the wider public that public debt of about 60% of GDP is too big for Serbia and that the benchmarks that apply to us aren’t the same as those that apply to developed Europe.

The costs of excessive public debt could be even higher in the future, considering the global acceleration of inflation happening over the last few months. If such an acceleration of inflation continues, it will translate into rising interest rates and could become a source of fiscal problems in the future. Fortunately, the prevailing assessment for now is that the acceleration of global inflation is transient, i.e. temporary, and will not have such consequences. Nonetheless, such changes are a clear warning of how easily things can slip in the wrong direction when public debt is excessive. In summary, the country’s public finances are currently stable, but anyone who deals seriously with fiscal policy in Serbia feels a sense of unease when the public debt hovers at around 60% of GDP, which is currently the case.

The fiscal policy priority of the next few years should, therefore, be to halt the growth of public debt, and then reduce it over the medium term to a level below 50% of GDP. In order to achieve this, the budget deficit should not exceed 3% of GDP in 2022, and then it would have to be gradually reduced to about 0.5% of GDP over the following years.

The first step in this plan, i.e. reducing the fiscal deficit from around 7% of GDP in 2021 to 3% of GDP (or less) in 2022, is achievable.

The lion’s share of the deficit from 2021 consists of temporary, anticrisis measures that will automatically disappear when the health crisis ends, thereby automatically reducing the deficit. Alongside that, it is necessary to control the growth of salaries in the public sector, which have grown much faster than was economically justified in recent years. This will be a major political challenge, especially given that elections have been announced for 2022.

The further reducing of the fiscal deficit in the medium term, along with stricter controls of public sector wages, through consistent application of the objective Swiss formula for increasing pensions, requires reforms of public and state-owned enterprises. These enterprises, as a rule, operate unsuccessfully and are constantly recorded as budget expenses through various forms of subsidies. The biggest public enterprise, EPS [Electric Power Industry of Serbia], is simultaneously also the biggest challenge. In addition to solving the operational problems of employment at EPS, it is also necessary to resolve strategic issues: an overreliance on coal in the production of electricity and the excessive environmental pollution generated by this company.

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MILORAD KRSTIKESKI, GENERAL MANAGER OF BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT) FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

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Innovation Triggers Progress

MATE ŠTETIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNIT COFFEE, ATLANTIC GRUPA

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MARIJANA VASILESCU, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, SBERBANK

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A Link Between Serbia and Russia

MILICA DJURIĆ-JOVIĆIĆ, ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE SCIENCE FUND OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

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MARIJA STEPINA, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF API BANK

Global Relationship With UiPath Page 46

JELENA ŽIKIĆ, REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ADECCO ADRIATIC AND HUNGARY

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Myths About Women In Management

HEINEKEN

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DANIEL PETROVEČKI, PURCHASING DIRECTOR, LIDL SRBIJA

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Science Is Key To A Better Future

INGRAM MICRO

It’s Simpler With Us Page 38

Staying Ahead Of The Game

Recognisable Concept Of Freshness

Dedication Of HEINEKEN Employees For The Highest Quality They Offer DUŠICA GAKOVIĆ, PROJECT LEAD, DEKA INŽENJERING

The Future Of Housing Page 50

MILORAD KRSTIKESKI, GENERAL MANAGER OF BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO (BAT) FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Innovation Triggers Progress Despite the pandemic, BAT continued its investments, the applying of world quality standards and investments in training and developing its personnel. Thanks to employees at all levels, this company managed to overcome the challenges and achieve expected business results

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he new Glo Hyper model, which BAT presented recently, has been a large and revolutionary project in the tobacco industry. The company is very satisfied with the reactions from the market and plans to continue investing in innovations in the future.

Despite the coronavirus crisis, you managed to save all jobs without state aid, while you additionally continued to invest and expand production capacity. How did you do it?

People are most certainly the basis of our success, under normal conditions and during times of crisis. We are very proud that we have highly qualified staff in our ranks that our company can rely on, without whom it would not be possible to survive or

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progress on the dynamic modern market.

We believe that our success during the pandemic is the result of consistency in implementing a sensible business strategy.

We are particularly proud of the fact that we managed to save every job without the help of the state, thus contributing to the Serbian economy, while at the same time we continued investing in the production and development of our brands.

Your factory in Vranje is known as one of the BAT group’s most successful plants. What plans do you have for further investments and the expansion of production capacities? Are you considering increasing exports?

That’s right, our factory has been awarded the Global Quality Excellence Award, thanks

to the reputation it has built in terms of quality and standards. A small number of factories can boast of having received this recognition. We also commemorated 135 years of the factory in Vranje last year, and the recognition you mentioned represents the crowning glory of this jubilee. During 2002, we celebrated 17 years of successful business in Serbia, during which we achieved significant results on the Serbian market, especially in the form of investments, the creation of jobs and launching new products.

Thanks to all of the aforementioned, BAT was able to give back to the community and support the country’s economy. I would like to mention in particular that we also marked seven years without any injuries at work, which is, for me personally, one of the most important accomplishments of the company.

Our primary focus in the period ahead will be on the transformation of the tobacco industry and the further development and promotion of innovative products with potentially reduced risk, as well as export growth.

Could it be said that you are one of the initiators of the transformation of the tobacco industry?

What do you think about the estimate that half of all smokers will switch to new generation products by 2050?

We live in an era of great and fast changes in all industries. Innovation in one area necessarily triggers progress in various fields, and the tobacco industry is no exception.

Digitalisation, new technologies, scientific discoveries and the growth of quality of life have led to a change in consumer expectations. Accordingly, BAT announced a new evolved corporate strategy and its intention to build A Better Tomorrow, by reducing the health impact of the tobacco business by offering a greater choice of enjoyable and less risky products. Tobacco heating products, vapour and modern oral nicotine products are only a small part of our reduced-risk alternatives portfolio. We believe that consumers will surely start changing their habits as the years go by and will, as a result, turn towards new generation products. Awareness of the importance of healthy lifestyles is developing rapidly and we are there to support it.

BAT has been working on sustainable development for more than two decades. What goals have you set for yourself for the next 20 years and what activities are you currently carrying out in that field?

In terms of business sustainability, our company was rated as the best company in the food and tobacco sector and the third best company in the global FTSE 100 index of the London Stock Exchange. The contribution that our company makes through its environmental and social policy, and through corporate governance (ESG report), received 91 of a maximum of 100 points.

Through the corporate strategy of building A Better Tomorrow for all stakeholders, which What are the reactions to the new Glo Hyper model, which was designed and developed in the UK? Is that your answer to consumers looking for new tobacco and nicotine products?

Modern consumers crave innovation, which provides us with both motivation to progress and responsibility to fulfil their needs in the best possible way. Glo has been present in Serbia since 2018 and quickly won over consumers. The reactions to the product were positive, considering that many years of scientific research instil a dose of trust. The new Glo Hyper model, which we presented recently, has been a large and revolutionary project in the tobacco industry. We are very satisfied with the reactions from the market and plan to continue investing in innovations in the future.

includes reducing the health impact of its business, BAT has raised the standards of sustainable operations significantly. One of our current ambitious targets is to achieve carbon neutrality across our entire chain by 2050, as well as the 100% use of electricity from renewables by 2030. I am pleased to say that BAT achieved a 30.9% reduction in emissions from its operations in 2020 alone. We have also been proclaimed a 2021 Climate Leader by the Financial Times, in its inaugural European ranking. Minimising impacts on the environment, increasing climate change resilience and protecting the natural resources society depends on are key parts of BAT’s ESG strategy.

participate in the preservation and recovery of the community during the global crisis, and to provide assistance where it was most needed, not only as a company, but also as individuals. Our employees participated

Social responsibility has always been an important segment of the operations of your company, which strives to be a good partner to the local community, especially during this time of the pandemic. What are you particularly proud of in terms of CSR? Recent research around the world has shown that a large percentage of people today expect companies to engage socially and help the local community. Last year’s outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the importance of socially responsible operations to the community.

When it comes to BAT, I can say that we are proud of the fact that we were ready to

actively in all the company’s actions on a voluntary basis, in order to show through their personal example that we can rely on each other in times of crisis. As for the company’s activities, one of the priorities was to support the health and social system of Serbia. We paid special attention to local institutions in Vranje, as the community in which we operate, through the help of organisations actively fighting to combat the coronavirus, such as the Red Cross and the City Emergency Headquarters. Last year’s crisis was just an additional source of motivation for us to continue supporting the local community and society in general.

We’ve marked seven years without any work injuries at our plant in Vranje, which is, for me personally, one of the most important accomplishments of the company

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LOCAL NEWS

“This year’s issue of the Grey Book also contains 100 new recommendations. It differs from previous editions in that 15 of the recommendations have the Covid-19 badge” – DEJAN ĐOKIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF NALED

AFD AND WORLD BANK SUPPORT SERBIA’S GREEN AGENDA TO THE TUNE OF €234 MILLION The public policy loans in support of green recovery as well as the support program for the modernization of the railway sector were signed today at the premises of the government of the Republic of Serbia.

Public policy loans in support of green recovery and rail modernization were signed in Serbia. The credit facility agreements were signed by Serbia’s Finance Minister Sinisa Mali, French Ambassador to Serbia, Jean-Louis Falconi, the Regional Director for Eurasia of Agence Française de Développement, Cécile Couprie, as well as the World Bank’s Director for the Western Balkan, Linda Van Gelder. Prime Minister Ana Brnabić also joined the ceremony.

RAIFFEISEN BANK CHOSEN AS BEST BANK AND BEST PRIVATE BANK

BY EMEA FINANCE Raiffeisen Banka has been recognized as Best Bank in Serbia for the fifth consecutive time in the annual European Banking Awards 2020 by the distinguished British financial magazine EMEA Financee.

Raiffeisen also received the Best Private Bank award for the first time for Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen Private Banking, its service introduced in 2020.

NEW PROJECT TO SUPPORT INNOVATION DRIVEN ECONOMY IN SERBIA Serbia Innovates will create the first Serbian Supercluster to bolster country’s competitive advantages on international markets ICT Hub, as a Center for Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation, with the support of USAID Serbia, launched the Serbia Innovates Project. This project will last four-and-a-halfyears and will be working on creating an innovations-friendly environment that will accelerate the development, introduction and scale-up of new economic models. The goal of the project will be to strengthen the innovation driven Serbian economy, encouraging its further development, competitiveness, and export potential.

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“If we could improve the issuing of building permits in such a way that we are now the 9th most efficient country on that criterion, then there is no reason we shouldn’t rank higher on other points” – ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF MINING AND ENERGY

KYUNGSHIN CABLE OPENS FACTORY IN SMEDEREVSKA PALANKA Kyungshin Cable Opens Factory In Smederevska Palanka The Korean company Kyungshin Cable held a grand opening ceremony for its production plant where it will produce battery components for high-tech electric vehicles for the European market in the Municipality of Smederevska Palanka

Placements postings

&

appointments@aim.rs

MILKA VOJVODIĆ, FROM DELTA HOLDING SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT TO CEO

The outgoing president of Delta Holding, Miroslav Mišković, is taking on the role of Chairman of the Managing Board and plans to withdraw from operational management of the Company in order to direct his extensive knowledge and experience towards three areas that he considers crucial to Delta Holding’s development and the development of society as a whole.

Delta Holding operations will be overseen by the Executive Board, which will be chaired by new CEO Milka Vojvodić, long-serving Senior Vice President of Finance and Economy. The executive board will be composed of the company’s vice presidents and the CEOs of Delta Holding member companies.

Vojvodić graduated from the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Economics and has been with Delta Holding since the company was founded in 1991. She has previously held the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Delta M CEO and Assistant to Delta M Group CEO for economic relations, while she has served for many years as Delta Holding’s Senior Vice President of Finance and Economy.

NIKOLA BOŽIĆ, NEW DIRECTOR OF THE PETNICA SCIENCE CENTER

Nikola Božić was born in 1978 in the city of Valjevo, where he completed grammar school before moving to Belgrade to study and graduate in electrical engineering. An astronomer and science communicator, he has had many articles published in magazines and newspapers like “Astronomija” (Astronomy), “Astronomski magazin” (The Astronomical Magazine), “Vreme” (Time), “Politikin zabavnik”etc. Nikola has been the editor of the scientific column of B92.net, Serbia’s biggest internet news portal, since 2007. He is the author and designer of the Astronomical room at the biggest regional scientific fair and festival “Festival nauke” and was the Serbian national coordinator for the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. As an electrical engineer by vocation, Božić deals with issues connected to the internet and information society. His previous positions at the Petnica Science Center include head of the Department of Science and head of the Astronomy Programme.

(Serbia). It is the first Kyungshin Cable investment in the region after more than 60 years, and it is worth approximately € 20 million.

Kyungshin Cable Europe has officially opened the factory in the Guberash industrial zone of Smederevska Palanka, which will produce parts for batteries of high-tech electric cars. The production plant was build in less than six months and it should provide 700 new jobs by the end of 2022.

VLADAN ĐOKIĆ PH.D., NEW RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE The procedure to elect a new rector of the University of Belgrade, which began in January 2021 with the announcement of the election, concluded on 25th May with the election of Professor Vladan Đokić, current dean of the Faculty of Architecture, who will take the helm this autumn.

The same session saw the electing of vice-rectors: Branislav Boričić Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Economics; Zorica Vujić Ph.D, professor of the Faculty of Pharmacy; Ratko Ristić Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Forestry; Dejan Filipović Ph.D., dean of the Faculty of Geography.

The new Rector’s Collegium takes office on 1st October 2021.

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MARIJANA VASILESCU, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, SBERBANK

A Link Between Serbia and Russia Sberbank, one of the strongest banking groups in the world, surpasses its competitors in recognition and reputation, and for offering the most modern digital services

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ith intensive development, expansion of its portfolio and rising quality, Sberbank Serbia will continue in the coming period, and digitalisation will be the main tool to make its services even more accessible to all its clients.

and reputation of the Sber brand, and in innovation and offering the most modern digital services that are increasingly becoming one of the key advantages and market strengths of Sberbank.

At the beginning of the year, Brand Finance declared Sberbank the strongest banking brand in the world. What is the key to this success?

The main reason for this prestigious recognition is definitely the fact that despite all the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, our banking group has continued its stable and extremely successful business with a strong expansion.

According to Brand Finance, an international brand valuation agency, Sberbank is today one of the strongest banking groups in the world, constantly surpassing its competitors in both the recognition

Sberbank Russia and Sberbank Serbia have been working intensively for years to improve business and industrial cooperation between our countries

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Sberbank Russia is today the largest bank in Russia and with its modern services it serves as much as 70% of the vast Russian market. This bank alone currently has more than 14,200 branches and over

278,000 staff, and actively cooperates with more than 98 million individuals and over 2.7 million companies, small, medium and large enterprises.

A major contribution to this prestigious recognition was made by Sberbank Europe, of which Sberbank Serbia is a member, and which in all markets in which we operate as a banking group recorded sizeable market growth in the recent period, not only in loan payments and client numbers, but also in personal and corporate savings deposits.

The excellent business results that we recently achieved were recognized just a few days ago by the famous Forbes magazine, ranking Sberbank Russia at 51st place on its list of the most successful public companies in the world.

This is a significant jump for Sberbank on this list, from 402nd place last year to 51st in 2021.

Is your bank a specific and unique link between Russian and Serbian companies?

The business partnership between Serbia and Russia has been developing for decades, and it is up to all of us to encourage that cooperation and to make it as simple and easy as possible. Russia is traditionally an extremely important foreign trade partner for Serbia, while large Russian retail chains are where many Serbian producers sell their products today.

This is not just about food products, fruits and vegetables, but also about clothes, socks, various semi-finished products, spare parts and similar.

Sberbank Russia and Sberbank Serbia have been working intensively for years on improving business and economic cooperation between our countries and

Sberbank Serbia has also recently set up a chatbot service covering all the services we provide

today we can be proud of the fact that our banks have enabled numerous successful business projects and considerable sales of products made in Serbia on the large and demanding Russian market.

There is definitely a potential for further development of this cooperation and we are all aware of it. An important condition for our even more successful cooperation is the further improvement of production capacity in Serbian companies, not only in volume and quantity, but also in quality.

At the same time, in all new partnerships, one of the great challenges is financial uncertainty, payment deadlines and, of course, trust. In all of this Sberbank has a great role to play, we provide all the companies with whom we cooperate an opportunity to more securely develop their cooperation with partners in Russia and in other countries of the world.

Over the years, our bank has organised some extremely successful B2B meetings between Serbian and Russian companies, enabling them to get to know each other much better, to present business opportunities to each other and to establish mutual cooperation with our support and assistance. One of the latest conferences of this kind was held in March this year, and a number of the most successful of food and confectionery producers in Serbia presented their production and export capacities to the largest retail chain in Russia – X5. It was a great opportunity for potential partners to get to know each other directly and to start talks on future cooperation, which is a great opportunity for companies in Serbia, and also for the entire Serbian economy.

You are known for innovation and a rich offer of the most modern digital services. Is that an imperative of the modern age?

Digitalisation is present in every aspect of our lives today. Banking is a sector in which the innovation brought to us by digitalisation, but also by artificial intelligence, is most visible. This can be rightfully said because banks have for a long time been trying to provide their clients with the greatest possible comfort in using financial services, and managing their funds in real time, independently and from anywhere in the world. Digitalisation is the mechanism that makes all this possible.

For years, Sberbank Serbia has been working intensively on modernising and constantly improving all its services, and on channels of communication with clients. This is not just about transactional banking and payments, but also about different types of loan, saving and other services.

Our bank already offers our clients cheap cash loans and refinancing loans that can be arranged completely online in just a few minutes. Many of our clients have recently taken advantage of this, and encouraged by this, we have continued this digital development. Very soon we will enable our clients to apply electronically

for a flexible overdraft entirely online, with no obligation to come to our branches.

Sberbank Serbia has also recently set up a chatbot service and covered all the services we provide to people.

This has enabled all interested visitors to our site to be much better and more easily informed about our services, and to submit a request or ask us a question about any of them.

Sberbank Serbia will continue with this development in the coming time, because digitalisation is the way to make our services even more accessible to all clients. At the same time, it gives us the opportunity to cooperate successfully with people who live in places where our bank has no branch, and for whom the support of a partner bank like Sberbank is necessary in everyday life and to realise their family plans.

“SBER GREEN”: S BERBANK SERBIA PLANTING 20,000 TREES Sberbank Serbia has signed cooperation agreements with PE “Srbijašume” and the Fruška Gora National Park to plant 20,000 trees within the “SberZeleno” (“SberGreen”) initiative. The project is calling on Sberbank customers to refrain from paper copies and receive the notifications from the bank electronically. The bank has promised to plant one tree for every client’s email address submitted, thus contributing to the environmental protection.

The seedlings will be planted in several locations across the country, including the Suvobor and Rudnik mountains, the city of Belgrade and Fruška Gora National Park in upcoming months.

“During the “SberZeleno - 1 email = 1 tree” activity we have collected more than 20,000 email addresses and consents, which only confirms that an extremely large number of our clients recognises the importance of this idea and supports the initiative. It enables us to advance with the further digitalisation of our business and promote new channels of communication with the clients” notes Sberbank Serbia CEO Marijana Vasilescu.

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MARIJA STEPINA, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF API BANK

It’s Simpler With Us “It’s simpler with us” is a slogan that reflects API Bank’s approach to creating services and establishing relationships with each client.

API Bank, which is managed by a multinational team that has international expertise in modern banking, is the first bank in Serbia to offer housing loans to foreigners living and earning money abroad

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e are happy that we entered this market niche and started to acquire and serve such clients for whom Serbia is attractive from different perspectives. For example, people are increasingly willing to work remotely from here, to own a nice appartment for family travel for weekends and holidays. Because Serbia is beautiful! – Marija Stepina.

Yours is the only bank in Serbia to approve housing loans for foreign citizens. Who can take out a loan with you and under what conditions?

Do you approve them for people who live and earn abroad?

In striving to better address the expectations of our clients, we have created a modern solution that will give the right answer to non-resident clients looking to acquire property in Serbia. Other banks usually don’t work with them, because it is difficult to define and verify their income, which they receive abroad. We accept Serbian citizens and non-citizens, as well as Serbian residents and non-residents receiving income in other countries, and this is what makes us unique.

The amount of the loan ranges from 5,000 to 500,000 euros, with a minimum down payment of 20% of the value of the property to be purchased. The repayment period for loans with a currency clause and foreign currency loans is 240 months, and 120 months for dinar loans.

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These days we work closely with real estate developers and are looking forward to organising joint sales campaigns to advise clients who want to buy real estate in Serbia and are seeking the support of the bank in one place.

You opened a new branch at the beginning of this year, representing a new, modern space called M44, which, in addition to regular services, offers clients a large number of safes. It could be said that this is very important, given that safes are a banking product that’s in short supply on our market?

Before deciding about offering the safe box service, which is one of the oldest banking

We are working on our recognisability via social media and close cooperation with respected real estate developers, which are a business card of Belgrade services in the world, we conducted market research and confirmed our assumption that there is a certain deficit of properly set storage in the primary location of Belgrade.

So, yes, there is a lack of supply.

From another perspective, we introduced this service with the aim of teaching people how to manage certain risks in life, how to be more responsible in safeguarding things that are valuable to them and thus feel more

secure. We want to introduce the good habit of storing valuables not used in everyday life in a safe place, i.e. in a safe deposit box in the bank. Moreover, the habit of storing valuables in a bank will, in IT terms, clear your operating memory - you will always know that the most valuable material things you have are in the safe box in a secure place.

The ideal location and biggest capacity, as well as friendly and professional staff, await you at the new API Bank branch at 44 Makedonska Street, in the very centre of Belgrade.

You can choose a size of safety deposit box and duration of rent for your valuables that suits you. We currently have a special offer, which will run until the end of August, whereby the opening of current account is not required if you only want to rent a safety deposit box.

API Bank is specific in that it researches markets and finds sought-after niches that are lacking or don’t even exist. You focused on safes first, but what can we expect now? Will the new branch make your brand even more recognisable?

Let me reiterate that our greatest achievement today is enabling our diaspora and foreigners to acquire financing for the purchase of real estate in Serbia. We are really surprised with the demand and good profile of people who are interested in our product.

The ambition of API Bank is to be recognisable as a Serbian bank for which interest among the diaspora and foreigners in Serbia has the same importance as relations with domestic companies and citizens.

JELENA ŽIKIĆ, REGIONAL MANAGING DIRECTOR OF ADECCO ADRIATIC AND HUNGARY

Myths About Women in Management In early 2020, before the outbreak of the pandemic, Eurostat released a statistic about the percentage of women in managerial positions in European countries. In Q3 2020, more than 9.5 million people were registered as holding managerial positions in the EU. Of them, 6.2 million were men and 3.3 million were women. Although women represent around half of all employees in the European Union (46%), they are severely underrepresented among key functions in companies, with only 34% of them holding managerial positions

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s worrying as these statistics are, the situation is much better now than it was 20 years ago. This share has gradually increased from just below 30% in Q2 2002 (the beginning of statistics on this subject).

Other statistics released by the Gender Statistics Database of the European Institute for Gender Equality places the percentages of women in top management positions even lower. In the context of all of this, we sought help from Jelena Žikić, Regional Managing Director of Adecco Adriatic and Hungary, in order to better understand the situation.

Dear Jelena, let’s start from the low representation of women in managerial positions. What could be causing this?

There is never an easy answer to this question. Causes are diverse and interconnected. They have to do with cultural backgrounds, access to higher education, all the way to the fact that childbirth and childcare affect the professional path of women. The weightiest cause is the bias in selecting a woman for a particular role; a role traditional assigned to men. This is also the hardest thing to change in order to have more women represented.

Biases are usually fuelled by stereotypes and misconceptions. What are the most common stereotypes and misconceptions when it comes to women in management?

Causes are diverse and interconnected. They have to do with cultural backgrounds and access to higher education, all the way to the fact that childbirth and childcare affect the professional path of women

everywhere in Europe. Leadership initiatives that are most commonly attributed to men might be interpreted as being overly pushy if they come from a woman.

C. Anger showed by a woman manager is a sign of incompetence Anger is maybe one of the most noticeable human emotions. We pass through sets of emotions both at home and at work, and anger is one of them. Double standards again apply – just as for tough decision making, if a male manager displays anger then it might seem normal. But if a woman manager does it, this might be a signal that she is insecure or unfit for the job. Once again, it’s all about context, not gender.

I hope these tips will be helpful and will challenge the beliefs of anyone who didn’t consider them previously. If not, then maybe the statistics will do the trick.

Men might be considered brave and visionary when making an unpopular decision, while women are most often considered bad and unscrupulous when doing so. It shouldn’t be like this. Hard decisions are context related, so it’s only fair that they should be genderless.

B. Leadership in a woman manager is actually “bossiness” Because women are underrepresented in managerial roles, the sight of a strong and goal-driven woman will draw attention

What needs to change for there to be more women in managerial positions?

It should start from access to education for women. The more women graduate higher education, the more experts there are on the market. This would set the stage. State and corporate programmes to fund nurseries and crèches close to crowded business areas would also make a big difference for women who plan to return to work earlier from maternity leave. These changes, together with a shift in the bias mentality, will surely bring more women to managerial roles.

Answering this would create a long list.

I’ll try to address three of the ones I’ve come upon.

A. If a woman manager takes strong and direct decisions, she must be a bad person Tough decisions are often needed to save or strengthen businesses. They are not always the most popular and the people that take them are associated with them directly.

For women managers, it’s even more unfair.

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“It’s not up to us to consider Montenegro’s financial situation. The government asked for our support. It’s not up to us to repay someone else’s debts” – OLIVÉR VÁRHELYI, EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR ENLARGEMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD

REGIONAL NEWS BIH

BULGARIA

EIB SUPPORTS BULGARIA AND SERBIA’S ENERGY SECURITY WITH €25 MILLION

OIL COMPANIES IN BIH EARNED 40 MILLION BAM DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

A new gas interconnector will connect the city of Niš with the Bulgarian capital Sofia. This will considerably contribute to energy security and a cleaner environment in Serbia. The projected capacity of the gas pipeline will allow for the transfer of 1.8 billion cubic metres of natural gas annually.

Beginning of the construction is expected later during the year, after selection of the contractor and the supervision of works. Finalisation of the gas pipeline is being planned for the beginning of 2023. This is the outline of a major project of the European Union in Serbia. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will finance the construction of the Serbian section of a 171 km natural gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria. The €25 million loan from the EIB, the bank of the European Union, will enable the diversification of Serbia’s energy supply and strengthen energy networks in South East Europe.

Although last year was marked by the coronavirus pandemic, numerous closures and declining revenues, the largest oil companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose financial reports were analyzed by the Capital portal, earned more than 39.4million BAM. Three companies within the Tesanj group Hifa made a significant profit in the amount of 19.6 million BAM in the year of the pandemic. This group, owned by the Ahmetlic family, had a profit of 25.5 million BAM a year earlier, ie in 2019. Last year, Hifa Petrol Sarajevo made a profit of 8.2 million BAM, while a year earlier they had a profit of 11.7 million BAM.

SLOVENIA

SLOVENIA’S AVERAGE GROSS PAY ROSE TO €2,010, NET PAY €1,291 The average gross pay in March was € 2,010, up 3.3% nominally and 3% in real terms compared to February. The average net pay for March was € 1,291, which was 3% higher nominally and 2.7% higher in real terms, the Statistics Office said in a statement.

Pay was also higher on an annual basis.

The average gross pay in March this year was 14.3% higher than in March 2020, when the country was gripped by the Covid-19 epidemic. The average net pay rose by 12.6% year-on-year. Average gross pay for March was also higher on a monthly basis in both the public and private sectors, by 4.1% and 2.8%, respectively.

ALBANIA

SOUTH KOREAN COMPANY INVESTING IN ALBANIA The South Korean Yura Corporation is going to build a modern manufacturing plant in the Albanian city of Fier, the country’s Investment Agency announced.

The initial investment in the facility amounts to € 6,5 mln. With this step the company is finally entering the Albanian market after planning it for years.

Yura intends to develop an area with a total surface of 4,9 hectares known as the pipe basis in Zhupan, Fier, which was designated in 2018 as a priority zone for the automobile manufacturing industry.

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DANIEL PETROVEČKI, PURCHASING DIRECTOR, LIDL SRBIJA

Recognisable Concept of Freshness One of the specific characteristics of retail chain Lidl is that its suppliers don’t deliver goods directly to shops, but rather deliver them to a central warehouse, where detailed controls are conducted on all delivered goods

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e primarily try to minimise the period of time from the picking of fruits to them being presented in our markets, so store deliveries are carried out every day - reveals Lidl Srbija Purchasing Director Daniel Petrovečki, speaking in this interview for CorD

directly to shops, but rather deliver them to a central warehouse, where detailed controls are conducted on all delivered goods. This means that controls are conducted immediately, upon the arrival of goods, to check the external and internal characteristics of the delivered products, such as temperature, calibre, sweetness, juice content in citrus fruits and many other parameters. Additionally, the warehouse has two chambers for storing fruits and

What does the word “freshness” mean to Lidl?

One of the first things that consumers associate with Lidl when it is mentioned is the great selection of fresh and tasty products that can be found in our bakery, butcher’s or on our market, but also at our florists. What all of the aforementioned have in common is the concept of freshness, which Lidl has been recognisable for since it first arrived on the Serbian market. Fresh groceries of proven quality are a prerequisite for enjoying the richness of their flavours and aromas, and achieving all the benefits of their daily consumption in the best possible way. Therefore, for Lidl, the freshness of the products we offer is imperative and that is why we always try to offer consumers in our stores real rhapsody of colors, smells and tastes, which will properly reflect the proven quality and freshness of our products.

vegetables with two different temperature regimes. One chamber is intended for the storing of temperature-sensitive products, such as lettuce, cabbage and kiwi, which are suited to a temperature regime of up to 4 degrees Celsius. The second chamber is intended for the storing of products that require a temperature regime of 4 to 14 degrees Celsius, which relates to the majority of products in our offer.

How does Lidl conduct controls ensuring the quality and freshness of its fruits and vegetables?

One of the specific characteristics of Lidl is that its suppliers don’t deliver goods

How do you maintain the quality and freshness of fruits and vegetables during transport to stores?

Temperature regimes and humidity levels are clearly defined for the transporting

The fruits and vegetables in our offer reach the consumer’s table fresh and succulent, as if they’d just been picked from the field or the garden

of all products in our offer, and adequate means of transport are selected in accordance with that, with specially climatically adapted cargo spaces and zones. Thus, for example, the ideal temperature for transporting butter lettuce is 4 degrees Celsius, while for apples it is 14 degrees. This enables us to ensure that the fruits and vegetables in our offer reach the consumer’s table fresh and succulent, as if they’d just been picked from the field or the garden.

How are checks conducted to ensure the freshness of fruits and vegetables on sale in stores?

A freshness manager is in charge of checking the freshness of fruits and vegetables in our stores. This employee, who you will recognise by their green T-shirt, is tasked with ensuring that goods available in the store are 100% fresh at all times.

Given that fruits and vegetables belong to the category of more sensitive foods, the freshness manager checks every two hours to ensure the goods on display meet the prescribed standards, while they also check the expiration dates in the section offering goods at a reduced price.

Which of Lidl’s fruits and vegetables are your favourite choices and why?

Considering that I spent part of my career at Lidl in Greece and that Greek salad was regularly on my menu during the time, I can say that bell peppers, as an essential component of that salad, are my favourite vegetable, while among fruits I would single out grapes, particularly the seedless varieties.

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“I’m not very social, preferring solitary activities like being online, reading, listening to music, and contemplating what may be possible.” – ZHANG YIMING, CEO OF TIKTOKOWNER BYTEDANCE

WORLD NEWS

VIRGIN GALACTIC COMPLETES FIRST SPACEFLIGHT IN OVER TWO YEARS

DEUTSCHE BANK SAYS BITCOIN HAS GONE FROM TRENDY TO TACKY For Deutsche Bank, bitcoin has lost its flair. Bitcoin suffered a huge plunge this week that saw the digital currency fall to three-month lows. It dived 30% to nearly $30,000 at one point in the last week of May, before paring losses. Later, bitcoin bounced back above $40,000 as the crypto market attempted to recover.

Bitcoin was last trading 1% lower at a price of $39,703 on 21 May, according to Coin Metrics data. Deutsche Bank Research Analyst Marion Laboure thinks the sell-off was a long time coming. And she believes there could be more trouble ahead for the cryptocurrency market as it reaches a critical point.

Virgin Galactic took a step closer to completing development of its space tourism system, successfully flying its first spaceflight in more than two years.

The company’s spacecraft, named VSS Unity, was carried up to an altitude of about 44,000 feet by a carrier aircraft called VMS Eve. The aircraft then released the spacecraft, which fired its rocket engine and accelerated to more than three times the speed of sound. After performing a slow backflip in microgravity at the edge of space – reaching an altitude of 89.2 kilometers, or about 293,000 feet – Unity returned through the atmosphere in a glide. The spacecraft landed back at the runway of Spaceport America in New Mexico that it took off from earlier.

CHINA’S TRADE WITH THE U.S. AND AUSTRALIA GREW IN APRIL China’s exports surged more than expected in April as global demand for Chinese goods remained elevated amid countries’ varying stages of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.

U.S. dollar-denominated exports rose 32.3% in April from a year ago, China’s customs agency said in a statement. That beat an estimate of 24.1% growth from analysts polled by Reuters. Imports rose 43.1% in U.S. dollar terms, also topping expectations of 42.5% growth, based on a Reuters poll.

EURO ZONE BUSINESS GROWTH HITS THREE-YEAR HIGH Euro zone business growth accelerated at its fastest pace in over three years in May, a survey showed, but European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said an uncertain recovery still needed emergency support from the ECB. After a slow start to vaccinations the pace is picking up, allowing some restrictions imposed to quell the spread of the coronavirus to be lifted, and a strong resurgence in the bloc’s now-reopening service industry added to the impetus from a booming manufacturing sector.

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MATE ŠTETIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNIT COFFEE, ATLANTIC GRUPA

Staying Ahead Of The Game The business strategy of Atlantic Grupa, and thus of SBU Coffee, was throughout the crisis, to remain a regional leader in the coffee business, to further strengthen its position in the region and beyond

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Consumers are the best measure of quality, so you have to provide a guarantee of your brand, but also to offer them something new, something that meets their needs, you must be ahead of their growing expectations

Your financial stability let you use the crisis to adopt a new development strategy. Are your plans for 2021 ambitious or moderate?

I would say that our plans are ‘healthily ambitious’. This means that we have not changed our growth plans, quite the opposite. The stable financial position we had and the good strategic position of the business helped us to be better, stronger and more profitable, and not just marketrelevant. It would sound modest for me to say that we have been working at a moderate pace in recent months. The company has always been focused on strengthening recognizable regional brands, but also on creating new ones, beside the development of the distribution business.

Last month, we presented two new special Grand Single Origin coffees, from exotic regions of Brazil and Rwanda. With new flavours came new innovations, such as the introduction of blockchain technology and products packaged in environmentally friendly aluminum-free foils produced from bioplastics from renewable sources. For now, we are seeing really positive reactions

from both consumers and the professional public both at home and in the region.

What is the market looking for besides top quality at a good price?

To remain competitive, in addition to dictating trends, you need to carefully build a relationship with consumers and customers, a lasting one based on trust. The market does not tolerate stagnation, but demands

Our campaign ‘Let’s take the time’ aimed to connect with our loved ones in a ritual that unites us, the ritual of drinking coffee

that you always give a touch more. There are many market challenges, today perhaps more than ever, but I deeply believe that our willingness to take risks and innovate with excellent communication with consumers and further investment in core brands will bring us market success in the future.

We are also raising our customer relations to a higher level. I would like to point out the HoReCa channel where we made substantial investments even while catering work was

restricted, so with support from our side together with our customers, we are ready for the expected normalization of business, so we expect significant growth later in the year.

We associate Grand Kafa with the slogan ‘Both smell and taste’, the two senses that Corona most often ‘hits’. Fortunately, the pandemic did not harm your company. Does this mean that the taste and smell of good coffee is stronger than the virus?

If we look at things that way, they seem to be stronger. Joking aside, every industry has faced a crisis, which decision-makers around the world have tried to tackle and overcome in the best possible way. We managed to compensate for the decline in sales in HoReCa by increasing household consumption. People wanted to bring the atmosphere of socializing into their homes.

They turned to each other, enjoyed their conversations, found new ways of getting closer, and that is what is most important in the end. Our campaign ‘Let’s take the time’ was aimed at connecting with our loved ones in a ritual that unites us all – the ritual of drinking coffee. Coffee may not be stronger than the virus, but it has done something really great in building and nurturing those wonderful moments with loved ones. And that is the most important thing - to show emotions, love, humanity, always and in all circumstances.

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MILICA DJURIĆ-JOVIĆIĆ, ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE SCIENCE FUND OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Science is Key to a Better Future The best investment is an investment in intelligent, educated and talented people with visions for a better future. Through its programmes, the Science Fund supports the best projects, ideas and teams contributing to the development of technologies and solutions to improve our lives

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arly in her career, after earning her Ph.D. in electrical engineering and computing, Milica DjurićJovičić managed the Innovation Centre of a technical faculty, which has since grown to become a successful company that connects research and industry, while contributing to society through innovations, applied science and new technological solutions.

She has been heading the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, a government institution dedicated to supporting research and development based on scientific excellence, since its founding in 2019.

The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia is a young institution that is developing very quickly. What do you consider as being the Fund’s main achievements since it was established?

Our funding programmes are highly selective, with only the top 10-20% of submitted proposals receiving funding. In order to ensure objective, high-quality assessments of each proposal, we engage only international experts that have success-

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ful professional careers in research. Our pool of experts includes more than 1,300 international peer reviewers from over 60 countries. The projects selected are those that rank highest according to scientific excellence, impact and implementation potential. As a result, the Science Fund will be also funded by the World Bank and EU. The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia has to date approved 177 scientific projects for funding, which includes more than 800 researchers from 75 scientific and research organisations. With the new programmes being implemented, we expect to have up to 2,000 researchers included in our programmes in the next year.

How do you plan to strengthen cooperation between scientists from Serbia and Serbian scientists from the diaspora?

Connecting our researchers will introduce additional international visibility and possibilities for partnerships. By supporting collaboration among them, we also connect research institutions and promote Serbia as a partner open for cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

In order to support and inspire connections and collaboration among Serbian scientists around the world, the Science Fund has established the LinkedIn group “Science without Borders”. This group

serves as an open professional network for collaboration between Serbian scientists in Serbia and abroad, and aims to enable the exchange of knowledge, ideas, experience and opportunities for collaboration. Such connections are important for the development of science, but also the development of the economy, entrepreneurship and Serbian society.

In parallel, we are currently implementing the first mobility collaboration programme - the Serbian Science and Diaspora Collaboration Programme.

Through 92 mobility projects, we connect researchers who live and work in Serbia with our researchers in 22 countries.

In the coming years, the Science Fund will enable further cooperation with the Serbian scientific diaspora by introducing collaboration programmes for exchanges of knowledge and joint research.

What is the plan of the Science Fund in 2021?

We plan to open a new programme for collaboration between science and industry, as well as special programmes addressing research topics that the government, science and industry have identified as being of strategic importance. The new programmes in 2021 will strive to help some of the identified needs and challenges of contemporary Serbian society.

Our researchers can contribute directly to Serbia’s development in many areas.

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Global Relationship with UiPath Ingram Micro is a company that helps businesses realise the promise of technology. It delivers a full spectrum of global technology and supply chain services to businesses around the world. Unrivalled agility, deep market insights and trust and dependability set Ingram Micro apart

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rowing its Artificial Intelligence (AI) portfolio, Ingram Micro Inc. announced an expanded its now global business relationship with UiPath, a leading enterprise automation software company and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tech innovator Ingram Micro announced its global relationship with leading enterprise automation software company UiPath.

This global alliance expands Ingram Micro’s focus on robotics throughout

The new UiPath/Ingram Micro programme is an all-around win, enabling us to spend more time on delivering industry-leading client services

its centres of excellence and raises the visibility of UiPath within the worldwide channel partner ecosystem. RPA enables organisations in the digital transformation (DX) era to increase their efficiency, workflow determinism, operation accuracy and compliance with

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regulations by automating repetitive, time-consuming and mundane tasks.

Additionally, software robots work to establish end-to-end automation across the organisation while driving down costs. Ingram Micro’s broad and specialised Advanced Solutions portfolio began offering AI and RPA solutions a few years ago and has become one of the organisation’s fastest-growing global practises.

ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION IS A GREAT SALES WEDGE “Robotic process automation is an important component within a company’s digital transformation game plan, and a great sales wedge for channel partners to introduce DX solutions and services into their existing end user customer base,” says Sabine Howest, Ingram Micro Inc. vice president, global partner engagement and IoT. “Using AI to automate repeatable, rules-driven processes is a practise companies of all sizes can benefit from and a growth opportunity we’re ready to drive with UiPath through our growing and global Advanced Solutions organisation.”

“We’re thrilled that UiPath is offering additional support to high-value service providers like us through its new Ingram Micro programme,” says Bhavyesh Virani, co-CEO of WonderBotz, a UiPath partner.

According to him, Ingram Micro’s global reach will help WonderBotz capture the rising demand for custom services and prebuilt turnkey solutions for F&A professionals and healthcare, finance, banking, and hospitality leaders. The new UiPath/Ingram Micro programme is an all-around win, enabling WonderBotz to spend more time on delivering industry-leading client services.

COMMITTED TO CONTINUALLY INVESTING IN PARTNERS Ingram Micro’s relationship with UiPath started at the beginning of 2021 and has quickly expanded from North America to Latin America and now Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. The team at Ingram Micro maintains a mature and dedicated UiPath team of experts who are here to help channel partners throughout the sales cycle, including opportunity identification, design thinking, advisory services, licensing and training. With the support of Ingram Micro’s Centres of Excellence, channel partners selling UiPath benefit from shared best practices, “follow the sun” support services and global resources designed to meet the varied demands of the market locally, regionally and globally.

“Ingram Micro and UiPath are partner-first organisations equally committed to continually investing in our

partners to drive greater service differentiation, exceptional growth and improved profitability,” says UiPath Chief Revenue Officer Thomas Hansen.

“Enterprise automation is a category channel partners cannot ignore, and an investment enterprise organisations are making because of the immediate and measurable return on investment and improvement to the associate experience and the customer experience. We are thrilled to expand our successful relationship with Ingram Micro worldwide and look forward to helping channel partners capitalise on the market potential for RPA.” UIPATH OFFERS AN END-TO-END PLATFORM FOR AUTOMATION In Q1 2021, the Forrester Wave™*: Robotic Process Automation named UiPath a “Leader” with the highest ranking in each of three categories: Current Of-

Ingram Micro’s broad and specialised Advanced Solutions portfolio began offering AI and RPA solutions a few years ago and has become one of the organisation’s fastest-growing global practises

fering, Strategy and Market Presence.

Additionally, UiPath Vice President of Global Alliances and Partners, Cheryln Chin, and Senior Vice President of Operations and Partners, Eddie O’Brien, were recently included on the 2021 CRN Channel Chiefs list, along with eight Ingram Micro channel executives.

Their deep expertise in technology so-

lutions, mobility, cloud and supply chain solutions enables business partners to operate efficiently and successfully on the markets they serve. Unrivalled agility, deep market insights and the trust and dependability that come from decades of proven relationships set Ingram Micro apart and ahead. The entire UiPath portfolio is now available to Ingram Micro channel partners worldwide. UiPath has a vision to deliver the Fully Automated Enterprise™, one where companies use automation to unlock their greatest potential. UiPath offers an end-to-end platform for automation, combining the leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution with a full suite of capabilities that enable every organisation to scale digital business operations rapidly.

To learn more about UiPath, contact your Ingram Micro partner manager: goran.nikolic@ingrammicro.com

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Dedication Of HEINEKEN Employees For The Highest Quality They Offer Thanks to HEINEKEN employees dedication, their hearts and brands go with consumers HEINEKEN 0.0. “2021 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR”

Heineken 0.0, the non-alcoholic beverage of HEINEKEN Srbija, has been selected the top product of 2021 in the category of non-alcoholic beverages, on the basis of consumer experiences, as reported by Product of the Year Worldwide (POY) Adria d.o.o., the organiser of the “Product of the Year” selection.

Heineken 0.0 non-alcoholic beer is made according to a unique recipe and is recognisable for its balance of malt barley flavours and fruity undertones, while it is directed towards ensuring responsible consumption on all occasions.

From barley to bar, the company works proactively – through numerous initiatives and programmes encompassing all of its brands – to contribute to addressing environmental and social challenges, while simultaneously responding to the needs of consumers.

HEINEKEN Srbija strives to lead by example in impacting positively on the community in which it operates, promoting the responsible consumption of all of its products in all commercial and communications activities, while partnerships at various events in the country, promoting the topic of responsible consumption, are a given. Additionally, on all labels of its brands, as well as on its official website, HEINEKEN transparently cites the nutritional and calorific values of each brand individually, while at the same time investing 10% of the annual budget of the Heineken brand to promote and raise awareness of the importance of responsible consumption, through various projects and campaigns.

Through the Product of the Year 2021 Heineken 0.0 brand, company HEINEKEN Srbija offers all of its consumers a choice of beverage for every situation and every moment: at gym, during lunch break at work or before driving.

ZAJEČARSKO “CONSUMER FAVOURITE“

The Zaječarsko brand of company HEINEKEN Srbija has won the “Consumer Favourite” award in the Beer category of the campaign Serbia Has Quality, which has been traditionally organised by the Moja Srbija (My Serbia) Association, with support from the City of Belgrade. This award is granted exclusively on the basis of the votes of consumers.

Zaječarsko beer is a brand that preserves its long tradition thanks to its superior quality and original recipe. It is a symbol of the Timok Frontier region and Eastern Serbia, but is also loved by consumers nationwide, who’ve remained loyal to the brand for decades due to its unique identity.

It is recognisable for its red label that preserves the Cyrillic script and its unrivalled taste.

Zajecarsko is the holder of the right to the Čuvarkuća trademark, as a confirmation of the quality and domestic origin of the product, within the project by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce “Created in Serbia”, which is aimed at supporting domestic products and producers.

Corporate responsibility and sustainable operations are deeply rooted in all corporate and brand activities of HEINEKEN Srbija, and through the Zaječarsko brand alone it realised numerous such activities during the challenging year that’s behind us. In cooperation with Serbia’s food bank, Banka hrane, together with consumers of Zaječarsko beer, the company donated 100,000 meals for vulnerable Serbian citizens, while this campaign was also joined by the company’s employees, who personally donated food items.

Also testifying to the fact that Zaječarsko recognises and preserves tradition and culture is a project to revive the cultural heritage of the southern region of Serbia, with the aim of developing and raising public awareness of the wealth of treasures hiding in this part of the country. The plan for this summer is to construct a Crafts Centre in Niš, in cooperation with the Višnja Association. In addition to workshops, this centre will also encompass a hub for craft training and retraining.

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Kopaonik business forum held in Belgrade The Kopaonik Business Forum was held in the last week of May in a changed format, with a different date, and, this time instead of Kopaonik, in Belgrade. More than 130 panellists, about 50 accredited journalists, and about a hundred participants in the hall of the Metropol Palace Hotel in Belgrade had interesting discussions during four days.

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espite the pandemic, Kopaonik business forum was successfully held and once again proved to be the most important regional conference, which discusses not only specific professional economic issues but much broader topics concerning the long-term development of society. The special guest was the respected and world-famous professor from Serbia Branko Milanović, who spoke about the phenomenon of global inequality and, in particular, the impact of Covid 19 on the world economy - said Aleksandar

Vlahović, President of the Association of Economists of Serbia.

Traditionally, Ana Brnabić, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, closed the 28th Kopaonik Business Forum. The Prime Minister pointed out two events that show that the Government has fulfilled its promise to start the transition to an economy and a society based on innovation and knowledge. One of them is the writing of the Slovenian Delo about Belgrade becoming a technological centre. The second is laying the foundation stone for the construction

of the BioSens Institute in Novi Sad. At the panel dedicated to preserving the environment, H.E. Sam Fabrizi, the head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, pointed out that the interest in the topics of the environment and climate change has grown. “In the European Union, these issues have already been resolved politically. Last year, the European Union adopted the Green Deal program, where the goal is for Europe to become a continent with zero carbon emissions,” Fabrizi said.

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DUŠICA GAKOVIĆ, PROJECT LEAD, DEKA INŽENJERING

The Future of Housing The basic starting point in developing the projects of Deka inženjering [engineering] are the intended end users. The company’s goal is to provide future tenants, both families and individuals, with maximum quality of life and comfort

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he remains of industrial architecture from the late 19th century, which have been preserved and incorporated into the residential and business complex, provide Novi Dorćol with a striking and unique look in the city’s central hub.

You built A Blok, one of the most prestigious projects in Belgrade, while you’re now finalising the first phase of construction of Novi Dorćol in Belgrade city centre. What characterises the facilities you build?

The basic starting point in developing our projects are the intended end users. Our goal is to provide future tenants, both families and individuals, with maximum quality of life and comfort. Blok A has more than 1,000 apartments and 80-odd retail units.

We prioritise modern design that’s adapted to the contemporary lifestyle - spacious and bright rooms, a bedroom block that’s separated from the living-dining area, a master bedroom with a separate en suite bathroom, ceilings that are 2.8 metres

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high, which creates a special impression of spaciousness, a special service area/ utility room in each apartment to house a boiler, washing machine and dryer, while apartment air conditioning, which implies both cooling and heating, is hidden behind a dropped ceiling.

The underground garages are spacious enough for families to be able to purchase multiple parking spaces. Considering that even more electric cars will be driven in the future, we also have a significant number of parking spaces with electric charging.

We’ve preserved a building dating back to 1897, called the Platnara, which will be reconstructed to create a modern restaurant and wine bar Spacious 24/7 receptions, video surveillance, comfortable corridors, three lifts in each lamella structure, a closed yard intended exclusively for tenants - these are just some of the advantages of living in our complexes.

The first residents will start moving in to apartments completed in the first phase of the Novi Dorćol complex during July and August, when construction of the second phase is set to begin. Will there be additional contents, such as a swimming pool and spa centre?

We will complete the first 225 apartments and 15 retail units in July, after which we will continue the construction of the second phase of Novi Dorćol, consisting of 347 apartments and seven retail units.

The complex will have a spa centre, swimming pool and gym, market, cafe, pastry shop, as well as other contents necessary for a comfortable life. Following the example of major world capitals, we’ve preserved a building dating back to 1897, called the Platnara, which will be reconstructed to create a modern restaurant and wine bar.

Do all apartments in your complexes have smart home systems that enable the adapting of apartments to suit the user?

All apartments have the so-called smart home system, which serves to manage multiple functions within the apartment, both strictly functional ones that make life easier and aesthetic ones that make life more beautiful. Control is local and user friendly, using wall-mounted key sets, or remotely via a mobile phone or other device. Household members can easily adjust the light they want, to lower or raise the blinds, to turn on cooling or heating as required.

The smart home system that we’ve applied at the Novi Dorćol complex is just one of the world trends with which we are setting new standards in construction, and which relate not only to comfort, but also to safety, which was the primary reason we were interested in implementing this system in our housing developments.

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Enterpreneur

PATRICK AND JOHN COLLISON Irish brothers online payments group Stripe is valued at $95bn

Stripe’s 30-something

Billionaires

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I

n 2010, two young Irish brothers pitched to Peter Thiel, an early Facebook backer and one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capitalists, on why their online payments system was better than PayPal. Their start-up, now called Stripe, would vastly simplify online payments and thus “increase the GDP of the internet”, they claimed, somewhat grandiosely.

The first problem was that Stripe barely existed: Patrick and John Collison, then just 21 and 19, had hacked together a prototype while on holiday and had no experience of merchant gateways or other financial arcana.

The first problem was that Stripe barely existed: Patrick and John Collison, then just 21 and 19, had hacked together a prototype while on holiday and had no experience of merchant gateways or other financial arcana

TALENTS Still, even if it was boring growing up in a village best known for its half-ruined 13th-century castle, that is only half the story. Because scientific smarts, personal drive and a talent for business also run in the brothers’ blood.

Their father trained as an electrical engineer, working for PC maker Dell’s Irish operations, before buying a lakeside hotel.

Their mother Lily, who trained as a microbiologist, founded a corporate training company three weeks after giving birth to Patrick.

“I have always felt that the greatest gift

The second problem was that Thiel had founded the very company they wanted to usurp. “I remember being very critical of PayPal,” Patrick recalled two years later.

“Halfway through the meeting I was like ‘hmmm, maybe that’s not the best strategy’.”

Yet Thiel was so impressed by their vision that he quickly agreed to invest. So did PayPal co-founder Elon Musk and Sequoia Capital’s Michael Moritz, a renowned tech investor and early Google backer. “It was obvious they were unusual,” says Moritz of the brothers, who grew-up in the small Tipperary village of Dromineer, 30 miles outside Limerick. “It was a first on all counts.”

A decade later, backing the Collison brothers has proved to be one of the tech industry’s smartest bets. Stripe is now valued at $95 billion, after raising $600 million this week. That makes it the most valuable start-up in the US, surpassing Musk’s rocket company SpaceX, and has left the Collison brothers, now aged 32 and 30, with personal fortunes of more than $10 billionn each, according to a person close to the company.

Bloomberg and others have estimated it at $11.5 billion.

“I often wonder if it’s desirable to grow up somewhere boring because you’re forced to find your own interests,” John told the FT in 2014.

you can give any child is the gift of selfconfidence,” Lily wrote in a book published last year about spastic diplegia after her youngest son Tommy was diagnosed with bilateral cerebral palsy. “With effort, so much is possible.”

So it has proved. At Castletroy College in Limerick, the two elder brothers were self-confessed “nerds”. Patrick won Ireland’s Young Scientist of the Year award at 16 for creating a new programming language.

Younger John broke his brother’s record for top grades in leaving cert exams.

“They’re extremely intelligent,” says Mark Carney, the former Bank of England governor

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Enterpreneur

who joined Stripe’s board in February. “Very level, very inquisitive about this huge range of subjects...and very funny, as well.”

Patrick and John left Ireland after school to go to university in the US - but only after selling their first start-up, which made software for eBay sellers, for $5 million in 2008. They soon dropped out of their courses at MIT and Harvard to focus on Stripe (so leaving their younger brother Tommy, who now works at a start-up that teaches coding online, with the accolade of being the only Collison brother to graduate from university).

Yet Stripe was only one of several projects Patrick and John were then developing, including an offline version of Wikipedia, the web-based encyclopedia. “They’re definitely hyperlink guys,” adds Carney. “If you get into a subject with them, it rises to a level of detail and sophistication fairly quickly.”

Now living in the San Francisco Bay Area, Patrick and John appear to have few of the usual tech billionaire hobbies, even living together until a couple of years ago, when Patrick announced on Twitter that he and his fiancée had “hit our engagement metrics”, a groan-worthy geek joke. “They are careful, disciplined and judicious and aren’t inclined towards frivolous expenditures,”

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This low-key style is true of the company, too, which has achieved rapid growth even as it operates in a highly regulated payments sector. Working within the rules rather than breaking them, Stripe keeps behind the scenes, despite processing billions of dollars of payments every year for the likes of Zoom, Deliveroo, Lyft and Instagram. says Moritz. While some billionaires buy islands, the Collisons are “more likely to go to a remote spot with a tent and read”.

LOW KEY This low-key style is true of the company, too, which has achieved rapid growth even as it operates in a highly regulated payments

sector. Working within the rules rather than breaking them, Stripe keeps behind the scenes, despite processing billions of dollars of payments every year for the likes of Zoom, Deliveroo, Lyft and Instagram.

And although Stripe suspended the fundraising system behind Donald Trump’s campaign in January after the US Capitol riot, the Collisons have so far kept the company away from much of the regulatory drama and popular backlash that has engulfed other upper echelon tech groups, such as Uber and Facebook.

The result is an extraordinarily successful company, and two brothers who enjoy a pleasingly down-to-earth reputation. As Waterford Whispers News, a satire site, headlined in an item about them this week: “Hard To Begrudge The Collison Brothers’ Success, But We’ll Give It A Go”.

The one exception to being such apparently nice and well-adjusted human beings appears to be a family obsession with flying light aircraft. In 2017, John tweeted that he had flown a Diamond DA42 across the Atlantic, ticking off one item from his “bucket list”.

“Didn’t even get wet,” he joked.

Source: Irish Times

PROFILE

Stimulating Self-Reflection

History is composed of people, their actions, perceptions, words, feelings... In endeavouring to penetrate the motives that drive human action, the historian seeks answers linked to origins, upbringing, schooling, formative influences, life experiences, personal breakthroughs and numerous other factors that could have influenced the life path of the historical figure being observed.

NATALIJA DIMIĆ, HISTORIAN AND RESEARCH ASSISTANT AT THE INSTITUTE FOR RECENT HISTORY OF SERBIA

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he historian poses questions about the social milieu from which a certain person emerged, about political and social movements of the time in which they lived, about local, regional or global crises that may have influenced them, about the generational experience of the generation to which they belonged, about ethical norms and social traditions that could have subconsciously influenced the formation of their attitudes and worldviews.

Following the absolutist positivism of the 19th century, the 20th century introduced, in a big way, historians as subjective mediators between historical reality and the present, and historiography as a science composed of “fallible evidence as interpreted by fallible people”. The step of the self-reflection of the author was included in the methodology of historical research, with the aim of reducing the inevitably subjective nature of every historical interpretation. With an awareness of this, every historian should ask himself the same questions that he poses to the “heroes” of his research, in order to raise awareness, and then reduce the impact, of experiential, moral and perceptual layers that can overburden and contaminate the

historian’s view of the past.

As an historian of the younger generation, the opportunity to present myself on the pages of CorD magazine also provides a stimulus for self-reflection. The questions naturally impose themselves : to what extent was my view of the topic of German-Yugoslav relations, to which my doctoral dissertation

the calling of the historian, to which I’m dedicated, is both creative and responsible, providing opportunities to acquire fundamental knowledge about the past that forms a reliable substrate to understanding the present, but which simultaneously also provides the historian with methodological “equipment” to critically examine and perceive oneself and the world of one’s surroundings is dedicated, influenced by the experience of growing up in Zemun, as a former city of Austria-Hungary that’s today a part of Belgrade, which has a physiognomy and “spirit” that is clearly outlined by Central European cultural influences; the extent to which my basic point of embarkation is determined by the generational experience of growing up in the Serbia of the 1990s; to what extent, and

in which ways, my historical awareness and perception of Germany and Germans was influenced by my schooling, through textbooks on history and the German language, through lectures by teachers from primary school, via the Philological High School to the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade; in which direction I was influenced by the experience of residing in Berlin for several months of research and my interactions with colleagues from Germany; what kind of an incentive was I given by exchanges of opinions with colleagues from the institution where I am employed, the Institute for Recent History of Serbia.

However, the relationship between the subject of historical research, historians and the present is not one-sided. It isn’t only the historian that introduces part of themselves into the topic about which they are writing.

This applies particularly to topics from the recent past, which I deal with. Researching German-Yugoslav and German-Serbian relations in the 20th century provides the possibility of gaining insight into continuities that still determine those mutual relations today. As such, the calling of the historian, to which I’m dedicated, is both creative and responsible, providing opportunities to acquire fundamental knowledge about the past that forms a reliable substrate to understanding the present, but which simultaneously also provides the historian with methodological “equipment” to critically examine and perceive oneself and the world of one’s surroundings.

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Art

The Power of Parisian Panache

Parlez-Vous Luxe?

Do you ever wonder why we are happy after spending a fortune on our luxury handbag or why an occasion only becomes special when Champagne corks pop? This and many other mysteries of fashionable life are sourced in the most crucial period of elegance and luxury - the reign of French King Louis XIV. It is remarkable that this period marked the first time that luxury, sophistication and elegance became factors that had to be reckoned with. Some of this, of course, had its precedent in ancient Rome, and especially during the Renaissance, but it could be argued that their style of fashion and customs did not export to other nations at the time. It was in the 1660s that Paris began to reign supreme over luxury living, and that reign persists to this day, three and half centuries later 56

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By Sara Brajović

I

t was in 1676 that Louis XIV came up with the idea of beautifying Paris.

He initially introduced street lighting to the city, which was a huge novelty that made Paris the only city in the Europe of the time to glitter after sunset. This is probably why Paris is called the “City of Light”. This king seemed to know from the outset what kind of image he wanted to convey, and that was one of opulence and elegance.

With the help of his Minister of Finance, who wrote the book on economic protectionism and trade wars, and was determined to dominate the hugely lucrative trade in luxury goods. Together they created the first economy driven by fashion and taste. Among the first areas he sought to develop was design. And by the end of the 17th century France had become the centre for interior decoration, with decor functioning as the new art of living. Mirrors are all around us today, and that’s down to Louis XIV and his decorators. He made it easier to own a mirror, because until then mirrors had only been produced in Venice and cost a small fortune to buy. Prior to his reign, shops had been more like warehouses, while most clothes had been tailored in Europe. By the end of Louis XIV’s reign, fashion designers, brand names, fashion seasons and fashion followers had been created. Everything was in place for this novel pleasure to exist and fashion began being referred to all over Europe as a la mode. Fashion was French.

The coffeehouse became an institution in England, the Netherlands and Germany in the 1650s and ‘60s . These were fairly modest institutions - frequented by men who came to drink coffee or beer and to smoke.

The modest coffeehouse was reinvented in Paris and made a luxurious venue. Beer was banished - exotic cocktails were sipped in200th Jubilee Edition

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Art

The Power of Parisian Panache

stead, while customers sat at tables made of marble, admiring walls covered with elegant mirrors and crystal chandeliers that swung from the ceilings. A newly fashionable cafe scene had emerged in the Parisian quarter of Saint-Germain-des-Prés by the turn of the 18th Century. The cafes’ clientele differed markedly from their counterparts elsewhere in Europe: elegant women gathered to show off their fashionable outfits.

Another characteristic of the French “chic and flair” phenomena was the hairdresser to the rich and famous. The status of a celebrity hairdresser meant considerable financial reward. The previous custom had been for ladies’ hairstyle needs to be taken care of by their maids. With the arrival of the celebrity hairdresser, however, a lady’s 58

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hairstyle became a signature that would be recognised by other ladies of high society.

By the end of the 17th century, hairdressers continued to make house calls to their famous clients but also had their own salons, enabling them to reach a broader clientele.

A multitude of hairdressers opened salons in the vicinity of the Louvre, right around the corner from the Palais-Royal.

French chefs were the first to radically eliminate the Oriental spices that had dominated medieval cuisine. Sweet dishes had also been part of every course prior to the birth of Haute Cuisine. These new French chefs allowed salt and pepper to dominate their menus, while they also shifted sweet dishes to the last course, which began being referred to as dessert.

With the help of lots of butter, chefs started making sauces that would become integral to dishes. It would also no longer be necessary to stack the table with lots of food, as had been the norm in the middle ages. The freshest seasonal foods would be cooked without their true taste being destroyed in the process. Asparagus should be croquant, i.e. crisp; meat should be rare and served straight from being grilled in its own juice. The doctrine of elegant simplicity in food, art de table, created a new wave in cuisine that would essentially become the art of fine dining.

Champagne was invented in France and by 1674 was being marketed as the “in” tipple and the finest wine. The man accredited with inventing champagne was

By author

Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon. And no ceremony or celebration was considered perfect if champagne was not served from the late 17th century onwards. This sparkling new wine had become an integral part of the dazzling new image of France and Voltaire immortalised it in his poem called “Le Mondain” (The man of the world) “The sparkling foam of this frosty wine / Is the brilliant image of our Frenchmen”. It was Dom Thierry Ruinart, another Benedictine monk, who shared Pérignon’s secret wine with his family of winemakers and founded the first company, or Maison, devoted exclusively to the production of champagne.

Prior to the arrival of Louis XIV, no one would have considered diamonds as being anyone’s best friend. Very few people thought of diamonds at all before the 17th century. It was the pearl that had been the top status symbol during the Renaissance, followed by rubies and sapphires. The most celebrated piece of jewellery that had been owned by Louis XIV’s mother, Anne of Austria, was a pearl necklace.

By the end of Louis XIV’s reign, the diamond rivière (a necklace composed of a single string of continuous diamonds) had replaced the string of pearls as the trophy necklace. Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet and Boucheron are among the French jewellers that can still be seen today in the French capital’s ultrachic Place Vendôme square.

Louis XIV gave the world something far more important than luxury goods. He redefined some of our basic activities, usually elevating the mundane to a new status - one of pleasure and indulgence. And that’s why the Italians of the time dubbed Paris the land of desire.

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My life

Gabriel Feltz,

Chief Conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

SOCIETY IS SICK

Photo Nemanja Jovanović

OF ISOLATION

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By Radmila Stanković

He is ‘Generalmusikdirector’ of the Dortmund Opera and the Chief Conductor of the Dortmund Philharmonic Orchestra, while for the last five seasons he’s also been Chief Conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. Born and raised in the then East Berlin, he gained a good musical education, completing his studies in departments for conducting and piano.

In this interview for CorD, he explains why he gave preference to the conducting baton rather than tickling the ivories, how the Belgrade Phil became an important chapter in his career, what was the greatest professional compliment he’s ever received, how the former East and West Germanys differ today, how we were hit by the pandemic and much more…

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abriel Feltz (50) is among those foreigners who’ve recognised the passion that characterises Belgrade’s artists, primarily the members of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, with whom he began collaborating for the 2017/2018 season. With his arrival came the feeling of a new breath of fresh air that has been blowing through this orchestra in recent years, and he quickly became a favourite of the Belgrade audience.

Who is this conductor, who graduated from the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin and has conducted leading orchestras in Germany and abroad, and who led the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra in the Serbian capital when it performed the largest open-air concert of classical music in the country’s history, attended by 30,000 people? This interview is really an attempt to better acquaint CorD readers with this top conductor.

Describe the family in which you grew up your father, a music pedagogue, and your mother.

What do you recall of your earliest childhood?

I grew up in a classic family of musicians. My father was a string teacher. When I was between the ages of four and 12, he taught at the Hanns Eisler music conservatory in East Berlin, in the divided city. But my father always taught at home, because there weren’t enough classrooms at the

conservatory. So, I grew up with a lot of sound around me – violin concertos, violin sonatas and so on. Even now, I sometimes have the feeling “I know that piece, I’ve heard it before” when something is playing on the radio in the car or when somebody is practising. That is a somewhat strange feeling. He also pushed me to start playing

East Berlin had a huge intellectual scene, really like a club scene with a lot of very well-connected people the violin and I didn’t want to, absolutely not! I fought against it like crazy at five or six years of age, then started later with the piano.

My mother is a costume designer and is still working a little bit, at more than 70 years of age, which I admire a lot. She was also a gorgeous painter and worked in a small chamber in our flat in Berlin. A ridiculously small space, really under pressure regarding physical space. She was very brave and travelled a lot, because she worked as a costume designer for all the small theatres in the repertoire system of the former

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My life

Gabriel Feltz, Chief Conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

DDR. And because my parents had no car, she would always travel by train, which of course took up a lot of time. She spent many days, months and years on the train.

How would you describe living and growing up in East Berlin in the 1970s and 1980s, before the fall of the Berlin Wall?

At the time between 1981 and 1989, with the change of the system coming, only that last year was very tricky for many people. As for my childhood in the years before, I didn’t really feel the influence of the political system. My life as a boy and a teenager was pretty normal, I would say. Of course, there was a lot of music and a big influence of the arts, that was the good side. East Berlin had a huge intellectual scene, really like a club scene with a lot of very well-connected people: directors of drama and opera, singers, chamber musicians, conductors, orchestra musicians, concert masters. They were all connected in a more traditional way of real communication, eye-to-eye and intensely in discussion about art.

For me, this was a highly creative place where I could learn a lot. I also attended a lot of concerts.

Many orchestras came to Berlin on their tours, as well as orchestras from the West. For an upcoming musician who wanted to learn, East Berlin was not the worst place to be.

Did you take a piece of the wall to keep as a memento of the first 18 years of your life?

No, I was never interested in any kind of holy objects, like the relics of the Catholic Church. This was not important for me. I was happy when the city was reunited. I was an eyewitness of that magical night when people were dancing in the streets and on their cars at the Berlin Zoological Garden. I will never forget that. However, for my future and my professional career, I was really focused on my new chance to work across the entire country, which I then did. I have now been working for a long time in the western part of Germany, and that was only possible with the breaking down of the wall.

How would you describe the differences between the former East and West Germanys today, 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall?

Well, this is a very intellectual and political question, because if you look at the results of elections, we have quite different behaviour and different waves of interest between East

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After such a long time, more than 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we are still differentiating between East and West and West. I appreciate the East Germans a lot.

This is, of course, easy for me to say, as I am also an East German myself. I understand their mind and think they’re trying to save some of our traditions, which is not bad in my opinion.

At the moment, the East Germans seem more traditional to me than the West Germans.

But this question also points out one of Germany’s big problems, because after such a long time, more than 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we are still making this difference between East and West. It is now urgent for us to say that we are all German and that is it. It is really a political problem that we always have this divided system. We need to overcome this now.

You studied piano simultaneously, yet still became a conductor. Why? Orchestral music has always been more interesting for me than piano music. I’ve always been fascinated by the sound colours of the orchestra, and also a professional pianist has to practise like crazy. He is only happy when he is in a room with his instrument, a light and maybe a window, which to me seems like isolation, like a prison. By contrast, a conductor has got real people around him. He has the chance to communicate, to talk about music, to focus on people, to look at them, to feel them physically, to feel how they make music. It is an entirely different job. I would not like to live like a pianist. They pay a lifelong price for their practising in isolation. You also pay a high price as a conductor, but it is not as brutal.

As a student, which great conductor did you like and why? Who would you single out as the greatest today? What sets a great conductor apart from the rest?

As a child, and even now as an adult, I have admired Wilhelm Furtwängler the most, because he has been someone truly special in the

Photo Mladenović

FAMILY TIME

traditional German repertoire. His legendary recordings are always so spontaneous and fresh.

His influence on music and his instinct to create something in the concert have really been at the highest level. Of course, I also admire Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, who were universal conductors in a way. Both were very talented and very broad in their repertoires – fantastic in operas and also in symphonies.

Sergiu Celibidache was a Romanian who came to Germany and saved the Berlin Philharmonic after World War II, stepping up from student status to become chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. He was a genius! I observed him a lot in master-classes, concerts and rehearsals.

And, last but not least, I have to mention Carlos Kleiber, as every conductor all over the planet would probably do. Kleiber was the hidden genius of our business. He conducted only a few times, his repertoire was very small, but every concert and every opera performance by Kleiber was like a feast. They now look like perfect events: perfect conditions and a perfect result.

A good conductor has a strong personality that enables him to create something special with

A good conductor has a strong personality that enables him to create something special with the score, while at the same time being a servant of the music the score, while at the same time being a servant of the music. That’s what all those people did in a very brave and very compelling way, and this is the most important thing. And here comes the negative message: at present, I do not see any conductor – including myself – as being at the same level as those men.

It is safe to say today that the Belgrade Philharmonic has a significant place in your career.

What is it that makes it special compared to other places where you’ve worked, and still work today?

The Belgrade Philharmonic (BGF) and me, that’s a long story! I can’t tell you everything now,

because that would fill a book. But it is like in private life: sometimes you meet someone and immediately have a special feeling about them.

My adventure with the BGF started with the only time that I’ve been arrested, and that happened at the airport. Back in 2009, there were complicated travel regulations that I wasn’t familiar with, so I forgot my passport and was travelling only with my German ID card. I was therefore arrested and detained at Belgrade Airport for two hours. I will never forget that! After those two hours, they put me on the next flight back to Munich. Arriving in the middle of the night, I then had to make my way to Stuttgart, where I was living at the time, and then ,at 5am the next morning, I started the whole journey again – this time with my passport. I probably didn’t sleep at all that night.

The next day, we started rehearsing Mahler’s sixth symphony, which is a tremendously difficult piece that’s an hour and a half long. However, despite all the trouble and delays, the orchestra and I immediately had a great start, totally free and with good chemistry between us. Our first concert together was great! In 2017, I was announced as the Chief Conductor of the BGF. In the eight years between those two, I’d only been back to Belgrade three or four times, which is not that much, but it had always been a good week, a good combination of work and music, and I liked the audience and the orchestra.

I was slightly surprised when they made me their Chief Conductor, but I was also very glad, because I now have more opportunities to conduct this wonderful orchestra. We then started to work a lot, with many rehearsals and a new repertoire for the orchestra. The BGF is now an important chapter in my life, and it occupies a lot of time and focus every year, for the city and for the orchestra.

Apart from being pianists, what do you and Belgrade Philharmonic Director Ivan Tasovac have in common?

Ivan Tasovac is a special artist, because he has been the General Manager of the BGF for a long time. He studied piano in Moscow and still plays excellently, so I appreciate him very much as an artist and a colleague. He has brilliant ideas for the orchestra’s marketing situation, and for new concerts and concert programmes. I think he’s the most important reason the orchestra

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My life

Gabriel Feltz, Chief Conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra

Photo Đoković

technological difference. Let me try to describe this. In the West, including western Germany, the influence of industrial progress on society is more visible than it is in the East. The East is slower when it comes to industrial products, computer technology, social media and so on, because of the time prior to 1989 that we refer to as the Cold War. We can feel and observe that even 30 years later, but I think this is a good thing!

The intellectual level in Eastern Europe seems to have been very high in my eyes, and this has resulted in all these countries having brought forth a whole generation of brilliant musicians.

Just think of Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Mstislav Rostropovitch, Galina Vishnevskaya, David Oistrakh and many others. I could cite hundreds of names here!

WITH ZUBIN MEHTA

has become an absolute highlight for everyone in Belgrade. The entire population of the city know the orchestra. For me, he is a friend and a colleague, and we work very well together.

Have you ever experienced conducting in front of 30,000 people like you did at the Belgrade Philharmonic’s open-air concerts a few years ago?

The first open-air concert in 2017 had two conductors, Zubin Mehta and me. Of course, that was a totally memorable moment that I will never forget: working together with that world-class conductor and the orchestra being so motivated and brilliant. The year after, I conducted the concert alone, but there were again 30,000 people, or even more. And it is really special for a conductor to have all those people at your back.

Twenty years earlier, I conducted an open-air concert in Brazil with nearly 7,000 spectators, but Belgrade holds the record as the place with the most people in the audience.

You recorded your first joint CD with the Belgrade Philharmonic for German record label Dreyer Gaido, presenting your take on Reinhold Glière’s monumental symphony Ilya Muromets.

I’m proud that Glière’s work is on our first

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In the West, including western Germany, the influence of industrial progress on society is more visible than it is in the East joint release. This is a great chance for the orchestra, because the record label we’re recording for is excellently represented on both the American and Japanese markets.

Critics have already rated this CD very highly, and the recording of Glière’s symphony represents a great reinvigorating of the market.

You’ve conducted in the East and the West.

What would you say are the differences between that which is referred to as eastern and western music culture? Are those differences less pronounced today than they used to be?

For me, as a musician and as a private person who is interested in and observing society, I see a

Your favourite composer is Sergei Rachmaninoff. How would you explain to a layperson, and to a music enthusiast, why he is so special for one of the world’s leading conductors?

Firstly, I am not one of the world’s leading conductors, but thank you for the compliment.

Secondly, Rachmaninoff is not my favourite composer. I don’t have any favourite composers, because I try to conduct many different composers and the piece I’m working on at any given moment is then my favourite. Last week I conducted Bartók, so he was my personal god then. I tried to sneak into Bartók’s head, into his heart and brain, to understand more of him.

I’m fighting for Rachmaninoff because he was a total genius as a composer, as a pianist, and as a conductor. I love his music a lot, that is true, and we have too many judgements about his person, about his melodies. There is this prejudice saying that his music was second-class music. That’s what I don’t like and fight against. He is one of the greatest traditional Russian composers and he stands in the front row alongside Prokofiev, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky. His three symphonies are played much more often today than they were 20 or 30 years ago, and maybe this is also slightly due to my influence as a conductor. I’m really proud of that.

Stravinsky and Shostakovich met long ago in the U.S.. Shostakovich was a shy person, but he admired Stravinsky a lot. These two great composers couldn’t find a way to talk to each other. They were sitting there, but nothing happened. It was a wonderful chance for

Shostakovich, who was kind of “locked up” in the Soviet Union, to have a nice conversation with his Jewish American colleague, but both remained silent. They were like dogs, staring at each other. They agreed only in that one point that Puccini had written terrible music and that they both hated him. And even though I love and admire Shostakovich and Stravinsky a lot, I would have stood up and said: “Excuse me, gentlemen, you are totally wrong.” Like Rachmaninoff, Puccini is in the front row with all the great composers. And this is why I fight so passionately for Rachmaninoff and his music.

What do you remember as being the best critique of your work that has been spoken and/or written?

I remember one moment after a concert in Osaka ( Japan) in 2017. The programme consisted of the Symphonies No. 4 and No. 8 (“The Unfinished”) by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss’s “Last Four Songs” and “Death and Transfiguration”. I had proposed this programme to the Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra and the concert proved very successful. Of course, the “Unfinished” by Schubert is one of the most popular pieces in the classical repertoire, which makes it difficult to turn into a special and genuinely touching performance. The piece is not difficult to play for the orchestra, but I worked towards finding that sensitive ghost of Schubert’s “dream soul”, to gain a more intimate feeling and an insight into his rather mysterious personality. After the concert, a Japanese viola player who’d been working on solo viola positions in German orchestras approached me. She had been listening to the symphony – which she herself must have played about 80 to 100 times – and said: “I was crying because of how you interpreted this symphony”.

That was something really true and naturally convincing, so I took that as a real compliment.

The COVID pandemic has closed concert halls around the world. Still, do you think that musical life could be slowly returning to the stage? What did you do when you didn’t have concerts and weren’t conducting?

Of course, we are all hoping that concert life will soon return to the stage. We need that urgently! We need situations where people come together in person, not only for cultural events, but also in the beer gardens, in restaurants and

OPEN AIR BGF

I fight for Rachmaninoff because he was a total genius as a composer, as a pianist, and as a conductor.

I love his music a lot, that is true, and we have too many judgements about his person, about his melodies cafeterias, on the street, in the shops. Society is sick of isolation, of home offices and Zoom meetings. I don’t believe it would be a good future if we accepted all of this as our normal life and our normal way of communicating, because it makes a difference if someone is around you and you can look each other in the eyes or if you communicate through a screen.

The coronavirus pandemic is absolutely terrible and has damaged the section of culture as a whole, maybe even more than any other sector.

My thoughts really go to all the freelancers in music and in the arts, because in this regard I really can’t complain at all. That would be totally unfair, because I’m in a fixed payment situation and can work with both of my orchestras (the Belgrade and Dortmund philharmonics) and have even had some guest engagements. The 2020/21 season has been almost a regular season for me.

I’ve so far conducted at least 38 concerts and two opera productions, which at the moment seems like heaven for a conductor. I believe that many colleagues are jealous of this – at least I would be if I were a freelance conductor and had to sit at home. I’m not talking about this in this interview to make people feel jealous, but rather to express how grateful I am and how well I understand the situation of many of my colleagues.

In the time when I was frustrated by the coronavirus, because I couldn’t travel as usual or do the things I like to do, but rather was locked in my home, I - like most people - discovered that sports and physical activities helped the soul to overcome distress and handle frustration regarding the whole situation. But, again, my situation really was a good one.

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Sport

Igor Kokoškov, Head Coach of Serbia’s national basketball team

I’m In Serbia Because Of

Emotions

Igor Kokoškov’s has had a unique path to success. He left the country that’s home to the biggest names in European coaching to study in America. Of course, there were plenty of people to learn from there too, although the approach to basketball is completely different.

He worked with the younger categories of OKK Belgrade, only to become the coach of the first team in 1995 and the first coach from this region to work in the NBA in 1999.

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By Darko Plavšić

B

orn in Banatski Brestovac 49 years ago, a serious car accident quickly ended Kokoškov’s playing career, which led him to start coaching when he was only 21. He entered the history books as the youngest strategist in the history of elite competition in Yugoslavia. He spent the following season working with the younger categories of Partizan, then later headed to the U.S. for professional training. Ambitious and hardworking, in 1999 he became an assistant coach at the University of Missouri, and by 2000 he had already joined the professional coaching staff of the Los Angeles Clippers. He has broken records throughout his career as the youngest coach to achieve things, and all his work in America was crowned with a job at the Phoenix Suns, which saw him become the first coach not born in the U.S. to lead an NBA team. He won an NBA title in 2004, as a member of the Pistons’ professional coaching staff, but it was actually in Europe that he achieved the greatest success of his career so far, winning the title of European champion with Slovenia in 2017, and by beating none other than Serbia in the final. Prior that, his achievements as the head coach of Georgia led to him being decorated by the country’s president. He became the head coach of Serbia’s national in 2019, while he has also been the coach of Fenerbahce since 2020.

Everything that he’s gone through in his career prompts the question of whether Kokoškov is more of a European coach or an American one.

“It’s a specific situation, as Americans mention that I was born in Serbia and in Europe they note that I am a student of America. I could conclude that no one wants me,” he says with a smile. “However, we must admit that the centre of events for basketball is the NBA and that I spent most of my career in America”.

What was the crucial factor in you returning to Europe and taking over the helm at Fenerbahce?

- Sporting motives and challenges were key. After the season at Phoenix Suns, I

Leading players can be compared to raising children. You have to know when yelling will yield the proper result, when it will, in a sporting sense, contribute to victory.

Players must recognise that the coach knows what he’s doing and how he will lead them to victory was in the professional coaching staff of the Sacramento Kings and those were excellent experiences. However, an opportunity arose to lead one of the clubs in the Euroleague and I decided to accept it. Of course, that doesn’t mean my NBA story is over. My life is in America. Fenerbahce is a big club, and therefore also a challenge. Basketball is now too globalised for us to separate Europe and America. When I was reaching agreement with the people from Fenerbahce, I didn’t have any special conditions or request a special budget. I knew there would be less money to bring in players than there’d been before, but I simply accepted the job. I didn’t seek anything special for myself, especially

because I’m also under contract with the Phoenix Suns. By working in parallel as a coach and selector, I reached the situation where I haven’t had any kind of break for 12 years. I was aware of that when I arrived in Turkey, but I like that kind of challenge. Željko Obradović achieved great results in Istanbul. He’s a great coach and a friend of mine. I was his assistant with the national team. And he was always one of the people I consulted with when making important decisions. I also spent one summer as his guest at Fenerbahce. That’s when I met the people who run the club, which is a phenomenal organisation.

How much do coaching in the U.S. and Europe differ?

- I’ve learned something from every coach with whom I’ve worked. Plenty of things are different, even the duration of matches, time outs. One has to adapt, but also to be true to oneself, which is the most important factor.

The greatest Serbian coaches have mostly been strict. They also distinguished themselves with the authority of their knowledge, but also their stormy temperament.

However, when watching Igor Kokoškov one doesn’t get the impression that he’s excessively strict and overbearing. Does Kokoškov ever yell at his players?

“The essence doesn’t lie in yelling. Serbian coaches are great not because players 200th Jubilee Edition

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Sport

Igor Kokoškov, Head Coach of Serbia’s national basketball team

feared them, but because they knew a lot about basketball. Now everything has become public, the cameras are constantly switched on. Basketball is changing as a sport. A man must be what he is, to be true to himself. I’m not a coach who will put on a show courtside. The role of a coach is different now. We Serbs had a professional approach to this sport even under amateur conditions. That’s why we started recording top results early on. However, behaviour isn’t the essence, rather that is knowledge and approach. When you apply for a job at an NBA club, one of the main questions posed relates to the kind of access you will have to the players. You have to know how to get the best out of them, how you will ultimately win games. The behavior of the coach when he’s next to the bench is analysed a lot here. And then my grandfather Veljko, who doesn’t know much about basketball, can consider that someone is a great coach 68

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doing and how he will lead them to victory.

In these lands we have an instinct for functioning under difficult conditions, we are shrewd in that sense.

However, in these qualifying windows we’ve used lots of different players and tactics; we had to constantly change and adapt just because he yells at his players. Leading players can be compared to raising children.

You have to know when yelling will yield the proper result, when it will, in a sporting sense, contribute to victory. Players must recognise that the coach knows what he’s

Winning the title of European champions with Slovenia’s national team was an incredible success. How difficult was it to create a team that would be led on the court by the experienced Goran Dragić and young star Luka Dončić?

- That progresses gradually and is resolved by attitude, ie. one’s relationship towards people - if you show respect, you will receive respect in return. I always say that a team is based on the players, and the coach is there to make decisions. I was very open with the players. We worked hard and thus created a healthy relationship and communication.

There were no problems whatsoever in the respect, but it isn’t all down to the coach, rather a lot of it is about the players and their character - our best basketball players show their true human virtues, and when a captain is like that the other guys must

follow his example. I’ve known Goran since he was a kid playing his rookie season in the NBA, and now he’s a veteran. His quality as a player is obvious to everyone, but it is his personality that additionally impresses - he is an ordinary guy, he doesn’t make himself out to be a star, but rather behaves like part of the team, is pleasant to communicate with and never forgets where he comes from and where he started out. Money and fame haven’t changed him at all and I have great respect for him.

There are also different forms of motivation - it is one thing when a player performs for a club that pays him, and quite another when that’s a national based on good will and which you cannot be forced to represent.

That’s why I emphasise that it is the players that made my job easier, because I was able to deal only with basketball issues and didn’t have to be a police officer controlling them. I always reminded them that the freedom they’d been given demanded a certain responsibility, as well as to always keep in mind why we’d come together and what our goal was. They understood me in the right way.

How did you feel when you first led Serbia’s national team and how tough was the new beginning?

- My only motive for taking over the national team was emotion. Affirmation and money were absolutely irrelevant. I was born in Serbia and want to help get the best out of the talented players we have as much as I can. They are the most important; the coach needs only to recognise what occurs and influence their progress positively. The situation is very complex. It was difficult enough with relations between FIBA and the Euroleague, and then the Coronavirus pandemic appeared. We’ve been living under abnormal conditions to which we have to adapt for a year and a half now. In these lands we have an instinct for functioning under difficult conditions, we are shrewd in that sense. However, in these qualifying windows we’ve used lots of different players and tactics; we had to constantly change and adapt. We aren’t complaining about that. It’s good that we have a large number of high-quality play-

ers. However, it’s a real tragedy that last year’s gathering of the national team on Kopaonik was cancelled. The players were focused on coming, to qualify for the Olympic Games, which represent the peak of every athlete’s career, to achieve a result there. That was all postponed for a year. The federation certainly wanted the players to gather, for the list of players to be broader, to work on the cult

My wish is for everyone to play to the best of their abilities, but at this moment it’s difficult to say what the line-up will be like. I’m in contact with all the players and they have a desire to come. The indications are good, but we still don’t know how the finals of the club seasons will play out of the national team. That ultimately didn’t happen due to the epidemiological risks, but I was personally pleased by the exceptional response of the players.

Vasilije Micić and Vladmir Lučić were selected in the Euroleague’s fab five, while Nikola Jokić is set to become the NBA league’s season MVP and there are many more Serbian players who are in exceptional form. Serbia’s national team is expected to qualify in Belgrade for the Olympic Games, and later probably the big challenge in Tokyo. Will the national team have its strongest line-up during the summer?

- I would firstly like to congratulate the players for everything they’re achieving this season. There are many of them who’ve imposed themselves with their consistent performance. It is very important that they have a good club season. My wish is for everyone to play to the best of their abilities, but at this moment it’s difficult to say what the line-up will be like. I’m in contact with all the players and they have a desire to come. The indications are good, but we still don’t know how the finals of the club seasons will play out. I don’t want to put pressure on them by insisting that they have to come and play for the national team. Many of them will be in awkward positions, as this competitive year has been specific and particularly tough. Individuals will potentially have no break at all. There are no more preparations for the national team, only the gathering. There is very little time, and there’s no more going to Kopaonik for two months and creating a game and form. It all comes down to adapting to the players you have at your disposal. It is crucial that basketball players aren’t pressured or blackmailed into joining the national team.

What are your ambitions in this Olympic year?

- It would be irresponsible to promise something now without knowing who will be in the line-up. We want to make a team, and every game is important because of selfconfidence. We naturally want to achieve a great result, and I’m not fleeing from those kinds of responsibilities. However, let’s wait and see which of the players will be able to be in the line-up this summer. We have such players that the arrival of one can change absolutely everything.

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CHILL OUT Friends: The Reunion They proved to be the best of friends then and now. And the recently released Friends: The Reunion official trailer showed the unbreakable bond between the cast as they reminisced on the iconic show ahead of HBO Max special. The opening scene was certainly familiar as Jennifer Aniston joined Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc on their old couch for an updated trivia game with David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matthew Perry.

It was reported in April that the reunion special was filmed over three days, with a live audience participating in the reunion. A host of celebrities are set to join the cast in some capacity with guest stars including: Justin Bieber, Cindy Crawford, Lady Gaga and David Beckham. Cara Delevingne, Tom Selleck, BTS, Kit Harington, Mindy Kaling and Malala Yousafzai are also slated to appear on the reunion. The HBO Max special debuts on 27 May.

Glastonbury Festival To Return In September A limited Glastonbury Festival will return in September with up to 50,000 people able to enjoy a special one-off event at Worthy Farm. Organisers were forced to cancel plans for the long-awaited five-day festival in June due to the Covid pandemic, which also saw the 2020 event axed. The licence allows for the Pyramid stage to be used on a maximum of ‘two consecutive nights’, with live music permitted between 4pm and 11pm. However, the one-off event will not have provisions for on-site camping for the 40,000 fans and 10,000 staff who could be in attendance.

The news will be welcomed by thousands of eager festival-goers who have been unable to return to Worthy Farm since 2019.

Princess Beatrice Reveals Pregnancy On The Sussexes’ Third Wedding Anniversary Princess Beatrice revealed that she is pregnant with her first child on the Sussexes’ third wedding anniversary - after the couple allegedly angered the Yorks by announcing they were expecting at Princess Eugenie’s wedding.

The Queen’s granddaughter, 32, who tied the knot with Italian property developer Edo Mapelli Mozzi on 17 July last year, are expecting the baby in autumn 2021, Buckingham Palace announced this morning.

The Queen and both families are said to be ‘delighted’ with the news, which will have brought much joy to the monarch who is mourning the loss of her husband Prince Philip, who died last month aged 99.

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ITALY WINS 65TH EUROVISION SONG CONTEST Italian EBU Member RAI has won the 65th Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Zitti e buoni” performed by Måneskin.

26 countries took part in the Grand Final of the world’s largest live music event, hosted by Dutch EBU Members NPO, NOS and AVROTROS on 22 May in Rotterdam.

Måneskin wrote the winning song which finished the night with 524 points, 25 points ahead of 2nd placed France represented by Barbara Pravi singing “Voila”. Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears with “Tout l’Univers” finished in third place.

Michael Kors Celebrates 40 Years In Fashion American designer Michael Kors paid tribute to Broadway in his 40th anniversary show, with a collection that celebrated a night out in the New York theatre district.

Kors’ presentation began with the designer greeting fashionistas from Times Square, whereas an avid theatre fan he spoke about the hit Broadway has taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pentagon Thinks UFOs May Exist The US government now admits the existence of UFOs, but many in the media, in science and in public life refuse to take the issue seriously. UFOs are real – and we have videos to prove it. It’s an extraordinary claim, but that’s precisely what the Pentagon told the world.

The US Department Of Defense (DoD) released three videos, one from 2004, two from 2015, shot from the targeting cameras of US Navy Super Hornet fighter jets. They show close encounters with fast-moving, strange-looking objects and include audio of the pilots’ astonishment. The footage had previously leaked to media organisations, but now the government was putting it on the record.

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Spring Cocktails Season

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The most beautiful time of year is here again, and we've got you covered if you're wondering what to wear! Here are some options:

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1. Saman Amel - Eur 1,850 | 2. Suitsupply - Eur 730 | 3. Kingsman - Eur 2,050 | 4. Paul Smith - Eur 110 | 5. Ray Ban - Eur 120 | 6. Brioni - Eur 750 | 7. Giorgio Armani - Eur 190 | 8. Dunhill - Eur 580

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9. Rejina Pyo - Eur 319 | 10. Rixo - Eur 249 | 11. Manolo Blahnik - Eur 590 | 12. Zimmermann - Eur 1.522 | 13. Paco Rabanne - Eur 928 | 14. Gianvito Rossi - Eur 819 | 15. Suzanne Kalan - Eur 1,311 | 16. Chloe - Eur 2,525 | 17. Zadig & Voltaire - Eur 295 | 18. Mark Cross - Eur 980 | 19. Needle & Thread - Eur 450 | 20. Ray Ban - Eur 143

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Culture

calendar

ArtLink Festival

15 June – 11 September ArtLink Festival through musical performances and synergy with cultural heritage and nature, together with the most talented artists from Serbia and the Region, and guests from around the world, presents the unique art

festival concept – “Festival Cities & Artists for Nature” in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Golubac and Pirot. The artistic concept of a festival city dedicated to nature, with the aim of involving artists, community, institutions and business at the local level, in order to raise awareness of the importance and value of the protection of the nature. Art dialogues inspired by cultural heritage and nature, new music ensembles, innovative outdoor visual art presentations, creative workshops, campaigns and performances under the motto – “Artists for Nature”, will take place in four cities and live.

The Festival will be opened on June 15 at Belgrade fortress with the performance of the Radio Symphony orchestra of Serbia, and will present the artists from Italy, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France and the Western Balkan region, promoting Serbian and European cultural heritage.

Guitar Art Festival 1-5 June

Guitar Art Festival and Belgrade Youth Center present the 22nd edition of the International Guitar Festival, which will be held from 1 to 5 June 2021, under the slogan “Digital Revolution”.

Belgrade sends a signal and celebrates the guitar through 8 concerts of classical, pop and rock music and other accompanying program of the festival.

The long-awaited concert of the popular guitar supergroup “40 Fingers” opens the Guitar Art Festival on 1 June in Kombank Hall.

The celebrated guitarist Vlatko Stefanovski is a regular guest and part of the Guitar Art Festival.

This time, at the concert on 3 June in the big hall of the Belgrade Youth Center, he will be joined by a special guest, Vukasin Markovic, a singer and trombonist, with whom he will perform popular guitar songs in special arrangements.

More www.gaf.rs

Zemlja gruva Concert 5 June – Club Fest

Zemlja Gruva is a nine-member Belgrade pop band, recognizable by its specific sound and image, strong wind section and three vocal soloists with different expressions: Zoe Kida, Konstrakta and MC Milovan. The music genre is a fusion of directions, from soul to reggae sound, in an authentic musical concept. They have performed at almost all relevant festivals in the region, and as a pre-band of big world stars such as Amy Winehouse, Cee Lo Green, Nouvelle Vague.

Behind the Land of the Grove has two albums “WTF is Groveland!” And “What do you really want!”, As well as the project “Dino in the Land of the Grove”, which was conceived as a homage to the great author from this area.

International Oboe Fest 23-26 June

One of the guest performers of the 4th Oboe Festival in Belgrade is Jerome Guichard. Jerome is one of the world’s oboist artists, an artist at Marigaux and a professor at the National Conservatory of Music in Lyon. He has performed with prestigious names such as Jean-Pierre Rampal and Pierre Pierlo. He has performed as a soloist with the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Minsk Symphony Orchestra. He regularly performs as a guest in the orchestra of the Opera of Lyon and the Opera of the Bastille in Paris, the National Orchestra of France, the WDR Orchestra of Cologne, under the direction of conductors such as Lorin Mazel, Valery Gergiev, Pierre Boulez, Semion Bichkov, Kent Nagano...

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&FACES PLACES 29/04/2021

JBAS Continues Its Activities Supporting Japanese Investors In Serbia In April, Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia intensified its regular activities of supporting Japanese investors in Serbia and promoting Serbia as an investment destination. Japanese companies in Serbia as employers enjoy favorable perception in the local market, taking into account their long-term operations, reliability of their projects, observance of obligations to employees and investments in their career development, it was concluded at the panel “What Makes Serbia an Attractive Destination for Foreign (Japanese) Investors?”.

09/05/2021

Official Reception For Europe Day Held Representatives of the state leadership, various institutions, civil society and the diplomatic corps attended the official celebration of Europe Day, which was held in the Assembly of the City of Belgrade.

The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, H.E. Sem Fabrizi, said that the pandemic did not shift the focus of the EU from the region of the Western Balkans, and that the EU stands firmly on the fact that Serbia’s future is in the EU. He pointed out that Serbia, together with the EU, was in solidarity in various crises and called for joint construction of the future in which, as he said, we should count on each other.

President Vučić and Ambassador Fabrizi uncovered the art installation “Growth”, inspired by European values of dignity, democracy, equality, rule of law and solidarity, and its environmental aspect is reflected in the use of biodegradable materials and a positive impact on the immediate environment.

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11/05/2021

International Women’s Club General Assembly On 11 May, the International Women’s Club Belgrade held its yearly General Assembly business meeting at the residence of the Swedish ambassador to Serbia.

It was a large gathering with a meet & greet portion followed by a presentation of the past year’s club business, including charity actions.

Outgoing president (Milica Lundin, Sweden) and outgoing vice president (Christina Czettl, Austria) welcomed the new IWC president (Sonia Shehryar, Pakistan) and vice president (Myriam Laroche, Canada).

17/05/2021

Foundation Stone For “Buk-Bijela” New Beginning In Relations Between Serbia And Republika Srpska Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today in Foca, during the laying of the foundation stone for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant “Buk Bijela”, that this event is a new beginning in relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska and the whole region. Brnabic assessed that “Buk Bijela” is just one element in the mosaic of our relations and a project that opens many other doors. “It is a strategic project that gives us energy and courage to dream much bigger dreams. This is a new beginning in the relations between Serbia and Srpska, but also in the entire region. It is in the interest of future generations who will use this hydroelectric power plant, who will not know the borders for people, capital and projects, who will stay here to live”, Brnabic said.

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&FACES PLACES

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17/05/2021

Marking IDAHOT In Serbia: Art Promoting Diversity The joint EU-CoE event was organised on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) at the Centre for Cultural Decontamination.

The event included panel discussion on how art can promote diversity, screening of short films on queer arts and intersex persons, photo exhibition on gender non-conformity prepared by NGO Group ‘’Come Out’’, as well as a performance by queer activist Aleks Zain.

Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia explained that the values embedded in the first ever LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 adopted by the EU in November 2020 will be reflected in the EU’s activities in Serbia.

19/05/2021

20 Years Of The Council Of Europe Office In Belgrade The Council of Europe’s bodies, its Conventions and monitoring mechanisms provide excellent assistance for member states by facilitating international cooperation and the exchange of best practices on the promotion of equality and diversity. The Council of Europe Office in Belgrade is an excellent example and can proudly look back at 20 years of dedicated work. This has been highlighted in today’s event organised on the occasion of marking 20 years of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade.

19/05/2021

Ceremony Of Establishment Of Special Section On Egypt At The National Library Of Serbia The Egyptian ambassador in Belgrade, H.E. Amr Aljowaily, gave the opening speech at ceremony of establishing an Egyptian book section in the National Library of Serbia, by donating 50 books published by the General Egyptian Book Organization on the topics of modern history of Egypt, especially the 1919 revolution, the nationalization of the Suez Canal and the contributions of the late Dean of Arabic literature, Taha Hussein, as a follow-up to participation of Egypt as a guest of honor at the Belgrade International Book Fair in 2019.

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FROM THE AMBASSADOR’S DESK

Explore Aphrodite's Island With The Cypriot Ambassador

H.E. DEMETRIOS A. THEOPHYLACTOU, Ambassador Of Cyprus To Serbia

There are just a handful of places on the planet that offer travellers such a wide diversity of opportunities. The Mediterranean has myriad islands, but only one that's called home by Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love 2

Business Partner - Cyprus 2021

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ituated at the crossroads of ancient civilisations, encompassing an area of 9,000 square kilometres and characterised by 9,000 years of culture and 11,000 years of history, Cyprus is the right island for the special interest traveller, but also the adventurous holidaymaker. It is a place to explore and discover unique leisure opportunities, to enjoy wonderful experiences and be tempted to try something

new. With the favourable Mediterranean climate adding to the pleasure, Cyprus is the ideal destination throughout the year.

With its rich history as an anchor, Cyprus is also a thriving modern nation with a service economy that’s second to none across the whole region. Moreover, the Cypriot people, who are worldly and warm, are only too happy to share the beauty and charm of their island with visitors. Travellers can choose from an attractive range of

accommodation, such as luxurious hotels with both local flavour and the highest international standards, quality tourist villas, agro tourism options and more.

The island is surprisingly compact and easy to explore. Between rugged mountain peaks and the shimmering coast, the special interest tourist will traverse pristine landscapes and rolling hills adorned with vineyards. Linger in idyllic villages, where the rhythm slows and there’s always time for another coffee. All across Cyprus you’ll have the opportunity to experience a distinctive cuisine composed of meze, small plates of everything from flame-grilled, delicately spicedmeatstofreshvegetablesandamazing cheeses, such as the famous halloumi (the savoury sheep’s cheese that can be grilled).

Whatever tempo you desire or special interest you have, Cyprus is uniquely poised to welcome you. Our beaches are not only beautiful, but also certified as being among the cleanest in Europe. And just a short drive from the crystal clear waters of our coast are the pine-clad Troodos Mountains, where wild mouflons roam and cedars grow, and gem-like churches and monasteries are replete with unrivalled Byzantine frescoes and icons. The Serbian traveller, in particular, will feel at home, as Cyprus is an ethereal and blessed land, with an impressive number of religious monuments that tell the story of the island’s path to Christianity. Beautiful Orthodox churches and monasteries, rooted in the strong Christian tradition, blend wonderfully with the island’s natural beauty, offering a unique experience to enjoy.

Cyprus is also a haven for lovers of archaeology. Indeed, it is an endless source of fascination for archaeology enthusiasts.

With Neolithic settlements that date back more than 11,000 years old, spectacular Greco-Roman ruins, such as the ancient theatre of Kourion, and medieval fortresses such as Kolossi, the list of treasures is endless and also includes the mysterious Tombs of the Kings, villas with colourful mosaic floors that are extensive and well-preserved. The island is studded with ancient Greek and Roman ruins, as well as sites dating back to the Neolithic period.

The Roman period of the Bronze Age and the Byzantine period are both particularly well represented on the island.

There is certainly more to Cyprus than cultural treasures, however. Its natural landscapes and sunny climate provide the ideal setting for nature trails, adventure sports, cycling and mountain biking, bird-watching,

With Neolithic settlements that date back more than 11,000 years old, spectacular Greco-Roman ruins, such as the ancient theatre of Kourion, and medieval fortresses such as Kolossi, the list of treasures is endless and also includes the mysterious Tombs of the Kings, villas with colourful mosaic floors that are extensive and well-preserved

hiking, rock climbing, underwater exploration and more. Set in the azure waters of the eastern Mediterranean, Aphrodite’s island is ready to welcome you regardless of the reason you’ve travelled here.

With this brief introduction, I would like to welcome you to the beautiful island of Cyprus, with its unparalleled history and culture, influenced by numerous civilisations and offering a unique mosaic of tastes to the special interest traveller. On the following pages, I will enable you to discover Cyprus and learn more about its natural beauty and archaeological treasures, while I will let you tailor your visit by selecting the interests and experiences that best suit you. Most importantly, I will let you choose your preferences, the time of year you would like to visit, and even your budget, by selecting among the ample opportunities on offer to experience something new, educational and exciting.

Kolossi Medieval Castle Business Partner - Cyprus 2021

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HISTORY AND CULTURE

Ancient Roots Of World Heritage Cyprus has a long history and a rich culture, making it one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean – as evidenced by the many fascinating cultural sights, museums, monuments and galleries

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his island’s unique geographic position has inevitably played an important part in its turbulent past, dating back to antiquity. Its prehistoric inhabitants were joined 3,500 years ago

by Mycenaean Greeks, who introduced and established their own civilisation, thus permanently instilling the island’s Greek roots.

Many other cultures followed, including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British.

The island is a veritable open-air museum of prehistoric settlements, classical

Greek temples, Roman theatres and villas, Early Christian basilicas, Byzantine churches and monasteries, Crusader castles, Gothic cathedrals, Venetian fortifications, Muslim mosques and British colonial-style buildings, yet it has also managed to preserve its picturesque villages. UNESCO has added three of the island’s sites to its list of World Heritage Sites, including the painted churches in the Troodos region, Aphrodite’s legendary birthplace in Paphos and the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia.

Kourion theatre

UNESCO has added three of the island's sites to its list of World Heritage Sites, including the painted churches in the Troodos region, Aphrodite's legendary birthplace in Paphos and the Neolithic settlement of Choirokoitia 4

Business Partner - Cyprus 2021

ECCLESIASTICAL TOURISM AND CULTURE

Orthodox Brethren Celebrate The Island Of Saints From both an historical and a religious perspective, Cyprus is the island of beauty. According to Greek mythology, it was here that Aphrodite was born, while the island was chosen to be the first place to receive the great message of the new faith upon the advent of Christianity

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erbian travellers have a special sentiment when it comes to Cyprus, as it is an ethereal and blessed land, with an impressive number of religious monuments, including beautiful Greek Orthodox monasteries that tell the story of the island’s path to Christianity. The Orthodox connection between Serbia and Cyprus is strong, with common religious and historical roots linking, for example,Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos (Agio Oros) with Saint Sava or Serbia. Indeed, the connection of spiritual cultural heritage between Hilandar Monastery and Vatopedi Monastery is ever-present. With this in mind, it is no coincidence, from both an historical and a religious perspective, that Cyprus is the island of beauty. According to Greek mythology, it was here that Aphrodite was born, while the island was chosen to be the first place to receive the great message of the new faith upon the advent of Christianity.

The island became the gateway through which the message of the Gospels spread the length and breadth of the Ecumene.

The first mission of the apostles Paul and Barnabas (the latter of Cypriot descent) occurred here, in accordance with the will and wish of God: “...being sent forth by the

Agios Lazaros Church, Larnaka

The island became the gateway through which the message of the Gospels spread the length and breadth of the Ecumene. The first mission of the apostles Paul and Barnabas (the latter of Cypriot descent) occurred here, in accordance with the will and wish of God: “...being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4) Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 12, 4).

This divine ‘choice’ – simultaneously a decoration and an endowment for the country – is expressed through the many monuments dedicated to prayer and devotion, but also through the plethora of holy

men connected with this saintly island, thus endowing it with the expression ‘Cyprus the island of saints’. Discover the churches, chapels and monasteries of the island that are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and immerse yourself in their journey of faith, history and culture.

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HAVEN OF SPECIAL INTERESTS

From Hiking And Cycling To Wine And Medicine Naturally, the island's coast is home to an abundance of yachting and cruising activities, where private yachts are available to hire, either with or without a crew. Scuba diving, along with sailing courses and diving schools with qualified instructors, make for a great active holiday, even offering the possibility of earning certified qualifications. All of these activities, alongside the ever-popular waterskiing, surfboarding and paragliding, truly enrich the mosaic of leisure activities available on the island

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alking along the island’s numerous beautiful nature trails is extremely popular, as are horse riding and cycling holidays, with a clutch of riding schools offering lessons and supervised riding along the coast and in the countryside. Those who enjoy nature trails may join like-minded

visitors or locals in observing the flora and fauna of Cyprus or attending guided bird watching sessions, with the option of finding accommodation in rural agro tourism lodges in the tranquillity of the villages.

There are also popular tours of the wineries situated along the island’s Wine Routes in the winemaking areas, where

Cyprus boasts more than 80 private hospitals, with highly qualified medical teams catering to all specialities, from general surgery to plastic surgery, cardiology, paediatrics and more 6

Business Partner - Cyprus 2021

visitors can learn about winemaking processes and sample some of the excellent produce. There are many small regional wineries producing award-winning wines, not to mention Commandaria, the honey sweet wine that’s been produced in Cyprus for hundreds of years and is well worth sampling.

Visitors interested in archaeological sites will find lots to explore throughout the island, as well as many ancient monasteries and churches. Those interested in the study of the fascinating geology of Cyprus won’t be disappointed either. Cyprus was once a centre of copper mining, from which the island is thought to have derived its name. Interest in mining for copper ore has been revived in recent times, with the introduction of modern extraction methods.

The flourishing medical tourism industry is also particularly interesting. Cyprus boasts more than 80 private hospitals, with highly qualified medical teams catering to all specialities, from general surgery to plastic surgery, cardiology, paediatrics and more. Private dentistry, which is provided by over 700 dentists, is often cheaper than in most northern countries.

Here golfers can find a year-round destination to enjoy their sport, with a high standard of courses and accommodation available. The increasing interest in this sector has been remarkable. Without any exaggeration, there really is something for everyone in Cyprus, throughout the year.

CONFERENCES & INCENTIVES

Bridging Continents, Connecting Nations Cyprus is an ideal destination for meetings, conferences, conventions and exhibitions, due to its ideal position in the Mediterranean and, mainly, because of the excellent facilities and services offered

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bridge between three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – Cyprus attracts thousands of businesspeople from around the world, who come to combine business and pleasure. It is a preferred MICE travel destination for executives who prefer the island among other competitive destinations, primarily because of its high safety standards and excellent quality of life. As a member of the European Union since 2004, and with the euro as its currency, Cyprus enjoys political, social and economic

stability. Low crime rates and excellent relations with partner EU Member States, but equally with neighbouring countries and other nations around the world, have all contributed to creating a safe, peaceful and trustworthy business environment.

The numerous destination management companies (DMCs) operating on the island, as well as professional conference organisers (PCOs), flanked by highly qualified, experienced, efficient and multilingual staff,

relevant code of ethics set by the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism.

As one of the world’s most ancient civilisations, the island combines business and culture with many other attractions and activities, such as gastronomy, entertainment, relaxing in a “cosy” atmosphere, beautiful scenery, vibrant lifestyles and amazing hospitality, with an authentic touch that ensures an unforgettable experience.

The Cyprus Convention Bureau (CCB) is

The numerous destination management companies (DMCs) operating on the island, as well as professional conference organisers (PCOs), flanked by highly qualified, experienced, efficient and multilingual staff, offer professional services and guidance for all business needs offer professional services and guidance for all business needs. The professionalism and expertise of these companies are guaranteed through strict criteria pertaining to the quality of the services provided and the

always ready to assist with the organising of meetings, incentive trips, conferences, conventions and exhibitions, offering an attractive programme of grants, benefits and support.

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SPORT

From The Right Preparation To The Perfect Performance Training hard doesn’t mean that professional sports people or amateur athletes have to train in harsh conditions. There is no better motivation to inspire athletes for an upcoming season or event than to practise and prepare for the sport that one loves on an island where a pleasant climate is combined with beautiful Mediterranean surroundings, not to mention first-rate amenities

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large number of athletes and teams from all over the world, such as European football squads, including from Serbia, Olympic hopefuls, seasoned medallists and endurance athletes all give themselves a competitive advantage by choosing Cyprus for their preparation, thanks to a winning formula of services.

The most attractive reasons to choose the island are its guaranteed daily sunshine, mild winter temperatures and minimal rainfall. This is further enhanced and complemented by a host of other benefits. Also combining to ensure that training is efficient and rewarding are state-of-the-art training facilities, sports medicine, accommodation for all budgets, professional support, easy access from most European countries, a reliable communications and telecommunications network, low crime rates and

an enviable standard of living. And one can simultaneously enjoy the rewards of everything offered by the island.

DIVING Blessed with all the elements that comprise a diver’s paradise, Cyprus attracts visitors from all over the world thanks to its favourable weather conditions, top-ranking wrecks, diverse marine life and, naturally, because the island boasts more than 70 diving sites. A range of wrecks, spectacular underwater caves and tunnels, and interesting paths await exploration – always with the promise of discovering something unique, from the remains of ancient amphora and stone anchors, to the exotic residents of this underwater world. And whilst the coastal reefs of the island range from natural to artificial, both share the same characteristics, acting as areas of

reproduction, growth, feeding and a refuge for a multitude of marine organisms.

Teeming with a wide variety of colourful fish, sponges, coral, sea anemones, octopi, musselsandseaurchin,thewatersoftheisland are abundant with life, while shy sea turtles can also be spotted regularly, along with the rarest Mediterranean seals. As such, whether you’re an experienced diver or are just trying the sport for the first time, Cyprus offers the ideal diving experience. And if you need a helping hand to locate an accredited dive school, the Cyprus Dive Centre Association lists all its members (cyprusdiving.org.cy).

CYCLING With perfect weather conditions, varied and challenging terrain and beautiful scenery, it is no wonder that Cyprus is a firm favourite for leisurely and competitive cycling throughout the year. Enthusiasts love the island’s rugged character, which can shift from rocky to clay, and steep to flat, all within a range of 10km. Whilst you enjoy the feeling of the balmy Mediterranean breeze through your hair, unlike other island destinations, Cyprus’s wonderful climate isn’t hampered by strong headwinds, ensuring it’s the ideal setting to explore by bike!The most popular months for cycling are in the spring, which is also the season that welcomes high-calibre cycling events. The events’ courses are designed in such a way as to suit the abilities of top elite riders, whilst also providing leisure cyclists with a fun and testing experience.The island is considered a top bicycle training destination,

as well as a cyclist’s dream environment, just for the sheer love of the sport. A number of bicycle centres offer a variety of professional services, such as bike rentals, tailored cycling tours and support.

Moreover, mountain biking competitions have been organised in Cyprus since the mid90s. Both local and international races are held

Cyprus is the new jewel of Europe for golfers seeking active breaks in the warmth of the eastern Mediterranean on the island, with the most famous being the “Afxentia Stage Race”, which became part of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup and later the Cyprus Sunshine Epic, in which the world’s top riders compete each year. Mountain biking is a yearround sport in Cyprus for both professional riders and those who ride as a hobby. The greatest benefit of mountain biking in Cyprus lies in the constant change of scenery that ensures it’s never boring. One can say that Cyprus is like a tiny continent for cycling; as

the Troodos mountain range is a veritable geological Mecca, and mountain bike is the perfect tool to discover why.

The Cyprus Cycling Federation (www. cypruscycling.com), as a member of the International Cycling Union (UCI), is the organiser of major events and other competitions throughout the year, whilst each town has its own dedicated cycling groups that always welcome visitors on their weekly rides. Cycling enthusiasts can just grab a map and get pedalling.

GOLF The allure of teeing off amidst stunning natural surroundings, along with the opportunity of enjoying golf all-year-round in a favourable Mediterranean climate, are just two of the factors that have seen Cyprus emerge as a leading golfing destination.

A booming tourist destination with year-round sunshine and year-round flight accessibility, Cyprus is the new jewel of Europe for golfers seeking active breaks in the warmth of the eastern Mediterranean.

Located in some of the most picturesque areas of the island, the select handful of courses have been praised for the way they are integrated into breathtaking natural landscapes of dramatic ravines, cliffs and sea vistas – backdrops that have been carefully utilised to enhance the game on each course.

The island’s various golf courses also host annual tournaments at both the national and international levels, as well as academies, clubhouses and other facilities.

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RURAL CYPRUS

Rural village, Alona

Journey Through Nature, History, and Culture With the beauty of nature’s best palette on display, the scenery of Cyprus unfolds across glittering coasts, rolling mountains, fragrant forests and rugged headlands

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rom the warm shores of the mainland to the unspoilt and cool oasis of the Troodos mountain range, nature lovers, artists, photographers and explorers will all delight in encountering shy creatures and discovering rare plants that peek out from behind waterfalls, coves, woodlands, winding trails and secluded sandy beaches in the Akamas Nature Park.

As the island is on the migratory path of birds travelling between Europe, Asia and Africa, Cyprus is a birdwatchers’ paradise, with flocks of flamingos frequenting the salt lakes and many other significant species passing through or nesting here. And deep in the forests, the national animal – the Mouflon – roams freely, and catching a glimpse of this timid, wild sheep is a real treat for locals and visitors alike.

With a favourable climate year-round, the great outdoors of this island are easily accessible and offer myriad opportunities

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to take a journey through nature, history and culture, thanks to the numerous signposted paths and nature trails. The rural trails highlight the beautiful landscapes and strong Mediterranean character of the island and when hiking them you will encounter a treasure trove of varied fauna and flora, as well as the remnants of the island’s mining heritage and other interesting monuments.

Cyprus has all the elements of a great location for hiking, but also mountain-biking, climbing and orienteering, thanks to its stunning rugged backdrops, complex rock formations and the quality, variety and diversity of its climbing routes (both traditional and sport). Wineries, farms open

painted churches, stunning scenery, forested mountain trails and a way of life that has hardly changed over the centuries.

The island of Cyprus may be relatively small, yet it has literally hundreds of villages, many of which are no more than a handful of houses clustered around a church, and a coffee-shop that also serves as the village grocery shop, post office and general meeting place. In the more remote parts of the island, these villages have remained virtually unchanged, although motorised transport has made them more accessible. Nonetheless, their older inhabitants still cling to the traditional lifestyle that basically revolves around the planting and harvesting seasons.

Just waiting to be discovered here are timeless villages, tiny and remote UNESCO-protected painted churches, stunning scenery, forested mountain trails and a way of life that has hardly changed over the centuries to visitors, local producers and markets, the workshops of craftsmen and artists are found along the Thematic Routes that run through the countryside, leading to a world of authentic experiences. This is a world apart from the tourist hotspots. Just waiting to be discovered here are timeless villages, tiny and remote UNESCO-protected

The Cyprus hinterland is a great place for botanists, artists, bird watchers, hikers, ramblers, anglers, cyclists, photographers and geologists. The greatest wealth of any country is its people, and whatever your interest or wherever you travel to Cyprus, you can always be sure that you will receive the warmest of welcomes.

Cypriot Cuisine

WINE ROUTES

The rich history of Cypriot wine has been alive and developing for something like 6,000 years.

Take any of the island's routes to experience Cypriot hospitality and be introduced to this island's world of wine. Visit any of the modern wineries operating on the island and sample their wines.

Agro tourism and other small units, taverns and restaurants with high modern standards are here to provide you with accommodation and the unique dishes of Cypriot cuisine. Go back in time by visiting restored traditional wine presses and museums that demonstrate the bygone life, culture and traditions of the rural population.

See the grape harvest, join traditional feasts and enjoy superb local wines in abundance.

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he ritual of sharing tasty, healthy, fresh local cuisine is an important part of the island’s culture, and is inextricably linked with every social event, from family gatherings and special occasions, to religious festivals – each marked with its own distinct delicacies and recipes. From hearty meat dishes and speciality cheeses, to unique desserts made of carob and grape, Cypriot cuisine is an exotic blend of Greek and Middle Eastern cultures, sprinkled with the remnants of ancient civilisations like indigenous Roman root vegetables or old Phoenician delicacies.

It is no secret that the ‘Mediterranean diet’ is considered to be amongst the world’s healthiest, thanks to its abundance of hearthealthy olive oil, pulses, lean meat, local herbs and freshly grown fruits and vegetables.

Add to this the favourable climate – that gives the fresh produce its intense flavour – and a celebration around every corner, complete with special treats, and visitors to the island will find a gastronomic adventure awaiting them.

From ancient wine and potent spirits, to strong coffee and refreshing concoctions, there is a traditional Cypriot beverage for every occasion. After all, the island’s richly flavoured cuisine would not be complete without one, and they are all accompanied by an interesting back-story or historical significance that embeds them firmly in the island’s culture. The island’s longstanding winemaking tradition dates back over 6,000 years and can lay claim to the world’s oldest wine still in production: the sweet dessert wine of Commandaria, whilst the over-

abundance of grapes are also put to good use to make the potent ‘firewater’ spirit of Zivania. In traditional coffee shops across the island, Cypriot coffee is brewed with skill and served in tiny demitasse cups, due to its strength; whilst today’s cold Frappe (iced coffee) is enjoyed at the island’s more modern hangouts.

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Blending History & Modernity

Apollo temple

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Business Partner - Cyprus 2021

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COMMENT

BUT DIFFERENT Between the two Slovenian presidencies of the Council of the European Union, the country maintained its position that EU enlargement to encompass the Western Balkans should be accelerated. While Serbia has seen little progress on the accession process in the meantime, it is good to know that bilateral relations between Slovenia and Serbia remained good.

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ince the first Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, in the first half of 2008, both the EU and Slovenia have changed profoundly. The then presidency was a test of the ability of a new member state to engage actively in EU politics, while for Europe it was the time when a difficult consensus on the Lisbon Treaty was finally reached. Although it was envisaged that the system of rotating presidencies would be abolished as of 1st January 2009, that never happened. What has changed, however, is the role of the country that's temporary at the helm. As Slovenian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Damjan Bergant puts it today, the role of the country that's leading the Council of the EU is more that of a coordinator than a decision maker. Decisions depend on all 27 member states and proposals made by the European Commission.

At the time of its first presidency, Slovenia’s role as a broker and mediator was focused on three issues: (1) the unbundling of the electricity markets; (2) achieving a negotiating mandate for the Commission on the long-postponed successor to the 1994 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the Russian Federation; and (3) achieving unity on the issue of Kosovo’s declaration of independence.

Now that Slovenia is embarking on its second presidency, it is fair to say that at least some of the topics have remained the same. Among them are the challenges of climate change

EDITOR IN CHIEF Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs PHOTOS Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

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PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs

BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

GENERAL MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs DIRECTOR Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

and energy policy in 2021, which were also high on the agenda in 2008. The future of the EU budget was an issue back then, while today the issue is a health crisis relief package. Then and now, the EU accession of the Western Balkans has the same priority of the Slovenian presidency.

“We want to continue the process of EU enlargement with countries in the region. In October, we are planning a summit at the level of heads of state and government dedicated to this region,” explained the Slovenian Government, as reported by the media.

There is one more thing that has stayed the same in the twelve years that have elapsed between the two Slovenian presidencies: good bilateral relations between Belgade and Ljubljana, with no open issues between the two countries and cooperation that is good.

Although the pandemic made a dent in bilateral trade, it wasn’t so significant. Trade between the two countries amounted to slightly less than 1.6 billion euros in 2020, representing a minimal decrease compared to 2019, when that figure was slightly higher.

It is expected that the improving of epidemiological conditions will enable businesses to make up for this temporary slowdown and embrace opportunities for cooperation between the two economies. Areas in which progress is expected include the sectors of information technology, agriculture, environmental protection and construction. ■

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica SLOVENIA 2021 Published by: alliance international media Prote Mateje 52, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fascimile: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs; office@cordmagazine.com

www.aim.rs; www.cordmagazine.com No 29 ISSN: 2560-4465

IMPRESSUM

All rights reserved alliance international media 2021 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by alliance international media

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INTERVIEW

Western Balkans

HIGH AMONG PRIORITIES H.E. DAMJAN BERGANT SLOVENIAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

It is true that there is still a lot of work ahead of us, especially for candidate countries. It is also true that there are different opinions and positions among EU Member States. However, that doesn't mean that there will be no enlargement - Damjan Bergant

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here has been no kind of non-paper on changing borders in the region that has come from Slovenia, insists Slovenian Ambassador Damjan Bergant, speaking in this interview for CorD Magazine.

Responding to current questions posed on the eve of the start of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1st July, the ambassador adds that Slovenia supports "the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the Western Balkans, including Bosnia-Herzegovina".

■ Your Excellency, Slovenia takes over the presidency of the Council of the EU from 1st July. What are the key topics that you will include in the agenda until the end of the year?

- As it seems now, a month from the start of the Slovenian Presidency, we will work on the following four general topics: a resilient EU that enjoys the trust of its citizens; economic renewal of the EU based on digital and green transitions; an EU based on the rule of law, the European way of life and; a Secure EU, as a good and reliable partner in the neighbourhood and around the world.

Priorities are still a work in progress. I'm sure the general topics will be more or less aligned with what's been presented. Moreover, if I delve into the details a little, and this is what is of interest to Serbia, I can say that 8

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NON-PAPERS

EU

OBLIGATIONS

There is no doubt that different opinions and solutions exist. However, there is no need to enforce unilateral solutions, especially not ones that change existing borders

I believe that the EU is the only alternative for Western Balkan countries in the future, given that the countries concerned are geographically in Europe and are surrounded by EU member states

The efforts exerted in the implementation of obligations for EU membership are implemented not because of EU members and the Commission, but because of the country concerned

the Western Balkans will be high among our priorities, within the topic of a Secure EU, as a good and reliable partner in the neighbourhood and around the world.

However, allow me to note that the functioning of the Presidency of the Council of the EU has changed a lot since 2008, when Slovenia had its first presidency. The role of the country tasked with leading the Council of the EU is more that of a coordinator than a leading decision maker. I would like to specify that decisions depend on all 27 member states and proposals made by the European Commission.

in mind that everything being implemented as an EU candidate country is positive for the country itself and for its citizens. Last but not least, the efforts exerted in the implementation of obligations for EU membership are implemented not because of EU members and the Commission, but because of the country concerned.

■ Serbia hasn't opened a single new accession negotiation chapter for more than a year. Do you think something can change in that respect during the Slovenian Presidency?

- The negotiation process is in the hands of Serbia and the European Commission.

In the end, member states decide according to the proposals of the Commission and their political opinions.

Slovenia doesn't see any obstacles to Serbia opening any new chapters. We hope that all will agree. Nevertheless, as said, Slovenia is equal among all and the decision does not depend on us solely.

The opening of chapters is important, but closing them is even more important. It will be a great success when everything is ready to pass a decision not only for opening chapters, but also for closing them.

■ You've announced that Slovenia will continue advocating for the continuation of the EU enlargement process during its presidency. Which arguments in favour of EU enlargement can be deployed today, when it seems that there is no real mood of enthusiasm to welcome new members?

- I believe that the EU is the only alternative for Western Balkan countries in the future, given that the countries concerned are geographically in Europe and are surrounded by EU member states.

Saying simply that there is no real mood of enthusiasm for new members ■ Slovenian MEP Tanja Fajon in the EU gives the wrong impression is a member of the delegation and sends an erroneous signal to the tasked with monitoring the inpublic, especially to the citizens of the terparty dialogue on election countries concerned. Nevertheless, it We will work on the following four conditions in Serbia. How do is true that there is still a lot of work general topics: a resilient EU that you see this process and are you ahead of us, especially for the candidate enjoys the trust of its citizens; at all concerned about the very countries. It is also true that there are economic renewal of the EU based harsh comments of individuals different opinions and positions among on digital and green transitions; from the government directed EU member states. However, that doesn't an EU based on the rule of law, the against Mrs Fajon? mean that there will be no enlargement.

It is important to have a goal in front of European way of life and; a Secure EU, - The interparty dialogue is an important process and we hope for a successful everything. If the will to achieve this as a good and reliable partner in the goal is strong and the work is done, the neighbourhood and around the world outcome. It is important that the ruling parties and the opposition find a common goal will be achieved. This is the only language in working for the progress of spirit for candidate countries and their Serbia in the political field. And it is not important whether this is achieved citizens to follow when negotiating membership.

I'm sure that, when Serbia carries out all its necessary duties and fulfils with or without international mediation. The most important thing is to have the obligations for membership, there will be no obstacles to it becoming results and to achieve the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations from the last a new member of the EU. The present Government is on the right track to report on parliamentary elections.

As for comments made by politicians about individuals, including do the work and take steps slowly forward. It is also very important to bear BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

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members of the European Parliament, I wish for more political culture to prevail in politics everywhere. This is what people everywhere deserve.

■ Your Excellency, can you solve the mystery of the socalled non-papers about the future of the region, primarily B-H and Serbia, or at least the example which had its authorship attributed to Slovenia?

- There has been a lot of discussion and articles about different nonpapers in the last couple of weeks. I believe that Slovenia has been clear enough in stating that no document has come from Ljubljana or Slovenia. Slovenia's foreign policy has not change and we support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries in the Western Balkans, including Bosnia-Herzegovina.

One could ask what reasons stand behind the launch of such an idea among people who oppose war and have not forgotten the tragedies of

- This isn't only my opinion, but rather the opinion of top representatives of both Serbia and Slovenia. As President Vučić stated during the visit of President Pahor, there are no open issues between our two countries and cooperation is good. The upcoming census has nothing to do with bilateral issues between Serbia and Slovenia.

■ The previous year has been marked by the global struggle against the COVID-19 pandemic. And a question that's current relates to the conditions under which travellers will be permitted to enter EU countries. Greece accepts certificates confirming the vaccination of Serbian citizens with any vaccine. What will Slovenia's stance be like?

- I hope that there will be a common EU decision regarding the reciprocity of the acceptance of digital certificates with vaccination data, PCR tests or the overcoming of the COVID 19 virus by individuals. If not, then every EU member state should negotiate alone with countries outside the EU regarding the acceptance of certificates.

I'm sure that Slovenia and Serbia will reach a solution enabling citizens of both countries with certificates to enter both countries.

As for comments made by politicians

■ To what extent has the COVID crisis impacted on economic relations between the two countries and do you see signs of bilateral cooperation recovering?

- It is clear that COVID has had a negative impact on the economies of our two countries. If you cannot have direct contact between managers and companies, it is very difficult to advance.

Nevertheless, on the other side, the economy is a very adaptable issue.

Economic relations between Slovenia and Serbia mostly existed even during the very strong waves of the pandemic and I'm hopeful that the situation will improve in the future.

the '90s. Have there not been about individuals, including members enough human victims and of the European Parliament, I wish tragedies? Politicians, leaders, for more political culture to prevail diplomats and others should ■ With your arrival to take on the find answers to these problems in politics everywhere. This is what post of Slovenian ambassador to through dialogue. There is no people everywhere deserve Serbia, you returned to the city doubt that different opinions where you served in the army. How and solutions exist. However, there is no need to enforce unilateral solutions, especially not ones that do you see Belgrade today? change existing borders. As President Pahor said during his visit to - Belgrade is a city that's modern and very nice city. It is a major capiBelgrade, the possible changing of borders might start peacefully, but tal, with all the positive and negative consequences of that. The local government of the City of Belgrade is doing its best to make the city it can end with war. better, more attractive and even nicer.

■ You've said that no unresolved issues exist between With its excellent restaurants, bars and interesting places, Belgrade Slovenia and Serbia and that bilateral cooperation is good. has great potential.

I would be very happy if the priorities of the city's leaders were How will the Slovenian government respond to the request of Serbs living in your country that they be able to answer orientated more towards everyday traffic and public transport. Another questions related to national and religious affiliation dur- problem is air pollution, which is a big issue for both the city and the state.

Finally, yet importantly, I feel excellent in this city. ■ ing the upcoming census?

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INTERVIEW

Government Must Be Constantly

'ONLINE' WITH BUSINESS DANIJELA FIŠAKOV PRESIDENT OF THE SLOVENIAN BUSINESS CLUB

It must be an imperative of the Serbian state's economic policy to focus on simplifying tax procedures, reducing bureaucracy and increasing the efficiency of public administration, alongside the intensifying of digitalisation.

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hen you check out the website of the Slovenian Business Club (SBC), you will notice at first glance that this business association has been very active despite switching to work online. "Although we were hit by this terrible plague, the Slovenian Business Club didn't halts its operations, in terms of the providing of services to members. We adapted to the situation and shifted from working offline to online.

We adapted the formats of events to the new rules that are applicable when working in a virtual environment. However, in the second

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half of last year we nonetheless managed to organise as many as three successful live events," says SBC President Danijela Fišakov.

■ What is your recipe for maintaining a spirit of cooperation and informing your membership in a quality way?

- The recipe is simple. You just need to listen to the needs of your members and offer them support in their operations. Just as in a regular situation, we keep updated by monitoring all relevant content and information that may be of importance to businesspeople and

accordingly inform the membership in a timely manner. We are in interactive, daily contact with members and maintain links with the membership and the flow of information to the greatest extent possible. Our activities on networking and connecting members, securing contacts and one-to-one work are unfolding intensively through the utilising of opportunities provided to us by modern technologies.

However, I must stress that we can hardly wait to again start organising events that include the personal presence of participants and have the kind of positive atmosphere that generally prevails at the Slovenian Business Club, which we have accustomed our members to throughout all these 18 years. We're planning to open the season of members socialising outdoors again already during June.

■ One of the more recent topics of your digital breakfast was investing in Serbia and the advantages and challenges that could be faced by investors. What are your members' experiences like and how much has the investment climate changed over the last year?

- Serbia is already attractive for investment and its business environment is ever improving by the day. It is very important for the state not to now halt with the implementing of reforms initiated at all levels, but rather to continue with their practical implementation.

The problems that hit the country as a result of the pandemic are not local and specific, but rather global and cannot be any possible excuse to discontinue. It must be an imperative of the Serbian state's economic policy to focus on simplifying tax procedures, reducing bureaucracy and increasing the efficiency of public administration, alongside the intensifying of digitalisation. Transparency is the most effective instrument against corruption. The government must be constantly 'online' with the economy, participating actively in dialogue with the economy and respecting its needs and specificities.

■ We are seeing businesspeople starting to renew physical contacts and chambers of commerce and business clubs taking an active role in providing the data that business leaders need before deciding on such a step. How many such requests has the SBC received and do you expect the re-establishing of pre-pandemic connections soon?

- I can confirm from my personal experience, but I've also noticed among others, that the month of April opened the season of inperson meetings, of course mostly outdoors and at a safe distance.

It is known that the number of meetings is higher when the weather is nicer. When we arrange a meeting, we jest that we have to first check the weather forecast and use that as the basis to determine the date. Of course, vaccination has contributed significantly to business life slowly returning to normal. An increase in the number of meetings with businesspeople coming from Slovenia has especially been noticeable this month, i.e. during the month of May. I hope that will continue, because it's an indicator that the general situation is improving. Without the living word, there can be no quality presentations, negotiations of conditions and, ultimately, no agreement on a job itself. After all, we humans are social creatures.

■ How did these circumstances impact on the dynamics of the economic exchange between the two countries, and can we even discuss expectations for 2021 at this juncture?

- The pandemic definitely impacted on total trade between the two countries, but not to a great extent. Our trade exchange is extensive and statistics show that the Slovenian side exported goods to Serbia worth almost a billion euros, while the value of exports from Serbia to Slovenia totalled nearly 600 million euros. So, total bilateral

We're planning to open the season of members socialising outdoors again already during June trade in 2020 amounted to slightly less than 1.6 billion euros. This represents a minimal fall compared to 2019, when trade between the two countries amounted to slightly more than 1.6 billion euros.

It is expected that opportunities for cooperation between the two countries will be even greater in all fields in the future, when epidemiological conditions improve and business can be conducted under better conditions. For example, information technology, agriculture, environmental protection and construction are all sectors with huge potential for mutual cooperation, and all are a long way from

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reaching the maximum possibilities of cooperation. When countries reopen to foreign tourists, the great potential of the tourism sector will also come to the fore, given the fact that Slovenia is a favourite destination among Serbs and Slovenes contribute as much as five per cent to the total number of foreign tourists in Serbia. Potential and possibilities exist on both sides, we just need to exploit them.

- The changes that will follow over the long run are inevitable. During the course of this year, the vast majority of companies have already adjusted their operations to the new conditions. Wherever possible, employees work from home, so business premises for large numbers of employees are becoming redundant.

Although, under such conditions, the majority of employees in these lands face the real problem of a lack of work and home space, this way of working suits many employees, despite still only a few employers compensating their employees who work from home, for their electricity, internet, rent... Regardless of how this "pandemic period" of world history will end, it is quite certain that we are slowly moving towards the creation of a unique info-communication workspace in which it won't matter where an employee is located. I can quite easily imagine, admittedly not in such a near future, workers from poorer regions doing jobs online instead of workers who need to be paid more. If we also add to that automated manufacturing processes that are performed by machines with artificial intelligence, without human participation, there are the "new normalities".

■ Among the topics you've dealt with during the previous period, it would be easy to conclude that digitalisation, and its impact on facilitating business operations, enjoys your attention. From this perspective, what are the main positive advances that have occurred; and where have your members faced implementation challenges?

- Even before the epidemic, we were paying a lot of attention to cultivating topics in the field of digitalisation, i.e.

Industry 4.0. We noticed that such events provoked great interest among our members. We also noticed that our members had been previously paying a lot of attention to the digitalisation of business processes in their companies, ■ What does it look like when because they were aware that they you consider the SBC's upcomwould lose out to market competition ing activities until the end of if they didn't do that on time. This was this year? only accelerated even more by the - We are already intensively planning pandemic that befell us. Companies live, in-person, events, because profeshad to adjust their operations to the sional gatherings of up to 100 people are new situation overnight, whilst also again permitted, of course with adhertaking care to ensure the safety of Information technology, ence to all epidemiological measures. their employees. Some adjusted their agriculture, environmental We are sure that we'll be able to stage business processes and employees to protection and construction are at least one live gathering of our memsuppliers and customers very quickly all sectors with huge potential for bers before the summer holidays. All and successfully, while some needed mutual cooperation members can hardly wait for that day. more time, and that was mostly due to Although some of my doctor friends a lack of knowhow among employees and a lack of financial resources to invest in new equipment and express concern about the possible situation in the winter period, programmes. Whoever wants to be competitive must definitely I hope the situation will be favourable and that, from September follow the business trends that have been brought by Industry 4.0. onwards, we'll return to the way activities were in 2019. We are planning for the events we organise in Serbia to be in-person, while ■ When it comes to the pandemic, we are all impatiently we'll still organise events with international guests online until the waiting for the return of the "normal life" we had before. end of the year. Unfortunately, this year, once again, our very popular However, given the experience of the digital transforma- St. Martin's Day event will most likely have to be postponed until tion we've witnessed over the last year, do you expect better times. We hope that at the end of this year we'll be able to us to return to the old ways, or are we awaited by some toast a successful year with our members and business associates. "new normal"?

We are certainly monitoring the situation. ■ 14

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BUSINESS

Bank Of The

FUTURE VLASTIMIR VUKOVIĆ PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF KOMERCIJALNA BANKA, A MEMBER OF THE NLB GROUP

The process of integrating Komercijalna Banka and NLB Banka Beograd is proceeding according to plan. Teams have been formed at both banks and all employees are engaged maximally, while the whole process is expected to be completed by the end of April next year

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t NLB Group the region is viewed as an opportunity that's provided to Serbian businessmen, based on the example of the Scandinavian model of open economic zones, where there are no borders for goods, capital and ideas

■ Slovenia's NLB Group took over the ownership of Serbia's Komercijalna Banka at the end of December last year, and you were appointed president of the Komercijalna Banka Executive Board in the first days of January 2021. What has been happening over the past four months? Are you satisfied with the dynamics of joining the NLB group?

- Over the past few months I've become convinced that Komercijalna Banka is a big system that's trusted by clients; it's a bank that's synonymous with security and reliability. I've also seen that the potential of Komercijalna Banka is much higher than what the Bank has achieved in recent years, that it employs a large number of excellent experts, who are devoted and ready to support our clients, and this really convinced me of the success of our mis16

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sion - to become the best bank in Serbia in the next few years, following integration. I'm certain that we will further realise the potential and that our bank will be one of the most important links in the chain of NLB Group.

Alongside numerous business activities and the process of adjusting to the standards of NLB Group, the process of integrating Komercijalna Banka and NLB Banka Beograd has been initiated.

The integration process is proceeding according to plan. We've formed teams at both banks and all employees are engaged maximally, and I expect that we'll successfully implement all planned activities by the end of April next year, which is when we plan to complete this process.

■ What do citizens/clients gain from the creating of a synergy between two strong brands like NLB and Komercijalna Banka?

- In the period ahead we will focus, among other things, on accelerated digitalisation and identifying new and more efficient ways to reach clients. This means investing in digital communication

channels, primarily mobile channels, but also investing in a highquality contact centre that will be accessible through all channels.

We will strive for paperless transactions and train employees to provide clients with more complex financial services. As a universal financial group, we will not neglect corporate clients, to whom we will offer a regional platform for financing trade, factoring, but also connecting and financing supply and demand for their products and services in our region. We want to offer our clients the best solutions whenever and wherever they need them.

We've so far offered new and existing clients a number of benefits through the Welcome package, which is yielding nice results. It includes, among other things, free use of the more than 1,400 joint ATMs in the entire NLB Group, while for corporate clients we've secured a unique fee of only five euros for foreign currency payment operations performed within the member banks of NLB Group.

the financing of major infrastructure projects, as well as assisting institutions and organisations that care for the most vulnerable groups in society.

We're extremely interested in projects for improving energy efficiency and the production of "green" energy from renewable sources, as well as investment in agriculture, especially organic. It

■ Considering that clients are increasingly demanding and that their expectations are ever higher, all companies, including banks, must deal with improving operations and improving their service. What else are you focused on?

- We are planning to introduce an entire set of new banking services based on digital technologies. The classic bank, with counters for handling cash, is is also clear that a great need exists to slowly being consigned to history.

We will focus on accelerated upgrade infrastructure, highways and Of course, our employees remain at digitalisation and identifying new railways, gasification, electrification, the banks, but in the role of financial and more efficient ways to reach but to do so through the creation of an advisors who will provide clients with clients ambience conducive to the opening of swift and timely advice and informascientific research parks, IT hubs and tion on more serious investments in business zones. We see all of the aforementioned as an opportuthe future, for example, on housing loans, savings, investments, nity and way for our strong engagement, which will undoubtedly etc. We will make it possible for citizens not to have to come to a contribute to the economic growth of Serbia and the region. branch because of standard services, such as paying bills or ordering a new card, but to be able to complete those jobs via a computer ■ Did we understand the announcements well ... You or mobile phone. I'm sure that, in the next few years, half of all will work on making Komercijalna Banka the leading cash loans will be approved and paid out over the phone. And it bank in Serbia and NLB becoming the leading banking will be the same for housing loans, with most of the steps in the group in the region. These are ambitious plans, but do loan approval process able to be agreed online. In all of this, we you think they are achievable? will be careful when introducing new services, because every new - Very ambitious and very achievable. According to the latest reservice should be accompanied by education and adequate support, search, the member banks of NLB Group are already among the as has been the case to date, because digital transformation can top three banks in all countries in which we operate, and that will only contribute to create a vision of a better reality if it is inclusive also be the case in Serbia once the integration has been completed. and brings benefits to all clients. Apart from all of that, we also We want the future integrated bank to be a leader in the domestic strive to launch broader social change through participation in BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

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for financing and supporting sustainable transport, clean and renewable energy, and the management of waste and wastewater.

One concrete example of the initiating of broader social changes is the support of Komercijalna Banka and NLB Banka for organic food producers and small and medium-sized businesses through two projects that we organise: NLB Organic and the Support Framework.

Kombank NLB Organic is a competition through which we've been awarding the best producers and processors of organic food in Serbia for the last ten years consecutively. When it was launched, interest in organic foods was at a low level. That's why the goal of the competition was initially twofold - to support organic producers directly, but also through investment in the promotion of organically grown food and groceries. Ten years later, we ■ Viewed from the perspective are witnessing completely different of doing business under the market conditions and dynamic growth conditions of a pandemic, are in demand for organic products, which things returning to old ways or gives full meaning to every award we've have we already grown used to given to date. the changes and accepted them Apart from NLB Organic, another as the new normal? Are you now project was set up on foundations of adapting the development of sustainability and has this year been services to the different needs adopted by all members of the Group. and habits of clients?

Small and medium-sized enterprises - The COVID-19 pandemic that we are are the backbone and pillar of all nawitnessing is an unprecedented global tional economies in the region, and health, economic and social crisis. almost all relevant research indicates However, history has confirmed numerunequivocally that they are being hit ous times that every great crisis hides the hardest by the pandemic that we within it an equally great opportunity. are witnessing. This is the reason we One of the key opportunities now is launched the project #OkvirPodrške the opportunity to transform energy.

[FrameworkofSupport], which has It isn't only a sure path to economic been implemented on all markets where recovery and the creation of new jobs, Half of all cash loans will be NLB Group is present and in which but also the only relevant investment approved and paid out over the we've secured advertising space for in the sustainable future of humankind. phone, while a client will be able almost 300 local entrepreneurs. The The coronavirus epidemic brought to agree on most steps in the goal was to provide them with greater great changes and compelled us to process for approving housing visibility and connectivity, to help them quickly adapt to the situation. The most loans online create new business opportunities, important change in banks' operations more easily reach their customers and over the previous years has been the thus more quickly overcome the consequences of the pandemic. digitalisation of operations, which has become a new norm for both We had a great response and an excellent experience at the level banks and clients. I'm glad that we have double-digit growth in of the Group, and a new cycle has just begun in Serbia - which is the users of digital banking at our banks, but also across the entire this time being jointly organised by Komercijalna and NLB banks. market. Companies are also changing the way they work - a large We stand for equal opportunities, but also for independent and number of them, including Komercijalna Banka, have transferred professional corporate governance. We strive every day to do large parts of their business to work from home. something better and bigger than yesterday, and to strengthen our Given the exceptional motivation within the Group for continuing footprint in a region that we consider not only a business environto expand the portfolio of financing green projects in the region ment, but also the home of us and all our employees. The end goal that is our home, I believe we have yet to witness very dynamic is to become a beacon of sustainable business and one of the most and exponential growth in this area - both through subsidised responsible companies in the region. government loans and through the creation of our own products financial sector, to be the leading banking institution in Serbia. We will achieve this if, among other things, we are competitive, but also if we offer our clients high quality services. I can already say now that we will be a distributor of universal financial services, in addition to classic banking services, and insurance sales and asset management.

Our comparative advantage over the competition lies in the fact is that we are part of the NLB Group and that, thanks to the group's network and its presence in the region, we can offer clients a strategic partnership. We view the region as an opportunity that's provided to Serbian businessmen, based on the example of the Scandinavian model of open economic zones, where there are no borders for goods, capital and ideas.

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BUSINESS

DRAGAN MARKOVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF TRIGLAV OSIGURANJE [INSURANCE]

Creating A

SECURER FUTURE Through its constant innovations, company Triglav Osiguranje Srbija, a member of the leading insurance group in the Adria region, strives to respond to the needs of the market and clients, relying on its excellent experiences and best practices from the local and European markets and bad things only once - insure the future."

The GDP share of insurance premiums in the Republic of Serbia in 2020 totalled 2.1%, while the level of insurance premiums per capita stands at €135. The positive economic indicators of recent years provide assurances that our industry has lots of growth potential.

Alongside compulsory third-party insurance for owners of motor vehicles and comprehensive longside compulsory and comcoverage, citizens most often pay into life prehensive motor insurance, citiinsurance and travel insurance (until the zens most often pay into life outbreak of the pandemic), and to a lesser insurance, travel and home The positive economic indicators extent real estate insurance. A growing insurance, while a growing trend is also of recent years provide trend is also represented by voluntary represented by voluntary health insurassurances that our industry has health insurance policies concluded via ance policies concluded via employers employers. lots of growth potential ■ Despite Triglav osiguranje havresponsible, stable and profitable operations, ing existed in Serbia for more than 40 ■ What are the basic imperatives of as well as sustainably balanced long-term years, it continues to gain the trust your business? development, which particularly came to the of ever more clients year on year.

- We are facing major social and technological fore during the pandemic.

How do you explain that? Tradition, changes both globally and locally, which we can quality, the sense of security that refer to in short as "digital globalisation", then you provide? there's a dynamic regulatory framework, more ■ To what extent are Serbian citizens detailed customer demands that are in accordaware of the importance of the say- Thanks to a defined business model that has the client at its centre, and that client's needs ing "insurance is cheap, but damage ance with their needs and needs to increase the on the consumer journey, Triglav Osiguranje is costly"? quality, simplicity, availability and transparency a.d.o. Beograd has for years been increasingly of the company's products and services, thus - Raising awareness of the need to minimise gaining the trust of clients, recording continuensuring reliable and stable operations. As a the risks a person is exposed to in their everymember of the Triglav Group, which is the ous and stable growth, market positioning and day life and on their consumer journey is an leading insurance group in the Adria region, recognisability, as well as financial stability. enduring process which our company actively we share our experiences and best practices Long-term partnerships and relationships of works on every day, particularly with a view to from the local and European markets with mutual trust with clients are created with the the growth potential of the insurance market. the aim of continuously improving value for provision of a high-quality and affordable As the motto of the business association of our clients and creating a more secure future. service through the implementation of basic insurers states: "Good things happen every day,

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strategic values, such as agility, simplicity and reliability, and an "omnichannel" approach. By efficiently, effectively and promptly responding to client and stakeholder needs, with simple and comprehensible services, transparency of operations and the fulfilling of promises, we create the value of our offer, providing unobtrusively flexible, innovative and economical solutions in the insurance domain. We've integrated into our business model the principles of socially

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BUSINESS

Unique Online AND TV STORE LJILJANA AHMETOVIĆ CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT SHOPPSTER SRBIJA & SLOVENIJA

The Shoppster platform offers more than 100,000 products for all purposes.

Customer have already recognised that shopping through Shoppster.com is easy, delivery is fast and payment is secure, as is the goods return mechanism

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hoppster, as the only integrated online and TV store in Serbia and Slovenia, is preparing to enter other countries in the region, primarily the markets of Bulgaria, Croatia and BosniaHerzegovina, reveals CEO Ahmetović exclusively for CorD.

■ When it entered the e-commerce business, United Group, in addition to Serbia, immediately decided to join the Slovenian market. How much does starting a business differ on these two markets, and how much difference is there in online shopping habits?

- If we compare the Serbian e-commerce market with the e-commerce markets in the region, our market is still less developed. Until the appearance of Shoppster, customers in Serbia did not even have a large

Small and micro businesses get the opportunity to become Shoppster suppliers or create their online shop on our platform selection of online stores that offer such an assortment of products in one place, with a high level of security. When we decided to enter the Slovenian market, we wanted to do so through a reliable partner with a rich history, good results and a positive image among customers.

The choice fell on one of the then-largest and most reliable e-stores in Slovenia, ideo.si, which we first rebranded to shoppster.com at the end of last year, and at the end of last month we successfully migrated all data and products to a new platform - SAP Hybris. This is currently 20

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the most technologically advanced solution for platforms that offer a solution for all business models - in our specific case, they are a marketplace, dropshipping and retail. The transition to the new Shoppster platform brought customers in Slovenia an even better shopping experience, a more excellent choice of brands and the opportunity for small manufacturers and retailers to open their own e-shops on one of the world's best online platforms in just a few days.

■ You recently entered into a significant partnership with Sportina Group - tell us more about it; what does it mean?

- The partnership with Sportina and its experienced and professional team allows us to set the highest standards in online sales in this category and provide our customers with the best experience.

Sportina is widely recognised as Southeast Europe's largest retailer in the fashion industry and represents over 90 well-known fashion brands in 11 surrounding countries.

Through long-term cooperation with the Sportina Group, we will provide customers with rich, diverse and attractive offers of world-renowned fashion brands for women and men on Shoppster online and TV stores in Slovenia, Serbia and other countries we enter with our integrated store. Customers have the opportunity to order products from 14 brands that are famous worldwide.

their brand and thus position themselves highly on the market. In this regard, we have focused unique resources and our team on constantly supporting these partners. This has been ongoing for some time in Serbia, and we can boast of our excellent cooperation with small suppliers. With the transition to a new platform in Slovenia, we have brought this opportunity to the country, so we are currently animating the market in that direction.

Small and micro businesses get the opportunity to become Shoppster suppliers or create their online shop on our platform, using the marketplace model with the help of the Shoppster team.

■ Shoppster is an integrated platform - in addition to online sales, customers can choose to order after seeing products and their functionality on a TV channel, right?

- Yes, Shoppster is a unique online and TV store. Customers can see what products look like and what their purpose is on the TV and YouTube channel Shoppster, but also when they decide to buy a product and it arrives they are not limited to instructions for use, because they have available our experienced managers who are well acquainted with certain types of products. Through ■ Why strategic cooperation with the show, they demonstrate how a fashion company? What is the the product is used and share their advantage of this collaboration for experience and impressions with the Shoppster customers? viewers. Customers can then call the - Fashion is the fastest-growing category in contact centre or visit the website e-commerce, both in Europe and around the In Serbia we are even launching and order the product. world. Changes in consumer habits around the I'm not exaggerating when I say an offer of packaged food and world have mainly been noticed, and these that you can find everything in one developing premium delivery trends are slowly coming to us. COVID played place with us. Given today's times, services, such as same-day a significant role in these changes, with many when we are all overwhelmed by customers seeking to buy clothes or shoes in obligations, fast, expeditious and delivery this way for the first time, and being convinced simple shopping is an imperative of the comfort that online shopping brings, compared to physically in trade. The customer receives a service from us at the level of the going to shopping centres or other retail outlets. world's largest e-shops, such as Amazon, Alibaba or Allegro.

Our focus is on monitoring and listening to the habits of our users, understanding their lifestyles. In this way, together with experts from ■ What are your further plans for Shoppster?

Sportina, we provide our customers with the guarantee of an always - We are developing new functionalities that will make shopping even attractive offer of clothes, shoes and accessories at the Shoppster on- easier and more enjoyable; we monitor customer behaviour on our line and TV store. Of course, special offers are being prepared for the platform - their reactions and comments - intensively. We are preparmembers of our loyalty programme. ing new offers, new products; in Serbia we are even launching an offer of packaged food and developing premium delivery services, such as ■ Is Shoppster a place where small brands can come to the same-day delivery. fore, given that many of them have had to turn to online We find motivation for all of this in customers who enjoy using all the advantages of online shopping, return frequently and have the most sales? What support do they get?

- We are incredibly proud of the inclusion of small suppliers on our prominent consumer basket - they also achieve the most excellent savplatform, because we believe that many of them in Serbia and Slovenia ings when shopping. These are members of the Shoppster Smart loyalty have quality products, but at the same time lack experience in online programme, which we launched in Serbia at the end of last year and shopping or the funds required to raise their online store, promote plan to launch in Slovenia by September at the latest. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

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BUSINESS

UROŠ BIDER, GENERAL MANAGER AT PETROL D.O.O.

Sustainable Development Is

PETROL'S PRIORITY

In Serbia, where it operates through three local companies, Petrol currently has 15 points of sale, with another set to open in Čačak in July, while by 2025 the company plans to expand its network to 50 locations.

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e have taken on an active role in increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy sources, and we see great potential in the combination of integrated energy management services, digitalisation of infrastructure systems and efficient use of energy and water - says Petrol General Manager Uroš Bider ■ Petrol is the largest energy company in Southeast Europe. What is your position like in the region and on the Serbian market?

- Global trends are directed towards combating climate change and the growth of renewable energy sources, but there isn't expected to be a significant reduction in the share of oil and gas in the overall energy balance yet. The use of these energy sources has also been increasing in Serbia over the last few years. It's for this reason that directing capacities towards strengthening the core business, i.e. the sale of petroleum products, remains one of the strategic goals of the Petrol Group. A step in that direction was already made at the beginning of this year, when agreement was

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reached with Croatian chain Crodux to take over their retail network, with which Petrol Group's leadership position in the region was strengthened in terms of the number of filling stations, with more than 600 points of sale.

Petrol operates in Serbia through three local companies. Petrol d.o.o. deals with retail and wholesale operations for petroleum products and merchandise, but also energy solutions. Through a public-private partnership, we manage public lighting in the municipalities of Sečanj, Vrbas and Priboj, and, since July, in the municipality of Zaječar. Beogas d.o.o. deals with the design, construction and maintenance of gas pipelines in five Serbian municipalities, in Belgrade's Voždovac, Čukarica and Palilula, as well as in Šimanovci and Bačka Topola, while company Petrol LPG d.o.o. deals with imports, production and sales of liquefied petroleum gas in Serbia and the region. Petrol covers over 20% of the market share for liquefied petroleum gas in Serbia.

■ Petrol is dedicated to the transition to green energy and devotes significant investments to that. Can you tell us what kind of investments it is dealing with now?

- The Petrol Group has planned investments in the region totalling 698 million euros during the 2021-2025 period, 35% of which will be investments in the energy transition. The plan is to have 160MW of wind and solar power plants installed in 2025, which is 78% more than in 2020. The number of electric charging stations will increase to 1,575, while energy

renovation projects will achieve energy savings of 73 GWh for end users.

■ What Petrol Group's plans in Serbia?

Do you plan to further expand your operations?

- Sustainable development is our priority, representing the core of our mission and business model. Petrol's strategic focus in Serbia will continue to be on energy efficiency projects, expanding the network for the distribution of

Petrol's strategic focus in Serbia will continue to be on energy efficiency projects, expanding the network for the distribution of natural gas and expanding the retail network of filling stations natural gas and expanding the retail network of filling stations in Serbia. Traditional motor fuels will continue to be dominant for some time to come, but even today we're already providing consumers with more environmentally friendly solutions. The filling station in Kragujevac is our first point of sale in Serbia to have included CNG in its offer, and we plan to have eight more new points of sale with CNG filling pumps in 2022.

We launched the first charger for electric cars at our point of sale on Belgrade's Ada Ciganlija this May. And we also plan to expand this segment of charging stations in the coming years.

BUSINESS

ALEKSANDAR SPREMIĆ, DIRECTOR, HALCOM

Growing Together

WITH CLIENTS Halcom is a company with a portfolio of advanced solutions that integrates customers, financial institutions and providers of goods and services. Its solutions are used by more than 50 commercial banks, two central banks and clearing houses, as well as about 200,000 companies on seven markets

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e are made unique by the concept of multibank operations, which enables companies to use a single application to access all their accounts in different banks using Halcom systems, thereby performing their daily electronic transactions more easily - explains Halcom Director Aleksandar Spremić.

■ The figures that describe your work are impressive, but your company is much more than that. What is Halcom?

- Our core business, for almost 30 years, has been directed towards the development of software solutions for payment systems and trust services, and our product range thus contains various modalities of electronic banking for corporate clients and private individuals, clearing systems and trust services. Bank users' expectations are growing year-on-year, and with that banks must respond and offer a comprehensive user experience regardless of the device through which clients will access banking services. Banks constantly invest in the further digitalisation of the processes.

What makes Halcom unique is the concept of multibank operations, but also innovative solutions in the field of trust services and mobile applications. Multibank operations enable companies to use a single application to access all their accounts at various banks using Halcom systems, thus making it easier for them to perform daily electronic transactions.

And as we've already mentioned figures, I would like to emphasise that our solutions are used by more than 50 commercial banks, two central banks and clearing houses, as well as about 200,000 companies on seven markets.

■ The Coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the introduction and use of electronic services and the digitalisation of business. Is there no going back to the old ways?

- The pandemic has certainly had an impact on the way business is done, both with us and our clients. Current trends in the direction of digitalisation have only gained even more importance. That's why Halcom adapted to the new situation, and it was for that very reason that we developed the idea of the Halcom One

solution, which is a qualified certificate in the cloud. That certificate enables signing and access to portals via a mobile phone app. Simplicity of use is what makes it unique.

Halcom One is a qualified certificate that enables signing and access to portals via a mobile phone app ■ Although you cover two continents, Halcom's services are localised. Does that mean that you've adapted your solutions to every country, every market?

- Halcom comprises a large part of the information infrastructure of the region's banking sector. Our solutions are adapted to the markets and banks that offer their services to end users. We definitely want to grow and connect geographically with other domestic and foreign companies, and to enable existing clients to continue growing with us.

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THE SLOVENIAN PRESIDENCY

Impressive Goals In

CHALLENGING TIMES The Slovenian Presidency, the second in the country's history, will focus on EU wide economic recovery, a green future, health and cyber security and the rule of law. For Slovenia, the presidency also represents an opportunity for the overall promotion of the country and its knowledge, economy and tourism.

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n a month's time, Slovenia will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the second time. Like Portugal, whose mandate ends in June 2021, Slovenia will preside over the Council of the EU during very challenging times. The 2021 Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, from 1st July to 31st December 2021, will be Slovenia's second presidency of the Council, with the first one having run from 1st January to 30th June 2008.

Slovenia is part of a Trio Presidency that also includes Germany and Portugal. In a recent open letter published in national daily

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Delo, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar and his Portuguese counterpart Augusto Santos Silva discussed the objectives of their countries’ EU Council Presidencies.

In the letter, the two ministers said that they are committed to the timely implementation of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 and the new Next Generation EU instrument, including its Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which came into force on 19th February. The RRF is the biggest building block of the Next Generation EU recovery package aimed at helping the

EU to return to sustainable growth and job creation once the health crisis is under control. The RRF is focused on key policy areas, such as the green and digital transitions. Portugal and Slovenia were among the first to have concluded ratification in their national parliaments, to showcase their full commitment to the Europe’s recovery.

The plan is not just a helping hand in economic crisis, but rather aims to strengthen the EU’s social dimension. While the idea that the European Social Model must be strengthened was at the centre of the Portuguese Presidency, it is up to the Slovene Presidency to work on solutions to increase the resilience of the EU. This is related to the Health Union and making the EU autonomous in producing key strategic vaccines and medicines. The next priority is the issue of cyber security and the preparedness of the EU to respond to large scale cyber-attacks.

Secondly, the Slovene Presidency will focus on the green and digital transitions. Goals are tremendously ambitious in these

to set appropriate standards for the digital sector, based on common European values.

One important document in that respect is the Digital Services Act, which brings ambitious reform to the digital space and introduces a comprehensive set of new rules for all digital services.

Furthermore, “regulating the functioning of online platforms, especially the larger ones, would significantly improve the mechanisms for removing illegal online content and help protect fundamental human rights online, including the freedom of speech," stressed Slovenian Public Administration Minister Boštjan Koritnik recently.

“It is crucial for the Slovene Presidency to establish a high level of confidence in artificial intelligence, which is why we will strive to ensure that development and coexistence with systems based on artificial intelligence are human-focused. Ensuring the highest ethical standards is of paramount importance," stressed Minister Koritnik.

The International Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), which is based at the Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana and was established under the auspices of UNESCO, acts as the main coordinator, funder and accelerator of activities for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals through artificial intelligence. IRCAI’s aim is to empower top entrepreneurs, researchers and projects using artificial intelligence, which would not be able to achieve visibility on global markets, while at the same time creating the world’s largest platform for sustainable solutions.

Artificial intelligence, data governance, as well as cyber security and preparedness for potential large scale cyber-attacks, are all issues that will be in the focus of the Slovene Presidency

areas, as the EU has set a target to reduce greenhouse emissions by 55% by 2030.

Indeed, the COVID-19 challenge pushed digitalisation to new boundaries. Artificial intelligence, data governance, as well as cyber security and preparedness for potential large scale cyber-attacks are all issues that will be in the focus of the Slovenian presidency.

As part of that task, a particularly important issue will be finding ways to regulate digital markets and services, as well as striking the right balance between ensuring competitiveness and the need

When it comes to the rule of law, the Slovene Presidency will continue the practise established by the German and Portuguese presidencies and organise a general debate on the rule of law annual report within the scope of the General Affairs Council. It is planned for the European Commission to publish the report in July.

Additionally, a special debate on the rule of law will be organised in five selected countries.

It has been confirmed that Slovenia will spare no effort to put the Western Balkans high on the EU agenda during its EU Council Presidency, which will be further promoted by the EU-Western Balkans Summit.

In May, at the initiative of nine EU member states, including Slovenia, ministers discussed the Western Balkans. During discussions they highlighted the strategic importance of the EU enlargement policy, as well as other aspects of EU-Western Balkans integration. On behalf of both Slovenia and Austria, Foreign Minister Anže Logar emphasised the significance of the EU’s continued active engagement in the Western Balkans and its enlargement for the region's long-term stability and security.

However, he also expressed regret over the current stalemate in the enlargement process and over the standstill in the confirmation of the negotiating frameworks for North Macedonia and Albania.

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BUSINESS

MELITA ROZMAN DACAR, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SLOVENSKE ŽELEZNICE TOVORNI PROMET (SLOVENIAN RAILWAYS – FREIGHT TRANSPORT)

Connecting

TWO COUNTRIES SŽ – Tovorni promet is part of the Slovenian Railways Group.

One of Slovenia's leading logistics companies and one of the largest exporters of services, it transports more than 90 per cent of its cargo via international transports the potential for further growth is limited. We are developing our business abroad with many long-term partners, and we are also connecting transport routes with our own traction in Austria and Croatia. We will support our development with a modern fleet and IT support.

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ere the company's managing director speaks to us about the challenges confronting the company and the importance of working with Serbian companies, noting that the company will continue developing high-quality and competitive solutions for the Serbian market

■ The year 2020 brought unimaginable challenges on a global scale. How did it impact your business?

- We finished last year successfully, but of course we didn't fully attain the results planned.

Already in the last quarter of 2019, the first signs of recession began to appear in the automotive and steel industries, where we perform a lot of transports. The pandemic only deepened those negative trends. At the same time, we faced numerous line closures in Slovenia and abroad, and the competition of course didn't rest. No less than four new carriers entered the Slovenian market. Due to the pandemic, we had to react quickly. We immediately took measures to protect the health of our employees and adjusted work processes accordingly. In addition, we were in constant contact with our customers and adjusted to their expectations.

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We have the excellent cooperation with Srbija Kargo, which is one of our key business partners in the region Together with customers, we have significantly streamlined domestic transports. Despite many optimisation measures, we managed to retain our transports, which didn't stop even for a day.

Although we haven't achieved our goals one hundred per cent, we can be satisfied.

■ What are the trends for 2021? Are there already signs of economic recovery?

- Our customers always come first for us and we constantly adapt our services to their expectations. We are forming new products and opening new transport routes. Independently and together with long-term partner carriers, we are constantly developing modern products with which we bring the countries of Central Europe and Southeast Europe together. We are therefore expanding our production and marketing activities beyond the borders of Slovenia, where

■ How important is the Serbian market for your company?

- Serbia is very important to us. Serbia's most important foreign trade partner is Italy. Therefore, the Alpine-Western Balkans European Corridor, which also connects Slovenia and Serbia, has extremely high potential for increasing rail transports. We have many long-term strategic partners in the Serbian market, with whom we work well. I would like to highlight in particular the excellent cooperation with Srbija Kargo, which is one of our key business partners in the region. We established the company SI-Cargo Logistics in Belgrade back in 2015, which ensures that we are even closer to our customers and their needs. We have developed the Sava Express product for the Serbian market. It is a regular freight train between Ljubljana and Belgrade that connects goods flows from the countries of Western and Central Europe with transit through Serbia. The Sava Express also showed its potential during the pandemic, when it carried almost 12% more cargo than during the previous year. We are grateful to our long-term customers in Serbia for their loyalty and trust.

We will continue developing our comprehensive services for them in the future, providing them with high-quality and competitive solutions.

BUSINESS

JELENA SIBINOVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER AT METAL-CINKARA D.O.O.

Doctors For CORROSION Largest Galvanizer in Southeast Europe

Metal-Cinkara is categorised among the group of healthy and socially responsible companies. It records growth in its business every year, cooperates with those in its surroundings, supports humanitarian, sporting and educational projects, and is an excellent business partner to its customers and suppliers. guiding principles include constant care for customer satisfaction, efficient organisation, maintaining the quality of performed work, providing a comprehensive offer and ensuring mutual trust and respect among employees.

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he operations of its zinc galvanising plant in Inđija are based on low energy consumption and a small amount of waste generated. It doesn't release harmful emissions into the environment, having been built according to the principles of BAT technology and the directives of IPPC standards, while it is additionally equipped with devices to filter all vapours released.

■ Now that you've entered the second decade of your existence in Serbia, how would you assess the first 10 years of operations in Inđija?

- Our Maksim group celebrated 30 years of its existence and activities last year, and Metal-Cinkara celebrated 15 years since its founding and 10 years since the opening of its plant Inđija. We are still the largest galvaniser in Southeast Europe and we're proud of the level of quality we've attained, which is confirmed year after year through the adopted and maintained standards of the integrated quality system (ISO 9001, 18001 and 45001) and German certificate DASt022. We are dedicated to the continuous development of the company and to raising the quality of our products and services. Our

■ What reflects the advantage of hot-dip galvanizing compared to other forms of anti-corrosion protection for steel?

- Hot-dip galvanizing is a process in which steel elements receive appropriate chemical preparation and are then immersed in a zinc melt of 450°C. This process has been applied for over 150 years and is one of the most effective forms of protection against corrosion.

The reason for such widespread application is based on the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of the procedure itself, as well as its good anti-corrosion properties, without maintenance costs, during almost the entire lifespan of the product. It has been proven that the lifespan of galvanized structures often exceeds a hundred years, which no other form of protection can boast of achieving.

■ It could be said that your company pays a lot of attention to the constant training and development of employees, but also to the protection of the environment. Are your standards the same in Slovenia - as your home country and an EU member state -- as they are in Serbia?

- The real challenge for a long time hasn't been to buy the best equipment. The challenge is to have healthy relationships and motivated employees in the company, and that's precisely what ours are like because we value them. This

is what today creates the difference between successful and unsuccessful companies. A good relationship certainly doesn't come as the result of a one-off lecture or something similar, nor the efforts of one individual or a small group of employees. A good relationship is the result of trust and respect, open communication, cooperation and encouragement, support, but also clearly set boundaries and

It has been proven that the lifespan of galvanized structures often exceeds a hundred years, which no other form of protection can boast of achieving respect for rules and agreements. That is a mirror of the culture of all employees, who contribute with their abilities to a positive and constructive atmosphere in the company.

Our galvanizing plant doesn't release harmful emissions into the environment because it is built according to the principles of BAT technology and the directives of IPPC standards, while it is additionally equipped with devices to filter all vapours released. We reprocess used water and filtrates, while sending used chemicals for recycling. Zinc alloy waste is sold and completely recycled back to smelting zinc and zinc oxide. The other galvanizing plant in our group, in Celje, operates according to the same principles. This was a question of our management's commitment, and not about belonging to the EU. BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

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SBC ACTIVITIES

Place Of CONNECTION With its positive reputation and high-quality work, the Slovenian Business Club in Serbia represents a reliable partner that you can depend on when it comes to achieving your business goals. Despite the crisis, the SBC continues to be a place for connecting, exchanging experiences and information, educating and creating opportunities for future business cooperation, but also for finding solutions to specific problems that companies face. In the new situation, a hand of help and support is more important than ever to every businessman, and the SBC is here precisely to help in that!

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September 2020

Working breakfast "What has Corona brought us?"

The SBC, in collaboration with the Hellenic Business Association, the Dutch-Serbian Business Association, and company BNI Serbia, organised an online Speed Business Meeting entitled "Business Networking in the New Reality". The event included the participation of more than 50 companies that are members of the co-organisers, with the aim of making direct acquaintances and improving cooperation between the aforementioned four business organisations. All representatives of participating companies had the opportunity to introduce themselves to all other participants, after which they could present themselves to potential business partners, exchange information and establish communication for future cooperation during separate sessions of ten-minute conversations.

October 2020

SBC Assembly The SBC marked the start of the autumn season by organising an inperson working breakfast on the topic "What has the Corona brought us?", hosting its members on this occasion.

The welcome address was given by SBC President Danijela Fišakov, who expressed her satisfaction with the fact that conditions had been created to organise the event in person and that the SBC had exerted efforts since the beginning of the epidemic to support members in their operations and that joint efforts had succeeded in overcoming the obstacles brought by the epidemic.

Representatives of companies e-Kapija.com and Coface Srbija provided attendees with a broader picture of economic trends, both in general and between Slovenia and Serbia, primarily discussing investments, economies and opportunities for protection against business risks.

A very lively discussion of the main topic was led by representatives of companies ETI B, Poslovni savetnik, Gorenje Belgrade, NLB Bank Belgrade, Triglav Insurance Belgrade, Cablex-S, Law Offices JSP, JUB Šimanovci and Profil Group Belgrade. Also joining the discussion were other members of the club in attendance, who also presented their own observations.

Following the official part, during breakfast, guests enjoyed a pleasant atmosphere on the Danube bank of Zemun and continued their discussions and networking.

A regular session of the assembly of the Slovenian Business Club was held in the pleasant atmosphere of Belgrade's IN hotel.

SBC President Danijela Fišakov noted that 2019 had been a remarkable year in the work of the Slovenian Business Club, mentioning indicators of the good work of the club such as an increased number of members, expansion of the range of services provided and improvements to their quality, the growth of SBC followers on social networks, as well as an increased number of events organised and higher attendance levels at those events. Turning to 2020, she praised the solidarity shown among members from the very beginning of the crisis and emphasised the important role played by the club and its members in proposing measures to facilitate and assist the economy.

October 2020

November 2020

Online Speed Business Meeting – SBC, HBA, DSBA, BNI

Slovenia's Showspace

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The SBC created the Slovenia's Showspace 2020 platform, at which businesspeople from Serbia are able to inform themselves about the products and services of Slovenian companies, by area of activity and city of operation, as well as about Slovenia's entire tourist offer.

January 2021

Digital working breakfast - TSG Law Office and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs

The SBC organised a digital working breakfast on the topic "Employment of foreigners in the Republic of Serbia", with this seminar hosted by the Tomić, Sinđelić, Groza Law Office. The topic was presented to members by TSG Law Office representatives Aleksandra Rajić and Anđelija Milićević, as well as Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs representative Sanja Gavranović, head of the Group for Administrative and Supervisory Affairs.

March 2021

WEBINAR "Law on Digital Property NEW REALITY" - Joksović, Stojanović & Partners Law Office (JSP)

The SBC, in cooperation with the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen and the

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Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, organised a webinar on the topic "Law on Digital Property - NEW REALITY". The webinar was hosted by joint member JSP law firm.

March 2021

Digital working breakfast - Serbian business environment Why invest in Serbia?

The SBC, in cooperation with the Croatian Business Club and organisation BNI Serbia, organised a digital working breakfast on the topic "Serbian business environment - Why to invest in Serbia".

Attendees of the breakfast heard three fantastic lecturers: Radoš Gazdić, Acting Director of the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS); Đorđe Andric, Head of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Centre for Investment Support and Public Private Partnership; Alexander Samonig of ECOVIS SEE doo, West Balkan Partner.

April 2021

WEBINAR "New Coface business solutions" - Coface Srbija

The SBC, in cooperation with member company Coface Srbija, organised an online webinar on the topic "New Coface Business Solutions". The event included the presenting of the new Coface risk assessment platform that provides clients with expert risk analysis and access to a single global information network that helps their clients make the best business decisions.

DEJAN TURK, CEO OF A1 SERBIA AND A1 SLOVENIA

A Tale OF SUCCESS A1 Serbia is part of a larger family that stretches over seven CEE countries and has over 25 million users

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e have already introduced two original A1 Alpha smartphones to our market, thus becoming the first operator in Serbia to have its own device brand, says A1 Serbia and A1 Slovenia CEO Dejan Turk

Your company recently became A1 Serbia.

What can you tell us about the rebranding process?

What started as a "different kind of story", some 14 years ago, quickly became an epic tale of success. After entering Serbia as the biggest greenfield investment, reshaping the telco industry, generating 2.4 million satisfied users on a highly competitive market, the time has come to take the next step in our development and business.

As an international operator, we will bring the best business practices, continue to invest in

infrastructure and improve the quality of services and customer experience, pushing boundaries and changing the market for the better for all players.

You quickly became recognised as a reliable partner. How does A1 plan to surpass that?

As A1 Serbia, we can implement relevant products and services from other A1 markets and vice versa, very quickly and easily - we use best practices from other A1 countries, but we also give a chance for our good local ideas to gain global use. Empowered by this synergy, our wish is to enable every individual to take an active part in the ongoing digitalisation process and to help them choose the best options for both their private life and their business.

What can we expect in the near future from A1 Serbia?

A lot of new, advanced services will soon be available, including solutions for smart homes and gaming, M2M, cloud and cyber-security solutions. As much as 70 per cent of our network is currently under works, which will improve the user experience significantly. Being dedicated to people and society, we recently launched the project 'The world you dream of', within which we granted 10 million dinars to support projects in the fields of ecology, public health and education.

Real Business Ends

WITH PAYMENT! PRO KOLEKT d.o.o. Beograd has been operating for more than 14 years as part of the PRO KOLEKT GROUP of companies, supported by renowned consulting firm KF FINANCE Slovenia.

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e are a successful and internationally recognised group of companies that deals with out-of-court debt collection, asset management and obtaining credit rating information.

Pro Kolekt Group has to date successfully recovered close to 60 million euros for 1,400 clients, while we are currently monitoring over 20,000 companies from Southeast Europe.

The companies of Pro Kolekt Group also directly cover the markets of Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. Through business relations with our partners, we can also offer debt collection and credit reporting services in almost all European countries.

ADVANTAGES OF HIRING PRO KOLEKT • FOCUS ON YOUR CORE BUSINESS AND LEAVE DEBT COLLECTION TO US - One of the main advantages of hiring PRO KOLEKT is exactly this - to let our clients focus primarily on their core business activities (e.g. sales of goods or services), while we deal with the collection of their claims.

• PROFESSIONALISM AND EXPERTISE IN MANAGING BOTH CLIENTS AND DEBTORS We contact our clients' debtors in a businesslike and professional manner, respecting the fact that these debtors are actually our clients' business partners (either former or current, and possibly future as well).

• Cooperation on a NO COLLECTION – NO FEE basis !

•C REDIT REPORTING and MONITORING SERVICES - REDUCEYOUR BUSINESS RISKS! Checking the credit rating of a customer (the client’s business partner or debtor) allows an assesment of the situation at any given juncture, while monitoring provides information about key changes throughout they year. Analysts of the Pro Kolekt Group rate companies using our own methodology that's been developed in-house. ПРО КОЛЕКТ д.о.о./ PRO KOLEKT d.o.o.

Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 10v Beograd +381 11 240 28 70, office@prokolekt-serbia.com www.prokolekt-serbia.com BUSINESS PARTNER | SLOVENIA 2021

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GASTRONOMY

Slovenia's

GREEN GASTRONOMY As Slovenia slowly begins to reopen to tourists, the new season highlights Slovenia's green gastronomy as one of the key reasons to visit in 2021

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dedication to sustainability in all areas have led to Slovenia eing proclaimed European Region of Gastronomy 2021, as well as it being recognised as one of Europe’s most exciting new culinary capitals.

The unique advantage of Slovenian chefs is their privileged access to local ingredients. The Slovenian culinary philosophy is based on the principle ‘from the garden to table’ and this is reflected in the close relationships between chefs and local producers, as well as the deep connections between Slovenian landscapes and traditional culinary experiences.

Slovenia also has six owners of a coveted Michelin star (Hiša Franko, two Michelin star Restaurant, Hiša Denk, Atelje Restaurant, Vila Podvin, Dam Restaurant and Gostilna pri Lojzetu, all one Michelin star Restaurants), and their relationships with local producers help define and inspire their world class culinary creations.

HIŠA FRANKO Hiša Franko owes its existence to traditions and the local environment of the lush Soča Valley – harsh, remote, but breathtakingly beautiful.

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Set in the foothills of towering mountains and next to the emerald river, Hiša Franko’s cuisine sources from what nature has to offer

HIŠA DENK Hiša Denk is located between the picturesque wine routes of Austrian Styria and Mariborsko Pohorje. This restaurant continues to build on the family culinary tradition featuring the finest produce of Styria.

The extensive wine list offers a fine selection of local, national and international white, red and orange wines.

VILA PODVIN Located in the village of Mošnje Radovljica, Villa Podvin is seven kilometres from the centre of Bled and features an on-site restaurant serving Slovenian cuisine.

DAM RESTAURANT The atmosphere of the restaurant evokes the charm and elegance of an urban environment, with particular attention to intimacy. A relaxed atmosphere, pleasant music and culinary enjoyment with originaly dishes.

ATELJE RESTAURANT The food at Atelje is a product of teamwork in the kitchen, whether its the creative or the actual technical process of cooking. They pride themselves on cooking in a natural way, using local ingredients, following the seasons and making about 90% of their products in-house.

GOSTILNA PRI LOJZETU Gostilna pri Lojzetu finds its home in the Zemono Manor House, where it offers unique culinary delights. They take care of the ingredients and their freshness according to the season and the purity of the flavours. Preparation techniques in the kitchen range from entirely simple to traditional. Yet they all have something in common. None of them alter the original flavours.

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SLOVENIAN TOURIST BOARD

Slovenia Is Ready To

WELCOME TOURISTS As precaution anti-Covid measures have been released by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), together with key partners, has intensified promotional activities to invite foreign visitors to come to Slovenia and spend their holidays there

Soca Valley, photo by Jost Gantar

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he Government of the Republic of Slovenia has released the precaution anti-Covid measures, meaning that the restaurants are allowed to open their gardens and terraces, as well as indoor spaces. The Slovenian Tourist Board (STB), together with key partners, has intensified promotional activities to invite foreign visitors to visit Slovenia and to spend their holidays here. Thus, a number of virtual fairs, exhibitions, and presentations of Slovenia to foreign travel organisers and the media have taken place. The hope for a gradual revival of tourist flows has also been given by the announcement of the Digital Green Certificate.

On this occasion, MSc. Maja Pak, director of the STB, highlights the activities that encourage foreign guests, especially

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from the nearby emitting markets, to take a holiday in Slovenia and discover the country: “The first steps towards the resumption of tourism give us hope for a swift re-establishment of tourist flows and the recovery of tourism, as one of the most important industries. Throughout the crisis, the Slovenian Tourist Board has carried out situation-adapted communication activities on foreign and domestic markets, which have now been upgraded and strengthened, as the restrictions have lifted. In light of changed travel habits, guests are in search of non-mass, healthy and safe holiday destinations. Therefore, active experiences in unspoiled nature are being highlighted, a tourist product that has the most potential for the recovery of tourism. Health is becoming an increasingly important value as well, so we also pay special attention

Piran, Photo by Miha Skrt

to the product's health and well-being. Of course, safety plays a major role when choosing a holiday destination, this is why the Green&Safe brand has been launched, which presents safe and attractive experiences in Slovenia.”

Together with the Slovenian tourism industry, leading destinations and product associations, and other partners, the STB has prepared

Smartno Gorizia Hills, photo by Jost Gantar

a series of activities to inspire visitors to explore Slovenia and also provide them with up-to-date information with regard to the latest travel information and safety guidelines. There is a great number of publications, suggestions and ideas for unforgettable experiences available within the newsletters, the slovenia.info tourist information portal, and the Feel Slovenia social media channels.

Lipizzan Horses, Photo by Jošt Gantar

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CONTENTS EAGERLY 10 PROGRESS AWAITED BY ALL THE DARK 04 FROM WOOD TO PARADISE H.E. CARLO LO CASCIO, AMBASSADOR OF ITALY TO SERBIA

FEDERICA CATTOI, FIRST SECRETARY, HEAD OF THE CONSULATE, HEAD OF THE MEDIA, POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, EMBASSY OF ITALY TO SERBIA

PLAYER IN THE OF THE PAST, 16 STRONG AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR 23 ROOTS WINGS OF THE FUTURE ANNINO DE VENEZIA, GENERAL MANAGER, AUNDE SRB D.O.O

ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION

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ITALY AND SERBIA 24 TOGETHER ON CULTURE

TOP PLAYER IN FRESHCUT SALADS

DOMENICO BATTAGLIOLA, CEO, LA LINEA VERDE

CULTURE

OF 18 HARMONY AESTHETICS AND HEALTH

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LET’S TURN TOWARDS THE GREEN ECONOMY

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EXCITING YEAR AHEAD

VLATKO SEKULOVIĆ, LAW OFFICE SEKULOVIĆ

12 LIVING THE ITALIAN WAY ROBERTO CINCOTTA, DIRECTOR OF THE ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN BELGRADE

DR ANA TESIĆ, FOUNDER AND OWNER OF THE APONIA DENTAL CENTRE

EXPERTS IN 20 ALL FORMS OF TRANSPORT

SLOBODAN FILIPOVIĆ, DIRECTOR, EXPRESS SEE

MARINA SCOGNAMIGLIO, DIRECTOR OF THE ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY IN BELGRADE

21 QUALITY IS EVERYTHING

NEDŽAT ŠUNTIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MIZAN LINE D.O.O.

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ITALIAN AND SERBIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN ROME

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WIND IN THE SAILS OF THE SERBIAN FILM INDUSTRY

ANDREA IERVOLINO, CEO AND FOUNDER OF IERVOLINO ENTERTAINMENT; DRAGAN NIKOLIĆ, CEO OF IERVOLINO STUDIOS D.O.O.

EDITOR IN CHIEF Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs PHOTOS Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

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PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs

Business Partner - Italy 2021

GENERAL MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs DIRECTOR Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

COOPERATION BETWEEN ITALY AND SERBIA: FRIENDSHIP, TRADITION, INNOVATION

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica ITALY 2021 Published by: alliance international media Prote Mateje 52, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fascimile: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs; office@cordmagazine.com

LONG-STANDING 26 TRADITION IN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES

FROM ITALY TO 27 SERBIA (WITH SPORT AND LOVE) CHARITY

www.aim.rs; www.cordmagazine.com No 29 ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2021 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by alliance international media

THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

MFA COMMENT

“The intensification of our cooperation appears even more appropriate in light of the important challenges that our countries are facing with the pandemic emergency still underway. Serbia is concretely helping the Balkan region and for this I personally wanted to thank my colleague Selakovic. We then talked about Serbia’s prospects for European integration that Italy supports with firm conviction. We are in fact convinced that Serbia’s future lies in Europe “. “With this goal in mind, I expressed the hope that Belgrade will give a new impetus to the process of reforms necessary to bring the country closer to the European goal”.

Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, after meeting with Nikola Selakovic, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Rome, 1st April 2021

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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INTERVIEW H.E. CARLO LO CASCIO, AMBASSADOR OF ITALY TO SERBIA

From The Dark Wood

TO PARADISE

Inspired by Dante Alighieri’s verses, in the year of the 700th anniversary of his death, H.E. Ambassador Lo Cascio provides us with insight into his hopes for the future after more than a year of the COVID pandemic.

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taly and Serbia have proved to be reliable partners even during tough times. Now the time to restart has come: that’s why Italy is “back on track”, together with Serbia - H.E. Carlo Lo Cascio

Your Excellency, how would you summarise the past year in Serbia and the scope of diplomacy under the conditions of the pandemic?

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

- During both last and this year, the pandemic made us realise the very essence of our job. We lived and suffered together with the people of Serbia, we experienced tough times together, almost became one thing together. Then we helped and assisted each other and found common solutions. Cooperation never stopped.

Trade exchanges never disappeared. More than survivors, we are friends whose links were even

fortified by this unprecedented challenge.

In the meantime, Serbia has succeeded in organising one of the world’s fastest vaccination campaigns, as a key tool to exit this crisis.

The effectiveness of Serbia’s organisation is an important step in returning to our common work of high-level contacts in greater security for the benefit of bilateral relations and regional and multilateral cooperation.

TRADE

FCA

INTER-PARTY DIALOGUE

Italian exports to Serbia increased by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period of last year

The future of the Kragujevac factory has never been brought into question. I see FCA continuing to operate in Serbia, with possible new inputs

We believe that debate in the Parliament should still be the most suitable way to resolve confrontations in a democratic country

The latestdata arriving fromItalyconfirm that we are heading in the right direction. After so much suffering, there is now a desire to start all over again. We know that it will not be easy, but we must all contribute to the economic recovery and the re-launch of the image of Italy, which has always been synonymous with art, beauty and culture, as well as entrepreneurial dynamism.

Given the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death, I feel comfortable enough to say that we went together “from the dark wood ” and are hopefully “heading to Paradise”, as he depicts in his masterpiece, the Divine Comedy.

Italy is one of Serbia’s most important economic partners. Was there any interest in strengthening and expanding that economic cooperation during this year of the pandemic?

- Serbia is increasingly becoming an important market for Italian goods. According to international forecasts, Serbia’s economy will continue to grow in the coming years, and therefore it is in our interest to support Italian companies that are looking to Serbia to internationalise their activities, both in terms of exports and foreign direct investments (another success story of the last few years).

Over 1,600 companies with Italian capital currently operate on the Serbian market, 588 of which are subsidiaries, employing about 40,000 people and generating a total turnover of 5.4% of Serbia’s GDP. According to the Serbian national statistics institute, in the first quarter of 2021 bilateral trade has in fact returned to growth, recording an increase of 2.6% compared to the first quarter of 2020, reaching around 927 million euros. Italian exports to Serbia increased by 3.1% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period of last year.

Italy thus confirms itself as Serbia’s second largest trade partner, while also improving its trade surplus, which grew by 8.8%. These are encouraging signs, driven by the excellent performance of the Serbian economy (which the IMF estimates will return to growth by 5% in 2021), that confirm the attractiveness of the Serbian market for Italian operators and

the great opportunities for our companies.

Our economic partnership with Serbia has grown over the years to our mutual satisfaction, and it could now be strengthened while increasingly intense competition exists. As we saw in recent times, other interesting areas for deepening commercial cooperation include infrastructure, the circular and

The fight against corruption and organised crime is the key priority of IPA assistance in the area of rule of law. Around 16 million euros has been mobilised to support Serbia in preventing and fighting corruption and organised crime since 2013 digital economy, innovation and technology, the defence industry etc.

Over the past few months, we’ve heard a renewal of questions regarding the possible fate of Fiat Chrysler in Serbia emanating from within the company. How do you see the future of this major automobile manufacturer’s Kragujevac factory?

- The future of the Kragujevac factory has never been brought into question. I see FCA continuing to operate in Serbia, with possible new inputs.

As an Ambassador, you also maintain regular communication with interlocutors in the Serbian National Assembly. What does parliamentary life there look like to you today, when it has almost no representatives of the opposition?

- We believe that debate in the Parliament should still be the most suitable way to resolve confrontations in a democratic country; for this, we did not consider the electoral boycott as a sustainable method of political engagement. The outcome of the elections in June 2020 gave the country a cohesive Parliament with a vast majority supporting the action of the new government. This circumstance should be considered as a great opportunity to carry out important reforms in the interest of Serbia, allowing progress on EU accession negotiations. The role of the Parliament is fundamental for translating the efforts of the Government, along the path of reforms, into tangible facts.

Are you taking an interest in the resumed inter-party dialogue in Serbia, which is receiving assistance from representatives of the European Parliament; and, if so, what do you expect from those talks?

- We hope that the Inter-Party Dialogue facilitated by the European Parliament will allow the reaching of an agreement on electoral conditions in view of the next elections, so that a larger number of parties will take part in the competition and Serbian citizens will have a wider range of options when casting their votes in the polls.

I am confident that political forces will use the inter-party dialogues to forge as broad a consensus as possible on electoral conditions, whilst also engaging in a transparent, decisive and inclusive discussions on the implementation of the ODIHR’s recommendations.

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which has been subjected to attacks from pro-government tabloids. How do you see the situation when it comes to the state of democracy and freedom of the press in Serbia?

- Dialogue with civil society is crucial to ensure that the reforms approved by Parliament are shared and not divisive within the country.

NGOs and journalists play an important role in any modern society, now more than ever.

We definitely welcome the approval of a new Media strategy. Serbia has a good framework to make quick and decisive progress. Certainly more steps forward need to be taken to ensure a pluralistic media scene and, in the public interest, we hope that a more constructive environment could soon be achieved.

More in general, strengthening of the rule of law, fundamental rights and justice is key for the accession negotiations to take off. It will also be crucial to address these issues by pursuing a genuine dialogue with civil society and journalists’ associations.

The aforementioned European Parliament, with the support of a large majority that included Italian MEPs, adopted a report on Serbia calling for more decisive government action to shed light on scandals linked to corruption and crime. Do you think that such a view of Serbia contributes to the slowdown in the pace of European integration?

- Serbia needs to strengthen the track record of investigations, prosecutions and final convictions in the fight against high level corruption and organised crime. This is important to demonstrate the effectiveness of the rule of law reforms in practical application.

By the way, the fight against corruption and organised crime is the key priority of IPA assistance in the area of rule of law. Around 16 million euros has been mobilised to support Serbia in preventing and fighting corruption and organised crime since 2013. In this field, Italy, also under the guise of multilateral programmes, has a long story of cooperation with Serbia: the Sixth meeting of the National Prosecutors against corruption and organised crime recently took place under the patronage of the OSCE, but the very core cooperation was initially Italian-Serbian.

Having said that, on the one hand, the path

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

Dialogue with civil society is crucial to ensure that the reforms approved

by Parliament are shared and not divisive within the country. NGOs and journalists play an important role in any modern society, now more than ever towards EU accession is a merit-based process that’s dependent on concrete results achieved by each candidate country. On the other hand, Member States have to act accordingly by rewarding progress on reforms and advancing negotiations. We are neither looking for shortcuts in the enlargement process nor trying to minimise the importance of reforms. On the contrary, we want to support them through the strong incentive of the European perspective, which has to become more credible and predictable. This is up to both candidate countries and member states.

You’ve expressed support for the media and representatives of the non-governmental sector, especially the Crta organisation,

Despite the past year having been marked by the pandemic, the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute continued to promote cooperation in the domain of culture.

Are you satisfied with the public interest in the Hypermodern Dante exhibition, which was arranged to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Dante Alighieri’s death?

- We are very satisfied, because despite the pandemic, which inevitably imposed some restrictions in terms of access, the Belgrade public came to visit the exhibition, giving us a signal of their appreciation and real interest, but above all of hope and optimism. Seven centuries after his death, Dante continues to be modern, contemporary and even rather “hypermodern”, and he continues to inspire artists of different sensibilities and techniques, as can be seen at the exhibition.

The work of the Italian “Supreme Poet” shows us the great themes of existence, life, death, pain, love: in short, all the main features and contradictions of the human soul.

Maybe some of the visitors felt supported in their pain, after this tough year of the pandemic, given Dante’s view towards the Paradise that is an “eternal Love that moves the whole sky and all the stars”. The artists of the exhibition were able to translate all of that into powerful and impressive images that I also like would to share with you, looking to the future.

VLATKO SEKULOVIĆ, LAW OFFICE SEKULOVIĆ BUSINESS

Let's Turn Towards The

GREEN ECONOMY Law Office Sekulović, which in the last few years has also focused on developing strategies to attract foreign investors, hopes that economic flows will soon return to normal

T

he new investment cycle aims not only to resolve issues related to climate change, but also to create prospects for new economic development with the aim of reducing uncertainty

COVID-19 has had an extremely negative impact on cross-border investment worldwide. Is recovery on the horizon?

It remains too early to say whether the pandemic has been overcome, con-

sidering the situation in countries like India and Brazil. There are nonetheless reasons for optimism and its seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel. A question remains as to what effects the measures taken by various governments to support the economy and consumer spending will have, while one of the main unknowns is the issue of the appearance of inflation on the global front.

Have you managed to renew negotiations and deals that ground to

a halt when the pandemic began?

Negotiations have been continuing the whole time, albeit at a slower pace due to the impossibility of direct contacts between stakeholders. Due to the pandemic, investors have been more focused on sustaining existing projects than on implementing new ones.

In order to foster new investments there should be a redefining of the system of economic incentives, considering that the measures implemented to date were aimed

primarily at reducing unemployment.

The opening of labour-intensive industrial plants over the past few decades has led to a significant increase in employment levels. In that sense, instruments for stimulating economic development should enable the development of 21st century technologies and the transition to a green economy, with greater added value in final products, which will also mean the proper valuing of local knowhow and expertise.

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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INTERVIEW MARINA SCOGNAMIGLIO, DIRECTOR OF THE ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY IN BELGRADE

Exciting Year

AHEAD

Italy has been Serbia's main trade partner in the last decade, with a high degree of compatibility and proximity, and I have reasons to believe that it will return to that position. Indeed, losses from 2020 are already being compensated for

I

taly was Serbia’s second largest partner in 2020 when it comes to exports and the country’s third largest partner when it comes to imports, after Germany and China. Although these are favourable statistics, it seemed for some time that bilateral trade between our two countries had somewhat lost its momentum.

Here Marina Scognamiglio, Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Belgrade, crunches the numbers and trends for CorD. Which factors influenced such trade dynamics in recent years?

- A recent study confirmed our own research, conducted several years ago: there are around 600 Serbian companies with Italian capital (this number grows up to almost three times if we consider all companies with a share of Italian capital) operating in the country and they form part of the economic backbone of the country, ranging from the financial and banking sectors, to manufacturing, industry and agri-food.Italy remains one of the primary investors in Serbia, with investments ranging from small joint-ventures scattered all across the country – from Vranje to the north of Vojvodina – to huge investments like Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles in Kragujevac.

Last year was unfortunately marked by the COVID pandemic, a factor that cannot be ignored. Resilience and persistence have, however, always characterised the entrepreneurs of both countries and the fall in trade in 2020 is already being compensated for in the first quarter of this year (+2.6% in the trade exchange with Italian exports beyond 3% in the same period). Although the automotive sector remains the single most significant contributor to our bilateral trade, the structure of commerce is very heterogeneous and encompasses nearly all key parts of the Serbian economy. Italy has been Serbia’s main

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trade partner in the last decade, with a high degree of compatibility and proximity, and I have reasons to believe that it will return to that position. According to the latest figures, Italy is still - like in 2020 - Serbia’s second trade partner.

How has COVID19 influenced investment relations? What was the level of investments of Italian companies in 2020, and where did these investments mostly head in terms of sectors?

- I don’t believe that the COVID pandemic caused the cancelling of investments, but it certainly put numerous projects on hold, not just in this country.

Serbia experienced an understandable fall in FDI inflows in 2020, while still performing relatively strongly despite the economic crisis. There are several Italian investments that should unfold this year, bearing in mind the strong government support to the economy and the rapid reaction with the vaccinating of the population and the workforce. Italian investments are announced in the sock manufacturing industry, which represents a workhorse of Italo-Serbian cooperation, as well as in the metal industry, but also in the entertainment, industrial, agri-food and other sectors. This should be an exciting year for our economic relations.

ITA provides information, assistance, consulting, promotion and training to Italian and foreign SMEs. How did your usual line of work change in 2020?

- The pandemic obviously changed the way we work, but not necessarily in a negative way. While physical travelling has been banned or made difficult, the majority of our partners in Italy adjusted quickly: fairs that traditionally host top Italian companies were able to create online events, companies have been very receptive to the concept of online meetings and in a way the whole adjustment was merely accelerated by the constraints imposed by COVID. Our Agency is already deeply orientated towards online services and we haven’t skipped a beat. I believe that the good old-fashioned face-to-face meetings and a physical presence at significant business events will still remain unparalleled in terms of experience, but the truth is that the vast majority of work can be done online just as efficiently as “in person”. In some cases, even more efficiently.

I must say that Serbian companies are showing a great deal of adaptability and willingness to embrace the new trends, which is something that hasn’t been the case in all European countries.

There are projections that Serbia will see robust GDP growth in 2021. What are your estimates when it comes to bilateral trade? Is this growth going to translate into increased export and import opportunities for Italian companies?

- It is very hard to make predictions or projections at this moment, though we are all hoping that the pandemic is slowly passing. As I mentioned earlier, I have no doubt that bilateral trade will blossom once both countries overcome the major consequences of the pandemic and resume a normal working regime. The trade statistics for the first quarter of 2021 are a good indicator of the things to come. Both countries worked really hard to create the best possible business

Italy is one of the first EU countries to devise an Industry 4.0 national framework, while Serbia is already famous for its highly qualified tech staff. But we still have a lot of work ahead of us if this is to become a match made in heaven

conditions, while keeping the pandemic situation under control, with incentives and programmes aimed at resuming normal business activities as soon as possible, and I believe that in the coming period we will be able to reap the fruits of those activities.

The food sector remained strong during the pandemic, but there were no large trade events and fairs, such as the one in Novi Sad that used to be in the focus of Italian companies. Was this lack of face-to-face businesses contacts fully offset by online communication and networking? How does 2021 look to you from that perspective?

- Although the food sector remained strong during the pandemic, the experience of trading using online communications and networking, without face-to-face business contacts, showed the weakness of a lack of personal contacts.

Hence it is my great pleasure to inform you that ITA Belgrade has the opportunity to organise the participation of Italian companies in the 9th Italian exhibition as part of the International Agriculture Fair in Novi Sad. This event will take place from 18th to 24th September 2021.

The pandemic caused a strong push to advance digitalisation and innovation. What kinds of opportunities have these trends created when it comes to our mutual cooperation?

- The ICT sector, as well as innovation and hightech sectors in general, are sectors that we view as having perhaps the greatest potential for collaboration between our countries.

During and after the pandemic, it has just become more visible that there are several other sectors which, in one way or another, rely heavily on digital infrastructure and underlying sophisticated technical solutions: healthcare and medicine, agriculture, industry, renewable energy, industry and so on. Italy is maybe best known for its cars, fashion and gastronomy, but it is also a leader in digital industry and ICT, as well as one of the first EU countries to devise an Industry 4.0 national framework, in order to promote and support fast and modern industrial development. Serbia, on the other hand, is already famous for the availability of highly qualified staff. The number of engineers, technicians and other specialists is sufficient to meet the growing demand of international companies. In theory, this is a match made in heaven, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us to bring together these subjects.

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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INTERVIEW FEDERICA CATTOI, FIRST SECRETARY, HEAD OF THE CONSULATE, HEAD OF THE MEDIA, POLITICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER, EMBASSY OF ITALY TO SERBIA

Progress Eagerly

AWAITED BY ALL Serbia needs steady progress in the area of the rule of law, both in the interest of its citizens and as a standard asset required to become a full EU member state. If the necessary requirements continue to be fulfilled, I am positive that 2021 will be a better year for Serbia

A

s she comes to the end of her mandate in Serbia, we asked Federica Cattoi, First Secretary and Head of the Consulate, Head of the Media, and Political Affairs Officer at the Embassy of Italy in Belgrade, how she perceives relations between Serbia and Italy. Her answer can be summed up in one sentence: there is an “osmotic process of friendship” in politics, culture and emergency services between the two countries, insists our interlocutor.

One of the last meetings you had in Serbia was with the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Italy. How much can such groups contribute to fostering friendship between the two countries?

- It was an honour to take part in that meeting, as well as many others over these past three and a half years that I’ve spent in Serbia. Participating in a session with the Parliamentary Friendship Group was a chance to get to the heart of democracy in this country, and to feel the connection with Italy from the inside of the National Assembly.

Parliamentary diplomacy consists of a real modality of relations between countries, as meetings between bodies elected by their respective peoples. As for Italy and Serbia, I recall that over the last few years several members of the Italian Parliament have visited the Serbian Assembly under various circumstances, and during all those times I witnessed a tremendously vibrant environment of closeness, as well as the development of reciprocal opportunities.

One of the messages you’ve had for Serbian MPs was that, despite Serbia not having

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

opened any chapters last year, it should remain focused on the rule of law, especially in the field of justice, as well as reforms related to these areas. Given the current state of the EU accession process, would you say that 2021 will be a better year in terms of the progress achieved?

- Last year’s combination of events wasn’t favourable to Serbia, given the COVID pandemic.

This crisis was also a circumstance that slowed things down with further developments in methodology on the European side.

Independently, when it comes to how this new European approach will influence the accession process, without also considering the opening of negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia, one thing remains clear: Serbia needs steady progress in the area of the rule of law (justice, media, fundamental rights) in the interest of its citizens and as a standard asset required to become a full EU member state.

I don’t think this is all just about European procedures: it is about substance. Serbia has achieved a lot of goals in the last few years, and much progress has been made. If the necessary requirements continue to be fulfilled, I’m positive that 2021 will be a better year for Serbia.

Given your position as the head of the embassy’s press office, how would you describe the current state of media freedom in Serbia and media reforms?

- Much has already been said about the need for Serbia to increase its efforts in the fields of media and freedom of expression. Thanks to the job that I’ve been lucky enough to do during these last few years, I’m able to add some specific aspects.

Having had the chance to talk with many journalists, media representatives and civil society organisations, I realised that Serbia has a history of its school of journalism: this is a legacy that should not be wasted; a professionalism that could contribute to the entire media environment.

Making improvements in the media sector also depends on several elements: it is certainly about reforms, and increasing transparency on media management, but it is not only about procedures. It is also about deepening the political culture on a wider spectrum: curiosity and the attitude of public opinion are important to ensuring a more actively engaged, involved and interested society.

When you look over your time in Serbia, how would you describe the cooperation you’ve had with various Serbian interlocutors and the efforts they’ve exerted in pursuing EU accession?

- Like many of my current colleagues and predecessors here, I experienced very good cooperation with my Serbian counterparts.

Most of the time that commitment was more than about assisting Serbia, rather it was a case of trying to reach a goal together, which is why traditional cooperation here has often been at that very high level of effectiveness.

During these years that I followed Serbia’s process of negotiating to join the European Union, from Belgrade’s perspective, Serbia made progress, and Italy was involved in

Living here in Serbia during the pandemic was the ultimate experience for me, which finally brought us together and now makes it harder for me to leave several bilateral or multilateral (EU/OSCE) projects pertaining to justice, the rule of law and police cooperation.

This commitment shouldn’t stop, but rather should intensify, in order for Serbia to forge a democratic culture aligned with its history, but also with the reforms and changes progressively implemented.

A lot of diplomatic cooperation took place online during the previous period. How did this impact on your work and your professional ambitions, given that this is your last year in Serbia?

- It was very unfortunate indeed to spend this last year mainly with “online” communication.

This was the modality that was exploited everywhere in the world, in order to stay safe and protect others.

Serbia nonetheless demonstrated that it is able to react quickly, with a very well organised vaccination campaign, while “in person” meetings and activities began earlier here compared to most other countries.

Although under unprecedented circumstances, the work level intensified and connections grew stronger. Living here in Serbia during the pandemic was the ultimate experience for me, which finally brought us together and now makes it harder for me to leave.

Which messages did you want to communicate with the general public, and how much you have relied on social networks?

- When the COVID crisis began in Italy, we communicated a lot towards Italian citizens living in Serbia, to Serbian citizens travelling to Italy and everyone interested in frequent movements between Italy and Serbia. Social media helped us to share information faster, thus enabling us to better assist the public.

We then continued in this direction. Consular and visa services never stopped, but we relied on different modalities of assistance according to higher or lower level of contagions in the country, in the best interest of everyone.

We also received messages through the same online modality: the “solidarity concert” of the Novi Sad orchestra for what was happening in Italy, held in April 2020, moved us all.

Much of our communication was therefore focused on thanking the Serbian Government and the whole Serbian population for their assistance and donations, as well as when it was reciprocated with help from the Italian side in the next epidemiological wave.

How have your personal relations with Serbia and Belgrade evolved over time? What would be the best things to remember?

- I was personally caught by the human connection between the Serbian and Italian populations, and by how easy it is to meet and get acquainted. However, this is probably what every Italian feels like in Serbia: that we are at home again. Like we used to say, it’s not that Italian and Serbian cultures are very similar to each other, but rather that there is such a history of closeness between them that it became an “osmotic process of friendship”.

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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INTERVIEW ROBERTO CINCOTTA, DIRECTOR OF THE ITALIAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN BELGRADE

By Sonja Ćirić

Living The

ITALIAN WAY “Thanks to Dante, it is easy for us Italians to promote our culture and our country.

Dante is considered the father of the Italian language, il “Sommo Poeta”, but he also represents the cultural heritage of all humanity” ~ Roberto Cincotta

T

he whole of Italy is this year commemorating the 700th anniversary of the death of the great Dante Alighieri, so it is only natural to talk about this “father” of the Italian language and one of the giants of world literature with Roberto Cincotta, Director of the Italian Cultural Institute in Belgrade. Numerous programmes have been planned to mark this great jubilee, and - thanks to the Italian Embassy and the Italian Cultural Institute Belgrade will host several of these events.

Last February the Italian Cultural Institute presented the book ‘From the Dark Wood to Paradise. A Journey through Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy in thirty-three languages’, with one of those languages being Serbian, while it was precisely from Belgrade in April that the exhibition ‘Hypermodern Dante.

Illustrations of Dante’s work from around the world, 1983-2021’ set out on its European tour, bound for Athens, Prague, Moscow, Madrid and London.

Why did you choose Belgrade to launch this really unusual presentation of the world of the great Dante?

- I accepted our Ministry’s proposal to host this important exhibition as a sign of attention for Belgrade’s public and because, as you are saying, this exhibition confirms that Dante is always modern, indeed “hypermodern”. I was sure the audience would appreciate it, and in fact some hundred visitors came, despite restrictions on access due to the pandemic.

Celebrations marking the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death, organised by the Italian

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

Institute of Culture, started back in February, when you presented the audio-visual book ‘From the Dark Wood to Paradise. A Journey through Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy in thirty-three languages’. What does Dante teach us?

- Dante never stops pushing us to look within ourselves. Describing the faults and merits of humankind, his drives, his reactions, his desperation, but also his aspirations, Dante shows us the right path, warns us against the traps of selfishness, greed, sins and baseness that men are capable of, but at the same time showing us the way to redemption. He first takes us to hell, then creates a glimmer of hope through purgatory to finally reach

heaven. The “Divina Commedia” appears to be a religious poem, but is actually also profoundly secular, because it shows us the pitfalls and, at the same time, the beauty of our earthly life. Dante deals with universal topics through the experience of his own life in the historical period in which he lived.

That’s why Dante is modern; he’s always been modern, in every historical era.

Both the exhibition and the audio-visual book represent a fusion of Dante’s art and our times. At the same time, these projects are also exceptional examples of how today, in this time of the abundance of information, other nations are promoting

their culture and country. Could you please comment?

- Thanks to Dante, it is easy for us Italians to promote our culture and our country.

Dante is considered the father of the Italian language, il “Sommo Poeta”, but he also represents the cultural heritage of all humanity.

The fortune enjoyed by his work throughout the world over the centuries allows us to consider him a splendid example, while simultaneously an instrument of cultural promotion. Through Dante we can talk about Florence, Ravenna, “Dante’s lands”, an extremely attractive part of Italy, rich in monuments, architectural masterpieces, wonderful landscapes, ancient traditions of craftsmanship, agriculture, cuisine, history and fashion. It is also for these reasons that Dante is a formidable ambassador of Italian culture who makes the task of promoting our country easier for us.

Italy is one of the pillars of European and world poetry. However, on the occasion of Poetry Day you decided to present three contemporary poets, even though they are not known to our readers. Why didn’t you opt for classics; is contemporary creativity an easier way to find a common language among nations?

- Contemporary creativity can be an easier way to find a common language among nations. Three young poets were presented to the Serbian public, three Italian women who pursue their own path of poetic research. We wanted to show that even today, especially today, in the complex era in which we live, women and men cannot do without poetry. Is it not Dante who writes in the “Divina Commedia” ‘Consider your seed: you were not made to live like brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge’? The classics are a beacon, helping us to move forward: they have traced a path and stimulate us to understand ourselves and the world around us, they continue to talk to us.

Paying attention to young contemporary poetesses means that the teaching of the classics has not been exhausted and has not been in vain. The classics (which have been, and in some ways still are, modern) are like the foundations of a marvellous building that is constantly being renovated and improved by new generations of poets.

On the YouTube channel produced by the Italian Institute, it is possible to watch the films Family and Gastronomy, which present the secrets of famous Italian cuisine in a very approachable way. How do private life and everyday life connect people?

- Private life and everyday life connect people because they bring us back to reality, to our personal experience and it’s precisely because we know this life well that it emphasises what makes us similar and familiar to each other. It canhelpusbuildbridges,connections,bonds,to forge solidarity. One of the first ways to make friends, to feel similar, is to share a table, to get to know each other and find similarities and references to our own lives. Once again, food

the consistently high numbers of Serbian citizens who attend our language courses and the huge number of students of Italian in Serbian schools and universities.

The success and impact of your institute depends on the readiness of local institutions to cooperate with you. Compared to your colleagues stationed in the region’s other countries, is it harder or easier for you here in Belgrade?

- It is easy for us to promote our language and our culture. It is a source of pride and therefore a great challenge and commitment. Our culture is highly appreciated all over the world, and we are greeted every-

One of the first ways to make friends, to feel similar, is to share a table, to get to know each other and find similarities and references to our own lives brings us closer and makes us feel good. Italian cuisine is simple and tasty. It is appreciated all over the world and makes it easier to make friends and get to know Italy!

Language courses are an important activity for every foreign culture centre.

How would you rate the level interest in the Italian language among Serbian citizens?

- The Italian language is the fourth most studied language in the world. Statistics tell us that the main reason foreigners study our language is because they like it. The Italian language is the expression of a refined culture that aims to live well: living the Italian way is synonymous with enjoying the good things in life. For this reason, interest in our language is also high in Serbia, as shown by

where with a lot of kindness and sympathy.

In Belgrade and throughout Serbia it is even simpler and more beautiful, because we feel the good disposition towards us. All Serbian cultural institutions, both public and private, want to cooperate with us and show us affection and friendship.

Will the Italian Cultural Institute continue programmes commemorating the jubilee of the great Dante until the end of the year?

- Certainly. The Week of the Italian Language of the World, which takes place in October, has Dante Alighieri as its topic this year. We are envisaging a photographic exhibition dedicated to Dante, meetings, conferences, concerts. Follow us through our channels.

You are all invited!

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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BUSINESS

ANDREA IERVOLINO, CEO AND FOUNDER OF IERVOLINO ENTERTAINMENT; DRAGAN NIKOLIĆ, CEO OF IERVOLINO STUDIOS D.O.O.

Wind in the Sails of the

SERBIAN FILM INDUSTRY Company Iervolino Entertainment is building a studio in Serbia for the production of short, animated, web and streaming formats, where 580 professionals will be employed. The company is satisfied with its cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, which has, among other things, enabled it to penetrate new markets

Andrea Iervolino

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hen it comes to the future, Iervolino Studios plans to continue supporting the development of animation and film in Serbia through cooperation with the education sector, support for initiatives and projects in the film industry, as well as CSR activities.

Last year proved to be more than successful for you. You recorded growth despite the pandemic that caused tremendous damage to the entertainment industry as a whole. How?

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

Andrea: Iervolino Entertainment ended 2020 with revenues that were as much as 51 per cent higher than in the previous year.

At Iervolino Entertainment they believe that they’ll be able to realise their first live event from somewhere in space by the first half of 2023 We owe this success to the fact that our company is focused, among other things, on creating short animated content that is distributed primarily on large streaming

Dragan Nikolić platforms, such as Netflix and Apple TV. Given that platforms of this type experienced a real boom in the year of global isolation, our content also adapted to trends in the entertainment world. Apart from that, at the peak of the pandemic in Serbia, Iervolino Studios was established for the production of animated content.

And there, over the last year, work has been conducted on high quality projects intended for global distribution.

You’re planning to invest at least 8.5 million in IES studio in Serbia, while

plans also include the hiring of 580 professionals. What stage are you now at with this project?

Dragan: The planned investments are much bigger than that. The Memorandum of Understanding signed last year with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Serbia, as well as Memorandum of Cooperation with Miloš Biković’s production company Archangel Digital Studios, envisages an investment of as much as 100 million euros in the production of animated content by Iervolino Entertainment, with the aforementioned 8.5 million to be invested only in its branch in Serbia, i.e. Iervolino Studios. Plans for now also envisage the employing of about 600 people by 2025, though we’re not ruling out the possibility of that figure being even higher. Alongside this, cooperation with the Ministry has also enabled us to penetrate new markets, such as those of Russia and Eastern Europe.

Iervolino Studios now has around a hundred employees from various fields, at two locations - in Belgrade and Novi Sad - while a new wave of hiring staff is currently underway, and I hope we’ll be able to repeat all of that more often.

innovative animated content in this part of the world. The plan is to transfer the complete production process here - from the initial idea, through the strategy and production itself, all the way to finalisation and further distribution. The content created by Iervolino Studios is intended for the world market and distribution on popular

What are your staff working on at present?

Dragan: The main project that the studio’s employees are currently working on is the short animated series “Puffins”. This is also the first time that Serbia’s storyboard artists, 2D and 3D animators, graphic designers and editors have had the opportunity to work on a world-class animated project from their own country, from their own city. The fact that Johnny Depp is also participating in the series, giving his voice to one of the characters, testifies to the kind of project it is. This really represents a strong wind in the sails of local artists and our country’s animation scene and film industry.

Mr Iervolino, is the Earth too restrictive for you? Is that why we have “Space 11”, to cater for the need for film, TV and online content, music and sporting events, recorded in space? Is it possible that we’re at that stage of development?

Your plan is also to produce content worth a billion euros in Serbian cinematography by 2031. For which markets is that content intended? Where will everything be distributed?

Andrea: I’ve stated multiple times that our common goal is to turn Serbia into Hollywood in the domain of producing

Iervolino Studios now has around a hundred employees in Belgrade and Novi Sad, while a new wave of hiring staff is currently underway streaming platforms, and it will be available worldwide. It was while going through this whole process that I realised that the future of film is in the short format - according to some research, 98% of film watching in the next ten years will be via phones and streaming platforms, and there are today more smartphones in the world than there are people. Of course, this doesn’t mean that we’ll no longer work with standard film formats and classic distribution systems - the key is in an intelligent combination of these two approaches.

Miloš Biković’s Archangel Digital Studios is today our strategic partner and we’re looking forward to everything we’ll do together in the future Andrea: Space 11, as a subsidiary of Iervolino Entertainment Group, is the first company dedicated to producing film, TV and online content, but also music and sporting events, that are shot entirely in space, and it originated from the idea of moving entertainment beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, similar to the companies that design accommodation and recreational facilities there. Perhaps the notion of such a project may seem too futuristic or

impractical at the moment, but technological progress is unfolding at such a speed that I believe all this will be achievable in a relatively short period of time. I consider that we’ll be able to realise the first event live, up there somewhere in space, by the first half of 2023.

Iervolino Studios consists of two centres, located in Belgrade and Novi Sad. How is the work organised?

Dragan: Our studio has two branches, located in the city centres of Belgrade and Novi Sad, on an area of 1,500 square metres, while the plan is to also open a new branch with the goal of giving talented people a chance to work throughout Serbia. Our uniquely designed studios, for which everything is designed bespoke and made to measure, are equipped with the latest technology and equipment, which our artists have the opportunity to work on together with top domestic and foreign professionals. Production is conducted equally at both studios, and modern equipment and following trends enable daily connectivity and joint work.

How would you rate your cooperation with Serbian actor Miloš Biković, founder of Belgrade’s Archangel Digital Studios?

Andrea: I met Miloš on the set of a film we were both working on in Rome and even back then I told myself that he was something special, so we stayed in touch.

It was only after I came to Serbia for the first time that I realised he was from here - I’d somehow always connected him with Russia in my mind. In the meantime we’ve become really good friends, we talk a lot about art and film, the past and future of the industry, and how to preserve creativity and originality in these challenging times.

It was actually Miloš who finally convinced me that Serbia should be the place to open a new studio. Through him I also met many other local artists and people from the profession, which led to me gaining great trust in the local art community and recognising its great potential. Archangel Digital Studios is today our strategic partner and we’re looking forward to everything we’ll do together in the future.

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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BUSINESS ANNINO DE VENEZIA, GENERAL MANAGER, AUNDE SRB D.O.O

Strong Player In The

AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR AUNDE Serbia started with upholstery covers for the Fiat 500L, then moved on to the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily, quickly adding new customers to their list. About 15,000 seat covers leave the production lines of its plant every single day

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hen it comes to the future, at Aunde Serbia they feel that good possibilities exist to expand their operations and hire more workers: sewing operators, technicians, product quality experts etc. They are also hopeful that the time of COVID is passing.

covers leave the production lines of our plant every day. When it comes to the future, I feel like a good possibility exists for us to expand our operations and hire more workers: sewing operators, technicians, product quality experts etc. The time of COVID is passing, at least we hope so. After this negative event in recent human history, every one of us will be ready to start normal life again. I wish to say “enthusiastic normal life”. The modern economy will restart and AUNDE is ready to be on the front line.

against men, obviously. But we must consider an important aspect of our job: women are more efficient and effective than men. Young men and women have met at our company and married. That’s really nice.

Let me also say that more than 100 children were born in Jagodina whose mums work at AUNDE. We have an

Aunde Srb is known as a good employer. How many employees do you have at present? Is it true that women account for as many as 72 per cent of your staff?

AUNDE has 750 workers. And women represent more than 72%, actually 75%. Just to remind everyone that 50% of the managers at AUNDE are women. That’s nothing

important, positive social impact on the community. I am proud of that.

How many companies do you currently collaborate with; how many models do you produce covers for and do possibilities exist for you to expand your portfolio?

AUNDE Serbia is a strong player in the automotive seat cover sector.

That’s why the EU’s most important OEM’s choose us for their projects.

Stellantis, Mercedes, Iveco, Peg Perego - these represent just a few examples of the names with which we work. A lot of models and variants are produced in our Serbian plant. Just to give you a number: about 15,000 seat

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The modern economy will restart and AUNDE is ready to be on the front line

In your work and the protecting of your employees, did you rely on the experience and knowhow of your colleagues from the company’s headquarters in Italy, which was the hardest hit country at the beginning of the pandemic?

Maintaining operations under the conditions of a pandemic is a major challenge, yet we managed to preserve both our production activities and the health of our employees.

Italians suffered a lot because of the pandemic. I lost my friend and his father. We learnt some important things from that negative experience. I was in constant contact with our headquarters. AUNDE Serbia adopted all the countermeasures proposed by the Serbian Ministry of Health. Moreover, we also implemented some specific measures: plexiglass flags on each sewing machines; single use gloves to wear on the bus; dispensers of antiseptics in all departments; antiseptic cleaner for shoes, and so on.

Our workers are very responsible and they immediately reacted well and used all the procedures and equipment we gave them. We are a big and strong family at AUNDE Serbia!

DOMENICO BATTAGLIOLA, CEO, LA LINEA VERDE

BUSINESS

Top Player in

FRESH-CUT SALADS La Linea Verde Group generated an estimated turnover of 322 million euros in 2020. As a company that boasts 50 years of experience in agriculture and 30 years in the washed salads sector, it manufactures under its own umbrella-brand DimmidiSì and is an important co-packer for major European retailers production site, as well as state-of-the-art fields and greenhouses.

Encompassing a surface area of 5,900 square metres and with a team of 100 employees, La Linea Verde d.o.o. Dobrinci is now the top player in fresh-cut salads in Serbia, while it now aims to become a key partner for Balkan retailers in the offer and enhancement of fresh convenience products.

Here we get the lowdown on how the company implemented its Italian model in Serbia, as well as the key factors behind its success, in conversation with CEO Domenico Battagliola.

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omenico Battagliola is the CEO of La Linea Verde, a group of companies headquartered in Northern Italy and specialised in the production of fresh-cut salads and chilled fresh ready meals. Founded in 1991 by two Italian brothers, Giuseppe and Domenico Battagliola, the group relies on solid family values and represents the commercial evolution of a family agriculture business. With eight production sites (located in Italy, Spain, Serbia and France), and a commercial office in Macedonia, La Linea Verde generated an estimated turnover of 322 million euros in 2020. As a company that boasts 50 years of experience in agriculture and 30 years in the washed salads sector, it manufactures the DimmidiSì (TellmeYes in Italian) brand under its own umbrella and is an important co-packer for major European retailers.

The Group opened its Serbian branch, La Linea Verde d.o.o. Dobrinci, in 2017, in the village of Dobrinci in the municipality of Ruma. The Serbian company is the result of a ten-million-euro investment in a modern and efficient

On the basis of its experience in Europe, La Linea Verde is committed to creating an integrated agricultural supply chain, through loyal partnerships with Serbian farmers.

What is the mission of this project?

- La Linea Verde is implementing a short and integrated supply chain in Serbia, which is supposed to ensure the availability of constant, high-quality raw materials year-round. This is a model that La Linea Verde has already tested successfully elsewhere in Europe.

The relationship between La Linea Verde and its agricultural partners in Italy has become so close that it developed into the the foundation of “Sole e Rugiada”, Organisation of Agricultural Producers, which today gathers together the farms and companies owned by La Linea Verde, as well as another 70 reliable partners, with a total of 2,000 hectares of farmland. Thanks to the constant support of our agronomists, the members of our supply chain have the opportunity to learn the most modern cultivation and fertilisation techniques, increasingly based on the principle of sustainability, in order to produce healthy, high-quality, fresh produce. Farmers are also supported during the certification process,

whereby they get a guarantee for the sale of their produce.

La Linea Verde is a specialist of the socalled “IV gamma (fresh-cut)”. What does this mean exactly?

- In the categorisation of the treatment of fresh fruit and vegetables, the term “IV gamma (fresh-cut)” pertains to fresh, cleaned and washed vegetables that are ready for consumption. It is an agricultural product that is not processed, but only improved, keeping its organoleptic properties. La Linea Verde always seeks to procure good and very fresh raw materials, in order to provide the consumers with a high-quality finished product, because we stand behind the idea that quality comes primarily from the field.

In your opinion, what are the key factors behind the success of the products offered

by La Linea Verde?

- La Linea Verde has never stopped investing and innovating to meet the latest consumer demands. Beyond the freshness of raw materials, the key to our success is the offer of really innovative products of exceptional added-value. In Italy, for example, we were the first company to launch fresh soups in 2006: we created a new market that is today worth 120 million euros, preserving our leadership position throughout the years. And, more recently, we have officially launched a Corporate Social Responsibility Programme to meet the Sustainable Development Goals set out in UN Agenda 2030. Our commitment is focused in particular on the creation of a virtuous agricultural supply chain, the application of good agricultural practises in energy efficiency and water savings, social initiatives and sustainable packaging.

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BUSINESS

DR ANA TESIĆ, FOUNDER AND OWNER OF THE APONIA DENTAL CENTRE

Harmony Of

AESTHETICS AND HEALTH Everyone employed at the Aponia Dental Centre strives to provide every patient with the aesthetic maximum when resolving their dental issues. A beautiful smile is primarily a healthy smile, but the aesthetic side must never be overlooked. That is the balance.

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male colleagues, I believe that we women are a little more sensitive to the category of beauty, that we attach more importance and pay more attention to it, so everyone at the clinic strives to provide every patient with the aesthetic maximum when resolving their dental issues.

The slogan of our clinic is “harmony of aesthetics and health” and we really endeavour for that to be the case. A beautiful smile is primarily a healthy smile, but the aesthetic side must never be overlooked. That is the balance.

Today’s dental innovations provide the opportunity to achieve wonderful aesthetic results, while the new working techniques we apply at the clinic and the materials we have at our disposal enable us to raise aesthetics to the level of perfection.

oday’s dental innovations provide the opportunity to achieve wonderful aesthetic results, while the new working techniques we apply at the clinic and the materials we have at our disposal enable us to raise aesthetics to the level of perfection - says Dr Tešić with pride There are many dental clinics in Belgrade, but due to some miracle both locals and foreigners know about the Aponia Dental Centre. Is that really a miracle or a matter of something else?

- I believe it is about the quality of work, which is our absolute imperative and is recognised by our patients. When you also endure for many years, as is the case with our clinic, and high quality is what you’re recognisable for, despite many challenges, then you really have the feeling that you are on the right track, in the right place and have the right role.

I believe in hard and dedicated work. I also believe in miracles, of course. One of these is the cognition that I’ve grown to love my job ever more over the course of the years. That feeling is miraculous and represents a rare privilege. I don’t like routine, and that inspires me and motivates me to always be even better.That is also the case for the whole team with whom I’m fortunate enough to collaborate.

Patients feel that.They value that simple dimension of humanity. They value the fact that we talk and listen to them... Fear and ignorance are uncomfortable enemies, but that’s why we’re here, to overcome them together.

Can you briefly explain what it is that sets you apart from the competition?

- Love for the work, as clichéd as that sounds. When you love your job, you are honest in what you do, dedicated and conscious of your responsibilities, but also the trust that others have placed in you.

That’s how one naturally establishes fantastic

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collaboration. I also believe in teamwork, in my colleagues and assistants, in brilliant technicians and associates, and I’ m happy that we somehow found you in that idea of each of us giving our all.

Thirdly, but very importantly: we don’t want any intervention to hurt our patients. Hence the name that we chose - Aponia means “ absence of pain” in ancient Greek.

The health of our teeth should be our number one priority, but we certainly should never forget how important it is for teeth to also be beautiful.

How can that balance be achieved?

- I define myself as an aesthete in all spheres of life. That is often strenuous, but in my work that has given me the great advantage of seeing the “bigger picture”, as well as taking care of every detail, in order to achieve the optimal aesthetic result. Without wanting to generalise or upset my

Dentistry is developing at an incredible speed, which means it isn’t easy to keep pace with the development of technology, techniques, materials, procedures etc. But you and your colleagues from Aponia succeed nonetheless. Are you constantly honing your skills and learning?

- I’m deeply convinced that’s the only way to advance, regardless of the job you do. So, either work properly or don’t work at all. Dentistry is advancing, to our great satisfaction, like many other branches of medicine. Innovations, such as All-on-Four (all teeth supported on four dental implants), cosmetic crowns, dental implants, PRF blood components in dentistry etc., have led to revolutionary advances in resolving even the most complex cases. When the complexity of the intervention requires, we sedate patients so they don’t feel even the slightest discomfort, as well as giving them intravenous vitamin infusions aimed at ensuring their quickest possible recovery.

I’m very proud that we apply all of these new working technologies at our clinic, and we will continue that practise.

Aponia Dental Centre is one of the first clinics to hold a certificate on the quality of services that is used to promote dental tourism, which is issued by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia. We are glad that this kind of support exists and that this huge potential has been recognised and acknowledged.

There is no insoluble dental problem, just new challenges for us doctors, which I think is great. Every true doctor feels jubilation and joy with every new working technique that enables a beautiful and quality life for patients.

Aponia Dental Centre can boast of having a large number of satisfied foreign patients.

Where do most of your international patients come from? How much lower are dental costs in Serbia than in, for example, Italy, Germany, France etc.?

- Patients mostly come to us on the basis of recommendation, regardless of the country they come from, and that is the most beautiful element. When someone brings their friends or parents to you, there’s no greater proof of their trust and gratitude.

When it comes to countries, our foreign patients mostly come from Italy and Switzerland, but also from the other Western European countries, where dental services are really excessively expensive, particularly when it comes to complete oral rehabilitation, the All-on-Four concept, PRF, circular bridges or implants.

Here they have an opportunity to make savings, not only in term of huge monetary savings,

but also in the time invested in dental rehabilitation, which isn’t a fact to be overlooked. The price differences are huge, while the quality is unquestionable. Serbia is recognised as an excellent European school of dentistry, so it is totally understandable that so much interest exists among foreign patients.

While we’re already on the subject of health tourism, can your foreign patients rely on you completely? Are they freed of concerns regarding transportation, accommodation and how to spend their free time between visits to the clinic?

- Precisely. They don’t have to concern themselves with those things. It is up to them to choose the easiest way for them to arrive, then they are awaited and accommodated in apartments in the vicinity of the clinic. We speak Italian and English at the clinic, so language isn’t a barrier, and for other languages we hire translators. We are at the disposal of our foreign patients throughout the entire duration of their stay in Belgrade and are here to provide any kind of assistance. We have understanding for the fact that they come to resolve long-standing, sometimes decades-long problems, with their teeth, so we try to go out of our way to meet their needs.

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BUSINESS SLOBODAN FILIPOVIĆ, DIRECTOR, EXPRESS SEE

Experts In All

FORMS OF TRANSPORT Express SEE d.o.o. is a company that operates on the territory of the Republic of Serbia as part of Italian-based international freight forwarding organisation "ExpressGlobal". Although it has only existed in Belgrade for seven years, it is already known across the entire region as a reliable and desirable logistics partner

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t has a long list of satisfied clients, and an even greater desire for growth and expansion. While the company’s staff take care of the goods, clients can dedicate themselves to their daily obligations.

Are you now raising the bar and setting new demands of yourself and your team?

Express SEE is in a position to be able to respond to the specific and demanding needs of the market, working through all modes of transport (maritime, road, air and rail), as well as providing customs brokerage services for import, export and transit procedures. With our dedicated work, we endeavour to ensure that the quality of our services is always at the highest

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Our focus is always the same: finding the optimal solution for each shipment in terms of costs and transit times level. We encounter various challenges on a daily basis which, to the satisfaction of all participants, we overcome successfully, and the number of our satisfied clients, which grows from day to day, certainly testifies to that.

How difficult is it to respond to each of the many and varied demands and challenges that you face?

The group is currently present on three continents and has a constant tendency to grow and develop. Reg-

Business Partner - Italy 2021

ular and specific requests of clients are a daily occurrence and primarily require knowhow, commitment, experience and speed of response, so it’s by no means easy to respond adequately to all parties. However, it is thanks precisely to our success in overcoming all obstacles that our client portfolio is increasing, which makes us particularly happy because it reassures us that we are on the right track.

From spot business to supply chain management and project management, our focus is always the same: finding the optimal solution for each shipment in terms of costs and transit times. We can state unreservedly that our general and most important aim is to build up the name of Express SEE as being synonymous with reliable logistics partners in the region, as well as to guarantee that a shipment placed in our hands is really safe until the end of its journey.

Do your clients recognise that working with you guarantees the security of their shipment from the moment it is collected until it is delivered to the final recipient’s address?

Alongside the standard criteria related to punctuality and reliability of delivery, which we maintain at a high level, Express SEE also considers it very important to ensure that users of our services

don’t feel discomfort and stress when organising transport and associated logistics operations.

We try to adapt our service to each client individually, because we are aware that not everyone has the same criteria for assessing level of service. We want the users of our services to know that their goods are in safe hands and for them not to worry about those goods during transport.

How did you organise your operations during the pandemic and are the consequences being felt today?

Apart from taking care of our clients, we also take great care of our employees. In order for our employees to be able to do their work unhindered, we provided all the necessary measures for preserving their health in the workplace and beyond. The Corona brought significant changes to us, not only in relation to operations, but also by impacting on people’s lives.

Thanks to exceptional teamwork, mutual support and the understanding of employees, Express SEE achieved excellent results despite all the challenges. The company’s management succeeded in striking a remarkable balance, by pursuing a responsible strategy aimed at preserving the health of employees and the sustainability of operations.

NEDŽAT ŠUNTIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR, MIZAN LINE D.O.O. BUSINESS

Quality is

EVERYTHING

In just the decade and a half that it has existed, company Mizan Line has succeeded in building a strong network of partners throughout Serbia, B-H, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, and even the cradle of fashion that is Italy. It views itself as a regional leader in the demanding underwear market and is working meticulously to enhance that position

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e don’t advertise, because we believe that the recommendation of a satisfied customer is the best advert. They often recommend us to their acquaintances, who contact us or come to buy something from our range for themselves and their family - reveals Mr Šuntić You are exerting every effort in the creation of a stable market that has long since extended beyond the borders of our country, such that you’ve reached B-H, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and even Italy. How did you manage to achieve that?

From the very beginning of dealing with this business, we’ve tried

to be correct, high quality and receptive, which is exactly why we are recognisable on the broader market where we place our products. It is primarily important to us to gain the trust of our clients in our company

Our offer is more than satisfactory, particularly given that we use the highest quality materials to make our products and our products, and it is up to us to justify that trust with our quality and responsible operations. So we can state unreservedly that we’ve

managed to prove ourselves and that we have friends all over Europe, not just in the region.

Judging by the results you’ve achieved and the markets you’ve conquered, have you managed to impose yourself with both the quality of materials and design?

We like to say that our primary goal isn’t profit, although that’s naturally an important item of our everyday operations, but rather that we are focused on our customers, but also the end users of our products. Our openness to suggestions, proposals and advice, but also criticism, is what makes us accessible and direct, so peo-

ple have the freedom to point out our shortcomings, if there are any, but they often recommend us to their acquaintances, who contact us to cooperate or come to our retail outlets to buy something from our range for themselves and their family. That’s actually our best advertisement and we are satisfied with the way everything has functioned so far.

Is it possible to successfully do business without constantly expanding the range and maintaining the quality you’ve already achieved?

We consider that we have enough models and that our offer is more than satisfactory, particularly given that we use the highest quality materials to make our products.

Quality is everything. We are also proud to highlight the fact that we have international certificates, such as OEKO - TEX 100 STANDARD, which confirms that our products are made of natural materials that do not harm the wearer or the environment, or the BSCI Code of Conduct, which ensures high-quality working conditions and safety at work in accordance with the positive law of Serbia, but also of the European Union.

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COOPERATION BETWEEN ITALY AND SERBIA: FRIENDSHIP, TRADITION, INNOVATION

Italian and Serbian

FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET IN ROME Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, stated at the end of his 1st April meeting in Rome with Serbian counterpart Nikola Selaković that the intensification of (already excellent)cooperation between our two countries appears even more appropriate in light of the important challenges we are facing with the pandemic emergency still underway

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s Minister Di Maio confirmed, “Italy attributes strategic value to cooperation with Belgrade” and “our relations are characterised by very dynamic economic cooperation”. He continued: “in 2020 Italy was ranked as the third supplier country of Serbia and the second importer. This is an important fact that’s also made possible by the presence of more than 600 Italian companies in Serbia, employing about 34,000 people.

“We can therefore already count on a solid partnership, which we aim to strengthen by exploiting the opportunities that will open up in the sectors of telecommunications and the circular economy. We have also agreed with Minister Selaković to intensify cooperation between our ministries on political and security issues, through the signing of a specific Memorandum of Understanding that will allow closer diplomatic cooperation.

“Serbia is tangibly helping the Balkan Region and I personally wanted to thank my colleague Selaković for this. We spoke about Serbia’s prospects of European integration, which Italy supports with firm conviction. We are actually convinced that Serbia’s future lies in Europe.

“With this goal in mind, I expressed the hope that Belgrade will give new impetus to the reform process that’s necessary to bring the country closer to its European goal. We then discussed the Dialogue between Belgrade and Priština, which is

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a central element of the definitive stabilisation of the region. I reiterated our strong encouragement for both sides to work constructively in the framework of the European Union facilitation promoted

by Special Representative Lajčak.

“This would be an historic result that is within reach of the parties, but achieving this goal requires the utmost commitment on the part of everyone. Italy considers Serbia a key country for the stabilisation

Parliament, “Italy supports the opening of all new negotiating chapters with the EU that Serbia is ready for”.

Speaking to representatives of the Serbian media in Rome, Selaković said that “Italy is the largest country in the EU that has no reservations about supporting Serbia’s path towards European integration”.

The Serbian minister met with the presidents of the House and Senate Foreign Committees, Piero Fassino and Vito Petrocelli,

Serbia is tangibly helping the Balkan Region and I personally wanted to thank my colleague Selaković for this. We spoke about Serbia’s prospects of European integration, which Italy supports with firm conviction. We are actually convinced that Serbia’s future lies in Europe of the Western Balkan region. The constructive approach shown by Belgrade in recent years has allowed us to take important steps forward that we hope will be consolidated in the near future.

As Serbian Foreign Minister Selaković stated on the first day of his visit to Rome, where he also had a series of meetings in

whilst also speaking with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Montecitorio Palace. Selaković added that the talks “showed, at the same time, full support for the initiatives of the Serbian Government and President Aleksandar Vučić that favour the creation of a common economic market in the Western Balkans, the so-called ‘mini-Schengen’ formula”.

ECONOMIC AND TRADE COOPERATION

Roots Of The Past,

WINGS OF THE FUTURE Serbia is an EU membership candidate country and Italy has never failed to support its accession process. In order to raise our already excellent bilateral cooperation to an even higher level, the further integration of the Serbian market into that of Europe is of paramount importance, representing a crucial driver of beneficial internal reforms

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ast year’s outbreak of the pandemic showed once again that a friend in need is a friend indeed, as our peoples provided each other with mutual assistance in overcoming this tragic turn of events. And despite the pandemic, we were still able to organise three high level visits of members of the Italian Government to Belgrade: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivan Scalfarotto and Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini. Two Serbian Ministers also visited Rome: former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić and European Integration Minister Jadranka Joksimović.

This year, on 1st April, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selaković met Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio in Rome. One of the key topics on their agenda was how to expand the two countries’ strategic partnership to enable the realising of the full potential of our intertwined economies. In the hope that the epidemiological situation will improve, the two countries have ambitious plans for the coming months that are aimed at further boosting old and solid ties; relations that are rooted in the past, but look boldly to the future: infrastructure projects and transport corridors, energy transition and the green agenda, digitalisation and innovation are just some of the areas where Italy has built up skills and capabilities and is ready to work hand-in-hand with Serbia.

Italy is Serbia’s second largest trade partner and can claim a very large economic presence in the country, with more than 1,600 companies operating in Serbia, around 600 of which form the core of the country’s

Italy is Serbia’s second largest trade partner and can claim a very large economic presence in the country, with more than 1,600 companies operating in Serbia, around 600 of which form the core of the country’s presence, employing approximately 40,000 people presence, employing approximately 40,000 people. Their activities span all sectors: FCA/Stellantis (automotive), Banca Intesa, Unicredit, Generali, Unipol/DDOR Novi Sad (banking & insurance), Ferrero (agri-food), Engineering Software Lab d.o.o (digitalisation).

In addition to these, many Italian SMEs have launched production operations in Serbia and are now present all over the country, from Subotica to Vranje.

The bilateral trade volume ranged from 3.8 to four billion euros in the 2017-2019 period, according to data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia. And in 2020, despite the global emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries still achieved bilateral trade worth 3.4 billion euros. Considering the

current circumstances, this was a very good result that once again showed that trade is a pillar of these bilateral relations.

And that’s not all! A positive inversion has already come in the first quarter of 2021: with total trade having reached 927 million euros, with an increase of +2.6% compared to the 903 million euros achieved in Q1 2020.

Serbian exports grew by +2.1% (from €414 to €423 million), while Serbian imports from Italy – i.e. Italian exports – grew by +3.1% (from €489 to €504 million). The trade balance thus favours Italy to the tune of 81.5 million euros. Confidence is high that bilateral trade is set to surge in the coming months, as pandemic constraints gradually ease thanks to the positive impact of the vaccination campaign.

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CULTURE

Italy And Serbia Together

ON CULTURE

Cooperation between Italy and Serbia in the domain of cultural is traditional, intense, and well structured. This is possible thanks to the environment of friendship and the great openness shown by Serbian cultural institutions towards Italy, while it is expressed in all cultural sectors: music (ancient, baroque, classical, jazz, modern), visual arts (painting, sculpture, photography, installations, multimedia), theatre (classical, modern, experimental), general and local history, literature and publishing (fiction, non-fiction, comics, archives), fashion, design, architecture, cuisine, archaeology, science and cinema

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he Italian Cultural Institute (IIC) in Belgrade works with many cultural institutions, both in the capital and other cities and towns across the country, as well as with other European cultural institutes (EUNIC), in order to carry out joint projects that involve Serbian partners.The IIC thus cooperates on a regular basis with universities and schools where Italian is taught (in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Kragujevac). In fact, seminars, workshops, international conferences and many other joint initiatives in the fields of Italian linguistics, literature and essay writing are organised. The Institute also organises language courses at all levels. These are still being held online for now, but it is hoped that in-person teaching be able to resume in autumn.

The pandemic obviously slowed down the organising of cultural events in 2020 and the first part of 2021 (e.g. the “Hypermodern Dante” exhibition), but didn’t grind it to a halt completely. Thanks to the positive evolution of the situation, we hope to resume organising cultural events in a more intense and inclusive way with our loyal public. As early as June, the Italian Cultural Institute will offer concerts in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Subotica, while it will participate in the “Fare Cinema” week that the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs organises all over the world; the IIC will inaugurate the 8th photographic exhibition “La Sicilia, ilsuocuore” (Sicily, his hearth), dedicated to writer Leonardo Sciascia on the centenary of his birth. Italy will also be present at Belgrade’s October Salon.

Following in July will be Design Day, which is set to include the participation of famous Italian

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architect Franco Purini, then Literature Night will be held in Novi Sad in September, with writer Nadia Terranova in attendance, and there is still the Italian-Serbian Film Festival, promoted by Gabriella Carlucci, to come.

Some great events are envisaged for the coming autumn: there’s the 2nd October staging of great Italian opera Madama Butterfly; the

grade Jazz Festival, the Week of Italian Cuisine around the World and, perhaps above all, the 25th November concert of the great Stefano Bollani at Belgrade’s Dom Omladine youth centre. December will see the holding of the event Cinema Italia Oggi, a major film festival being organised jointly by Cinecittà-Istituto Luce and the Yugoslav FIlm Archives Cinematheque,

Some great events are envisaged for the coming autumn: there’s the 2nd October staging of great Italian opera Madama Butterfly; the Week of the Italian Language around the World, which is this year dedicated to Dante Alighieri; the IIC stand at the Belgrade Book Fair, as well as the literary salon where the local public will meet Italian writers and intellectuals, together with Serbian ones Week of the Italian Language around the World, which is this year dedicated to Dante Alighieri; the IIC stand at the Belgrade Book Fair, as well as the literary salon where the local public will meet Italian writers and intellectuals, together with Serbian ones. Then there’s the KRENI project in Niš, Italy’s participation in the Bel-

during which recent Italian film productions will be presented in various Serbian cities. These major events will alternate with many initiatives all over Serbia, not only in Belgrade, to include exhibitions, concerts, literary presentations, conferences and webinars. The IIC hopes that many people will attend.

EXHIBITION

HYPERMODERN

DANTE

The exhibition "Hypermodern Dante", which was inaugurated on 14th April, has just closed in Belgrade and moved on to pastures new.

The exhibition event, which was proposed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and created thanks to cooperation with the Dante Society and the Association of Italianists, was curated by Vincenzo Capalbo and welcomed several hundred visitors in Belgrade, despite restrictions on access due to the pandemic

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hanks to this exhibition, it was possible to tell the story of the wonder and beauty of Italy’s cultural heritage and honour this memory of the country’s SommoPoeta seven hundred years after his death. His Divine Comedy masterpiece is known and famous all over the world. It has been translated into almost all languages, including of course Serbian, and is highly valued and studied. This exhibition could not be lacking in Serbia as a host country, which is a country that has always been attentive and sensitive to the great authors of Italian literature.

The Belgrade stage of the exhibition – which began its tour of six different countries – represented an important opportunity to show the Serbian public some valuable examples of the iconography linked to Dante Alighieri. The exhibition offered a journey into the world of illustrations of Dante’s works and made it possible to admire works by Tom Phillips (London, 1937), a multifaceted artist of precocious versatility; Monika Beisner (Hamburg, 1942), one of the most important and atypical contemporary German illustrators; Mimmo Paladino (Paduli, 1948), who is among the best known and most appreciated Italian artists on the world stage; Emiliano Ponzi (Reggio Emilia, 1978), one of the best known and most appreciated Italian illustrators; Paolo Barbieri (Mantua, 1971), one of the best-known fantasy illustrators at the international level.

Countless celebrations connected to the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death relate to many aspects of art: literature first and foremost, but also music, cinema, theatre and, of course, the visual arts. Dante Alighieri isn’t only an Italian poet by definition, but rather is also one of the founding fathers of the Italian language

The event formed part of commemorations marking the seven hundred anniversary of the death of this great father of the Italian language. Other events marking this great jubilee include envisaged online and faceto-face activities celebrating this writer and poet who contributed to shaping the contours of Italy’s cultural identity and linguistic unity, many centuries before its political unification.

Countless celebrations connected to the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death relate to many aspects of art: literature first and foremost, but also music, cinema, theatre and, of course, the visual arts. Dante Alighieri isn’t only an Italian poet by definition, but rather is also one of the founding fathers of the Italian language; the author of Divine Comedy is the source of one of the most famous, most studied and, let’s face it, most beautiful and admired linguistic codes in the world.

Despite him having lived over seven centuries ago, reading Dante is incredibly understandable to Italians and those who study Italian today, as can be seen by reading Dante’s developed meta-linguistic key of the vernacular [Italian] language in Convivio: “Dicochemanifestamentesipuòvedere come lo latinoaverebbe a pochidato lo suobeneficio, ma lo volgareserviràveramente a molti” [I say that clearly we can see how Latin would have benefited a few, but the vernacular will really serve many]. In difficult times like the one we’re currently experiencing, getting closer to Dante and his work represents a moment of reinvigoration and relief for our soul.

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SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES

Long-Standing Tradition In

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH The Italian Foreign Ministry has placed a special focus on Science Diplomacy, and its links to industrial application and value-added manufacturing, over the last few years. And both Italy and Serbia have a long-standing tradition in science and research, and they could both benefit greatly from this kind of approach

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cientific cooperation has been a major catalyst in building the special relationship that exists between Italy and Serbia. Every year, on the anniversary of the death of Leonardo Da Vinci (15th April), Italy celebrates “Italian Research Day”, paying tribute to Italian researchers and their contribution to science worldwide.

This year’s 4th edition of Italian Research Day was particularly meaningful, given the current global situation. Economic recovery finally seems to be in sight and Italy firmly believes that, now more than ever, it needs to connect research and technology to industrial application, in order to achieve growth and economic resilience while improving the country’s shock absorption capacity. We all are aware that challenging times are not yet over; that we all need to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for sufficient vaccines worldwide, to reverse the economic downturn and address the employment crisis (which has been shown to impact women and young people more) and social inequalities.

For the 4th edition of Italian Research Day it was decided to build on the expertise of the collaboration between the National Institute for Nuclear Physics and the Southern National Lab in Italy (INFN) and the Vinča Nuclear Research Institute in Serbia, which dates back more than 20 years ago.

A webinar held on 15th April with Italian and Serbian experts focused on the field of applied research to needs-driven applications, as well as science-based innovative solutions to treat cancer.

The timing and progress of basic research differ significantly from those of applied science, but the general expectations are that both

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

Serbia’s Vinča Nuclear Research Institute has been conducting laboratory experiments in Italy, contributing to the development of sophisticated algorithms to improve radiotherapy efficacy in cancer treatment and reduce its side effects will ultimately lead to measurable outcomes in a shorter time than was required in the past.

The National Institute for Nuclear Physics in Italy is actively transferring technologies to the medical sector. For instance, frontier technologies find their applications in the field of medicine, like the proton therapy room to treat ocular cancer and use of the cyclotron accelerator to produce radiopharmaceuticals.

Serbia’s Vinča Nuclear Research Institute has been conducting laboratory experiments in Italy, contributing to the development of

sophisticated algorithms to improve radiotherapy efficacy in cancer treatment and reduce its side effects.

This is just one of many examples of the transfer of state-of-the-art knowhow and technologies that are produced in Italian science labs and exported to industries to improve quality of life. Applications are indeed endless: not only in medicine, but also in environment protection, cultural heritage preservation, ocean protection, space exploration and much more.

BENEFACTION

FROM ITALY TO SERBIA

(with sport and love)

He travelled by bicycle from Florence to Belgrade, to raise funds for the construction of two nursery schools in disadvantaged Serbian areas lacking economic resources. Wolfango Poggi, fundraiser and athlete of the Firenze Triathlon company, set out from the Tuscan capital on 14th May, tasked with the charitable endeavour of pedalling his way to Serbia by 22nd May. The funds he raised were donated to a project of solidarity promoted by the Novak Đoković Foundation.

W

ith this initiative, Poggi organised a sporting itinerary and an historic tour that connected his two cities in both physical and symbolic ways: the one where he lives, Florence, and the one he more recently adopted, Belgrade (his wife is Serbian). The journey unfolded over the course of eight stages, covering a total of approximately 1,200 km.

Through the videos and images posted on his website (https://www.bikingwiththewolf. com/) and social networks, it was possible to follow the interactions of this Italian athlete through each city-stage, where he met local representatives, chatted with residents and created “solidarity moments” to share news about the project. The same channels made it possible to donate funds to the relevant project, promoted by the Novak Đoković Foundation https://fundraise.novakdjokovicfoundation.org/fundraiser/3066047 The journey also involved professional and amateur athletes, adults and children, and all those who wanted to join the initiative even for just a single kilometre of cycling and sharing this adventure “for love”.

We wanted to know more about what inspired Poggi to cycle through Italy and the Balkans. Talking with us, he explained that this was not the first time that he’d organised such an initiative. As an athlete, he prepares such commitments very seriously, assisted by professional coaches, but he says that the idea of confronting physical challenges was partly dictated by serious illnesses that have afflicted his friends in recent years.

He therefore strived to combine the sporting element with that of a fundraising activity,

gaining plenty of success in the process, thanks to a large network of relatives, friends and acquaintances who follow him and also find inspiration in what he does.

As Wolfango reveals to CorD: “In 2016 I prepared my first “half Ironman” (1,900-metre swim, 90km bike ride and 21km run, all consecutively) by joining the “Neofiti di Runningzen” project promoted by coach Ignazio Antonacci, and I decided to combine my test with a fundraiser in support of AISM Firenze (Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association) to contribute to improving services provided to MS sufferers.

“I took part in the Florence Marathon in November 2016 with the “Run for Meyer” project, a group of athletes and friends who ran the marathon with the objective of raising funds for the Meyer Children’s Hospital in Florence.”

Finally, in 2018, Wolfango made the very

important decision of signing up for a “full Ironman” race (3,800m swim, 180km bike ride, 42km marathon), and on this occasion funds raised went to the Oncological Institute of Romagna for donations of wigs for women suffering from hair loss due to chemotherapy.

Indeed, his path towards these adventures is also a motivational one. “How many times did it happen to you that you woke up in the morning not wanting to get out of bed and start a new day? How many times has it happened to you that you’ve felt withdrawn, unable to face your fears?” he asks.

But, seriously, let’s just look at those pictures taken as he arrived in Belgrade: he managed to achieve not only a charitable endeavour to help those in need, but also an entire movement of solidarity between various countries, but first and foremost between Italy and Serbia.

Thanks, Wolfango, for sharing!

Business Partner - Italy 2021

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Business Partner - Italy 2021

MINISTRY OF MINING AND ENERGY

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INTERVIEW

ENERGY 2021

ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

Today, Elektrovat is a company highly ranked in the market regarding power systems, production process control, and automation, as well as stage lighting and mechanics for theater, television, and film studios as its field of expertise.

This is a result of the founder’s constant aspiration to establish a company with professional, expert, and trained staff which guarantees simultaneous implementation of a great number of demanding projects while using the state-of-the-art equipment of renowned manufacturers. Absolute commitment and meeting with the diverse and most delicate technical and business requests of the investors is the greatest advantage regarding competition and this was recognized by the clients.

Elektrovat is classified as a medium-sized enterprise, with 108 full-time employees, while complete production chains include a respective number of reliable subcontractors regarding the electric power and engineering area. Thus Elektrovat possesses quite an enviable capacity regarding production and implementation and it represents a large family employing more than 100 employees during the implementation process of major projects.

Elektrovat is an entirely private limited company and it possesses state of art equipped offices and manufacturing facilities in Belgrade and Čačak (3.400m2) occupying an area of 11.500m2. We are proud of our production facilities, organized and equipped according to the highest European standards.

www.elektrovat.net

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ENERGY 2021

CONTENTS

06 THE SHIFT IS ON WE HAVE 08 THOUGHTFULLY EMBARKED ON DEEP COMMENT

EPS DRIVES 16 MODERN SERBIA’S ECONOMY

ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY OF SERBIA (EPS)

TO GREATER 30 ROAD ENERGY SECURITY

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REFORMS

FOCUSED ON ALIBUNAR

NEDA LAZENDIĆ, COUNTRY MANAGER, WV-INTERNATIONAL NBT

ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ PH.D., DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINING

NIŠ-SOFIA GAS PIPELINE

GREEN KWH 32 EVERY MATTERS

MILENKO JOVANOVIĆ, TECHNICAL MANAGER AND OWNER AT M&D UNIT D.O.O. BEOGRAD

20 A RELIABLE SUPPLIER LUKA PETROVIĆ, DIRECTOR, ELEKTROPRIVREDA REPUBLIKE SRPSKE

SAVE BUDGET 28 PPPS FUNDS

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WE’RE INCREASINGLY READY FOR ENERGY TRANSITION

NIKOLA RAJAKOVIĆ PH.D., PROFESSOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY SECTOR SPECIALISTS

JELENA TADIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PPP INVESTMENT

JASMINA POPOVIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DNP INŽENJERING

FUTURE BELONGS 22 THE TO GREEN ENERGY

MILUTIN ĐUKANOVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AT ELEKTROPRIVREDA C. GORE

SAVING MONEY 29 WE’RE AND ENERGY OBRAD TADIĆ, CEO AT SMART ENERGY INVESTMENT KFT, SEI BEOGRAD BRANCH

BRINGS 15 DEDICATION SUCCESS

DRAŽEN PJERANOVIĆ, ELEKTROMONTAŽA KRALJEVO CEO

AT HOME 33 COMPETITIVE AND ABROAD

POWER 24 SOLAR PLANTS - A HOT TOPIC

SYNONYM FOR 34 ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

BRANIMIR STOJČEVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, BURDOCK CONSULTANCY D.O.O.

CWP GLOBAL

36 NEWS 4

ENERGY 2021

IMPRESSUM ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs PHOTOS Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs

GENERAL MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs DIRECTOR Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica ENERGY 2021 Published by: alliance international media Prote Mateje 52, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fascimile: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs; office@cordmagazine.com

www.aim.rs; www.cordmagazine.com No 29 ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2021 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by alliance international media

THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

INTERVIEW

EDITOR IN CHIEF Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs

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ENERGY 2021

COMMENT

THE SHIFT IS ON After many years of fatigue, it seems that the National Plan for Energy and Climate, as well as the forthcoming Energy Development Strategy, signal a more profound shift towards effective energy transition of the EU energy acquis has been below expectations, despite the nudges of the EU and the Energy Community.

It now seems, however, that we are finally moving in the right direction, with the drafting of an integrated approach to national climate and energy goals. Serbia’s new legislative initiative comes after the EU completed a comprehensive update of

Experts note that the ongoing energy transition brings challenges related to the security of supply, employment and energy affordability, but also brings many rewards if properly executed

E

xperts have spent years debating whether Serbia has the potential to leapfrog the energy transition process. Among the “pluses” they’ve noted the availability of renewable energy sources, the potential for regional cooperation in the energy sector and under-utilised human capital. On the other hand, there are also significant obstacles, such as persisting with the policy choice of preserving low energy prices, combined with high energy intensity, the prioritising of energy security, the inadequacy of the utilising of renewable sources, a lack of policy coherence and dependency on external funding.

At least some of these obstacles were recently lifted through the introduction of

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a set of laws aimed at putting the energy transition in motion. They are inspired by the EU, which is considered a global leader in energy transition thanks to it having seized the economic and industrial opportunities offered by this global transformation and developed its own approach to energy competitiveness and security.

This is a significant change, given that Serbia, for many years, exhibited little ambition to tackle climate challenges and devise energy policies that would drive energy transition forward, in line with the Paris Agreement and the EU Clean Energy Package. Several European Commission reports on Serbia noted that the transposition and implementation

its energy policy framework to facilitate the transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner energy and delivering on its Paris Agreement commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

It is important to note that this comprehensive process is not only about the mix of energy resources, digital transformation or emissions. Rather it is a process that envisages deep changes within society.

The toughest part for countries like Serbia is moving away from dependence on lignite. This is a task that analysts describe as “difficult and incomparable to any recently executed reform or transformation by Serbian society”. As noted in the interview with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović, deciding on the future of lignite is probably the most important decision facing Serbian society, and the whole process will take several decades to complete.

ENERGY 2021

COMMENT

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ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

ZORANA MIHAJLOVIĆ PH.D. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINING

WE HAVE THOUGHTFULLY

EMBARKED ON DEEP REFORMS

The major changes we’ve instigated in the energy sector are connected deeply, and in multiple ways, with overall economic development, while they have a challenging social dimension and impact markedly on international relations and integration processes. These changes are extending beyond the energy sector, and for a country delving into them from a position like ours, they could be considered a national project to a certain extent.

A

ccording to the opinions of experts, abandoning lignite and turning towards cleaner energy sources is a more complex task than any of the reforms we’ve so far gone through. We asked Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Mining, Zorana Mihajlović Ph.D., whether we have the strength for that, given that the structure of our energy sector is largely based on this fuel source?

Energy has been “sleeping” in Serbia for a long time, failing to change fast enough, and those who fail to change and advance in today’s world are left behind. We are only just entering the energy transition process, in the true sense of the word, in 2021 - starting from the legal framework, through the development of strategic documents to the adapting of the investment plan to the kind of energy sector we should have in the 21st century,

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DECARBONISATION

Just as in any country that has a high share of coal in the production of electricity like Serbia does - at about 67% - replacing it is a process that will take decades.

which should be marked by environmental and climate neutrality.

During the past six months we’ve laid the foundations for the fundamental changes that await us. Laws have been adopted on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, while the Law on Energy was amended, which - together with the previously adopted Law on Climate Change - provided a new legal framework that’s more favourable to both citizens and investors, harmonised with relevant EU regulations and the Paris Climate Agreement.

At the level of planning and strategic concerns, we’ve begun drafting the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, which will, coupled with the new energy development strategy, determine the goals and dynamics of change over the next three decades, until 2050. Apart from this, work is underway on a new investment plan that will reflect changes in energy policy, because it is precisely through new investments that we need to achieve this and ensure we have enough energy and more green energy in total production, while the stability of the system will be achieved with the building gas power plants, as opposed to coal-fired ones.

It is undeniable that these changes will lead, like in the rest of the world, to a gradual reduction in the use of coal and its replacement with low-carbon, green technologies and energy sources.

Major investments have been announced in renewable sources, natural gas and improving energy efficiency. What are we awaited in this package?

The new investment plan that the Ministry is preparing, and which is linked directly to Serbia’s energy transition, encompasses projects in all areas of the sector, worth close to 16 billion euros. In the field of electricity, planned investments amount to around 6.6 billion euros, while RES proejcts - primarily in solar power plants and wind farms - are valued at around 4.4 billion euros.

RESPONSIBILITY

COOPERATION

It has been shown that market mechanisms in the energy sector are insufficient and that the state must have a significantly greater role and responsibility, and we will act in accordance with that.

We want energy efficiency to become a national project that includes the joint participation of the state, local governments and citizens.

With the gradual reduction of energy production from coal, it is particularly important for energy security over the coming decades to construct new large and mediumsized hydropower and gas power plants, and to make greater use of renewable energy sources. Plans include, among other things,

When it comes to natural gas, the focal point is the diversification of suppliers, which is essential for gas stability, but also regional connectivity. The goal is for Serbia to be the energy hub of the region in gas, as well as in the electricity sector, where we are building the Trans-Balkan Corridor, and

In order to find ourselves among the winners of transition, to manage its costs and avoid transition risks, we are preparing to act thoughtfully, in a timely and measured manner, adapted to the conditions and potential that we have

for the country to be well connected with all neighbouring states.

We will soon have all the planned projects in oneplace,intheprojectbook,whereallinterested investors will be able to see what our priorities are, what public investments we’re planning and where we expect the active participation of the private sector. With the total value of projects standing at close to 16 billion euros, the participation of public and private investments is almost equal, though the state will be represented more in the sectors of electricity, gas and energy efficiency, while the private sector is expected to have greater participation in mining and renewable sources of energy. One of the goals of the adopting of new laws in these areas was to create a more favourable environment for new investments, in order to utilise the potential that exists in these areas.

the building of new hydropower plants and the revitalising of existing ones, with a total capacity of 3.5 GW, which includes the construction of reversible hydropower plants (RHPP) Đerdap, on the Danube, and RHPP Bistrica, as well as new medium capacity HPPs on the Drina, Ibar and Morava rivers.

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ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW 10

To what extent is the legislative framework aligned with this desired change?

The four new laws in the field of mining and energy, which were adopted by the National Assembly in April, actually represent the first step in Serbia’s new energy policy.

All four of these laws are aimed primarily at citizens, but they also represent an important incentive for investors, given that they ensure a stable and predictable legal framework for investors, with more efficient administrative procedures and digitalisation in issuing permits and solutions. The share of mining and energy in GDP currently totals about five per cent, but we believe that the contribution of these sectors to GDP could increase to up to 10 per cent with the more dynamic development of these sectors and new investments.

The main goal of the new Law on the Use of RES is to increase the share of renewables in total energy production. The new law introduces, among other things, market premiums instead of the current feed-in tariffs, which are only to be retained for small plants and demonstration projects, in accordance with the EU’s state aid rules. The new incentive system will expose producers to the influence of the market and competition, while reducing costs for citizens and the economy. The new law, as an important innovation, provides for the greater involvement of citizens in the energy transition by introducing the buyerproducer institute. This means that buyers of electricity can install solar panels on the roofs of buildings to produce electricity for their own needs and thus reduce their electricity bills. This law also introduces a ban on the construction of hydropower plants of any type and power in protected areas.

The new Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy is especially important, because we want to raise this area to the level of a national project. This means that we will give citizens the opportunity to become active participants in the energy transition, enabling them to reduce irrational energy consumption in their homes, with the support of the state. Specifically, the state will provide citizens with the opportunity to more easily access subsidies for the replacement of windows, doors, insulation facades and heating systems. The Directorate for Financing and Encouraging Energy Efficiency will be formed

within the scope of the Ministry during June, in order for us also to have budget funds in one place, and these funds will be increased significantly, as will the funds of international financial institutions. The administration and local government units will finance up to 50 per cent of the costs or replacing doors and windows in family houses and apartments, with citizens financing the remaining 50 per cent of those costs. Incentive funds will be allocated through public calls to citizens, in cooperation with local governments. State

Serbia’s ability to follow the EU’s energy and climate goals, and the EU Green Deal, will also depend on the availability of financial support from the EU that’s commensurate with that of EU members that have a high share of coal and a similar level of economic development support will also encompass the installing of efficient biomass furnaces and boilers and gas boilers, which are important for reducing pollution from individual combustion plants which represent - after the transport sector and thermal power plants - the third most significant source of air pollution.

Amendments to the Law on Energy are important due to additional harmonisation with the EU’s acquis communautaire, the security of supplying energy and energy sources, and the introduction of new participants to the energy market. These amendments to the law also introduce energy-endangered customers for heating energy, alongside the existing categories of endangered customers of electricity and gas. Our expectations are that the current total of 70,000 endangered electricity buyers will increase to around 200,000, while that number could reach around 20,000 in the field of heating energy.

When it comes to mining, the value of confirmed mineral reserves in Serbia totals around 200 billion dollars. Amendments to the Law on Mining and Geological Research should enable the efficient and sustainable use of these resources, which implies the highest environmental protection standards.

We want to show that in Serbia we can have not only the world’s largest mining companies, but also the best world practice, in terms of sustainable and green mining. This means that all mining activities, in addition to contributing to economic growth, must comply fully with domestic regulations in the field of environmental protection, as well as with the highest European and world standards.

The plan related to energy efficiency also applies to every household in Serbia and relies on the coordination of national and local authorities. How prepared are local governments to take on their part of the task?

Local governments have an important role to play, not only in financing energy efficiency measures, but also in setting priorities and managing projects, because it is actually local governments that will determine which measures they will seek support for, because they can also encompass the replacing of window frames, the insulating of facades and the installing of biomass or gas boilers.

They will also use their documents to determine the conditions for citizens to apply, and to announce public calls for citizens, but also for companies that deal with energy rehabilitation.

We are taking the first step towards citizens this year, through a pilot project in which we expect the first applications to

come from cities and municipalities that have already envisaged funding to increase energy efficiency. I believe that, following the successful implementation of the pilot project, other local governments will also recognise their interest, allocate funds in their budgets for these purposes for the next year and be much more active in this area. Our plan is for the average annual investment in the field of energy efficiency to be around 150 million euros from next year, with greater support from international financial institutions.

If we know that Serbia today consumes about four times as much energy for the production of the same unit of product, that houses and apartments without adequate insulation consume up to four times more energy, and that citizens thus pay higher bills, and that all of this has a negative impact on the environment and climate change, then it’s clear why we want energy efficiency to become a national project in which we will participate jointly, as the state, local governments and citizens.

What are the most important goals related to the restructuring of public enterprises in this domain?

In order to be able to implement the new investment, it is especially important to reform the largest public companies, EPS and Srbijagas, which should carry the large projects that are backed by the state.The Government of Serbia has adopted reorganisation plans, but for now this process has progressed further within EPS. The distribution system operator, Elektrodistribucija Srbije, is beginning to function essentially - and not only formally - separate from EPS, while Srbijagas still has a lot of work to do to separate the Transportagas and Distribucijagas Srbija enterprises from the Srbijagas framework.

However, given that implementing reforms in Srbijagas remains one of the important preconditions for opening of EU accession negotiation Chapter 15, I expect us to make more tangible progress in the coming period, with the support of the Government.

What challenges do we face when it comes to diversifying the gas supply area?

Serbia finally receives another direction of gas supplies this year, but it is important for the energy security of our country, as well

Key goals of the energy transition process must be met: ensuring energy security and a secure energy supply, and the full coverage of Serbia’s electricity needs with its own production as the region, to also have diversification of suppliers. Our goal is to have gas connectivity with all neighbours and for Serbia also to be the energy hub of the region in this sector.

Funding has been secured for construction of the Niš-Dimitrovgrad gas interconnection, and selection of a contractor for works that will begin this year is underway, so this gas pipeline will become operational in 2023.

The gas interconnection with Bulgaria will provide the possibility of supplying Serbia

with natural gas from LNG terminals in Greece, as well as from the TAP and TANAP gas pipelines that form part of the Southern Gas Corridor that transports gas from the Caspian and Middle East regions.

Likewise, Serbia is involved - together with representatives of Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Hungary and Romania - in the work of the ad hoc working group for improving energy cooperation and exploring the possibilities of the East-Med pipeline, which also sent a joint letter to the EU Energy Commissioner with the aim of gaining support for financing the project. The realisation of this project would enable gas from gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean to reach Serbia, via Cyprus, Crete, Greece and Bulgaria, which would be very important for the long-term energy security not only of Serbia, but also of the region.

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ENERGY 2021

NIKOLA RAJAKOVIĆ PH.D., PROFESSOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF ENERGY SECTOR SPECIALISTS

INTERVIEW

WE'RE INCREASINGLY READY FOR ENERGY TRANSITION The key factor in the success of implementing energy policies and plans is the accepting of the paradigm shift in the development of the energy sector among key social actors - policymakers and political decision makers. Joining the EU Green Deal enables the region’s countries to develop a modern, environmentally friendly, competitive and regionally integrated energy system, and to attract foreign direct investment in industrial production, especially production intended for export.

T

he countries of the Western Balkans lag behind in energy transition, and now - with the establishing of the European Green Plan - the European Union has set them the new challenge of harmonising their own national energy and climate plans.

How ready is Serbia for that challenge at this juncture?

Serbia is, in my opinion, increasingly more ready for the challenges imposed by the objective situation in an electricity sector that’s dependent on lignite, on the one hand, and, on the other, more ready to the activities arising from the Green Deal, which should result in a new National Energy and Climate Plan.

The reasons for this mild optimism are primarily in the domain of changing prevailing attitudes and considerations in both professional circles and the wider social sphere. Until just a few years ago, only isolated individuals were speaking about the necessity of decarbonisation (abandoning fossil fuels, primarily meaning lignite in our country), or the need to switch to Renewables. This is no longer an individual opinion , but rather, I would say, the dominant reasoning. Shifting consciousness in the

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energy sector is an imperative due to the poor quality of air in cities and revelations about the negative impact of the operations of thermal power plants on the health of the population and on the environment as a whole. An additional reason for optimism is provided by the regulatory framework, as

a set of new laws in the energy sector has put a meaninhgful limit on future contours in this sector. And finally, the last reason is the growing interest in constructing renewable sources among investors.

And in spite of declarative commitments in international forums, energy transition still hasn’t been broadly accepted as the backbone of the energy strategy in Serbia. The results of the 2020 survey of the World Economic Forum, in which the Energy Transition Index (ETI) ranks the readiness of countries to implement the decarbonisation process, indicate a low level of readiness to implement this complex process among the countries of the region. Of the 115 countries ranked, Serbia is in 100th place, and it can thus be seen that the decarbonisation process isn’t recognised as a development opportunity.

The key factor in the success of implementing energy policies and plans is the accepting of the paradigm shift in the development of the energy sector among key social actors - policymakers and political decision makers. Joining the EU Green Deal enables the region’s countries to develop a modern, environmentally friendly, competitive and regionally integrated energy system. The construction of this kind of energy infra-

structure will quickly lead to the initiating of essential investments in the modernisation of energy and enable the attracting foreign direct investment in industrial production, especially production intended for export.

Strong dependence on fossil fuels, low energy efficiency, outdated infrastructure and problematic environmental protection - how accurate a description of Serbia today is this?

This is an almost completely accurate description of the energy sector in Serbia.

Specifically, it is common knowledge that the energy sector is certainly among the most important economic branches in Serbia.

The concept of today’s energy was, until recently, based on the economic paradigm of the 1970s, which is characterised by the energy-intensive and inefficient use of energy in the heating and transport sectors, and among the end users of electricity. In the generating of electricity Serbia relies predominantly on low-efficiency thermal power plants fuelled by local lignite. That’s why the energy sector is such a major polluter of air, water and land at the local and regional levels, and why it endangers the environment and human health. The energy sector in the region also has a dominant impact on emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), with a share in total emissions exceeding 70%. Alongside all of this is the fact that some of the thermal power plants are more than 60 years old, and that Kostolac B2 (as the youngest unit) has been in operation for over 30 years, that some substations are over 50 years old and the age structure situation is similar with many transmission lines. This leads to the conclusion that equipment is outdated and that the extremely old infrastructure is difficult and expensive to maintain. So, the situation must change and we must embark on the energy transition journey!

The energy structure of Serbia today cannot satisfy the requirements of sustainable development in the 21st century. These are also the reasons why Serbia is lagging behind in the energy transition.

How well does the Low Carbon Strategy of the Republic of Serbia respond to the challenges of decarbonisation; and what is necessary to ensure its implementation?

An important characteristic of the energy transition over the last few years has been the speed of change... A MWh produced today at a solar power plant in our region is significantly cheaper than a MWh produced at a coal-fired thermal power plant!

The strategy was adopted in 2017, and given that technological changes have come very fast in recent years and implementation hasn’t progressed very far, it is certain that we will have to amend this document. Already during the course of 2021, all countries of the region should draft several strategic documents for sustainable, low-emission development. We can thus expect the adoption of the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and Low-Emission Development, with a proposal to innovate the goals vis-à-vis the Paris Agreement and the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), in accordance with the decisions of the Energy Community.

Where should efforts start when it comes to reducing carbon dioxide emissions, from

individual combustion boilers of citizens or major producers of energy (and pollutants)?

It is necessary to launch the process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions on all fronts simultaneously. It is also important to stress that the electrification of the transport and heating sectors can and must contribute significantly to the decarbonisation process. The transition to electric vehicles, or to transport with green hydrogen as a fuel, are processes that must be encouraged and controlled .Total decarbonisation implies transitioning to an energy system with 100% renewable sources (zero emissions) and no longer represents an energy dream, but rather has been confirmed practically with many examples. It is undeniable that realising this goal globally will not be a simple task, but it can be led successfully with modern technological solutions around system flexibility and the variability of production from wind farms, solar power plants and hydropower plants. We still have to point out here the special importance of energy storage under circumstances where a high share of production comes from Renewables. Storage with the help of pumped hydro storage , with the help of conversion of electricity into heat (through underground heat storage), with the help of conversions of excess electricity into green hydrogen, 13

ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

widespread use of utility scale batteries at the systemic level and the use of electric car batteries as a power source (according to the requirements of system operators) provide large technological and technical possibilities for the optimal operation of energy systems.

The demand response , as the cheapest source of flexibility, stands as a particularly important option, while the widespread use of heat pumps enables the almost complete electrification of the heating sector.

In which ways are requirements in the energy sector harmonised with requirements related to the environment?

emission energy systems, environmental aspects are reduced to minimising the impact of wind farms and other power plants on the environment. These new jobs opportunities are of one order of magnitude higher than job losses caused by the thermal energy sector reduction. The economy and citizens must certainly adapt to energy transition processes through more energy efficient use of Renewables in a low-carbon economy, as well as through changing habits to include the intensive use of electric cars, heat pumps etc.

An important characteristic of the energy transition over the last few years has been the speed of change, which is reflected

to data available from the Business Registers Agency - was founded back in 1919. It has gone through several development stages in the process of numerous institutional and organisational changes, only to remain today as an independent professional organisation, and a platform where all parts of the energy sector come together and complement each other in one place, with the task of formulating common objectives.

Serbia has the required academic and applied knowhow in the energy sector. This knowhow has been verified through papers published in recognized world journals and through real practical projects. The successful management of our energy system also confirms that knowhow.

At the traditional 36th ENERGETIKA2021 conference, to be held on Zlatibor mountain from 22nd to 25th June 2021 under the title

Equipment in the electrical energy sector is outdated and infrastructure is extremely old and difficult and expensive to maintain. So, the situation must change and we must embark on the energy transition journey!

MEETING THE GREEN RECOVERY, we will endeavour - through panel discussions and works - to highlight the optimal trajectories of energy transition.

Energy transition implies the process of abandoning fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources. The list of Renewables is dominated by the sun and wind, but there are also important hydro potentials, as well as the potential of biomass and geothermal energy. This transition is not a process that ends in a few years, rather it will last a few decades and in essence it is essential to enable a gradual transition of the working population from the fossil fuel sector to the sector of low carbon economy, dominated by Renewables, through the creation of jobs, i.e. through the developing of a sustainable circular economy. In zero14

specifically in the reduction of prices of technologies based on solar and wind energy.

The fact is that a MWh produced today at a solar power plant in our region is significantly cheaper than a MWh produced at a coal-fired thermal power plant!

You recently commemorated the centenary of the work of the Association of Energy Sector Specialists, as a professional organisation in Serbia. How much knowhow does Serbia have in this domain?

The Association of Energy Sector Specialists is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, professional organisation, which - according

How important is digital transformation for this sector?

Digitalisation, or the broader concept of introducing smart grids or smart infrastructure, is a conditio sine qua non of energy transition. The first link in the digitalisation of networks was the smart meter, and today, downstream from the meter, there are smart devices and home appliances equipped with IP addresses that participate in the regulating of consumption (an extended version of the Internet of Things), and upstream from the meter, at the level of substations and plants, are concentrators, sensors etc., all with the task of monitoring and optimal operation of the electricity network, and with maintaining operational safety.

BUSINESS

DEDICATION BRINGS SUCCESS

ENERGY 2021

DRAŽEN PJERANOVIĆ, ELEKTROMONTAŽA KRALJEVO CEO

Energotehnika Južna Bačka took over the majority package of shares of Elektromontaža Kraljevo last year, thereby creating the conditions for a bolder and more aggressive approach to the market beyond the borders of Serbia, both in the region and across the EU Serbia and one of the leaders of the region.The greatest development potential at present is reflected in this acquisition, because by complementing each other, with both the human and technical resources of the two companies,

We cover all areas in the electricity sector for voltage levels from 0.4 to 400 kV, i.e. for all voltage levels used in this part of the world

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t this Kraljevo-based company they are proud of all of their projects, and particularly the recently completed electrification and management of the Lipak and Železnik tunnels on the Belgrade Bypass, as well as the adaptation of the power supply and control system at the HPP Đerdap 1 shipping locks...

You took over the position of CEO of Elektromontaža in January this year. Where and in which areas do you see the company’s greatest development potential at the moment?

At the end of last year, Elektromontaža became part of the Maneks group, which also includes Energotehnika Južna Bačka in its composition. This group thereby became the absolute leader in the field of electricity in

we have strengthened the ambition to make a bolder and more aggressive approach to the market beyond the borders of Serbia, both in the region and across the EU. Elektromontaža is included in the largest current projects in the region. Do you cover all areas?

The company has so far also participated in numerous projects for the construction and reconstruction of electrical power facilities, such as transmission lines and substations with voltage levels of up to 400 kW, hydropower plants, thermal power plants and connecting renewable energy sources (wind farms, solar power plants, small hydropower plants) to the distribution and transmission network. The company is capable of implementing all of these projects according to the turnkey principle.

In addition to that, we also specialise in works related to securing the power supply,

control and monitoring of complex industrial and other infrastructure systems. One example of this is the recently completed electrificitation and control of the Lipak and Železnik tunnels on the Belgrade Bypass, then the adaptation of the power supply and control system at the HPP Đerdap 1 shipping locks etc. We can thus say that we cover all areas in the electricity sector for voltage levels from 0.4 to 400 kV, i.e. for all voltage levels that are used in this part of the world.

You have very ambitious plans for the company’s further development. What are you counting on in particular - the expertise and commitment of employees, experience of the most demanding projects or something else?

Elektromontaža and Južna Bačka represent examples of successful privatisation, and given that I actually come from the Južna Bačka system, it is certain that applying this company’s recipe for success will bring additional value. Moreover, Elektromontaža is a company that has existed on the market for 58 years, which has resulted in numerous references in the electricity sector. This many decades of experience also represents the knowledge accumulated in the company, which enables the development of young professionals through new, more challenging projects. By combining the knowhow, experience and dedication of all employees, I’m convinced that we have new and even greater successes ahead of us.

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BUSINESS

NEW POWER PLANT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS PROGRESSING

MODERN EPS DRIVES SERBIA'S ECONOMY The key to improving the complex system of public enterprise Electric Power Industry of Serbia (EPS) is represented by investments in the modernisation of capacity and new projects. EPS investments reached almost half a billion euros in 2020 alone, while its development projects over the last five years were worth approximately two billion euros

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series of EPS investments that were previously launched continued to be implemented in 2021, while completely new projects are set to commence soon. EPS’s focus also includes hydro projects, thereby addressing obligations to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the country’s energy mix.

On 17th May in Bosnia’s Republika Srpska, near Foča, a new foundation stone was laid for the Buk Bijela Hydro Power Plant on the River Drina, which represents an example of EPS’s new investment projects.

“Together with Electric Power Industry of Republika Srpska (ERS), after decades of waiting for this project, EPS is participating in the construction of three new HPPs, with a capacity of 211 megawatts, as a foreign investor with 51 per cent ownership of company HES Gornja Drina. This investment of 520 million euros will bring green kilowatt-hours and increase the energy security of both Serbia and Republika Srpska,” say EPS officials. “The project has been prepared thoroughly, with respect for legal and technical procedures, domestic laws and international standards.

The idea that has been discussed for more than 40 years is now finally being put into motion. The plan is for HPP Buk Bijela to generate power of between 93.5 and 114.5 MW, with projected annual production of up to 355 million kilowatt-hours. The laying of the foundation stone marked the start of preparatory works on the construction of this hydro power plant, in which EPS and ERS will jointly invest around 250 million

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euros, proportionate to their respective ownership stakes of 51 and 49 per cent in HES Gornja Drina.

According to the assessment of Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, “Construction of HPP Buk Bijela on the Drina represents a fresh start for the relations between Serbia and Republika Srpska but also for the entire region and shows how to work together in the interest of future generations for whom borders will not affect jobs, capital, projects nor survival. This is a project that opens many doors and creates many possibilities. The construction of HPPs Buk Bijela, Foča and Paunci contributes to sustainable economic growth, social development and environmental protection”.

Generating green energy is a part of a century-long tradition of EPS, and green energy is today generated at 15 hydro-

electric power plants with a capacity of 3,015 megawatts, which is 38 per cent of EPS’s energy potential. The modernisation of existing hydro capacities is continuing.

With the generation unit revitalization, the power generated by the largest hydro power plant in Serbia, Đerdap 1, will be increased by approximately 10 per cent, whilst also extending its lifetime for 40 years. The plan is for works on the final, sixth phase to commence this year. Following completion of the revitalisation of the last generator, EPS’s pearl on the Danube will produce clean, “green” electricity with a capacity of 1,140 megawatts. Total investments in this project will exceed 180 million euros. The next job will be the revitalisation of all 10 generators at HPP Đerdap 2, which will increase the power output by around 50 megawatts.

The modernization of the navigation lock

at Đerdap 1 HPP is currently ongoing, while preparations have also commenced for the renovation of the lock at HPP Đerdap 2. Both projects are being implemented with the help of the EU and have a combined value of 60 million euros.

EPS also isn’t lagging behind when it comes to projects related to wind and solar energy. Preparations are underway for the construction of the first EPS wind farm, with a capacity of 66 megawatts, in Kostolac.

The project is worth around 100 million euros, with a total of 20 wind generators to be mounted on the closed cast mines and damp sites of Kostolac TPPs-OCMs. This wind farm is expected to produce about 150 million kilowatt-hours annually, which is sufficient to supply about 30,000 households.

There is also a plan to build a 9.95 MW solar power plant covering an area of about 15 hectares on the landfill site of the former Ćirikovac Mine, near the settlement of Petka.

The project has an estimated value of around 11 million euros, while the completed photovoltaic power plant will produce around 12.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Also ongoing is development of the project to construct a larger solar power plant, with a capacity of 97.2 megawatts, on the existing ash and slag dump of Srednje Kostlačko Ostrvo.

EPS is also considering other new projects, such as the possibility of building solar power plants on the ash dumps of TPPs Morava and Kolubara. The company

has announced a tender for analysing conditions for the construction of these two solar power plants with a capacity of 9.9 megawatts each.

Ever more development and strategic projects represent good news, not only for the largest energy company in Serbia, but also for the domestic economy and the large number of Serbian companies that are engaged in the implementation of these EPS investment projects. Domestic companies are participating in the implementation of works worth 120 million euros just on the single project to construct the desulphurisation plant at TPP Nikola Tesla B, which is worth 210 million euros.

“EPS doesn’t only strengthen the national economy with its revenue generated and payments made to the state budget, but is also the country’s largest employer, not only in terms of the number of employees, but also because it engages the whole of the Serbian mechanical engineering sector and supporting companies that work on overhauls and provide spare parts,” says Jelica Putniković, analyst and editor of the Energija Balkana portal. “Without EPS, or without coal mines, thermal power plants

and hydro power plants, most of these companies would be left without work. The idea of shutting down thermal power plants and mines would have the direct consequence of around 17,000 EPS employees losing their jobs, while many more would be indirectly left jobless, because about 45,000 people are engaged annually through construction companies.”

According to EPS statistics, around 150 domestic companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and construction sectors work for EPS’s thermal and mining sector, with about 200 million euros a year going to those companies. Local companies participate in all EPS projects. This is very important for the growth of the domestic economy, because EPS has a direct impact on GDP growth totalling three percent at the annual level, while contributing another three per cent indirectly, through the construction sector and other branches.

Thanks to the production of electricity from all resources and the implementation of environmental protection projects, EPS is creating a sustainable energy balance that ensures the significant competitiveness of the Serbian economy.

ZelEPS FOR THOSE WHO ACT RESPONSIBLY TOWARDS THE ENVIRONMENT Environmental protection and increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the electricity generation mix are important parts of the EPS strategy. Two years ago, EPS started its pioneering sales of “green” energy to customers on the free market. That is the energy generated at the hydro power plants of EPS,, with every kilowatt-hour from the ZelEPS package having a guarantee of origin. “Green” energy sold in 2020 with a guarantee of origin was ten times higher than the amount sold in 2019.

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INTERVIEW

ENERGY 2021

ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

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LUKA PETROVIĆ, DIRECTOR, ELEKTROPRIVREDA REPUBLIKE SRPSKE

A RELIABLE SUPPLIER ERS, Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, is the backbone of the country’s economic and social development and, as such, has a serious approach to the community, its owner, the government and consumers

Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske has the lowest electricity price in the region, and this unrealistically low price has to be compensated by exports. However, the social sensitivity of this arrangement impacts the investment cycle because the company’s revenues are so low due to the massive subsidy to households that the amount that remains for investment in new projects is insufficient.

Our challenge is to finally start treating electricity as a commodity, and to invest the revenue from sales in the construction of new facilities using renewable energy sources. While our concern for consumers remains, and the price of electricity in Republika Srpska will continue to be much lower than the market price, we must move towards European principles and adopt regular standards.

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esides increasing production from renewable sources and improving energy efficiency, our business priorities include regular supplies to consumers, development of the energy sector, environmental protection, and reform and reorganisation of production.

For a quarter of a century, ERS has been playing an exceptionally important role in the development of Republika Srpska.

Elektroprivreda carries great responsibility and an obligation to provide all customers with a reliable, continuous and high quality electricity supply, respecting the principles of business competitiveness and meeting the prescribed standards. Our social responsibility is enormous and some-

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Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske has the lowest electricity price in the region and we compensate for this unrealistically low price through export times a special ballast, because it requires long-term success, serious strategy and planning. We must balance two extremes to enable the successful operation of the company: on the one hand a free market and competitive principles, and on the other hand the customer, who is the centre of our attention with his budget, which at present assumes a standard adjusted price of electricity that is far below its market value.

All companies in the region have problems with losses in distribution. Are there any solutions for this?

Distribution losses are an important issue to which distribution companies and the system as a whole have paid close attention. We have managed to reduce network losses by about six percent in a few years by implementing measures under the Unified Operational Plan for Reducing Distribution Losses, which is an important result overall.

This reduction was realised primarily in commercial losses, which are usually due to unauthorised consumption of electricity.

All electricity distribution companies, have reduced their losses to a level approved by the national energy regulator, except for Elektro Krajina, where the average annual losses are still above the approved level.

In the coming period, we need to work on reducing technical network losses, which requires considerable investment in renovating, constructing and modernizing the distribution network. The best example of success in reducing distribution losses to technically permissible limits is Elektro Doboj, which has reduced losses to the level of 5% by systematic measuring and continuous investment in the network.

ERS plans to invest 386 million KM in rehabilitating the distribution network over the next ten years. We expect that in all companies losses will be at the level of those in countries of the European Union, i.e. between 4.5% and 6%.

What are your strategic goals for the coming period? Can you tell us more about that?

At the beginning of the year, the Republika Srpska adopted the Law on Electricity and a law to regulate the gas market. This is a law that is rightly seen as a reform because, due to the high degree of harmonisation with the legislation of the European Union and directives related to the energy sector, it has made the changes binding. Our strategic goals fit with the given guidelines, i.e. to switch to green energy and eliminate coal from electricity production by 2050. We must get used to producing electricity without thermal power plants, and that is the process that awaits us over the next decade.

Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske has developed several projects based on renewable energy sources. We are already building some of them and others are being prepared; these are projects on which the growth and development of the energy sector will be based.

What exactly do you have in mind when you talk about 1.5 billion KM of investment?

ERS’ priority is to build facilities that use renewable energy sources, and this is planned in the energy sector development strategy, but also in the company’s ten-year development plan. The three-year business plan envisages investments worth 1.5 billion KM. EPRS is currently engaged in five capital projects: Dabar

Hydroelectric Power Plant, Gornja Drina hydropower system, Bistrica Hydroelectric Power Plants, Hrgud wind farm and Trebinje solar power plant.

The emphasis is on continuing construction and completion of HPP Dabar with an installed capacity of 160 megawatts. We have completed preparatory works and the main works are underway. This will

behind this project, and after 60 years of planning, talking and looking for investors, this project has been successfully launched and will certainly be successfully completed.

The third important hydropower facility is at Bistrica. ERS has signed a works contract worth 102 million euros with the well-known Chinese company AVIK, and the power plants will be built on a turnkey

We have to get used to producing electricity without thermal power plants and that is what awaits us in the next decade

basis. ERS is also determined to invest in wind farms, and in that regard a project is ready for the Hrgud wind farm with an installed capacity of 50 megawatts. KFW Bank has provided 64 million euros for this, the money is at our disposal and at the end of this year we expect the selection of contractors.

The project for the Trebinje I solar power plant is also important. With a capacity of 73 megawatts, it will produce 100,000 megawatt hours of electricity per year for the system. This will be the largest solar park in the Balkans and of interest to a large number of investors.

This is a project that required an enormous preparation, which Elektroprivreda has successfully completed.

make a large contribution to increasing production.

For Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske, the construction of the Gornja Drina hydropower system is of exceptional importance.

This will be owned 51% by Elektroprivreda Srbije and 49% by Elektroprivreda Srpske.

In mid-May an official start was made on preparatory works and delegations from Serbia and Srpska attended a ceremony of laying the foundation stone. Two governments and two power companies are

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ENERGY 2021

BUSINESS

MILUTIN ĐUKANOVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD AT EPCG

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO GREEN ENERGY Besides guaranteeing a stable production and supply of electricity for households and industry, EPCG has had a leading role in the economic development of Montenegro for almost a quarter of a century.

jects, such as HPP Komarnica, installation of an eighth unit at HPP Perućica, the Gvozd wind farm on the Krnovo plateau and a solar installation on Briska Gora above Bar. We cannot give up any thermal energy source that gives stability to our electricity system, but through the ecological reconstruction of TPP Pljevlja, which should start soon, we will make sure that strict European standards are met by reducing pollution and the negative impact on the environment.

With fruitful and constructive cooperation with surrounding complementary systems, this is what, will enable EPCG to maintain its leading position and enable more intensive economic development, to the satisfaction of our customers and all the people of Montenegro.

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o future project will be possible without comprehensive analysis, public debate and high quality solutions based on environmental protection. There is no need to doubt that for a moment, and we will confirm it by rapid action, announces Mr Đukanović.

Do you manage to meet all the demands and needs of your customers?

Energy is essentially a strong support for the development of the economy and society as a whole. If we start from that, then I can say with satisfaction that EPCG, the Electric Power Industry of Montenegro, inherited a leading position, from the very beginning in 1910 with the first diesel power plant in Cetinje.

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Through the environmentally friendly reconstruction of TPP Pljevlja, which should start soon, pollution and the negative impact on the environment will be reduced However, today as a company we are at a turning point. We have built no new energy sources since 1982, so it is time to seriously increase our installed capacity and base our future growth and development on the development of so-called green energy.

I’ll take this opportunity then to announce the imminent start of several important pro-

Your focus is on constantly improving your business while respecting and applying the highest professional and ethical standards.

Is this possible without a negative impact on the environment?

Preservation of the environment or the synergetic relationship between our energy needs and environmental demands is our first priority. So in addition to the project of environmentally friendly reconstruction of the first block of TPP Pljevlja, which involves the application of modern technological innovations and respect for all directives of the Energy Community, and which should begin soon, no future project of Elektroprivreda Crne Gore will be possible without comprehensive analysis and high-quality solutions based on environmental protection.

Your goal is to achieve competitiveness on the European market and actively participate in new market challenges. How will you get there?

Being competitive on the European market and ready for all market challenges means constant investment in people, in modern technologies, and in new energy sources based on so-called green energy. I am deeply convinced that this is a recipe for long-term stability and raising the level of our business references. And that’s what we’ll do. At the same time, we will pay special attention improving our personnel structure and the quality of our staff, because it is known that people are, after all, the greatest resource of any company and the overall basis for creating conditions for development.

We know you always want more and better, but we can’t help but ask if you’re happy with the company’s current level of digital transformation?

Digitalisation is an important aspect of business. EPCG has recently been paying great attention to digitalisation and in that sense, some important projects such as our billing and smart metering system have been introduced.

Communication and security equipment has been developed, customer service has been launched, etc. I am generally satisfied, but as a person for whom information technology is a professional, narrower speciality, I am aware of how fast everything is changing, so we have to follow modern trends and introduce new solutions in that area as well. Without it, business processes are much slower, and that is what we least need.

We must provide quality IT support for organising our work, implementing projects, good communication between staff and with management, a more active flow of ideas and so on.

Montenegro is on its way to the EU, which has very strict criteria and standards. Do you think you can satisfy them?

EPCG has been certified for ISO 9001-Quality Management Systems for some time; ISO

14001 – Environmental Management Systems and ISO 45001 – Occupational safety and health management systems, have been awarded to us by one of the world’s most prestigious certification companies, SGS based in Geneva.

This ranks EPCG among modern European companies that base their business on the application of international standards. As a company, we have fully complied with all criteria and standards in the field of business quality, safety and health at work and environmental protection and socially responsible business.

Do you think that the electricity systems of Serbia and Montenegro are compatible and that they would develop even faster if they improved cooperation?

I recently spent several days on a working visit to Belgrade, and this was the main topic of conversation with senior officials of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with the EPS management. There is a common and unequivocal assessment that the cooperation of electric power systems in the region is the way to faster development and achieving full energy security.

The electricity systems of Serbia and Montenegro are definitely complementary and compatible systems and I am sure that joint investment and cooperation in new projects, especially in the field of green energy are the way to full exploitation of huge energy potentials, especially the rivers of the Black

We have complied with all criteria and standards in the field of business quality, safety and health at work, environmental protection and socially responsible business Sea basin, Komarnica, Piva and Drina. I am pleased that a willingness to cooperate is present on the other side too.

How do you assess the situation in the region, which faces similar challenges in the energy transition?

I think that a submarine cable between Italy and Montenegro is a great chance for the development of a region that is rich in renewable energy resources. Energy security is essential for everyone in the region and that is why we must base our development on green energy, which is particularly interesting and to which the future belongs. This is, I would say, the fastest and best way to overcome energy poverty, which the countries of Southeast Europe are especially prone to.

It seems to me that everyone in the region is aware of that and that they are planning their energy development in a long-term direction of switching to renewable energy sources. We simply must not miss modern trends in energy, we must meet energy needs, but also respect strict environmental standards.

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ENERGY 2021

BUSINESS

MAJA TURKOVIĆ, VICE-PRESIDENT FOR SERBIA; NIKOLA STAMENOV, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR; VLADAN RANKOV, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR FOR CWP GLOBAL

TEAM FOR A CLEANER FUTURE CWP Global is one of the largest investors in wind farms in Serbia, and known worldwide for large and innovative renewable energy projects.

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erbia has the potential to develop over 4 GW of green projects in the next ten years. Faster than we imagined, we will see a large proportion of green energy in our energy mix Can you briefly introduce us to your company?

Maja Turković: CWP Global was established in 2007 as a result of our passion for

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alternative energy and the opportunities that have emerged in Southeast Europe for renewable energy projects. In a short time, we have become the most successful developer in the region and recognizable for the development of the largest wind farms in Serbia and Romania. In Serbia, we have developed the largest wind farm Chibuk 1, with an installed capacity of 158 MW, which started operating in 2018 and is now owned

by the consortium Masdar, Taaleri and Deg. The 600 MW Fantanella project in Romania, which became the property of CEZ, was put into operation in 2012, but is still considered the largest onshore wind farm in Europe.

We have also been working since 2008 in Australia, where we have successfully built 2 GW projects and today we are the largest independent producer of electricity from renewable sources. Thanks to the innova-

tion of our team, we were among the first to introduce successful business models of cooperation for our projects such as corporate power purchase agreements (PPAs) and strategies for direct sale of electricity on the market. In addition to the unique Sapphire hybrid project (270 MW wind, 165 MW solar and 35 MWh of batteries), our company is globally recognized by the AREH (Asian Renewables Energy Hub) project. With an area of 6.5 thousand kilometres in the uninhabited part of Western Australia and an estimated investment value of USD 36 billion, this hybrid project of 26 GW of wind and sun, which will be used to produce green hydrogen, is considered the largest energy project in the world.

In Southeast Europe, in Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, we are today developing a portfolio of projects with a total capacity of 1.4 GW, of which a total of 500 MW is in Serbia. Our team in Belgrade is constantly growing and today we have 14 highly educated and motivated employees who work hard to realise our projects.

Serbia has a law on renewable energy sources, it has investors and a serious capacity of renewable energy in various stages of development. Are we missing anything to take a major step forward?

Maja Turković: The new Law on Renewable Energy Sources is the best signal to investors to invest in the development and construction of power plants that use renewables.

The law gives a clear signal that Serbia is ready for a radical energy transition, and that faster than we had imagined we will see a large proportion of green energy in our energy mix. According to our estimates, Serbia has the potential to develop over 4 GW of green projects in the next ten years.

Regulations are being drafted to enable the implementation of this law, which we expect in the near future. This will complete the regulatory package that will enable investment and integration of a large capacity from renewable sources into our electrical system and on the electricity markets.

What has changed is that technological development and the declining trend in the cost of wind turbines and photovoltaic systems have led to a large drop in production costs. The profitability of a wind or solar

Maja Turković

Besides Vetrozelena, we expect to launch a couple of large wind farm projects in Serbia and the region in the coming period power plant today no longer depends on subsidies or incentives from the state. The future of renewable energy is the market. And our company is ready for market competition.

The key to integrating large renewable capacity is to increase the transmission and interconnection capacity of the grid, to avoid congestions, given the high pressure on the transmission system operator with many connection demands. Equally important is market coupling into single prices zone which would enable development of a liquid intraday electricity market.

CWP Global is one of the largest investors in wind farms in Serbia. What projects are you currently working on?

Nikola Stamenov: Since 2019, we have started a second cycle of constructing wind

farms in Serbia. After the successful completion of the Chibuk 1 project, we are today in full swing developing the 300 MW Vetrozelena project. This wind farm in Pancevo is worth over EUR 300 million, and when the project is put into operation at the end of 2024, the energy produced here will be enough to supply over 200,000 households. In addition to Vetrozelena, we expect to launch a couple more large wind farm projects in the country and the region in the coming period.

CWP Global in Serbia has recently been developing solar (PV) power plant projects Nikola Stamenov: Solar power plants are currently one of the most interesting energy topics in Serbia. One of the reasons is that we as a country have not been able to open our solar potential so far, and the share of about 10 MW of solar in the energy mix of the country is almost negligible. For example, countries in our region such as Bulgaria and Romania have over 1 GW of solar, both large projects and small ‘on the roof’ projects. But thanks to recently adopted regulations, we expect a big boom in Solar in the country, and 25

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BUSINESS

unrealistic it may sound. This is the question of all questions, a question of survival, and that is why we at CWP Global have a sense of great responsibility but also of pride in being part of this great and most important revolution - the green revolution.

How does business sustainability policy affect a company’s value?

Vladan Rankov: ESG policy defines the criteria for a company’s sustainable business and has a major effect on the company’s value. When deciding on the price of capital and the value of a company, financiers and investors quantify and monitor the effects of ESG through so-called ratings or scoring. These assessments examine how the company addresses challenges related to

Nikola Stamenov

We at CWP Global have a sense of great responsibility but also pride in being part of this great and most important revolution - the green revolution

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in our view Serbia will receive over 1,000 MW of solar projects in the next few years.

This is great news, both for the economy and energy, as well as for the environment, which is probably the most important thing.

As for our company, in addition to extensive experience in the development of solar power plants in Southeast Europe and especially in Australia, we are currently developing two large solar parks in Serbia with a total capacity of 200 MW. The expected investment value for these two projects is around EUR 145 million. The total energy produced in these solar parks will be enough to supply 80,000 households with clean energy. We expect these plants to start operating at the beginning of 2024.

The profitability of a wind or solar power plant today no longer depends on subsidies or incentives from the state

Serbia has an important task ahead of it for improving the environment. How do you see the role of your company on that path?

Nikola Stamenov: You are absolutely right. Like the rest of Europe and the world, Serbia has very little time to stop the devastating climate change that our civilization has unequivocally caused, basing its development and prosperity in the last 100

years on cheap and available fossil fuels.

Our company and the entire renewable energy industry have the task of offering governments, corporations, industry and the population an alternative to fossil fuels as soon as possible, and to help Serbia to be a carbon free society by 2050 like the rest of the world. There is no alternative to this, however ambitious and perhaps

Vladan Rankov environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, human capital management, the health of its staff, the working environment, etc. Inadequate management causes additional costs for the company in the form of pollution taxes, higher financing costs, loss of productivity, etc. It is estimated that in our industry, 35% of the total value of the company may be called into question by inadequate ESG. This assessment was made by the globally recognized consulting firm McKinsey in its quarterly report in November 2019. CWP Global therefore pays special attention to such issues and addresses these challenges with its own management policy.

NBT AS (NBT) has partnered up with WV International to develop an 800MW portfolio of wind projects in Serbia. The company, which now operates under the name WV-International NBT, has announced that its two Alibunar projects, with a total capacity of 168MW, will come online as early as 2023.

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International, on wind projects in Serbia.

The joint company, which now operates under the name WV-International NBT, has announced that its two Alibunar projects, with a total capacity of 168 MW, will come

V-International NBT has announced its preparations for the first Serbian auctions for premiums, which is set to be held by the end of 2021, as disclosed by the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy, says WV-International NBT Country Manager for Serbia, Nada Lazendić You met recently with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović. What was the reason? What did you discuss?

Renewable energy company WV-International NBT informed Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mining and Energy Zorana Mihajlović about the development of its renewable energy investment portfolio in Serbia. She told us that Serbia wants to attract high-quality investments in the energy sector and added that Serbia needs projects to be implemented efficiently, because the renewable energy sector is very important to the country.

Our delegation comprised Norwegian Ambassador Jørn Gjelstad, NBT AS Vice President Magnus Johansen and me, as Country Manager of WV-International NBT. NBT AS Vice President Johansen said that the company wants to contribute to energy transition in Serbia following its extensive experience in wind farm project development in Norway, Ukraine and China, while he added that NBT is very interested in investing in Serbia, which is why the company joined the wind farm projects launched by Windvision (now WV-International).

BUSINESS

FOCUSED ON ALIBUNAR

ENERGY 2021

NEDA LAZENDIĆ, COUNTRY MANAGER, WV-INTERNATIONAL NBT

The two Alibunar projects, with a total capacity of 168 MW, will come online as early as 2023

From our impressive 800 MW portfolio, our current focus is on the Alibunar wind projects, for which the company has just finalised the alternation of the construction permits and aligned the project with the new generation of wind turbines to be installed. We have knowhow and experience, because we has a strong partner - NBT AS (NBT). This Oslo-based wind power developer has partnered with us, WV

online as early as 2023.

By the way, WV-International NBT has also announced that it is preparing for the first Serbian auctions for premiums, planned to be held by the end of 2021, as disclosed by the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy. The Government has introduced this supporting mechanism as part of the new set of energy laws that were recently adopted.The alternations are part of the process in which the company is preparing to achieve the most competitive price at the first-ever auction of this kind in Serbia.

What is in your focus now? What is your most important project in Serbia?

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ENERGY 2021

BUSINESS

JELENA TADIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PPP INVESTMENT

PPPs SAVE BUDGET FUNDS PPP Investment is a company that was founded with the aim of applying knowledge and experience from the public sector to the development of public-private partnership models, because many burning issues of citizens at the local level can be solved thanks to such partnerships with support during the entire process of selecting a private partner, i.e. up to the signing of a long-term public contract. We can today boast of a large number of projects prepared according to the public-private partnership model and satisfied clients, with whom cooperation is renewed from project to project.

Also testifying to our success is the fact that we are recognised by the Institute of European Regions (IRE), which is a very influential international organisation based in Salzburg and headed by professor Franz Schausberger, a former governor of the Salzburg Region and an advisor to EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn. This organisation brings together European regions, cities and municipalities, but also very influential companies like Palfinger, ERSTE Bank, Canon and others. They honour us in a special way by appointing little me to the Economic Board of this organisation, and we are proud to sit side-by-side with greats of world and European business.

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he advantage of public-private partnerships over the traditional procurement model is that initial reductions in the costs of construction or equipment with the traditional model can lead to higher costs in the usage phase, about which taxpayers have no information.

Is PPP Investment one of the pioneers in the line of work that you do?

Preparations for some of the first projects in the area of energy efficiency, which are still being implemented successfully today, were actually carried out by the PPP Investment team. We provide our clients

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Your work has a major impact on communities. What improves the quality of citizens’ lives?

Many of our small projects have solved numerous communal problems throughout Serbia. When I say “small projects” I’m referring to their financial value, but their economic value to the local population is incomparably higher. Here I’m primarily thinking of the dozens of public lighting projects, projects for the production of heating energy from renewable energy sources and natural gas, urban and suburban passenger transport and municipal waste management projects, the maintenance of streets and roads and many others. The implementation of these projects improves

the quality of life of the local population, and all that without additional costs to the public body, with all the money invested exclusively by a private partner.

When it comes to public investments, taxpayers don’t only pay the price of construction or equipment, but rather such projects cost as much as they will pay for them in their entire lifetime.

Could you give us positive examples of public-private partnerships in practise?

The people of Pančevo today have the most modern passenger transport in the region. This is a project that makes PPP Investment particularly proud One of the shining examples is improved urban and suburban passenger transport services in Pančevo. A serious problem that threatened to leave Pančevo residents without public transport was overcome through the hiring of a private partner, a consortium of domestic operators, which invested in 60 new ecological buses and is obliged to build a new bus station in the near future. The people of Pančevo today have the most modern passenger transport in the region. This is a project that makes PPP Investment particularly proud.

And in the coming period, given the immeasurable importance of energy efficiency, particularly for countries like Serbia, we would like to participate in preparations for an even larger number of projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, along with the ever increasing use of renewable energy sources.

BUSINESS

WE'RE SAVING MONEY AND ENERGY

ENERGY 2021

OBRAD TADIĆ, CEO AT SMART ENERGY INVESTMENT KFT, SEI BEOGRAD BRANCH

Since the launch of its operations in Serbia, one of the main goals of the SEI Beograd branch of company Smart Energy Investment Kft has been to reduce energy consumption and harmful emissions through the reconstruction of public lighting

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quality and precision. We are witnessing the advance of technology and its possibilities, though I believe that no final solution exists beyond each of us individually. The solution must be within us and must start from us.

round 15 million euros has been invested in the implementation of our projects in Serbia to date, with all funds coming from our own or commercial sources”, notes Smart Enenrgy Investment Kft CEO Obrad Tadić.

Are the people aware of how negatively the use and production of energy impacts on the environment? How can we learn to use energy efficiently?

We are aware of the negative impact of energy exploitation, but on the other hand we mustn’t overlook the positive effects of energy. We consider the emergence of fire as one of mankind’s most significant advances.

The most important thing is to strike a balance between energy exploitation and the health of humans and the environment. This is a challenge that we must not fail to address.

We must first dispel the notion that the problem of “energy & pollution” is something we can’t influence and that all our individual efforts are insufficient. Since the launch of our operations in Serbia, one of our main goals has been to reduce energy consumption and emissions of harmful substances through the reconstruction of public lighting. We were assured that this didn’t make sense, asked whether we are “aware of how negligible that is compared to the overall consumption of electricity, i.e. coal production in Serbia?”

That didn’t stop us, as we believed that our projects could achieve energy savings of more than 75%, and that’s how we created our slogan “LET’S /SEIυ/ TOGETHER”, in which we intentionally equate the acronym of our

One of our main goals is to reduce energy consumption and emissions of harmful substances through the reconstruction of public lighting company name (SEI) with the word “save”.

So, our advice is “LET’S /SEIυ/ TOGETHER”!

Which projects is SEI currently involved in? Do you think an effective and affordable solution exists to the problem of air pollution?

The implementation of a project in Zaječar, which we are implementing successfully with Slovenian partner company Petrol, is currently underway. We are participating successfully in 13 projects in Serbia, because the contracts are long-term and we conduct maintenance on them, guaranteeing the realising of savings,

You’ve had precious assistance from Hungarian funds that donated projects to you. Can you tell us more about that?

We are currently preparing a study on the reconstruction of the public lighting system in Valjevo, for which we secured the City of Valjevo with around €87,000 from the Government of Hungary, or from its Western Balkan Fund, and we want to use that to promote energy efficiency and cooperation between Hungary and Serbia.

Hungary supports economic cooperation and also invests huge resources through the Hungarian Export Promotion Agency (HEPA), which has its regional headquarters in Belgrade, while Hungarian diplomacy, led by H.E. Ambassador Pinter, is doing a great job.

How do your projects look in figures?

This relates to millions of saved kilowatts of electricity and reductions of hundreds of thousands of tons in CO2 production.

The quality of lighting is about 200% better, energy savings exceed 80%, while CO2 emissions have been reduced by about 155,000 tons, or about 14,000 tons of CO2 annually. If we consider that a single hectare of forest that has reached maturity (about 40 years old) absorbs 180 tons of CO2 per year, it is not difficult to calculate that “LET’S / SEIυ/ TOGETHER” is the right way.

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ENERGY 2021

NIŠ-SOFIA GAS PIPELINE

ROAD TO GREATER ENERGY SECURITY The new Niš-Sofia gas pipeline is a key part of Serbia’s broader strategy to complete the ongoing liberalisation of the gas sector, but also an important element of Serbia’s progress on accession negotiations with the EU. The new gas interconnector will contribute considerably to energy security and a cleaner environment in Serbia.

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erbia is finally set to tackle the security of its gas supply and the diversification of supply routes and suppliers. This change comes with the construction of the Serbian section of the 171-kilometre natural gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria. When it becomes operational in 2023, this new development will handle about two billion cubic metres of gas per year, thus contributing to the diversification of energy sources for Serbia and the region. Furthermore, it will ensure a stable energy supply that respects the environment and encourage the liberalisation of the market and investments.

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The Niš-Sofia gas pipeline will contribute to the diversification of energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, as well as reducing dependency on a single dominant supplier The project is considered a priority project for the European Union and the Central and South-Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) initiative. The EU Delegation to Serbia is actively facilitating progress on this priority project, in close contact with

the Serbian authorities.

Indeed, Bulgaria and Serbia already linked their gas networks at the end of 2020, with the idea of securing supplies of Russian gas from the TurkStream pipeline as of 2021.

The 170km Bulgaria-Serbia interconnector, construction of which is set to start during 2021, is a separate project that provides Serbia with a non-Russian supply option.

It will therefore contribute to diversifying energy sources in Serbia and the Western Balkan region, while reducing dependency on a single dominant supplier.

Energy security and supply reliability are imperatives for EU Member States and

pipeline will thus significantly increase the energy security of Serbia, but also the region.

The final step in this project was the recent signing of the Agreement on the loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in May. The EIB loan of 25 million euros secured an initial €49.6 million of EU IPA grant funds to the Serbian side of the Niš-Sofia gas pipeline. In short, the financial foundations for construction are now set. The head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, confirmed that the loan for the Niš -Dimitrovgrad pipeline was a “big

from the coronavirus pandemic.

Energy transition is part of the EIB portfolio around the world. Serbia’s project is one of a few gas projects to be supported under the EIB energy lending policy agreed in 2019, before the bank shifted its focus to renewable only sources of energy from 2021. The EU previously supported the energy sector in Serbia with more than €830 million. From 2000 to date, the EIB has invested over €672 million in the energy sector of the Western Balkans. In combination with EU funds, this EU bank provides strong and long-term

renewables and security of supply.

The pipeline will serve this task. It will have a capacity of 1.8 bcm/year downstream along the Bulgaria-Serbia route, with the possibility of also reversing the flow, and will run for around 62 km in Bulgaria and 108 km in Serbia. It will provide an additional 80% capacity increase relative to Serbia’s current gas needs. Furthermore, once completed, it should open the doors for a number of suppliers, such as LNG terminals in Greece, TAP and TANAP gas pipelines and possibly the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline, with gas sourced from Cyprus and Israel. The construction of the Niš-Dimitrovgrad gas

The pipeline will allow easy gas access for citizens and businesses of Bela Palanka, Pirot and Dimitrovgrad – three towns that previously lacked access to gas

financial support to the countries of the region and facilitates a shift to more energy efficient and diverse resources.

The energy sector is in the focus of the EU because it has a great impact on all other sectors in society. The projects that the EU is implementing in the energy sector aim to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, increase the use of renewables and increase energy efficiency. Serbia is the country with the highest percentage of coal of low calorific value (lignite) in electricity production, at about 65%. Some 21% of electricity produced in Serbia is currently generated from renewables.

step forward” towards the realisation of the project.

As noted by Serbian Finance Minister Siniša Mali, investments in infrastructure are of great importance to Serbia, as they contribute to higher economic growth, which is particularly important amid the fallout

ENERGY 2021

represent an important issue for Western Balkan countries. In order to reach the level of economic development attained by EU Member States, the countries of the region, Serbia included, will need to maintain their own energy security and reliability of supply by securing energy supplies from different directions and sources. By gradually harmonising its energy strategy with the strategy and directives of the EU, Serbia has a chance to turn its energy sector into a driver of economic development that relies on decarbonisation, green economy,

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ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

MILENKO JOVANOVIĆ, TECHNICAL MANAGER AND OWNER AT M&D UNIT D.O.O. BEOGRAD

EVERY GREEN kWh MATTERS M&D Unit was founded in 2008 with the idea of becoming part of new technological solutions. And it brought new dynamism with its expertise in an entire array of solutions in the fields of electricity quality and energy efficiency

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onditions are being created for the construction of new wind farms.

M&D Unit strives to pass on its positive experiences to new investors, while considering additional advances and new opportunities with those with which it already cooperates.

The Alibunar and Malibunar wind farms, which have an impressive look and power capacity, are among the first projects of this type to be realised in Serbia. Is this our future?

It certainly is. There is no alternative to green energy. These projects have paved the way for the arrival of wind power technology in our country, primarily in the sense of adequate connections to Serbia’s energy distribution and transmission system.

The energy sector is extremely dynamic and demands the constant monitoring of trends and new technological advances.

Does this also apply to substations? To the transmitting of electricity? Are we keeping pace with the rest of the world?

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M&D Unit was founded in 2008 with the idea of becoming part of these new technological solutions. We are experts in an entire array of solutions in the fields of electricity quality and energy efficiency. It is precisely these areas that have brought new dynamics to traditionally conservative systems, such as electrical substations and electricity distribution and transmission.

There is an abundance of new technical and technological solutions, and it is our to select and implement the best ones for a certain project. And the best solution is one that provides added value to a project and enables the investor to be competitive in the future. And that’s the point: we’re building for the future. In that sense, we aren’t only keeping pace with the rest of the world, but also have to predict where that world will head. Longstanding cooperation with our clients provides confirmation that we have been successful to date.

Successfully completed projects and lists of satisfied clients are the most important references in every job, including yours. What

are you particularly proud of accomplishing and are you currently working on something that will give you a sense of pride?

I’m particularly proud of our contribution to the success of our clients.These are usually the details that make a difference. For example, wind parks were a new arrival in Serbia, but not for the investors who brought them. However, we proposed - and they recognised and accepted - technical solutions that they had not previously used. We thus created a completely new system for forecasting production and management production at wind farms. The forecasted data are automatically forwarded for unified analysis of the production plan at Serbia’s national level. Good forecasting and quality planning definitely make a difference.

We’ve successfully completed the construction and made operational a new steel rolling mill for company Metalfer in Sremska Mitrovica. Steel mills are very demanding systems in almost all aspects of electricity quality - higher harmonics, flickers, asymmetries, voltage dips etc. Given that they are large consumers of electricity, energy efficiency must be at a high level. It is very satisfying to connect all those dots to create an extremely functional and efficient whole.

We’ve also completed the construction of three solar power plants and commissioned them since the beginning of this year, while we are working on the development of several new ones. The installed power capacity is incomparably less than that of wind farms, but every green kWh counts, bringing benefits to both the investor and all of us. We are also actively engaged in the process of expanding the network of fast chargers for electric vehicles.

BUSINESS

COMPETITIVE AT HOME AND ABROAD

ENERGY 2021

JASMINA POPOVIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DNP INŽENJERING NOVI SAD

Company DNP Inženjering [Engineering] is proud of all the electrical power facilities it has designed in Serbia and abroad, and especially of its team, comprising young people who are ready to learn and develop in every way needed to meet all the demands that the profession places on them. within the scope of the World Bank project, TS Priboj, due to the difficult configuration of the terrain, and the elaboration of the idea of concentration plant PRP Vladimirovac 2, as a 400kW plant with a large number of fields.

We use the latest design programmes and send our employees for professional training whenever the opportunity arises

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nvestors recognise us as a serious company that’s ready to respond to every challenge, and that’s why we concluded seven more contracts for wind farms and a very important framework agreement with Elektrodistribucija Srbije during the previous year, points out managing director Jasmina Popović with pride.

You’ve designed electrical power facilities of all voltage levels in Serbia and abroad. Could you single out some of the projects that make you feel particularly proud?

Each project is a challenge in itself, and that’s what makes this job especially beautiful and creative. There have been many challenges, and among the more unusual ones are RP Trebješnica, due to its specificity, TS Gornji Milanovac, as the only facility created

There are also TS Šipovo in Republika Srpska, which was the first substation we projected from start to finish.

Alongside the aforementioned substation, I would also highlight the projects of 110 kW cable lines installed in Belgrade, due to the specifics of installing them in the city’s urban zone and over Ada Bridge. We have been engaged in the design of substations and switch yards for many wind farms, which we implemented successfully and for which building permits were obtained.

You are known as a company that places a lot of effort into employee training, monitoring trends, introducing state-of-the-art technologies etc. Does that mean we aren’t lagging behind the rest of the world and that you can handle all challenges?

I don’t think we’re lagging behind at all in the domain of design, in some aspects we’re actually even ahead of similar companies elsewhere in the world. We use the latest design programmes and send our employees for pro-

fessional training whenever the opportunity arises. In the previous period we managed to increase our number of employees, to provide everyone with adequate design programmes and adequate training, both in the domain of software and in professional training in the field of electrical energy and construction.

Our team comprises young people who are ready to learn and develop in every way needed to meet all the demands that the profession places on us. Also enabling the company’s good and efficient working performance is the application of ISO quality, which is enabled by the certificate we’ve obtained from an internationally acknowledged certification company.

You can boast of your cooperation with renowned domestic suppliers and the world’s largest manufacturers of equipment. Does that also allow you to advance and maintain the highest level of project quality?

Yes. Good cooperation with representatives of equipment manufacturers of all world brands certainly contributes to high-quality design. We have exceptional cooperation with most representative offices of these companies in Serbia and the region. It is also important that we cooperate with renowned construction companies represented in our country. Fortunately, our colleagues who work in such companies have an ear and good will for good cooperation. The facility ultimately built represents a symbiosis of good design, execution and high-quality equipment, and only the harmonising of all components ensures quality, which is the end goal of all project participants.

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ENERGY 2021

INTERVIEW

BRANIMIR STOJČEVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, BURDOCK CONSULTANCY D.O.O.

SYNONYM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS Burdock is a company that provides services in the domain of complete project management, engineering, preparations and the supervision of major turnarounds and construction projects worldwide. This company, which was founded in the Netherlands, has a clear intention and goal to develop its business in Serbia over the long run

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iscussing Burdock’s plans here is the company’s general manager, Branimir Stojčević, who decided to share his wealth broad experience of knowledge in Serbia after having spent many years working abroad for renowned world companies, side-by-side with top experts.

Burdock Consultancy Belgrade is the seventh full member of the Burdock Group.

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What prompted your arrival in Serbia? What are your goals?

I was more than pleasantly surprised at the beginning of 2017 when I received an offer to support the establishment and further development of our organisation in Serbia.The direct reason for that, and the first prestigious project on which our staff were engaged, was the implementation of construction works on the Delayed Coker Unit (DCU) plant, for

deep oil refining, at the Pančevo refinery that’s owned by our client NIS. We want to create an essential stable structure between technology, clients and contractors, establishing the uniformity of works and total transparency of all activities and cases. We want to provide our workers with the maximum space for further development, for them to gain serious experience that can subsequently be passed on to future generations for decades.

As a company, we have the clear intention and goal of developing our business in Serbia over the long run. In accordance with that, we held very constructive meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Mining, after which we also expressed our clear intention to establish strategic and long-term cooperation.

As for me personally, after many years spent working abroad with renowned world companies, side-by-side with top experts, I realised that I should share the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained in Serbia.

Your portfolio is exceptional… What are all the sectors of industry and services that you cover? What is your core business?

Burdock was founded 27 years ago in the Netherlands and provides services in the domain of complete project management, engineering, preparations and the supervision of major overhauls and projects worldwide.

With a broad multinational and multidisciplinary network of people comprising more than 400 highly skilled experts, we cover a wide array of industries, such as refineries, petrochemicals, food, pharmaceuticals and civil and infrastructure facilities.

The turnkey concept is what characterises Burdock Consultancy Belgrade specifically, and that’s why it differs from other companies.

We have a more than conscious approach to temporarily taking over project management and ensuring the continuous justification of quality, budgets, delivery deadlines, health and safety at work etc. Here there is simply no room for any kind of compromise that destabilises fundamental principles and processes.

What are the goals of the Eco Solutions consortium that you’ve formed with your Netherlands-based partners Energo Group and Afmitech?

This is about a combination of Dutch technology and highly qualified international and local professionals, as the key to achieving our goal of becoming synonymous with ecological solutions. Our extensive international experience, coupled with our strong business practises, is aimed at providing project solutions that will help Serbia on the path to resolving its ecological issues.

When it comes to technology, our partner is Afmitech Friesland, and when it comes to fabricating equipment, construction and installation, there are Energo Group Netherlands and DAM projects Priboj. I will give the floor to our associate, Afmitech representative Bojana Vlassak, M.Sc. Ing. What sets Afmitech’s technical wastewater treatment solutions apart from the rest? What are their specificities?

Afmitech Friesland is a Dutch company specialising in decentralised wastewater treatment that has amassed more than 45 years of experience. Its wastewater treatment systems are patented and satisfy CE standards in terms of quality and performance. The product range encompasses the pre-treatment of wastewater (rotating aerators) and final treatment that enables the reuse of water in, for example, the agroindustrial sector. There is no use of materials that are subject to clogging (filters and membranes) and thus maintenance is simple and accompanied by much lower costs compared

to conventional systems. Furthermore, these systems automatically adapt to changes in the load and composition of wastewater, are characterised by high flexibility and are able to withstand an increase in nominal hydraulic loads of up to 200%.

Like all other professional companies, my personal view is a given. We monitor the business climate in Serbia and we must point out that we are very satisfied with the way the entire business environment has improved over the last few years. This

Where are the aforementioned technical solutions applicable in Serbia?

It is known that the problems of municipal wastewater are being resolved in our major cities, which is commendable in every sense, because we know that our natural resources and natural wealth are not inexhaustible.

Apart from the pollution of our rivers and lands, we must also pay great attention to the polluting of our rural areas, hamlets,

is especially so if we take into account the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here I’m primarily referring to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, which the European Central Bank this year confirmed as being at the level of 5.6%, with low inflation of 1.5% annually, a low share of public debt in GDP, at 58.6%, further general business activity of both banks and companies, extremely dynamic investment activity, particularly in the field of infrastructure and construction projects to build processing plants, as well as everything else in economic terms that has happened in Serbia in the past. That’s precisely why Burdock believes in the Serbian economy, its vitality and growth, and we therefore want to be active participants in this process.

As a company, Burdock is very satisfied with the way the entire business environment in Serbia has improved over the last few years villages and smaller settlements. Afmitech’s solutions are tailored to municipal wastewater for the broad spectrum of individual households, floating facilities, cruise ships, hotels, resorts, spas, hamlets, villages and settlements of up to 15,000 inhabitants.

In order to avoid overloading the existing infrastructure in overcrowded cities, our systems provide investors with a solution to the problem of wastewater in new residential facilities. In terms of industrial wastewater, we have references in the dairy and meat processing industries, breweries etc.

How does the Burdock Group, and you personally, view the investment climate in Serbia?

You are currently active on a public tender for the technical supervision of the installation for a 110 km cross-country gas pipeline between Serbia and Bulgaria. What are your expectations?

How can we stay reserved without stressing our genuine expectations? It would really be a great pleasure for us, not to mention a privilege, to show what we know and are capable of as a company, to contribute maximally to the successful implementation of this exceptional project. As mentioned, we as an organization have the clear intention and goal to develop our activities in Serbia in the long term in order to make a positive contribution to the overall Serbian interest.

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ENERGY 2021

LOCAL NEWS

WE ARE TURNING TO GREEN ENERGY Although at first glance you would not think that a global coronavirus pandemic had any good sides, in fact they do exist. Corona has led us to look at our relationship with the world and the planet and to realise how badly we have been affecting the environment and the climate. Unfortunately, we have not changed much so far, but there are signs of positive change, both in our country and in the developed world, which is increasingly turning to clean, green energy. Let’s make it happen.

BEOGRADSKE ELEKTRANE PROVIDES HEAT AND ELECTRICITY In addition to thermal energy, Beogradske Elektrane has recently begun to produce electricity. After 18 years, a plant worth about 6.5 million euros has started operating at the Voždovac heating plant, which now combines both types of energy. It can produce 10 megawatts of electricity and 10 megawatts of heat.

“The electricity produced is delivered to the distribution system of EPS at a subsidized tariff like green energy, while the heat produced is used for heating and domestic hot water. Outside the heating season, only the cogeneration plant produces heat, which is used for hot water for consumers in the areas of the Voždovac and Medaković heating plants”, explains Beogradske Elektrane.

SERBIA SUSPENDS CONSTRUCTION OF KOLUBARA B COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT Serbia has decided to halt construction of the Kolubara B thermal power plant, which may be seen as the first serious step in the decarbonisation of the energy sector and a start on the energy transition. According to the Trade Union of the Kolubara Mining Basin, the Ministry of Mining and Energy has written to the Electric Power Industry of Serbia, EPS, asking it to suspend all activities on the construction of the Kolubara B thermal power plant, following which the trade union organized a meeting of workers at the construction site near Kalenić.

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SERBIA AND REPUBLIKA SRPSKA BUILD BUK BIJELA HPP In the municipality of Foča, the respective prime ministers of Republika Srpska and Serbia, Radovan Višković and Ana Brnabić, have laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 93-megawatt Buk Bijela hydroelectric power plant, which should be completed in four years. Elektroprivreda Srbije and Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske will jointly invest around 220 million euros in its construction. In the joint venture Hidroenergetski sistem Gornja Drina, EPS has a majority share of 51 per cent, and ERS 49 per cent. The hydropower project on the upper course of the Drina envisages the construction of three HPP:, Buk Bijela, Foča (44 MW) and Paunci (43 MW).

OUR WIND FARMS HAVE A CAPACITY OF 500 MW In the last few years, Serbia has developed wind farms with a capacity of 500 megawatts, but it still produces two thirds of its electricity in 4GW coal-fired power plants. With the adoption of the first Law on Renewable Energy Sources, the new Ministry of Mining and Energy, headed by Minister Zorana Mihajlović, has galvanized the energy transition from its doldrums and created the conditions to increase the production of green energy, but the real challenge is reducing production at coal-fired power plants.

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ENERGY 2021

WORLD NEWS

IN NORTH MACEDONIA ELECTRICITY PRICES ARE RISING Electricity is becoming more expensive due to green energy.

“The costs of installing photovoltaic plants, wind farms and gas power plants means an increase in electricity bills. In developing the energy sector, the Government of North Macedonia will establish a renewable energy fund. We want green energy - the price of electricity will go up”, said Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev.

Zaev attributed the impending increase in electricity bills to investment in solar plants, wind farms and gas power plants, and said that people should be told that they cost money.

He added that foreign policy, changes to the constitution and other activities are aimed at raising living standards, investment, job creation and opportunities for Macedonians.

ELECTRICITY CAN ALSO BE GENERATED ON MARS Electricity on Mars can be produced with the help of kites Scientists from the University of Technology in Delft in the Netherlands claim that electricity on Mars can be produced by large kites that will rotate in flight and move a stationary turbine. The first human crew will already set off for the red planet in 2035. If the mission is successful, it is likely that small settlements will be established. To survive on Mars, a large amount of energy is needed, and the possibility of transporting power plants and fuel from Earth is currently very limited.

The solar potential on the red planet is very weak. It can be used to power research robots, but much more is needed for human survival.

The atmosphere is too rare for conventional wind turbines. Dutch scientists claim that huge kites can be constructed tied to spools or spindles on the surface of Mars, which would drive a turbine by rotating.

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IDRIJA SMARTENING UP The small town of Idrija will be among the first towns in Slovenia to install batteries for storing electricity locally and to achieve flexibility in electricity consumption with the help of a public infrastructure management system. Idrija is involved in the national NEDO project with Japanese partners. Kolektor Sisteh is installing a battery storage system in a small hydroelectric power plant in Idrija as part of a three-year project for smart grids. The main partners are the Japanese Organisation for New Energy and Industrial Technology Development (NEDO), its authorised contractor Hitachi and ELES. Completion of installation of the equipment and handover for use are scheduled for June, after which a six-month trial should follow as part of the transformation of Idrija into a smart town. balkangreenenergynews.com VIENNA GETS NEW “GIANT COOKER” The city of Vienna has started construction of a new Power-to-Heat plant next to the Spittelau incinerator, which, like a giant cooker, will convert excess green electricity from the grid into thermal energy. The goal is to use all available energy, to increase the share of renewables in heating energy and to enhance the stability of the electricity network. Operations at the plant are planned to begin in the spring of 2022, announced the representative office of the City of Vienna.

On the roof of the plant there will be space for rest and gardening for the staff, where in the future they will be able to plant tomatoes, peppers and spices together.

The greening of the space will add to the fight against heat islands in the city, says the announcement.

B92 GAS DEMAND EXPECTED TO GROW Global gas demand is expected to rise by 3.2% in 2021, erasing losses in 2020 and moving demand to 1.3% above 2019 levels. This recovery in gas demand has been driven mainly by fast-growing markets – primarily in Asia and to a lesser extent in the Middle East – but subject to uncertainty about industrial recovery and fuel price competitiveness.

Demand in the European Union is expected to recover to the level of 2019. Growth in the United States is more gradual, and demand is not expected to return to 2019 levels. Low temperatures in the first months of 2021 and winter storms also led to some extreme tensions in demand and price fluctuations, first in January in north-east Asia, and then in February in North America, especially in Texas, and this trend is expected to continue.

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INTERVIEW

ENERGY 2021