German-Serbian Business Association

FDI Foreign Direct Investment

German-Serbian Business Association

10 years

platform for dynamic bilateral economic relations 2013

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contents 10

omplex C Partnership

Dijana Peškir Director General of STIHL SERBIA

Ivan Mrkić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

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erbian S Government is Constructive

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H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm, German Ambassador to Serbia

platform for dynamic bilateral economic relations

rowing G Interest

Martin Knapp, Director of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Serbia

riving for D Success

EDITOR Jovana Gligorijević, j.gligorijevic@aim.rs

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ew Jobs, New N Standards

etter Than B Expected

Conomic Forecast Germany 2013 40

Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, CEO of Mercedes-Benz SCG

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he Most T Important European Partner

Željko Sertić, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković PHOTOS Zoran Petrović TRANSLATORS Snežana Bjelotomić lecture Mark Pullen

Economic Cooperation between Serbia and Germany

PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Svetlana Okanović, s.okanovic@aim.rs Vanja Đorđević, v.djordjevic@aim.rs Marija Vujković, m.vujkovic@aim.rs Marina Grčić, m.grcic@aim.rs

he Power of T Art and Culture

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ruža Ristanović, r.ristanovic@aim.rs

Dr. Matthias Müller-Wieferig, Director, GoetheInstitut Belgrade 30

German-Serbian Business Association 10 years

GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić, i.novcic@cma.rs FINANCIAL DIRECTOR Ana Besedić, a.besedic@aim.rs EDITORIAL MANAGER Tanja Banković, t.bankovic@aim.rs

rowth and G Innovation

office manager Nataša Nešić, n.nesic@aim.rs

Christoph Till, President of Henkel Serbia

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica German-Serbian Business Association 10 years - platform for dynamic bilateral economic relations published by: alliance international media

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oundation F of Good Cooperation

Ronald Seeliger, Chairman of the DSW Board of Directors 4 |

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irst F Stabilisation, Then New Success

german-serbian business association 2013

ountry of C Poets and Thinkers ature, Culture N & Exciting Nightlife

Germany is the 7th most visited country in the world ...

Makenzijeva 67, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fascimile: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs www.allianceinternationalmedia.com ISSN no: 1451-7833 All rights reserved alliance international media 2013

This issue is audited by ABC Serbia

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comment

Supporter,

role model and examiner Germany can be a role model for Serbia in many ways. Considering Germany’s strength and the fact that the country constantly evolved to become the leader in Europe, Serbia needs Germany as a partner much more than Germany needs Serbia.

Jovana Gligorijević Editor

A

very in-depth study about Serbian-German rela-

In the eyes of Serbia and the Serbian public, Germany

tions entitled “Serbian-German Relations: the Real

has been traditionally viewed through two additional prisms.

and the Possible”, published in Belgrade last year

The first one is of Germany as a country where 750,000 peo-

by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, shows that the picture people in

ple of Serbian origin live and work, a country which has for

Serbia have of Germany is quite ambivalent. On one hand,

decades been the ‘promised land’ for many Serbian people

Germany occupied Serbia during the two world wars, with

and a symbol of discipline and work, in addition to being a

the country’s armed forces showing great brutality in World

symbol of success and prosperity as a result of that same

War II. In 1999 Germany and its NATO allies waged a war

discipline and work ethic.

against Serbia. Diplomatic relations between the two coun-

The second prism, which is not so great but is very impor-

tries were severed that same year, as a result of Germany’s

tant to the essential, deep-rooted, inner transformation of the

involvement in the bombing of the then FR Yugoslavia, only

Serbian society, is even more significant, as it concerns disa-

to be reinstated in 2000. Since then relations between the

greements and problems that the two countries have had be-

two countries have gradually developed.

cause of Germany’s stance on the need for Serbia to confront

Today Germany is Serbia’s most important partner in

the events of the recent past and fully understand just how im-

Europe, both in terms of economic cooperation and in political

portant that confrontation is to the social reforms of the coun-

reforms which are crucial for the further advancement of the

try, its advancement on the European integration path and the

European integration process. The quality of this cooperation is reflected in the industrial and trade cooperation, as well as the fact that 70% of the machin-

Germany’s attitude towards Serbia can be described as tough love

ery and equipment used in Serbian production plants are of

overall reconciliation in the region. This German stance is root-

German origin and that the country’s products mostly com-

ed in the country’s own historical experiences.

ply with German standards. This cooperation has always been

Following World War II Germany was confronted by many

quite diverse and comprehensive and, in addition to trade,

challenges, the biggest and most difficult of which was con-

has been developing through higher formats, namely joint in-

fronting the devastating consequences of the war, the atroc-

vestments, industrial cooperation, detachments and cooper-

ities committed by the Nazi regime and the unprecedented

ation in transport, tourism, banking & finance, the transfer of

mass crimes. Understanding the sequence of events which un-

German technology and similar.

folded from 1933 to 1945, and which led Germany into such

Although Germany’s attitude towards Serbia in the last

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state of affairs, was at the heart of this confrontation.

decade can be described as tough love, during which time

Likewise, and in order to permanently resolve its own prob-

Germany has been known to obstruct Serbia on its road to EU

lems, Serbia has to fully grasp the events that resulted in its prob-

membership, making this journey quite a bumpy one. Today it

lems. And there is no better role model on how to do that than

is clear that pressures exerted by Germany were mainly aimed

Germany. We should bear something else in mind – considering

at prompting Serbia to carry out changes that are not merely

Germany’s strength and the fact that the country has constantly

cosmetic, but rather encompass a deep inner transformation,

evolved to become the leader in Europe, Serbia needs Germany

which is the only transformation that actually matters.

as a partner much more than Germany needs Serbia. ■

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interview

Ivan Mrkić, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

Complex Partnership With Germany we have a comprehensive and regulated contractual framework. Some 77 bilateral agreements are in force. I would underline agreements in the fields of the economy and those that are important for our citizens who live and work in Germany.

I would single out the agreements on economic, industrial and technical cooperation, on road and air transport and social security

T

he first diplomatic relations between Serbia and Germany were established 820 years ago, when the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, during one of the Crusades, met with the founder of the Serbian dynasty, Stefan Nemanja.

Emperor Dušan had members of the German nobility at his court as knights of the trust. Among them was the knight Palman, along with 300 very respectable Germans. Between 1719 and 1721 hundreds of Germans from the Pfalts area migrated to the vicinity of Belgrade, to Dorćol, Mirjevo (Marijen-Nebel), Slance, Smederevo, Grocka, Ostružnica

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(Osterbah), Avala and Jagodina.

After the Congress of Berlin the establishment of official relations between Serbia and Germany were reached in the form of intergovernmental agreements, the opening of consulates, trade and the investment of German capital

I personally believe that Germany assists more than is ordinarily thought

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in the mining industry. In addition to industrialists, a number of workers from Germany were placed in the service of the Serbian state. In 1849 Jakob Grimm became a corresponding member of the Serbian Wisdom Association

(Družestva srbske slovesnosti) for "his scholarship and merit". According to Grimm’s recommendation and alongside the personal engagement of Von Humboldt, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić received an imperial decoration and became a member of the Prussian Academy of Sciences. According to the archival documents of German universities, from 1885 to 1914 as many as 110 Serbs received doctorates in Germany.

On the basis of this data, two important things can been seen. One is that Germany has always been an important factor in the political and cultural life of Europe and the second is that Serbia would

relations

support

dialogue

Bilateral relations are very good and have improved significantly in recent years.

Germany gave us crucial support for the opening of membership talks with the EU.

We have intensified political dialogue at all levels, especially at the higher level.

not have made progress without it as an important partner in two key areas: industrialisation and education. Here we speak to Serbian Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić regarding the look of relations between Serbia and Germany today, the direction they are heading and their prospects. ■Serbian-German diplomatic relations have passed through various phases, not always good ones, during their long history. How do you rate the quality of our relations with Germany at the moment?

- Bilateral relations are very good and have improved significantly in recent years. They are characterised by extraordinarily intense co-

operation in all fields. Germany is a significant investor in our economy, our most important trading partner, largest donor and one of the most important political partners. This confirms the multifaceted importance of Germany, which,

We hope that in the foreseeable future there will be a meeting at the level of heads of state, between President Nikolic and President Gauke as a very important EU member, has a special role with regard to our approach to the EU. Our aim is to improve and strengthen overall relations with the Federal Republic of Germany. In this respect, contacts have been intensified at all levels and a high quality dialogue

has been established through which we have profiled ourselves as a reliable partner. I personally believe that Germany helps more than is ordinarily thought. â– From 2000 and the beginning of the European integration process, Germany was precisely the country that occasionally sought the fulfilment of additional conditions.

On the other hand, it is a country that is one of the largest investors in Serbia and also the largest donor. How do you explain this apparent duality?

- The Federal Republic of Germany has a strategic interest in the Western Balkan region. In this context it should be considered its engage-

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cooperation are important to point out?

- As I said, the area of bilateral cooperation is complex. Germany, as the leading nation in many fields, is in a position to transfer its knowledge and experience. German experts are engaged in Serbia, the training of professional personnel at German-owned companies is implemented in Germany, as is the training of interns. I believe that in the context of negotiations on EU membership we will be able to count on the concrete assistance of German experts in important areas – finance, the legal system, the economy, agriculture etc.

ment, and not towards the Republic of Serbia. With its investments and donations Germany contributes to economic growth, but also the stability of the region and its integration into the EU. Although there is a belief that Germany hinders us on our path of European integration, I want to remind you that Germany gave us crucial support for the opening of membership talks with the EU and I believe we will also have this support in the future.

■ What are the most important bilateral agreements between Serbia and Germany?

- With Germany we have a very comprehensive and regulated contractual framework. Some 77 bilateral agreements are in force. I would underline agreements in the fields of the economy and those that are important for our citizens who live and work in the Federal Republic of Germany. I would single out the agreements on economic, industrial and technical cooperation, on road and air transport and social security.

In addition to the embassy, in Germany we have five general consulates whose responsibility it is to also promote cooperation and assist our Diaspora

■ Serbia has signed a detachment agreement with Germany, as a special form of hiring skilled labour from Serbia in Germany. What is the significance of this type of agreement?

- The Agreement on Detachment is of great importance, as it provides the possibility of engaging our workers on jobs in Germany. According to the latest data from last year, there were an average of 1433 workers from Serbia per month, mostly engaged in metal processing and construction jobs. There is potential for the greater engagement of workers from Serbia on this basis, as well as through companies from other EU member states.

■ In which direction is German support for Serbia’s European integration heading?

- Germany has supported the opening of Serbia’s accession negotia-

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tions with the EU and, we expect it to support the adoption of the Negotiating Framework for Serbia at the December summit of the European Council, which would pave the way for an Intergovernmental conference. Germany insists on the continuation of the reform process and the "normalisation" of relations with Pristina. I am convinced that Germany will give value to the firm commitment of the Serbian government to persevere in efforts to achieve progress in the European integration process.

■ Apart from investments and donations, Serbia also receives support from Germany in the form of expertise. The public is aware that German experts help in the fight against corruption and the like. Which other examples of this kind of

■ Which meetings of Serbian and German officials in the past year were the most important in terms of the quality of diplomatic relations?

- I have already pointed out that we have intensified political dialogue at all levels, especially at the higher level. I would single out the conversation between President Nikolić and Chancellor Merkel in Santiago, then the two visits of Serbian First Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić to Berlin, the participation of Prime Minister Dačić at the business meeting on Serbia in Berlin, as well as two of my meetings with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Berlin and Belgrade. We hope that in the foreseeable future there will be a meeting at the level of heads of state, between President Nikolić and President Gauke.

■ In what ways is the Foreign Ministry engaged with regard to the improvement of cooperation between Serbian and German business leaders?

- The Foreign Ministry pays special attention to the improvement of economic relations and the establishment of links between Serbian and German business leaders. After all, this is also one of the key priori-

ties on our diplomatic and consular mission engagements abroad. At the Embassy in Berlin and the consulates in Stuttgart and Munich "commercial attachés" are engaged and, in coordination with MUSTT, they work to improve economic cooperation and increase investments from the Federal Republic of Germany. Our diplomatic and consular missions in Germany have, on numerous occasions, organised several presentations of the Serbian economy’s potential for German entrepreneurs and investors, as well as supporting and assisting the participation of our business leaders at German trade fairs.

■ When it comes to other types of cooperation, in the domain of education and culture, what are the most important to note?

- I would point out in particular that the Republic of Serbia was a guest of honour at the Leipzig

Book Fair in 2011, when the German public was presented with 40 Serbian writers and 30 new translations into German. Last year we had a stand at this event and at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Last year was especially rich in terms of the presentation of Serbian Film in Germany and the exhibition "Andrić - Writer / or diplomat" was recently completed at the building of the Faculty of Law at

The Republic of Serbia has its strongest diplomatic network precisely in Germany Berlin’s Humboldt University. In the field of education, direct crossuniversity cooperation has been restored, as well as the exchange of editors for language and literature. We expect a continuation of activities in the field of translation and publishing, the organising of performances of our music soloists and ensembles, as well as presen-

tations of Serbian cinema, but also other forms of culture.

■ Estimates suggest that Germany is home to around 500,000 people of Serbian origin (with Serbian or German nationality). In which ways does your ministry maintain contact with the Diaspora in Germany?

- The Republic of Serbia has its strongest diplomatic network precisely in Germany. In addition to the embassy, we also have five general consulates whose responsibility it is to also promote cooperation and assist our Diaspora.

I believe that these contacts are extremely important, especially with the third and fourth generation of our people who were born and raised in Germany. It is very important that they maintain links with the country of their ancestors. ■

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interview

H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm, German Ambassador to Serbia

Serbian Government is Constructive There are new ministers of economy and finance and I have already had a chance to meet both of them.

They made it clear that the focus now is on the recovery of the Serbian economy. Things are progressing well on a political level with the dialogue process, and I think Serbia is really on the move.

A

t the beginning of his interview for CorD Mr. Heinz Wilhelm points out that relations between Germany and Serbia are very good on many levels.

“We are Serbia’s biggest trade partner and biggest donor. I think there are very close relations with Serbia. The Serbian government sees us as an important partner in Europe and sometimes I get the impression that the Serbian government puts too much emphasis on us and thinks that everything depends on Germany when it comes to European integration. We are the biggest country in the European Union, the most populous and

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with the biggest economy, so it is natural that third countries look at Germany in a very intense way.

There are lots of human relations between our countries, and many Serbs study and work in Germany, which means people here know Germany very well.

I hope the European Council will decide the final date for the beginning of negotiations in December

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“As Serbia’s biggest trade partner, we have lots of German companies here. I think the Serbian people like Germany’s work mentality, so maybe we’re a little bit of a role model. With our economy do-

ing well at the moment, there are good reasons to look to Germany and enquire about how we overcame our problems. Ten years ago, when I was appointed to the German Embassy in London, Germany was named “the sick man of Europe”, but now our economy is no longer sick.”

■ From the perspective of the Federal Republic of Germany, how important is Serbia’s role in regional stability?

- Serbia is the key country in the region and also the region’s biggest country. Serbia was also the most important one during the time of Yugoslavia, because the capital

Economy

Competition

Integration

The new Serbian government has done a lot on many fronts. It is very good that they’re now trying to focus on the economy

We have no problems with Russian or Chinese or other companies that invest here. There is a healthy competition and we all live in a globalised world

Euro is the most important symbol of European integration, so there is no way back and no way to give up the euro

of the country was Belgrade and economy activity was also big in Serbia at that time. Now there is a big question when it comes to Kosovo and my impression is that this problem is about to be resolved.

That will also enhance the role of Serbia in the region. The Serbian government took a really constructive position and increased contacts with neighbouring countries. Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkić was in Albania, and I think that was the first visit to Albania by a Serbian government representative for many years. Relations with Montenegro are very good right now, as they are with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Relations are also going very well with Croatia and Croatian President Ivo Josipović is coming to visit Serbia. So, Serbia has really done a lot to improve relations with its neighbours. I would also like to mention Hungary and the fact that the Hungarian President came to Belgrade and spoke at the parliament here.

■ How important do you think it is for the Western Balkan countries to demonstrate greater unity in order to make economic advances?

- The more cooperation you have, the better it is for all countries. The war here was not too long ago, and reconciliation remains something that is still to be done. But I see a lot of effort. The Serbian government has shown that it really wants to increase cooperation and everybody here needs to let the past be the past and to look forward, to try to be constructive.

■ In your opinion, what kind of future does Serbia have in Europe and how near is Serbia

to EU membership considering that the country should produce substantial results in the accession process by December - First of all it is not 100 per cent de-

Serbia is an attractive investment destination. There is a good combination of relatively cheap labour and a qualified and motivated workforce cided that negotiations with Serbia will start in January. The European Council has yet to give the final green light in December. Kosovo and Serbia have to implement the Brussels Agreement, but everything looks really good and preparations for the November elections in Kosovo are going well. As such, I hope that the European Council will decide a final date for the beginning of negotiations in December.

But then it takes a long time and a great deal of effort to take over EU

acquis and to adopt and implement legislation. So, it’s a long process.

There’s also the on-going question of normalising relations between Belgrade and Pristina, because the Brussels agreement is not the end of the road. There are still many unresolved issues to talk about, such as property, the return of refugees etc.

■ What do you think of the efforts invested by the Serbian government in the accession process so far?

- The new Serbian government has done a lot on many fronts. It is very good that they’re now trying to focus on the economy. There are new ministers of the economy and finance and I have already had a chance to meet both of them. They made it clear that the focus now is on the recovery of the Serbian economy. I think that’s very important. On a political level, things are going well with the dialogue process, and I think Serbia is really on the move because the country was isolated and the main objective of the government was to take the country out of that.

Now it’s a model for a constructive country which also has a positive influence on its neighbouring countries. That is a very important change of direction.

■ The German Development Cooperation is very much involved in providing consultancy services and financial assistance to Serbian state institutions. Do you think Germany will continue assisting Serbian reforms in this way?

- Yes. We have provided €1.6 billion since 2000 and just a few months ago we granted the Serbian government another €200

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has to be changed. What are your main activities aimed at providing support to investors and do you think our government has been doing enough in that respect? What else should

million for the next year. So the cooperation is on a very high level.

Its quality depends on many factors, but we have no reason not to continue the cooperation.

■ In terms of investing in Serbia, could you tell us something about your main activities aimed at attracting German investors to Serbia?

- Germany is not the biggest investor. We are ranked third or fourth, but there are many German companies that are already producing and trading here. I think Serbia is an attractive business and investment destination. There is a good combination of relatively cheap labour and a qualified, motivated workforce. Many German companies come to Serbia because of these attractive conditions. I think the beginning of the negotiation process with the European Union will also help, because it improves the image of Serbia and shows that you have chosen the EU, as well as guaranteeing stability and the security of investments.

I also think the Serbian government does a lot to attract foreign businesses. Sometimes I am a bit surprised how much effort the Serbian government exerts to entice foreign investments. I hope that more young Serbian people set up their own businesses and that the government’s efforts are not only orientated towards big companies and big investments from Germany and other countries, but also on domestic ones. When I spoke to the new economy minister about this he shared my point of view wholeheartedly, and he is seeking opportunities to stimulate local business and help them gain easier access to capital and loans. There are many ways to help people set up businesses.

There are German companies that have been trying to buy land for years but haven’t succeeded, so they could not start doing business here

■ Foreign investors and employers believe that the business environment in Serbia

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have been done in this regard?

- I think the government has come to the conclusion that what is needed right now is to focus very much on the economy. That’s also probably why the economy and finance ministers have to find a way to lower the deficit and the public debt. But I think that the priority is to stimulate the economy.

Prime Minister Dačić has said that Serbia’s GDP today is only 60 per cent of what it was in 1989. That is really alarming. So I can only welcome all the initiatives taken by the government. It is also about combating organised crime, corruption etc. It may not be a new thing, but what is needed is increased trans-

parency, making bureaucracy work faster and easing the acquisition of land. Land is a big problem.

We have German companies that have been trying to buy land for years and haven’t succeeded, so they haven’t started doing business here. Construction permits are also among many things that could be improved.

■ Germany has practically taken on the task of alleviating the consequences of the economic downturn in the EU by itself. From the German point of view, what does the future of the Euro-zone look like?

- We want the euro to be maintained. It is the most important symbol of European integration, so there is no way back and no way to give up the euro. But we don’t want just to pump money into the economy. We want all European countries to modernise their economies, so they can be competitive in the globalised world. That is a point where we have different opinions in Europe. Germany believes very strongly that we should not merely pump in fresh money, but rather that we have to look deeper into the process to see why some European economies are not in such a good condition. In Serbia you also have to try to be competitive and to have a better regulatory framework. We are discussing that among European countries.

This is not about Germany dictating or deciding what has to be done on its own.

■ As a key EU member, Germany has shown what the Union should do to overcome the economic downturn by its own example. Like some EU members, Serbia is also undergoing a crisis in public finances.

What would be your advice to the Serbian finance minister?

- It is not up to me to give any advice. The Serbian government

knows for itself that the deficit is too high and public debt has also been increased. There are different ways of solving problems. I think that solution has to be a mix of measures.

■ Apart from the economic crisis, what are the biggest challenges facing the EU now?

- The biggest challenge is the direction in which the European Union should move forward. Should it stay the way it is, or should integration go deeper and deeper.

That is the main question. At the same time, the EU is accepting new member states, hopefully very soon Serbia among them. Deepening the integration process and coordinating the national economies better is a great challenge.

I remember that there was even talk about the “United States of Europe” ten years ago, which is the idea of a very deep integration.

We want the euro to be maintained.

It is the most important symbol of European integration, there is no way back!

Heinz Wilhelm has been the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Serbia since 2012. His diplomatic career includes postings at the German Embassy in Riyadh (1984-1986), at the permanent mission to the UN in New York (19871990), at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1990-1993), as the German Embassy in Dakar’s permanent deputy (1993-1995), followed by a second spell at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1996-2001) and then at the German Embassy in London (2001-2004), as Head of Mission in Lagos (2004-2006) and at the Embassy in Paris (2006-2009), before returning to the German Foreign Ministry to serve as Head of Section (2009-2012).

Nobody talks about that anymore at the moment.

■ What do you think of the idea of Serbia fostering economic cooperation with companies from Russia, China and the Middle East, apart from those from the EU? Do you think this might jeopardise the country’s European Integration?

- Absolutely not! Our interest is not

to enforce any economic ties. Every country can look for opportunities, globally. You have to look at the conditions, such as the satisfying of universally accepted standards, but the diversification of business relations is something that is positive. We have no problems with Russian or Chinese or other companies that invest here. There is a healthy competition, and we all live in a globalised world. ■

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Interview

Željko Sertić, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

New Jobs, New Standards About 360 companies in Serbia that were founded by legal entities from Germany employ approximately 25,000 people and, according to the German Business Delegation in Serbia, since 2000 their current investment has reached a volume of as much as €1.6 billion, which is much more than official statistics show Photo by Peđa Milosavljević

G

ermany, as Europe's most developed economy and one of the world's leading economic powers, is naturally Serbia’s most reliable economic partner. In 2012 alone, Serbia’s foreign trade with this country amounts to more than $3.3 billion, of which exports to Germany totalled $1.3 billion (0.2 per cent less than in 2011), while imports from Germany came to $2 billion (4.7 per cent less than in 2011). Last year Germany ranked number one for exports realised from Serbia among 164 markets where Serbia placed goods (accounting for 11.7 per cent of Serbia’s total exports) and was also first among 204 countries in terms of imports to Serbia. According to the opinion of Serbian Chamber of Commerce President Željko Sertić, this year could prove even more successful and even exceed the record year of 2008.

According to information from the German Business Delegation in Serbia, around 50 German companies have reinvested in Serbia

■ How do recent years’ trends of economic cooperation with Germany look?

- Germany is traditionally one of Serbia’s leading economic partners and since 2011 is Serbia’s most important EU-based trading partner, as well as

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one of the leading nations for investors in the Serbian economy since the year 2000.

The most represented form of cooperation in recent years has been trade.

Last year saw the realising of the greatest volume of trade between Serbia and Germany - $3.39 billion, while this year it could reach and exceed the 2008 record of $3.84 billion.

Apart from goods exchanges, economic cooperation between the two countries is realised through the direct investments of German partners, compensation activities, cooperation in the financial sector and in the fields of transport and tourism, processing, sales in free zones, the transfer of high technology, educating Serbian experts and donations. Serbia has shown itself to be an interesting economic partner for Germany because of its economic resources, economic structure and geographical location, as well as the market’s absorption possibilities.

According to the statistics of the German Business Delegation in Serbia, since 2000 German companies have invested more than €1.6 billion in Serbia. Just between 2005 and 2010, according to local records, German firms invested nearly a billion euros. In the first half of this year investments of about €20 million came from Germany, while announcements of significant new investments are also encouraging. The opening of Bosch's factory in Šimanovci has been announced for November, which will employ 600 people, while discussions with Mercedes regarding investment in the Serbian automotive industry are being finalised.

Besides the capital that will be invested, renowned Serbian companies will receive new employment positions, new production standards and the most modern management.

■ What are the biggest German investments in Serbia?

- On the basis of SIEPA statistics, the

most important investments of German companies in Serbia are the sale of Hemofarm for €510 million, METRO Cash & Carry’s investment of €165 million, Messer Tehnogas’s €120 million, Henkel’s €95 million, Nordzucker with €45 million, Phiwa Walther Group’s €40 million, Knauf Insulation with €31 million, Siemens’ €35 million and Fresenius Medical Care with €25 million.

German companies Leoni Wiring System, Vosloh - Schwabe / Panasonic, Dräxelmaier DAD, Norma Group and Falke individually invested between €10 and €15 million in Serbia. There are also many other smaller investments and all of these investments are very important due to increased exports and job creation, as well as the transfer of knowledge and high technologies.

Alongside that, according to information from the German Business Delegation in Serbia, about 50 German companies have reinvested in Serbia.

For our businessmen and entrepreneurs it is extremely important that the legal and regulatory framework is adequately regulated

■ Large investors are well known, but how many small German companies are operating in Serbia and how many people do they collectively employ?

- Around 360 companies in Serbia that were founded by legal entities from Germany employ approximately 25,000 people and, according to the German Business Delegation in Serbia, their current investment volume since 2000 has reached as much as €1.6 billion, much more than official statistics show. On the basis of a survey on the business environment in Serbia for 2012, which was conducted by the Serbian-German Business Association, as much as 91 per cent of German companies operating in Serbia said they would re-invest in Serbia, which is an enviable percentage within regional frameworks. This supports, among other things, the assessment that our people employed in German companies operating here meet the expectations of their employers.

■ Serbia and Germany have a number of bilateral agreements.

Which are the most important among them when it comes to economic cooperation and what do they facilitate?

- The interstate treaties relevant to the development of bilateral economic relations between Serbia and Germany date back to the 1970s and successions to those documents were produced in May last year.

These are agreements on military cooperation, on technical assistance and cooperation, on mutual protection and the encouragement of investments, on the employment of workers and on the avoidance of double taxation and others.

For our businessmen and entrepreneurs it is extremely important that the legal and regulatory framework is adequately regulated and provides, facilitates and simplifies the establishment and promotion of various forms of economic cooperation that

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workers are engaged in this way and what are all the benefits of such an agreement?

- Detachment, as a special form of the engagement of skilled workers from Serbia on investment projects in Germany, has been active since 1989, but unfor-

are of interest to the economies of both countries.

■ How is your cooperation with the German-Serbian Business Association (DSW) and do you have joint projects directed towards improving cooperation between German and Serbian businesses?

- The Serbian Chamber of Commerce pays special attention to fostering good relations with all foreign companies, thus also German, operating in Serbia and their associations that are active here.

The operational body MPI POOL has been active at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce since January 2011. Its role is to connect the local and international business community operating in Serbia and to carry out the more rational use of resources and mutual synergy, as well as internationalisation comprehensively and efficiently. The INO POOL platform consists of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and bilateral chambers, representative offices of foreign chambers, societies, associations and business clubs active on our territory - including a delegation of the German economy in Serbia. We have active contacts and cooperation with the German-Serbian Business Association (DSW) and our joint activities, such as the organising of business events in Serbia and Germany and visits of our business leaders and entrepreneurs to specialised fairs in Germany, are directed towards the development of all aspects of economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany. Ever more Serbian companies that actively cooperate with the German economy seek to become members of this joint business association and our role is to represent and protect the interests of those companies, as they are also our members.

Serbia – Germany Business Council is the highest form of institutional cooperation and has a special role in promoting economic relations

■ Germany and Serbia have a detachment agreement on the engagement of skilled workers from Serbia in Germany. How many

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tunately in the last three years it has not been used to a satisfactory extent, as a relatively small number of Serbian companies meet the high construction standards of the German market. The Serbian Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is responsible for questions regarding the implementation of the Agreement on detachment. According to Article 4 of the Agreement, contingent workers from Serbia in the accounting year which began on 1st October 2012 total 2,770 workers, of which 1,080 are in the construction sector. Further intensifying of the implementation of this agreement is important both in terms of strengthening contracted cooperation between our companies and German partners and providing additional training for our workers in accordance with Germany’s high standards.

■ The Serbia-Germany Business Council was founded in 2003.

How is its significance reflected?

- The Serbia-Germany Business Council is the highest form of institutional cooperation between the two countries and has a special role in promoting bilateral economic relations and increasing German investments in Serbia.

The work of the council is focused on the implementation of joint projects

and the establishment of productive cooperation in the energy sector, infrastructure, transport, agriculture and telecommunications, encouraging the greater presence of German companies in Serbia in order to introduce technical and marketing standards in domestic production. The aim of the council's activities is to utilise the comparative advantages of the Serbian economy compared to other countries in the region, improving trade exchanges and particularly stimulating Serbian exports. To date seven sessions of the Serbia-Germany Business Council have been held and representatives of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce actively participate in its work at the expert level.

■ Joint intergovernmental commissions have been formed with the aim of intensifying institutional cooperation between Serbia and certain German regions: Serbia Bavaria and Serbia - Baden Württemberg. What are their tasks and what are the results like so far?

- Economic cooperation between Serbia and Germany’s federal states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg has received a significant boost through the activities of the interstate economic forum. The interstate commission with Bavaria has a long tradition dating back decades, while the commission with Baden-Württemberg was founded in July 2009. The work of these bodies is realised in sector-based working groups in which high institutional delegations, including experts of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, also discuss current issues relevant to the intensifying of bilateral relations in specific branches of industry, such as transport, agriculture and environmental protection. Both commissions represent very important forms for the improvement of overall cooperation between Serbian and German companies and contribute to international projects being implemented in the shortest possible timeframes and to our mutual satisfaction. ■

Working ethics

The Joy of Work Because of their work ethic, the priority of Germany's bankers has been towards industry and, in particular, the productive capacities of small enterprises, as opposed to prestigious megaprojects, speculation and creative accounting

G

ermany's work ethic is a little different to the British-inspired “Protestant” work ethic.

Germans, like many of the people of continental Europe, believe in enjoying life, having fun and being fulfilled and content in life. However, they achieve this through work, rather than through drinking too much and being obnoxious in public. This is not because it is a chore, but because they actually enjoy it and go to great lengths to make it enjoyable, fulfilling and productive. Germans assume that working and producing something excellent is pleasurable and to be paid for that is the means to the end of being able to enjoy more work. Perhaps because of this work ethic, the priority of Germany's bankers has been towards industry and, in particular, the productive capacities of small enterprises, as opposed

to prestigious megaprojects, speculation and creative accounting, which is favoured by financial services on the U.S./ British model.

One of the most praised traits of German business ethics is the ability to have personal integrity and be loyal to your associates. Backstabbing, lying and corruption are not well received by the average German.

The cliché is true that Germans love their work and that being employed and working hard are core principles for the self-confidence of a German person. It is common in German businesses to be promoted to a certain position after a certain amount of years. If you are not advancing at a certain rate per year, people will start asking questions.

It is best to stick with one German employer for a longer period of time rather than trying to sprint up the ladder to

a higher position in the shortest time possible. Try showing your employer your skills and loyalty, integrity and hard work on a long term basis. He will be impressed.

By specialising in certain

become impatient if it were five minutes late. In order to adapt to German business ethics, it is best to take time requirements very literally.

If a German outsourcing employer says “three days” then

One of the most praised traits of German business ethics is the ability to have personal integrity and be loyal to your associates tasks, it is more likely that an employee will keep his job, because he knows it better than anyone. This is a consequence of the German business ethics principle of "safety comes first". Germans love to be punctual. They expect punctuality from other people, even if they come from other countries. This can result in some pretty comical scenes if you experience, for example, waiting for hours or days in an African country for a bus when in Germany you would

he will literally mean “three times twenty four hours.”

A core German business ethics principle is to be economical at all times. Some would go as far as to say that many Germans are stingy.

Although you could be doing pretty well as a freelancer, doing outsourced work for a German employer, it will take some negotiation skills to get a share of the wealth of your German employer. In a sense that sums up all the core principles of German business ethics. ■

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Interview

Ronald Seeliger, Chairman of the DSW Board of Directors

Foundation of Good Cooperation Unlike in Germany, where business and politics are clearly separated, you need political support if you want to make an investment or advance your business in Serbia. However, it does appear that Serbia is on the right path to developing mechanisms that will lead to the creation of a business environment that will be much better than the current one.

T

he German-Serbian Economic Association (DSW), which has over 260 members, celebrates an important jubilee this year: ten years of operations. The association brings together German, Serbian and other international companies interested in bolstering or establishing relations with German businesses. Germany has been one of the biggest investors in Serbia for years and with its business activities it has managed to provide sig-

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nificant support to the long-term development and stability of the Serbian economy. “Total German investments in Serbia since 2000 have exceeded €1.6 billion, which testifies unequivocally to the strong bond between our two countries”, says Chairman of the DSW Board of Directors, Ronald Seeliger, at the beginning of his interview, adding: “Moreover, we should not overlook

■ DSW is one of the biggest bilateral business associations in Serbia and you have chaired it since March this year. What has this experience been like so far and what are your main goals and plans for the association?

- This association is the foundation of good cooperation, aimed at bringing even more German

It is important to note that German companies always bring technological innovations with them when they enter new markets

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the fact that Germany has given in excess of €1.5 billion worth of subsidies (direct or indirect, via EU funds) to Serbia and its most important economic sectors, like energy, water supply, local governance and similar.”

companies to invest in Serbia and facilitating the progress and business advancement of Serbian companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises. It is important to note that German companies always bring techno-

logical innovations with them when they enter new markets, which contribute to strengthening and developing industry and the economy. One of the more important goals of the association is also having a constructive, quality collaboration with all state institutions, in order to enable a better business environment for all companies. With its geographical position, Serbia has great potential and the required prerequisites to become the production and distribution hub of this part of Europe and the region.

However, in order to reach the desired level the current infrastructure needs to be improved, the national economy needs to become stronger, the education system has to be reformed and the business climate and administrative procedures have to be improved, to which DSW has continuously and strongly contributed.

■ Large investments always draw the public’s attention.

However, a great potential also lies in small companies willing to invest in Serbia.

What is your cooperation with SMEs like?

- There are 370 companies in Serbia that have been founded by German legal entities and these companies have over 25,000 employees. These are mostly German small and medium-sized enterprises which, in terms of expanding to new markets, are more flexible than large corporations. They might not be well known in Serbia, but 40 or so of them are engaged in the production segment all over Serbia. These are 100% export orientated companies which, by the nature of their business, don’t need to have a strong marketing presence, but they are mainly considered as the most important and biggest employers in the areas where they operate. Let’s not forget that these companies con-

tribute the most to higher Serbian exports to Germany and the significant fall in Serbia’s foreign trade deficit. Bolstering the local economy is very important to them, as they cooperate with reputable domestic suppliers. What this implies is that quality suffers if there is no healthy local competition on the market. And, in turn, low

able market development and an increase in the number of new SMEs can substantially absorb the huge number of unemployed people and, by so doing, disencumber the labour market, where stability is very important to all companies operating in the country.

■ According to German investors in Serbia, what should our country improve in terms of procedures, administration and business conditions, in order to become more attractive to existing and new investors?

- Administrative procedures are long, slow and often insufficiently effective, while corporate taxes are high. Your legal system is quite conservative and lagging behind the latest legal developments. Investors value flexibility and transparency the most, since they enable them to have a realistic picture for risk assessment. They also value a stable monetary policy and, in particular, a stable foreign currency exchange rate.

Serbia lacks flexibility, since the development of state-owned, rather than privately-owned, companies is still considered the driving force behind the economy quality reduces the competitiveness of end products on the European market. That’s why the German economy wants to see the economy of the host country constantly growing and developing.

Serbian SMEs play an important role in this and our association’s doors are wide open to them.

Speaking from the German experience, DSW pays equal attention to its smallest and biggest members alike. The economy is a variable category. Maybe in the near future these (smallest) companies are going to grow to become large enterprises and, as such, will become the stability factor in the national economy and within our association. In the end, favour-

■ DSW provides both administrative and political assistance to its members. What does the latter entail precisely and what are the main challenges in providing political assistance?

- Apart from bolstering cooperation with the state authorities, supporting foreign investors also entails our involvement and holding consultancy meetings with politicians, with the goal of establishing good business practices for advancing the economic environment in Serbia and, as such, attracting foreign investors in a more simplified manner. If you compare your legislation to that of Germany, our legislation is very clearly regulated, maybe even

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harsh at times, but it does leave enough room for the implementation of new and sometimes contradictory rules, all with the goal of fostering entrepreneurship. Serbia lacks this flexibility, since the development of state-owned, rather than privately-owned, companies is still considered the driving force behind the economy, despite this being proven as being wrong over and over again. Unlike Germany, where business and politics are clearly separated, you need political support if you want to make an investment or advance your business in Serbia. Still, considering the meetings and talks we have had with Serbian politicians so far, it seems that Serbia is on the right path to developing mechanisms which will contribute to a business environment that is much better than the current one. And since Germany is a bilateral partner of Serbia, our association generally provides the information support to its members by communicating to them information about current political developments, thanks to our close cooperation with the Serbian government.

state needs to support domestic manufacturers, improve the overall business environment, reduce unemployment and enable constant market supply of

In the future we would like to step up our cooperation with other foreign chambers of commerce present in Serbia

■ You also manage a large company – Hemofarm. How efficient is the state when it comes to pharmaceutical companies? Has their liquidity grown since last year?

- Since its 2006 acquisition, STADA has invested millions in Hemofarm, namely in modernising and improving capacities, research & development and increasing the production of those goods that are exported to the EU. And Hemofarm is still considered a domestic pharmaceutical producer. We salute the Serbian government’s efforts to stabilise the pharmaceutical market and, compared to last year, the situation has markedly improved, though there is still a lot of room to advance the environment. The

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medications that are as good, efficient and safe as the imported ones, but also cheaper. As a domestic producer, in the full sense of that word, Hemofarm has been facing great challenges which are entailed by the complexity of having such a production format. In order to have a product that has the status of goods of domestic origin, you need to overcome many hurdles and challenges, starting from having to pay 20% VAT on imported raw-materials, while the VAT on the finished pharmaceutical products is only 8%. On top of that, importers from the EU and CEFTA countries are fully exempt from paying customs duty on imports of ready-to-use medication. Hemofarm, on the other hand, pays an average customs duty of 3.5% for imported rawmaterials.

Additionally, inspection supervision is never-ending. The safest and most economical thing for the state and the entire healthcare system would be to have domestic pharmaceutical producers as the main pillar. I believe that, in the following period, the government will support domestic manufacturers and create better conditions for marketing those medications that are produced by producers based in Serbia. All of this is important for maintaining liquidity, the engagement of the company’s capacity, employees, clients, and suppliers, but first and foremost for having good quality, constantly available medications for patients.

■ What do German companies think of the new Labour Law and what are their main objections to it?

- Enactment of the new Labour Law is an important key for expediting economic reforms in Serbia. The law needs to fully comply with European norms, which is something that is not entirely comprehended by all sides involved in the public debate regarding the law. The public debate about the draft Law on Strikes was finished in late July and our members were informed of this on time. Their opinion was that if this law were to be adopted in its proposed format it would be a huge step backwards, not only for the Serbian economy, but also by significantly reducing direct foreign, including German, investments and perhaps even leading to German companies relocating their production facilities from Serbia to other countries. If I am not mistaken, only three other European countries have such a law. All other countries have dealt with the issue of strikes within the framework of their respective labour laws. Hence, I hope that the

initial version of the law will be significantly changed for the better, as announced by the Serbian government. This would be good because otherwise, with such a dire law on strikes that would be even worse than the existing law that was passed in 1994, it would be futile to even discuss the new Labour Law. Of course, in order for both laws to comply with European norms, all stakeholders in the social dialogue need to reach a compromise that has to facilitate development, not regression, of the national economy. In this sense, individual interests cannot outweigh general interests.

If both laws are not substantially amended, Serbia will have to deal with negative economic processes. Simply put, there is already huge competition among the countries of the region in terms of enticing the most new investors, and it is known that capital

always chooses the easier way, without too many administrative and legal hurdles to slow it down or even jeopardise it. â– What future direction will be taken by DSW and German-Serbian business collaboration in total?

- Apart from DSW, there is another official German economic

Enactment of the new Labour Law is an important key for expediting economic reforms in Serbia. The law needs to fully comply with European norms organisation operating in Serbia: the Delegation of the German Economy in Serbia, which is a segment of the German Foreign Chamber of Commerce and which initiated the establishment of our association as a separate legal entity ten years ago. Just like

in the neighbouring countries, our goal is for both organisations to fuse in the future into the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, which the existing Chamber of Commerce Act already facilitates. We certainly need to continue having good cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, whose opinion about the economy’s needs should be highly respected by the Serbian government as well. Of course, in future we would like to step up our cooperation with other foreign chambers of commerce in Serbia and local business associations in many segments. Through joint activities and operations we can certainly contribute to speeding up necessary reforms in order for the business environment in Serbia to rapidly improve, thus elevating the country to a much higher rank in the eyes of foreign investors than is the case now. â–

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Interview

Martin Knapp, Director of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Serbia

Growing Interest We founded DSW in 2003 and it had 54 members when I left Belgrade in 2005. Now it has 270 members. This means that DSW has grown by an average of 27 members a year.

S

peaking to CorD, Martin Knapp, Director of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Serbia, says that reducing bureaucracy is the key to enticing potential investors to Serbia, but that it is now evident that investors from many countries have shown that they are interested in the Serbian market.

■ You were appointed Delegate of the German Economy and director of DSW a couple of months ago. What are your first impressions?

- It is not my first term in Serbia.

The last time I left Belgrade, in 2005, the Serbian economy was already in a much better state than it had been when I first arrived here in 2001. There is a continuous process of improvement. Some temporary setbacks, such as last year’s, are always to be expected.

The general direction is clear: the integration of Serbia into the EU economy. The following years will be crucial. The future contribution of Serbia to the European economy depends on the kind of investment

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the country will be able to attract these days. Nowadays investment will even determine future standards of living. It makes a difference whether people will sew shirts or manufacture high tech products.

■ Which branches of the Serbian economy currently have the greatest potential to attract new investments?

- We shouldn't initially exclude any branch. A few years ago car

The future contribution of Serbia to the European economy depends on the kind of investment the country will be able to attract these days

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manufacturing was regarded as being dead in Serbia, but now we are watching a very impressive revival. There is no such thing as predestination in the economy.

For sure, the food industry is always an important sector, as it is based on agriculture, but there are no limitations. Everything depends

on the conditions the country is offering international investors.

■ Which conditions and standards would it be advisable for Serbian companies to comply with in order to break into the German market?

- When we are speaking about standards, there is no such thing as a German market any more. All standards are European, and if you do not comply with them your products will not have any chance in Europe. Furthermore, in a few years products not complying with European standards will be expelled even from the domestic market. That happens because European standards are also going to be applied in Serbia as a result of the country’s integration into the common market. But I am sure that Serbian manufacturers are aware of these obligations and are preparing themselves for Europe.

■ What are the main objections of German companies

which operate here and what are the biggest hurdles they face in Serbia?

- There is one thing which didn't change during the eight years of my absence: entrepreneurs are still complaining about bureaucracy.

In Europe there are two kinds of bureaucracy, the traditional kind on a national level and the European kind. For a country that is

Martin Knapp and H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm, German Ambassador to Serbia

going to join the EU, it is essential to reduce domestic bureaucracy to a minimum before the European bureaucracy arrives! Otherwise you will have them both.

■ DSW has been one of the most dynamic business organisations in Serbia for years.

What should be done in order to further bolster cooperation between Serbian and German businesses?

- We founded DSW in 2003 and it had 54 members when I left Belgrade in 2005. Now it has 270 members. This means that DSW has grown by an average of 27 members a year. Every year there are new German companies investing in Serbia, but the increase of our membership also shows the increasing willingness of Serbian companies to cooperate with German businesses, since Serbian companies are free to join us. In the meantime we do what we can to attract the attention of German enterprises towards Serbia. In

Germany we take part in events related to Southeast Europe, organised by the local German chambers that are part of our network. Furthermore, we organise business trips for German entrepreneurs to Serbia, as well as for Serbian business people to Germany.

■ Most German companies that are active in Serbia also operate in the rest of the region. How beneficial would it be for these companies if the regional countries were to cooperate more closely in the economic domain and possibly consolidate their markets?

- All Ex-YU countries are aiming to join the EU. Within the framework of EU integration, they will one by one adopt all the regulations of the so-called Community acquis. In this way EU integration will lead to a kind of re-integration of the former Yugoslavia.

■ How much do political events influence the business world and has the number of German investors in Serbia grown following Serbia’s progress in the European

For a country that is going to join the EU, it is essential to reduce domestic bureaucracy to a minimum before the European bureaucracy arrives! Otherwise you will have them both integration process and the signing of the agreement with Pristina?

- It is too early to answer this question, since the preparation of every serious investment needs enough time. What we can say now is that investors from many countries have shown that they are interested in the Serbian market. I suppose that the good news coming recently from Belgrade plays some role in this respect. ■ german-serbian business association 2013

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Interview

Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, CEO of Mercedes-Benz SCG

Driving for Success “The plan is to improve the level of service and respond to increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and thereby improve the overall business of the company.”

I

the Daimler strategy to improve the position of Mercedes-Benz as a premium brand on the markets of Serbia and Montenegro.

n light of new partnerships, new products and negotiations on new cooperation agreements, we spoke to Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, CEO of Mercedes-Benz for Serbia and Montenegro, about the current activities and future plans of this leading player in the automotive sector ■ Daimler AG and Emil Frey Group recently signed an agreement to be General distributor for Serbia and Montenegro.

What exactly does this agreement mean?

- We are very pleased to have won Emil Frey AG as a partner, due to their almost 90 years of successful experience across Europe mainly focused on the automotive industry. This group owns various companies and operates in complementary businesses, such as car wholesale, car retail, car finance and car and parts logistics. As such, this agreement with Emil Frey AG will be viewed as a step forward in terms of development in accordance with

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■ Even with this new agreement in place, you will continue to manage the company, which is a great validation of your work. Does that mean there won't be any organisational or staff changes compared to the previous period?

With the continuous training of staff in accordance with new standards, we expect the new energy to create even better customer relations and, therefore, result in us taking the leading position

german-serbian business association 2013

- It is a great honour to be the head of the company at this time and a great responsibility to ensure the continuity of Daimler’s commitment to this market. With the new partner we will have some organisational and staff changes in order to implement a new approach that opens a chance

for further improving the quality of service, both in the sales and the after-sales areas. With the continuous training of staff in accordance with new standards, we expect the new energy to create even better customer relations and, therefore, result in us taking the leading position on the list of the most successful automotive brands on this market.

■ Following the signing of the agreement, Daimler opened a new operational chapter in the region. Could you tell us something about the novelties that the company has prepared for the Serbian and Montenegrin markets?

- In its development, Daimler AG is constantly checking the distribution structure of the retail and wholesale vehicles in order to improve it. We elaborated this new setup very diligently, striving to optimise the business structure on both the wholesale and retail levels. With a new and strong partner in Emil Frey Group, the plan is to improve the level of service and re-

spond to increasingly sophisticated customer requirements and thereby improve the overall business of the company. We are very eager to find the best way to meet the demands of our customers in the future. Our clear objectives in that regard have always been to anticipate and meet our customers’ needs to the maximum extent and efficiently exploit available market potentials.

■ What business activities are in store next for the company and could you tell us about plans for the remainder of 2013 and for 2014?

- The response to our new products, such as the CLA and the E-Class, is excellent, and at Mercedes-Benz Trucks our successful product offensive is largely completed with the new Arocs and the new Atego. Mercedes-Benz is now in the middle of the most comprehensive growth offensive in its history. With stimulus from new products and the effects of the ongoing efficiency programmes, we naturally intend to improve significantly in the coming quarters.

On the basis of the new products, ongoing efficiency programmes and our assumptions for future market development, we expect sales in the second half of this year to be higher than in the first half, due in particular to the launch of the new S-Class and very good sales results of the CLA and new E-Class.

We had a glamorous Serbian premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz SClass on September 26th at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. Guests were able to see the development chronology of this model through a long history of 100 years, numerous innovations and an unmatched level of comfort. They also discovered which of the world's "jetsetters" were the biggest fans of Mercedes-Benz models.

With three development priorities, "Intelligent Drive", "Efficient Technology" and "Essence of Luxury", the new S-Class pushes the boundaries of technology in many fields.

With the premiere of the new GLA in Frankfurt, we expect the market launch of this compact SUV in 2014. With this model we add a fifth attractive SUV variant to the Mercedes Benz model portfolio in

Mercedes-Benz SCG and Ikarbus intensified talks on long-term strategic cooperation with the presence of representatives of the Serbian government and Daimler.

This represents a great development opportunity for Ikarbus this constantly growing segment.

We prepared new exciting models for 2014 and we are very confident that they will bring the enthusiasm of the Mercedes-Benz brand to our new customers.

■ What can you tell us about the Emil Frey Group, which was founded in 1924 but only recently came to our market?

- The Emil Frey Group is a familyowned Swiss company founded by mechanic Emil Frey, which has its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

With almost 90 years in business, Emil Frey Group has recognised the potential of the automotive business

in Serbia and Montenegro and managing business for Daimler in these markets is a great opportunity.

The company is mainly focused on the automotive business (car wholesale, car retail, car financing and car and parts logistics) and operates in Switzerland, France, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. The Emil Frey Group also owns various import companies, numerous retail outlets and finance companies in these countries.

■ Could you tell us about the company’s plans for improving sales and service activities?

- Emil Frey Group will tap the full potential of the premium market to maintain the position of MercedesBenz as the first choice brand and strengthen the sales and service activities in order to maximise the performance of Mercedes-Benz. As the General Distributor, the Emil Frey Group has a customer-orientated and market-driven approach and first class customer and dealer care.

■ Mercedes-Benz and Ikarbus are in negotiations about a cooperation agreement. What exactly does this agreement imply?

- Mercedes-Benz SCG and Ikarbus intensified talks on long-term strategic cooperation with the presence of representatives of the Serbian government and Daimler. This represents a great development opportunity for Ikarbus. During the negotiations a proposal was presented in which Mercedes-Benz would supply self-propelling chassis and Ikarbus would build the body of the vehicle. With this strategic cooperation, Ikarbus would obtain authorisation to use the Mercedes-Benz threepointed star on vehicles. Soon the prototype will be presented. Ikarbus will have access to the latest technology from Mercedes-Benz. We also offered to train local personnel in the most modern Training Centre in Krnješevci, which is the only such centre in Southeast Europe. ■

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Interview

Christoph Till, President of Henkel Serbia

Growth and Innovation Henkel plans to continue to develop innovative brand solutions for our customers and clients and to remain their partner, as well as supplying more EU countries with brands and products produced in Serbia.

A

mong the most successful privatisations and top companies operating in Serbia is Henkel. And, despite difficult conditions globally and many companies struggling to maintain growth, Henekel continues to be a success story. Speaking to CorD this month, Christoph Till, General Manager of Henkel Serbia, says that the company intends to continue investments in production in Serbia and in the coming years plans to invest more than €40 million in its plant in Kruševac.

■ Despite the challenging market environment, Henkel has achieved a strong performance in the second quarter, as well as

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We will continue to adapt, simplify and accelerate our processes in order to respond more flexibly and efficiently to the volatile market environment in which we operate

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a significant increase in sales and revenue in all business segments.

What business strategy achieved such results?

- When it comes to Henkel’s business operations on the global level, Henkel has delivered a strong second quarter. We significantly increased both sales and earnings with all three of our business sectors contributing.

Our adjusted return on sales has risen to 15.4 per cent for the first time.

While all regions reported growth, once again our emerging markets made an important contribution.

The share of sales in emerging markets rose substantially, reaching 45 per cent. I am looking forward to the second half of the year and expect the overall economic environment to remain difficult. Hence we will further improve our competitiveness. We will continue to adapt, simplify and accelerate our processes in order to respond more flexibly and efficiently to the volatile market environment in which we operate. Through three areas of our competence, a vision to be a global leader in brands and technologies, strong commitment towards sustainability and a new strategy “Achieving more with less”, we want to shape the way we do business in the future. Our everyday strategic ap-

proach involves continuous investments in production modernisation, the latest technologies and sustainable development aiming to achieve excellent business results, satisfy our loyal customers and gain new ones.

■ Henkel has three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies.

Which is the most successful?

- All three business sectors contribute to the company's results: Laundry & Home Care recorded strong organic sales growth of 5.8 per cent. The Beauty Care business sector achieved a solid organic growth rate of 2.8 per cent. And the Adhesive Technologies business sector also registered solid growth, with organic sales rising by 3.6 per cent year on year. The Laundry & Home Care business sector recorded strong sales growth in the second quarter and a very strong increase in adjusted returns on sales.

The business sector also succeeded in further expanding its share on its relevant markets. Organically, sales rose by 5.8 per cent year on year.

Nominal sales increased by 3.4 per cent to €1,186 million. Henkel CEE holds a strong position in Henkel’s global network and Serbia plays a significant role in that.

■ In terms of results, what is the position of Henkel Serbia in the region of Southeast Europe?

- Henkel Serbia carries operational responsibility for many Western Balkan countries. Since the privatisation of Merima in 2002, which is considered one of the most successful privatisations in Serbia to this day, Henkel has invested more than €130 million in Serbia and has been successfully doing business at its three locations in Belgrade, Kruševac and Inđija. Today, as a supply centre for more than 55 million consumers in region, we export both local and international brands from Serbian factories to more than 15 regional and European markets.

In 2002 we invested in the privatisation in Serbia with the clear vision of becoming the supply centre of the region. Henkel intends to continue with investments in our production in Serbia and in the coming years we plan to invest more than €40 million in our plant in Kruševac.

■ Henkel opened a new production line in Kruševac in June.

What is the value of this investment and its expectations?

- The new production line in Kruševac is an investment worth €4.6 million and with this production line Henkel’s Kruševac plant becomes a global factory and will supply many markets throughout Europe with the innovative product “Bref Duo Stick”. As already mentioned, this is just the beginning of the €40 million investment in Kruševac, which will provide around 40 new jobs in the first phase alone. Furthermore, we intend to supply not only regional markets but also EU markets from Kruševac. At the moment we already export our brands from our Serbian factories to 15 regional and European markets, such as Albania, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and others. We will extend

the list of export countries with the new production line and deliver to more EU countries.

■ More than 10 years have passed since the 2002 privatisation of Merima. What are the key points in the development of Henkel Serbia since then?

- As I mentioned, the privatisation of Merima is considered one of the most successful privatisations in Serbia to this day. Over the past ten years Henkel has implemented numerous projects for the modernisation of production by improving production processes and implementing the

cance to the company?

- Henkel started production of the new “Bref Duo Stick” product using the latest technology at its plant in Kruševac. This investment is worth €4.6 million and will bring greater production volume and increase the export capacities of Henkel Serbia.

With the production of “Bref Duo Stick” Henkel’s plant in Kruševac becomes a global factory, since it will be produced exclusively in Serbia and exported to other markets in the EU and the region. We are proud to note that Henkel’s production plant in Kruševac is considered one of the best factories of Henkel worldwide and this was also proven last year when our production site in Kruševac won the silver medal at the global competition of Henkel’s plants.

What we see today in Kruševac is a management team and a factory that is ready for the future increase of production and export.

During the "Henkel Smile" campaign, Henkel renovated three Krusevac kindergartens where 210 children spend most of their time latest technologies for sustainable development, which brought significant increases to the volume of production. Amongst all the technological and business improvements, special attention was paid to the education and training of employees.

With a strong commitment to successfully balancing the economic, ecological and social goals, Henkel is one of the leading companies in the world in sustainable development and is ranked amongst the 100 Most Sustainable Corporations globally.

■ The recently launched "Bref Duo Stick" product will be produced in Kruševac and distributed to customers around Europe.

What does that mean for Henkel Serbia and is it of global signifi-

■ What other innovations can we expect from Henkel in the near future?

- Our customers and clients are always at the centre of all our activities. Their trust is very important to us and we are committed in fulfilling their expectations with high quality brands and innovations. We plan to continue to develop innovative brand solutions for our customers and clients and to remain their partner, whether in their household or in their business. We will supply more EU countries with our brands and products. In Serbia we will continue to invest in the modernisation of production and new technologies, sustainable development, as well as our employees, which are among our greatest values. ■

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Interview

Dijana Peškir, Director General of STIHL SERBIA

First Stabilisation, Then New Success

Dijana Peškir

G

erman chain saw and trimmer production company Stihl has launched its operations in Serbia.

Stihl will also use Serbia as a base to manage its sales & service activities in Montenegro. To date the company has been present on the Serbian market via several distributors, before deciding to establish a regional office in Belgrade as the central sales and distribution site for Serbia and Montenegro. Interest in Stihl’s products shown by consumers in Serbia and the region has been constantly growing and the company expects to further develop its business through a direct presence in Serbia.

Just by being closer to our consumers and distributors we are able to offer them an innovative product range

Stihl was founded in 1926 by Andreas Stihl, a renowned innova-

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Our goal is to use our sales & service network to properly introduce our consumers to a wide range of Stihl and Viking products, as well as for as many of our sales outlets as possible to carry out servicing of our products and for the market to be wellstocked with our products, spare parts and equipment.

tor in early chain saw production.

The Stihl brand soon became very popular and synonymous with professional grade chain saws. Before long, the company earned a reputation as the world’s best chain saw manufacturer, a title which it still holds to this day. Stihl's growth was initially quite slow, since the launch of the company's chainsaws coincided with the Great Depression, during which manual labour was cheap and traditional two-man saws were widely used.

There was simply no need for power saws and the early chain saws were also very heavy and required at least two men to operate them.

Shareholding company Stihl Holding AG & Co. KG has over 12,300 employs and generates annual revenue of almost €2.8 billion. The company’s headquarters and the main distribution centre for Stihl and Viking products is located in the town of Waiblingen near Stuttgart, in the German state of BademWürttemberg.

Discussing the company’s future endeavours in Serbia, Director General of Stihl Serbia, Dijana Peškir, says: “Our first and foremost task is to find a common language with our partners, stabilise our sales network and accomplish new business success from January 2015.”

Stihl remains the best selling chain saw brand today and the company is still owned by the Stihl family.

■ Stihl opened its office in Serbia in early September. This is the company’s 33rd regional office

worldwide. What are Stihl Serbia’s plans and ambitions?

- Our goal is to use our sales & service network to introduce our customers to a wide range of Stihl and Viking products in the proper way, as well as for as many of our sales outlets as possible to carry out servicing of our products and for the market to be well-stocked with our products, spare parts and equipment, which is not always the case at the moment.

■ Consumers in Serbia already know of Stihl. How important is it for them now that you have a regional office?

- Just by being closer to our consumers and distributors we are able to offer them an innovative product range which completely complies with the demands of this market.

We always strive to provide the best possible solution, regardless of whether consumers use our products occasionally or constantly in their work.

By continually educating and certifying the authorised sales and service outlets, we are going to contribute to a much better understanding of the innovative features and the quality of Stihl products and, ultimately, provide the best possible advice and flawless service to our consumers.

Stihl’s presence on this market primarily guarantees the high quality that is synonymous with the Stihl name, both in terms of the company’s products and business operations.

■ This is Stihl’s first office in this region. Why did the company choose Serbia?

- Stihl very carefully considers each investment and our assessment was that Serbia and Montenegro are the two markets with significant forest and agricultural capacity, as well as a half-a-century-long tradition of using Stihl’s products. We picked Serbia mainly as it is a market with

potential and because we believe in the future of this country.

■ As far as the timber and forest industry in Serbia is concerned, how would you evaluate its development level?

- The great potential of the forest and timber industry is not recognised at the present time. There is

also invests substantial funds every year in maintaining the trust of our consumers and our no. 1 position in the world. We have never lost sight of our goal: to help people who are working in forests, with nature.

■ Since Stihl is a German company which has been expanding and advancing its business despite the economic downturn, could you tell us more about the German model for success and how German companies, particularly manufacturers, manage to minimise the consequences of the financial crisis?

- It would be very flippant of me to speak in general terms about this subject. If we are talking about Dijana Peškir, Director General of STIHL SERBIA and Hans Peter Stihl, Stihl in particular, Honorary President of the company our driving force is focusing on quality and safety, which is what ensures our consumers across also plenty of room for improve- the world are satisfied. Quality always ment in collaboration between finds its way to consumers, even at the toughest of times. these two segments.

Our task is to facilitate the everyday work of forestry and timber indus- ■ Stihl is recognised as a pertry professionals, while ensuring a petual innovator. What sets your products apart from the high level of work safety. competition?

■ Stihl started off as a family- - We have been pioneers in the inrun company and has evolved dustry’s innovation for over 85 into a multinational corpora- years. Four hundred engineers at Stihl are engaged every day in retion. How did that happen?

- We are still a family-run company searching new solutions. that adheres to family values, except Our entire product range has been that our present family consists of constantly tested at the most rep12,000 workers in over 40,000 utable European laboratories and specialised sales outlets in 160 we not only comply with the strict countries. Our continual develop- European standards, but we often ment is driven by our passion for exceed them. We can say that Stinew technologies and a deep under- hl sets the standard in its branch standing of our buyers’ needs. Stihl and beyond. ■

Four hundred engineers at Stihl are engaged every day in researching new solutions

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As Versatile as the World of Construction Owing to the experience and the know-how of over 900 engineers at PERI, residential, industrial and business facilities, skyscrapers, towers, bridges and tunnels are being constructed all over the world. PERI's engineers have been using their know-how, based on the best available solutions, to support construction companies in implementation of their projects.

F

or over 40 years, PERI has been known as a reliable partner in producing and applying formwork and scaffolding systems. This familyowned company was founded by Mr. Artur SchwĂśrer in 1969, in the town of WeiĂ&#x;enhorn, where the company has its headquarters and its main development and production facility. Today, PERI is one of the 50 most successful companies in Bavaria. The company's name is derived from the Greek preposition 'peri' meaning 'around'.

Since 1974, PERI has been expanding strategically to new countries and markets. Apart from having 20 branch offices in Germany, and 52 daughter companies, the company also has 110 efficient logistics sites with over 6,500 employees which cover construction sites in more than 95 countries worldwide thus ensuring market efficiency and

proximity to clients. Following PERI's arrival in Serbia in 2003, the company also brought new formwork and scaffolding standards. PERI's innovative solutions have been drawing in a substantial number of clients from the construction industry.

Intelligently devised Product in best quality

PERI provides project-specific formwork and scaffolding solutions for all construction facilities and all sorts of concrete works. We develop new products for applications with which we see potential for rationalization with real future. In this way, efficient system equipment with convincing and practical details is developed which maintain a strong position in the market over many years. The high quality of the PERI system guarantees a worthwhile investment. It is the basis for long product life cycles with high utilization. The equipment is made of steel, wood and aluminium and is constantly subjected to a strict quality control. It also complies with the all needed approvals and certificates issued by authorized institutions.

Engineering services tailored to client's needs

PERI's success is not only derived from its immense innovative strength in product development, but also from early internationalization and achievements and com-

Bridge on the Danube River at Beska

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Avala Tower

Dimitrovgrad Bypass

Commercial Complex PERI Oplate d.o.o.

petence of our employees. Owing to the experience and the know-how of over 900 engineers at PERI, residential, industrial and business facilities, skyscrapers, towers, bridges and tunnels are being constructed all over the world. PERI's engineers have been using their know-how, based on the best available solutions, to support construction companies in implementation of their projects.

Economic performance

PERI also rents out and sells formwork and scaffolding. Especially the combination of both models allows cost-effective project completion. Formwork and scaffolding solutions from a single source are one of the key benefits for our clients. Our experts and supervisors provide assistance to construction site person-

nel with the view of the most efficient utilization of PERI equipment. In so doing, they always keep a careful eye on the costs as well as safety for construction site personnel.

On-site assistance

PERI carries out planning and delivery of required construction materials – from small-sized plywood cut-to-size through to complex formwork units. Our clients can benefit from fast availability and on-schedule delivery regardless of the ordered quantity, including the delivery of elements of unusual component geometries. All of this ensures clear and transparent cost projection without having to resort to expensive on-site improvisations due to unavailability of adequate equipment or material. The result of this is a significant improvement in work performance. ulfilling special requirements regarding F visible concrete surfaces

Architectural concrete has become a very popular design element. We offer practical solutions for the construction of facilities with highly demanding visible concrete surfaces which are optimally adjusted to architectural re-

Stepa Stepanović Settlement

quirements. PERI's experience is as versatile as the international world of construction. For buildings with complex shapes, for challenging bridge and tunnel structures, for the implementation of the highest architectural concrete requirements as well as for ambitious scaffolding task – we promise to provide you with the fullest possible support and the best solutions also in the future. ■ PERI oplate d.o.o.

Oplate Skele Inženjering Formwork Scaffolding Engineering Zmaja Ognjenog Vuka 2 22310 Šimanovci Srbija | Serbia Tel.: +381 (0)22 40 82 00 Fax : +381 (0)22 40 82 50 office@peri.rs www.peri.rs

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Economy

Economic Forecast Germany 2013

Better Than Expected The atmosphere in the German economy has brightened over the past six months. GDP will grow 0.5% in 2013 according to estimates. The outlook for 2014 is even more optimistic – a real GDP increase of 1.6% is forecast.

Construction investment and consumption should both pick up further in 2013, even if investment holds steady. The construction, machine-building and ICT sectors are all looking confidently at their 2013 business figures…

G

erman economic growth in 2013 is, according to prognoses, going to look just as weak in 2013 as it did in 2012. In the current projections from early in the year, the government has forecast a GDP growth of 0.5%. For 2014 they are looking at a 1.6% jump in GDP. Those figures are seen a little more optimistically by the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWHHalle), the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW-Kiel), the RheinlandWestfalen Institute for Economic Research (RWI-Essen) and the Ifo Institute at the University of Munich (IFOMünchen). They are looking at a rise in GDP of about 0.8% this year and of about 1.9% in 2014. The German Institute for Economic Research (DIWBerlin) is in the middle of those two prognoses, expecting 0.7% for 2013 and 1.6% for 2014).

The common expectation among all the estimates for 2013 and 2014 is that a renewed flare-up of the Eurozone crisis is unlikely and the German economy is going to take a swing up-

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The common expectation among all the estimates for 2013 and 2014 is that a renewed flare-up of the Eurozone crisis is unlikely and the German economy is going to take a swing upwards from the current growth low

german-serbian business association 2013

wards from the current growth low.

The conditions for a rise in production are all there, from healthy financial conditions, to a robust labor market, to an anticipated jump in demand from abroad (especially emerging economies). Although rising levels of pay could have an effect on Germany’s ability to compete globally, Germany is expected to maintain a significant presence in global markets. If, as the prognoses generally indicate, foreign demand rises steadily over 2013, German companies ought to be able to relax their investment caution of the past 15 months. This will have a positive effect on the economy.

The year 2012 saw the first period of weak growth for the German economy since crisis year 2009. After that a consistent recovery process took hold, accompanied by a rising capacity utilization in industry and a strong domestic demand. The positive effects of the healthy German labor market were also tangible in 2012. Increasing wages stabilized domestic consumption, which was the most important sector

of the German economy after exports.

The IMF is expecting a global economic expansion of 3.3% in 2013 and 4.0% in 2014, while the Eurozone is predicted to contract slightly for a second successive year before finally growing (ca.1%) in 2014.

Investment In their early year prognosis, the government says it is not anticipating any significant movement in gross fixed capital formation. But this is not bad; even a stagnation (the 2013 prognosis is for a fall by 0.2%) would be a step forward compared to last year, where companies invested 2.5% less than in 2011. But for 2013 the companies seem to be even more cautious than expected.

Above all, the equipment investment sector remained the problem child, with another 2.2% fall in 2013 expected to back up the 5% drop-off in 2012. The weak economies of the Eurozone countries and a slower sales climate are as responsible for last year’s slump as they will be for 2013’s. But

many economic think-tanks are reckoning with a slightly increasing capacity utilization in manufacturing industries and an easing of company insecurity from mid-2013. Consequently, the equipment investment ought to rise slightly and the hitherto delayed investment be called into action.

Building investment has recovered somewhat faster from the 2012 fall-off.

The government is looking at a probable increase of 0.7% for 2013.

Consumption The employment trend in the German labor market is unswervingly upwardly mobile, a trend which is not set to change in 2013. Assuming the salaries move in the same direction, as expected, the private consumption will profit as well. Consumers are set to consume around 0.8% more than they did in 2012, according to the average of the diagnoses from the economic institutes. The growth rate would thus be lying at around the level of 2012 (+0.6%). This is based upon the assumption that household savings will remain constant in 2013 while real income will rise as a result of wage inflation.That same average di-

agnosis expects a hefty rise – 1.2% - in private consumption for 2014. Public consumption is expected to continue the increase of last year and show an increase of 1.4% over 2013. Public spending had already expanded by the same amount in 2012. Contrary to 2012, where public construction investment plummeted by double digits in the absence of fiscal stimulus, road construction and civil engineering will now give it a boost, according to most predictions. Public construction will, at projected rates of 2.8% in 2013 and 4.2% in 2014, grow more rapidly than the building industry generally.

Building investment has recovered somewhat faster from the 2012 fall-off. The government is looking at a probable increase of 0.7% for 2013

Foreign Trade When exports are suffering, German GDP as a whole is poorly. This became patently obvious in the final quarter of 2012 as the German economy shrank by 0.6% in the wake of a year on year 2% drop in exports.

German exports dropped to Europe, the USA and China all fell. Even the consistently high demand from the growing economies in south-east Asia was unable to stop the rot at the end of last year.

All of which makes the anticipated upward trend for 2013 just a little bit more satisfying. After a weak first quarter both exports and imports should increase quickly through the year. Exports within the Eurozone should – according to the DIW-Berlin – stabilize, giving German companies cause for future optimism. The recoveries of other sovereign economies in the Eurozone and an increase in production in the USA should give a positive push to German investment exports. The general expectation is for export growth of 2.1% in 2013, although the government itself is expecting about half a per cent less.

Imports are set to rise along the same lines, perhaps even more, causing a slight shrink in the balance of trade.

Overview by sector In the first quarter of 2013 the companies asked as a part of the IFO economic surveys evaluated the ecogerman-serbian business association 2013

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nomic climate as being significantly better than the final quarter of 2012.

The companies see the current business climate as positive still, while the expectations in the first quarter of 2013 climbed significantly. The companies are a little more skeptical of the second quarter, although they assume that exports will continue to rise. The average operating rates have fallen slightly, while industrial output and manufacturing value added will also fall slightly as well. In the second half of the year the production expansions from investment and equipment goods should enable an upswing. In the main building trades and manufacturing sectors the companies perceived the business climate at the start of 2013 much more positive than that of the previous one. In wholesale the picture is a little cloudier than it was during a solid last quarter of 2012. The retail price index has shown barely a flicker for half a year, with retailers seeing the overall business picture for 2013 as steady and are keeping a lid on expectations. echanical and plant M engineering The current prognosis of the Germen Engineering Federation (VDMA) is for a real production growth of 2.0% in 2013 and a turnover jump from €207bn to €213bn (nominal rise of 3.9%). Both would be new record levels for this busy German sector. The production value would thus breakthrough the EUR200bn mark for the first time in 2013, while the number of employees in the sector continues to grow – up 30,000 to 978,000 in 2012, thus overhauling the high of 2008. Because of the stresses of the final quarter of 2012 however, the VDMA is reckoning with a slow growth dynamic in the first half of 2013 and an acceleration in the second half. The first quarter of 2013 showed a fall in domestic contracts of some 7%, while foreign contracts remained static.

in the first quarter were down 9%, according to the German Automobile Industry Association (VDA). The sales of non-German manufacturers fell more sharply (12%) than those of

The chemical industry is hoping that the positive trends of the last quarter of 2012 will continue

Automobile industry The German car industry has had a weak start to 2013. New car sales

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German manufacturers (7%). Exports of personal vehicles fell by 4% in the same period, and production by 5% compared to the previous year. The uncertainty in the European economy is putting pressure on the sector’s turnover, which is why manufacturers are putting a lot of hope on demand from further afield. China particularly remains a flourishing market for German manufacturers, where every fifth car sold is German.

Chemicals The chemical industry is hoping that the positive trends of the last quarter of 2012 will continue. Even if the expectations of the industry were not entirely fulfilled then, the Chemical Industry Association (VCI) has been able to paint a rosy picture for 2012. Both turnover (+1.3%) and employment

(+2%) rose despite a fall in production of 2.2%. The VCI is expecting a healthy order quantity for German companies

for 2013. Domestic business is looking good, but the business leaders are particularly looking abroad for a rise in demand – which already played a big role in 2012’s positive results. The sector turnover could, according to the VCI, rise about 2% to some €190bn, with production rising 1.5% and prices rising 0,5%.

Construction industry The building industry should benefit from the rejuvenation of the German economy in the second half of 2013.

The key players will, according to the German Construction Confederation (ZDB), increase their turnover by about 1.9% over 2013. Continued good financing conditions and rising incomes could well lead to increased investment in construction of blocks of flats.

Healthy public finances should expand further this investment and public construction turnover by a further 1.7%, according to the ZDB. But the workhorse of the sector in 2013 will continue to be construction of blocks of flats, where turnover is expected to increase by 3.4%. Business construction weakens the overall prognosis, particularly in the former eastern German federal states, leaving overall turnover growth at 0.6% for 2013. lectronics and electrical E engineering The start of 2013 was a lot more satisfying than the end of 2012 for this sector. Turnover, production and orders are, according to the German electric and engineering confederation, on the rise since the start of the year. The confederation is expecting a 1.5% increase in production from the sector in 2013, along with a €3bn rise in turnover from 2012 (€170bn). Emerging economies remain the areas of greatest opportunity in 2013, having already imported 5% more in 2012 than in the previous year and a third of all German electronics exports (worth €54bn).

Exports to industrial countries stagnated in 2012 and the turnover of German electronics companies in the Eurozone dropped 5%. Leaving that

aside, the sector recorded a record €160bn turnover in foreign trade.

The turnover growth in this sector will stay solid, according to the German Medical Technology Association (BVMed), but the prospects for growth are weaker than in previous years.

According to statistics from the German Hightech Industry Association (SPECTARIS), the medical technology companies in Germany – some 1,200 of them – recorded a turnover of €22.3bn, a 4.2% increase on the previous year. The growth in the exportdependent areas was solely responsible for this; domestic turnover fell by 0.8%.

Employment in the industry has been growing for years – 2.6% in 2012 – and currently stands at around 95,000 workers, says SPECTARIS.

ICT The ICT sector will grow significantly more than the rest of the German economy in 2013, assumes the

Federal Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (BITKOM) in its first economic barometer. Three quarters of the companies representing the association were expecting rising turnover in the first half of 2013. Software companies and IT-service providers were especially optimistic. The boom in smartphones, tablets and cloud computing is ongoing. The prognosis for market growth in the IT sector is, at 2.2%, slightly greater than that of the telecommunication sector. Together, the ICT sector could grow around 1.8% (not including consumer electronics), but the sector is looking to create 12,000 new jobs and top the 900,000-employee level for the first time.

The German Solar Power Association (BSW) is assuming, because of a fall in feed-in tariffs, falling demand for photovoltaic systems

Solar technology In Germany, the Ministry of Environment announced that solar power facilities had been constructed with a maximum installed capacity of 7.6 gigawatts. The expansion volume is thus remaining at the rate of 2011. In principle, newly-installed capacity has stagnated at this high level since 2010.

In 2013, the German Solar Power Association (BSW) is assuming, because of a fall in feed-in tariffs, falling demand for photovoltaic systems, a fall which had already begun in the second half of 2012. Solar energy is providing around 5% of Germany’s total electricity consumption, a figure which should lie at 10% in 2020 and 20% in 2030.

For solar thermal energy, 2012 was a weak year. 805 Megawatts of new solar thermal capacity was installed, but the demand for such fell by 9%.

Medical technology Wind energy The construction of windparks is expected to rise in 2013, according to the optimistic Wind Energy Association (BWE). The association is expecting an increase in installed capacity of around 2,900 Megawatts from new onshore windparks alone, which would increase the total capacity in Germany from 31,300 MW to 34,200 MW. But new projects are becoming harder to finance, according to the BWE, as there is uncertainty over the

alterations to feed-in tariffs. Looking back, the wind energy sector recorded solid growth in 2012. Nearly 1,000 new turbines brought 2,400 more megawatts –around 20% more into the grid than in 2011. A good result despite difficult circumstances in the global market.

Logistics After dampened-down expectations recently, the logistics industry has headed into 2013 with a little more vim and vigour, according to the German Association of Logistics (BVL). Business climates and expectations with service providers are positive, while the logisticians in industry and trade are looking a little more cautiously at the current business climate, remembering the weak final quarter of 2012. The indicators are pointing to an upward trend for the BVL. Real investment is to be expanded in 2013, while employment may stagnate a little. The sector is not expecting 2013 to be a record year, rather it is expecting similar turnovers to 2012. Economic dangers are seen by most companies to be the continuing Eurozone troubles and the rapid increases in energy and raw materials.

Nutrition The fourth-biggest industrial sector in Germany, with around 556,000 employees, ended 2012 with a tiny positive of 0.2%. The nominal turnover growth of 3.6% was almost completely down to price increases in the industry. Domestic demand remained flat, while foreign orders, particularly ex-European countries (nominal 33.9% increase) rose sharply. The number of employees rose 0.9%. Meat and meat products accounted for around a quarter of all turnovers in the sector and a fifth of the export volume. The share of turnover recorded from abroad for the entire sector rose steadily; where it was 17% in 1998, it was 32% in 2012, a rise of 2.5% on the previous year. ■ e: Germany Trade & Invest

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Cooperation

Economic Cooperation between Serbia and Germany

The Most Important European Partner Germany ranks first among 164 countries to which Serbia exports, as well as first out of 204 countries from which Serbia imports.

G

ermany has always been one of the leading partners to Serbia in all economic segments. In 2012, the value of trade between Serbia and Germany stood at US $3.3 billion, with the value of Serbian exports to Germany amounting to US $1.3 billion (a 0.2% drop compared to 2011), while the Serbian imports from Germany amounted to US $2 billion (a 4.7% decline compared to 2011). In 2012, Germany ranked first among 164 countries to which Serbia exported (an 11.7% share in total Serbian exports), as well as first out of 204 countries from which Serbia imports (an 11.2% share in total Serbian imports). Germany is still Serbia’s most important trade partner in the European Union.

The two countries recorded the biggest trade in 2008. In 2012, Serbia’s exports to Germany were valued at US $1.3 billion (a 0.2% decline relative to 2011). The same year, Serbia also had a deficit in trading with Germany amounting to US $693.3 million. In 2011, the export to import ratio in trading with Germany was significantly improved, while, in 2012, the ratio stood at 66%.

The following companies (manufacturers) from Serbia have had the biggest exports to Germany in 2012: Siemens, DAD Draexlmaier Automotive, Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast, Hemofarm, Impol Seval, Fiat Automobiles Serbia, Fresenius Medical Care, IGB Automotive Comp, TF KABLE FKZ, and PEWVS Serbia. Their cumulative export figures make up 44.73% of total Serbian exports to Germany.

The following companies from Serbia have had the biggest import from Germany in 2012: Siemens, Porsche SCG, Ball

Packaging Europe Belgrade, Tarkett, TetraPak Production, Mercedes-Benz Serbia and Montenegro, TENT d.o.o., Farmalogist, IGB Automotive Comp, and Henkel Serbia. The cumulative imports of these companies make up 22.43% of total Serbian imports from Germany.

The Republic of Serbia and the Federal Republic of Germany have signed and ratified a Double Taxation Agreement pertaining to income and property tax, as well as an accompanied Protocol.

In terms of Serbia’s economic cooperation in Germany, it is worth mentioning a Detachment Agreement between the two countries, which stipulates a special format for employing Serbian workers in Germany. Based on this intergovernmental agreement, companies registered in the Republic of Serbia, namely those engaged in construction, metal production and processing, assembly, insulation, agriculture, forestry, mining, restoration work and meat processing have the right to participate in the distribution of the employment quota in the Federal Republic of Germany during the current detachment year. The Republic of Serbia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is in charge of implementing this Agreement.

Germany is one of the leading investment partners to Serbia. According to the data about cash FDIs in Serbia in the period from 2005 to 2010, collated by the National Bank of Serbia (NBS), German ranks fourth on the list of the biggest

The Business Council of Germany and Serbia plays a special role in bolstering bilateral economic relations and foreign investments

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foreign investors in Serbia with €983.3 million worth of investments made during the period. According to preliminary NBS data for 2011, Germany invested €76.6 million in Serbia, while, between January and November 2012, the country invested a total of €39.5 million in Serbia.

German companies have a big potential in terms of infrastructural investments in Serbia, and there is a great interest shown by German companies for investing in Serbian car parts, electronics, chemical, mining, energy, renewable energy sources, agricultural and environmental industries.

The following German companies have made substantial investments in Serbia: Stada (acquisition of Hemofarm); METRO Cash & Carry; Messer; Henkel, Nordzuker, Phiwa Walther Group, Knauf, Fresenius Medical Care, Leoni Wiring System, Vossloh-Schwabe, Norma Group, Draexelmaier DAD, Falke and many others.

The Business Council of Germany and Serbia, founded in 2003, plays a special role in bolstering bilateral economic relations and foreign investments. Also, two joint intergovernmental commissions – Serbia-Bavaria and Serbia-BadenWürttemberg – have been formed with the goal of improving Serbia’s cooperation with individual German states.

Boosting bilateral economic cooperation, solidifying economic relations between the two countries and increasing FDIs in most important segments of the Serbian economy are the main goals of the German-Serbian Business Cooperation

Council. The Council was formed at the initiative of Gerhard Schroeder who was German Chancellor at the time, during his official visit to Serbia and Montenegro on October 29, 2003.

Apart from prominent politicians, the Council assembles business representatives, including representatives of the biggest German companies like Siemens, Deutsche Bahn and Aquamundo. The high political officials from the two countries are in charge of project coordination and the Council’s activities.

The German-Serbian Business Cooperation Council is made of five task forces: banking and finance, energy, transport, utilities and agriculture, while the representatives of the line ministries, institutions or companies from Serbia and Germany are the task force moderators. The task forces hold regular consultations at which each task force presents its activities and individual projects. For instance, the banking and finance task force took under consideration projects like training of bank clerks, deposit insurance and establishment of mortgage market. The energy task force has been engaged in projects like developing power plants, lignite mines and the gas sector. Among other things, the utilities task force has been considering projects on improving the water quality and the water distribution system in Zrenjanin, Kikinda and Bečej, as well as the construction of a waste water treatment facility in Niš. The agriculture task force has been concerned with developing organic agriculture and managing land resources in Serbia.

Since the democratic changes in 2000, the German federal government has provided financial assistance to Serbia’s economy and development amounting to over €1.09 billion

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Following the establishment of the Stability Pact in the late 1990s, the international community has demonstrated its readiness to help the countries in South East Europe in overcoming economic and social challenges.

Since the very beginning, the goal of German assistance was contributing to the convergence with the European Union, bolstering the economy and its efficiency, and improving living standards. Since the democratic changes in Serbia in 2000, the German federal government has provided financial assistance to Serbia amounting to over €1.09 billion which makes Germany the single most important European donor for Serbia. Additionally, Germany has donated another €400 million through the EU assistance to Serbia which has grown to over €2 billion since 2000. The following pages contain an overview of the German assistance to Serbia.

Organizations implementing state-run bilateral cooperation KfW

The KfW Development Bank (KfW Entwicklungsbank) funds investments and consultancy services in emerging and transition countries on behalf of the German federal government. Also, KfW implements financial assistance projects, as commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Eco-

The KfW is in charge of investment projects while the German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) implements consultancy projects nomic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In Serbia, the activities of the KfW Development Bank are geared towards construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, establishment of efficient financial institutions, and safeguarding resources and a healthy environment. The financial assistance to Serbia has already amounted to over €480 million, with €280 million allocated to the energy sector, €130 million to the financial sector and €78 million to the water supply sector. With the help of international consultancies, KfW supports its partners in drafting and implementing projects.

GTZ

The energy task force has been engaged in projects like developing power plants, lignite mines and the gas sector Cooperation with Germany is based on four key areas which were mutually agreed upon by the two governments.

One of more important segments of German assistance is building infrastructure with the aim of utilizing the resources in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner and improving living standards. Closely related to this is German support in building local governments. As the smallest governing units, municipalities are also the closest to their citizens and know best which changes and improvements can directly benefit their lives. Serbian citizens long for economic growth, more new jobs, and a better future for themselves and their children.

Hence, supporting economic reforms is another priority area of our cooperation. We should not forget that Germany is committed to fostering understanding among young people since they are Serbia’s biggest potential and its future.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has entrusted two organizations with project implementation – the KfW Development Bank is in charge of investment projects while the German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) implements consultancy projects. ■

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The German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) d.o.o. is a worldwide company which acts on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). By the order of BMZ, the GTZ currently implements ten large-scale consultancy projects which are managed by German experts who are engaged long-term on these

GTZ provides advisory services to the Serbian government, associations, companies and municipalities projects. Most of the projects are focused on the Serbian economy achieving convergence with the EU and its development. To that end, the GTZ provides advisory services to the Serbian government, associations, companies and municipalities, thus contributing to creation of new jobs and raising income, higher democratization and legal security and advancing institution building.

CIM

The Centre for International Migration and Development (CIM) is a human resources provider for German development aid. Serbian employers from the public, private and civil sectors can submit their requests for per-

sonnel placing with the CIM. The Centre recruits experts from Germany and the EU countries, and uses the funds from the budget of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Develop-

One of the CIM’s most important activities in Serbia is supporting economic reforms ment (BMZ) to top up the average salaries provided by the local employer. In its work, the CIM relies on the German Organization for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and the German Federal Employment Agency (BA). One of the CIM’s most important activities in Serbia is supporting economic reforms.

DEG

The German Investment Cooperation (DEG), a subsidiary of KfW Bank Group, finances investments of private companies in developing and transitional economies. DEG’s equity capital, which originates from the German federal budget, is made available to companies for their investments at market conditions. DEG invests in viable projects that

In Serbia, DEG supports companies by providing long-term credit lines and equity capital yield positive development effects in all economy sectors, including the financial sector. DEG is involved only in projects with a development impact and comply with environmental standards and social principles. In Serbia, DEG supports companies by providing long-term credit lines and equity capital. Apart from that, DEG provides technical assistance in drafting and monitoring of investment projects to ensure their successful implementation.

InWEnt

InWEnt, Capacity Building International, based in Bonn, is an organization which is engaged in the development of human resources, capacity-building and dialogue, on behalf of the German government. InWEnt’s programmes in South East Europe are mainly focused on providing support to EU convergence.

Through programmes implemented in several countries, ex-

InWEnt’s programmes in Serbia are mainly focused on sustainable economic development, democracy, civil society and public administration perts and managers in politics, administration, commerce and civil society are being trained with the goal of improving internal reform processes and promoting regional dialogue.

InWEnt’s programmes in Serbia are mainly focused on sustainable economic development, democracy, civil society and public administration. german-serbian business association 2013

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Interview

Dr. Matthias Müller-Wieferig, Director, Goethe-Institut Belgrade

The Power of Art and Culture

F

or the past 43 years, through the many changes which have happened here, the Goethe Institute has been steadfastly fostering the cultural, linguistic, and artistic bonds between Serbia and Federal Republic of Germany.

Throughout this long history, support for cultural endeavours and projects from both Serbia and Germany has been growing and expanding. The Goethe Institute’s mission is to promote the study of German abroad and encourage international cultural exchange. It also aims to foster knowledge about Germany by providing information on its culture, society and politics. In this exclusive interview with CorD, Dr. Matthias Müller-Wieferig, Director of the Goethe-Institut Belgrade, tells us of some of the work which has been done during his tenure and before, while enthusiastically looking forward to events and projects already planned for the future.

■ The Goethe Institute is based on three distinct areas of work. What are those areas here in Belgrade?

- Cultural programmes, language teaching and educational co-operation, library and in-

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I wish that we prove to be the reliable, trustworthy partners for cultural exchange between Germany and Serbia for many years to come. In Serbia, we always find partners and friends of the Goethe-Institut and our country, who are full of curiosity and enthusiasm about ever new creative ideas, initiatives and activities in the arts, in culture, education and science. By fostering cultural resources like knowledge, creativity, cooperation, virtual and physical mobility, we can develop our capacities best formation services – these are the three pillars of the Goethe-Institut.

■ If international cultural cooperation between Serbia and Germany is one of the main goals of the Goethe Institute, how is this carried out?

- In all our three segments, we communicate a vivid, contemporary image of Germany. A very active communication and networking, the use of social media and other communi-

ing implemented by the Goethe Institute.

What are some of the best examples of these projects happening now in Serbia?

- We are currently expanding our capacities and resources for German courses in Belgrade introducing new language classes on all levels of proficiency and age groups. We organize teachers’ trainings in Serbia and in Germany to implement new teaching methods and intensify knowledge about the current topics and developments in Germany. Nine

We open doors between the arts, education, science and development. We trust in the power of art and its ability to ask questions and unsettle cation tools are very valuable for mutual information, and joint projects are eye-openers for different perspectives in different countries and the world. We try to find active ways how to communicate between different people and perspectives, offering a variety of programmes such as travel or study grants, seminars, workshops or artistic and educational co-operation, translation support or artist residencies.

■ There are always interesting projects be-

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partner schools will enable “future experts” on environmental protection and renewable energy development. At the University Library of Belgrade, we present the first comprehensive exhibition on the life and work of Rumanian-German writer Herta Müller, from her childhood in Banat until Stockholm 2009 where she was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Currently, we are dealing with creative visions on how to re-vitalize the derelict city quarter of

Savamala in Belgrade and the role artists and residents can play. Located on the southern bank of the River Sava, Savamala is a “jewel of a city quarter.” Today, the potential of the Savamala quarter is again being recognized, as there seems to be a new wave of awareness and cultural energies (initiated by the GoetheInstitut’s long term initiative). After half a year of the “Urban Incubator: Belgrade” project, we even hope that Savamala might serve as a role model for other neglected areas of cities in Serbia, the region, and all over Europe.

Through the end of the year, we will see another 12 weeks of activities in and around Savamala, localizing international experience in creative quarter development from Berlin, Hamburg, Zurich, Amsterdam or other European cities. At the same time, we put the Belgrade experience on the global map of urban debate. On November 17, RTS, as our Serbian partner, will produce a TV discussion transmitted live between Belgrade, Munich, and Sao Paolo audiences, experts and activists: three places, three cities, three urban models of how to develop the “city of the future.”

■ The Goethe Institute in Belgrade is an integral part of a network of institutes in South East Europe. How does this regional structure work?

- We have established a regional structure internally within the Goethe-Institut, where, for Southeast Europe, the regional directorate is based in Athens, co-ordinating other regional Goethe-Institut branches from Turkey to Cyprus, Albania to Romania, from Sarajevo to Skopje. Language teaching strategies, book and media acquisition, online-projects and translation programmes and a regional administration unit connect us technically. But most importantly, we try to explore topics crucial to the whole region.

“New forms of participation,” like the participatory approach of the “Urban Incubator: Belgrade,” is one of the issues. “Daring to remember” is another one shared by most of Goethe-Institut branches in the region.

Germany, after the Second World War, felt obliged to look into its own past, never to forget the atrocities of the two World Wars in Europe caused by Germany. Our own tradition of dealing very critically with our past motivates us to discuss our common European past and future with artists, writers, or intellectuals of our host countries.

Thus, we just made a regional exhibition project from 11 countries in our region presenting 25 artists, including four from Serbia: “Recorded Memories.” Their photo and video work about memories of their own past was presented at the very prestigious Museum of Photography in Braunschweig. Seeing its first

Savamala Design Studio

We try to find active ways how to communicate between different people and perspectives, offering a variety of programmes such as travel or study grants, seminars, workshops or artistic and educational co-operation, translation support or artist residencies regional presentation right now in Sarajevo, we expect the exhibition to be in Belgrade for its grand finale.

traditional partners in film, music, or theatre find the openness for international exchange especially important. That is why we had a German-Belgian co-production, “Before your very Eyes,” opening the BITEF International Theatre Festival in 2013. Cultural Centres in Belgrade, Nis, and Novi Sad present this year´s German Film week, GoetheFEST, celebrating great actors from Germany such as Nina Hoss, Jürgen Vogel or Barbara Sukowa in the best and most recent German author films. The Belgrade International Jazz Festival, in co-operation with the Goethe-Institut Belgrade, presents the best of German Jazz, this year inviting the Julia Hülsmann Quartett, the only German jazz musicians currently featured on the famous ECM Records label. These traditional professional and artistic partnerships, and many more all over the country, have developed over many years.

Together with our European partner network in Serbia of cultural institutes, EUNIC, we promote multi-lingualism in Europe at the “European Day of Languages” and joint activities at the Belgrade Book Fair 2013 under the motto “City and Creativity.” We recently established an exchange with the National Library of Serbia, the Belgrade City Library, and University Libraries in Belgrade and Novi Sad, the latter again in co-operation with EUNIC. ■ The Institute’s mission is to execute the main tasks of the Germany’s educational and cultural policy abroad. What does this mean in practical terms?

- The Goethe-Institut brings the multifaceted

■ In order to carry out projects in Serbia, with whom have you developed longerterm partnerships, and what groups work with you the most?

- All around Serbia we find a lot of interest in German contemporary life and culture, Serbian artists, scientists and intellectuals are well known in Germany. Our german-serbian business association 2013

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image of Germany to the world. We provide access to German language, culture and society and promote international cultural cooperation. That means that we open doors between the arts, education, science and development. We trust in the power of art and its ability to ask questions and unsettle. As with our project about cities of the future, we search for answers to some of the most urgent future questions of a globalised world. We promote and convey the German language as a key qualification for education, employment and understanding. It is many people’s link to Germany. We strengthen the position of the German language within the diversity of foreign languages and set quality standards for teaching German as a foreign language worldwide. We open ways how to access knowledge and information about Germany, too, and how to prepare for cultural differences, present our country’s cultural phenomena, positions and experience. Conversely, we take advantage of the opportunities offered by intercultural dialogue to bring important developments from this region to Germany.

■ What do you think are today’s most critical global cultural and political challenges?

- Demographic change and migration, the economic crisis of Europe or a re-definition of Europe in the world, minority rights and ethnic, religious or language diversity, environmental protection and renewable energy belong to the most urgent issues which are reflected in our work and where we need to develop further cooperation.

■ Cultural diversity in terms of multiculturism and multi-lingualism within a society are difficult subjects. How do you foster enthusiasm for and acceptance of this diversity?

- Europe and the world have seen wars, ethnic conflict, flight and expulsion as consequences of ideas about homogeneous identities, be it as culture, a nation, or a state. We foster the cultural diversity of the regions of Europe, multi-lingualism, and multi-culturalism. A culturally-based, unified Europe of diverse regions, languages, and cultures seems to be a better way to provide for peace and stability.

In that respect, Europe´s future is not only an economic or political issue, it is a cultural project to which Serbia now gains access.

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partnerships, in a Balkan-MediterraneanGerman “Cultural Innovators’ Network,” you will very much find the same approach.

A diversity of cultures, languages, and perspectives are the breeding ground for new ideas and initiatives.

A culturally-based, unified Europe of diverse regions, languages, and cultures seems to be a better way to provide for peace and stability.

In that respect, Europe`s future is not only an economic or political issue, it is a cultural project to which Serbia now gains access ■ As an institution that has a wide worldwide network, the Goethe Institute develops innovative concepts with the aim of creating a more humane world. How does this actually work?

- Our most innovative concepts are those designed to engage young audiences - to involve the next generation actively in projects or initiatives. For example, the “Goethe Guerilla” initiated by the Goethe-Institut Belgrade more than three years ago, is now seeing its third generation. Each year a new group of 10-12 young people are selected, and they find their own ways to be creative and active with their own projects. Last year, the Goethe-Institut together with the EU-programme Youth in Action brought them to Germany where they met their peers from Germany, Hungary, Lithuania and Bosnia, and this year all of them came back to Belgrade.

We feel that this is very valuable first-hand experience in international networking and knowledge transfer in action. In our school

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■ The Goethe Institute has been operational here for 43 years. What does the future hold for the Institute in Serbia?

- In terms of interesting projects, we are preparing for some artistic initiatives to deal with the past and present from an artistic perspective. For example, an international group of artists and curators takes a fresh look at the photo archive of more than 30 years of Yugoslav socialist history (1948-80) researching and exhibiting amazingly rich, unused material and their own approaches at the Museum of Yugoslav History in 2014.

In 2014, we will trust, again, in local and international artists, scientists, and curators and their co-operation. One hundred years ago, Gavrilo Princip´s shots in Sarajevo somehow triggered World War I. We would like to invite artists from Serbia, France, and Germany who will make their own “mental maps” in collaborative art practice, their own historical knowledge and perspectives as a starting point for this three-party project. We are applying for project support to the Elyseefund, designed to enable Franco-German cultural cooperation in our host countries. Since 1963, when France and Germany signed the Elysee Treaty, we have seen a very positive example of how political will and a vision for Europe can initiate peaceful cooperation to end more than a century of atrocious war and bitter enmity.

I wish that we prove to be the reliable, trustworthy partners for cultural exchange between Germany and Serbia for many years to come. In Serbia, we always find partners and friends of the Goethe-Institut and our country, who are full of curiosity and enthusiasm about ever new creative ideas, initiatives and activities in the arts, in culture, education and science. By fostering cultural resources like knowledge, creativity, cooperation, virtual and physical mobility, we can develop our capacities best. In joint cultural projects and activities, you can find and build trust and cooperation, open dialogue and exchange as the foundation of true democracy and social welfare. ■

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Culture

Country of Poets and Thinkers

From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Historically Germany has called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the country of poets and thinkers)

G

erman culture began long before the rise of Germany as a nationstate and spanned the entire German-speaking world. From its roots, culture in Germany has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and secular. Histori-

Nine Germans have won the Nobel Prize in literature: Mommsen, Von Heyse, Hauptmann, Mann, Nelly Sachs, Hesse, BĂśll, Grass, and Herta MĂźller cally Germany has called Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the country of poets and thinkers).

The federated states are in charge of cultural institutions. There are 240 subsidised theatres, hundreds of symphony orchestras, thou-

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sands of museums, and more than 25,000 libraries spread across Germany. These cultural opportunities are enjoyed by many: there are over 91 million German museum visits every year. Annually, 20 million go to theatres and operas, and 3.6 million per year listen to the symphony orchestras. UNESCO enrolled 33

properties in Germany on the World Heritage List.

Literature German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with the most notable authors of

och, as is the “Thidrekssaga.” The fairy tales collected and published

by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the 19th century became famous throughout the world.

Theologian Martin Luther, who translated the Bible into German, is widely credited for having set the basis for the modern "High German" language. Among the most admired German poets and authors are Lessing, Goethe, Schiller, Kleist, Hoffmann, Brecht, Heine and Schmidt. Nine Germans have won the Nobel Prize in literature: Theodor Mommsen, Paul von Heyse, Gerhart Hauptmann, Thomas Mann, Nelly Sachs, Hermann Hesse, Heinrich Böll, Günter Grass, and Herta Müller.

Martin Luther

the period being Walther von der Vogelweide and Wolfram von Eschenbach. The “Nibelungenlied,” whose author remains unknown, is also an important work of the ep-

Philosophy The rise of the modern natural sciences and the related decline of religion raised a series of questions which recur throughout German philosophy concerning the relationships between knowledge and faith, reason and emotion, and scientific, ethical, and artistic ways of seeing the world.

German philosophers have helped shape western philosophy from as early as the Middle Ages (Albertus Magnus). Later, Leibniz (in the 17th century) and most importantly Immanuel Kant played central roles in the history of philosophy. Kantianism inspired the work of Schopenhauer and Nietzsche as well as German ideal-

Adorno, Habermas, Horkheimer, Luhmann, Simmel, Tönnies, and Weber. The University of Berlin founded in 1810 by linguist and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt served as an influential model for a number of modern western universities.

In the 21st century, Germany has been an important country for the development of contemporary analytic philosophy in continental Europe, along with France, Austria, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries.

Music In the field of music, Germany claims some of the most renowned classical composers of the world

Richard Wagner

including Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, who marked the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western classical music.

Other composers of the Austro-

In the 21st century Germany has been an important country for the development of contemporary analytic philosophy in continental Europe

Imanuel Kant

ism defended by Fichte and Hegel.

Marx and Engels developed the communist theory in the second half of the 19th century while Heidegger and Gadamer pursued the tradition of German philosophy in the 20th century. A number of German intellectuals were also influential in sociology, most notably

German tradition who achieved international fame include Brahms, Wagner, Haydn, Schubert, Händel, Schumann, Liszt, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johann Strauss II, Bruckner, Mahler, Telemann, Richard Strauss, Schoenberg, Orff, and most recently, Henze, Lachenmann, and Stockhausen.

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Talking have enjoyed international fame. German musicians and, in particular, the pioneering bands Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk have also contributed to the development of electronic music.

Germany hosts many large rock music festivals annually. The Rock am Ring festival is the largest music festival in Germany and among the largest in the world. German artists also make up a large percentage of industrial music acts, called Neue Deutsche Härte. Germany hosts

are Cosmas Damian Asam. Further artists are the painter Anselm Kiefer, romantic Caspar David Friedrich, the surrealist Max Ernst, the conceptualist Joseph Beuys, or Wolf Vostell or the neo-expressionist Georg Baselitz.

Contemporary Art Even more than in other countries, German art in the early 20th century developed through a number of loose groups and movements, many covering other artistic media

German Renaissance painters include Albrecht Altdorfer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Matthias Grünewald, Hans Holbein the Younger and the well-known Albrecht Dürer Albrecht Dürer

As of 2006, Germany is the fifth largest music market in the world.

It has exerted a strong influence on techno and rock music and pioneered trance music. Artists such as Herbert Grönemeyer, the Scorpions, Blind Guardian, Rammstein, Nena, Xavier Naidoo, Dieter Bohlen, Tokio Hotel and Modern

Wassily Kandinsky

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some of the largest Goth scenes and festivals in the entire world with events like Wave-Gotik-Treffen and M'era Luna Festival easily attracting up to 30,000 people. In addition, the country hosts Wacken Open Air, the biggest heavy metal open air festival in the world.

Since about 1970, Germany has once again had a thriving popular culture, now increasingly being led by its new-old capital Berlin, and a self-confident music and art scene. Germany is also very well known for its many renowned opera houses, such as Semperoper, Komische Oper Berlin and Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz. Richard Wagner built the Bayreuth Festspielhaus. One of the most famous composers in the film business is German Hans Zimmer.

Art German art has a long and distinguished tradition in the visual arts, from the earliest known work of figurative art to its current output of contemporary art.

Important German Renaissance painters include Albrecht Altdorfer, Lucas Cranach the Elder, Matthias Grünewald, Hans Holbein the Younger and the well-known Albrecht Dürer. The most important Baroque artists from Germany

Wave-Gotik-Treffen

as well, and often with a specific political element, as with the Arbeitsrat für Kunst and the November Group, both formed in 1918. By the 1920s, a "Cartel of advanced artistic groups in Germany" (Kartell fortschrittlicher Künstlergruppen in Deutschland) was found necessary.

Die Brücke ("The Bridge") was one of two groups of German painters fundamental to expressionism, the other being Der Blaue Reiter group. Die Brücke was a group of German expressionist artists formed in Dresden in 1905 by architecture students who wanted to be painters: Fritz Bleyl (1880–

1966), Erich Heckel (1883–1970), Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880– 1938) and Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884–1976), with Max Pechstein and others joining later. The notoriously individualistic Emil Nolde (1867–1956) was briefly a member of Die Brücke, but was at odds with the younger members of the group. Die Brücke moved to Berlin in 1911, where it was eventually dissolved in 1913. Perhaps their most important contribution had been the rediscovery of the woodcut as a valid medium for original artistic expression.

Der Blaue Reiter ("The Blue Rider") formed in Munich, Germany in 1911. Wassily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, August Macke, Alexej von Jawlensky, Marianne von Werefkin and others founded the group in response to the rejection of Kandinsky's painting Last Judgment from an exhibition by Neue Künstlervereinigung—another artists' group of which Kandinsky had been a member. The name Der Blaue Reiter derived from Marc's enthusiasm for horses, and from Kandinsky's love of the colour blue. For Kandinsky, blue is the colour of spirituality—the darker the blue, the more it awakens human desire for the eternal (noted in his 1911 book “On the Spiritual in Art”). Kandinsky had also entitled a painting Der Blaue Reiter in 1903. The intense sculpture and printmaking of Käthe Kollwitz was strongly influenced by Expressionism, which also formed the starting point for the young artists who went on to join other tendencies within the movements of the early 20th century.

Cinema German cinema dates back to the very early years of the medium with the work of Max Skladanowsky. It was particularly influential during the years of the Weimar Republic with German expressionists such as Robert Wiene and

Berlin Film Festival

As of 2006, Germany is the fifth largest music market in the world.

It has exerted a strong influence on techno and rock music and pioneered trance music

Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau. Austrian-based director Fritz Lang, who became a German citizen in 1926 and whose career flourished in the pre-war German film industry, is said to have been a major influence on Hollywood cinema.

In 1930, Austrian-American Josef von Sternberg directed The Blue Angel, which was the first major German sound film and it brought world fame to actress Marlene Dietrich. The Nazi era produced mostly propaganda films although the work of Leni Riefenstahl is said to have introduced new aesthetics to film. The Berlin Film Festival, held annually since 1951, is one of the world's foremost film festivals.

An international jury places emphasis on representing films from all over the world and awards the

winners with the Golden and Silver Bears.

Architecture Architectural contributions from Germany include the Carolingian and Ottonian styles, important precursors of Romanesque. The region then produced significant works in styles such as the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

The nation was particularly important in the early modern movement through the Deutscher Werkbund and the Bauhaus movement identified with Walter Gropius. The Nazis closed these movements and favoured a type of neo-classicism.

Since World War II, further important modern and post-modern structures have been built, particularly since the reunification of Berlin. ■

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Tourism in Germany

Nature, Culture & Exciting Nightlife Germany is the seventh most visited country in the world, with a total of 369.6 million overnights during 2010. This number includes 56.5 million nights by foreign visitors, the majority of foreign tourists in 2009 coming from the Netherlands, the US and Switzerland.

AGermany is rated as one of the safest travel destinations in the world.

With more than 133 million foreign visitors (2008), Germany is ranked as the 7th most visited travel destination worldwide

T

he official body for tourism in Germany is the German National Tourist Board (GNTB), represented worldwide by National Tourist Offices in 29 countries.

Surveys by the GNTB include perceptions and reasons for holidaying in Germany, which are as follows: culture (75%), outdoors/ countryside (59%), cities (59%), cleanliness (47%), security (41%), modernity (36%), good hotels (35%), good gastronomy/ cuisine (34%), good accessibility (30%), cosmopolitanism/ hospitality (27%), good shopping

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opportunities (21%), exciting nightlife (17%) and good price/ performance ratio (10%). Multiple answers in the survey were possible.

More than 30% of Germans spend their holidays in their own country. With more than 133 million foreign visitors (2008), Germany is ranked as the 7th most visited travel destination worldwide. A total of â‚Ź27.2 billion is spent on travel and tourism: this is equivalent to 3.2% of Germany's GNP. The history of tourism in Germany goes back to cities and

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landscapes being visited for education and recreation. From the late 18th century onwards, cities like Dresden, Munich, Weimar and Berlin were major stops on a European Grand tour.

train routes were built to connect the seaside spas to urban centres.

An extensive bathing and recreation industry materialized in Germany around 1900. At rivers and close to natural landscapes

More than 30% of Germans spend their holidays in their own country Spas and seaside resorts on the North and Baltic Seas (like the Rugia and Usedom islands, Heiligendamm, Norderney and Sylt islands) were particularly developed during the 19th and early 20th centuries, when major

(along the Middle Rhine valley and in Saxon Switzerland for example), many health spas, hotels and recreational facilities were established since the 19th century.

Since the end of World War II, tourism has expanded greatly,

as many tourists visit Germany to experience a sense of European history and the diverse German landscape. The country features 14 national parks, including the Jasmund National Park, the Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park, the Müritz National Park, the Wadden Sea National Parks, the Harz National Park, the Hainich National Park, the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the Bavarian Forest National Park and the Berchtesgaden National Park. In addition, there are 14 Biosphere Reserves, as well as 98 nature parks.

The countryside has a pastoral aura, while the bigger cities exhibit both modern and classical aspects. Small and mediumsized cities often preserved their historical appearance and have old towns with remarkable architectural heritage - these are called Altstädte in German.

The most visited tourist regions in Germany are the East Frisian and North Frisian Islands, the Baltic Sea coasts of Holstein

East Frisian Islands

of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park.

The largest island by surface area is Borkum, located at the western end of the chain; the other six inhabited islands are from west to east: Juist, Norderney with the largest town in the islands, Baltrum, Langeoog, Spiekeroog and Wangerooge.

There are also four other small, uninhabited islands: Lütje Hörn east of Borkum, Memmert and Kachelotplate southwest of Juist, Minsener Oog, a dredged island southeast of Wangerooge, and Mellum at the eastern end of the island chain which, following the boundary revision by the Federal Office for Nature Conservation, no longer belongs to the East Frisian Islands, but to the mudflats of the Elbe-Weser Triangle (Watten im Elbe-Weser-Dreieck).

and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, the Bavarian and Black Forest, and the Bavarian Alps.

North Frisian Islands The North Frisian Islands are a group of islands in the Wadden Sea, a part of the North Sea, off

The most visited tourist regions in Germany are the East Frisian and North Frisian Islands, the Baltic Sea coasts of Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern East Frisian Islands The East Frisian Islands (German: Ostfriesische Inseln) are a chain of islands in the North Sea, off the coast of East Frisia in Lower Saxony, Germany. The islands extend for some 90 kilometres (56 miles) from west to east between the mouths of the Ems and Jade / Weser rivers and lie about 3.5 to 10 km offshore. Between the islands and the mainland are extensive mudflats, known locally as Watten, which form part of the Wadden Sea. The islands, the surrounding mudflats and the territorial waters (the Küstenmeer vor den ostfriesischen Inseln nature reserve) form a close ecological relationship. The island group makes up about 5%

the western coast of SchleswigHolstein, Germany. The German islands are in the traditional re-

gion of North Frisia and are part of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park and the Kreis (district) of Nordfriesland.

Occasionally Heligoland is also included in this group.

Sometimes the North Frisian Islands include also the Danish Wadden Sea Islands on the western coast of Jutland, Denmark. They belong to Tønder municipality and Esbjerg municipality. The ethnic group of Frisians lives only on the German-ruled islands.

Rhine Gorge The Rhine Gorge is a popular name for the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a 65 km section of the River Rhine between Koblenz and Bingen in Germany. It was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in June 2002 for a unique combination of geological, historical, cultural and industrial reasons.

The region's rocks were laid down in the Devonian period and are known as Rhenish Facies.

This is a fossil-bearing sedimentary rock type consisting mainly of slate. The rocks underwent considerable folding during the Carboniferous period. The gorge was carved out during a much more recent uplift to leave the riv-

Germany's North Sea islands are blessed with unique natural surroundings german-serbian business association 2013

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Germania in Roman times. It is the largest protected forest area in central Europe

The Upper Middle Rhine Valley

er contained within steep walls, 200m high, the most famous feature of which being the Loreley.

The gorge produces its own microclimate and has acted as a corridor for species not otherwise found in the region. Its slopes have long been terraced for agriculture, in particular viticulture which has good conditions on south-facing slopes. Most of the vineyards belong to the Mittelrhein wine region, but the southernmost parts of the Rhine Gorge fall in Rheingau and Nahe.

Bavarian Forest The Bavarian Forest is a wooded low-mountain region in Bavaria, Germany. It extends along the Czech border and is

continued on the Czech side by the Šumava (Bohemian Forest).

Geographically, the Bavarian Forest and Bohemian Forest are sections of the same mountain range. A part of the Bavarian Forest belongs to the Bavarian Forest National Park (Nationalpark Bayerischer Wald, 240 km²), established in 1970 as the first national park in Germany.

Another 3,008 km² belong to the Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Naturpark Bayerischer Wald), established 1967, and 1738 km² to the Eastern Bavarian Forest Nature Park (Naturpark Oberer Bayerischer Wald), established in 1965. The Bavarian Forest is a remnant of the Hercynian Forest that stretched across southern

Bavarian Forest National Park

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german-serbian business association 2013

Schwarzwald The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in Baden-Württemberg, south-western Germany. It is bordered by the Rhine valley to the west and south. The highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres (4,898 ft). The region is almost rectangular with a length of 160 km (99 miles) and breadth of up to 60 km (37 miles). Rivers in the Black Forest include the Danube (which originates in the Black Forest at the confluence of the Brigach and Breg rivers), the Enz, the Kinzig, the Murg, the Nagold, the Neckar, the Rench, and the Wiese. The Black Forest occupies part of the continental divide between the Atlantic Ocean drain-

Germany from 1949 to 1990.

Following German reunification in 1990, the city was once more designated as the capital of all Germany.

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media, and science, hosting 147 foreign embassies.

Its economy is primarily based on high-tech industries and the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, research facilities, media corporations, and convention venues.

Berlin also serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport and is a popular tourist destination.

Significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, electronics, traffic engineering, and renewable energy.

Berlin is home to renowned universities, research institutes, orchestras, museums, and celeb-

Reeperbahn in Hamburg’s quarter St. Pauli is Europe's largest red light district age basin (drained by the Rhine) and the Black Sea drainage basin (drained by the Danube).

Berlin First documented in the 13th century, Berlin was the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia (1701–1918), the German Empire (1871–1918), the Weimar Republic (1919–1933) and the Third Reich (1933–1945). Berlin in the 1920s was the third largest municipality in the world. After World War II, the city, along with the German state, was bifurcated into East Berlin, capital of the German Democratic Republic, colloquially identified in English as East Germany, and West Berlin, a political exclave (surrounded by the Berlin Wall from 1961 to 1989) and a de facto (although not de jure) the state of the Federal Republic of Germany, known colloquially in English as West

rities and is host to many sporting events. Its urban setting and historical legacy have made it a popular location for international film productions. The city is well known for its festivals, diverse architecture, nightlife, contemporary arts, public transportation networks, and an extremely high quality of living.

Hamburg Hamburg, officially Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is the second largest city in Germany and the ninth largest city in the European Union. It is also the thirteenth largest German state.

The city is home to over 1.8 million people, while the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (including parts of the neighbouring Federal States of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein) has more than 5 million inhabitants. Situated on the river Elbe, the port

Schwarzwald (The Black Forest)

of Hamburg is the second largest port in Europe (after the Port of Rotterdam) and tenth largest worldwide.

Hamburg is a major transport hub in Northern Germany and is one of the most affluent cities in Europe. It has become a media and industrial centre, with plants and facilities belonging to Airbus, Blohm + Voss and Aurubis. The radio and television broadcaster Norddeutscher Rundfunk and publishers such as Gruner + Jahr and Spiegel-Verlag are pillars of the important media industry in Hamburg. Hamburg has been an important financial centre for centuries and is the seat of the world's second oldest bank, Berenberg Bank. In total, there are more than 120,000 enterprises.

The city is a major tourist destination for both domestic and overseas visitors. Hamburg is ranked 17th in the world for livability in 2012, and, in 2010, the city ranked 10th in the world.

Many visitors take a walk in the evening around the area of Reeperbahn in the quarter St. Pauli, Europe's largest red light district and home of strip clubs, brothels, bars and nightclubs.

The singer and actor Hans Albers is strongly associated with St. Pauli, and wrote the neighbourhood's unofficial anthem, "Auf der Reeperbahn Nachts um Halb Eins" ("On the Reeper-

bahn Half Past Midnight") in the 1940s. The Beatles had stints on the Reeperbahn early in their careers. Others prefer the laid-back Schanze neighbourhood with its street cafés, or a barbecue on one of the beaches along the river Elbe. Hamburg's famous zoo, the Tierpark Hagenbeck, was founded in 1907 by Carl Hagenbeck as the first zoo with moated, bar-less enclosures.

Oktoberfest Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival celebrating beer held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. Running from late September to the first weekend

in October, it is one of the most famous events in Germany and is the world's largest fair, with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year. To the locals, it is not called Oktoberfest, but "die Wiesn", after the colloquial name of the fairgrounds themselves. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810.

Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations, modelled after the original Munich event.

The Munich Oktoberfest originally took place during the sixteen days up to, and includ-

18 days when it is October 1.

In 2010, the festival lasted until the first Monday in October, to mark the anniversary of the event. The festival is held in an area named the Theresienwiese (field, or meadow, of Therese), often called Wiesn for short, located near Munich's centre.

Large quantities of Oktoberfest Beer are consumed, with almost 7 million litres served during the 16 day festival in 2007. Visitors may also enjoy a wide variety of traditional food such as Hendl (chicken), Schweinebraten (roast pork), Schweinshaxe (grilled ham hock), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Würstl

Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival celebrating beer held annually in Munich, from late September to the first weekend in October and is the world's largest fair ing, the first Sunday in October. In 1994, the schedule was modified in response to German reunification so that if the first Sunday in October falls on the 1st or 2nd, then the festival would go on until October 3 (German Unity Day). Thus, the festival is now 17 days when the first Sunday is October 2 and

(sausages) along with Brezeln (pretzel), Knödel (potato or bread dumplings), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), Reiberdatschi (potato pancakes), Sauerkraut or Rotkohl/Blaukraut (red cabbage) along with such Bavarian delicacies as Obatzda (a spiced cheesebutter spread) and Weisswurst (a white sausage). ■

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People and Tradition

Kingdom of Beer, Sausages and Multiculturalism

The United Nations Population Fund lists Germany as host to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide

W

ith a population of 80.2 million according to the May 2011 census, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and ranks as the 16th most populous country in the world, with 225 inhabitants per square kilometre.

The overall life expectancy in Germany from birth is 80.19 years (77.93 years for males and 82.58 years for females). The fertility rate of 1.41 children born per woman (2011 estimates), or 8.33 births per 1,000 inhabitants, is one of

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the lowest in the world. Since the 1970s, Germany's death rate has continuously exceeded its birth rate. The Federal Statistical Office of Germany has forecast that the population could shrink to between 65 and 70 million by 2060 (depending on the level of net migration). However, such forecasts have often been proven wrong in the past, and Germany is currently witnessing increased birth rates and migration rates since the beginning of this decade. It is notably experiencing a strong increase in the number of well-educated migrants. In 2012, 300,000 more immigrants than emigrants

german-serbian business association 2013

were reported in Germany.

Germans by nationality make up 92.3% of the population of Germany. As of 2011, about six million foreign citizens (7.7% of the population) were registered in Germany. Regarding ethnic

former West Germany or Berlin.

In 2010, 2.3 million families with children under 18 years were living in Germany, in which at least one parent had foreign roots. They represented 29% of the total of 8.1 million families with minor chil-

The Easter “bunny” was first mentioned as a symbol of the holiday in German writings from the 1500s background, 20% of the country's residents, or more than 16 million people, were of foreign or partially foreign descent (including persons descending or partially descending from ethnic German repatriates), 96% of whom lived in the

dren. Compared with 2005 – the year when the micro census started to collect detailed information on the population with a migrant background – the proportion of migrant families has risen by 2 percentage points.

Most of the families with a migrant background live in the western part of Germany. In 2010, the proportion of migrant families in all families was 32% in the preunification territory of the Federal Republic. This figure was more than doubled in the new Länder (including Berlin) where it stood at 15%. Families with a migrant background more often have three or more minor children in the household than families without a migrant background. In 2010, about 15% of the families with a migrant background contained three or more minor children, as compared with just 9% of the families without a migrant background.

The United Nations Population Fund lists Germany as host to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide, about 5% or 10 million of all 191 million migrants. As a consequence of limitations to Germany's formerly rather unrestricted laws on asylum and immigration, the number of immigrants seeking asylum or claiming German ethnicity (mostly from the former Soviet Union) has been declining steadily since 2000.

In 2009, 20% of the population had immigrant roots, the highest since 1945. As of 2008, the largest national group was from Turkey (2.5 million), followed

by Italy (776,000) and Poland (687,000). About 3 million "Aussiedler"—ethnic Germans, mainly from the former eastern bloc— have resettled in Germany since 1987. Most ethnic minorities (especially those of non-European origin) reside in large urban areas like Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Rhine-Ruhr, RhineNeckar and Munich. The percentage of non-Germans and immigrants is rather low in rural areas and small towns, especially in the East German states of the former GDR territory. Germany is home

to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide.

Traditions and customs are usually dictated by feast days or festivals in the calendar and many have religious origins.

Carnival, Easter, Whitsun, town fairs, All Saints' Day or Christmas, to name but a few, were and still are the main festivals according to rural traditions. Pilgrimages, a feature of many religions, are a traditional journey that expresses religious devotion or fulfills a holy command. Pilgrimages were a major phenomenon in the Middle

ils and demons, and sites where sacrifices and religious rituals are said to have occurred. There are enigmatic places where pagan festivals and solstice celebrations were once held, which are often embellished with fairytales, myths, sagas and legends and impart a certain air of magic and mystery.

One tradition that Germans follow is hiding a pickle in their Christmas tree. Whoever finds the pickle gets to open the first gift.

Many of the things associated with Easter can be traced to Germany as

20% of the country's residents, or more than 16 million people, were of foreign or partially foreign descent Ages and still play an important role in Christian life as a testimony of faith. Every year, the veneration surrounding St. James' grave in Santiago de Compostela attracts millions of pilgrims from all over the world along a broad network of interwoven pilgrimage routes, throughout the whole of Europe – as it has done for more than 1,000 years. The German section of St. James' Way takes pilgrims to historical towns and cities with famous art treasures such as Trier, Cologne and Aachen. Almost everywhere there are magical places associated with great deeds or miracles, witches and sorcerers, even dev-

well. The Easter “bunny” was first mentioned as a symbol of the holiday in German writings from the 1500s. But German holiday tradition has its dark side too: the legend of Krampus, the demonic creature that accompanies Santa on Christmas Eve. Rather than simply being left off the list, or receiving a lump of coal for Christmas, Krampus punished bad children.

When it comes to wedding traditions, guests bring old dishes and toss them at the couple's feet, the shattering glass signifying good luck. This is called Polterabend, which translated means "an evening with lots of racket." Once all of the dishes have been broken,

the couple sweeps up the shards to symbolize that nothing in their marriage will be broken again. Another German wedding tradition happens when the wedding guests caravan the bride's belongings to her new home, where the groom greets her with beer.

The varied geography of Germany, which includes coastal plains, high-altitude mountains and thick forests, shaped an interesting culinary landscape. Early farmers had to grow what was suitable to the land, which limited their choices since they didn't have the flexibility to rotate crops the way growers in more forgiving regions could. This, combined with long winters and short harvest seasons, put an emphasis on hearty grains including barley, wheat, and hops. From these ingredients, this region started brewing beer in around 800 B.C. and Germany's long, rich history as brew masters.

At the height of the Roman Empire, several settlements cropped up as far north as the Danube River, which crosses the southern portion of modern-day Germany. This opened up important trade routes that introduced spices, fruits, and vegetables that until then were exotic to the area.

Modern German food reflects these early influences with an emphasis still on basic, hearty meals – the meat and potatoes of European fare. This is particularly true in the northern region. In the south, influences from Italy and France have coloured German cuisine where pasta is often substituted for potatoes.

Perhaps it is this lack of variety that makes Germans so inventive. For example, few things are held in the same esteem in Germany as sausages. There are more than 1,500 varieties, and the average German consumes nearly 70 pounds (31.75 kg) of the stuff every year. ■

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AAA-1 Rent d.o.o.

Olga Kolarovic Žorža Klemensoa 19 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 328 70 70 www.sixt.rs AC Brajic d.o.o.

Aleksa Brajic Milentija Popovica 9 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2206 288 milan.subotic@acbrajic.com www.acbrajic.com Adria Media Serbia d.o.o.

Dr. Alexander Teutsch Omladinskih brigada 88a 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 99 61 www.adriamedia.rs Agencija Almas Aleksandra Borlja Gaudijeva 79 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2456 298 beoalmas@eunet.rs www.almaso111.co.rs Agencija Neven Nevena Ceklic Mozerova 24a 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 260 70 20 info@centarjezikaneven.com www.centarjezikaneven.com AGS Belgrade d.o.o.

Fabris Grujic Višnjička 91 11060 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 208 59 17 www.agsmovers.com AKS Express Kurir d.o.o.

Zdravko Vasojevic Gavrila Principa BB 15000 Sabac, Serbia 381 15 354 332 www.aks-sabac.com Alliance international media d.o.o.

Ana Novcic Makenzijeva 67/II 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 24 50 508 office@aim.rs www.allianceinternationalmedia.com Alstom Representative Office

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Miodrag Jelisavcic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2200 580 www.alstom.com Ambrela Communication Kristina Saper Pavlovic Terazije 5 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3248 263 office@ambrela.rs www.ambrela.rs Anwaltskanzlei Dragan B. Tomic Dragan Tomic Krunska 41 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2622 472 office@djtlaw.rs www.djtlaw.rs Anwaltskanzlei Jankovic, Popovic & Mitic Nemanja Stepanovic Vladimira Popovica 6 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 68 50 office@jpm.rs www.jpm.rs Anwaltskanzlei Miroslav Stojanovic cooperating law office of Wolf Theiss Miroslav Stojanovic Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 6 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 330 29 00 miroslav.stojanovic@wolftheiss.com www.wolftheiss.com ATAIR GmbH Reiner Baumbach Wilmsbergerweg 12 48565 Steinfurt, Deutschland 49 (2552) 929 101 www.atair.de Atrium Consulting d.o.o.

Roman Klott Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 165G 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 220 58 23 www.atrium-consulting.com Babcock Borsig Power Usluge d.o.o.

Dejan Vracar Skadarska 15 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 303 33 40

www.bbps.bilfinger.de Ball Packaging Europe Belgrade LTD David Banjai Batajnicki drum 21A 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 377 06 00 www.ball-europe.com BASF d.o.o.

Harald Michael Kube Omladinskih brigada 90b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 309 34 00 www.basf.rs Bayer d.o.o.

Miodrag Stankovic Omladinskih brigada 88b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 02 63 www.bayercropscience.com BDO d.o.o.

Ksenija Ristic-Kostic Kneza Mihailova 10 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 383 11 328 18 08 www.bdo.co.rs BHG Brechtel GmbHOgranak Milan Lazarevic Balkanska 47 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 761 7455 mlazarevic@t-online.de www.bhg-brechtel.de Best Western Hotel Sumadija Njegomir Kilibarda Sumadijski Trg 8 11030 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3054 100 office@hotelsumadija.com www.hotelsumadija.com Berlin Chemie Repräsentanz Zeljko Milosevic MIlutina Milankovica 19a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 655 6090 office@berlin-chemie.rs www.berlin-chemie.rs Big Dutchman International GmbH Sasa Djuric Bulevar Oslobodjenja 30a 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia 381 21 633 41 41

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www.bigdutchman.rs Bilfinger Babcock Srbija d.o.o.

Dejan Vracar Skadarska 15 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 303 33 40 dejan.vracar@bbs.bilfinger.com www.bbps.bilfinger.de Binvex - Standard d.o.o.

Dragan Stefanovic Pozarevacka 35 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 383 68 82 offive@binvex.com www.binvex.com Biotec International d.o.o.

Gordana Juran Zdravkovic Resavska 2 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3340148 Biotronik d.o.o.

Djordje Krstic Bul. Arsenija Carnojevica 94/17 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 382 11 243 96 27 www.biotronik.com Bozic i sinovi d.o.o.

Nikola Egic Maksima Gorkog 3 26000 Pancevo, Serbia 381 13 331 166 www.bozic.rs Buck d.o.o.

Zoran Vasiljevic Milorada Jovanovica 9 11147 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2052 400 www.buck.rs BSH Kućni aparati d.o.o.

Gerald Schmidt Milutina Milankovica 11 A 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 386 (1) 5830861 www.bosch-home.rs www.siemens.home.rs Catering Plus d.o.o.

Aleksandar Durovic Vladimira Popovica 50 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 260 8410 office@catering.rs www.catering.rs CBS International d.o.o.

(Affiliate of CBRE Group)

Dragan Radulovic Omladinskih brigada 88b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 225 87 77 office@cbre.rs www.cbre.rs CLM Capcon Invest d.o.o.

Dejan Lazic Toplicin Venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia serbia@capcon-invest.com www.clm-capcon-invest.rs CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz d.o.o.

Dr. Radivoje Petrikic Cincar Jankova 3 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 320 89 00 Belgrade@cms-rrh.com www.cms-rrh.com Commerzbank AG Repräsentanz Belgrade Thomas Timme Vladimira Popovica 6, A-112 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 382 11 301 85 20 fi.Belgrade@commerzbank.com www.commerzbank.com Condata d.o.o.

Branko Kujundzic Carice Milice 3 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 262 90 21 www.condata.rs Confida Consulting d.o.o.

Dr. Sascha Brunner Knez Mihailova 22 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 303 91 04 www.confida.rs ContiTech Fluid Serbia d.o.o.

Zivko Topalovic Batinska 94 24000 Subotica, Serbia 381 24 4155 244 maja.katrinka@fluid.contitech.rs www.contitech.de Cube Risk Management Solutions d.o.o.

Marko Radojicic Jurija Gagarina 14L/47 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 630 0367 office@cube.rs; www.cube.rs Creditreform d.o.o.

Kaja Ristic Palmira Toljatija 5/III 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 269 60 59 www.creditreform.com DAD Dräxlmaier Automotive d.o.o.

Andreas Josef Weber Skladisna hala 1 Lokacija Bagljas, Aerodrom 23000 Zrenjanin, Serbia 381 23 519 001 www.draexlmaier.com DB International Ogranak Cathleen Potter Terazije 16 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3615 238 Cathleen.potter@db-international.de www.db-international.de DEG Deitsche Investitions- und entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH Wilhelm Icke Kämmergasse 22 50676 Köln, Deutschland 49 221 4986 1610 wilhelm.icke@deginvest.de www.definvest.de Delta Generali Osiguranje d.o.o.

Andrea Simoncelli Milentija Popovica 7b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 201 27 50 www.deltagenerali.rs Delta Motors (BMW) Milka Vojvodic Milentija Popovica 7b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 201 23 50 www.deltamgrupa.rs Delta Inzenjering d.o.o.

Bojan Tomic Milutina MIlankovica 7g 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 7856 901 office@deltainzenjering.rs www.deltainzenjering.rs Dertour d.o.o.

Vili Mitova Omladinskih Brigada 88b/IV 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 222 06 15 www.dertour.rs

Deutsche Bank AG Repräsentanz Belgrade Nemanja Zugic Balkanska 2/ IV/1402 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 205 50 50 www.db.com Deutsche Lufthansa AG Natalija Milic Terazije 3/III 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 303 09 44 info@lufthansa.com www.lufthansa.com Dewaco d.o.o.

Srdjan Pezo Bulevar Arsenija Carnojevica 102 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 22 366 400 www.man.rs office@man.rs DHL International Darko Babic Jurija Gargarina 36v 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 310 55 00 www.dhl.rs Dr. Oetker Mitic Zoran Vladimira Popovica 40 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2052 800 www.oetker.rs Dräger Tehnika d.o.o.

Predrag Gvoic Danijelova 12-16 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3911 222 office.serbia@draeger.com www.draeger.com DSD Konstruktion d.o.o.

Dr. Frank Minas Dr. Milana Petrovica 21 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia 381 21 67 91 888 www.dsd-serbia.co.rs Dunkermotoren d.o.o.

Volker Brunner, Nikolaus Gräf Batinska 94, 24000 Subotica, Serbia 381 24 630 100 www.dunkermotoren.com Ecologica Urbo d.o.o.

Evica Rajic Save Kovacevica 3/1

34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 381 34 331 332 office@ecourbo.com www.ecourbo.com Ecovis Confidas d.o.o Alexander Samonig Imotska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 395 68 00 www.ps-confidas.rs EDR GmbH Helmut Ferrari Dillwächterstr. 5 80686 München, Deutschland 49 89 547112 0 www.edr.de eKapija.com d.o.o.

Zdravko Loncar Vladimira Popovica 14 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 212 05 11 www.ekapija.com Euro Atlantic Corporation d.o.o.

Goran Mandic Toplicin venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 20 28 058 euroatlantic@gmail.com Embassy Techzones d.o.o.

Ramgopal Narayanan Dedinjska 10, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2660 694 EOS Matrix d.o.o.

Irina Lada Djordja Stanojevica 14 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 330 07 00 www.eos-matrix.rs Ernst & Young Beograd d.o.o.

Stephen James Fish Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 115D 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 209 58 00 www.ey.com Erste Group Immorent Serbia d.o.o.

Dr. Claus Graggaber Milutina Milanovica 15 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 228 74 82 office.rs@immorent.com www.erstegroupimmorent.com Euro Logistic Service doo Sasa Orlov Vladimira Popovica 6/A307

11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 7856 414 office@els.co.rs www.els.at Eurofast Global d.o.o.

Panayiotis Diallinas Beogradska 31/4 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3241 484 Belgrade@eurofast.eu www.eurofast.eu Ex Ecentar Vojkan Pesic Viline Vode BB 11158 Belgrade, Serbia 381 63 684 063 www.execentar-it.rs Falke Serbia d.o.o.

Martin Nyland Bulevar Oslobodjenja BB, Lokal 11 16000 Leskovac, Serbia 381 16 216 416 falke.serbia@falke.com www.falke.com Farmalogist d.o.o.

Silvana Dzudzevic Bul. Vojvode Misica 25-27 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 331 50 00 www.farmalogist.rs Ferdinand Bilstein SEE d.o.o.

Zoran Petrovic Brdjanska 410 11232 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 8652 874 office@febigap.co.rs www.febi.com Festo Gesellschaft m.b.H. Ivan Zekavica Toplice Milana 14 A 11050 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2892 295 www.festo.rs FHI Zdravlje a.d.

Miomir Nikolic Vlajkova 199 16000 Leskovac,Serbia 381 16 202 201 info@actavis.rs www.actavis.rs Finnex Intl. Trade Co. Predrag Tomic Hilandarska 16/11 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 323 73 36

www.finnex.rs First Data SCG d.o.o.

Predrag Vranic Kopernikova 8 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 11 00 www.firstdata.rs Fresenius Medical Care Srbija d.o.o.

Predrag Vranic Beogradksi put bb 26300 Vrsac, Serbia 381 11 395 10 00 www.fmc-srbija.com Fresenius Medical Care Srbija d.o.o. - specijalna bolnica za hemodijalizu Aleksandar Danilovic Ustanicka 63 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 395 10 10 www.fmc-srbija.com Fruterra d.o.o.

Milan Timotic Cara Dusana 205 a 11080 Zemun, Serbia 381 11 3168 159 office-bg@fruterra.com www.fruterra.com G.P. Gradjevinar Miroslav Mihajlovic Trnska 25 / Vracar 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11.3446593 www.gradjevinar.rs GEA Farm Technologies Serbia d.o.o.

Petar Petrovic Konstantina Jovanovića 10 11080 Zemun, Serbia www.geagroup.com Gebrüder Weiss d.o.o.

Dragan Simovic Beogradska bb 11272 Dobanovci, Serbia 381 11 3715 200 www.gw-world.rs Geze d.o.o.

Marc Alber Elemirski drum bb 23000 Zrenjanin, Serbia 381 23 519 600 v.milic@geze.com www.geze.com GfK Beograd - Growth from

Knowlegde Beograd Marijana Agic-Molnar Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 10b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 7155 888 www.gfk.rs GfK - Gesellschaft für Konsumforschung d.o.o.

Marijana Agic-Molnar Milutina Milankovica 27 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3130500 www.gfk.rs GI Group HR Solutions d.o.o.

Olga Svoboda Prote Mateje 52 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3086 180 office@gigroup.com www.gigroup.rs GIZ - Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH Uwe Stumpf Brzakova 20 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 36 98 128 giz-Serbia@giz.de www.giz.de Glob Metropoliten Tours Mirjana Ljubinkovic Makenzijeva 26 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2430 899 www.metropoliten.com Grading d.o.o.

Miroslav Mihajlovic Dimitrija Marjanovica 26 35250 Paracin, Serbia 381 35 887 14 01 www.garding.rs Grah Automobile d.o.o.

Aca Zlatic Kneza Milosa Obrenovica 9A 34227 Batocina, Serbia 381 34 501060 aca.zlatic@grah-automotive.com Grammer System Pierluigi Ghiome 22. Decembar 18220 Aleksinac, Serbia 381 18 809 100 www.grammer.com Grand Motors d.o.o.

Stanko Radic

Milutina Milankovica 21 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 209 06 61 www.ford.rs Gruner Serbian d.o.o.

Vladica Stankovic Marka Oreskovica bb 16210 Vlasotince, Serbia 381 16 23 08 00 vladica.stankovic@gruner.de www.gruner.de Harting Eastern Europe Dietmar Harting Max-Planck-Straße 1 32339 Espelkamp, Deutschland 49 57 72 47 9639 frank.weber@HARTING.com www.harting-easterneurope.com Hemofarm a.d.

Ronald Seeliger Beogradski put bb 26300 Vrsac, Serbia 381 13 80 31 00 info@hemofarm.com www.hemofarm.com Henkel Srbija d.o.o.

Christoph Till Bulevar Oslobodenja 383 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 22 09 www.henkel.com Hinte GmbH Olaf Freier Bannwaldallee 60 76185 Karlsruhe, Deutschland 49 721 9 31 33 0 www.hinte-messe.de HLB T&M Consulting d.o.o.

Milka Zivkovic Mlatisumina 19 V/10 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 01 13448169 milka.zivkovic@tmconsulting.rs Hödlmayr Zastava d.o.o.

Markus Wäger Trg Topolivaca 4 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 381 34 323 239 www.hoedlmayr.com Holiday Inn Belgrade Thomas Pavlovic Belexpocentar d.o.o.

Spanskih boraca 74 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3100 000

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www.holiday-inn.rs Holleman d.o.o.

Dejan Tubić Milinka Kušića 1/3 11250 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 257 13 89 www.holleman.rs Hormann Vrata d.o.o.

Bojan Simovic Udarnih desetina 32 11271 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 8440 821 www.hormann.rs Hoyer d.o.o.

Zarko Andjelkovic Banjicki put 62 11090 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 359 24 56 zarko.andjelkovic@hoyer-serbia.com www.hoyer-group.com www.hoyer-Serbia.com HRD agencija za menadzment i konsalting Zvonko Popovic Nikole Dobrovica 17 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 227 17 40 www.mvmaster.rs HRG Serbia & Montenegro (BT - Pegrotour d.o.o.)

Predrag Spanjevic Cubrina 4 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 303 66 26 www.hrgworldwide.com Hyatt Regency Belgrade Hom Parvitz Milentija Popovića 5 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 301 1234 www.hyatt.com IB Interbilanz Consulting d.o.o.

Marco Egger Milutina Milankovića 136a 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 6557 044 office@ibgroup.rs IHK Chemnitz K.d.ö.R. Hans Joachim Wunderlich Straße der Nationen 25 9111 Chemnitz, Deutschland 49 371 6900 0 chemnitz@chemnitz.ihk.de www.chemnitz.ihk.24.de

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IMO d.o.o.

Mirko Vincetic Stevana Markovica 8 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 2106 404 imo@eunet.rs www.merdevineiskele.com Imperial Tobacco SCG d.o.o.

Vladimir Mikic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/XII 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2200 800 office@rs.imptob.com www.imperial-tobacco.com IN Hotel Beograd d.o.o.

Ruzica Petrovic Dedijer Bulevar Arsenija Carnojevica 54a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 310 5300 office@inhotel-Belgrade.rs www.inhotel-Belgrade.rs Industrie Maurizio Peruzzo Balkan d.o.o.

Luca Brun Radnicka 35 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 355 22 42 office@impbalkan.rs www.impbalkan.rs Infobiro d.o.o Sanja Ignjatović Kursulina 13 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 33 48 209;30 85 066 sanja.ignjatovic@infobiro.tv www.infobiro.tv Infostud 3 d.o.o.

Branislava Gajic Aleja Marsala Tita 26/3 24000 Subotica, Serbia 381 24 650 510 info@infostud.com www.infostud.com Infoterm d.o.o. Nis Marko Minic Prvomajska 11-3 18000 Nis, Serbia 381 18 250 422 info@infoterm.rs www.infoterm.rs IVA 28 d.o.o.

Bojan Ercevic Jurija Gargarina 231/322 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 301 56 40

www.iva28.rs JIE engineering d.o.o.

Jordanka Belic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 10A 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3139742 info@jie-engineering.com www.jie-engineering.com KESZ d.o.o.

Breier Szabolcs Bul.Kneza A.Karadjordjevica 23 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3674 408 breiersz@kesz.hu www.kesz.rs KfW Beograd Jürgen Welschof Brzakova 20 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 382 11 63 034 02 www.kfw-entwicklungsbank. de/serbia KK Konsultation Klaudija Kuljak Maßmannstraße 2 80333 München, Deutschland 49 89 379 590 63 Klaster Modne i Odevne Industrije Srbije Sladjana Milojevic Omladinskih brigada 14/35 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 228 79 48 info@clusterfacts.org.rs www.clusterfacts.org.rs KNAUF AMF doo Karl Wenig Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 294/1 11000 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 344 16 20 Popovic.Dejan@knaufamf.com popovic@amf-yu.co.rs http://www.amfgrafenau.de Knauf Insulation d.o.o.

Beograd Tihomir Civkarovski Batajnicki drum 16b, Privredna Zona Gornji Zemun, Zona 4 11080 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 331 08 00 office.Belgrade@knaufinsulation.com www.knaufinsulation.rs Knauf Zemun d.o.o.

Todor Delovski

german-serbian business association 2013

Batajnicki drum 16b, Privredna Zona Gornji Zemun, Zona 4 11080 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 207 45 00 info@knauf.rs www.knauf.com; www.knauf.co.rs Knuth d.o.o.

Bransilav Paunovic Zemunska 174 11272 Dobanovci, Serbia 381 11 226 14 77 www.knuth.rs Komnenovic Auto Milos Komnenovic Dragoslava Srejovica 2 c 11000 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 329 23 89 www.opelkomnenovic.rs KPMG d.o.o.

James Thornley Kraljice Natalije 11 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 205 05 00 www.kpmg.rs La Lubenica d.o.o. (Berlitz) Aleksandar Nikolic Vladimira Popovica 44 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 312 0436 office@berlitz.co.rs www.berlitz.co.rs Lahyer d.o.o.

Dragan Caric Bul. Arsenija Carnojevica 78/18 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2129 688 info@layher.rs www.layer.rs Legi-SGS d.o.o.

Sebstijan Babic Novo Naselje 10 11184 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 800 14 07 www.legi.rs LeitnerLeitner Pavo Djedovic Uzun Mirkova 3 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 655 5105 office.Belgrade@leitnerleitner.com www.leitnerleitner.com Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast d.o.o.

Joerg Paechnatz Pane Dukica 1

18400 Prokuplje, Serbia 381 27 319 111 jasmina.milosavljevic@leoni.com www.leoni.com Letač Mile Savic Kralja Petra I bb 22320 Inđija, Serbia 381 22 510 031 www.letac.rs Lidl Serbia Supermarketi k.d.

Dragan Cigoja Omladinskih brigada 102 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 655 4000 ekspanzija@lidl.rs www.lidl.rs Linde Gas Srbija Zoran Popov Petrovoselski put 143 21220 Becej, Serbia 381 21 681 10 10 office@rs.linde-gas.com www.linde.com Linde Viljuskari d.o.o.

Vesna Jovanovic Autoput BG-NS 294a 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11377 42 41 www.linde-mh.rs Lindner d.o.o.

Popovic Vojislav 11050 Beograd, Serbia 382 11 3822 454 www.lindner-beograd.com LMB SOFT d.o.o.

Klaus Jentsch Bulevar Nikole Tesle bb 18000 Nis, Serbia 49 81 22 880 960 www.lmb.de Logwin Solutions SRB d.o.o.

Bogdan Soskic Ugrinovacki put BB 11277 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3714 714 www.logwin-logistics.com Losberger GmbH Matthias Raff Gottlieb-Daimler-Iling 14 74906 Bad Rappenau, Deutschland 49 7066 980 0 losberger@losberger.com www.losberger.com Mace d.o.o.

Branislav Simovic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/XXII 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 112200250 www.macegroup.com M+R Dichtungstechnik Am Sandborn 9 Thomas Wolf 63500 Seligenstadt, Deutschland 49 6182 95670 www.mr-profiles.rs Manpower d.o.o.

Aleksandar Hangimana Francuska 17 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2630 105 office@manpower.rs www.manpower.rs Mas-Promet d.o.o.

Petar Kukic Brace Nastic 12 11272 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 8465 624 www.maspromet.rs Mašinoprojekt Kopring Radomir Lalic Dobrinjska 8a, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3635 724 www.masinoprojekt.co.rs Mediteran fashion d.o.o.

Nikola Milovanovic Milovana Glisica 10 36000 Kraljevo, Serbia 381 36 313 782 mediteranf@gmail.com www.mediteranfashion.com MCB edukacija d.o.o.

Bojan Scepanovic Ustanicka 189 11050 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3047 126 www.mcb.rs Mehler Protective System Thomas Wolf Bagljaš Aerodrom 13187/3 23000 Zrenjanin, Serbia 381 23 532 870 mehler@mehler.rs Meier Mechanic d.o.o.

Andre Meier Industrijska 7 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 381 34 355 571 meierm@open.telekom.rs

www.meier-mechanic.ch Medinic Eksport-Import d.o.o.

Ljiljana Belcevic Danicareva 57 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 304 77 44 www.medicin.com Mercedes-Benz Srbija i Crna Gora d.o.o.

Rolf-Juergen Seyerle Omladinskih Brigada 33 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 301 90 01 www.mercedes-benz.rs Merck d.o.o.

Jacek Mazurkiewicz Djordja Stanojevica 12 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 217 57 61 www.merck.rs Messer Tehnogas a.d.

Ernst Bode Banjicki put 62 11090 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 353 72 70 www.messer.rs Metro Cash Carry d.o.o.

Christian Hylkema Autoput za Novi Sad 120 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 377 73 66 www.metro.rs Metropol Palace d.o.o.

Dragana Mudrić Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra 69 11000 Belgrade,Serbia 381 11 333 3100 marketing@metropolpalace.com www.metropolpalace.com Milsped d.o.o.

Nebojsa Ikovic Savski Nasip 7 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 2015 100 www.milsped.com MMM Münchener Medizin Mechanik GmbH Michael Geutler, Rainer Balzer Adreas Thiede Semmelweisstr. 6 82152 Planegg-München, Deutschland 49 89 899 180 info@mmmgroup.com

www.mmmgroup.com Mopex d.o.o.

Dusan Radakovic General Ždanova 18 11223 Beli Potok, Serbia 381 11 202 62 00 www.mopex.rs MOVEM & Co Njegoslav Trifkovic Milentija Popovića 9 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 311 14 37 www.movem.rs Muehlbauer d.o.o.

Hubert Forster Evropska 17 22300 Stara Pazova, Serbia 381 22 215 5100 info@muehlbauer.de www.muehlbauer.de Multipartner Sistem Predrag Krstev Milentija Popovica 5V 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 6555 821 office@multipartnersistem.com www.multipartnersistem.com NDP Audit & Consulting d.o.o.

Vladimir Dabic Toplicin Venac 3/IV 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 308 57 80 www.ndp-audit.rs Nestle Adria Foods d.o.o.

Ansgar Bornemann Milutina Milankovica 11a 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 201 9301 info@cs.nestle.com www.nestle.rs Norma Grupa Jugoistocna Evropa d.o.o.

Gerard Patrick Doyle Batinska 94 24000 Subotica, Serbia 381 24 644 500 info.rs@normagroup.com www.normagroup.com Officecom d.o.o. Beograd Kai Aufenberg Tronoska 18 11185 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 377 45 38 www.officecom.rs

Opel Southeast Europe d.o.o.

Ivan Kekic Bulevara Mihajla Pupina 165G 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3015 202 www.opel.rs Osram d.o.o.

Miroslav Lajesic Djordja Stanojevica 14 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 228 17 17 www.osram.rs Ovation advertising d.o.o.

Dragoslav Ilic Bulevar Arsenija Carnojevica 99v 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3139 120 www.ovation.rs P3 Communications Engineering Vladimir Obradovic Majora Gavrilovića 1 14000 Valjevo, Serbia 381 14 292 100 p3-group.com Palco d.o.o.

Goran Negovanovic Nova 9 bb 15000 Sabac, Serbia 381 15 355 150 palco@eunet.rs www.palco.de Panasonic Lighting Devices Serbia d.o.o.

Dirk Bantel Karl Rojm bb 35210 Svilajnac, Serbia 49 2842 980 228 www.vossloh-schwabe.com Pediment d.o.o.

Goran Blagojevic Bulevara Mihajla Pupina 115b/VII 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3532 720 marijana.dubljevic@pediment.co.rs www.pediment.co.rs PERI OPLATE d.o.o.

Mile Bojanić Zmaja Ognjenog Vuka 2 22310 Šimanovci, Serbia 381 22 408 28 200 office@peri.rs www.peri.rs Pfeiffer d.o.o.

Slobodan Pilipović

Dušan Arbanovski Kumodraska 241 b 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 398 2667 pfeiffer.Belgrade@gmail.com www.ludwigpfeiffer.com Phiwa d.o.o Rudolf Walter Matija Korvina 17 24000 Subotica, Serbia 381 24 647 222 www.phiwa.com Phoenix Pharma d.o.o.

Tomislav Živanović Bore Stankovića 2 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 353 8100 office@phoenixpharma.rs www.phoenixpharma.rs Plattenhardt KG Bernd Krog Friedhofstrasse 52 73110 Hattenhofen, Deutschland 49 71 64 77 03 www.plattenhardt.de Pluris Consulting d.o.o.

Andrej Zverzhanovski Marsala Birjuzova 9 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2632 750 www.pluris.rs dpiegazki@yahoo.de Pre-Print d.o.o.

Stanko Krstin Josifa Marinkovica 10 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia 381 21 644 79 99 www.pre-print.rs PricewaterhouseCoopers d.o.o.

Biljana Bogovac Omladinskih brigada 88a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3302 100 www.pwc.rs Privredno drustvo za upravljanje privrednom zonom Svilajnac Marina Maksic Svetog Save 102 35210 Svilajnac, Serbia 381 35 312 010 slobodna.zona@svilajnac.rs Procredit Bank a.d. Beograd Svetlana Tolmaceva

Milutina Milankovica 17 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 78 55 www.procreditbank.rs Proel ad Vesna Milosevic Draze Markovica 25 12000 Pozarevac, Serbia 381 12 221 955 proel@open.telekom.rs www.proel-pozarevac.com Profine d.o.o.

Bojan Predojevic Batajnicki drum bb 11080 Zemun, Serbia 381 11 210 19 87 www.profine-group.com Protektorwerk Florenz Maisch GmbH & Co. KG Ljubo Nenadovic Miokovci bb 32000 Cacak, Serbia 381 32 882 245 www.protektor.com Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Joskovic, Stojanovic & Partner Milan Joksovic Internacionalih Brigada 38 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 344 59 70 www.jsplaw.co.rs Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Karanovic i Nikolic Dragan Karanovic, Dejan Nikolic Resavska 23 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 309 42 00 www.karanovic-nikolic.com Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Moravcevic, Vojnovic, Zdravkovic in Zusammenarbeit mit Schöhnherr Matija Vojnovic, Slaven Moravcevic Francuska 27 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 320 26 00 www.schoenherr.rs Rechtsanwaltskanzlei Tomic-Stevic-Dulic Ljubica Tomic Carice Milice 3/II 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 328 52 27

www.tomic-stevic.co.rs Rehau d.o.o.

Rafael Daum Strazilovska 7 11272 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 377 03 01 381 11 377 03 19 www.rehau.rs Reisswolf Serbia d.o.o.

Milan Bogovac Volarsko Polje BB 22300 Stara Pazova, Serbia 381 22 317 720 www.reisswolf.rs Robert Bosch d.o.o.

Jovanka Jovanovic Milutina Milankovica 11a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 205 23 01 www.bosch.rs Roedl & Partner d.o.o.

Slobodan Mihajlovic Čika Ljubina 12 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 26 20 185 www.roedl.com Rudnap Global Trade Miroslav Skulic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/21 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 22 50 850 www.rudnapglobaltrade.com S&T Srbija d.o.o.

Predrag Vranec Djordja Stanojevica 14 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 311 62 21 www.snt.rs Sano d.o.o.

Branimir Kampl Josifa Pancica 8 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia 381 21 446 917 www.sano.rs SAP West Balkans d.o.o.

Vojislav Genic Omladinskih brigada 88b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 353 69 00 www.sap.com Sauter Buliding Control Serbia d.o.o.

Mladen Vukanac Alekse Nenadović 15-17 11000 Beograd, Serbia

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381 11 3835 571 www.sauter.co.rs Schenker d.o.o.

Neven Marcesku Batajnicki drum 283 d 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 375 77 17 www.schenker.rs Schmitz Cargobull Vujo Crnomarkovic Novi novosadski put bb 11273 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 377 46 30 www.cargobull.rs Schuch d.o.o.

Steve Hoffmann Lejinova 187, 22400 Ruma, Serbia 381 22 490490 www.schuch24.com Scirent Clinical Research and Science d.o.o.

Jovan Veskovic Toplicin Venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 202 8044 office@scirent.org wwww.scirent.org SEE Business Embassies d.o.o.

Konstantin Varendorf Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 6/19 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 4404 405 customerservice@seeoffices.rs www.seeoffices.rs SGS Beograd d.o.o.

Dragan Konstantinovic Jurija Gagarina 7B 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 71 55 275 sgs.beograd@sgs.com www.sgs.com ShipsPark GmbH & Co KG Falk Holtmann Boschstr. 21 49733 Haren (Ems), Deutschland 49 5932 73 555 0 www.shipspark.de Siemens d.o.o.

Tihomir Rajlic Omladinskih brigada 21 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 209 63 05 www.siemens.rs Simacek Facility Services SRB d.o.o.

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Radovan Kovac Milentija Popovica 5a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 614 91 56 www.simacek.com Singi inzenjering d.o.o.

Aleksandar Marinovic Molerova 74 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 244 9054 prodaja@singi.rs www.singi.rs Skvoslend d.o.o.

Snezana Jovanovic Kneza Viseslava 27 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3548 040 uprava@squashland.com www.squashland.com SMF IT-Partner Vladan Alempijevic Trstenjakova 11 11090 Belgrade, Serbia 41 798 289 443 office@smf-it-partner.rs www.smf-it-partner.rs Spiegelfeld International d.o.o.

Radivoje Nijemcevic Milentija Popovića 5a 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 6603 720 www.spiegelfeld.eu Stan Technologies d.o.o.

Goran Dincic Biljana Kojic Miladinovic Aleksandra Petrovica 25 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 414 50 50 office@stantech.rs www.stantech.rs Stihl d.o.o.

Dijana Peskir Batajnicki drum 194b 11080 Belgrade, Serbia dijana.peskir@stihl.de www.stihl.com Stratega East d.o.o.

Zoran Ignjatovic Toplicin venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2028 044 ak@srategaeast.com www.startegaeast.com TeleSign Mobile Begrad d.o.o.

Steven Jillings Tresnjinog cveta 1 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 60 0319 287 okrsitc@telesign.com www.telesignmobile.com Tecon sistem d.o.o.

Sladjana Petrovic Antifasisticke borbe 21 b 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 301 78 74 www.tecon.rs Tehpro d.o.o.

Slađana Lazarević Lole Ribara 120 11250 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 2580 911 www.tehpro.rs TMS CEE d.o.o.

Bosko Gavovic Rudnicka 2, 11118 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 244 11 11 office@tuv.rs www.tuv.rs Teleoptik - gasna oprema Lela Lakic Trscanska 21 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3163 524 www.teleoptik.co.rs Termoinzenjering d.o.o.

Nebojsa Miletic Miloja Djaka 2 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2065 400 www.termoinzenjering.com Thales Transportation System GmbH Volker Schenk, Manfred Riedinger Lorenzstraße 10 70435 Stuttgart, Deutschland 49 711 869 468 90 henrik.klaner@thalesgroup.com www.thalesgroup.com/germany ThyssenKrupp Elevatori d.o.o.

Igor Tanaskovic Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 10z/1 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 212 96 12 thyssenkrupp-elevator-Serbia.com Trigema d.o.o.

Mihailo Kovacevic Vardarska 12 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 7152 888

german-serbian business association 2013

www.trigema.rs TRIMO inzenjering Zoran Cvijović Novo Naselje 9 22310 Simanovci, Serbia 381 22 480 100 office@trimo.rs www.trimo.rs TPA Horwath Tax & Finance d.o.o.

Bojan Zepinic Terazije 5/4 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 322 39 85 office@tpa-horwath.rs www.tpa-horwath.rs TRC pro (Technical Research Center) Hotimir Licen Preradoviceva 31 21131 Petrovaradin, Serbia 381 21 643 37 74 www.trcpro.rs Trenkwalder d.o.o.

Malisa Grujic Omladinskih brigada 86 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 212 90 63 www.trenkwalder.com TUI Reisecenter Aleksandar Marinković Toplicin Venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 715 25 75 www.tui-resecenter.rs TÜV Rheinland Intercert d.o.o.

Zoltan Karaszi Resavska 40/V 11000 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 3616 156 info@rs.tuv.com www.tuvcert.rs Udruzenje vazduhoplovne industrije Srbije – UVIS Velibor Vukasinovic Uzun Mirkova 4/6 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 2626 341 uvisaero@gmail.com www.uvisaero.rs Unicredit Leasing Srbija Emiliano Steinfl Trešnjinog cveta 1 11070 Beograd, Serbia 381 11 3093 500 www.unicreditleasing.rs UniCreditBank Srbija Claudio Cesario Rajiceva 27 – 29 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 320 45 00 www.unicreditbank.rs Unifarm Medicom d.o.o.

Dragana Jacovic Cara Dusana 264 11080 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 261 87 99 office@unifarmad.rs www.unifarmad.rs Uniqa nezivotno osiguranje d.o.o.

Siniša Nišić Milutina Milankovica 134g 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 202 41 00 info@uniqa.rs www.uniqa.rs Vaillant Zoran Bisercic Radnicka 59 11030 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3540 050 www.vaillant.rs Valman d.o.o.

Goran Galic Vojvode Prijezde 10 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 744 60 94 www.valman.rs VB Leasing d.o.o.

Christoph Leitner Djordja Stanojevica 12 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 201 65 03 www.vbleasing.rs VB savjeti d.o.o. - Kienbaum Partner Vladimir Blivajs A.Hebranga 28 10000 Zagreb, Hrvatska 385 14854 310 www.kienbaum.com Victoria Group Zoran Mitrovic Bulevar Mihajla Pupina 115b 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3532 700 office@victoriagroup.rs www.victoriagroup.rs Viega GmbH und Co. KG Ivko Sandic Kruzni put 16a 11090 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2379 518 ivko.sandic@viega.de www.viega.com Viessmann d.o.o. Beograd Bojan Grujicki Tabannovacka 3 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 309 78 87 www.viessmann.co.rs Vip Mobile d.o.o.

Tanasis Kacirumpas Omladinskih brigada 21 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 225 61 00 n.vucinic@vipmobile.rs www.vipmobile.rs Vukovic & Partner Dejan Vukovic Bulevar Vojvode Putnika 24 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 3690 316 office@vp.rs www.vp.com VUK Tax Attorneys Veljko Vukovic Toplicin venac 19-21 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 2028 044 www.vuk-ta.com

Wacker Neuson Kragujevac d.o.o.

Markus Ries Milice Miljojkovic 13 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 381 63 689 096 info.srb@wackerneuson.com www.wackerneuson.com WASI d.o.o.

Sasa Marinkovic Pancevacki put 38 11210 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 82 27 www.wasi.rs WAWASAN d.o.o.

Robert Ceh Omladinska 15B 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 63 297 552 www.wawasan.rs Weishaupt d.o.o. Beograd Zoran Veljkovic Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 6 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 220 06 01 www.weishaupt.rs Wilo Beograd d.o.o.

Dragan Simonovic Mijacka 3 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 285 12 78 www.wilo.rs Winterhalter Gastronom YU d.o.o.

Zorica Petrovic Zrenjanski put 84c 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 208 59 50 wiha.yu@eunet.rs www.winterhalter.co.rs Wolf GmbH Bernhard Steppe Industriestr. 1 84048 Mainburg, Deutschland 49 8751 740 www.wolf-heiztechnik.de Wood Master d.o.o.

Ivan Stojakovic Majora Gavrilovića 1 14000 Valjevo, Serbia 381 14 292 100 www.woodmaster.com Würth d.o.o. Beograd Aleksandar Grgic Svetog Save 60V 11271 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 207 82 00 www.wurth.co.rs Xella Srbija d.o.o.

Nikola Boroja Diše Djurdjevica bb 11560 Vreoci, Serbia 381 11 811 73 50 www.xella.rs ZOP Inzenjering d.o.o.

Zoran Opačić Karadjordjeva 61 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 381 11 628 6802 office@zopinzenjering.com www.zopinzenjering.com

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The Best Option for All Your Needs in Serbia Comprehensive, constantly updated news on events and happenings in Belgrade. Features and reviews authored by fellow Expat residents of Serbia. Up-to-date accomondation and entertainment german-serbian business association information. Useful links, listing and information on services, offers and the best deals. 2013 | 63

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