CorD Magazine September 2020 issue no. 191

MARTA NEŠKOVIĆ

Academic & Health Rules Hand-in-Hand

Freedom Is Sticking To Self-Discipline

www.cordmagazine.com

Recognising Kosovo’s Independendence Is No Condition For Serbia

IVANKA POPOVIĆ

Rector of the University of Belgrade

Researcher

SEPTEMBER 2020/ ISSUE NO. 191

H.E. FEDOR ROSOCHA

Ambassador of Slovakia to Serbia

interviews opinions news comments events COMMENT

Football

SYMBOLISM FOCUS

DEMANDING TIMES

Exclusive

ARCHBISHOP LUCIANO SURIANI

783002 771451 9

History Calls Us To Overcome Divisions

ISSN1451-7833

APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SERBIA

CONTENTS

06 FOOTBALL SYMBOLISM

18 ACADEMIC & HEALTH RULES HAND-IN-HAND

ZORAN PANOVIĆ

08 HISTORY CALLS US TO OVERCOME DIVISIONS

IVANKA POPOVIĆ Rector of the University of Belgrade

22 DEMANDING TIMES FOCUS

27 BUSINESS DIALOGUE 40 START SMALL, THINK BIG, SCALE FAST

MARTA NEŠKOVIĆ Researcher

55 ON THE EDGE OF THE FUTURE

ARCHBISHOP LUCIANO SURIANI Apostolic Nuncio In Serbia

12 RECOGNISING KOSOVO’S INDEPENDENDENCE IS NO CONDITION FOR SERBIA

SARA BLAKELY CEO of Spanx

43 WE LISTEN TO FILMMAKERS AND FILMGOERS

H.E. FEDOR ROSOCHA Ambassador of Slovakia to Serbia

16 GLOBAL DIARY

CORD MAGAZINE

ART

50 FREEDOM IS STICKING TO SELF-DISCIPLINE

@CORD_MAGAZINE

@CORDMAGAZINE

44 10 MOST EXPENSIVE PAINTINGS EVER

DR IVAN MEDENICA artistic director, curator and selector of the Belgrade International Theatre Festival – BITEF

58 CHILL OUT 60 STUNNING COMBINATIONS FOR LATE SUMMER & EARLY AUTUMN FASHION

62 CULTURE CALENDAR GORDAN MATIĆ Director of the Film Centre of Serbia

64 FACES & PLACES

CORDMAGAZINE

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs

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

DESIGN: Jasmina Laković j.lakovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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

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OFFICE MANAGER: Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs FINANCE: Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER: Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER: Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

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Comment

Football

Symbolism

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ

P

rior the match there was less feeling for the spirit of Vučić’s “little Schengen” and more of a sense of the tension of Serbian-Albanian relations, which were raised to a higher conceptual level when Ismail Morina flew a drone displaying the Greater Albania flag over the stadium in Belgrade on 14th October 2014 during an international football match between Serbia and Albania, which resulted in a conflict between the fans on the field and the calling off of the match.

The Serbian champions arrived in Tirana under the burden of a national obligation to take revenge for the gesture of British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa, who first posted a map of ‘Greater Albania’ on social networks and said that Apple should put it on its map, only to then ‘appropriate’ ajvar chutney (whether only from paprika or also from aubergine) as an Albanian product. Red Star won one-nil without spectators, due to the Coronavirus, but the way they played doesn’t instil any self-confidence, whether in football or politics.

Trump has more or less remedied Serbia’s anti-Americanism, which can mostly be boiled down to an anti-Clinton stance. According to the administration of George Bush Jr., which recognised Kosovo’s independence, there is no special dislike in Serbia, and Condoleezza Rice has been forgotten, unlike Madeleine Albright, who is still fairly despised even today.

In August 2016, Trump’s opponent in this coming November’s elections, Joe Biden, who

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As an overture to the September negotiations between Belgrade and Priština in Washington, a qualification match for the UEFA Champions League was drawn between Albanian champions Tirana and Serbian champions Red Star in Tirana was then vice president of the United States, visited part of the highway from Gnjilan to Uroševac, which leads to the U.S. Bondsteel military base. The Priština authorities named the road after Biden’s late son Beau, who once volunteered in Kosovo.

Albanians in Albania gave a euphoric welcome to U.S. President George W. Bush in 2007. Serbia is ready to welcome Trump in the same way, provided he offers an “honourable solution”, because it’s unlikely that Biden would offer a “more honourable” one.

Albanians (from Albania) have won the sympathy of Serbs at least twice in recent history: the first time was when they took up rifles after the collapse of the pyramid savings banks, unlike the citizens of Serbia who displayed no such fighting spirit on that issue, and the second time was during that same Bush visit, when someone from that exalted crowd stole his watch from his wrist.

The Serbian champions arrived in Tirana under the burden of a national obligation to take revenge for the gesture of British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa, who posted a map of ‘Greater Albania’ on social networks

Among fans of The Simpsons in Serbia, one of the most popular episodes is the one about the “little Albanian”, whose target, as agent Sigurimi, is the nuclear power plant where Homer Simpson works.

Edi Rama’s visit to Belgrade in 2014 was as sensational as Arthur Clarke’s novel Rendezvous with Rama. Prior to his arrival, the most senior Albanian official in Belgrade was Enver Hoxha, who visited Tito in 1947.

Albanian club Flamurtari knocked Belgrade’s Partizan out of Europe during the 1987/88 season, with a spectacular goal by Sokol Kušta at the Yugoslav People’s Army Stadium in Belgrade. Flamurtari was only stopped by Barcelona, with Schuster and Lineker at the Camp Nou stadium. The Albania where Partizan (Valona) played and the one where Red Star arrived recently show Albania’s great leap.

Serbian tourists, who are more regionally flexible and acceptable than “political Serbs”, additionally contributed to Albania not being a “terra incognita” this summer, but rather a potential hit destination. And that is even though there are still those hibernating in Serbia who perceive Albania as if it were the time of “the land of bunkers” and “Flamurtari”.

Serbian tourists who discovered the Bosnian sea in Neum, who - despite the Coronavirus pandemic - set out fearlessly for the beaches of Croatia, Albania and Montenegro, represent great political capital for Serbia.

Perhaps tomorrow we’ll see them discovering the tourism beauties of Kosovo.

Interview Exclusive ARCHBISHOP LUCIANO SURIANI APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SERBIA

Bilateral relations between the Vatican and Serbia are good, and relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church are cordial and constructive, says Archbishop Luciano Suriani, summarising his fouryear experience of Serbia in this interview for CorD Magazine. This March celebration of the hundredth anniversary of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the Vatican could provide an opportunity for the Pope to make an historic visit to Serbia, hopes Archbishop Suriani, while he also states openly that the main obstacle hindering the arrival of the Pope in our country are relations between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Croatia. He recounts that Pope Francis expressed his “full willingness to search for historical truth” in the case of the proposed canonisation of Croatian Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac, so that it would no longer be a cause for discord between Orthodox believers and Catholics, or between Serbs and Croats. This year marks the centenary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Serbia.

How would you describe that century, which is considered publicly as having found the Holy See and Serbia on completely opposite sides of history?

It is not easy to encapsulate a century of history in

If, on the one hand, we all remember the historic meeting of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow with Pope Francis in February 2016 in Cuba, then on the other hand we have yet to see the meeting of Patriarch Irinej and Pope Francis Archbishop Luciano Suriani 8

September

History Calls Us To

Overcome Divisions

RELATIONS

It does not seem to me that Serbia and the Holy See have found themselves on opposing sides, even if - during the SFRJ - there was a break in diplomatic relations

just a few lines. Over this long period of time, not only Serbia, but the whole of Europe and, I would say, the whole world have undergone experiences that will mark our history forever. While the Holy See has remained the same, the interlocutor has not always simply been Serbia. The first diplomatic relations, a hundred years ago, were established with the then Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.

Frankly, it does not seem to me that Serbia and the Holy See have found themselves on opposing sides, even if - during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia - there was a break in diplomatic relations, from December 1952 to June 1966, in response to the appointment as cardinal of Aloysius Viktor Stepinac, Archbishop of Zagreb, who was prevented from travelling to the Vatican to participate in the Consistory. The Holy See’s activities, promoted by the Roman Pontiff, have always been to promote the good of the human person and the protection of fundamental rights, including freedom of religion and worship, which are unfortunately not always respected by State authorities. I also witnessed, in the sad events of the ‘90s, how Pope John Paul II repeatedly sent his Foreign Minister – the late Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, whose personal secretary I was for about nine years – to Belgrade to offer the Holy See’s contribution to a peaceful, just and lasting solution to the disputes, in order to avoid the suffering and grief of the populations involved. Given that you’ve been in Serbia for four years already, how would you characterise relations between the Holy See and Serbia today?

I would say that they are good and cooperative.

They have certainly improved over the past few years, as can be seen in the official visits of the last two presidents of Serbia to the Holy Father, and the visit in June two years ago of the Secretary of State, who was received by the main offices of the State. Furthermore, a cooperation agreement has been reached at the cultural level and collaboration has been established between the Serbian National Library and the Vatican Apostolic Library.

PRIORITIES

Upon arriving in Serbia, therefore, I felt it my duty to include in my mission’s priorities a commitment to establishing good relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church, beginning with Patriarch Irinej

DIALOGUE

In ecumenical and, I would add, interreligious dialogue, audacity and courage are needed

Despite numerous calls to recognise the independence of Kosovo, the Vatican has

How would you describe your relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church?

declined to do so. Is the Holy See sticking to that decision and to what extent does

The first task of an Apostolic Nuncio is to foster relations with the Catholic Church and with the Government of the country to which he is appointed.

It is also important, however, to promote and nurture good relations in other realities of a country, especially religion. Upon arriving in Serbia, therefore, I felt it my duty to include in my mission’s priorities a commitment to establishing good relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church, beginning with Patriarch Irinej. I repeat here that I immediately felt welcomed very fraternally. My participation in the liturgies, presided over by His Holiness Irinej, is intended to express this communion and the common path, which I believe is irreversible, towards a fuller communion that will finally lead to the unity desired. I cannot fail, then, to refer to these good, cordial and constructive relations.

it influence relations with Serbia at the political level?

In order to understand the activity of the Holy See, I think it is important to bear in mind that, although it is a subject of international law, it cannot easily be compared to a state in all respects. This is also why it is part of the United Nations, and other international organisations, almost always as an Observer.

This means that the interests and objectives pursued by the Holy See in its diplomatic activity are very

In the case of Kosovo, the Holy See, from the very beginning, has tried to encourage and help the parties involved, so that through open, sincere and constructive dialogue they can reach an equitable solution, which will be for the good of all as much as possible often different from those of a state. In the case of Kosovo, the Holy See, from the very beginning, has tried to encourage and help the parties involved, so that through open, sincere and constructive dialogue they can reach an equitable solution, which will be for the good of all as much as possible. You stated in one interview that Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Irinej “accepted you as a brother” from your very first meeting.

You assessed that a lot still remains to be done to improve relations with Serbia, noting that Serbia should stop seeing the Catholic community in the country as a “foreign body” and to accept it as an “integral part of the social community”.

I confess that when I first celebrated the Eucharist in a parish community, at Easter 2016 in Pančevo, not even two months after my arrival in Serbia, I was deeply surprised by the fact that we used five different languages! Behind every language lies a culture, a tradition, a history and also a geography.

But since then I have come to understand that these multiple differences can have a positive or negative effect on the ecclesial and social fabric. I believe that diversity should be a mutual gift, enriching interpersonal and social relationships, opening minds and hearts to those who are different. Yet if we place too much emphasis on what distinguishes us, then peculiarities and nationalisms inevitably resurface, with the consequence that differences become obstacles or, even worse, walls. A Christian, the word itself indicates, even before belonging to a nation, belongs to Christ, who gave his life for us.

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Interview Exclusive Federation were established just ten years ago. It could be that there are some, unthinkably closed to ecumenical dialogue, but if we know how to read the signs of the times, history insistently calls on us to heal rifts and overcome divisions with reconciliation and forgiveness, in order to work harmoniously together for the Kingdom of God. Pope Francis visited Bulgaria and North Macedonia last year, and you’ve said that he would also gladly visit Serbia. You’ve also said that you got the impression from talking to people that a large number of Serbian citizens would be happy to see the Pope make a visit.

What do you consider as the biggest obstacle preventing such a visit?

ARCHBISHOP LUCIANO SURIANI AND POPE FRANCIS

No Christian, then, should feel “foreign” in Serbia, nor in any of the world’s countries. The Church herself is universal, not national. The task of national governments is precisely to promote the settling of differences, protecting and fostering the rights of individuals and communities, especially those of minorities. Effective cooperation between civil and religious authorities is clearly advantageous to all.

Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church without progress in the dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church?

No Christian, then, should feel “foreign” in Serbia, nor in any of the world’s countries. The Church herself is universal, not national. The task of national governments is precisely to promote the settling of differences, protecting and fostering the rights of individuals and communities, especially those of minorities

In ecumenical and, I would add, interreligious dialogue, audacity and courage are needed. Pope Francis has demonstrated this since the beginning of his pontificate, taking every opportunity, especially during his travels, to meet the religious leaders of the countries he visits. You know that the Patriarchates are autocephalous, therefore there is no single dialoguepartner with the Orthodox world. This aspect makes the ecumenical journey longer and more complex, because the sensitivities of individual patriarchates differ. Regarding the influence of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Patriarchate of Moscow, I am

unable to assess its impact on relations between the Holy See and the Serbian Orthodox Church, but allow me to state that if, on the one hand, we all remember the historic meeting of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow with Pope Francis in February 2016 in Cuba, then on the other hand we have yet to see the meeting of Patriarch Irinej and Pope Francis!

I personally hope this will take place as soon as possible, considering that we are celebrating 100 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the Holy See, whereas relations with the Russian

In your opinion, how much are relations between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Vatican dependent on the quality of bilateral relations and how much do they depend on the course and tone of ecumenical dialogue between Catholic and Orthodox Churches in general? Specifically, can there be reconciliation and harmonisation between the Serbian

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Yes, it is true that Pope Francis has travelled close to Serbia, expressing the desire to visit, and many Serbs are wondering and asking me why this does not happen. You ask what the biggest obstacle preventing that is. I have no difficulty in defining that, although - as a Christian and as a Bishop - I do so with sadness and suffering. The obstacle that continues to be felt, particularly in ecclesiastical circles, is the troubled relationship that unfortunately exists between the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Croatia. I say this with sorrow because today, more than ever, individual believers and religious communities are called on to bear witness to their faith, working together for harmony and peace among peoples. Returning from his Balkan trip, Pope Francis allegedly confirmed that there would be no canonisation of Croatian Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac at this juncture. Media quoted Pope Francis’s reflections on the “vague points in history” and the question he posed himself “what would canonisation serve if the truth is not clear”. How do you see this process?

If it were an easy question, it would already have been answered. I believe I can affirm that, for Pope Francis, there has been full willingness to search for historical truth. It was his idea to establish a mixed Commission, of Orthodox believers and Catholics, with the task of working together to dispel any shadow of doubt. It is not always simple, and perhaps not even appropriate, to evaluate and judge events of the past with the elements and categories of the present. An objective reading of history, free from feelings and passions, is no easy task. Looking from the outside, I sometimes have the impression that

we run the risk of “mythologising” the figure of the Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, ascribing to him actions that were not his. It is not up to me to say whether or not to proceed with the canonisation. That will be a decision of the Pope, who, I repeat, has shown every concern that the Stepinac “case” no longer be a cause for discord. Therefore, my sincere wish is that this difficulty will become an occasion for dialogue and reconciliation between Orthodox believers and Catholics, or between Serbs and Croats. It is only in this way, as Christians and as brothers and sisters, that we will be credible before the world, because Jesus said: by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. The entire world is confronting the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from health problems, this Coronavirus has highlighted many other problems afflicting the modern world. In his addresses, Pope Francis emphasises the need not to forget the poor, who are again the most imperilled. Will the “post-Covid” world be a world of reaffirmed values of cooperation and tolerance, or a world in which states and people are focused even more on themselves and their own survival?

Pope Francis, like all of us, is living through what no one could have imagined. The Coronavirus has highlighted the globalisation of human frailty. During the prayer of 27th March, in an empty Saint Peter’s Square under the pouring rain, the Pope compared the pandemic to a storm that hit humanity suddenly and violently. Among other things, he said: “The storm exposes our vulnerability and uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around which we have constructed our daily schedules, our projects, our habits and priorities. It shows us how we have allowed to become dull and feeble the very things that nourish, sustain and strengthen our lives and our communities… Greedy for profit, we let ourselves get caught up in things, and lured away by haste. We did not stop at your reproach to us, we were not shaken awake by wars or injustice across the world, nor did we listen to the cry of the poor or of our ailing planet.

We carried on regardless, thinking we would stay healthy in a world that was sick”. Pope Francis has reiterated several times: “We are in the same boat, so we cannot save only ourselves”. From the beginning, and looking towards the post-pandemic period, he established a Commission within the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, to work in collaboration with other Departments of the Roman

An objective reading of history, free from feelings and passions, is no easy task. Looking from the outside, I sometimes have the impression that we run the risk of “mythologising” the figure of the Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, ascribing to him actions that were not his Curia and other Institutions, to express the Church’s concern and love for the entire human family in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially through analysis of and reflection on the socio-economic and cultural challenges of the future, and by proposing guidelines for confronting them. He constantly promotes an “integral ecology” that respects and protects our “common home”, placing the dignity and well-being of the human person first. History teaches us about life, but we must have the courage and humility to learn from history! Bans on large gatherings of people – as one of the measures in the fight against

COVID-19 – prompted indignation among some believers in Serbia, who emphasised that physically attending church is a necessary part of practising their faith. Services held on the eve of Easter in Rome were attended only by the Pope, doctors and one prisoner.

How will religious services look in the “new reality” imposed by the pandemic, which will seemingly last for at least another year?

Unfortunately, the limitations imposed throughout the world for avoiding the spread of infection have affected the religious life of individuals and communities, causing further suffering. Not being able to take part in liturgical celebrations, precisely at a time when believers need the support of faith and the strength that comes from the Eucharist, the bread of eternal life and nourishment for those on their way to the Father’s House, has been and remains an extra burden. Perhaps in some countries the limitations imposed on religious communities have sometimes been excessive, compared to those arranged for other group activities, underestimating the importance of freedom of religion and worship to believers. Yet if they have helped as much as possible to avoid the virus’s spread, we are happy to have made our, even painful, contribution to the common good. As for the duration of the pandemic, I think only God knows! For our part, we will try to live with various limitations, trying to draw some teachings and encouragement from this experience for a more authentic Christian life and a deeper spirituality.

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Interview H.E. FEDOR ROSOCHA

AMBASSADOR OF SLOVAKIA TO SERBIA

The new ambassador of Slovakia to Serbia, H.E. Fedor Rosocha, hopes that his countryman and fellow diplomat with experience in the region, Miroslav Lajčak, will be able to bring Belgrade and Priština into the position to sign a comprehensive agreement on the normalisation of relations. In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Rosocha says that Slovakia supports that dialogue whilst maintaining the decision it made in 2007 not to recognise the unilaterally declared independence of the breakaway Serbian province. One of Ambassador Rosocha’s key priorities that is currently being hampered by the Coronavirus pandemic is the organising of meeting between the presidents of Serbia and Slovakia, given that such a conversation at the highest level hasn’t been held since 2013. Your Excellency, you arrived in Serbia at the time of an unprecedented event in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. How much did that fact impact on your choice of priorities for your term in Serbia?

Well, this pandemic is certainly such an unprecedented event that it had its severe impact on eve-

Recognising Kosovo’s Independendence

Is No Condition For Serbia

Within Chapter 35 there are particular criteria that have to be fulfilled regarding the normalisation process with Priština, but recognition per se is not mentioned anywhere, neither in this concrete chapter nor in the whole negotiating framework (with the EU) – Fedor Rosocha 12

September

NEGOTIATIONS

I am extremely satisfied that our former FM Miroslav Lajčak succeeded in bringing representatives of both Belgrade and Priština back to the negotiating table

rybody and everywhere all over the world, including the Slovak Embassy in Serbia. I arrived in Belgrade at the beginning of this year and everything literally changed after just a couple of weeks. All of the events we had previously planned - be they various exhibitions, concerts or sports tournaments - had to be cancelled. However, my long-term priorities shall remain the same: strengthening political and economic cooperation between Slovakia and Serbia; supporting Serbia’s EU accession process; and paying close attention to the position of the well-established Slovak national minority living in Vojvodina. These are all things that have to remain in our focus regardless of the pandemic.

ADVICE

My advice would be to focus on the dialogue that has recently been re-established and try to achieve as much as possible within this process

done to arrange such a visit and, given the circumstances, can that be realised in the near future?

Bilateral political contacts between our two countries have always been very close and intense.

CHALLENGE

The challenge for both countries is to develop innovation and the development of new technologies, where prospective partnerships can emerge

However, the last meeting at the presidential level took place quite a long time ago, in 2013. It is thus quite natural that a potential visit of President Čaputová to Serbia belongs among our key priorities. The President is very well aware of the

Based on your initiative, Slovakia donated 50,000 euros to the City of Novi Sad for the fight against COVID-19. You also simultaneously handed over a donation to the Children’s Clinic in Tiršova Street in Belgrade. What is the situation like in Slovakia now that autumn is on its way, when a new wave of the pandemic has been announced?

Regarding the overall number of positive cases, Slovakia has been doing fairly well. Even in the spring months, when we still knew very little about the virus and almost all countries adopted drastic measures in order to reduce its capability to spread, Slovakia established itself as a country with a very low number of infected or hospitalised cases. And I’m now glad to say that we are still pretty much able to hold this position. Nevertheless, with open borders and people going on summer holidays, it is quite natural that the numbers are growing even in Slovakia, although – at least until now – this growth has not been particularly fast and we’re still keeping the situation under control, with approximately 50 new cases per day. After submitting your credentials to the President of Serbia, you were asked to convey an invitation for Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová to visit Serbia. Is work being

My long-term priorities shall remain the same: strengthening political and economic cooperation between Slovakia and Serbia; supporting Serbia’s EU accession process; and paying close attention to the position of the well-established Slovak national minority living in Vojvodina

importance that Serbia plays, as our biggest and most crucial partner in the Western Balkan region.

Various challenges that the European Union has been facing recently, a new methodology regarding the accession process, renewed dialogue between Belgrade and Priština – these all are topics of great importance, and I firmly believe that the presidents of our two countries should have an opportunity to discuss them in person soon. It is believed in Serbia that Slovakia is under pressure to reconsider and amend its decision not to recognise Kosovo’s independence. What is Bratislava’s stance on this issue at present?

I am not so sure that this is exactly what the Serbian public thinks when it comes to Kosovo. There has been talk about pressure and various incentives to

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Interview the so-called “non-recognisers” for years, and still nothing has happened. Our position has always been the same. It is rooted in the Declaration of the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted in March 2007 that territorial disputes shall never be resolved unilaterally and against the principles of international law, and so we still have no reason to change our perception of the Kosovo issue. On the other hand, Slovakia is clearly interested in the

for almost two years and if the parties do not talk to each other there is simply no chance any progress could be achieved whatsoever. Members of the Visegrad Group support EU enlargement and Serbia’s entry into the Union. How do you see Serbia’s membership in the EU: as a real possibility or as a prospect for the future?

European perspective of the whole region of the Western Balkans. Prospects for the future and a real possibility are not two things that are mutually exclusive; on the contrary, firstly you have to have prospects for membership in the future, then later – when all the criteria have been fulfilled successfully – a real possibility should materialise. It is not just my personal opinion that the European project cannot be considered complete without all of the candidates being granted full membership and thereby forming a broadly integrated European family. As such, Slovakia most definitely perceives Serbia as a future EU member – and now the speed at which you can make progress depends primarily on your capabilities and energy. With five EU member states, including Slovakia, having not recognised Kosovo’s independence, can the EU set the condition of recognising Kosovo as a state in order for Serbia to join the EU? This is often cited as a key condition that Belgrade must meet.

social and economic development of Kosovo, our development aid programmes have been present in various regions of Kosovo for years, but this does not mean recognition. Do you believe that your countryman and former foreign minister Miroslav Lajčak, who is now the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Priština Dialogue, will be able to substantially reinvigorate the dialogue on the normalisation of relations?

This is a thing I cannot stress strongly enough. I am extremely satisfied that our former FM Miroslav Lajčak succeeded in bringing representatives of both Belgrade and Priština back to the negotiating table, as dialogue is the only way forward. I do hope sincerely that we will get closer to a comprehensive agreement on normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo in the near future. Of course, renewal of the dialogue is one thing and signing an agreement is completely different, but let us all bear in mind that the dialogue itself has been suspended

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It is rooted in the Declaration of the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted in March 2007 that territorial disputes shall never be resolved unilaterally and against the principles of international law, and so we still have no reason to change our perception of the Kosovo issue You are right that Slovakia, together with its closest neighbours, firmly supports not only the Serbian accession process, but also the broader

As you should know, there is no such condition currently. Within Chapter 35 there are particular criteria that have to be fulfilled regarding the normalisation process with Priština, but recognition per se is not mentioned anywhere, neither in this concrete chapter nor in the whole negotiating framework. The normalisation of relations, the adoption of a comprehensive and sustainable agreement, is not the same as a recognition.

Yes, Belgrade has to normalise its relations with Priština, this is a clear condition you have to bear in mind, and at the end of the day that will only help all people living in Kosovo, regardless of their nationality. My advice would be to focus on the dialogue that has recently been re-established and try to achieve as much as possible within this process. The President of Serbia advocates in favour of stronger cooperation with the Visegrad Group. Do you believe that the experience of more closely connecting Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary and Poland could be applied in the Western Balkans?

Central Europe is a region with a somewhat different historical experience. Luckily, we have no history of recent armed conflicts, which makes our mutual cooperation much smoother. I understand that it might be quite complicated for the former Yugoslav republics to achieve the same level of

partnership as we have, since there are still many open wounds and unresolved issues from the past that have a great influence on politicians and people in all of the countries of this neighbourhood.

Nevertheless, cooperation is the only way forward, and the sooner you try to forget the past and look to the future, the better it will be for everyone.

No matter how complicated the history might be, the peoples of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and other countries in the region will always live here side by side – and you will probably agree with me that it is always better to cooperate and deepen mutual integration than to search for reasons why such integration cannot be possible.

agricultural production and technology-intensive sectors. The challenge for both countries is to develop innovation and the development of new technologies, where prospective partnerships can emerge. We are also interested in the development of tourism. In this regard, the intergovernmental Slovak - Serbian Commission for Economic Cooperation also makes a significant contribution to increase mutual economic cooperation.

Serbia. We welcome the active involvement of the Serbian government in solving both the everyday issues and long-run problems that the Slovak minority may face, whether in the fields of education or minority media, but also their representation in local offices. We believe that the constructive position of the Serbian authorities will continue to prevail in mutual communication. I am also aware of challenges requiring special attention. In

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán once proposed that the Visegrad Group be expanded to include Romania and Serbia, with which a strong political and economic alliance in Central and Eastern Europe would be created. How do you view such ideas about new connections both within and beyond the EU?

After the Visegrad countries joined the EU, the foreign policy activities of the Group increased considerably. Visegrad did not hesitate to become involved in broader forms of regional cooperation.

Areas of common interest have been discussed with potential partners, such as internal security issues, matters relating to borders, questions of asylum, consular matters, culture and the creation of common infrastructure projects. Other prospective areas include inter-parliamentary contacts, exchange programmes and consultation between other institutions. The Slovak Republic considers the Visegrad Group as a key element in promoting regional political and economic cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. It sees its significance in concrete projects, as well as in political cooperation wherever the will exists, including in Serbia and Romania.

The Slovak Republic considers the Visegrad Group as a key element in promoting regional political and economic cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe

Is there room to strengthen economic cooperation between Slovakia and Serbia, which is lagging behind the excellent political relations

At the start of your term in Serbia, you

between the two countries?

agreed with the assessment of the Serbian

As you rightly said, the political relations between our countries are at an excellent level. After a turbulent period in the Western Balkans in the 1990s and democratic changes in Serbia after 2000, economic and trade cooperation has experienced new dynamics, in particular in the field of energy projects, transport infrastructure, environmental protection,

President that Slovaks resident in Serbia represent a special link between the two countries. How do you see the position of that community today?

In the development of our bilateral relations, the Slovak Republic attaches great importance to the equal standing of the Slovak national minority in

particular, priority should be given to the topics of young generation employment, career prospects and wage growth, effective education and the care for young families, so that Serbia remains the country where local Slovaks see their future. The media have reported that you also speak Serbian. When did you learn our language?

It is a very natural thing that the diplomatic representative of a foreign state should learn the language of the country to which they have been posted. For me it has not been that difficult, since the Slovak and Serbian languages belong to the same language group, and although they are definitely not languages that are the same, their level of similarity is quite high. I started learning Serbian a couple of months before I left Slovakia and am currently regularly reading a Serbian textbook that I have in my office, learning new vocabulary and improving my grammar. I also read newspapers and watch Serbian TV every day. I really like the language and see that visible improvement always comes with learning.

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GLOBAL DIARY

Problem

“My duty, my task, my endeavour, my objective, is to accompany and facilitate negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo. The problem can only be solved by Serbia and Kosovo, with the negotiations between the two of them, and the result can only come from an agreement between the two of them.”

– JOSEP BORRELL, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF

BIDEN ACCEPTS DEMOCRATIC PARTY NOMINATION Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has formally accepted the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination to take on incumbent President Donald Trump on 3rd November.

During his speech Biden said that Trump has “cloaked America in darkness for far too long” and has unleashed “too much anger, too much fear, too much division”… If Trump is re-elected, Biden said: “(Coronavirus) Cases and deaths will remain far too high.Working families will struggle to get by and, yet, the wealthiest one per cent will get tens of billions of dollars in new tax breaks”.

Just hours before Biden gave his speech, President Trump attacked him at length in a speech near Biden’s birthplace, expressing musings about sharks, boxing, dishwashers and the maintenance of forests.

ALEXEI NAVALNY’S SUSPECTED POISONING Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny (44) fell suddenly and violently ill on a flight to Moscow from the Siberian city of Tomsk. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in the nearby city of Omsk, where doctors offered the first diagnosis saying that Navalny had suffered from low blood sugar.

They also said that tests for toxins in Navalny’s

WHERE ARE COVERINGS COMPULSORY IN THE UK? British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Castle Rock school as he takes part in a getting to know induction session on the pupil’s first day back to school. Following mounting pressure to change tack, the British government decided late last month to ditch its advice that high school pupils in England don’t need to wear face masks while at school. In another in a series of abrupt changes in Coronavirus-related policy, the government said that children in secondary schools‚ i.e. those aged 11 and older‚ in areas under local lockdown rules, such as Greater Manchester, will have to don face masks when moving around corridors and communal areas.

After thanking the pupils for their efforts in getting the virus under control, PM Johnson reached the heart of the speech – the vital importance of schools reopening. “The risk to your health is not from COVID… the greatest risk you face now is from continuing to be out of school.”

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blood were all negative. Following German chancellor Angela Merkel’s intervention, Navalny, who had been in a coma, was flown by German air ambulance to Charité Hospital in Berlin. A spokeswoman for the hospital said that initial clinical findings pointed to “poisoning by a substance from the drug class cholinesterase inhibitors”. She added that, while Mr Navalny’s condition was serious, there was no immediate danger to his life. Russian officials launched a preliminary probe into the sudden illness of Putin’s main political opponent.

Priority

“We hope the Europeans will make implementing the air, rail and motor agreements previously agreed upon a top priority. We believe these agreements are key to creating jobs and giving hope to young people. We have never believed in a quick election year deal between Kosovo and Serbia.” – RICHARD GRENELL, US PRESIDENT’S ENVOY FOR THE DIALOGUE ON KOSOVO

DONALD TRUMP’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH The final day of the Republican National Convention took place on 27th August, culminating in President Donald Trump’s speech accepting the Republican nomination for president.

Other speakers included Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter and senior advisor, and Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal lawyer.

Trump delivered his speech at the White House, a decision that critics have said could be a violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in certain political activities. The president and vice president are exempt from the law, but other White House employees are not.

JEFF BEZOS NOW WORTH MORE THAN $200BLN!

The Coronavirus pandemic has helped fuel that growth, as consumers turned to online retailers for necessities like face masks and hand sanitizer, as well as ordering groceries.

The Amazon founder’s personal wealth, which is mostly in Amazon stock, has skyrocketed in recent years, along with the company’s share price. Bezos became the world’s richest man in recent history in 2018, when his personal wealth first exceeded $150 billion. He first became the world’s richest man in 2017.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos saw his net worth soar above $202 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, making him the first person to cross the $200 billion threshold. He’s now $78 billion richer than Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who stands at number two.

PROTEST OVER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN BELARUS In June 2020, tens of thousands of opponents of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko gathered in Minsk to protest against disputed elections. The “March for Freedom” in the centre of the capital came amid growing anger over alleged poll-rigging and police violence at subsequent protests. The unrest erupted after Mr Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory in the election, the result of which was condemned amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging.

The Central Election Commission says that Mr Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, won 80.1% of the vote, while main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya won 10.12%. But Ms Tikhanovskaya insists that proper vote counting would show that she won support of 60% to 70%. Opposition activists, protesters, journalists and bloggers were arrested as part of the crackdown.

TALKS BETWEEN BELGRADE AND PRIŠTINA WILL CONTINUE Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti agreed that talks between AVDULLAH HOTI (LEFT), JOSEP BORRELL Belgrade and Pristina will continue AND ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ at the expert level, while the next high-level meeting will be in early September, when cooperation will intensify, confirmed EU Special Representative for Belgrade-Priština dialogue Miroslav Lajčák after the first official direct meeting between Vučić and Hoti in Brussels. “The first element discussed was missing and displaced persons. The first topic is symbolic in the context of reconciliation and is a very important issue for family members who have been living in uncertainty for decades,” said Lajčák, adding that it is crucial to cooperate with the Red Cross in resolving the remaining cases.

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Feature IVANKA POPOVIĆ RECTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

We are confronted by two challenges prior to the start of the new academic year: maintaining all forms of teaching and testing of knowledge.

However, perhaps the greatest part of the story of the pandemic is the story about personal responsibility, solidarity and collegiality, as well as respect for academic integrity in school activities 18

September

Academic & Health Rules Hand-in-Hand

Photo: Wikimedia

T

he University of Belgrade, like other universities worldwide, is confronted by the challenges of working during the pandemic.

Estimates of the intensity and spread of the virus to date lead us to conclude that it will be part of our daily lives for a long time and, until appropriate protection against it is found, we must learn how to function with its presence in the safest possible way. We will continue to adhere to the regulations on healthcare and will, within the possibilities available to us, provide academic space. The security of the academic space depends largely on the behaviour of staff and students outside academic buildings and accommodation. A major part of the story of the pandemic is the story about personal responsibility, solidarity and collegiality.

The University of Belgrade, with great energy, enthusiasm and the will of all participants in the process, entered into remote learning, and did so practically overnight, within a deadline of ten days. This is an exceptional result, given that most colleges don’t have developed systems for remote teaching and that many lecturers only encountered the tools for such teaching

We have to support and monitor, more intensively and constantly, how our students cope under conditions of increased self-discipline when they attend classes completely or partially outside the faculty for the first time when that happened. Actually, it was in March 2020 that we implemented emergency remote learning. Although the 2020 summer semester opened the era of mass “online” teaching at the University of Belgrade, many questions were raised about the adequate preparation of both lecturers and students for this way of working. Time is running out and we need to prepare for the

new academic year and bring the old one to an end in every aspect, just not under normal circumstances. Two key challenges are being considered: maintaining all forms of teaching and testing knowledge.

A symposium on the experiences of “online” teaching at universities in Serbia was held at the Rectorate of the University of Belgrade on 7th July 2020. It included exchanges of experiences and problems encountered during this work.

In preparing for the new academic year, we don’t know whether classes will be held live, at a distance, or in a combination of the two.

Of course, we would most like to be able to organise classes in the regular way. However, we will most likely hold combined classes and use the “online” experiences acquired, particularly in the domain of theoretical classes. Although most lecturers have exerted great efforts to implement remote learning, there are still a small number of teachers who need to be more actively involved in the process and adapt to this new way of working. When it comes to practical teaching under extraordinary circumstances, we mustn’t neglect that. We will make every effort to maximally open the academic

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Photo: Wikimedia

Feature

space for as many forms of practical teaching as possible, of course doing so with full respect for applicable regulations. This would be very important for maintaining essential direct communication between teachers and students. A special challenge is represented by the organisation of practical classes at the faculties belonging to the medical group, where it should be made possible for students to interact with patients.

I believe that we have to support and monitor, more intensively and constantly, how our students cope under conditions of increased self-discipline when they attend classes completely or partially outside the faculty. There are students who enter higher education from high school without abilities that are of crucial importance for studying successfully. The abilities that are often lacking include: effective learning techniques, defining priorities and allocating time rationally. In an environment of colleagues and an academic atmosphere, these weaknesses are overcome through regular joint activities at the faculty.

Left to their own devices during quarantine, some students had problems arranging their day

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In an environment where personal incomes are reducing due to the limited workloads of business, the pressure on students to ensure they have access to appropriate IT equipment can be a serious societal challenge and forcing themselves to have the discipline to work regularly. With full understanding for the fact that the general state of affairs and atmosphere around the pandemic impacted on the way we all function, we have ahead of us the challenge of reasonably planning future activities under conditions of the constant presence of the COVID-19 virus. The Institute for Student Health Protection in Belgrade

regularly monitors the epidemiological situation and recommends, due to the expected second wave of the virus in the second half of November 2020, that the 2020/2021 academic year begin without delay and as early as possible this autumn. On the other hand, some people expect the academic year to be extended, without sufficient understanding that the lost time cannot be recouped and that we are confronted by a new reality and a fundamental change in the implementation of teaching activities.

Another fact that should also be noted is that not all students have the same working conditions, adequate internet access and computers, which they perhaps have to share with other members of their household. In an environment where personal incomes are reducing due to the limited workloads of business, the pressure on students to ensure they have access to appropriate IT equipment can be a serious societal challenge. This problem must be resolved if we are to include remote learning in regular teaching activities. The United Nations has just published a comprehensive document on education during and after the pandemic

Photo: Media Centar

(Policy brief “Education during COVID-19 and beyond”, August 2020), in which it is stated that the educating of 99% of students at all levels of education in low and middle income countries has been disrupted. They estimated that a possible total of up to 23.8 million pupils and students globally will have to suspend their studies or drop out of school entirely due to the economic consequences of the pandemic.

All participants in the teaching process, alongside their regular work, also have obligations related to their immediate family environment. All this, along with the justified fear of infection or even the disease itself, hampers the achieving of the planned goals of remote learning. The implementation of exams, even when organised in the most conscientious way possible and with full respect for protection measures, is burdened by the fear of infection. It is for this reason that the issue of sitting exams at a distance has been raised.

The Law on Higher Education of the Republic of Serbia does not allow the taking of exams outside the seat of the institution, which currently prevents “online” exams. In cooperation

In cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, we are preparing pilot programmes for the introduction of the remote testing of knowledge. This is a complex issue that cannot be solved and implemented overnight with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, we are preparing pilot programmes for the introduction of the remote testing of knowledge. This is a complex issue that cannot be solved and implemented overnight. For some situations, this type of testing of knowledge is feasible, while for some

it is not, particularly if we are referring to mass exams in the earlier years of study. Imposing itself as a priority is the condition of preserving quality, implementing a system of remote knowledge testing that will prevent (or reduce to a minimum) unpermitted activities such as copying. Tools for knowledge testing are being developed intensively, and what often appears as a solution is for students to take exams in specially equipped testing centres within academic institutions under strict security control conditions. Alongside good will and logistics, taking exams at a distance is also connected with considerable material costs.

All these aspects of working under the conditions of the pandemic only reinforce some obvious things. Any system, including education, can only function if participants follow predetermined rules. In the case of higher education, these rules are linked to collegiality and solidarity in minimising the spread of infection, and to academic integrity in school activities. Regardless of the situation with the COVID-19 virus, academic integrity is still a key determinant of the future of higher education.

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Focus

What should the new government’s priorities be?

Demanding

Times

More than ever before, COVID-19 brutally laid bare the results of short-sighted austerity policies in health, education and social policy. All of that should now be corrected, using the limited funds available to the new government. In order to increase the fiscal capacity of the state, it is necessary to design a new growth model quickly and smartly

T

he new Serbian government will undoubtedly face a challenge that has probably been encountered by few cabinets in previous history. The pandemic that seemingly has no end in sight has not only led to an unprecedented decline in GDP, in both developed and developing countries, but has had a fundamental impact on the structure of the global economy,

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business and development philosophies, and societal priorities: the importance of the state and its health, education and social protection systems have come to the fore, after having been continuously considered as costs to be cut in the previous period. Here our interlocutors provide their views on the short- and long-term priorities that should be addressed by the new prime minister and his cabinet.

ALEKSANDAR BAUCAL PH.D.

FULL PROFESSOR AT THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY IN BELGRADE

INNOVATIONS IN EDUCATION, BUT REAL ONES THE KEY QUESTION FOR THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS HOW TO INTELLIGENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY UTILISE EXISTING RESOURCES IN EACH SECTOR. IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION, IT IS POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT A NUMBER OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MEASURES THAT WOULD MAKE TEACHING MUCH BETTER AND MORE EFFICIENT Considering that the government has separate ministries for each sector, that each ministry has a significant number of people and that budget funds are not small, I think the new government should dedicate itself to each of these sectors. That’s why the question of how to use existing resources wisely and effectively in each sector is more important than which sector to prioritise. Alongside this, considering the current pandemic crisis and its consequences, it is necessary to identify short- and long-term measures in each sector, in order to alleviate the negative impact of the crisis and lay the groundwork for lasting development.

Given that I deal with the early development of children and youth, as well as education, here I will focus on measures emerging from those domains.

In the sector of early development, viewed in the short term, it is necessary to secure adequate support for parents during the next year, in which nursery THE ONGOING schools will operate under restricted condiCRISIS PROVIDES AN tions. It is necessary to provide support to OPPORTUNITY FOR parents in combining work from home and THE CONSIDERED raising their children (such as through the development of media content that will be DIGITALISATION engaging and adapted to development).

OF EDUCATION, WHICH Viewed over the long term, the focus should WOULD IMPLY DIGITAL be on expanding the coverage of nurseries, especially for children from vulnerable TECHNOLOGIES groups, and on raising the quality of preBECOMING PART OF school education.

ALL LEARNING AND When it comes to the youth, the shortterm focus should be on providing incentives TEACHING ACTIVITIES for young people to develop entrepreneurship. The existing crisis has led to young people having an excess of free time and a number of opportunities to develop new initiatives exist. It is thus necessary to engage NGOs in the activation of young people and to support entrepreneurial youth initiatives. In the long view, experience with short-term measures would prove to be an excellent laboratory for creating long-term policies for the youth, given that previous policies in this sector were insufficiently relevant and ineffective.

When it comes to formal education, viewed over the short term, the existing crisis demands an intelligent combination of remote learning and school-based learning. This implies reducing existing programmes to those constituent parts that have the greatest educational potential and providing support to schools and teachers to find a model of combining remote learning and school-based learning that best suits their conditions. The crisis would thereby contribute to substantially increasing the autonomy of schools and teachers, as well as reducing centralisation in education.

Furthermore, the existing crisis provides an opportunity to implement the digitalisation of education in a meaningful way. The crisis has shown that the existing model for the digitalisation of education, which boiled down to providing equipment that was poorly and/or inadequately used and introducing a special subject, did not pass the test of time. Meaningful digitalisation implies digital technologies becoming part of all learning and teaching activities in the way in which digital technologies permeate all aspects of everyday life.

DANKO BRČEREVIĆ

CHIEF ECONOMIST OF THE FISCAL COUNCIL OF SERBIA

WE DON’T NEED TO BE BAD PUPILS AGAIN PRESERVING THE HEALTH OF THE POPULATION, MAINTAINING FISCAL DISCIPLINE AND CREATING A NEW MODEL OF ECONOMIC GROWTH SHOULD BE ON THE GOVERNMENT’S DESK FROM THE FIRST DAY OF ITS TERM. ONE IMPORTANT ARGUMENT FOR THAT IS ALSO THE FACT THAT THE COST OF SERVICING SERBIA’S PUBLIC DEBT, TOTALLING ABOUT 60% OF GDP, IS HIGHER THAN THE COST OF SERVICING THE FRENCH PUBLIC DEBT, WHICH EXCEEDS 100% OF GDP Preserving the lives and health of citizens is the main mission of the Government while the health crisis lasts. When the epidemic is brought fully under control, the Government will have to face several important economic challenges, three of which I will single out here: 1) restoring the budget balance that has been destroyed; 2) increasing public investments, particularly in neglected areas like health, education and environmental protection; 3) advancing institutions, i.e. improving the rule of law and curbing corruption.

The Government should reduce the fiscal deficit in 2021 from the current level of 7-8% of GDP to around two per cent of GDP. This would halt the further growth of public debt and restore the country’s fiscal stability. Reducing debts is important because Serbia has to borrow at double the interest

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Focus

What should the new government’s priorities be?

rate of developed Europe – i.e. the cost IT IS NECESSARY of servicing Serbia’s public debt, which TO FINALLY COMPLETE totals about 60% of GDP, is higher than THE RECONSTRUCTION the costs of servicing France’s public debt, which stands at over 100% of GDP. AND CONSTRUCTION OF Experiences from the previous crisis FOUR LARGE CLINICAL (2009) also highlight the importance of CENTRES AND INCREASE quickly establishing fiscal stability after THE PROCUREMENT OF a crisis. Delays in implementing fiscal consolidation (which was only impleHEALTH EQUIPMENT IN mented in 2015) led to a decade of low ORDER TO MAKE UP FOR economic growth during which other THE SHORTFALL THAT countries of the Central and Eastern European region (CEE) outpaced Serbia SERBIA HAS IN RELATION in terms of economic development and TO COMPARABLE the population’s living standards.

COUNTRIES In the years ahead there should be an increase in public investment, given that it effectively stimulates economic recovery. A great need for this also exists in particular areas where investment has been insufficient over the years (health, education, environmental protection). The current crisis has shown what a major mistake it was not to place healthcare high on the list of state priorities. It is thus necessary to finally complete the reconstruction and construction of four large clinical centres (funding for which was secured back in 2006) and to make up for the shortfall that Serbia has in relation to comparable countries by increasing the procurement of health equipment.

The new government must reconsider the existing economic growth model, which isn’t sufficiently efficient at present. Serbia is overly reliant on individual projects and foreign investors, and not relaient enough on the systematic development of the domestic private sector. Of course, it is commendable that Serbia has been a record holder in attracting FDI in the CEE region over the previous three years. However, the initiatives of a large number of domestic entrepreneurs are even more important for the sustainable and stable development of any European country. The research that we’ve conducted shows that corruption and the insufficient level of adherence to the rule of law are the main hindrances to the domestic private sector. That’s why the long-term prosperity of Serbia requires the building of institutions that are professionally strong and independent, which must be one of the priorities of the new government.

JASNA ATANASIJEVIĆ ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NOVI SAD’S FACULTY OF SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND INFORMATICS

KNOWLEDGE, INNOVATION, RULE OF LAW INVESTING IN THE MODERNISING OF EDUCATION, ENCOURAGING COMPANIES TO INNOVATE BY INVESTING 24

September

IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE ACADEMIC SECTOR, AND THE RULE OF LAW – THESE ARE THREE PRIORITIES THAT ARE CRUCIAL TO ACHIEVING SIGNIFICANT GROWTH RATES The new government will begin its mandate at a juncture when the COVID-19 epidemic is already reshaping everyday life and has shed new light on public policy priorities. There are a few important lessons. First, as in any crisis, in an epidemic situation individuals turn to the state and realise afresh how important and necessary it is for systems of public services to be efficient and available in an adequate capacity and quality. In this specific situation it is primarily about health, but the same would apply to education, security, justice, the social protection system etc.

A second important lesson is that the domestic scientific research sector is key to us resolving emerging problems and challenges. In this particular case, experts in certain fields - doctors, molecular biologists, virologists were called for every day. The healthcare system and the system of science and education in the public sector have played a key role in the struggle to ensure the health of the population under the conditions of the pandemic, thanks primarily to professional individuals. Thirdly, those who previously resisted technological change have realised that the technological leap that occurred in the previous period offers great opportunities and that the benefits of digitalisation can be exploited far more than they have to date.

Further digitalisation, both in the lives of individuals - through a different form of services and communication IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE and in the operations of companies - in the form of more efficient business modWE’VE BECOME AWARE els - is a deeply transformative process OF LOCAL AFFILIATIONS, that demands continuous education and THE IMPORTANCE OF large initial investments for the sake of CONNECTING WITH THE future positive effects.

Finally, alongside all the technological COMMUNITY IN THE achievements in the domain of ICT that FORM OF LOCAL SUPPLY connect us globally, enabling remote CHAINS FOR PRODUCTS work and learning, increased efficiency with the help of artificial intelligence and AND SERVICES, AS virtual reality, many aspects of globalisaPREREQUISITES FOR A tion have been brought into question as SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY a result of the pandemic. In many areas of life we’ve become aware of local affiliations, the importance of connecting with the community in the form of local supply chains for products and services, as prerequisites for a sustainable economy.

In light of previous insights, and on the trail of current priority policies for the development phase in which Serbia finds itself, the future government should make education the most important development priority. It should enable the aforementioned transformation of society and essential economic development. At the same time, investing in modernising education represents the most important pledge for future generations. The second important priority should be the economy. Here the government should, as much as possible, continue programmes for encouraging enterprises to innovate, invest in research and development, cooperate with the academic sector and identify foreign markets, but should also include local entrepreneurs in the network of suppliers of large international companies that have invested in the domestic market (and which have to date relied predominantly on imports of their components). The third important priority should be the judiciary, in order to enable the rule of law and appropriate conditions for doing business.

These three priorities are of crucial importance to achieving more significant growth rates, as they would mobilise the domestic knowhow and creativity that are not utilised sufficiently in the economy. The knowledge-based economy is the only direction that enables Serbia to make a qualitative leap in the trajectory of its development - both of the economy and of society.

JELENA ŽARKOVIĆ

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE’S FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

HEALTH AND EDUCATION FIRST AND FOREMOST CONSIDERING THAT THE ECONOMY RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE IN THE PREVIOUS PERIOD, THE NEW GOVERNMENT SHOULD FOCUS ATTENTION PRIMARILY ON THE HEALTH SECTOR AND EDUCATION, BECAUSE THEY SUSTAINED THE BIGGEST BLOW AS A RESULT OF COVID-19 The greatest emphasis should be placed on health and education in the period ahead. It should be placed on health due to the COVID-19 epidemic, which will most likely remain present until the middle of next year. It is thus necessary to carefully monitor the needs of the health system, in order to respond on time, whether through the engagement of additional staff or the procurement of equipment. The education process had to change on the hoof from the beginning of the epidemic, and here additional resources are needed with the aim of ensuring the normal realisation of the next academic year. Additional teachers should be hired if schools express a need for that, as has been done by some other European countries. It is necessary to provide equipment for those who don’t have enough and to help school pupils from socially disadvantaged families in order for them to be able to follow online classes.

THE PROGRAMME “MY I would only rank the economy in third place because the state has already FIRST SALARY” WILL provided significant funds to help the CERTAINLY LESSEN THE economy: to cover part of salaries, susIMPACT ON OVERALL pend deadlines for tax liabilities and provide access to more favourable loans.

YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, Expressed as a percentage of GDP, this WHICH IS A GOOD MOVE assistance has been among the greatest CONSIDERING THAT THEY in Europe. It wasn’t targeted at specific ARE THE FIRST TO BE sectors, which has been resented by some businesspeople, but it isn’t easy LAID OFF WHEN to evaluate who needs help more in this A CRISIS HITS situation. Specifically, some economists consider that the tourism sector, which is among the hardest hit sectors, should not be given further help because that means giving money for something where returns are uncertain. Specifically, tourist services aren’t classed among essential goods and there’s a question mark over how long it will take to revive demand for them. People are wary of spending when a crisis comes, while some will lose their jobs and travel certainly won’t be the first thing on which they plan to spend money.

In other words, the recovery of this branch is expected to last a long time, which is why it’s right to question whether the state should invest money in

that area. It is inevitable that some jobs will have to disappear, and we will only be able to assess the impact of the crisis on unemployment at the end of the year, when measures aimed at helping the private sector expire. The State has prepared some new programmes in the meantime. Through the programme “My First Salary”, people seeking a job for the first time after graduating from high school or college will be employed. The salaries of newly employed young people will be financed partly by the state, and they should start working as of November. This programme will certainly lessen the impact on overall youth employment, which is a good move considering that they are the first to be laid off when a crisis hits.

JURIJ BAJEC PH.D.

SPECIAL ADVISOR AT THE INSTITUTE OF ECONOMICS AND FULL PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE’S FACULTY OF ECONOMICS

THE WORLD IS CHANGING AND SO MUST WE THE OPPORTUNITY EXISTS FOR SERBIA TO START CONNECTING WITH RAPIDLY CHANGING GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS AND TO LAUNCH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT HAVE HIGHER ADDED VALUE, AND THUS A GREATER IMPACT ON GDP GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT The new Government of Serbia is awaited by the difficult task of continuing to provide financial support and preserve jobs within the scope of limited budget funds and reduced space for additional borrowing. These emergency measures are essential until THE NEW GOVERNMENT the disrupted relations on the domestic and global market that have occurred OF SERBIA IS AWAITED BY as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic THE DIFFICULT TASK OF return to normal. And that can take a CONTINUING TO PROVIDE long time, which is why it will be necessary to have a combination of measures: FINANCIAL SUPPORT AND additional borrowing in compliance PRESERVE JOBS WITHIN with the Maastricht criteria, increased THE SCOPE OF LIMITED public revenues through more efficient collections of taxes and contributions, BUDGET FUNDS AND the phased increase of excise duties, REDUCED SPACE FOR wage increases in the public sector ADDITIONAL BORROWING exclusively in line with rising prices, limits on investment in defence and security, the temporary postponing of some investment plans and the reallocating of funds to the advantage of health and education.

Alongside these intervention measures, the new government must

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Focus

What should the new government’s priorities be?

immediately prepare for a period of “normalization”, during which the priority becomes the achieving of rapid and sustainable economic growth under conditions of internal and external macroeconomic stability, and the continuation of essential market reforms. It is both an opportunity and a necessity to further direct economic activity, on the basis of all the changes and experiences that have taken place worldwide, and for Serbia to reconsider its development priorities and evaluate human, material and natural potentials in a new way. This is an opportunity for Serbia to start connecting with rapidly changing global economic trends and to launch products and services that have higher added value, and thus a greater impact on GDP growth and employment. Such substantial structural changes to the economy are much more easily and quickly implemented under conditions of the efficient functioning of market economy institutions and respect for the rule of law. These are the two key economic and political priorities of the new government.

NATALIJA PERIŠIĆ

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE’S FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SHORT-SIGHTED POLICIES EXPOSED BY THE PANDEMIC THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC HAS SHOWN THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF SECTORS LIKE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL POLICY, WHICH WERE DEVASTATED IN THE PREVIOUS PERIOD AS A RESULT OF MISTAKEN POLICIES. ALLOCATING FUNDING FOR THEM SHOULD BE UNDERSTOOD AND CONCEIVED AS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE The new government must place the greatest emphasis on the economy. It would simultaneously prove disastrous if the emphasis on the economy is not balanced with the implementation of measures in other areas and fails to take into account the general situation in society.

It would be disastrous to have economic logic that doesn’t consider the consequences of the economic and financial crisis, the aging of the population and the emigrations of young people. In that sense, it is essential that investments in the economy take into account the situation in the areas of health, education and social policy in general. Costs for the latter can and should be conceived in such a way that they have the character of an investment. We have seen the significance of all of them during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Healthcare will certainly be an area that is emphasised due to the

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current situation and expectations of the development of the situation.

However, healthcare was in an unenviable situation even without this epidemic. It has been devastated in various ways over the years, with the direct or indirect impact of health policy. Unclear relations between the public and private health sectors, long waiting lists for diagnostics and treatment, bans on hiring in the public sector, departures abroad of doctors and nurses - these are just some indicators of the problems confronting the healthcare sector. The current epidemic has exposed those problems to the very core, but it IT WOULD BE did not create them. The protraction of DISASTROUS TO HAVE the health crisis can be expected even after the end of the epidemic. It will ECONOMIC LOGIC THAT then be time to “pay up” for treating all DOESN’T CONSIDER THE those illnesses that were postponed CONSEQUENCES OF during the epidemic. Education will also be in focus as a result of the epidemic, THE ECONOMIC AND although this sector is also facing a FINANCIAL CRISIS, number of crises that are unrelated to THE AGING OF THE the epidemic. Their indicators range from the poor achievements of Serbian POPULATION AND THE school pupils on PISA tests to peer-toEMIGRATIONS OF peer violence.

YOUNG PEOPLE Social protection, which should represent one of the automatic stabilisers of the poor economic situation, is facing demands for a reduction in already modest resources. I can no longer count the situations in which people cite domestic partner violence, poor treatment of children and the elderly, inadequate protection mechanisms for persons deprived of the ability to work etc. Finally, all types of migration – emigrations of young people, immigrations and transits of irregular migrants – and a lack of integration measures will also intensify after the opening of borders, which requires the State to have a dedicated approach.

It is important for the state to approach all these areas proactively. It is important for measures in different areas to be implemented in a coordinated manner and with the same common goals, in order to enhance their impact. It is important to hear the voices of citizens, who are the users of these systems.

Leaders’

MILAN RAŠKOVIĆ, ARCHITECT, PARTNER AND DIRECTOR, BUREAU CUBE PARTNERS

MEETING POINT NENAD NIKOLIN, DIRECTOR, CCS SOLUTIONS

A Green Mask Restoring The SANU Building’s For A Safe Environment Splendour PAGE /28

PAGE /32

ALEKSANDAR RADIVOJEVIĆ MBA, M.SC.E.E., GENERAL MANAGER, TEAMENERGO

Experts In FTTH Technology PAGE /34

DUŠICA GAKOVIĆ, PROJECT LEAD, DEKA INŽENJERING [ENGINEERING]

We’ll Revive The City PAGE /38

MILAN RAŠKOVIĆ, ARCHITECT, PARTNER AND DIRECTOR, BUREAU CUBE PARTNERS

Restoring The SANU Building’s Splendour Architectural studio Bureau Cube Partners offers a set of complete services throughout the entire process of constructing a facility. This studio’s portfolio is impressive, as is the list of locations where it has been, or currently, engaged as architectural designers and holders of investment and technical documentation

W

e are characterised by expertise and professionalism, while we additionally build upon and improve the quality of our design services with a special commitment to the interests of clients, understanding for their needs and an awareness of opportunities and processes on the local market, but also global trends, emphasises Mr Rašković.

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Your company offers a complete service throughout the entire construction process.

Why is it good to hold all the stages of a job in your own hands?

Yes, you are right. To the extent that it is required of us, in addition to tasks that are primarily related to the preparation and implementation of projects within the scope of architecture, we can provide a complete service, upon request, which follows a complex investment - from site selection and comprehensive analysis, through implementation of the entire, very complex design process, to design and professional oversight, which provides clients with additional certainty in the process of realising an investment cycle.

Thanks to that, we are able – to the extent that is justified and acceptable, with the highest value at our disposal, as reflected in our personnel and professionally trained people – to continuously monitor all processes, with unified control mechanisms of key points in the preparation, design and implementation/execution parts of the cycle.

You have an impressive portfolio. Is there anything that stands out as being particularly demanding, inspiring, unusual, difficult...?

We work a lot, work everywhere and are always mostly occupied with current

projects, regardless of all previous successes and achievements, so each of them has some peculiarities of its own that are almost always simultaneously a major challenge, in addition to design aspirations, to us as moderators and creators of that micro-environment under the framework of an urban complex and in the scope of the functional aspirations of clients. Alongside the twenty-odd characteristically diverse projects that we are currently engaged on, and which are in different phases of their development cycle, there are two very specific, demanding and extremely complex architectural projects that stand out and on which our attention is especially focused.

These are the projects to reconstruct, adapt, functionally integrate and extend the palace of the Serbian Academy of Sciences

Our team of architects creates attractive architectural units, harmonised with the context and their immediate environment, and aligned with the vision and requirements of the client

and Arts and the Hotel Bristol. Both of them, each in its own way, represent extremely important facilities with highly valued and confirmed monumental statuses, which were created during one epoch, in an almost identical period of time, so the work on projects to comprehensively reconstruct, adapt, integrate and extend them is particularly prominent. This additionally obliges us professionally, because in their original form they also represent timeless works of great Serbian architects Andre Stevanović and Dragutin Đorđević, when it comes to the SANU palace, and Nikola Nestorović, when it comes to the Hotel Bristol.

How did you get the job of developing the project for the SANU palace? Do you feel honoured? Is there any anxiety?

After successful international pre-qualification and then a qualification contest and tender process created according to UNDP procedures, the job of preparing complete investment and technical documentation, starting with the conceptual design of the reconstruction and extension of the SANU Palace and concluding with the project for executing works, was entrusted to a consortium of domestic companies that comprises BUREAU CUBE PARTNERS and AG INSTITUTE. We are fully aware of the importance of the subject matter and the subsequent associated professional, expert and especially moral responsibility, primarily considering the fact that the palace of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts will be renovated and extended 100 years after its construction, so in addition to the complete reconstruction of facade panels and frames, and the associated elements of decorative Art Nouveau and Neo-Baroque architectural plaster, as parts of both exterior and interior frames, our project encompasses extremely challenging and complex interventions, both in terms of design and construction.

How will the SANU building look after works are completed?

Our three-member author team – which, in addition to my personal participation, was

The SANU building will not be extended, nor will its existing dimensions and shape change

particularly strengthened with the participation of colleague and architect Miodrag Mirković and academic Milan Lojanica, with the comprehensive support of other members of the team from almost all engineering disciplines – successfully completed the first design phase of the process by devising a conceptual architectural solution for the reconstruction and extension of the SANU palace, within which we encountered a rather dysfunctional, devastated and absolutely unusable, formally incomplete and overall devalued atrium/courtyard part of the SANU Palace, which we completely functionally and formally reorganised with a conceptual architectural solution to design a multifunctional hall, primarily a concert hall, an auditorium with a capacity of 350 visitors, with a central two-storey hall/gallery front, as

a new lobby of this representative building.

Alongside the new realisation of authentic, originally suppositional and now conceptual architectural solutions for the reaffirmed managing of pedestrian flows, with the lobby designed as the spatially dominant part of the SANU palace, we additionally stressed the intersection of horizontally and vertically directed communication flows within the building itself.

In this way, through architectural stratification, in addition to paying homage to Andre Stevanović by reaffirming the originally designed communication motif, we made spatial navigation additionally contemporary, which - through the contact zones of the central lobby - simultaneously achieved, spatially and programmatically, both horizontal and vertical connections with the most important parts of the palace: the Gallery of Fine and Musical Arts of SANU; the Gallery of Science and Technology, and the ground floor, and then the gallery, high ground floor part and newly designed concert halls.

However, in order to avoid creating dilemmas about the level of projected interventions, I would particularly like to note that we realised the conceptual architectural solution - in addition to qualitative exploita-

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SANU GROUND FLOOR CONCEPT

tion, technological, functional and spatial design improvements - within the Gallery of Fine and Musical Arts of SANU and the Gallery of Science and Technology of SANU, both in the context of their presentation and exhibition parts, as well as in the field of the formation of complete spatial contents intended for the collection, selection, valuation, sorting and storing of works, we paid additional special attention to the functional and technical-technological reorganisation and other functional units that are no less important, or more precisely units and sectors of the academy, starting from the Library and Archives of SANU, Ceremonial Halls and Memorial Spaces and Units, the Institute and Department of SANU, Publishing Activities and Cabinet, to the Atelier and the Centre for Art Education.

Completion of the entire investmenttechnical documentation is planned for March 2021, when the construction permit is also expected. In accordance with that, I presume that works could commence during the course of 2021, and that it will be possible to complete them by 2024, which would enable the opening of the

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We work a lot, work everywhere and are always mostly occupied with current projects, regardless of all previous successes and achievements

reconstructed facility to occur exactly in the year commemorating the jubilee 100th anniversary of the construction of the SANU palace.

How do you compete with other similar bureaus? You are obviously much better, given that you have plenty of contracted works obtained through the processes and procedures of international tenders (EIB, UNDP, EBRD etc.)?

Our company primarily consists of a team of architects, young and experienced professionals and dedicated creators - professionals who are expertly trained for the

processes of designing almost all types and classification categories of buildings of various sizes and purposes, and also for the implementation of development planning processes that manifest through the provision of services in the field of spatial and urban planning, but also for consulting processes in engineering and technical consulting, regardless of whether that relates to an investment in the construction of new facilities or the reconstruction, rehabilitation, conservation, restoration or extension of existing facilities.

With the creating of attractive architectural units, harmonised with the context and their immediate environment, our team of architects strives to simultaneously improve and upgrade design processes and thus render the actual processes of, I would say, design maturing, constant, uninterrupted and timely. This unequivocally shows the achieved adaptation to the nature of the design process itself, and in some areas also the ability for complex and challenging perceptions of real, usable possibilities, which architecture leaves us to evaluate on a daily basis.

LOCAL NEWS

“The European Union continues to support Serbia in facing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a 93 million euro grant in total, the EU is the leading partner and donor to Serbia in mitigating the consequences of the pandemic.” – H.E. SEM FABRIZI, HEAD OF THE EU DELEGATION TO SERBIA

NORWAY HELPS ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN SERBIA WITH MORE THAN HALF A MILLION EUROS

EU AWARDS ONE MILLION EURO IN GRANTS FOR COVID RECOVERY IN TOURISM SECTOR “#EUzaTebe – For Cultural Heritage and Tourism” project has awarded one million euros for 120 projects aimed at supporting the tourism sector affected by the consequences of COVID. Beneficiaries of the grants are small and micro enterprises, family businesses, agricultural farms and companies from 12 towns and municipalities in eastern and southeast Serbia.

Most of the beneficiaries, which will receive grants of up to 10,000 euros per project, are providing private accommodation for tourists (52 entrepreneurs), but the support goes also for camps, restaurants and catering services, boarding houses, hotels and hostels, travel agencies, wineries and beekeepers.

The Kingdom of Norway, through the project “Norway for You - Serbia”, supports 68 entrepreneurs, micro and small enterprises in less developed municipalities in Serbia with 525,000 euros to improve productivity and create new jobs.

This support is conducted through Public Call which and aims to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development through increased employment opportunities and increased social cohesion in less developed areas. The total value of the projects that will be implemented by 31 beginners in business is around 290,000 euros, of which the Kingdom of Norway finances 247,000 euros, while future entrepreneurs participate with about 43,000 euros. 37 micro and small companies will also receive support with a total value of 365,000 euros, of which Norway allocates 279,000 euros, while companies co-finance a total of 86,000 euros.

EUROBANK DONATED RSD1.2 MILLION FOR PROCURING OXYGEN FLOW METERS Eurobank provided RSD1.2 million for procuring oxygen flow meters for healthcare institutions in Serbia. The donation was executed via the B92 Foundation and the Serbian Philanthropic Forum, which initiated a humanitarian campaign aimed at improving the treatment of patients and working conditions for healthcare professionals in medical institutions in Serbia during the coronavirus pandemic.

“By donating funds for procuring oxygen flow meters, the equipment necessary for oxygen therapy for virtually all hospitalised patients, we wish to contribute to an even better quality of conditions for treating our citizens infected with coronavirus,” said Slavica Pavlović, president of Eurobank’s Executive Board.

MLEKOPRODUKT TO EXPORT TO THE EU AND CHINESE MARKETS Mlekoprodukt, operating within the group “Savencia Fromage & Dairy”, has received a certificate for the export of products to the markets of China and the European Union.

This is the first time in history that Serbian milk and dairy products will be present on the Chinese market, the largest consumer market in the world. So far this company has exported within the Balkan countries (Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia).

The General Manager of Mlekoprodukt, Andrej Beslać, pointed out that obtaining an international certificate for the placement of domestic products on the markets of China and the European Union is a great success for this company.

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NENAD NIKOLIN, DIRECTOR, CCS SOLUTIONS

A Green Mask For A Safe Environment The Coronavirus crisis prevented CCS Solutions in its further development and promotion of CouchCoach, its application for basketball fans. But the result was a completely new, revolutionary product – a green mask

DR ZORAN DROBNJAK AND NENAD NIKOLIN PRESENT A DONATION FOR THE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN THE CITY OF PRIJEPOLJE

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or every ten masks a company buys, we donate one mask of its choice to a health institution on its behalf.

Now we are inviting primary and secondary school teachers to call us – we will give them green masks, declares Mr Nikolin.

Until a few months ago, we knew your company as the maker of Couch Coach, an application for basketball fans. Then you reoriented yourself to making masks. In both cases, innovative, creative and revolutionary...

We quickly realised that a lack of protective equipment will be one of the greatest problems faced by people in Serbia. A few days after we designed and produced the first 3D mask models, a public call was announced by the Innovation Fund, to help companies that within 30 days could create and distribute solutions that can help stop the spread of the virus. We took part in the competition and our green mask project ‘Life Mask’ was among twelve selected for support. We got to work and in about twenty days produced 30,000 green masks.

Your long-lasting green mask with replacement filters is really revolutionary. Please describe it to us in more detail ... How will the new, improved model you are working on be different?

The green mask is indeed innovative, primarily because it is a permanent solution for

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protection, not only from viruses and bacteria, but also for protection against pollen, aerosols, pollution, dust, etc., with the choice of suitable filter. The best protection is provided by the HEPA filter, and very solid protection is provided by the Fine 8 and Fine 9 filter categories, while for protection against aerosols and pollen the M6 filter can also be used. All filters are made in Germany and have the right certificates, so the Serbian green mask

NO WORRIES

You can buy the green mask in over 100 pharmacies and retail shops in Serbia, and through the online shop

and the German filter are the ideal protection.

Based on comments and impressions from mask users, we decided we had to design a one-way exhaust valve, so when you breathe in, air can’t enter that way because a silicone membrane prevents it, and when you breath out, the membrane changes shape so the air comes out unhindered. Besides this, the soft plastic part that currently covers the chin and nose will in future cover the entire rim of the mask, to improve the lateral seal with the face. However, very few people who use the mask have complained, which suggests that we succeeded in making a model that most people can use.

A few days ago, you donated masks for teachers and students of the Mathematical Gymnasium so they can be ready for the new school year. How many masks have you produced so far, and how many have you donated?

The first masks we made were immediately donated to public health institutions in Serbia, hospitals, health centers and clinics throughout Serbia, with a total value of more than a million and a half dinars.

It is extremely important that the beginning of the school year and the return of pupils to their classrooms goes as well as possible, and that educational personnel and students are properly protected, so we prepared special offers ‘Porodični paket’ (Family Pack) and ‘Ostani bezbrižan’ (No Worries) with our distributor, Mong.

You can buy the green mask in over 100 pharmacies and retail shops in Serbia, and through our online store.

Official site http://zelenamaska.rs/

“I would especially emphasize the importance of economic development, which is based on innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation and a more predictable framework for the functioning of the market” – H.E. JØRN GJELSTAD, NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

Placements postings

&

appointments@aim.rs

IFC APPOINTS NEW REGIONAL MANAGER FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST EUROPE The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has appointed Ary Naïm as its Regional Manager for Central and Southeast Europe, based in Belgrade, and overseeing operations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Serbia.

Naïm is taking over the position from Thomas Lubeck, who was recently appointed as Manager for Transaction Advisory Services Public-Private Partnerships in Asia and Pacific, based in Singapore. A French national and a former banker, Ary Naïm has been with IFC for 17 years. He joined IFC in 2003 in Morocco as Access to Finance Specialist, then moved in 2005 to Washington as part of IFC’s Financial Institutions Group. In 2010 he took the role of Country Head for the Dominican Republic and Haiti. For the past six years, Ary Naïm has been the Country Manager for IFC in Mexico. Ary Naim is an engineer in Computer Sciences, with a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence.

H.E. DAMJAN BERGANT, NEW AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA TO SERBIA Born in Maribor on 3rd October 1969, Damjan Bergant earned a diploma in International Relations at the University of Ljubljana’s Faculty of Social Sciences in 1995, after which he entered the country’s foreign diplomatic service. After serving in the Slovenian MFA’s Personnel Department (1995) and Department for Multilateral Political Relations (1996-97), he headed the Office of the State Secretary for Multilateral Political Relations from 1997 to ‘99, before joining the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the OSCE in Vienna as first secretary. He served as head of the Department for the OSCE and Deputy Head of the Task Force for the Slovenian Chairmanship of the OSCE (2004-06), before heading the OSCE and Council of Europe Section from 2006 to ‘09. After heading the Task Force for the Slovenian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in 2009, he was appointed Ambassador – Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. From 2017 to ‘20 he has been a Secretary General at the Slovanian MFA. Fluent in English, German, French and Serbo-Croatian, he is a married father of two.

H.E. RAFAŁ PAWEŁ PERL, NEW AMBASSADOR OF POLAND TO SERBIA

Born 20th May 1981 in Szczecin, new Polish ambassador Rafał Paweł Perl graduated from the University of Szczecin’s Faculty of Political Sciences and completed the Diplomatic Academy of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (in 2005), postgraduate programme of European studies at the State School of PA and Strasbourg’s Centre for European Studies.

Employed at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2004, he was responsible for Poland’s relations with Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania and Macedonia from 2006 to 2011.

He served from 2011 to ‘15 as counsellor for political issues and PR at the Polish Embassy in Washington, whilst also serving as the embassy’s acting spokesman.

He has been the director of the Secretariat of the Minister of Foreign Affairs since March 2018. He was also of the Polish delegation of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) from 2016 to 2017. Awarded the Silver Cross for merits, he is fluent in English and French and able to communicate in Serbian.

The father of one daughter, his wife Ana is also a diplomat.

H.E. TAN VUTHA, NEW AMBASSADOR OF CAMBODIA TO SERBIA

Born 18th October 1957 in Siem Reap Province, new Cambodian ambassador Tan Vutha holds an MSc. in Political Science and an MSc. in Public Law from the University of Auvergne. He served as a diplomat of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to Lao People’s Democratic Republic (1994,1997).

Employed at the Cambodian Ministry of Environment as a State Secretary (2004-2008) and as an Advisor to the Government (2008-2010). He served from 2010 to ‘13 as State Secretary, and from 2013 as an Advisor at the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Awarded the Medal of National Merit and Royal Order of Cambodia. He is fluent in French. The father of three.

SANJA RADLOVAČKI , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES & SERBIA BUSINESS CLUB

The Board of Directors of the United Arab Emirates & Serbia Business Club has appointed Sanja Radlovački as the club’s executive director, with her assuming all associated responsibilities in August. Radlovački has spent 14 years of in the marketing industry, focused on corporate management, new business development, strategic project management, integrated marketing communication, key government relations and international affairs & cooperation. Between 2009 and 2020, Sanja worked as a marketing and new business director for a number of prestigious private and public corporations, where she was directly responsible for corporate marketing and business development strategies. Sanja graduated from the European University with a degree in Business Relations and Marketing in 2006, then earned an MSc. in business relations and marketing from the European University at the age of 23. She completed an MBA in the field of Marketing Communication from IAA (NY, U.S.) in 2013, then completed specialist studies in audio-visual arts at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Dramatic Arts in 2015.

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ALEKSANDAR RADIVOJEVIĆ MBA, M.SC.E.E., GENERAL MANAGER, TEAMENERGO

Experts In FTTH Technology Almost seven years have passed since a group of enthusiasts emerged from Telegroup and created TeamEnergo, whose engineers today contribute to the modernisation of life and work that’s provided by platforms based on internet technologies

Y

ou can encounter the teams of TeamEnergo from Subotica to Preševo, at the heart of the cities, where they work on modernising the optics network for the largest Serbian operators, modernising railways, and building schools, health centres, intelligent transport systems, city water supply systems, gas pipelines etc.

Your company has existed for just short of seven years, and behind you there are already numerous projects of strategic importance in the country, across the Western Balkans and throughout Europe. You quickly gained a reputation as a reliable partner for telecommunications, IT, ITS and electricity infrastructure?

TeamEnergo’s expertise, good reputation among colleagues and trust of the market have seen us ranked among the five leading companies in Serbia for infrastructure projects in telecommunications, alongside special expertise in FTTH technology. Projects in the field of installing optic networks in our country, in Germany and in Qatar, show that we have formed a good team. The city and the state, as well as the company, are not guarded by

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ramparts or trenches, but by the knowledge and harmony of their people.

We grew out of a company that has existed and endured on the Balkan market for more than 20 years. We developed together on telecommunications and energy projects of vital importance for the development of our country and surrounding countries. It was a little less than seven years ago that our team, with the support of Mr Milomir Gligorijević, president of parent company

We are a desirable local partner that implements innovative projects in the modernisation of telecommunications and energy networks and systems

TeleGroup, entered the market independently and started fighting for its place under the sun, under the name of TeamEnergo.

In your work, how important are cooperation with leading global equipment manufacturers, the application of innovative technologies, a multidisciplinary approach and teamwork?

Is that what makes you a desirable and reliable partner?

We cooperate with the world’s largest

companies, such as Huawei, Nokia, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Philips and others that represent leaders of world markets. Global projects dictate the course, while we are a desirable local partner that implements innovative projects in the modernising of telecommunications and energy networks and systems, in order for citizens to get the best quality in accordance with world standards, support for digitalisation and modern technologies for their work, education and prosperity in business, which often depends on the possibilities of remote communication.

We are witnessing how implied it is that 5G and the ‘Internet of Things’ will bring numerous changes to the economy, health, defence, internal security, manufacturing and industry. As such, to explain briefly, we are engineers who contribute to building the base, the foundation for implementing the modernisation of life and work that’s provided by platforms that depend on internet technologies to make life more attractive and easier.

You can come across our teams from Subotica to Preševo, working at toll stations along the length of highways; at the very heart of the city centres of Belgrade, Zrenjanin, Niš, Kraljevo, Užice or Čačak, while working on the modernising of the optic network for the largest Serbian operators, as well as on the construction of schools, health centres, substations, street lighting, intelligent transport systems, city water supplies and gas pipelines.

Without high quality infrastructure there can be no economic development. What else is important for keeping pace with the developed world?

Preparations are underway, through large telecommunications infrastructure projects, for the global battle between the eastern and western geopolitical spheres for the primacy of technological solutions, and with that their own economies, starting from the defence industry and its implications for security, via exports of technology and setting new standards in all other domains of industry. We are also aware, particularly since the start of 2020, through analysis of the volatility of world markets according to the established supply system, that there are many weaknesses of the globalised world, due to biological-natural threats, to face a world that is no longer unipolar.

States are adapting rapidly to new technologies, in order - at the dawn of artificial intelligence - to provide the best living and working conditions for their citizens. The battle for jobs is not subsiding, while the labour market is changing. Work from home has become a valid alternative, sporting matches and concerts are taking place without spectators or through virtual reality, to prevent them from being cancelled. Youth education is taking place online globally.

From showbiz, sports, hospitality and other branches of industry that have been forced to adapt to the “contactless economy”, we understand the responsibility that our profession has at this juncture. Our teams were on the ground throughout the state of emergency and quarantine period in order for our citizens to be able to lead their lives, jobs and education online.

We are growing accustomed to the new normal. Technology is always a resource and is dependent on the user. Times of crisis drive innovation and cause rapid change to habits of living, working and trading, while new challenges also bring new solutions. We are optimists; we always work in the highest interest of the profession, science and users, i.e. citizens. No matter how modern the times, the human approach remains the foundation of good work.

Today we have a chance to fulfil the

ancient ideal of everyone doing the job that they know best. We are recognised for our knowhow in building infrastructure, and thus we provide an impetus to further economic development and technological upgrades.

We use the most modern mechanisation, instruments and tools, while we invest constantly in staff education and training

No matter how modern the times, the human approach remains the foundation of good work

in the latest technologies, in order to keep pace with the world.

You’ve participated in the realisation of major infrastructure projects in the region, but also in Germany, Qatar and Norway, where jobs are only entrusted to the best. How much do experiences gained in working on these markets mean to you?

Germany is an example of an organised society that has provided a chance to our experts from various fields, while we are

connected through shared geopolitical interests and routes of energy sustainability. We learnt many lessons by living side-by-side for centuries. Our foreign policy, foreign trade, technological cooperation and trade exchange are today recording growth. Germany is a country that’s capable of setting a measured geopolitical course

and encouraging economic development.

We are a region that falls under their sphere of interest, and in the cases of Germany and Norway legal migrations are positive. Our companies receive decent business opportunities, and their markets gain well-educated and reliable young people. We have a positive experience and have learnt a lot. The good model that we’ve established is for our people to work in both Germany and our country, to the delight of both, because it is in this way that one creates a dynamic model that shows results. Our people love life in Serbia, but also opportunities to earn money on foreign projects. If we succeed in ensuring that our people have secure jobs with us in Germany, Austria, Serbia or anywhere else in the world, that they are able to live decently, feed and educate their children that they raise in Serbia, we will consider that as being a great success and our contribution!

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“Slovenia is and will continue to use nuclear power, as we did in the previous 40 years.” – BLAŽ KOŠOROK, SLOVENIAN INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRY STATE SECRETARY

REGIONAL NEWS SLOVENIA

GORENJE TO HIRE 600 TEMP WORKERS DUE TO SURGE IN ORDERS

CROATIA

10 MILLION EURO SOLAR POWER PLANT BEING CONSTRUCTED In the area of Lika-Senj County, Croatia, the construction of a stand-alone photovoltaic power plant worth a massive 10 million euros will soon begin, and it will produce 25GWh of electricity per year. This is a project being undertaken by the company RP Global, which has already made investments in wind farms Danilo in the hinterland of Sibenik and Rudine in the Dubrovnik littoral, and this is their first project of this type in Croatia.

The investment should bring about 250,000 kuna a year to the local self-government unit in Novalja, so it isn’t surprising that the local authorities very quickly met the investor and signed the agreement on financing the amendments to the spatial plan of Lika-Senj County. It improves the conditions for the construction of solar parks, meaning that it increases the percentage of maximum terrain coverage with solar panels from 25 to 50 percent of the building plot area.

Slovenian home appliance manufacturer Gorenje is hiring some 600 temporary workers to cope with a record number of orders. Orders until the end of the year are up more than 30% on last year for each month, while a 15-20% increase is also expected for early 2021.

Since 10th August, Gorenje has already hired 240 workers on a fixed-term contract, and is looking for another 350, to be employed by 1st September.

Some of the new workers will be hired until the end of October, but the majority until the end of the year, said the company, which is now part of Chinese group Hisense.

MONTENEGRO

STRATEGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARITIME ECONOMY ADOPTED The Government of Montenegro, at the proposal of the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Affairs, has adopted the Strategy for the Development of the Maritime Economy 2020-2030, together with the Action Plan 2020-2021.

Until now, no sectoral strategic document has been drafted to recognise and adequately valorise the development potential of this economic sector.

The Strategy’s goal is to recognise and precisely define development directions for Montenegro’s maritime economy sector.

The drafting of this document, as emphasised by the Government, seeks to strengthen the maritime economy sector’s role in the development and competitiveness of Montenegro through a clearly defined naval policy and sustainable development initiatives.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

MOODY’S AFFIRMS BOSNIA ‘B3’ RATING Moody’s Investors Service said it has affirmed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s B3 long-term issuer ratings and stable outlook. Structural challenges continue to weigh on the country’s medium-term growth outlook and to weaken its economic strength, while the moderate debt levels and fiscal restraint in recent years provide fiscal space to cushion the economic shocks stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, Moody’s said in a statement.

“Weak institutions, in part reflecting a complex governance system and a divisive political environment, continue to hamper effective policymaking,” the statement read.

In addition, Moody’s left unchanged Bosnia’s local-currency bond and deposit ceilings and long-term foreign-currency bond and deposit ceilings at B3, while the short-term foreign currency bond and deposit ceilings remained Not Prime (NP).

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“We’re confident that we can improve sales trends in the second half of the year and beyond,” – PETE NORDSTROM, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF BRAND OFFICER OF NORDSTROM

WORLD NEWS USA

AMERICAN AIRLINES TO CUT 19,000 JOBS IN OCTOBER WITHOUT AID

USA

MARK ZUCKERBERG’S PERSONAL WEALTH HITS $100 BILLION AFTER INSTAGRAM REELS LAUNCH Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on 5th August the rollout of new Instagram Reels across the U.S., which has boosted Zuckerberg’s wealth to $100 billion. Reels is a short form video platform like Tik-Tok, which is being very strategically launched in over 50 countries during a precarious time for rival TikTok. Facebook had a billion users by 2012 and in 2020 has over two billion monthly users, which favourably impact on Instagram Reels.

Facebook shares rose by more than 6% after the launch, which places Yuckerberg among the world’s exclusive Centibillionaire Club, joining the likes of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Microsoft’s Bill Gates.

American Airlines announced its workforce will shrink by 40,000, including 19,000 involuntary cuts, in October as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh heavy on air travel, unless the government extends aid for airline employee payrolls.

Airlines received $25 billion in U.S. government stimulus funds in March meant to cover payrolls and protect jobs through September. As the money runs out without a travel recovery in sight, airlines and unions have lobbied Washington for another $25 billion, but talks have stalled as Congress has struggled to reach agreement on a broader coronavirus assistance package.

Shares in American, which had 140,000 employees before the pandemic, fell 2.7%. In a memo to employees, Chief Executive Doug Parker and President Robert Isom said the first relief bill had assumed the virus would be under control and demand recovered by 30 September.

CHINA

VOLKSWAGEN TO TEST AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN CHINESE CITY HEFEI

Volkswagen AG announced it will start testing autonomous vehicles in China’s eastern city of Hefei, its first in the world’s biggest car market. China has become a hot spot for trying out autonomous driving vehicles.

Toyota-backed (7203.T) Pony.ai, Baidu Inc (BIDU.O), Nissanbacked (7201.T) WeRide and Didi Chuxing are all testing autonomous cars in different cities as automakers and tech companies are investing billions in the technology.

Volkswagen, the biggest foreign automaker in China, will start the test in Hefei with Audi’s e-tron electric sport utility vehicles from September, it said in a statement. The test will be open to the public from next year.

In May, Volkswagen said it would invest 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion) to take a 50% stake in the state-owned parent of Chinese electronic vehicle group JAC. Volkswagen will also take full management control of its existing electric vehicle joint venture with JAC in Hefei by raising its stake to 75% from 50%.

SWITZERLAND

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM SAYS ANNUAL MEETING IN DAVOS TO BE DELAYED UNTIL SUMMER 2021 The World Economic Forum has announced its decision to postpone the upcoming annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, due to safety concerns and in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The meeting, originally scheduled for January in the Alpine ski resort, will be rescheduled to “early next summer,” according to Adrian Monck, managing director of public engagement at the Forum.

“The decision was not taken easily, since the need for global leaders to come together to design a common recovery path and shape the ‘Great Reset’ in the post-COVID-19 era is so urgent,” Monck said in a statement.

“However, the advice from experts is that we cannot do so safely in January.”

The World Economic Forum’s annual summit in Davos is routinely one of the globe’s largest collections of world leaders and corporate executives.

This year’s gathering, which took place over four days starting 21st January, featured commentary from U.S. President Donald Trump, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and climate activist Greta Thunberg.

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DUŠICA GAKOVIĆ, PROJECT LEAD, DEKA INŽENJERING [ENGINEERING]

We’ll Revive The City Deka Inženjering is a company that’s been operating on our market for nearly 10 years and is currently building more than 250,000 square metres of properties at the most attractive locations in Belgrade. As a safe and reliable partner in the field of civil engineering and investments, Deka continuously gains the trust of new clients

W

ith the construction of A Block, we positioned ourselves as an investor that is uncompromising in taking care of the quality of implemented works and which installs high-quality materials. We are improving that approach and quality with New Dorćol, offering an authentic space in the urban part of the city, notes Ms Gaković.

Following the successful completion of New Belgrade’s ‘A Block’ project, Deka Inženjering continues to invest in real estate and is building the New Dorćol residential and business complex in Belgrade city centre.

What innovations is this project bringing to the real estate and housing market?

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Considering that New Dorćol is being built at the heart of Belgrade, we had the serious and demanding task of integrating a modern residential and business complex into an existing urban environment. The location itself is rich in cultural and historical heritage - it was here that the “First Royal Privileged Enterprise for Hemp and Cotton Processing Aleksa Obradović” was built in 1897, and that represented the centre of the Kingdom of Serbia’s textile industry.

After World War II, the David Pajić Daka Lift Factory was located here. Our goal was to preserve and integrate the historical elements of buildings from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, and to architecturally imbed them into the modern complex by building a real urban state-of-the-art project.

When it comes to the living space of the New Dorćol complex, it is designed to suit various lifestyles, providing the comfort of living in the urban part of the city, along with the feeling of privacy and maximum functionality. More than 500 modern and comfortable residential units, which are structurally divided into different sized apartments, represent the right space for modern families or individuals.

The first phase of construction encompasses six residential layers with apartments of different structures and retail units with various purposes. Located on the ground floor is a modern swimming pool and spa centre, while parking is provided on the underground levels. Under the scope of the first phase, plans include the finalisation of

the reconstruction of the “Platnara”, which will gain a new, commercial purpose. We will thereby make this unique, historical building accessible to all Belgraders, and not exclusively to the residents of the complex, thus reviving a slightly forgotten part of Belgrade. The first apartments of the New Dorćol complex should be ready for residents to move in as early as July 2021.

What are the characteristics of Deka Inženjering’s new project? What makes New Dorćol a unique residential and business complex?

Contemporary construction projects should be based on the principles of sustainable development, satisfying a high level of energy efficiency and meeting today’s

It is planned for the first apartments of the New Dorćol complex to be ready for residents to move in as early as July 2021

needs in a proper way. New Dorćol is a project that’s the result of this very type of construction, where high-quality facade finishings include a modern ventilated facade. Also applied to the complex are the latest technical-technological solutions in aluminium facade windows of the Schueco

brand, with the high-quality surface rendering of aluminium profiles (powder coating), and modern barriers on balconies and French balconies, while windows with low parapets are made of tempered glass.

Alongside high-quality and attractive modern facades, the specificity of the urban ambience is reflected in the incorporated original elements of industrial architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tailored common outdoor spaces with carefully selected greenery, urban furniture on the first floor podium with controlled access for tenants only. The entire complex is monitored by internal CCTV video surveillance, while the facilities are secured 24/7 by a porter.

All New Dorćol apartments will be supported by a smart home system, which enables the adapting of the apartment to the user. With the help of a smart device connected to the WiFi network, all functions throughout the entire apartment can be controlled very easily and comfortably, both when you are in the apartment and when you’re outside. The implementation of a smart home system enables a high level of energy efficiency through the control of heating and lighting, while providing security against intruders by simulating a presence.

The facilities of the New Dorćol complex adhere to modern form and design, and are positioned to enable a comfortable distance from neighbours and the maximum illumination of space within the apartments, which - you will agree - is more than challenging for a new building in a city centre that’s characterised by its cramped spaces. Every detail of what we do is directed towards delivering, before deadlines, a property that the customer will enjoy.

As a company that has behind it the successful completion of the A Block project, what kind of opinion do you have regarding the real needs of Belgrade for new residential units? Is today’s construction of residential and business complexes a need or a trend?

We are bearing witness to the expansion of numerous investments in the field of residential and business premises. The growth and development of this segment in recent years refers not only to the number

Every detail of what we do is directed towards delivering, before deadlines, a property that the customer will enjoy

of constructed square-metres, but also to the approach of investors to customers, as an increasingly demanding target group.

What will probably additionally impact on the intensive growth and development of this area relates to the domain of improved legal regulations, more efficient administrative procedures and greater legal certainty for doing business and investing.

The fact that apartments in residential and business complexes are even sold before the completion of construction works testifies to the fact that Belgrade has quite a large need for high-quality construction.

We recognised the demands of the market at the very beginning of the construction of A Block and it was actually on the basis of this that we shaped the further direction of our progress and development, and it is in that direction that we are now implementing

the New Dorćol project. With the construction of A Block, we positioned ourselves on the market as an investor who uncompromisingly takes care of the quality of works implemented and which installs high-quality materials. With New Dorćol we are improving that overall quality by offering an authentic living space that combines the modern and the traditional in the urban part of the city.

What are the advantages of buying an apartment directly from the investor? What benefits does Deka Inženjering offer to its customers, both of apartments and retail units?

In order to enable buyers to acquire their desired apartment in the New Dorćol complex as easily and quickly as possible, we formed an unusual mortgage offer that is being implemented during the construction phase. This completely unique offer for buyers of apartments is being realised in cooperation with Direct Bank and implies that buyers can raise a loan at a very reasonable interest rate already during this phase of construction. As for retail units, buyers will be able to complete purchases through a loan or lease. With a downpayment of 20% of the value of the premises, the rest of the price of the property is usually paid within a deadline of seven years in the case of a loan and 10 years in the case of leasing.

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Enterpreneur

SARA BLAKELY CEO OF SPANX

Start Small, Think Big, 40

September

Scale Fast

The CEO of Spanx explains how her hyper-observant focus led to overhauling the undergarments industry

START SMALL, THINK BIG, SCALE FAST For Blakely, part of the success of Spanx was that she didn’t take any outside funding. She started with $5,000, and it was profitable from the beginning. Whatever money she made from selling Spanx, she put back into the business. “A lot of people want to start big and think big and oftentimes get ahead of themselves,” she says. “That can end wildly successful, but it can also cause a lot of problems. You dilute yourself down and you have people you’re answering to.”

ASK QUESTIONS AND BE HYPER-OBSERVANT Blakely came up with the idea for Spanx by thinking differently about hosiery, and she continues to generate ideas for new products, more

recently a fitted men’s undershirt and Spanx Arm Tights to wear under shirts and dresses.

She had the idea for the men’s “compression” undershirt after realizing that the original design hadn’t been updated in nearly 100 years, and her husband and brother complained that it was boxy and bulky under clothes.

“I think of a lot of ideas at traffic lights,” she says. “I pay attention to things that haven’t evolved and why. I ask myself questions all day,

BE VULNERABLE Blakely is no stranger to vulnerability. In addition to admitting to her mistakes, she’s open about her process with her customers and shares intimate details about her life as a wife and mother of four on Instagram. “I love the idea of CEOs showing vulnerabilities and the ups and downs,” she says. “I don’t feel I need to put on a facade

Photo: Gillian Zoe Segal

Almost every entrepreneur in the U.S. knows the story of how Spanx started: Sara Blakely, then 27, was prepping for a party when she realized she didn’t have the right undergarment to wear under white pants. To solve the issue, she pulled out a pair of scissors and cut the feet off her pantyhose.

Thus, Spanx was born.

Spanx’s unique shapewear undergarments, plus dozens of other products like pants and leggings, are now available in more than 50 countries. Blakely was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2012, and the world’s youngest self-made billionaire by Forbes the same year.

Blakely had an unusual path to that credit. She grew up in Clearwater, Florida, and wanted to be a lawyer like her father. She did well in school but was a terrible test-taker and scored poorly on the LSAT multiple times. Instead, she tried standup comedy, then sold fax machines door-to-door for seven years before she had the idea for Spanx.

With no business degree, she launched Spanx in 2000 with $5,000 in her savings account and took no outside investments; today she still owns 100% of the company. In 2006, she founded the Sara Blakely Foundation to invest in women by supporting organizations in education, entrepreneurship, and the arts.

into a funny story. “If you can create a culture where [your employees] are not terrified to fail or make a mistake, then they’re going to be highly productive and more innovative,” she says. “I’m curious about the things that hold power over us.

And one is fear of embarrassment. We all have that. But if I embarrass myself, then it loses its power over me.”

every day. I could be looking at a table and be like, ‘Why is the table like that? When was the table first created? Is that the actual best design for a table? Or could there be something different?’”

SHARE THE FAILS A key tenet of Blakely’s leadership style is admitting to her mistakes and giving her employees room to do the same. She even schedules “oops meetings” at Spanx where employees stand up and say how they messed up or a mistake they made, usually turning it

to be taken seriously as a leader. When I started Spanx, instead of talking at my customer, I wanted to talk to them. I felt other companies were like, ‘We need to be perfect, and you need to see us as the authority. That’s how we’re going to sell you a product.’ They weren’t really talking to me, and I didn’t necessarily trust them. [Instead], I made myself vulnerable. I was like, ‘Hey, I’m one of you. Here’s what it does for me. This is why it works.’ I used my own butt in the before and after picture. And I felt like customers became really connected and loyal.”

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Enterpreneur

USE HUMOR “A lot of people want to start big and think big and oftentimes get ahead of themselves. That can end wildly successful, but it can also cause a lot of problems.”Sara Blakely At Spanx, new employees go through a training boot camp, and one of the mandatory activities is doing standup comedy. Blakely does this because it helps employees let go of their fears, loosen up, and use humor when selling Spanx products. “I don’t subscribe to the fact that you have to act serious to be taken seriously,” she says. “When I started, I wrote, ‘Don’t worry. We’ve got your butt covered,’ right on the package. I named my company Spanx, which made people laugh. All of a sudden you had celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Julia Roberts flashing their Spanx on red carpets and saying, ‘I’m wearing Spanx.’ I think it’s because I chose to do humor and people wanted to participate in that. When I cold-called to sell fax machines door-to-door, I learned very quickly that if I could make somebody laugh or smile I’d get another 30 seconds before they’d slam the door in my face.”

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE HARD WORK In the beginning, Spanx was a one-woman operation and Blakely was in charge of every department at her new company. She was the packer and shipper. She was head of sales. She wrote her own patent to save on legal fees. “I

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was everything,” she says. “I was out in the field talking about the product and sharing the story of why it was better. There’s so much about my journey where I was like, ‘I am not going to let my success be contingent on other people. As much as I can control it, help it, navigate it, I’m going to.’” That said, she also suggests “hiring your weaknesses” as soon as you can afford to.

BREAK THE RULES Blakely has never asked permission to do things her own way. She heard “no” for two years from manufacturers before getting her first Spanx product made. She also didn’t like how masculine the traditional business environment felt, so she turned tradition on its head. “At a cocktail party after I first started Spanx, one guy came up to me and said, ‘Sara, we heard you invented something. I hope you’re ready to go to war. Business is war.’ I remember looking at him and thinking, ‘Why?’ I went home that night and sat on the floor of my apartment and thought, ‘I don’t want to go to war.’ Then this voice inside of my head just said, ‘Do it differently. Take a different approach.’”

Another time, when her product wasn’t in a visible space at Neiman Marcus, she took matters into her own hands. “I realized that my product was in the sleepiest part of the department store.

It was back in the corner and nobody was going there. I immediately went and bought envelope dividers, put Spanx in them, and I ran around Neiman Marcus and put them at every register. By the time somebody figured out that nobody else had approved it — because everybody thought somebody else approved it — it was so successful that the head of Neiman’s was like, ‘Whatever this girl’s doing, let her keep doing it.’”

By Stanford Business/Blaire Briody

PROFILE

We Listen To Filmmakers And Filmgoers

Photo: Maja Medić

I was born and raised in Kragujevac. During my childhood we had three cinemas in the city. I think the first film I watched, before I even started school, was the animated film Lucky Luke. I also remember the incredible crowds before the matinee screening of the film Raiders of the Lost Ark, and to my delight I managed to buy the last two tickets for myself and my best friend. Wow, what a film!

GORDAN MATIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE FILM CENTRE OF SERBIA

T

hat was definitely the most exciting experience I’d ever had in my life until then. Towards the end of primary school, with the same friend but under less dramatic circumstances, I repeatedly watched Streets of Fire, The Warriors, Star Wars, Back to the Future, An Officer And A Gentleman etc., and a retrospective of the films of Alfred Hitchcock and Fellini. Everything changed for me after that...

In this century, thanks to circumstance, I gained the opportunity to head the national fund for cinematography. The Film Centre of Serbia’s core activity is co-financing film productions. For me, the FCS is much more than that - we help authors and producers to develop and promote their films, we encourage the digitalisation of cinemas throughout Serbia, we’ve established a network of more than 20 cinemas outside Belgrade, while we also support domestic festivals and workshops. We are proud of

the publishing activities of the Film Centre, and we’re still the most influential publisher when it comes to topics of audiovisual content, as evidenced by the great interest in our book The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler.

Times are changing, and the viewers, cinemas and investors in cinematography are changing with them. With changes constantly occurring, making strategic plans is a great challenge, and realising them is

It is also very important strategically to adopt a new law on audio-visual activities and cinematography, which would be adapted to the present moment and focused on new tendencies

even harder. In my strategic vision for the development of the FCS there are several very important elements that should be aligned with the expectations of all stakeholders in the industry in the coming years.

It is essential to transform the FCS into an audio-visual centre, in order for it to also

be able to more comprehensively regulate relations in the sector of TV series and video games. We need a new and more representative location, but also new, young, skilled and educated personnel. It is also very important strategically to adopt a new law on audiovisual activities and cinematography, which would be adapted to the present moment and focused on new tendencies.

In the coming period, the Film Centre will work on intensive decentralisation, listening to audiences and creators beyond Belgrade.

We will try to open new offices in Novi Sad, Niš, Novi Pazar and Kragujevac, in order for us to promote filming locations around Serbia. We want to motivate the Ministry of the Economy to raise the threshold for incentives for shooting in devastated areas from 25 to 30 per cent.

For next year we’re preparing a new “invitational competition” for awarded directors - those who’ve left a significant mark not only on our cinematography, but also on the film scene of Europe as a whole. We want to encourage deserving authors of the older generations to tell us their interesting stories again.

Serbia is among the few countries that doesn’t have a high-quality national festival that would encompass the complete annual production of films, series and minority co-productions, with a special emphasis on industry-focused activity. Establishing such a festival is one of the strategically important activities that we’re working on.

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Art

10 Paintings

10. JACKSON POLLOCK, NUMBER 5, 1948, 1948, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

Most Expensive

Ever

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September

Can you think of a world in which there would be discounts on works of art? It’s so unreal that I find it hard to imagine

8. $179.4 M In 2015, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber bin Mohammed bin Thani Al Thani, an ex-Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Quatar bought this Picasso inspired by Eugène Delacroix‘s 1834 painting The Women of Algiers in their Apartment. The painting is part of the fifteen piece rich series, each work carrying its own letter.

7. $180 M This pair of portraits is a curious case.

They were not purchased by a billionaire but by the two prominent museums (Louvre and Rijksmuseum) which chipped in half-half to afford the price, which moreover has been a record price for any Rembrandt so far.

9. AMADEO MODIGLIANI, NU COUCHÉ, 1918, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

H

owever, I still can keep dreaming that one day I’ll be able to afford an original piece by someone who isn’t my an-aspiring-artistfriend. And if I dream, I dream far, choosing among these ten most expensive paintings in the world.

businessman and art collector, Liu Yiqian, who paid for it with his American Express credit card. The painting is part of a series of nudes that Modigliani painted in 1917.

6. $183.8 M Where there is money, there is also deceit.

The Water Serpents II features as proof in one of the biggest ongoing lawsuits in the art world. Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier sold this painting to the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev (who will reappear in this ranking as he is one of the largest private art collectors in the world). Before the transaction Bouvier didn’t tell Rybolovlev that he was the real owner of the painting having bought it previously for $112 million. Instead he convinced Rybolovlev that the painting

10. $164.6 M This work by Jackson Pollock was bought by Mexican businessman, David Martínez, in 2006. It’s a wonderful painting with a rich history, as it had been damaged before reaching its first owner Alfonso A.Ossorio. Apparently Pollock smudged some paint over the damage saying: “He’ll never know.”

9. $170.4 M First time at auction and already kicked the ceiling achieving the second-highest auction price for a painting at the time: $170.4 million. This beautiful nude was bought in 2015 from Laura Mattioli Rossi by Chinese

8. PABLO PICASSO, WOMEN OF ALGIERS, VERSION O, 1955, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

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Art was worth much more than $112 million and that it was owned by a third party. In the end, Rybolovlev paid $183.3 million and an additional $3.7 million administrative fee.

Quick calculation shows that Bouvier made a profit of $75 million! Eventually, the deceit was uncovered. Now Rybolovlev, along with Bouvier’s many other victims, has brought charges and lawsuits against Bouvier. As of 2019, the litigation was still ongoing.

5. $186 M This magic Rothko had been bought by the same Dmitry Yevgenyevich Rybolovlev, this time a year before his ex-wife ordered him to pay over $4.5 billion as a divorce settlement. Not the luckiest guy I must say.

4. ~$200 M The fourth most expensive painting is another Pollock. This time it was handed to Kenneth C. Griffin, an American hedge fund manager, founder, and CEO of the global investment firm Citadel. Remember this guy, he will appear again…

7. REMBRANDT, PENDANT PORTRAITS OF MAERTEN SOOLMANS AND OOPJEN COPPIT, 1634, LOUVRE/RIJKSMUSEUM

6. GUSTAV KLIMT, WATER SERPENTS II, 1907, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

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By author

4. JACKSON POLLOCK, NUMBER 17A, 1948, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

5. MARK ROTHKO, NO 6. (VIOLET, GREEN AND RED), 1951, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

3. $273 M This purchase was made in the name of the state by the Qatari royal family from the Greek shipping magnate, Geroge Empiricos.

Interestingly there are four other versions of it, varying in size and showing different numbers of players. I wonder why this one was preferred. Anyway, you can see one of the other copies at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.

2. Up to $300 M I’ve put both paintings at the same second place because their exact prices are unknown and in various rankings they interchange spots. Four years after their purchase

3. PAUL CEZANNE, THE CARD PLAYERS, 1892–93, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

of Cezanne, the royal family buys again. In 2015 the state of Qatar paid approximately 300 million dollars for this Gauguin to the family of Rudolf Staechelin who was a Swiss businessman and art collector. We don’t know the exact price because the sale was private.

However, the painting itself isn’t private: you can see it in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Why is this de Kooning so precious? Is it because of the fact that this painting marked the change in style that de Kooning had made under the influence of Franz Kline?

2. ~$300 M Kenneth C. Griffin is the owner of the second most expensive painting in the world.

He paid slightly more than the Qatari royals, but again we don’t exactly know how much more because the transaction between him and David Geffen Foundation was private.

And the Winner is: $450.3 M On November 15, 2017, Salvator Mundi was sold by its previous owner Russian billionaire, Dmitry Rybolovlev, to Badr bin Abdullah, first and current Minister of Culture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The sale was groundbreaking as it shattered

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Art

2. PAUL GAUGUIN, NAFEA FAA IPOIPO? (WHEN WILL YOU MARRY?) 1892, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

2. WILLEM DE KOONING, INTERCHANGE, 1955, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

1. LEONARDO DA VINCI, SALVATOR MUNDI, C.1500, PRIVATE COLLECTION. WIKIPEDIA

previous records at Christie’s exceeding all expectations. Allegedly Badr bin Abdullah bought the painting on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism, yet many reckon that in reality he might have bid for Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Anyway, I hope they don’t regret

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it and strongly believe it’s a real Leonardo despite doubts about the attribution which has been questioned for years.

Well, I hope you’re going to have successful shopping in your dreams about most expensive paintings.

By Magda Michalska/Daily Art Magazine

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49

My life

Marta Nešković, Researcher

FREEDOM IS STICKING TO SELF-DISCIPLINE She completed the 14th Belgrade High School and graduated in physics at the Pierre & Marie Curie University within the Sorbonne and in socio-cultural anthropology at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris. She has spent the last two and a half years conducting her Ph.D. dissertation fieldwork at the Buddhist Shaolin Temple in China.

She is a descendant of Njegoš, Blagoje Nešković and Mihailo Vučinić, and is proud of her ancestors and her parents 50

September

By Radmila Stanković

M

arta Nešković grew up in a family of scientists, doctors and professors. Her father, Nebojša Nešković, spent his entire working life at the Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, where he spent many years managing the largest scientific project in the country, the important goal of which was to integrate Serbia into world science. Marta’s mother, Vesna Vučinić Nešković, is a professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy, where she lectures on urban anthropology. She has also presided over the World Council of Anthropological Associations.

Marta’s paternal grandfather, Blagoje Nešković, was a volunteer doctor in the Spanish Civil War, while during World War II he led the national liberation struggle in Serbia. After liberation, he was a senior political official in Serbia and Yugoslavia, and after leaving politics he returned to medicine and dedicated himself to research in the field of oncology. Marta’s paternal grandmother, Brana Perović Nešković, was also an active participant in the national liberation struggle in Serbia. She later opted for atomic physics and worked at the Vinča Institute until the end of her career, serving as its director.

Marta was particularly inspired by her grandmother’s Montenegrin origin - because Brana Perović’s great-grandmother, Marija, the wife of Serdar Andrija Perović, was the sister of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the spiritual and secular ruler of Montenegro and one of the greatest Serbian poets and philosophers.

Marta’s maternal grandfather, Mihailo Vučinić, was a co-founder and director of the Dedinje Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases.

He studied to become a surgeon at the most important cardiovascular centres in the U.S. and Europe. In this way he enabled his own institute to establish an intensive exchange of experts and direct cooperation with these centres, which continues to this day. Lucija Vučinić, Marta’s maternal grandmother, was also a doctor. She taught microbiology and anatomy at the Medical High School in Belgrade. Marta’s brother is named Mihailo, which was the Partisan name of his paternal grandfather and the given name of his maternal grandfather. He is a successful young vascular surgeon at the Dedinje Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases.

The upbringing she received in the home was not spontaneous and random, but rather directed in a specific way. And at the Shaolin Temple she encountered the idea that it is strict adherence to rules that provides freedom Marta headed to study in France in September 2010, on her own initiative. There she first completed physics with mathematics at the Pierre & Marie Curie University in Paris, after which she completed master studies in socio-cultural anthropology at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris [École des hautes études en sciences sociales]. She earned money during her studies by working at top Parisian restaurants, which allowed her to travel through India and China during the period from November 2015 to April 2016. Her aim was to find the most suitable place to conduct anthropological research of martial arts. In Pondicherry, India,

she practised Kalaripayattu, while in China she visited the Wudang Mountains and the Shaolin Temple, where Kung Fu is practised. Upon returning to Belgrade, she decided to enrol in Ph.D. studies at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy, focusing on the connections between Chan Buddhism, Kung Fu and health at the Shaolin Monastery. She began her field research at this famous monastery in April 2018 and completed it in August 2020.

Marta, who is now 28, became a Junior Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science in May 2016. Intelligent, tenacious and communicative, she is fluent in English, French and Mandarin. When asked about her fondest childhood memories for this presentation for CorD Magazine, she responded by saying: “I recall long walks with my grandfather Mihailo Vučinić, who taught me and my brother Mihailo to distinguish between species of trees and birds, collect carob pods and chestnuts, ride rollerskates on Ada and ice-skate at Pioneer hall; generally to enjoy various activities outside the home. Our grandmother, Lucija Vučinić, taught us to enjoy the delicious dishes she prepared for us after those walks. One of the inspirations in playing with Mihailo was Chinese films about Kung Fu that mentioned the Shaolin Temple, where I’ve spent the last two years and four months.

“Throughout the whole of primary school

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My life

Marta Nešković, Researcher

our parents organised celebrations of mine and Mihailo’s birthdays with our classmates. We went to the McDonald’s restaurant, to the racecourse, to the park on Zvezdara Hill, and most often to the backyard of the house in Dedinje where my grandmother Brana Perović then lived.”

The upbringing she received in the home was based on several principles that relate to individual integrity and moral values, but also the role of the individual in society. And that upbringing was not spontaneous and random, but rather directed in a specific way. And at the Shaolin Temple she encountered the idea that it is strict adherence to rules that provides freedom.

She was an excellent pupil of both the Saint Sava Primary School and the 14th Belgrade High School. Apart from that, she was also sociable and engaged in a range of extracurricular activities - English and French languages, tennis, dance, acting and Taekwondo. Although she departed to study in France at the age of 18 and has spent most of her time abroad since, the basis of her worldview and understanding of her own identity were defined within the family environment. She also gained her need for a broad education from her home life. During one period of high school, the parents would sit, once a week, with both Mihailo and Marta to study various concepts from encyclopaedias, covering everything from mathematics, through history to fine art, and they would always do so with specific examples.

When Marta became aware of her family pedigree on both her parents’ sides, did she feel obliged to live up to it, or did it give her a sense of pride?

“I think it’s very important for an individual to be capable of appreciating their origins and the history of both their family and their nation. It is necessary to understand where one comes from in order to best select the goals one is striving towards and the path one should take. Of course I’m proud that my ancestors were a positive example, not only in the life of the family, but also in their contribution to the development of our nation and our country, as well as the broader international environment.

As such, in a continuation of that tradition, I feel the need and obligation to provide the greatest possible contribution in the same direction. This certainly includes the obligation to maintain moral principles in both private and professional fields.”

Regardless of the extent to which her parents

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MARTA WITH HER KUNG FU TEACHER AND OTHER KUNG FU STUDENTS AT THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE

The value of Shaolin for my research lay in the tradition embedded in the daily lives of its monks.

And in order to approach the monks one has to be patient, attend Kung Fu classes regularly and with devotion, and actively learn the Mandarin language didn’t influence her professional choices, she nonetheless completed her undergraduate studies in physics, which is her father’s area of expertise, then later opted for anthropology, which is her mother’s field: “I don’t think that was an accident, but rather that it shows the spontaneous influence of one’s environment on personal choice. I considered physics as an important and difficult discipline, with basic principles that I wanted to master and understand. It was a challenge for me. I enjoyed studying theoretical physics. However, after graduation, I concluded that my nature is nonetheless more suited to researching the

characteristics of humans, society and cultural processes. I have a need to contribute to the development of knowledge in that area.”

She enrolled at the Pierre & Marie Curie University (which forms part of the Sorbonne University) due to her desire to study physics and because it seemed to her that Paris was the most attractive of the places on offer where she could live: “And I chose anthropology when I realised that I spent most of my free time during my studies in Paris researching the link between physical practises and spirituality, and I did so through training Taekwondo and the Art of Movement (l’Art du Déplacement), also known as Parkour. That independent and intimate research of mine corresponded to the research that’s conducted in socio-cultural anthropology. That’s why I decided to deal with anthropology instead of physics, and thus enrolled in a two-year master’s programme at the School for Advanced Studies in Social Sciences in Paris [École des hautes études en sciences sociales], one of France’s great schools. I think that studying physics with mathematics had great significance for my education in general. I believe that it was through them that I developed a systematic approach to analysing scientific problems of any kind. I will continue to be interested in

I think it’s very important for an individual to be capable of appreciating their origins and the history of both their family and their nation. It is necessary to understand where one comes from in order to best select the goals one is striving towards and the path one should take MARTA WITH SHAOLIN TEMPLE ABBOT HIS HOLINESS SHI YONGXIN

physics, but it can be said that shifting the focus of my further studies to anthropology meant abandoning my research in physics.”

Marta enrolled in Ph.D. studies at the Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy’s Department of Ethnology and Anthropology with the clear idea of dedicating her doctoral thesis to the relationship between Chan Buddhism, martial arts and health at China’s Shaolin Temple. She created a detailed research concept at the very beginning of her studies, studied the appropriate initial literature and wrote a series of seminar papers, thus laying the foundations for her fieldwork at the Shaolin Monastery: “It was while travelling through China in the spring of 2016 that I visited the Shaolin Temple for the first time, with the aim of seeing if I would be able to conduct research there. The results of the conversations with the temple management following the visit were positive. After defending my proposal for the doctoral thesis, I arrived at the temple in April 2018, where I remained – with short breaks – until August 2020.

“At the very beginning of my residence at the Shaolin Temple, it wasn’t clear to me what I could expect from working there. I decided not to take any firm stances in advance, because I believed that could disrupt my integration into the temple community, as a researcher. For the first few months, perhaps even the whole first

year, I didn’t see the real Shaolin, because it is not composed of its buildings or most of the people that you meet during the average day, who include members of the community who are there for martial arts, monks who come from other monasteries to study for shorter periods and tourists.

The value of Shaolin for my research lay in the tradition embedded in the daily lives of its monks.

And in order to approach the monks one has to be patient, attend Kung Fu classes organised for foreign students regularly and with devotion, and actively learn the Mandarin language.”

At the Shaolin Temple, like any other Buddhist monastery, the rules of life are very precise.

Every member of the community has their own position in the hierarchy and their own daily responsibilities. Free time is dedicated to self-cultivation with the help of Chan methods - meditation, Kung Fu practises, studies of classical Chinese philosophy (especially Buddhist), recitations of sutras (Buddhist texts), conversations over tea etc.

“The Shaolin Temple is home to around 300 religious monks and around 50 Kung Fu monks.

The majority of the members of the Kung Fu monastic community are engaged in performances and promotions of Shaolin culture both in China and abroad. The circulation of members in that community is significant. A large number of members set out to society and establish various

careers related to martial arts, while new members are constantly arriving. Around a hundred foreign students pass through the temple every year, often coming in organised groups, mostly from Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia and North and Latin America. Groups stay at the temple for a week or two, while there are individuals from different parts of the world who stay for weeks and sometimes months. Apart from that, there are usually one or two foreign students staying at the temple for a longer period. In the groups that come during the summer, usually around a third of the members are girls. For the remaining months, I was usually the only girl at the temple. Shaolin also conducts a cultural exchange programme with African countries, so every year a larger group of students from those countries come during the three summer months to learn Kung Fu, but also to acquaint themselves with other aspects of Shaolin culture. I came to the temple on the basis of an agreement that was reached with its leadership after my visit to the temple in the spring of 2016.”

The Shaolin Temple is headed by His Holiness Shi Yongxin, the abbot of the temple. The hierarchy of the monastery is prescribed to the minutest detail and is adhered to absolutely.

Every part of the monastery, house or hall, has its own elder who is in charge – he takes care to ensure daily chores are done and take care of the members of the community linked to him.

The status of, and life at the Shaolin Temple – like any other religious institution in China – is

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My life

Marta Nešković, Researcher

determined by the religious policy rules of the People’s Republic of China. In this case, the Buddhist Association of China is in charge of enacting and implementing regulations: “Over the course of the first year and a half, my day at Shaolin looked as follows: getting up at half past five in the morning, running or attending the morning recitation of sutras, returning to the room and eating breakfast, then the day’s first official Kung Fu training session, from half past eight to half past ten, then lunch. In the beginning I ate lunch in the kitchen of the hostel for foreign students, and later in the monastery’s dining room, where Kung Fu monks serve food to all members of the monastic community and guests of the monastery. After lunch is rest time, which I used for private Chinese language classes. The afternoon Kung Fu training session was from half past two until half past four, and was followed by dinner, served at half past five.

I spent the rest of the time until the end of the day in additional Kung Fu training or doing work related to my doctorate.

“During the last nine months I devoted myself fully to my doctoral thesis. I was lucky that my next-door neighbours in the part of the temple where I lived were Kung Fu teachers, who were not only the perfect connoisseurs of this martial art, but also had the patience to further teach me and answer my questions related to the thesis. During this period I also attended Kung Fu training sessions on a daily basis, but they were shorter due to a lack of time.

However, then the way I learned Kung Fu gained additional meaning. I can say that progress – not only in physical skill but also in understanding its spiritual component – was then much greater than it had been during group training. The monastery was completely isolated at the end of last winter and during this spring, due to the danger of spreading the COVID-19 virus – with no one able to enter or leave. That period was of the greatest importance for me when it came to understanding the Shaolin culture.”

Marta’s status at the Shaolin Temple changed over time. She initially belonged to a group of foreign students who practised Kung Fu, and she was treated as part of that community. As she engaged mostly in research during the final period, she kept a low profile, rarely leaving the part of the temple where she lived, trained and wrote.

She didn’t want the members of the monastic

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MARTA WITH HER MOTHER VESNA VUČINIĆ NEŠKOVIĆ

The abbot of the monastery, as well as many Kung Fu teachers, saw me as the granddaughter of Blagoje Nešković, Serbia’s first Prime Minister and the founder of the Communist Party of Serbia, and they often mentioned that fact.

I think that contributed to me gaining a status with multiple meanings at Shaolin community to feel like she was constantly analysing them, which could have created distance in their daily relationship, which after such a long time had become natural and relaxed: “The abbot of the monastery, as well as many Kung Fu teachers, also saw me as the granddaughter of Blagoje Nešković, Serbia’s first Prime Minister and the founder of the Communist Party of Serbia, and they often mentioned that fact.

I think that contributed to me gaining a status

with multiple meanings at Shaolin. I believe that it was because of this status within the monastery that I got the opportunity to participate in several Chinese shows and documentaries, made by the Fourth Channel of Chinese Central Television (CCTV-4), the Xinhua News Agency and the Beijing Film Academy.”

While working on her doctoral thesis, what was proved most interesting to her was that which was the hardest to get. And that is recognizing and comprehending all aspects of preserving, transmitting and further developing the traditional knowledge and experience of Shaolin through reserach of all layers of that exceptional phenomenon. The monastery is the place of origin of Chan Buddhism and the maintaining of the tradition of Chan practise; a place where traditional fighting techniques are preserved and where Chan medicine was created, while at the same time it is a place of popular and political-diplomatic tourism. Understanding the depth of Shaolin culture represents a major scientific challenge: “I want to continue conducting anthropological research in the future and, if I obtain the opportunity, to work with students. I certainly plan to continue furthering my knowledge in the field of Chinese culture, and I would also like to deal with comparative research and the issues of cultural exchange between Serbia and China.”

Feature

By Sonja Ćirić

On The Edge Of The Future

DR IVAN MEDENICA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, CURATOR AND SELECTOR OF THE BELGRADE INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL – BITEF

“We considered it necessary to give our all to nonetheless create a sample of the festival this year, to come up with a three-day Bitef Prologue, and we managed to make that happen.”

B

ITEF, the Belgrade International Theatre Festival, will be the first international event to be held in Serbia during the Coronavirus pandemic. Three weeks prior to the scheduled start of this international festival, it was announced that a way had been found to continue BITEF for the 54th year of its existence, ensuring that the consecutive series of editions of the festival wouldn’t be interrupted. And that’s why - given the existence of truly objective possibilities of BITEF being cancelled - we are particularly pleased that for

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Feature this September’s issue we are continuing our tradition of interviewing Dr Ivan Medenica, the artistic director and selector of BITEF, about the programme he’s created.  The news that BITEF, unlike all other festivals, will not be postponed had a cathartic effect: it was commented on

was necessary to give our all to ensure that some sample of the festival nonetheless happens this year as well, for the reasons mentioned previously. That’s how we conceived the three-day BITEF Prologue, and we managed to make it happen. It will be located at the Bitef Theatre and on the summer stage in front of it, in Mira Trailović Square, and forming the backbone of

choice when we consider that it represented the core of the concept of the 54th BITEF. Converging within it are the thematic line of this concept, the vision of post-humanism as a world in which man will no longer be at the centre, so the ecological balance and aesthetic will be restored: bodies performing digitally and other re-examining of the live presence on stage.  According to the original plan, in the Prologue we were supposed to be seeing the Slovenian play 2020 by Ivica Buljan.

We also expected from Slovenia Žiga Divjak’s Lungs. Why them in particular?

in the media and by many individuals as a piece of good news. How will you span the period of the Coronavirus pandemic?

Such a reaction pleases me greatly: it is because of that cathartic effect, because of the preserving of the flame and raising the “morale of the troupe”, that we fought for the BITEF Prologue to happen. It is also significant to maintain the continuity of BITEF, which has never been interrupted, but the aforementioned reasons are also important, and the most important thing is to show that theatre is also possible during the era of pandemics... As is well known, the City of Belgrade Secretariat for Culture brought the decision to postpone BITEF until next year, when a double edition, 54th and 55th, would take place as one. That decision is rational, because human and other resources are not spent in endless calculations of attempts to make the festival happen in almost impossible conditions, and next year we’ll have the conditions for a spectacular edition. However, within the BITEF team we considered that it

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It is significant to maintain the continuity of BITEF, which has never been interrupted, but the aforementioned reasons are also important, and the most important thing is to show that theatre is also possible during the era of pandemics... the event is a play that has been talked about a lot in public: Uncanny Valley by famous director and a favourite of the Belgrade audience, Stefan Kaegi, co-produced by Rimini Protokoll and the Munich Kammerspiele. It is a logical

Apart from them having a high artistic range and being contemporary to BITEF’s theatrical expression, they belong to the thematic line of the 54th BITEF. By drawing on themes from the books of Israeli historian Harari that are today popular across the planet, the play 2020 opens the spectrum of all the themes of this edition of BITEF: from the global ecological catastrophe to the concepts of trans- and posthumanism. The play Lungs is based on Duncan McMillan’s drama, which is a love story about two 30-year-olds whose relationship faces the challenges of the modern world, including an ecological, bizarre, but relevant one: should children be brought into an overpopulated world in which where every new life consumes precious supplies of oxygen. It is important for this play to take place at BITEF, in order for us to internationally promote the young Žiga Divjak, as the greatest hope of Slovenian theatre directing.  Will we see next year what we won’t see this year? And, considering that you are announcing both the 54th and 55th editions for next year, does that mean that next year’s festival will be twice as long?

The decision to postpone the 54th Bitef was based specifically on the idea that all the plays selected for this year will be performed in 2021, and that new ones will be added to them. Conceptually, that programme will be unique, so plays will be added (the so-called 55 th BITEF) to actually suit the thematic and aesthetic focus that was planned for this year. And the slogan will be the same - On the edge of the future. Of course, a minor dilemma remains as to whether all troupes, which, notably, were all ready to come to

Belgrade until the very last moment, will be able to be accommodated in the dates of BITEF 2021, and whether they will endure until next September, despite them all being more recent productions... In terms of duration, the double edition of BITEF will certainly last longer, but not necessarily twice as long.

I really like the condensed festival programme, with several plays performed on the same day, so it is possible that the double BITEF won’t last much longer than ten days.

self-proclaimed connoisseurs, there is the forcing of an incompetent understanding that every recording (often poor quality) or live streaming of a play represents a form of digital theatre. Both in theory and in practise, digital performances have already gained full legitimacy, as creative, conceptually conceived permeations of the living presence of viewers/

 Immediately prior to our conversation, the City of Belgrade Secretariat for Culture proposed conditions under which theatres could start operating again.

Did you expect such a proposal with the outbreak of the pandemic?

It is very important that instructions have finally been offered on how to perform drama,

 Preparations for the play Living Room, under the production of the Belgrade Drama Theatre and planned for the finale of BITEF, were halted after several rehearsals. What is the fate of this play?

It will certainly be completed by BITEF 2021, when it will have its festival premiere and probably its first theatre premiere. We really care a lot about that project, and for several reasons: BITEF is its co-producer after all. First and foremost, the director of the play, the young but already world-renowned German Ersan Mondtag, is a “child” of BITEF, because -as he points out regularly himself - our festival marked the beginning of his international career: as a reminder, in 2017 he came to BITEF with as many as two plays, and is a previous jury member. On the other hand, it is our task to support BITEF’s tendencies in domestic theatre, particularly when we bear in mind that they’re not very widespread, and the ambitious programme announced by the Belgrade Drama Theatre is like that precisely. Working there during this season and last are directors who have established themselves at BITEF, who have often been guests at the festival and have received awards: alongside Mondtag, those are Ivica Buljan, Tomi Janežič, Sebastijan Horvat and Boris Liješević.  The Coronavirus pandemic led to the closing of our theatres and the postponing of festivals. Can the broadcasting of recorded performances be considered an appropriate replacement?

It can be considered a substitute, but nothing more than that. It is useful for the sake of wider availability, and perhaps even the popularisation of theatre. On the other hand, it is unbelievable the extent to which within our theatre “profession”, especially among

It is unacceptable that the theatre and performing arts have been almost the only form of human activity to have been completely suspended, cancelled, for six months performers and the digital reality. But that doesn’t include recordings or live streams of plays! Even the pandemic didn’t succeed in bringing into question the aesthetic premise of the theatre: the physical shared presence of actors and audience; their physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual exchange in a concrete, physically real and ephemeral “now and here”.

ballet and opera performances, as well as cinema screenings and concerts, indoors...

It is unacceptable that the theatre and performing arts have been almost the only form of human activity to have been completely suspended, cancelled, for six months. It is no great wisdom to determine a way of sitting in halls that respects epidemiological measures: it is simpler to implement them in theatres, cinemas and concert halls than it is in bars, cafes and restaurants...

The lack of any action and discussion aimed at finding a solution seemed like Murder on the Orient Express: the theatre was murdered and everyone, due to their action or inaction, is among the murderers - the government, the media, the general public, the artists themselves. Protocols needed to have been devised earlier, and then adapted to the development of the pandemic, as is the case with schools, shops and restaurants. The only thing is that this is not the task of any local government, but rather that of the state.

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CHILL OUT INDIA

It was expected India’s ‘Father of the Nation’ spectacles would sell for about £15,000. The glasses were dropped in a plain white envelope with a small note “these glasses once belonged to Gandhi, give me a call” through a letterbox at East Bristol Auctions in Hanham, southwest England four weeks ago and were not collected until the following Monday morning.

Andrew Stowe (auctioneer) informed that the owner of the glasses was an elderly man from Mangotsfield and passed down from generation to generation in the owner’s family.

The auction lot details read, “A pair of early 20th century c 1920 gold plated circular rimmed spectacles by repute owned and worn by Mahatma Gandhi.”

The pair of glasses were bought through a phone bid from an American collector after six minutes of bidding.

Photo: Wikimedia

Mahatma Gandhi’s Signature Glasses Were Sold For £260,000 In An UK Auction

RUSSIA

1980s Soviet Vehicle MD-160 Abandoned In The Caspian Sea To Be Converted Into Museum The futuristic-looking MD-160 Lun-class ekranoplan was towed by tug across the Caspian Sea last month as part of a 14-hour journey from Kaspiysk naval base to Derbent, Dagestan.

The non-operational ground-effect vehicle, which was designed by Rostislav Evgenievich Alexeyev in 1975, used a a cushion of air beneath its wings to speed above the sea’s surface at 13ft making it difficult for enemy forces to detect.

It had been sitting unused at the naval base since it was retired in the late 1990s but it has now been beached amid plans to turn it into an ocean-side tourist attraction.

The MD-160, also known as an Utka, is bigger than a 747 jet and was built as part of the Soviet WIG programme, which dates back to the Cold War 1960s.

It is the only Lun-class ekranoplan model to be completed and was equipped with carrier-killing supersonic missiles. The vehicle, which had a crew of six officers and nine enlisted, was designed for sustained flight over a level surface (usually over the sea) by making use of ‘ground effect’ - the aerodynamic interaction between the wings and the surface.

USA

Triton Launched Tourist Submarine Triton Submarine is set to give travellers an ocean experience wholly unlike any other, with its new Deepview 24. Silent, eco-conscious, and flanked by large, panoramic windows the newly released Deepview 24 marks a pretty significant turning point for underwater travel experiences.

With unobstructed, LED-lit panormas and a sizable access hatch for easy boarding, passengers can expect to be taken 100 metres undersea, for an immersive experience of the ocean’s various wonders. You’ll be hard pressed to find another underwater vehicle that offers such a breathtaking viewing experience.

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UK

The World’s Best Rated Golf Course The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is the oldest and most prestigious golf club in the world. Founded in 1754 it is regarded as the worldwide “Home of Golf”. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (but not The R&A) had a male-only membership policy until 2015 when it welcomed their first honorary female member including Princess Anne and several pro golfers. Membership is by invitation only, and they have 2,400 members from all over the world.

WORLD

AI For Nursing Homes Monitor Elderly Residents’ Movements Using Radio Waves A radar-like tool that can track movements throughout the day without using an invasive camera could be used in care homes to alert staff if a resident falls over.

A team from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence lab say the goal was to create a device that can track movement without physical contact.

A sensor on the wall sends out a continuous low power radio wave and when the waves hits a person or object they bounce back to the sensor. The sensor can then analyse the wave for information about the environment and tell exactly what the person in the room is doing - continuously throughout the day. Researchers say this could be used to create a diary of movement and alert staff if a resident in a care home falls over or doesn’t move for a long period of time.

The radio frequency device measures very precise movements in a room but reports back in a format that can only be understood by computers - not human viewers.

USA

SpaceX Conducts Successful Static Fire Test Starship Rocket Prototype SpaceX is gearing up for the first 500-foot ‘hop’ of its SN6 Starship rocket, weeks after a successful lift-off of the SN5 craft. The company lit up the prototype’s Raptor Engine during a static fire trial, releasing bursts of fire and smoke from the base - it was, however, the third attempt of the test.

The test was conducted August 23 at SpaceX’s Boca Chica facility in Texas, which could lead to a SN6’s first flight this weekend. SN5 made its ‘hop’ earlier this month and is currently being prepped for other launches that could prepare the way for the big mission to Mars.

USA

US Air Force Test ‘Flying Car’ That Uses 18 Rotors To Transport A Single Passenger The US Air Force tested a ‘flying car’ that could soon be part of its flying arsenal.

Made by Texas-based LIFT Aircraft, Hexa is a lightweight 432-pound craft that runs on 18 independent rotors.

The occupant is not required to have a pilot’s license.

The vehicle is controlled by a joystick and powered with a ‘triply redundant autopilot computer’ that, according to its creator, makes it safer than maneuvering a small traditional plane.

The military watched from Camp Mabry, a base near Austin, Texas lift off from the ground and hover overhead.

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r o F s n o i t a n i b m o C g n i Stunn

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Culture

calendar

Bitef Prologue “Edge of the Future” To Be Held 12-14 September

Bitef-Prologue will be held under the slogan “Edge of the Future”, which was the slogan of the postponed 54th Bitef Festival, and will consist of theatre performances, professional and academic discussions, as well as meetings with theatre artists. The central event in this program will be the performance of the play Uncanny Valley, directed by Stefan Kaegi, a coproduction of the Rimini Protokoll and the Munich Kammerspiele theatre companies. This play was one of the pillars of the concept of the 54th Bitef Festival, which was based on the notions of transhumanism and posthumanism in a general sense, i.e. the projection of the world where humankind is no longer at the center, which would create the possibility for the restoration of the ecological balance. Esthetically, the Festival was devised as a reexamination of the live presence on stage, the use of drones, holograms and robots in theatre productions, as well as choreographies that entail “dehumanization” of the performers.

Fully aware that the global pandemic imposes different types of limitations, the main programme initially focused on smaller-format performances and there were to be only seven of them. They are from five countries and include leading regional and global theatre artists and companies, such as Wim Vandekeybus and Ultima Vez, Ersan Mondtag, Ivica Buljan, etc.

The three-day program of the Bitef-Prologue will be held solely at Bitef Theatre and on an open stage in Mira Trailović Square in Bitef City, following strict health procedures imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The side programme will include the traditional Meeting the Authors, Philosophical Theatre, new circus performance, an international discussion on systemic support for the theatre during the pandemic, as well as a presentation by Erika Fischer-Lichte, a leading international theoretician in theatre and performance studies, on the topic of the relationship between digital and live theatre.a

The Belgrade Youth Center Continues With Its Activities After a break of almost two months due to the coronavirus, in accordance with the new regulations adopted by the competent authorities, Belgrade Youth Center continues the program activities from 28th August 2020.

The programs will be held with the allowed number of visitors maintaining the planned physical distance. Hosts are asking visitors to strictly respect the prescribed measures and to be responsible towards themselves and others.

Belgrade Youth Center continue the program with a concert by the unique international band Salsa y Punto, which performs an authentic mix of Afro-Latin music genres.. The repertoire of this band, composed of top musicians from Cuba and our region, includes compositions in the rhythm of salsa, Latin jazz, rumba, meringue, cha-cha, bachata and traditional Cuban music. He always enriches his performances with dance and exceptional animation of the audience.

Until the end of September, the audience of the Belgrade Youth Center can expect the continuation of the eighth season of the concert on Zidić and the Monday Blues music series, as well as regular cycles of tribunes and the continuation of exhibition activities at the DOB Gallery. Admission to all events will be free.

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September

RECOMMENDS

Pippo Delbono Streamed Performances The Emilia Romagna Theater Foundation and the Pippo Delbono Company participate in the digital festival #laculturanonsiferma realized by the Emilia Romagna region together with regional cultural institutions and enable free viewing of several plays from the company’s repertoire.

Due to the cancellation of numerous national and international tours, the company Pippo Delbono, from 30 September presents streaming of four famous productions from its repertoire that have achieved great international success. The performances are subtitled in various languages that can be selected via the “CC” option.

There are four plays on the program: Questo buio feroce, a play dedicated to the writer Harold Brodky who died of AIDS, a funeral love song and madness in a white room full of light; Orchidee, the path between cinema and theater in an empty space; Dopo la battaglia, a work played in a gray room; Vangelo, a work that is between the secular gospel and the musical, through a spiritual drama, with the music of Enzo Avitabile.

Pipo Delbono is one of the most respected and original Italian artists in the world in the panorama of live performances. His works have been shown at the most prestigious festivals and theaters in the world.

List of videos: Questo buio feroce https://vimeo.com/407985900 Dopo la battaglia https://vimeo.com/408035067 Orchidee https://vimeo.com/408064853 Vangelo https://vimeo.com/408083747

DAVID BOWIE: A LIFE Dylan Jones 1650rsd Drawn from a series of conversations between David Bowie and Dylan Jones across three decades, together with over 180 interviews with friends, rivals, lovers, and collaborators - some of whom have never before spoken about their relationship with Bowie - this oral history is an intimate portrait of a remarkable rise to stardom and one of the most fascinating lives of our time.

Profoundly shaped by his relationship with his schizophrenic half-brother Terry, Bowie was a man of intense relationships that often came to abrupt ends. He was a social creature, equally comfortable partying with John Lennon and dining with Frank Sinatra, and in Dylan Jones’s telling - by turns insightful and salacious - we see as intimate a portrait as could possibly be drawn.

ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND Lewis Carroll 989rsd Celebrate 150 Years of Alice!

Oh my ears and whiskers, how late its getting!

Would you be surprised to see a white rabbit take a watch out of his waistcoat pocket? It certainly seems a remarkable sight to Alice and, full of curiosity, she follows him down a rabbit-hole into a very strange world. She meets a disappearing cat, plays croquet with a bad-tempered Queen, joins a mad Hatter’s tea party and becomes entangled in the case of some missing tarts. In Wonderland nothing but out-of-the-way things happen...

Includes Through the Looking Glass.

CRITICAL MASS: HOW ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER Philip Ball 1820rsd

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

Is there a ‘physics of society’? Philip Ball’s investigation into human nature ranges from Hobbes and Adam Smith to modern work on traffic flow and market trading, across economics, sociology and psychology. Ball shows how much of human behaviour we can understand when we cease trying to predict and analyse the behaviour of individuals and look to the impact of hundreds, thousands or millions of individual human decisions, in circumstances in which human beings both co-operate and conflict, when their aggregate behaviour is constructive and when it is destructive. By perhaps Britain’s leading young science writer, this is a deeply thought-provoking book, causing us to examine our own behaviour, whether in buying the new Harry Potter book, voting for a particular party or responding to the lures of advertisers.

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&FACES PLACES

Farewell Visits Of Ambassador Of Denmark And Ambassador Of Switzerland Ambassador of Denmark Anders Christian Hougård and Ambassador of Switzerland Philippe Guex are leaving Belgrade after the end of their respective diplomatic terms.

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić welcomed Ambassadors for their respective farewell visits.

President Vučić thanked Ambassador Hougård and Ambassador Guex on the excellent cooperation and for the fact that they contributed to the improvement of relations between their respective countries and Serbia, and continuous support to Serbia in the negotiation process for membership in the European Union.

5/8/2020

Japan To Donate A Total Of 100 Million Yen To Serbia For Covid Fight The Government of Japan will provide a total amount of 100 million yen (about 820,000 euros) to the Government of Serbia to strengthen the country’s health system in the fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19, through the procurement of medical equipment.

The document confirming this donation was signed on 5 August 2020, in Belgrade, by H.E. Junichi Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia and Dr Zlatibor Lončar, Minister of Health of Serbia.

This donation will provide radiological equipment, ambulances, as well as other medical equipment to health institutions, especially those in rural parts of Serbia. The donation of high-quality Japanese medical equipment will contribute to reducing the differences in health care that exist between the regions in Serbia.

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SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

12/8/2020

Canadian Ambassador And U.S. Ambassador’s Wife Visit Weavers’ Colony In Stara Planina The Ambassador of Canada H.E. Kati Csaba, and the U.S. Ambassador’s wife, Anne Godfrey, were patrons and participants in the fifth Weavers’ Colony in Stara Planina, organized by Ethno Network, an umbrella association of handicraft producers, and the City of Pirot.

Recognizing the importance of such events for both the preservation of cultural heritage and women’s economic empowerment, USAID has supported Ethno Network’s projects since 2005, and the Government of Canada has also financially supported this organization’s activities.

“That is why this kind of support they received from distinguished guests from Canada and the U.S. is very important, as it is an incentive for local leaders to further develop their communities, such as Pirot and Sombor, and give even stronger support to women and their craft associations,” said Violeta Jovanović, NALED Executive Director.

16/8/2020

Italian Medical Team Completes Its Mission In Serbia The Italian Embassy in Belgrade announced that on 16 August the Italian medical team completed its mission in Serbia. The medical team consisted of two anesthesiologists, one emergency physician, one infectious disease specialist, one surgeon, and one specialized nurse. The Italian medical team came to Serbia on the initiative of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in coordination with the Department of Civil Protection, and worked on the basis of an agreement between the Italian and Serbian Governments. During the mission, the Italian health workers were received by the Minister of Health, Zlatibor Loncar, and they visited the Clinical Center of Serbia, the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases in Belgrade, the Zemun Hospital, the Clinical Centers Bežanijska Kosa, Niš, Novi Sad and Kragujevac.

The mission enabled the exchange with local doctors and health professionals of information and experiences in the treatment of Covid19, in order to achieve the most efficient hospital treatment of patients with this virus.

September

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&FACES PLACES

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

21/8/2020

UNDP And Embassy Of Slovakia Present Feasibility Study On Use Of Thermosolar Energy The Mayor of Belgrade, Zoran Radojičić, met with the Ambassador of Slovakia to Serbia, H.E. Fedor Rosocha and Resident Representative of the UNDP Serbia Francine Pickup, to discuss the numerous development projects in the capital of Serbia.

At the meeting in the building of the Old Palace, important ideas were exchanged regarding the improvement of the environment in Belgrade, the quality of life, the concept of “Smart cities”, air quality and energy efficiency.

“I received a completed feasibility study prepared by Slovakia together with the UNDP, for nine facilities, i.e. buildings that would use solar energy for water heating,” said Mayor Radojičić.

He estimates that the investment is around 1,800,000 euros and that after nine years, the investment will return.

27/8/2020

Germany Supports Strengthening The Western Balkans Region President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Marko Čadež held a video conference with German Minister of Economy and Energy Peter Altmeier and Bundestag MP Joachim Pfeiffer. It was agreed that Germany would support the strengthening of regional economic integration during the EU presidency and the establishment of a stronger framework for cooperation between the Balkans and the EU. The support will be realized through the organization of several key events that will contribute to the geostrategic positioning and promotion of the region as a unique investment destination: Investment Conference in Germany organized by the Chamber of Investment Forum (KIF ZB6) and establishment of the KIF ZB6 Business Council at the Western Balkans Summit.

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SERBIAN ECONOMY OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

RETURNING TO Regular Flows

VOL. 3

CONTENTS

03

IT NEVER WAS SIMPLE COMMENT

04

WE MUST BE PROACTIVE

MARKO ČADEŽ, PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA, CCIS

08

CONTINUING COOPERATION WITH THE GOVERNMENT

VLADIMIR NOVAKOVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE NALED MANAGING BOARD AND GENERAL MANAGER OF MOLSON COORS INDIA

11

WE EASE BUSINESS OPERATIONS

MILAN LUČIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE SERBIAN BUSINESS REGISTERS AGENCY

RETURNING TO Regular Flows

12

TERRALEX & GECIĆ LAW RECONNECTING A PANDEMIC STRICKEN WORLD BOGDAN GECIĆ, FOUNDING PARTNER AT GECIĆ LAW TERRI PEPPER GAVULIC, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER AT TERRALEX

14

VERKAT WINE OASIS

SONJA AND NATAŠA VRKATIĆ, OWNERS OF THE VERKAT WINERY

16

PRESTIGE WITH COVERAGE

ANA VRANEŠ, TRI ORAHA WINERY

17

MORE THAN A WORKPLACE

ZORANA BURLIĆ, DELTA REAL ESTATE CEO

18 2

September

HOW WE EXPLORED SERBIA FEATURE

COMMENT

It Never Was Simple

Long before the country was confronted by the pandemic, international and domestic experts considered Serbia as being at a crossroads, with one road leading to slow growth and an average standard of living far below that of the EU, and the other leading to accelerated growth and greater prosperity. Now the need to switch to a new economic growth model is even more pronounced, while the conditions are more complex

T

he pandemic continues to impact strongly on the reshaping of economies, with no indication that the global and domestic markets could return to normal flows. The Serbian economy, which has faced limited activity in many industries since COVID-19 became our reality in March, has to date largely managed to keep its head above water thanks to successive aid packages administered to the economy by the Government of Serbia.

Space for the state to make new interventions is more or less exhausted. The fiscal

external deficit to be financed through additional government borrowing abroad, which will further raise the level of external debt to perhaps 70 per cent of GDP. As a result of reduced imports and slightly better exports, the current account deficit is likely to be significantly lower, while inflation will remain low and the exchange rate of the dinar against the euro will probably remain unchanged, which will favour the continuation of a stable macroeconomic situation.

Under the conditions of COVID-19, and considering its long-term ramifications for economic flows, it won’t be easy at all to tran-

As things stand, the new government will face a series of proposals to overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic

deficit is expected to total between seven and eight per cent of GDP in 2020, with public debt growing to almost 28 billion euros by the end of the year, or more than 60 per cent of GDP. It is highly likely that the inflow of foreign direct investments and remittances will be insufficient to cover the current account deficit, as can be seen from the trends recorded so far, and that the strong impact of FDI on economic growth that has been evident to date will be absent.

Under such conditions, all the remains is for the

sition to a new model of economic growth that would be based on strengthening domestic SMEs, which both domestic and international experts are advocating for.

First, the course of the crisis has begun impacting on large domestic companies, and in the period ahead the Government’s measures will certainly be weighed in such a way as to primarily help larger companies with longer production chains, and only then smaller ones.

Second, the champions of the domestic economy

have mostly been exporters, and now they’ve been significantly affected by the lack of demand on the world market. Domestic demand is simultaneously weak, so it is difficult for companies to find support on any side.

One possible response is increasing public investment to five per cent of GDP. However, this goal has not been achieved in all previous years, despite limited progress. The economy, on the other hand, proposes the greater involvement of domestic construction companies and the processing industry in the implementation of infrastructure and other state projects, but that won’t be easy given that the construction sector is slowly beginning to feel the burden of the crisis. At the same time, in the face of slowing global demand, challenges are also being faced by the extremely positive trend of including local companies in the supply chains of both large domestic and foreign exporters.

The most promising aspect is perhaps the accelerated trend of the digital transformation of the economy, which represents the route to transitioning from the current inefficient structure to that of a sophisticated, modern economy.

In short, both the new government and the economy are facing challenging times, and there is an even more pronounced need to remain committed to reforms and to move boldly towards conquering the future. ■

September

3

INTERVIEW MARKO ČADEŽ, PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA, CCIS

We Must Be Proactive The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia has proposed to the government an entire set of measures that would provide our companies with more work and better positioning on both the domestic and foreign markets. This is now the most important next step, because there is no state money that could be pumped in to help the economy if the markets are not functioning, if there is no demand for products and if there are no new jobs

W

e have preserved the backbone of the economy, says Marko Čadež, president of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (CCIS), succinctly assessing the effects of the measures taken to date by the Government of Serbia in order to help the economy overcome the first blow of COVID-19. However, he notes, this is only one of the necessary steps. We discussed other measures in detail with the CCIS

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September

president, which first and foremost implies the creation of measures that will contribute to strengthening demand for the goods and services of our companies, both in the country and abroad. In this interview, Čadež - who is also Chairman of the Board of the Western Balkans Chamber Investment Forum and a member of the Board of Directors of EUROCHAMBRES and Chairman of the Eurochambres Digitalisation Committee - also talks about the ways in which,

under the conditions of strict health measures, members of chambers in the Western Balkans continue to strengthen their connections, but also how trends in digitalisation have impacted on all European economies, including Serbia’s.

• Under conditions when the pandemic is not subsiding, to what extent can another aid package to the economy be effective in attempting to overcome the crisis?

- Relying on the first, large package of emergency support to the economy in spring, then the additional July measures of direct aid, cushioned the economy against the unexpected impact of the Coronavirus this summer and represent another injection that’s particularly important for the most vulnerable part of the economy - micro firms, SMEs and entrepreneurs. They will enable business leaders to maintain the liquidity of companies achieved in past months and save jobs, to breathe more easily, to settle their other obligations regularly, not to lay off workers and to find new works in a more financially relaxed position and welcome autumn better prepared… Alongside additional measures of direct support, it is important to make maximum use of existing (from the first package) loans for liquidity and working capital of the Development Fund, and loans from commercial banks with state guarantees, which will be available to them until the end of the year.

• What do business surveys say? Where is help hitting the mark and where do they lack support?

- Direct state aid measures to date, in the form of minimum wages, deferrals of tax payments and the moratorium on loan repayments, have -along with additional credit support - targeted and preserved the backbone of the economy: company liquidity and jobs. Business leaders are grateful for that to both the state and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, which represented their interests and helped them to use the help as positively and efficiently as possible. At the same time, the majority of surveyed business leaders see reduced demand on domestic and foreign markets as the main constraint in the period ahead. That’s because there is no state money that could be pumped in to help the economy if the markets are not functioning, if there is no demand for products and if there are no new jobs. That’s why the CCIS

has proposed an entire set of measures to the government that would provide our companies with more works and better positioning on both domestic and foreign markets, ease operations in the country and realise export arrangements with foreign partners.

• What does the CCIS propose specifically?

- The economy considers that significant effects would be achieved through the greater involvement of domestic construction companies and the processing industry in the implementation of infrastructure works and other state projects, then through the inclusion of local companies in the supply chains of large domestic and foreign exporters, as well as in production that would replace imports wherever possible. In this context, it is very important that we now also support our large companies, which have mostly handled the burden of the crisis on their own, in order for us to also preserve the smaller

reduced orders in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Our position, as a business association, is that it is essential to help the most vulnerable as soon as possible, but also that it is equally important for support measures to be well-balanced and directed towards those who need help the most, in accordance with clear criteria. That’s because not all sectors, nor all those operating within the scope of certain activities, are impacted equally. For example, spa and mountain tourism managed to overcome the consequences of the pandemic through income generated from domestic guests, but the epidemiological situation continues to block congress and city break tourism.

• Which sectors have so far proved most resistant to the crisis and do they have sufficient potential to raise GDP or exports?

- Great vitality has primarily been shown by agriculture and the food industry, but also by

We will pay special attention to communication with European companies that will certainly move their production operations from distant markets closer to their home countries, but also to the parallel attracting of FDI from other fast-growing, non-European economies

companies that form parts of their supply chains.

Additional relief would be brought by a reduction in customs duties on equipment, parts and components that must be imported. Exporters would benefit greatly from new free trade agreements, greater support, i.e. an increase in the export insurance fund and assistance in entering non-European, fast-growing markets.

• Does the state have space to provide stronger assistance in the coming period for the most endangered sectors, such as tourism, hospitality and passenger transport?

- After the broadly set, linear measures taken to date, the government has launched measures of sector-based support to the most endangered, with the decision to help city hotels with one-off budget subsidies. By helping tourism, hospitality or passenger transport, the state will indirectly help related activities that are suffering the most as a result of, for instance,

sectors and branches such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, the products of which have been in great demand in past months, especially during the state of emergency, both in the country and across the region. It is especially important that the state and the chamber jointly support companies from the industries of the largest exporters and sectors with the greatest export potential - processing companies from the food, metals, chemical and rubber and plastics industries. We will ease their operations in the country and abroad with targeted measures, stimulate demand, remove obstacles to the resumption of exports to already conquered markets and open the doors to new ones. For Serbian companies - manufacturers of auto parts and components - news about the start of the recovery of the German automobile industry is particularly good. Given that services, together with construction, account for 58% of Serbia’s GDP, it is important for the recovery

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5

week together with German Economy Minister Altmaier, the implementation of which we’ve already started working on. The operational implementing of that partnership agreement in practise will bring new German investments, works for Serbian companies and new jobs for our people, and will do so in the mutual interest of both German and Serbian companies. I believe this model of further strengthening cooperation with the German economy, as our number one foreign trade partner and one of the largest investors in Serbia, can also be applied in relations with other countries... When it comes to attracting foreign investment, we will pay special attention to communication with European companies that will certainly move their production operations from distant markets closer to their home countries, but also to the parallel attracting of FDI from other fast-growing, non-European economies.

• Under these conditions, to what extent can the CCIS act as a bridge in connections between business leaders?

- In all surveys conducted in recent months, our member companies pointed out that it is particularly important for recovery and increasing production and exports that - in addition of the Serbian economy that construction activities recover and that there is greater engagement of construction operations and the accompanying construction materials industry, as well as exports of services, especially for the growing ICT sector.

• How do you communicate with potential foreign investors under current conditions?

Are other approaches needed in order to attract them today?

- It’s important that we also continue including our companies in the supply chains of large, foreign companies and that we actively attract foreign investment, specifically investment in the production of higher value-added goods that would engage the domestic economy and contribute to increasing our export performance.

As a business association, we are also working on that together with the state - with the teams of the president and the prime minister.

The best example of the state’s support to the economy in the area of internationalisation is the document that President Vučić signed this

6

September

and gatherings of our business leaders with partners from the region and around the world, using existing platforms and creating new ones for them to connect and communicate.

I would emphasise in particular the commitment and activities of the Chamber Investment Forum of the Western Balkans, i.e. our joint regional chamber of commerce, aimed at building a common market of this region of almost 20 million consumers, as well as connecting our businesspeople in order to increase their mutual trade and trade with the world, through the unifying of the regional offer for buyers and investors.

• Covid-19 is believed to have done more for the digitalisation and digital transformation of the economy than any other process. Where do you see the most remarkable shifts when it comes to our economy?

- Confronted by the challenges posed by the global health crisis, we were compelled to skip five years when it comes to digital operations, for us to live and work today, everywhere in the world, as though it’s 2025. When it comes to our economy, in just the first few months after the Coronavirus pandemic arrived in Serbia, more than a third of companies had switched to digital

It is especially important that the state and the chamber jointly support companies from the industries of the largest exporters and sectors with the greatest export potential - processing companies from the food, metals, chemical and rubber and plastics industries to government incentives for producers and consumers, subsidies and soft loans - they receive assistance in the internationalisation of business, and that the CCIS plays its role in that, as their business association.

In order for us - in a situation when fairs have been cancelled, when there are no opportunities for direct B2B conversations and when it is difficult to travel - to enable businesspeople to maintain and establish contacts with partners abroad, to take advantage of the opportunities provided to them with the slow opening of economies, we are working, independently and with partner organisations, on organising, among other things, a series of online meetings

operations, opened online shops or upgraded existing channels of online sales. Just as many companies are planning or already working on the digitalisation of their business processes, adapting rapidly to the new situation.

In this process, the Serbian economy - especially SMEs - are enjoying and can continue to count on the great support of the Centre for Digital Transformation of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, which works independently, but also together with colleagues from other European chambers within Eurochambres, on the creation of new digital services and platforms, and the improvement of existing ones, to help member companies. ■

September

7

INTERVIEW

VLADIMIR NOVAKOVIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE NALED MANAGING BOARD AND GENERAL MANAGER OF MOLSON COORS INDIA

Continuing Cooperation With The Government The common denominator of the top three reforms that NALED will advocate for has crystallised more than ever during the Covid-19 crisis. Those are the digitalisation of procedures, reduction of the grey economy and the improvement of the tax system and the development of healthcare

A

fter several aid packages to the economy, it is time to consider the next steps that would help the Serbian economy. We discussed that with Vladimir Novaković, President of the Managing Board of NALED and General Manager of Molson Coors India.

“The first package, which amounted to more than five billion euros, gave a much-needed infusion to the economy, without which it would not have withstood

8

September

the blow of the previously unknown crisis.

The measures arrived relatively quickly, were easily accessible administratively, but due to the speed of their adoption there was no better targeting of those most under threat. As the virus did not back down, a new package of around 66 billion dinars was adopted at the end of July, with the measures also able to be utilised by entrepreneurs, micro firms, and SMEs established after 16th March. Now

the first measures are arriving for the most endangered sectors, for which the support previously provided to them turned out not to be enough,” says Novaković.

• What do you see as the top tasks of the new cabinet?

- At our annual assembly, NALED members from the ranks of the economy, the public and civil sectors, voted on the most important reforms that we will identify for the new government. The common denominator of the top three reforms that NALED will advocate for has crystallised more than ever during the Covid-19 crisis, and that includes the need to digitalise procedures.

Thus the first priority, which 77% of our members voted for, is the improvement of e-government and e-business. Next comes the reduction of the grey economy and the improvement of the tax system, for which 76% of members voted, followed by the development of healthcare, with 65% of votes. We will also advocate for the establishment and development of various electronic systems, such as eSpace for the adoption of spatial and urban plans, eAgrar for the electronic registration of agricultural holdings and the allocation of subsidies, eRegister for non-tax charges and eHealth, through the improvement of IZIS [integrated health information system].

We will propose the broadening of

good results, if not higher turnovers, even during the crisis, such as trade, the chemical industry, i.e. manufacturers of disinfectants and hygiene products. On the other hand, small businesses, such as craft firms, were the weakest, along with passenger transport, travel agencies and the tourism sector in some segments.

• A significant expert debate has developed in public about whether it makes

GERMAN AMBASSADOR THOMAS SCHIEB, AND VLADIMIR NOVAKOVIĆ

NALED has to date proven to be a reliable partner to the Government of Serbia, and we are hopeful of successful cooperation in the next term as well

the system for the online registration of seasonal workers to encompass other activities besides agriculture, because that system has proven itself to be excellent.

• At this juncture, which sectors can be said to have found a modality to deal with the crisis and which will continue to be under threat over the long run?

- It turned out that some sectors had quite

sense to help tourism, considering its contribution to GDP. What is your stance on this?

- Tourism’s contribution to the GDP of Serbia is still lower than it is in Croatia, Montenegro or Albania, which have coastlines and where the income from tourism accounts for around 25 per cent of GDP. However, this branch isn’t negligible in our country either, considering that last year’s

income from tourism amounted to around 1.4 billion euros. In the initial outbreak of the crisis, the turnover in the tourism sector fell, but now the situation is better in some segments. For example, due to the closure of borders, more citizens than in the ordinary situation are visiting domestic spas, mountains, ethno villages and lake resorts. On the other hand, hoteliers in major cities have almost no work, because there are no so-called city break tours.

• It seems that business leaders are having a lot of trouble collecting their receivables. What is the scale of this problem today and what do you consider as a possible solution?

- Previous research showed that companies

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to be and what lessons have been learnt?

- Around 80,000 seasonal workers are engaged in agriculture annually. Of that total, the average number of applicants for days of engagement was around 3,500 annually. Since the possibility of applying through an application was introduced, as of January 2019, some 37,000 seasonal workers have been registered. Everyone benefited from that - employers enabled their workers, according to a simple procedure, to exercise their right to a pension and protection against injuries at work for the days of their engagement, while the state earned about 3.3 million euros from their taxes and contributions.

This huge and noteworthy success encouraged us to continue thinking in that direction. That’s why we will, I hope, work with the new Government on expanding the scope to other forms of engagement - home help and auxiliary jobs, as well as temporary and casual jobs in the sectors of construction, hospitality and tourism.

in Serbia collect receivables in an average of one year and seven months. It is quite certain that the Coronavirus pandemic will have a negative impact on these statistics, because in the first moment the courts and other state bodies functioned, so it was then impossible to initiate payment procedures.

We consider that the state could alleviate the problem if it regularly settles its obligations to the economy. On the other hand, we expect the digitalisation of forced collection to ease this problem. Amendments to the Law on Enforcement and Security enable all sales

We'll advocate for the legal regulating of flexible forms of employment, for support for SMEs in business transformation and the introduction of cashless and online payments and trade of property in enforcement proceedings to be made through the eAuctions portal as of 1st September.

• You’ve announced that you will propose that the new Government make adoptions or amendments relating to three laws that concern workers whose work is relatively marginalised and rarely in the focus of the government. What do you propose?

- As soon as the new Government is formed, we will submit a proposal for the adoption of the laws on gender equality, social entrepreneurship and craftsmanship. NALED, in cooperation with the Coordination Body for Gender Equality and the departments of labour and economy, has already worked on the drafts of each of these pieces of

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legislation. Craftsmen haven’t had a defined status for a long time, and women from rural areas aren’t in a better position either.

Their products have potential for tourism and economics, which they could realise with adequate support. The Law on Social Entrepreneurship, for example, creates preconditions for public works in culture and social activities, which would be a transitional solution for many left jobless due to the Coronavirus.

• Among the laws you are advocating for is the new law on the simplified engagement of seasonal workers in tourism and hospitality, construction and home help jobs. How successful has the version of this law for agricultural workers proved

• Last but certainly not least, there has been much talk in public about the need for Serbia to change its growth model so that it is based on the growth of domestic companies. What is your position on that?

- The recovery of the economic image of Serbia will depend primarily on our ability to preserve the economy and jobs. The balance is positive for now, because in the first six months the lead is held by the number of open companies compared to the closed ones, for the 6,313 of them. Further growth will depend primarily on the ability to encourage entrepreneurship, new hiring of workers and innovation. Contributing to this goal is the tax exemption for business start-ups, which is a measure that was adopted at the initiative of NALED. In order to further motivate entrepreneurs, NALED, together with the Serbian Government and Germany’s GIZ, organised the “Entrepreneurship Champions” competition for local governments in 2020. We will soon present the results for the first half of the year, as well as a ranking list of cities and municipalities that most successfully encouraged entrepreneurship during the Covid-19 crisis. ■

MILAN LUČIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE SERBIAN BUSINESS REGISTERS AGENCY BUSINESS

We Ease Business Operations

Over the previous years, the Serbian Business Registers Agency (SBRA) has been continuously introducing numerous new electronic services for businesses and other customers. With the introduction of the electronic submission of financial statements, which is mandatory for all companies, some sole proprietors and other legal entities, the Agency has been recognised as a catalyst for the use of digital signatures

I

t now takes just one or two working days to register a new business with the SBRA. Citizens can submit electronic applications for the establishment of a soleproprietorship or a limited liability company, without having to come to the Agency. This month CorD discussed this and other innovations with SBRA Director Milan Lučić.

• The 2019 SIGMA Monitoring Report has recognised the Agency as one of the “digital

the Central Register of Integrated Procedures for the electronic issuance of construction and other permits in the domain of construction. With the introduction of the Register of Integrated Procedures, construction permit issuance became easier, while the administrative costs of conducting procedures were reduced, which is why the last annual report of the World Bank that measures business regulations ranked Serbia 9th on the Doing Business list according to the indicator ‘Dealing with construction permits’.

As of this October, the SBRA will also launch the electronic registration of health institutions, so we are continuing the digitalisation of our services champions” in Serbia in the area of the provision of public administrative services. How did the Agency deserve this flattering title?

- One of the SBRA’s digital services mentioned in the SIGMA Report is the e-filing of information about beneficial owners. So far, 80% of registered entities have submitted the required information electronically to the Central Records of Beneficial Owners kept by the SBRA. The Report also mentions the Agency’s leading role in abolishing the requirement of the stamp (or seal) on documents, as an important reform step that saves companies both time and money. Thanks to our strong IT capacities, we were entrusted with the task of establishing the information system of

• You work systematically, continuously and with great dedication to ease procedures for businesses. Are you working on the further digitalisation of administrative services?

- At the beginning of this year, we made it possible to submit electronic applications for the registration of financial leasing contracts. Leasing companies are currently adapting to the new system, so we have yet to implement this innovation fully. The new software supports work with documentation in both analogue and digital form, and citizens can easily search registered data on the basis of various criteria.

In the year in which we celebrate the 15th anniversary of our operations, we are also preparing

the Register of Pledges on Movable Property and Rights to shift to a digital mode of operation, with the online registration of pledge rights to begin in the third quarter of next year. As of this October, the SBRA will also launch the electronic registration of healthcare institutions, so we are continuing to improve the area of registration and the digitalisation of our services.

• You recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia. Tell us more about that...

- That’s a natural continuation of our cooperation, which relates to easing access to business data and creating new services. On the international front, the SBRA and the CCIS lead two very important regional projects that are supported by the EBRD. Both projects provide support for the regional economic integration of the Western Balkans. The SBRA, together with the Central Register of the Republic of North Macedonia, has established the SEE Regional Business Registries Portal — BIFIDEX, (www.bifidex.com), which provides business information about companies and sole proprietors registered in the official business registration authorities of the Western Balkans, in a transparent and easily accessible digital way.

We are united around a common goal - easing cross-border connections and establishing stronger regional cooperation for the joint participation of businesses operating in the single market of the Western Balkans, which encompasses 18 to 20 million people. ■

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BUSINESS

BOGDAN GECIĆ, FOUNDING PARTNER AT GECIĆ LAW TERRI PEPPER GAVULIC, CHIEF BUSINESS OFFICER AT TERRALEX

TerraLex & Gecić Law Reconnecting A Pandemic Stricken World Gecić Law aspires to be the foremost innovative law firm by building long-term relationships with clients based on reciprocity, trust and highest standards of professional ethics. It strives to redefine the role that a law firm plays in an emerging regional market, in order to produce exceptional results for clients

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ith its Belgrade hub covering the Western Balkans, Gecić Law offer clients global reach through exclusive membership in the ‘elite’ global network TerraLex. TerraLex members collaborate on virtual litigation/ arbitration, trade and transport challenges, investment opportunities, employment issues, supply chain issues etc.

• How did your firm step into the new normal?

- Bogdan: The digital era, and especially COVID-19, have put our abilities to the test in terms of adapting quickly to new circumstances. To be on point with the new normal, the firm employed an innovative approach to its day-to-day organisation by striking a balance between office-based work and remote working. This approach, coupled with an upgrade to our IT systems at the start of the pandemic, gave us the perfect platform to guide our international and local clients

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through a complex and shifting legal landscape, and to establish and maintain their business presence in the region. Our team is knowledge-hungry and looks to advance through the sharing and exchange of best practices thanks to its membership in the 150-plus strong global TerraLex law firm network. The goal is to transfer this versatile legal knowledge to our clients and the wider business community via online webinars and workshops.

Terri: Bogdan and the team stepped into the new normal by leveraging their membership in TerraLex, an elite global organisation of law firms in more than 100 countries.

TerraLex’s platform enables its members to support their multijurisdictional clients wherever their needs arise. This is not dependent on being able to travel, but rather on ensuring that members are top-end firms in their local jurisdiction who willingly adhere to a common set of strict client-service principles and practices. As the pandemic progressed, members found creative ways to connect and collaborate: • In June over 640 members participated in a Virtual Global Meeting. Lawyers and other professionals, including Gecić Law, shared ideas and information to meet the challenges of the pandemic and better support their clients.

TerraLex’s platform enables its members to support their multijurisdictional clients wherever their needs arise

• Many firms, including Gecić Law, worked to form a virtual team to serve these clients, sometimes across many jurisdictions at once.

This helped clients to have seamless services with no need to travel.

• TerraLex members also banded together to provide critical business information to the client community without delay, by developing cross-border guides on the TerraLex website, covering sensitive location-specific information ranging from crisis management to corporate issues and more.

• What are the challenges for multinational clients during this time of the pandemic?

- Bogdan: The COVID-19 pandemic led to abrupt border controls and restrictions on free movement worldwide, the knock-on effect of which remains a cause for concern as they continue to hamper businesses from operating at full tilt. In particular, labour relations and corporate governance arrangements have had to be reworked, including those for international trade and the distribution of goods. With our Belgrade hub covering the Western Balkans, we offer clients global reach through our exclusive membership in the ‘elite’ TerraLex global network. This rewarding alliance is an ideal vehicle for providing clients with access to indispensable overviews covering various areas of law across multiple jurisdictions and

challenges and opportunities that our members collaborate on include: virtual litigation/ arbitration, trade and transport challenges, investment opportunities, employment issues, supply chain issues and industry specific challenges across a wide range of sectors, such as telecommunications, technology, hospitality and aviation, to name a few.

• Why is innovation the key to future success?

- Bogdan: Our law firm recognised the stress that the current situation has placed everyone under, especially entrepreneurs and business leaders. This has driven our commitment to

Our law firm has driven our commitment to bring our clients’ concerns about business continuity to the fore, while availing of innovative approaches to help them safely navigate many diverse challenges supporting them anywhere their business ideas take them.

Terri: While there are many unique challenges facing multinational companies right now, there are also unique opportunities.

TerraLex members are helping these companies address both. Our members are striving to help their clients get back to business as quickly as possible, even if they cannot travel, demonstrating the advantage of having a well-established network and infrastructure to draw on during these turbulent times. Some

bring our clients’ concerns about business continuity to the fore, while availing of innovative approaches to help them safely navigate many diverse challenges. The most recent example of our dedication to the business community in these times of need is our Coronavirus GLaw Hub portal, which provides thought-leading updates and commentary on measures imposed in four jurisdictions (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina) and their legal implications across 17 practices,

from European Law to GDPR. Our new Hub is widely consulted and attracted praise from TerraLex, hitting record visits that saw it top Google’s rankings for several weeks running in all four jurisdictions.

Terri: This pandemic proved that those businesses that were adept at innovation were quickly able to gain a competitive advantage. TerraLex is a good example of this. For the past few years, our continuous drive towards innovation meant that the organisation was able to quickly adapt and provide more value than ever to members and clients over these past several months.

Since members cannot easily travel, they found it essential to have their network of vetted premium TerraLex colleagues ready and able to assist their clients wherever the need arose. Clients appreciate the fact that they can call their outside lawyer and, with a short turnaround, get answers to their legal and business queries from jurisdictions around the world, all coordinated by their own lawyer. This allows them to spend time and focus their attention on other important matters instead of vetting external counsel. As the world has collectively seen the impact of this unprecedented global crisis, it is evident that companies which lack the framework and mind-set for innovation are struggling the most. Despite not knowing what’s around the corner, we can prepare for any eventuality by being nimble, flexible and innovative. ■

September

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BUSINESS

SONJA AND NATAŠA VRKATIĆ, OWNERS OF THE VERKAT WINERY

Verkat Wine Oasis Verkat is a small family winery located in the village of Čerević, on the northern side of Mount Fruška Gora, in the close proximity to its own vineyards. It emerged out of a unique, unusual plantation of Istrian Malvasia, which is also why Verkat wines are unique and unusual

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he Verkat winery is run by two sisters who every year carefully select handpicked grapes for production in order to develop specific aromas and flavours.

Their assortment is somewhat unusual, as is their desire to remain in the segment of small wineries, but that makes Verkat authentic.

• There can be no wine without passion and love, whether you produce it or truly enjoy its taste.

What’s the source of your passion for wine?

- Wine has always occupied an important place in our lives, both privately and as a family, but also as part of the culture of the area from which we hail.

Viticulture and winemaking occupy an extremely important place in the history of the private life of the region of Srem, in the culture, customs and rituals, and even in the annual calendar that follows the rhythm of vineyard cultivation. The vineyard is a place that seems close to you when you grow up in Srem, and it is a given that wine is an important part of all stories and events. In that specific context, respect and love for wine were not strange to us, and they are certainly part of the reason why we started our own wine story.

On the other hand, our father started a small production of Malvasia in Čerević, based on his personal passion for wine, so private winemaking has always been part of our lives, and the vineyard is a place of very fond memories of our

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upbringing. In a way, Verkat is the realisation of a desire that we’ve had for many years.

• The history of your winery is connected to a Malvasia plantation from 1957, which was found on Fruška Gora by your father Lazar. How come he opted for this Mediterranean grape variety in Vojvodina? How did those vines lead to you establishing Verkat?

- Malvasia somehow just happened to find its way to Fruška Gora. Connected to its journey are stories from the village that explain how this strange thing happened. Cuttings arrived

• And while we’re mentioning the name Verkat, how did it come about? Is the name of the winery somehow associated with your surname?

- Our surname comes from Berksovo, a village near Šid. We believe that Verkat is the root of our surname from the German language, which was given a Slavic adaptation over time. In the Austro-Hungarian administrations censuses from the end of the 18th century, which we found, one Verkat appears and then later disappears, only to become Vrkatić. It is also interesting that the first Vrkatić paid his ten per cent tax in wine.

Making our wine from our own grapes is extremely important to us, as it enables us to control the entire production by train from Istria and the cooperative planted them in the place where we found them. Due to a combination of circumstances or the experience of Banoštor winegrowers, Malvasia was planted in a place that turned out to be perfect, in a mild high valley that protected it from winds and frost. Here this variety not only succeeded in taking root, but also to thrive and bear fruit throughout all these years. Our father founded his vineyard there, which later became the backbone of our winery.

• You make all your wines exclusively from grapes grown in your own plantations. Do you plan to gradually increase production while remaining in the segment of small wineries?

- Making our wine from our own grapes is extremely important to us. This gives us an opportunity to control the entire production and we are able to develop a special quality and aroma related to the region from which the wines come. We currently have more plantations than required for our

for our visitors in the best possible way. We would hereby like to invite everyone to visit our oasis of wine.

• The winery is run by the two of you as sisters, while your chief oenologist is also a woman.

Are we approaching a time when ladies will be increasingly present in this business?

- This question is often mentioned, given that it is rare for women to be the owners of vineyards and wineries, but they are actually very much present. We always note that taking care of vineyards was traditionally a woman’s job and that the female workforce remains extremely important in that segment. The number of women on our wine scene, as technologists and winegrowers, is not negligible, nor is their contribution to improving the quality of Serbian wines. On the annual wine production, but we are increasing production slightly every year. In addition to their annual capacity, small wineries are characterised by their approach to wine production. It is primarily orientated towards and related to the locality where we are situated, responsible processing and care for the vineyard, developing the local quality of wine, aromatics, but also the possibilities brought by smaller production for experimentation and smaller series that can yield exceptional results. Regardless, we would like to always remain a small winery.

• You have decided to advance step-by-step, to conquer the market with quality. Is that why you’ve limited yourself to two white wines and one rosé? Would one variety of red grape round off your authentic story?

- The production of white wine is closer to us privately, so that’s what we’ve primarily concentrated on. We also wanted to make an interesting story and exceptional wines from three varieties that are traditionally some kind of house wines, Malvasia in Istria, Grašac and Muscat Hamburg in Srem, without planting large international varieties. When it comes to red wine, we would also like that to be something interesting and local.

The plan is to raise plantations that would round off our offer. Considering that our assortment is perhaps slightly unusual, the search for a variety that would complete it taking quite a long time. We hope this search will be completed soon and that we’ll be able to offer a very interesting red wine.

Apart from better-supplied wine shops in Belgrade and Novi Sad, you can always find and taste our wines at our wine house in Čerević • Wines with the Verkat label are available in better-supplied wine shops and selected restaurants. Where else can they be found?

- Apart from better-supplied wine shops in Belgrade and Novi Sad, you can always try our wines at our wine house in Čerević.

We are lucky that our winery is housed in an old building dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, with a beautiful yard that complements the experience of wine tasting

contrary! Their contribution is great, but they lack visibility, so we also hope that this will change. The Wine Talks series, about ladies in the wine world, should also contribute to this and can be watched by anyone who is interested in this topic.

The experience, knowledge and number of ladies on the wine scene in Serbia is large, and that’s perhaps surprising at first glance, but is certainly commendable. ■

September

15

BUSINESS

ANA VRANEŠ, TRI ORAHA WINERY

Prestige With Coverage At the Tri Oraha (Three Walnuts) Winery, wine is produced in a specific way, with a special relationship towards quality, an uncompromising approach and a lot of respect.

The result is a truly great wine, of world premium quality, and the most expensive Serbian wine. The opportunity to taste and enjoy it is truly priceless

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na Vraneš, owner, marketing and sales expert at Tri Oraha, explains the history, specificities and success of this family winery, which has a team that also includes father Radisav Šćepanović, the creator of the idea, and brother Petar, a master in the production of premium wine from the Negotin Frontier region.

• Every country has its own wine region, while Serbia has several. What distinguishes wines from the Negotin Frontier region?

- The passion for good wine compelled our father, wine guru Radisav Šćepanović Prof. Dr, to head for Negotin, where he managed to find the quality of wine closest to that of French wine.

The Negotin Frontier region is associated with Bordeaux due to the specificity of the terrain, which yields a high quality of the international red grape varieties that we also planted here 15 years ago. The vineyard was purposefully raised on territory that contains strata of rich black soil, limestone of different colours that show the richness of different minerals and trace elements needed for growing high quality grapes on the right bank of the River Timok. That’s how the family story about the ‘Three Walnuts’ and ‘great wine’ emerged.

• There are many wineries, and yours is different in many ways. Tell us about some of your peculiarities...

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-The special quality of theTri Oraha Winery is that it provides quality, flavour and prestige, because profit is not the top priority. Our specificity is in the many years of aging and cultivating wine in barrique barrels (225L) and without any kind of technological intervention. It is common for wine to age in oak barrels for several months, up to a year, but Tri Oraha wines are aged for a minimum of five years. We take new barrels for each harvest, which are used only for that vintage and exclusively for grapes from our vineyard.

Our cellar is the only place where you can see

Even despite many years of aging, Tri Oraha wine has unexpected freshness, strength and vitality, with all aromas: from green bell peppers, through berry fruits and plums, to fruit jam and nuts.

• You have production facilities in the village of Crnomasnica and in the vicinity of Veliko Gradište. Which varieties dominate there?

- Our vineyard is located near village Crnomasnica in Negotinska Krajna. There we planted red international varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon,

Thanks to the state's efforts aimed at encouraging the planting of new vineyards and the opening and equipping of new wineries, Serbia is moving on an upward trajectory when it comes to winemaking and viticulture and sample verticals of wine that have aged in barrels for the past 10 years, and we are also specific because, in addition to cabernet and merlot, we can also make a blend of verticals.

The unique “blend 500” is made of samples from 500 barrels in the cellar from different vintages, with aging from one to eight years. It is an incredible fusion of the freshness of more recent vintages and the maturity of aged wines, made in a limited series of 500 bottles. The next endeavour is “blend 750” barriques, followed by “blend 1000” barriques.

Merlot and Cabernet Franc on 12 hectares. Our winery with cellar was built in Veliko Gradiste, and the winery has an annual capacity of 50,000 litres. Alongside the winery is a salon intended for tastings and relaxed enjoyment of these unique and exceptional wines that are consumed slowly, in small sips, from selected glasses.

Serbia is moving on an upward trajectory when it comes to winemaking and viticulture.

We must give thanks for the state’s efforts to encourage the planting of new vineyards and the opening and equipping of new wineries. ■

ZORANA BURLIĆ, DELTA REAL ESTATE CEO BUSINESS

More Than A Workplace Delta Real Estate Group is one of the leading regional companies in the real estate sector, with a focus on Serbia, Montenegro and Slovenia. The group’s comprehensive and diverse portfolio includes shopping centres, retail parks and hotels, as well as retail, office and residential properties in Serbia and the region

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It will offer premium office space for rent and other contents that businesspeople expect from their workplace. This is the main reason why we say that Delta House is going to be ’More than a Workplace’.

• How are construction works progressing on your business building in New Belgrade?

Will it be something completely new, more technologically advanced, unusual and different to everything that currently exists in our country?

• Can you tell us what’s happening with what are perhaps your most important projects – the Delta Planet developments in both Niš and Belgrade?

- Delta already owns two shopping malls: the Delta Planets in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in Varna, Bulgaria. The shopping mall in Varna is currently preparing for the grand opening of an Ikea store, which will be the first Ikea store to be opened

his company assesses investments with the support of international consultants and avoids engaging in projects that lack long-term sustainability, as doing so would be irresponsible towards stakeholders, owners, employees and the wider community. This is the case with all investments, including when it comes to the Sava Centre

Delta House will offer premium office space for rent and other contents that business people expect from their workplace - The construction of Delta House was not stopped even when the state of emergency was declared, so we expect it to be completed as planned – by the end of the first half of next year. We truly believe that this business building is going to be something special, as it is entirely focused on the comfort, habits and health of its residents, as well as the protection of the surrounding environment.

in a shopping centre in Eastern Europe.

The construction of Delta Planet in Niš is underway and is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2021.

As far as Delta Planet Belgrade is concerned, our company is ready for its construction, both financially and in terms of personnel. Conditions are still to be fulfilled regarding urban planning.

• You abandoned plans to buy Belgrade’s Sava Centre because you consider it an investment that wouldn’t pay off under the prescribed conditions. That’s too bad, right, given that you had a great vision for that facility, which could represent an important link for the development of the city’s congress tourism and culture?

- Delta is strategically interested in purchasing the Sava Centre, and this is something that we’ve stated publically several times. We believe that this particular facility plays an important role in Belgrade’s congress tourism, considering its location and tradition. Delta is interested in it because of the fact that it is in the domain of one of our core businesses – the hotel industry. It is physically connected to our Crowne Plaza hotel and near the location where the new Hotel InterContinental is to be built.

This implies that we are planning on forming something that wouldn’t only be of benefit to Delta, but also other hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, vendors and many others. Of course, under the condition that we see profitability and business interest in it. The decision to invest in something is made with the help of international consultants and we don’t start a project that isn’t sustainable over the long term. That would be irresponsible to our stakeholders, employees and the community that rightfully expects the kind of high-end events to which the Sava Centre is accustomed. ■

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FEATURE

Against all odds, it turned out that the pandemic had one positive effect - we spent the summer getting to know Serbia, as the majority of the countries we traditionally choose as our go-to destinations closed their borders. The money was spent at home, but, unfortunately, this didn't help our economy and tourism much

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How we Explored Serbia

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he fact that the tourism industry would be most adversely hit by the pandemic was well known even before the coronavirus reached Serbia and then, as soon as we registered the first patients, the Business Association of Hotel and Restaurant Industry (HORES) issued an official warning. Despite an early letter sent to the Government of Serbia on 13th March informing it of the lack of guests, the need for assistance as the most hard-hit industry sector, their problems have not yet been fully resolved, even though the state had intervened variously on multiple occasions.

The first round of state aid for citizens and businesses approved by the Government at the beginning of April amounted to 5.1 billion EUR and the second round of state aid for businesses amounted to 1.36 billion EUR. In the meantime, certain sectorial measures were prepared and adopted. Last but by no means least important of them, amounting to 1.25 billion dinars was aimed at helping about 280 hotels located in cities to “keep their heads above the water” according to the competent Minister, Dr Rasim Ljajić.

Whether it will be effective and for how long, remains to be seen. ■

GENOV: WE WILL NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT STATE AID

– We have presented a proposal for the hotel and restaurant owners to be exempted from the property tax which has a very high rate and for our liabilities to Srbijagas and Elektroprivreda Srbije to be reprogrammed, the VAT rate on food to be cut from 20% down to 10% and for the legal provisions governing occasional jobs concerning seasonal workers to be applied to workers employed in tourism and hotel industry - said Georgij Genov, Director of the Business Association of Hotel and Restaurant Industry (HORES).

He suggested that all educational trips for school and university students should take place in Serbia and expressed hope that business tourism too will step up in the autumn.

– For now, the primary goal is to survive so that next year we could fully recover – Genov pointed out.

SENIČIĆ: TRAVEL AGENCIES FADED INTO OBSCURITY

– Tour guides and travel agencies have had no work nor income and the overall situation is nearly disastrous from the viewpoint of survival amid the global pandemic and the inability to do business. After the new government is formed, JUTA will insist on obtaining state support for tourist agencies to ensure their survival until the next year. If it were possible to expect for the borders to open in the autumn and that we would be able to work, we would not have asked for help. However, that is highly unlikely - said Aleksandar Seničić, Director of the Serbian Association of Travel Agencies (JUTA).

He pointed out that state aid to rent-a-car and tourist agencies and guides amounting to 15-20 million euros would resolve some of the problems encountered by this segment of our economy and would testify to the importance of this sector to the Government.

ČADEŽ: THERE’S NO RECOVERY FOR THE ECONOMY WITHOUT THE GROWTH OF LARGE COMPANIES

To ensure the growth and recovery of our economy, large companies also need to be supported by the state and the Chamber of Commerce to mitigate the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

– We will continue to work on the proposal of aid measures for large companies to support their investments, facilitate their operations in the country and abroad, remove obstacles to continuing import and capturing of the new markets. During the pandemic, large companies relied on their own resources when resolving issues but their further growth requires support - announced Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia.

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NALED: STATE AID TO THE ECONOMY LACKED FOCUS Jelena Rančić, NALED’s advisor for regulatory reforms stated that the extent of the crisis caused by the coronavirus outbreak, which penetrated all world’s economies, is estimated to be equal to the extent of the financial crisis in 2008, and maybe even greater.

The success of the state’s measures does not depend merely on the size of the aid package but also the duration of the crisis, and the recovery from the current crisis is not expected to start before mid-2021. They lacked focus which was to be expected for the first package of aid measures due to their urgency, but probably such focus should have been felt in the second package. There was more time for analyses and the adoption of measures for specific industries - Jelena Rančić pointed out. Her position is backed up by Željko Tomić, President of the NALED’s e-Government Alliance.

In his opinion, the advantage of these measures lies in the fast Government’s response, however, he believes that the money should have gone to those who are hardest hit by the crisis i.e. those who need it the most.

MALI: DIRECT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES FOR CITY HOTEL OWNERS

City hotels will get direct government subsidies of 350 euros per bed and 150 euros per room, which is a new measure and the first one aimed at mitigating the effects which the coronavirus crisis had on the hotel industry.

– Out of 380 categorised city hotels in our country, only 112 of them are now open for business. In Belgrade, only 42 out of 115 hotels are open with an occupancy rate of 10%.

The hotel owners will receive the funds late in September or no later than the first week of October, with the only requirement for using this state aid being that no more than 10% of employees are dismissed - said Minister Mali, adding that the state had already provided two aid packages for the businesses, which were also used by the tourism industry, and that this aid package was specifically targeting this industry.

EU: WE WILL HELP CAMPSITES, BOARDING HOUSES, WINERIES, BEEKEEPERS...

Thanks to the EU For You Project, small and micro companies, family businesses, agricultural households and companies across 12 cities and municipalities in eastern and southeast Serbia were granted a million euros for the implementation of 120 projects in tourism aimed at eliminating the consequences of the pandemic.

Thanks to this EU project, the funds will be received by the hardest-hit entrepreneurs in the tourism industry to help them improve their offers for tourists. The majority of future users of the grant, amounting to 10,000 euros per project, are in the business of providing private accommodation for tourists (52 entrepreneurs). This support will also include camps, restaurants and providers of various restaurant and food services, boarding houses, hotels, hostels, travel agencies, wineries and commercial beekeepers.

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