Cord 109 November

Lazar Krstić

Progress Made, Still More to Do

Australian Ambassador to Serbia

Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia

H.E. Dr. Helena Gay Studdert

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Serbian Minister of Finance

Longdistance relationship

H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki

nov ‘13 / ISSUE No. 109

Turning the tanker

interviews opinions news comments events PRICE 300 RSD

Behind the Headlines: The EC Serbia Progress Report 2013

Long Road Ahead Energy Formats for Future King of the Hoops Energy Arena 2013

Dušan Ivković, basketball coach

Biljana Srbljanović playwright

Idealism is Always Subject to Misuse

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109 November 2013 | 3

COVER Biljana Srbljanović, Playwright

Idealism is Always Subject to Misuse

contents

The story of Gavrilo Princip and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is a complex one. But the event that precipitated the First World War has at times been oversimplified to the point of distortion. Now, with her new play, one of Serbia’s most prominent and outspoken dramatists is asking audiences to look upon one of modern Page 22 history’s most important events with an ambivalence it has rarely been afforded.

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Waiting for the Next Steps

VLADIMIR GLIGOROV Professor at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies

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b elgium

W here to SKI?

Season 2013/2014: Prepare for a Long and Cold Winter

Turning the TANKER

LAZAR KRSTIĆ Serbian Minister of Finance

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c ulture calendar

14

global diary

75

c hill out

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Long-distance RELATIONSHIP

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L enovo - AMAZING FEATURES

H.E. DR. HELENA GAY STUDDERT Australian Ambassador to Serbia

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Long Road AHEAD

Behind The Headlines: The Ec Serbia Progress Report 2013

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Techno talk

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Idealism is ALWAYS SUBJECT TO MISUSE

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Collaborative Outsourcing

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Comment page 6

82

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faces & places

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King of the HOOPS

DUŠAN IVKOVIĆ Basketball Coach

Profile page 86

C reate Your Own Style

Top Trends Autumn/Winter

Twilight of the Scribblers? after work

editorial MANAGER: Tanja Banković t.bankovic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović, Časlav Vukojičić TRANSLATION: Snežana Bjelotomić lector: Mark Pullen PROJECT MANAGERS: Biljana Dević, b.devic@aim.rs Svetlana Okanović, s.okanovic@aim.rs Vanja Djordjević, v.djordjevic@aim.rs Marina Grčić, m.grcic@aim.rs Marija Vujković, m.vujkovic@aim.rs

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Energy Formats for Future

GOWI

ART DIRECTOR: Ilija Petrović i.petrovic@aim.rs

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Business Dialogue Energy Arena 2013

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L eather, Men’s style, Minimalism and Retro

Fashion

BILJANA SRBLJANOVIĆ, Playwright

EDITOR: Saša Marić s.maric@aim.rs ASSISTANT EDITOR: Jovana Gligorijević j.gligorijevic@aim.rs

World Markets and Oppurtunities

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November 2013

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D on’t be Afraid of Work, Run from Fear

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109 November 2013 | 5

comment

Waiting for the

Next Steps

The economic policy measures announced recently were advertised as the first step towards comprehensive reforms that should provide a restart to the Serbian economy. They primarily aim to stabilise public finances

I

n addition, there is a three-year strategy for the restructuring of the public sector and for resetting the relationship between it and the private sector. Taken together, these measures amount to a complete strategy of transition; they include not only macroeconomic stabilisation but also privatisation, restructuring and liberalisation of the markets, and especially of the labour market. Some of these measures are quite concrete and quantified while the others are still more intentions than concrete policies. What is the content of this strategy of reform and what are the risks to its implementation?

The short-term measures are somewhat limited. For one, there will be a cut in wages paid from the budget and for another the lowest rate of the value added tax (VAT) will be set at 10 per cent, up from 8 per cent. There are also announcements about a cut in subsidies to the tune of around 1 per cent of GDP, which together should amount to savings of about 2 per cent of GDP for the budget, but those will not come in immediately and perhaps over a period of three years. Restrained growth of wages and pensions will continue, which will mean a real decline of these incomes because they will grow by 1 per cent, which is well below the expected rate of inflation. The government is committed to restructuring the public sector in a very short period, but that may require more time. Finally, there will be changes in the regulation of all the markets, which relate to bankruptcy proceedings, procedures for privatisations, and for access to finance.

Particularly important are the intended changes in the labour laws, which should make it easier to hire and fire workers.

The strategy is clear in general, but it lack specifics in terms of instruments of implementation, there are few precise quantifications, and the timing is uncertain. Therefore, the government admits that the short-term measures are just the first step in the process of comprehensive reforms and the next steps will be decisive.

Those have yet to be unveiled. That may prove risky for a number of reasons.

The first is the remaining ambiguity. While it is clear that the aim is a comprehensive overhaul of the economic system and of economic policy, day-to-day activities of the government are still not in tune with those. They clearly cannot be until the adoption of the appropriate legislation, the test of the real will for reforms and changes.

Vladimir Gligorov, Professor at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies

The second and the most important risk is the effect that these measures will have on economic growth. The way the reform measures are staggered, fiscal consolidation measures come first and structural reforms only later. The former will have negative effects for growth, while the expected push that other reform measures will bring is to come only later. Initially, the government was talking about growth picking up next year while now it is saying that 2014 will be a kind of a purgatory with some improvement happening only in 2015. In that period of possible recession and falls in wages, other incomes, and consumption, most of the other reform measures are due. That may prove not to be compatible incentive, which means that support for the structural reforms may wane as growth takes a dive.

That is why it is usually better to adopt the comprehensive reform together with the stabilisation measures at the same time, and then perhaps design the implementation in a gradual manner

Some of these measures are quite concrete and quantified while the others are still more intentions than concrete policies

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depending on the economic, political, and social responses. That should ensure the sustainability of the whole reform effort, which amount to making up for the delayed transition. Otherwise, the initial bad news in the form of recession and possible loss of employment may deflate enthusiasm for the intended structural reforms.

Particularly tricky will be the increased flexibility of labour contracts, granting greater ease with which employers can let the employees go and significantly lower severance payment. Also, the closing down of public enterprises and discontinuing subsidies will meet with resistance which will strengthen if economic growth disappoints. Finally, the entire fiscal consolidation effort may not be successful if economic recovery is delayed for too long. In that case, further measures to cut public spending and raise revenues may be required and that can easily put other structural reform measures on hold.

Overall, there is an ambitious reform agenda, a risky strategy of its implementation, and unknown social and political ability to sustain transitory costs. â–

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cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 9

interview Lazar Krstić, Serbian Minister of Finance

Turning the tanker

photo: Marina Lopičić for Kurir

With the country stuck in recession, rising public debt and an unemployment rate of 25%, fixing Serbia’s economy is an unenviable task.

But this year’s government reshuffle has renewed focus on the mammoth task of undertaking economic reform, with a set of six economic measures the start of the government’s battle to stabilise Serbia’s finances of whether we had to do something or not, it was more a matter of when and how do we act. We could not afford to wait a single day longer. The general public is already very well aware that, going forward, the whole of society will have to compromise to a certain extent in order to have the measures be successful.

■ Which of the original measures failed to win support from other ministers?

S

ince 26 August this year, when he was charged with turning around Serbia’s ailing economy, Lazar Krstić has faced scepticism due to his age, and criticism of his proposed reforms. With measures that include publicsector wage cuts, a rise in VAT and the acceleration of Serbia’s privatisation programme, Krstić and the government face a potential public backlash. Here, the Yale-educated Minister of Finance speaks exclusively about the difficult path ahead for Serbia and its citizens, and explains why there can be no going back.

■ Is your set of six economic measures the result of a compromise between you and your government peers, the coalition partners of the Serbian Progressive Party?

- Calling the set of measures a compromise on the government level would be inaccurate. The measures are the result of a joint work effort and the members of the government were aligned on the content that was presented to the public. It wasn’t a question

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- It was only natural that the set of measures changed and evolved over time. The set of measures we have presented to the public is the outcome of a dialogue we had with other stakeholders. Their perspective was an important part of the process and we have taken it into account when finalising the measures. I have to emphasise that no compromise was made around the goal we had to achieve and that is most important.

■ Some critics say the proposed measures are not equal to the severity of the current situation and that you had to make political compromises with certain government ministers. What compromises did you have to make, and did you alter some of your initial ideas and proposed measures?

- I have been following the news very closely and have noticed that the media coverage focuses mostly on one aspect of the proposed measures. The media should play a pivotal role in providing a holistic picture to the public. The measures are not only the reduction in salaries or the VAT increase; the structural reforms are an even more important segment of the measures, which will help make a lasting improvement to Serbia’s public finances and, more broadly, the economy. We are now setting up a system and every part of it is essential to achieve success in the end. Let me repeat myself: no compromise has been made. The measures are

Communication

Minister of Economy Saša Radulović and Krstić are in contact on a daily basis, with the former being kept in the loop while the new measures were developed.

Bankruptcy

According to Krstić, Serbia would go bankrupt within two years if there was no change of course in the country’s financial policy.

a joint effort to which various members of the government have contributed to a great extent.

■ Some people claim that the Minister of Economy was not happy with the proposed measures as none of them correspond to the measures he had been advocating.

- The Minister of Economy and I are in contact on a daily basis and he was kept in the loop while the measures were developed. We are together on this job, as is the whole government. The Ministry of Finance cannot succeed in this alone without both institutional and political will. So far we have both.

- We are all aware that Mr Strauss-Kahn is one of the world’s leading financial experts. On this particular occasion it happened

A government delegation recently visited the IMF, which is waiting to see the implementation of the economic measures before taking further action.

that Mr Strauss-Kahn was just getting involved and acquainted with the details of the situation at a time when we were finalising the measures. Hence I cannot say that he played an important role in the process, although I would have certainly appreciated his input and advice. I am confident that he will be more involved on some future topics.

Let me repeat myself: no compromise has been made.

The measures are a joint effort to which various members of the government have contributed to a great extent

■ Did Dominique Strauss-Kahn play any part in devising the measures?

Creditors

■ Do you think that your measures will appease the international creditors and financiers of Serbia?

- Serbia’s international creditors and financiers will play an important part in stabilising Serbia’s fiscal deficit and public debt. Hence we also kept them in mind as one of our audiences while devising the measures. Serbia’s delegation visited the IMF in Washington recently and the initial feedback we have received from international stakeholders has been positive. We are now building on that positive momentum and continuing our dialogue with them. Naturally they are waiting to

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109 November 2013 | 11

see the implementation of our measures before taking further action or making any commitments.

■ Is Serbia really facing bankruptcy?

- Let me rephrase this: Serbia would have gone bankrupt in a year or two at most if there was no change of course in our financial policy. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to understand that if you spend more than you earn, you will end up with nothing. We’ve had to start our term in office by pulling the ‘safety break’, which is not an easy job when you are driving a tanker.

After that, through the implementation of structural reforms, we will take the ship in the right direction.

In a little more than a year we are expecting to feel tangible progress.

■ What do you think of the very public and not-so-public criticism of your measures coming from certain segments of society?

- When I accepted the role of Finance Minister I knew it would not be possible to please everyone. Times are tough and so must we be. Even before I officially took on my duties as Finance Minister, I announced clearly that what is to come will not be easy, and not just for some, but for everyone. I am actually very willing to hear the critics out, especially when they are providing a constructive critique and finding ways to make further improvements.

■ How strong are these lobbies,

and can they use the parties in the governing coalition to prevent the measures’ implementation, or a new set of reformist measures from being adopted?

■ How are these measures going to

photo: Rajko Ristić for Blic

help Serbia avoid bankruptcy?

- Let me play this question back to you: when was the last time you - We have to start by decreasing saw the whole government take our fiscal deficit and stabilising our a stand and back up an idea pubpublic debt. It is not a coincidence that the legal norm for public debt licly? I believe that was solid proof of 45% of GDP is being set in many of how strong and tangible the supcountries. Without implementation port is. When I spoke to Mr Vučić of the measures, Serbia’s public about the measures, I spoke also debt would reach 70% in the next with Mr Dačić and Mr Krkobabić. year. Tax reforms, together with the We all agree on this platform. reduction of salaries in the public sector, would decrease our fiscal ■ Even the people who support deficit towards a sustainable level. the measures are doing so condiStructural reforms, on the other tionally and have been urging the hand, are adjusting legislation so Ministry of Finance and the govthat we improve the overall ernment to come up with business climate in Serbia We’ve had to start our term in office by a comprehensive reform and become more attracprogramme. Are you curpulling the ‘safety break’, which is not an rently working on these tive as an investment opeasy job when you are driving a tanker. reform measures? portunity internationally.

After that, through the implementation - Reforms are underway and they are not only an ■ Do these measures jeopof structural reforms, we will take the effort on behalf of the Minardise your earlier idea ship in the right direction about Serbia sinking furistry of Finance. We have other partners on this jourther into debt by issuing and selling Eurobonds? ney, such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Agriculture to name a few.

- I do not see the measures being jeopardised by any actions we have taken or will take.

■ Is there any truth to the speculation, which has been leaked recently, that you are ‘tired’ of trying to convince everybody ■ What comes next after these measures, which you said were required to “extinguish the fire”?

- After the ‘fire extinguishing’ phase, we will focus on making a lasting improvement and building a sustainable financial environment.

■ Since these measures are considered urgent for remedying the situation, when will they be implemented?

- Most measures will be implemented at the beginning of 2014.

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about the current situation in Serbia and the measures that must be undertaken?

- I believe this is an overstatement. I am not tired and I feel that we have started communicating very openly about an issue that was kept under the radar until now. The government is aware of how serious the current situation is and we all know that we must make some difficult decisions and trade-offs now in order to be better off in future. ■

Greenhouse

Nataša Savić, Director

Wind protection

Company Rekultivacija i Ozelenjivanje D.O.O. (RIO) is an authentic example of how expertise coupled with environmental conscience can deliver good business results.

RIO is a company that specializes in taking care of land and green areas and it has four decades of experience in protecting the eco-system. Thanks to RIO’s activities, large areas of land in Serbia are once again becoming a part of the cycle of nature and are being afforested or made suitable for agricultural work.

RIO is always on the lookout for new projects and new incentives for preserving the environment. That is why RIO has been focused on giving the youth of Serbia a chance to come up with new eco-business. To that end, as a part of its appearance at the ECOFAIR 2013 in Belgrade, RIO has organized an eco-workshop for pupils from three high schools in Požarevac and Kostolac, who were given a chance to present their projects and ideas for forprofit ecological activities – and a greener future for Serbia.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 13

Preferences

global diary 02.10.2013

“I think the American people should express their preferences, and we’ll accept their choice.”

— Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

Letta’s Confidence Vote

Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta’s coalition government survived a confidence vote by a healthy margin, with 235 senators voting in favor to 70 against. The threat receded shortly before the vote when former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi unexpectedly dropped his bid to topple the government, saying his party’s lawmakers would support the motion. Berlusconi’s move came after members of his centerright People of Freedom Party signaled they would defy his orders and back the government. Before the senators voted, Letta, of the center-left Democratic Party, appealed for their backing, warning that Italy faced a “fatal” risk with the confidence vote. Letta, who took office five months ago, argued that the country needs political stability to help its recovery from its economic woes.

07.10.2013.

8.10.2013.

China-Turkey Deal US Government Shutdown The head of NATO ex-

pressed concern over Turkey’s decision to co-produce a missile defense system with a Chinese firm, saying he expected Ankara to choose a system that was compatible with those of other allies.

Turkey has said it is likely to sign a $3.4 billion missile defense deal

with a Chinese firm that is subject to U.S. sanctions, although its decision is not yet final.The United States has expressed serious concerns to Turkey, saying the Chinese missile defense system would not work with NATO systems.NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said choosing a defense system was a national decision.“What is important for us is that the system acquired by the individual country … must be able to work and operate with the systems in other countries. I expect that Turkey will also comply with that,” the former Danish prime minister told Reuters, speaking in Danish.

14 |

President Barack Obama refused to give ground in a fiscal confrontation with Republicans, saying he would negotiate on budget issues only if they agree to re-open the federal government and raise the debt limit with no conditions.At a news conference, Obama said he would not hold talks on ways to end the fiscal impasse while under threat from conservative Republicans, but agreed to discuss anything, including his healthcare plan, if they restore government funding and raise the debt limit.”If reasonable Republicans want to talk about these things again, I’m ready to head up to

adopted a slightly more conciliatory tone in comments to reporters after a meeting with House of Representatives’ Republicans.

Russia Builds North Korea Rail

ject President Putin is pushing that would reunite the railway systems of the two Koreas and tie them to the Trans-Siberian Railway. That would give Putin partial control over links to European train networks 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) away. The route is as much

Russian President Vladimir Putin is inching closer to his goal of turning Russia into a major transit route for trade between eastern Asia and Europe by prying open North Korea, a nuclear-capable dictatorship isolated for half a century. Russia last month completed the first land link that North Korea’s Stalinist regime has allowed to the outside world since 2003. Running between Khasan in Russia’s southeastern corner and North Korea’s rebuilt port of Rajin, the 54-kilometer rail link is part of a pro-

as three times faster than shipping via Egypt’s Suez Canal, which handles 17,000 ships a year, accounts for about 8 percent of maritime trade -- and is increasingly beset by pirates and political instability in Egypt and Syria.

15.10.2013.

17.10.2013

the Hill and try,” Obama told reporters.”But I’m not gonna do it until the more extreme parts of the Republican Party stop forcing (House Speaker) John Boehner to issue threats about our economy.

We can’t make extortion routine as part of our democracy.”Obama’s comments followed an earlier phone call to Boehner, who had

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

German Coalition Talks

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Social Democratic Party leaders agreed to start official coalition talks, opening the path to forming Germany’s next government. Negotiations were scheduled to begin Oct. 23, a day after German lower-house lawmakers reconvene and the day before Merkel, strengthened by the biggest election victory since German reunification on Sept. 22, attends a EU summit. The SPD team “has the impression that negotiations make sense” and there’s “a common foundation” to try and reach a coalition deal with Merkel’s Christian Democratic bloc,” said SPD Chairman Sigmar Gabriel. Almost four weeks after Merkel won a third term in national elections, Gabriel’s SPD has to show that it’s fighting to secure at least part of its platform if it joins Merkel as junior partner to govern Europe’s biggest economy. National SPD delegates meet in Berlin on Oct. 20 to vote on the leadership’s proposal to begin coalition talks, which will probably take weeks.“It became clear that we recognize the challenges Germany faces over the next four years,” Hermann Groehe, the general secretary of Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, told reporters separately.

Ceiling

22.10.2013.

You have never seen in the history of the United States the debt ceiling or the threat of not raising the debt ceiling being used to extort a president or a governing party.” — Barack Obama, President of the United States

Greece Cuts State Funds for Golden Dawn The Greek parliament has voted overwhelmingly to suspend state funding for the farright Golden Dawn party.The new law allows an indefinite funding freeze for parties whose leadership is charged with involvement in a criminal group or terrorism.Golden Dawn’s lead-

er and two MPs are in custody awaiting trial on charges of being part of a criminal organisation.Their arrests follow the murder of an anti-fascist musician, allegedly by a supporter of the party.The party strongly denies any link to the accused man.

However, the fatal stabbing last month has led to increasing calls for the party to be banned outright.The new law was passed by 235 votes to zero in the 300-seat

assembly during a late-night sitting on Tuesday.The move looks likely to deprive Golden Dawn of a major financial resource, the website of Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reported.

23.10.2013

Prince George Christened

23.10.2013.

Reports US Tapped French Phones 'False' US intelligence chief James Clapper has denied reports that US spies recorded data from 70 million phone calls in France in a single 30-day period.The director of national intelligence said the report in Le Monde newspaper contained “misleading information”.In a separate story, the newspaper said the US bugged French diplomats and used the information to sway a key UN vote.Both reports were based on leaks from fugitive exUS intelligence worker Edward Snowden.”Recent articles published in the French newspaper Le Monde contain inaccurate and misleading information re-

The christening of Prince George has taken place in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace in London.The prince, third in line to the throne, was baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury.The christening was private, with only senior royals, four members of the Middleton family, the seven godparents and their spouses among the 22 guests.

Prince George, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was born in London on 22 July.The duchess carried her newly christened son out of the chapel after the ceremony, and the guests then left for tea hosted by the Prince of Wales at Clarence House.The godparents, announced earlier, are Oliver Baker, Emilia Jardine-Paterson, Earl Grosvenor, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, Julia Samuel, William van Cutsem and Zara Tindall. MrsTindall, wife of former England rugby player Mike Tindall, is Prince William’s cousin, while the other six godparents are all friends of the royal couple.Prince George was baptised in a replica of the lace and satin christening gown made for Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Victoria, the Princess Royal, in 1841.

23.10.2013.

Jovanka Broz Receives State Burial

garding US foreign intelligence activities,” Mr Clapper said in a statement.”The allegation that the National Security Agency collected more than 70 million ‘recordings of French citizens’ telephone data’ is false.” Mr Clapper said he would not discuss details of surveillance activities, but acknowledged “the United States gathers intelligence of the type gathered by all nations”.

Jovanka Broz, former First Lady of Yugoslavia and Tito’s widow, is buried after dying of heart failure earlier this month The former First Lady of Yugoslavia, who lived virtually forgotten for many years, received a state burial on Ocober 26. She died of heart failure in a Belgrade hospital on Oct. 20, at the age of 88.

Thousands of mourners, many from other former Yugoslav republics, gave Broz a final salute as her coffin, covered with red flowcordeditorial@cma.rs |

ers, was carried into the “House of Flowers” compound where she was buried next to her husband.

A Second World War veteran, she had held the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel in the Yugoslav army and two medals for gallantry in combat. At her funeral she received full military honours, including a guard of honour by her former war comrades.

109 November 2013 | 15

interview

■ photo: zoran Petrović

H.E. Dr. Helena Gay Studdert, Australian Ambassador to Serbia

Long-distance

relationship Even with half a world separating them, Serbia and Australia seek to foster economic and cultural links.

As Serbia moves towards European integration, Australia is taking advantage of strong growth and investment opportunities in Asia. Now both nations are looking to increase their presence on the world stage and within each other’s markets

A

ustralia is an economic powerhouse that has continued to grow even in the wake of the global financial crisis. In her interview with CorD, Australian ambassador to Serbia H.E. Dr. Helena Gay Studdert reveals that Australia’s “GDP growth is projected to outperform every major advanced economy until 2018”. With what she refers to as the “Asian century” upon us, the ambassador discusses how Australia built its robust economy and how Serbia and Australia can improve trade and investment between the two countries.

■ The first obstacle to cooperation between Serbia and Aus-

tralia is the geographical distance between them. How much does this hinder the development of existing good relations?

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- Over 70,000 people of Serbian background live in Australia. This provides a strong basis for good relations, manifested in similar values and good cooperation internationally. Bilateral trade between our two countries is presently at modest levels. There are many reasons for this but that geographical distance has some impact.

We have seen recent developments that may help encourage greater trade, investment and people-to-people exchange. In May this year we signed a treaty-level agreement on air services. The agreement should lead to our airlines being able to properly serve the market between our two countries and reduce the time spent travelling.

We are already seeing better times and routes with the new Etihad-Air Serbia flights to Australia. Aviation links tend to act as catalysts for other economic links, stimulating trade, investment and tourism.

■ How would you rate the quality of bilateral relations between Australia and Serbia overall?

- Australia and Serbia have strong people and community links. A growing number of Australians of Serbian background are interested in reconnecting with their homeland. I have always encouraged this, seeing great value in Australian-Serbs being the vanguard for improving our trade and investment relationship. As Serbia undergoes a process of internal reform, particularly in the business

population

We have a multicultural, highly skilled and creative population that has demonstrated capabilities in innovation and complex problem solving.

Economy

Rio Tinto’s Jadar Project in Loznica is a standout mining venture that could provide a significant boost for the Serbian economy.

and regulatory areas, there will be greater confidence in investing here. Some Australian technology and expertise is already making its way into Serbia in the mining, environmental protection and biotechnology sectors. These niche sectors and other areas of potential are the way to strengthen our trade relations.

■ Parallel to the economic progress of Asian countries, Australia has gained an important position in the region politically, militarily and economically. Considering the geo-strategic distribution of power between the US and China, where do Australian interests lie and how are they being pursued?

progress

I have been very pleased to see the significant progress Serbia has made during the three years I have been here.

sis to avoid recession and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. We have a multicultural, highly skilled and creative population that has demonstrated capabilities in innovation and complex problem solving. We have vast natural resources and the know-how and technologies to develop them.

Australia is home to globally significant industries and major infrastructure projects and has the world’s 12th largest economy, with an annual GDP estimated at more than US $1.5 trillion. Australia’s robust and diverse economy is underpinned by strong trade ties with Asia, Europe and the Americas. These fundamentals and low levels of public debt have helped Australia remain ‘triple-A’ rated by the major global ratings agencies.

- The scale and pace of Asia’s transformation is unprecedented, and the implications for Australia are profound.

■ What comparative advantages does the Australian economy enjoy compared with the rest of the world?

In this century, the Asia-Pacific region will become home to most of the world’s middle class. The region will be the - The robustness and diversity of Australia’s economy is world’s largest producer of goods and services, and the underpinned by strong economic growth, innovation, a largest consumer of them. Thriving in the Asian century restrategic location in Asia and having one of the most transquires Australia to have a clear plan to seize the economic parent and well-regulated business environments in the opportunities that will flow and manage the strategic chalworld. Australia’s strategic location and strong trade relalenges that will arise. tionships built over 50 years have provided us with a familAustralia’s engagement in Asia has been longstanding, iarity with the business cultures and regulatory systems of strong and robust. Over the the nations across Asia. This Australia is home to globally past 50 years, Australia’s is built on our more-thantrade with Asia as a share of significant industries and major A$600 billion two-way trade total trade has risen dramatiinfrastructure projects and has with Asia.

Australia is also a busically. Our financial, political and cultural links have deep- the world’s 12th largest economy, ness-friendly country: the ened. We live in a multi-polar with an annual GDP estimated at time to establish a business is one of the shortest in the world and Australia undermore than US $1.5 trillion world; our strong protecstands that. The relationship between the US and China will determine the outlook tion of intellectual property rights and world-class finanfor international security and prosperity. Some competition cial sector makes it a very attractive business destination. is inevitable, but both seek stability, not conflict. Australia’s Australia is the second largest liquid stock market in the foreign and trade policy and strategic frameworks have built region and has more than A$5.5 trillion in bank assets. strong relationships in the region, including with the US and China, enabling us to influence regional and, at times, global ■ How does your government assist Australian businesses outcomes. in their efforts to expand into foreign countries?

- The government’s commitment to innovation through research funding, tax incentives and policy provides inves■ Australia is one of the few developed economies not to have experienced a recession following the global economic tors with confidence that long-term support is in place. downturn. What is your country’s economic policy based on?

The commitment to innovation provides industry with a competitive advantage and upholds Australia’s position as - The Australian economy is strong because over the past a world-class leader in the commercialisation of export30 years we have been prepared to do the things that are ready cutting-edge technologies. This is supported by necessary to build for tomorrow. This has given us 22 Australia’s research institutions, among the world’s best, years of continuous economic growth from 1992 to 2013, which offer international investors opportunities for prian achievement unequalled by any other major developed economy. We pulled together during the global financial crivate-sector collaboration. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 17

Total investment in R&D across business, higher education and government has trebled in the 10 years to 2010-11 to A$30.8 billion. Australia has increased R&D spending at almost twice the OECD average and is ranked 11th overall for R&D expenditure. Australia has produced 14 Nobel laureates, which is the highest number per capita for any country, and is home to innovations such as the bionic ear, Wi-Fi, Google Maps, the first vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and the black box flight recorder.

■ Australia has an active foreign policy and shares its ex-

pertise with other countries. With regard to Serbia, which areas have received the most Australian assistance?

18 |

anti-corruption policies and programmes. The embassy has also facilitated links between Australia and Serbia in the creative industries, cultural policy and in fire safety and protection. We have an ongoing programme with two NGOs in Serbia and Montenegro, which have translated an Australian film and related educational resources on cyber safety for young people. We hope to have these resources included in the school curriculum in both countries.

■ Which areas areas of economic cooperation between the two countries should be improved? Bilateral trade cooperation is carried out mostly via small companies. Can we expect larger companies to get involved?

- The value of Australia’s merchandise trade with Serbia in 2012 was $22.26 million [check if this is AUD or USD], with the balance in Serbia’s favour. Australian exports consisted primarily of specialised machinery and parts, and hides and skins. The main imports were prepared or preserved fruit and vegetables, and electrical power machinery and parts.

These statistics are low by global standards. We can and should do more to increase trade and investment.

Government is working towards this end: in March 2012, Australia granted Serbia concessional tariff rates on a range of goods under the Customs Tariff Act 1995, and as mentioned earlier, Australia and Serbia signed an air services treaty in May 2013. These are good steps towards encouraging commercial arrangements and business exchange.

I am pleased that some Australian technology is making its way into Serbia, mostly through small enterprises, but there are niches where we can encourage further cooperation. We are seeing a small but increasing mining interest in the region. Rio Tinto’s Jadar Project in Loznica is a stand-out mining venture that could provide a significant boost for the Serbian economy in the long term. Other Australian mining companies have also been scoping the Serbian and regional market - In Serbia, Australian aid Australia is a business-friendly for opportunities. has been distributed via the Australia has world-leadDirect Aid Program. This procountry – the time to establish gramme is a flexible, small ing expertise in agribusiness, a business is one of the grants scheme for developenvironmental protection, bishortest in the world ment activities managed by otechnology and other areas Australian embassies in apwhere we are willing to share expertise and experience with Serbia. We just need to find proximately 45 countries. The emphasis is on alleviating pathways and opportunities for doing so. humanitarian hardship. In Serbia we have financed a number of projects in cooperation with NGOs to assist people in the community who are underprivileged due to race, ■ Our two countries differ greatly in size. Do you think physical disability or gender, including victims of domesAustralian businesses could become interested in the Sertic violence. This year we were pleased to support training bian market or do they deem it too small? for parliamentarians about legislative strategies to combat - Australian companies have shown growing interest in child sexual abuse.

Serbia and the region. The countries of the former YugoWe have also targeted our aid funding to areas where slavia are seen by most Australian companies on a regional we can share expertise with Serbia. In partnership with the level, representing a cluster of emerging markets on the United Nations Development Programme, the embassy sponcusp of EU integration. The market potential for investors is significant considering that regional progress on the sored visits by Serbian officials to Australia to exchange inroad to EU integration is likely to provide a boost to west formation on Australia’s anti-discrimination legislation and

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Balkan economies over coming years. For Serbia this could take the shape of an improved business environment and enhanced market competitiveness – key indicators that encourage long-term investor confidence.

■ What is the backbone of Australia’s foreign policy?

- Australia’s foreign policy takes place within a global and regional environment being reshaped by changing economic and strategic relativities. We see ourselves within the Asia-Pacific region and aim to strengthen Australia’s Asia capabilities in a century of transformational growth in Asia.

As the global centre of gravity shifts to our region, the issue of distance is being replaced by the prospects of proximity. The economic and social landscape of Australia will be increasingly shaped by the dramatic transitions underway in Asia. Economic growth in Asia will continue to drive demand for Australia’s energy and mineral resources, while Asia’s transformation and rising middle class will bring unprecedented opportunities for Australia.

Australia not only needs to sustain the policy settings that have supported prosperity to date, but we need to keep up with the rapid changes in our region. Australia will need to build resilience and lift productivity growth, find new ways to operate in and connect with growing Asian markets, build sustainable security and forge deeper, broader relationships.

- About 1 million migrants arrived in Australia in each of the six decades following 1950. For the period 1990-2010, the figure is around 2 million. These figures cover all categories of migration. The Skill Stream of Australia’s migration programme is designed to target migrants who have skills that will contribute to the Australian economy. The migration to Australia of skilled people with the qualifications and attributes to succeed helps address specific skill shortages in Australia and enhances the size and skill level of our labour force. The 2010–11 Skill Stream accounted for 67% of Australia’s total migration programme. For 2011–12 it was 68%, and the planning level for the 201213 Skill Stream is again 68%.

■ What is Australia’s view, and your personal view, of Serbia’s European integration process?

- Australia encourages EU integration and the benefits of structural reforms that this will generate. I have been very pleased to see the significant progress Serbia has made during the three years I have been here. The path to EU integration will not only bring much needed reforms, but will contribute to economic and political stability and growth in the western Balkans.

■ As a historian, what is

your take on events in the Balkans in the 20th century and what do you think the region’s future will be like?

Australia has increased R&D spending at almost twice the OECD average and is ranked 11th overall for R&D expenditure

- My studies focused on Australian history, so coming here meant a steep learning curve. The difficult and complex history of this region still resonates, presenting challenges for today’s decision makers. But there has been much progress over the past few years. I am hopeful that we will continue to see a region growing more stable and prosperous, and in the near future, an economically and socially vigorous Serbia.

■ Your country is often a destination for economic mi-

grants. How many people have migrated to Australia in the last 20 years and how has your administration assisted them?

■ To what extent do Serbian migrants contribute to a better understanding between the two countries?

- Many Serbs know something about “down under”.

Many have family or friends who live in Australia. In fact, around 69% of Australian-Serbs continue to speak Serbian in the home. They proudly call themselves Australian and at the same time rightly preserve their Serbian heritage. Serbian-Australians are well-settled and valued members of the community and their contribution to building links between our two countries has led to better understanding of Australian society in Serbia and vice versa. In Serbia, almost everyone I meet talks fondly about Australia and many dream of visiting. People lament the distance, but the world is getting smaller and, as I said before, flight routes and frequency have improved substantially. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 19

comment Behind the Headlines: The EC Serbia Progress Report 2013

Long Road

Ahead

After a “historic year” for Serbia’s European ambitions, Belgrade can take encouragement from the EC’s 2013 Serbia Progress Report.

But with accession negotiations looming, the hard work is only just beginning to reform the country in line with EU demands

by Samantha Seewoosurrun

T

there would be greater emphasis on strengthening ecohe publication of the European Commission’s 2013 Progress Report on Serbia will have been keenly nomic governance. awaited by the Serbian government, and the outSo what lies behind the headlines of this year’s recome was clearly intended to give further encouragement port? The highly favourable political context determines to the Serbian authorities, with the opening of accession the shape of the report overall, meaning criticism of the talks on the horizon.

Serbian authorities is muted and does not reflect fully the In presenting the Progress Report to the European reality of the situation on the ground as known to EU polParliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on 16 October, icy makers. The Commission’s approach to the report is EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle described therefore more procedural than qualitative, in the sense 2013 as a “historic year” for Serbia, with the European that the report focuses on whether specific legislation or Council’s decision in June to open accession negotiations policy documents have been adopted, but not necessarily marking “the start of a significant new phase in our relations” and the entry into force of the MEPs remain deeply concerned about Stabilisation and Association Agreement. Füle highlighted that Serbia had “actively and conminority rights, with the EC stating that the structively” worked to improve relations with action plan on anti-discrimination strategy Kosovo, and said he looked forward to the first needs to be adopted and implemented intergovernmental conference on Serbia’s accession by January 2014 at the latest. with comment on the degree to which the content is in line At the same time, Commissioner Füle made clear that with EU requirements. in this “new demanding phase”, more needs to be done On the political side, many MEPs remain deepby the Serbian authorities in areas such as judicial reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, public ly concerned about minority rights, with the European administration reform and the protection of minorities, Commission stating that the action plan on anti-discrimand urged Serbia to step up its positive contribution to reination strategy needs to be adopted and implemented, and that the Serbian authorities need to enhance the progional cooperation. He underlined that the rule of law remained at the heart of the accession process and that this tection of media, human-rights defenders and other vulremained of “great economic relevance” in relation to legal nerable groups. The Green Group’s foreign affairs spokescertainty and investor confidence. He also stressed that person Marije Cornelissen MEP has urged Serbia’s gov20 |

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will then prepare a report on the results of its assessment, ernment to adopt a “credible action plan against violent setting any benchmarks needed, which will subsequenthooligan groups and their supporters within the state and the business sector”, noting that Belgrade’s gay pride paly be sent to the Council (composed of the 28 EU memrade was banned in September for the third year in a row, ber states) to decide whether to open a negotiating chapwith the authorities citing a threat to public safety from ter or not. right-wing hooligans.

The Serbian authorities should be aware that the The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee European Commission has learned hard lessons from preis currently preparing its own resolution on the European vious enlargements, which will have a strong influence on Commission’s Progress Report, highlighting a number of its approach to accession talks. The process will begin with specific concerns, which will be forwarded to the Serbian chapters 23 and 24, on judicial reform and fundamental government and parrights, which is a legaliament. The resolution cy of the Bulgarian and is likely to congratulate Romanian accessions, Serbia warmly on the where results in these results of its high-levareas were so poor at the end of the process el dialogue with Kosovo that the Commission and its commitment to had to introduce a ‘face the European integrasaving’ exercise known tion process, and to welas the Cooperation and come the Council’s deciVerification Mechanism, sion to launch accession designed to compel the negotiations. However, necessary improveon the state of the reform process, the overments after accession.

As a consequence, in arching message is likely 2011 the Commission to be that systemic improvements are needed across the board, with many taking a private The Serbian authorities should be aware view that it is simply not enough for certain that the European Commission has learned highly placed individuals in the Serbian administration to ‘fix’ major problems as they come hard lessons from previous enlargements, to light. which will have a strong influence on its The time for warm words will soon be approach to accession talks over, with Michael Davenport, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, remarking at a press conadopted a new approach, wherein all future enlargements ference upon publication of the report, “We did not step up will open these two chapters first and close them last once a gear, but rather went two gears up. We have begun the a solid track record has been demonstrated, with interim screening. The next phase is in December, when Serbian benchmarks introduced along the way. This approach has officials and experts will present plans for harmonisation already been used in the opening of talks with Montenegro. with the EU acquis.”

In terms of the road ahead, Serbia has everything to In terms of the timeline ahead, between now and spring play for. There is strong political will from EU policy makers 2014 the European Commission will launch the ‘screening’ to move forward in view of the last year’s positive achieveprocess of bilateral meetings with Serbian government officials on each of the 33 individual negotiating chapments, which appear even more substantial if compared with Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the integration proters, in areas ranging from the judiciary and fundamental rights to energy and external relations. Once the European cess has ground to a complete halt. However, within the Commission has set out what is required in an explanatory confines of the bilateral negotiations on each chapter, only screening meeting, the Serbian authorities must prove the concrete and demonstrable achievements will count. The state of alignment with EU demands within two months in Serbian government is now within reach of a historic opa bilateral screening meeting. The European Commission portunity and should seize it with both hands. ■ cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 21

interview

■ By Jovana GLIGORIJEVIć ■ photo: Georg Soulek

Biljana Srbljanović, playwright

Idealism is always subject to misuse

The story of Gavrilo Princip and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is a complex one. But the event that precipitated the First World War has at times been oversimplified to the point of distortion. Now, with her new play, one of Serbia’s most prominent and outspoken dramatists is asking audiences to look upon one of modern history’s most important events with an ambivalence it has rarely been afforded

T 22 |

he premiere of playwright Biljana Srbljanović’s latest drama, ‘Princip (This Grave Is Too Small For Me)’, took place at the Schauspielhaus in Vienna on October 16. The audience’s reception was so rapturous that, according to local media, they demanded four encores. By contrast, in Serbia, where it is yet to have its premiere, the play has generated heated reactions and controversy from the moment

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Srbljanović started work on the script. As with anything Biljana Srbljanović says or does, writing ‘Princip (This Grave Is Too Small for Me)’ has attracted a great deal of attention.

■ What did the play look like on stage to you?

- The first time I saw the play was at the rehearsal a day earlier, and I thought to myself, “This is not going to be accepted with acclaim.” I really believe that playwrights sel-

Character

To me Princip has certain characteristics of Büchner’s Danton in ‘Danton’s Death’, in addition to resembling Robespierre in his capacity as a historical and poetic character.

Independent

I don’t believe in 90% of the values this society claims as its own. My beliefs are completely different, radically liberal, deeply feminist and left-wing economically.

dom see themselves entirely in a certain performance, and, for me, this is not an issue of aesthetics or the director’s interpretation, but of discourse. Simply put, we were in Vienna, the former centre of an empire whose archduke was assassinated in Sarajevo, and which, immediately following the assassination, fell apart.

Both the piece and the play do not condemn the perpetrators. I thought that it would cause controversy, but was so surprised to see how warm the reception we got was and how satisfied the audience was. In European theatres it is customary for an author to walk on stage at the end of the premiere. This is both a beautiful and traumatic experience, since you never know what to expect; as I walk onto the stage, I never know what kind of reception I’ll get. But this time around it was really good.

Education

What we all lack is a bit more general education, thirst for knowledge and desire for learning. Those are the only things that keep me alive.

demonstrate – violence begets more violence and always turns against its instigators first. Ideologically speaking, I can justify this adolescent need of a group of young revolutionaries to make a grand gesture in the country’s primeval fight for freedom, but ethically and on a deeply human level I abhor the act of murder, just as they did.

This fight inside the man, which turns a regular boy into an assassin, and the burden of having to live with it all your life, is the thing that intrigued me most. After all, I write plays about people who are deeply immersed in the political events of the era. I write in this way because that is the only way I want to write. I really believe that every single private

■ Since the very beginning, your work on this drama about

Gavrilo Princip and the Young Bosnia organisation has been under close public scrutiny. It seems that during the writing process you have undergone certain changes. Is this an accurate impression?

- In a year when we are swamped with all sorts of sources about the assassination in Sarajevo, including several books, two plays, a few films in the pipeline, not to mention media coverage, people still don’t feel the need to read something, question their knowledge and misapprehensions, and try to form their own opinion, which this time around should be based on facts. Sometimes I read through online conversations about my play and every single time I’m surprised to see that people are not willing to read even a short text written below two YouTube clips, and yet they are eager to debate whether Princip was a terrorist or a hero. He was neither.

■ Gavrilo Princip and Young Bosnia are complex phenomena. In your play you have tried to cover this complexity in its entirety. Now, the public perceives the play as ‘controversial’. Is it really controversial or is this description the result of the public simplifying the entire matter and rushing to evaluate it without much forethought?

- When something is multilayered, when you make an effort to shed a different light on a personality or event, and try to depict them through conflict (which is imminent in a theatre play), often through conflict with yourself, you are branded as controversial. In the literary sense, to me Princip has certain characteristics of Büchner’s Danton in ‘Danton’s Death’, in addition to resembling Robespierre in his capacity as a historical and poetic character. He was a revolutionary but also a martyr of his revolution, and that’s what I wanted to

I’m surprised to see that people are not willing to read even a short text written below two YouTube clips, and yet they are eager to debate whether Princip was a terrorist or a hero. He was neither act is also essentially a political act, and that living as an indifferent person politically, or not being conscious politically, is an act of great cowardice. This is why this play tells a story of ‘ordinary people’ who are subjected to a historical moment, the consequences of which I’ve been feeling to this day.

■ You were quoted as saying the following about Young Bos-

nia: “If I lived in their time, I would be a member.” Were you referring to the bravery of these young people, their idealism and desire for emancipation? Bravery, idealism and emancipation are something our society needs today too. Why don’t me have more young, courageous and educated people? cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 23

- I think we have such people and that they are in the majority, albeit a silent majority. When you look at the research done into the ratings of the political parties, and when people applaud this or that political leader, we tend to forget that the winning option right now is the one that hasn’t sided with anybody, the one that is silent at present and is stunned and disgusted by the political image of our society.

This option, once it sets into motion, can change everything.

Although everybody is aware of my political convictions, and that I really cannot find a solution for my social and political needs in any of the given political options, especially not in the governing one, we often ignore this. The young and educated people that you talk about, who haven’t moved

24 |

have been misusing Gavrilo Princip and all of Serbian society since the early 20th century to this day.

When you read the documents, Constitution, history and the Black Hand’s oath, it dawns on you that this was a mafia-like organisation, which used intimidation, blackmail and corruption (they usually offered jobs and various positions in exchange), and has been ruling over Serbia for more than a century now. Apis killed a king to make room for another king – and I, as a staunch republican, couldn’t care less which king – and continued to rule from the shadows.

Aleksandar Ranković, the first post-war successor to Apis, rehabilitated him, and you have to admit that it was highly unusual for a Communist head of secret police to transform Apis from this brutal, primitive nationalist, whose goal was to create Greater Serbia, into a freedom fighter for the independence of Yugoslavia.

In my intimate history and in my nightmares, I can see clearly very similar dark forces, sitting in an office on 12 March, 2003, waiting for the news of the assassination they had orchestrated. Of course, I don’t believe that Ulemek, Zvezdan Jovanović and the gang of thugs around them were ideologically motivated in any way, as they were classical mercenaries, mudlarks who were given a sniper rifle with a clear objection to shoot at the man’s heart. But the fact remains that they, the way they were, hardened killers with no ethics, were used by a smarter group of people with a clear political aim. After all, only the executors of this crime were convicted and sent to prison, but the masterminds behind the assassination are still untouchable.

to places where knowledge, a university diploma, academic Ideologically speaking, I can justify this adolescent career and personal effort are need of a group of young revolutionaries to make appreciated, have yet to speak up. They are here, and for the a grand gesture in the country’s primeval fight for time being it may seem that freedom, but ethically and on a deeply human they are doing smaller, less imlevel I abhor the act of murder portant things, such as Pride This is what I was writing about, this parallel of the two and fighting against violence against women. They are the assassinations – the one of Ferdinand and the one of Đinđić. intellectual force that is the only capital this country has.

The first one was an occupier and the second one an eman■ On the other hand, do you think this blind courage and cipator. The first one was shot for freedom-fighting reasons, idealism is what pushed Young Bosnia into the hands of the second for the need to drag Serbia back to the black hole people whose only goal was to use them to force their from which it had struggled to get out of. The modus operanown agenda? di is the same: the people who organised and commissioned these assassinations are the people from the shadows, of- Idealism is always subject to misuse, it’s just human nature.

The notion that goodness and stupidity go hand in hand is ficials and heads of secret police and parapolitical organisathe usual way of seeing people who act on their convictions tions that still rule. for no personal gain. The thing that is being repeated constantly in our cultural format is that all important move■ The pro-Yugoslav attitude of Young Bosnia is obvious to anyone who has read about the organisation. Today, ments have been misused by parapolice and parapolitical however, we see members of movements such as Obraz or shadow forces. We cannot draw direct parallels in this matNaši wearing T-shirts that depict Princip. Who is to blame ter, since life and especially literary arts are not equations for the confusion and misconceptions of what Princip and with two unknowns that have their own rules and solutions.

Young Bosnia really were, and their cooption by rightBut one cannot but notice the similarity, and this is somewingers and extremists? thing I’ve written about in my play, i.e. these dark forces that

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

fact. What we all lack is a bit more general education, thirst - In most cases, Obraz and Naši are made up of people withfor knowledge and desire for learning. Those are the only out any education, especially institutional education. They things that keep me alive. are not cultured and their heads are filled with many different things. The worst thing is that it is not their fault.

When you grow up in a country where the most popular ■ Rebecca West called the Austro-Hungarian declaration of newspaper of the 1990s plants an Uroš Predić painting as war against Serbia after the assassination “the madness of a symbol of ‘Serbian suffering’ in the war, and are not sufour modern world”. Back in 1960, Krleža wrote that using the assassination as the reason or cause of the war went ficiently educated to recognise this as a fraud, what kind against “reasonable thinking”. of person are you going to grow What is the connection between up to become? If you grow up I really believe that every the Sarajevo assassination and in a country where religious single private act is also World War I in your opinion? leaders are disseminating haessentially a political act, and - Rebecca West is one of those tred from all media outlets, in which history is forged on a authors who are unbiased tothat living as an indifferent daily basis, in which there are the subjects they write person politically, or not being wards no morals, just authority, you about and I can understand that. conscious politically, is an act Still, in our country she has this will have a mixture made of horrible ingredients. undisputed position of ultimate of great cowardice I force myself sometimes authority on the Serbs and the to look at the public appearances of these people, and the historical events surrounding ‘Serbhood’ only because she quantity of terrible ignorance, the cognitive incapaciousliked us. I did use her as a source, and even based an entire scene on her recordings, but in the light of my relation toness and the limited focus on only your own difficult experiences will always result in that, everywhere in the wards her. She wrote that Franz Ferdinand was a nasty charworld. Young Serbian fascists are no dumber than German acter who was an avid and vindictive hunter, and who manor American ones, and they should not be proud of that aged to destroy the entire property of a certain aristocrat

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109 November 2013 | 25

with whom he lodged for months.

The story Rebecca West tells is an interesting one, albeit not entirely credible, and I took it and elevated it to an even higher level of madness: the archduke, who is conducting a genocide of animals in the space of just a few vengeful weeks, is a character that my Ljubica, a 15-year-old member of Young Bosnia who smokes ‘Persian tobacco’, hallucinates about the night before the assassination. This was an amalgamation of several things: the fact that the author was biased (Zweig also didn’t like Ferdinand and wrote very harsh but credible things about him), and that we are biased and close to her. Serbs love Rebecca West, practically without ever reading any of her books. There is also hunting for pleasure as one of the most despicable human activities, and there is this metaphor about disseminating death, soaking the land with blood, which foreshadowed what was to come.

26 |

allowed to be independent and strong. I simply don’t believe in 90% of the values this society claims as its own. My beliefs are completely different, radically liberal, deeply feminist and left-wing economically. I cannot stand authority, ever, in any shape or form. I don’t exert authority over anyone, my puppy included. I don’t believe in that kind of human interaction and I cannot accept the majority imposing any views on the minority. I am deeply convinced that my body is only mine and that I can do whatever I want with it. I believe that the state and bigoted public don’t have any right to interfere with sexuality or self-destruction or any segment of my personal freedom.

Of course, I still live in this environment – I am not a renegade anarchist who lives in the woods – and I draw strength from my almost provincial upbringing in order to survive every day. I am not going to fight every policeman I see, but I am going to denounce ■ In a recent interview for B92 you the misuse of power. I am going to mentioned that you feel exhausted teach, as I have been doing for the when writing. Is this a necessity of the past 15 years, but I’m not going writing process or can it be done difto impose my authority on even ferently? the worst of students. I’m going - Yes, it probably can, maybe in a calmer to insist that changes are made and wiser manner. But I am still conto public discourse, for women vinced that serious writers, who are not to be told all the honest about themselves time that they are old, and their need to create, If you grow up in a country where hysterical or, in my case, are terribly consumed by religious leaders are disseminating ‘drugged-out crackpots’ their writing. I am trouonly because they have bled by words, by my hehatred from all media outlets, in their views and defend roes, and I usually torture which history is forged on a daily them vehemently. myself the most. I have basis, in which there are no morals, this deep-seated disbelief about every single thought just authority, you will have a mixture ■ Could you tell us about of mine, every single word your future plans in terms made of horrible ingredients I utter, and as time passes of writing new plays and by it gets more and more other ventures? difficult. People will probably imagine now how I would - I have been commissioned to write a play for the Gothenoverwhelm them with my thoughts if I did not doubt myburg Theatre, which is the second biggest theatre in Sweden, with a huge production, large annual budget and the need to self so much, and they would be right to think so, but I am use theatre art as a vehicle of expression in this intellectually not ashamed of it. As long as this capital I am spending is lazy world. I have a very short deadline and, as usual, have mine and mine alone, and detrimental only to myself, I can no idea what to write about. I’m waiting for the pressure to do whatever I want with it. build up and the need to speak up to become unbearable and, then, I guess, I will write something. In the meantime, ■ You have often been criticised for your views. What do I’m trying to pass the exams I have left of my Art Theory of you think makes you such an easy target for virtually eveMedia and Culture postgraduate studies and finally get a step rybody, from various interest groups to anonymous intercloser to writing a doctoral thesis. I like the idea of standing net crowds? up to macho Serbian thinkers who regularly demean women - I think it’s the fact I’m a woman with opinions that are difin public dialogue by asking them, “Are you a Miss or Mrs?” ferent from most people, and that I move around and continwith the response, “I am a doctor, you moron!” ■ ue to survive in a patriarchal society where women are not

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

nov 2012 business leader’s meeting point

Page 30

Energy Arena 2013

Energy Formats for Future Page 34

gowi

Collaborative Outsourcing Page 38

Fleet Street’s diminishing power underlies the fight over press regulation

Twilight of the Scribblers? cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 27

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Business Dialogue Energy Arena 2013

Zorana Mihajlović, Serbian Energy Minister, Fabrizio Barbaso, European Commission and Kirill Kravchenko, Director General of Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS)

Energy Formats for Future The ‘Energy Arena 2013’ regional conference was held in Belgrade, on Wednesday, October 23. The conference was organized under the auspices of the Prime Minister of Serbia on the occasion of Serbia’s Presidency of the Ministerial Council of the SEE Energy Community

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he 6th Energy Arena focused on the energy sector in the countries of Southeast Europe and their road towards EU membership.

At the conference, Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić outlined that the investment process should not slow down due to administrative procedures. According to him, Serbia is not going to sacrifice its energy sector for political relations or politicization. The prime minister also said that we should discuss ways to fund projects with the view of not exceeding the country’s debt ceiling. “Our aim is to stop the growth of borrowing by 2016. All pending projects are currently financed through loans and we need to explore other funding methods like concessions or the private sec-

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

tor,” Dačić added. He also underlined that plans have been put in place (with some even at an advanced stage) whose funding, when added, would make up to twice the amount that Serbia could realistically borrow. Dačić also said that in the following period, the state must set national priorities as well as define long-term projects, including projects which were meant to be funded from sources other than loans. The PM pointed out that energy was the primary economic branch which had been recording growth, and added that the government had projected that growth, currently at 1% or 2%, should rise to between 3% and 5% by 2015 or 2016. Dačić also underlined that new energy projects had to have a regional character in order for Serbia to be considered a respected factor in Europe.

The prime minister underlined the importance of regional cooperation and emphasized the fact that Serbian government had been supporting all regional projects which contribute to energy development, higher regional competitiveness and the future integration of gas, crude oil, and electricity markets. “Joint projects should take on a new format in the future, and the Serbian energy sector is fully prepared for the future, namely for the integration

The European Commission is considering the guidelines and directives on exploiting and utilizing oil shale of the subsystems in Serbia with those in Europe, Russia and China,” Dačić said. He also underlined that none of the regional countries had every type of energy resources, and that Serbia wanted the EU’s support and help in the implementation of energy projects which were also environmental ones. The prime minister also stressed the importance of the South Stream gas pipeline and added that the pipeline was a project of regional importance, saying that no one should doubt Serbia’s resolve to become an EU member, not because EU membership would put an end to all of the country’s problems, but because the Serbian people would like to live in a community in the way they deserve and be respected while having its national interests protected. “We are playing in overtime, and I am confident that, during this overtime, we are going to score the golden goal and surpass those countries that have surpassed us on their way to the EU,” Dačić added.

“Everything in existence – from renewable energy sources to oil shale and coal – should be utilized,” said Serbian Energy Minister Zorana Mihajlović at the conference. She added that although a lot had been said about shutting down the coal-fired power plants that was not

an issue for Serbia, and outlined that, before those plants were shut down, the countries had to achieve energy stability. She explained that if, for instance, Serbia had brown coal deposits, it should build thermal power plants, and if the country had oil shale from which synthetic oil could be generated, then that’s what the country should do. The Energy Minister also

resources, characteristic to Europe.” He added that the proposal would encompass measures involving the protection of waters and land and specific demands in terms of environmental protection in exploitation of oil shale.

According to Barbaso, Serbian energy regulations are harmonized with the EU one for the most part, but it is important for the country to open its energy market further. Competition in the energy sector should be tougher in order to avoid having a single monopolist which controls the situation, Barbaso pointed out. “This means that the Serbian energy market should be integrated with regional and EU markets,” he added, pointing out that, according to EU legislation, each country was free to choose its own energy supply format. Barbaso also said that the situation in Serbia was somewhat unbalanced since the country, for the most part, depends on coal-generated energy said that, in this way, the state Serbia is facing adoption of an energy and a single gas supplier. would grow stronger and more “That’s why we would like stable which was certainly not the development strategy covering the period case with importing energy. from 2025 to 2030, which is supposed to to encourage Serbia to invest in the renewable energy sector Mihajlović underlined that, happen following a public debate and infrastructure which is very in the last year and a half Serbia important for establishing links had established a good regulatory framework primarily in the segment of renewable energy within the energy market, as well as to give chance to alternative energy sources,” he said. Barbaso also added that he was resources which, according to her, was proven by the arrival of aware that changing from coal-generated energy to other forms many investors. The minister also said that Serbia had to adopt of energy supply couldn’t be done over night, and he urged more an energy development strategy covering the period from 2025 investments to be made in alternative energy sources. to 2030, which was supposed to happen following a public Director General of Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) Kirill debate. Speaking about Serbia’s energy potential, the energy Kravchenko said that, through its recently established Science minister said that the country should use the most from its geographical position in the centre of the Balkan region. and Technological Centre for the utilization of unconventional Mihajlović added that Serbia had to become a transit correserves, the company has been considering several projects ridor for both energy and energy products. “Our vision is for including exploitation of oil shale. “We are waiting for the state Serbia to export electricity and become a transit state, as well to reveal the principles on which it should partner in exploitation of oil shale,” Kravchenko said. He also added that NIS would as providing storage, for energy and energy products. We would definitely consider getting involved in energy projects which also like to become a country which has managed to accomplish bolster Serbia’s energy independence. He outlined that up to a high level of energy security and sustainability required for €60 billion should have been invested in energy in the Balkan fast economic development,” the Minister said. She recalled region by 2030 and that, if we compared the energy efficiency that plans were in place for construction of two hydro-power and economic capacity of the Balkans to Central Europe, they plants – Bistrica and Đerdap 3, as well as the South Stream gas could double in the next ten years. “Energy is the driving force pipeline. of Balkan economies considering that eight out of the ten bigDeputy Director General of DG Energy at the European gest regional companies are energy companies, that this sector Commission Fabrizio Barbaso pointed out that the Commission has the biggest investments, and that it employs the highest was considering the guidelines and directives on exploiting and number of people,” Kravchenko said. ■ utilizing oil shale since, as he put it, “these are very precious cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 31

local news

Business Dialogue 01

Mercedes-Benz

Projects “Serbian government supports all regional projects that contribute to the development of energy, strengthening of competition and future integration of the gas, oil and electric energy markets.”

— Ivica Dačić, Serbian PM

Stylish, Refined, Sporty As part of the facelift, MercedesBenz has sharpened the overall appearance of the E-Class.

Intelligent modifications to the design have given the E-Class a new front end and created new, exciting proportions

03

Hemofarm

Student Scholarship Competition

The Hemofarm Foundation has launched a competition which will grant 20 new scholarships to students in graduate studies in the 2013/2014 academic year

32 |

Air Serbia

Etihad Airways’ Part-Owned Air Serbia Targets Profitability Serbia’s new national carrier started flying on October 25 with its first aircraft since Etihad Airways acquired a 49 per cent equity stake in August

The modifications have implemented the new Mercedes-Benz design idiom consistently and reinterpreted the classical design values of the brand using the existing basis. The result is a superior and refined appearance which is still sporty and emotionally appealing.

The headlamps have been redesigned and comprise all functional elements with a single headlamp lens. Flowing light elements within the headlamps help to ensure that the “four-eyed” look which is typical of the E-Class has been graphically retained, and afford both the Saloon and the Estate an unmistakable night design. The low-beam headlamps and the daytime running lamps feature LED technology as standard. Full LED headlamps are also available as an option for the first time in this class.

For the first time, the E-Class is available with two different front ends: the basic variant and ELEGANCE equipment line come with the classic, three-dimensional Saloon grille with 3-louvre look and Mercedes-Benz star on the bonnet. The AVANTGARDE equipment line, on the other hand, incorporates the sporty front end with central star and twin louvre which is softly shaped around the star recess, and as such boasts an independent, front-end look with a sporty emphasis.

The Hemofarm Foundation began awarding scholarships in 1994, and, 2,800 students have so far received the Foundation’s scholarships, worth over 400 million dinars.

This is the 19th scholarship competition launched by the Foundation for the best students in Serbia with the goal of enabling young and talented students to complete their studies with greater ease. Third and higher-year students at faculties and academies founded by the state of Serbia, whose GPA is at least 8.50, are eligible to apply. The competition is open until November 10, 2013.

“Awarding scholarships to best students is our way of supporting

02

all of education. We are trying to motivate young people, who have potential, to expand and improve their knowledge even after their studies. Our goal is to encourage them to apply what they have learned in their work and, in that way, contribute to the progress of the overall society,” says Director of the Hemofarm Foundation Snežana Radočaj.

The financial standing of the students eligible to receive the Hemofarm Foundation’s scholarships is one of the awarding criteria.

For more information on how to apply, the criteria and the scholarship programme, please go to www.fondacijahemofarm.org.rs.

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Air Serbia is cutting 333 jobs as it targets profitability within the first year of its privatisation.

“We have 333 registered for the redundancy programme,” said deputy prime minister Aleksandar Vucic. That brings the total number of employees to 970 in the near term. “We expect that in less than a year, this company will be profitable and charge taxes and the state gets its due. Because this state wants to make money and not lose money.”

Air Serbia is the first of a series of planned privatisation efforts

by Serbia’s government to reduce its fiscal deficit. Etihad helped to relaunch Serbia’s loss-making airline Jat Airways as Air Serbia following financial pledges of $40 million, which will be converted into a 49 per cent equity shareholding next January. The agreement, signed in August, also requires Etihad to make available up to $60m to meet Air Serbia’s operational require-

ments and network development.

“We are confident that this airline will move to profitability and meet the objectives of Serbia. It will also meet the objectives of Etihad as an investor,” said James Hogan, Etihad’s chief executive.

“Air Serbia shows that Serbia can be a modern country even in its darkest hour, by creating a powerful national carrier that can outperform and make money,” Mr Vucic said.

Air Serbia’s predecessor, Jat Airways, had been a loss-making airline for more than 15 years, but its debts would be written off by the government, Mr Vucic said.

“The global economic environment has been increasingly challenged and our air carrier had to be changed in order to respond to the changes taking place around the world,” said Dane Kondic, the chief executive at Air Serbia.

Air Serbia, has named its first plane after Novak Djokovic.

04

NBS

FDI - €584 Million Governor of the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) Jorgovanka Tabakovic said that since the beginning of 2013, the net inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Serbia amounted to €584 million

Tabakovic underlined at a regional investment summit in Arandjelovac that investments are expected in the industry, agriculture, trade and financial sector. Further inflows will depend on improvements concerning the domestic fiscal imbalance and support from international partners, Tabakovic noted.

In that sense, the NBS qualified as positive the measures that the Serbian government recently delivered with a view to fiscal consolidation, and will, on its part, try to ensure a positive outcome of the announced talks about an arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), she said.

This year, 22 percent of FDI inflows into Serbia went to processing capacities, 20 percent to trade and finance, 13 percent to construction industry and only seven percent to energy development, she said.

Source: Tanjug

Emotions

05

“Many hide behind nice words, but it takes emotions to start working, to understand what interests are hiding behind the scenery.” — Aleksandar Vučić, Serbia’s first deputy PM

Serbia & Montenegro

06

Fresenius Medical Care

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Soon Without Construction of Double Taxation Serbia's Factory Underway

Montenegro and Serbia will soon sign an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation as the basis for continued good economic cooperation. It was stated after the talks between Montenegrin Minister of Finance Radoje Zugic and Serbian Ambassador to Montenegro Zoran Bingulac. Zugic and Bingulac conferred on the establishment of the payment services which should ensure more efficient interaction between the two countries’ banks, the Montenegrin government said.

The officials agreed that good cooperation between the two regional countries is the basis of the economic and European integration processes.

Construction works are in full swing in the Technology Park Vrsac. After the factories of Lamp East and Ave Pharmaceutical, FormaPharm Engineering Group is also wrapping up preparation works for the construction of Fresenius Medical Care’s factory. Fresenius opened their third production line last year and announced they would start building another factory by 2014, of around 10,320 m2. Full production capacity could hire 1,550

H.E. Mr. Konstantinos Ikonomidis New Greek Ambassador to Serbia

workers in the future. SensiLab, Game Officina and E-smart systems are also preparing their lots. Fresenius Medical Care AG, the world’s biggest provider of kidney dialysis .

Peter N. Due Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office in Belgrade

Andreas Hartl Acting General Manager, Microsoft Serbia

HE Mr. Ikonomidis (55) was born in Toronto, Canada.

He graduated from the Faculty of Law, Athens University.

In October 1986, he worked for the Greek Foreign Ministry. From 1990 to December 1992, he was a member of the Greek Permanent Representation to the EU, followed by an appointment at the European Political Cooperation Secretariat in Brussels from January 1993 to January 1994. In the period from 1994 to late 1998, Mr. Ikonomidis worked for the Council of the EU’s Department of the Common Foreign and Security Policy in Brussels, and from January 1999 to June 2001 at the Greek Foreign Ministry’s Directorate for Relations with the Balkan Countries. From 2001 to June 2005, he was a member of the Greek Standing Mission to the NATO, while, from 2005 to October 2007, Mr. Ikonomidis was the Greek Consul General in Moscow. In the period from 2007 to September 2011, he was an advisory minister in the Greek Government in London, while, from early 2012 to August 2013, he held a position of acting Head and later the Head of the Common Foreign and Security Policy Directorate at the Foreign Ministry. In October 2012, Mr. Ikonomidis was promoted to minister plenipotentiary, followed by his appointment as the Greek Ambassador to Serbia.

He speaks English and French fluently.

Since July 2013, Peter Due has served as Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office in Belgrade (UNOB).

Prior to taking office, he was the Special Assistant to the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and Head of the Front Office of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) at the UN Secretariat in New York. He previously served the UN in New York in various other capacities, including as Team Leader for West Africa, for Europe and for Latin America, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Political Affairs Officer, and Humanitarian Affairs Officer. Peter Due worked in the field as a Political Affairs Officer in Kosovo with UNMIK and in Sierra Leone with UNAMSIL and as a Humanitarian Affairs Officer in Liberia with UNOMIL. In his national diplomatic service, Peter Due served as a Head of Section with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen and at the Danish Embassy in Eritrea.

Peter Due was educated at the Universities of Oxford, Geneva and Copenhagen. He speaks Danish, English, French and German. He is married with one son.

Andreas Hartl began his career at Microsoft 15 years ago. Prior to being appointed to the position of Acting General Manager for the company in Serbia, he held the position of Chief Operating Officer for the multi-country (24 countries) region of Central and Eastern Europe under the context of different sales departments responsible for both corporate clients and medium-sized customers. Previously Andreas worked for Microsoft as a software and hardware engineer in Germany and Australia.

He completed his basic studies in Munich and holds a master’s degree in field of electrical engineering.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 33

Business Dialogue corporate

gowi

Collaborative Outsourcing Our competitive advantage is based on our collaborative approach that implies shared values and cultural fit along with wanting to ensure that the client’s knowledge is enhanced, not lost, as a result of outsourcing

O

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utsourcing has bereflects the purpose of our business, which is to help our clicome a buzzword ents make ideas happen by developing the solutions that will in today’s business be tailored to meet clients’ business objectives and ensure world. It may, however, be the return on investment and business growth,” says Danijela a word which is not fully Stojadinovic, Managing Director at Gowi. understood by everyone using it. While outsourcWhat sets you apart from competitors? ing seems to imply farmOn the UK market we are competing with companies from ing out work to cheaper India, China, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, among others. We can’t national economies, this compete with our size as there are companies with more definition overlooks the collaborative character of outsourcpeople than the whole Serbian IT sector employees, and quite ing. According to Gowi Managing Director Danijela Stojadioften they are offering lower prices. However, our competinovic, this is the most important. tive advantage is based on our collaborative approach that In today’s a very competitive and challenging business implies shared values and cultural fit along with wanting to environment, it is very difficult to stand out and the key to ensure that the client’s knowledge is enhanced, not lost, as a success is to innovate, move fast, adapt quickly, keep things result of outsourcing. The key to success lies in managing the simple and make extraordinary experience for customrelationship rather than simply governing the contract. ers. The role of software It’s not about what we development is significant sell; it’s about who we are.

The role of software development is significant Our people are empowered in this process as differin innovation process as different software ent software solutions may to solve problems, develop solutions may help businesses to drive the help businesses to drive the themselves personally, push change and sustain the profthe boundaries of their prochange and sustain the profitable growth itable growth. So, outsourcfession and make a difference. ing software development is no longer only about cutting costs: it is strategic decision, which implies entrusting the May Serbia become one of Europe’s most attractive IT business processes, and in a way future growth, to someone outsourcing destinations? outside the organisation.

ICT is one of the most vibrant and fastest growing sectors Gowi is facing the software development outsourcing chalin Serbia. The export results of IT services just last year were lenges together with its clients by focusing its energy on unover €200 million, so the potential is there. However, an inderstanding the customers’ business needs and working from convenient truth is that Serbia as IT outsourcing destination the same context. For over 13 years GOWI has been offering is invisible at the global level. Exporting based companies are software development services primarily to the UK market and mostly relying on their own resources. Without a clear strategic approach and adequate support from the government, the it has been recognised as reliable partner who is able to help success and future growth of this sector will be dependent on clients to select the best suited approach to their challenge. individual commitment, engagement and accomplishments. ■ “Our company name derives from ‘GO With Ideas’ and it

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

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regional news

Business Dialogue 01

Implementation “NATO and in particular KFOR will stand ready to support the implementation of this latest agreement to the best of our ability within our current mandate.” — Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO

Bulgaria

Controversy Ban on Land Sales to Foreigners Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski promised that parliament would review again a controversial ban on land sales to foreigners that breaks the country's EU commitments

Plamen Oresharski, Bulgarian Prime Minister

“The decision on extending the ban on farmland sales to foreigners will be reviewed,” the Socialists-backed Oresharski said. “This was a bad decision, which came as a result from political emotion rather than from a rational approach,” he added.

When it joined the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria negotiated a seven-year transition period before allowing foreigners who are not permanent residents in the country to buy land.

Parliament however decided this week to extend the ban until 2020, a move that according to experts contradicted both Bulgaria’s EU accession treaty and parts of the country’s constitution.

The measure -- proposed by the ultra nationalist Ataka party and approved with the help of conservative, liberal and Socialist lawmakers alike - might prompt an infringement procedure and Source: AFP sanctions by the European Commission.

03

Macedonia

Growth Expectations

Zoran Stavreski, Macedonian Finance Minister

After years of economic hardship, Macedonia expects to end this year with 2.5 per cent economic growth

Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski has sounded an optimistic tone about Macedonia’s economy, which was hit hard in previous years by the global economic downturn and the European crisis.

“Growth of at least 2.5 per cent by the end of this year is possible,” he said.

“That would be among the best achievements in Europe and would be a solid basis for even higher growth next year,” said Stavreski. After two consecutive quarters of negative growth in 2012, Macedonia only exited recession at the end of 2012.

The latest figures exceed earlier predictions. At the start of the year, the Central Bank Governor, Dimitar Bogov, warned of possible zero growth in 2013.

Minister Stavreski sees no reason for the positive trend to stop.

“In the second half of this year Europe will a steadier business climate and is expected to order more from our companies,” Stavreski said.

The World Bank in its report on 2013 predicted another difficult year ahead for the whole of Southeast Europe, forecasting only very slow recovery in the region’s economies. Source: BIRN

05

Albania

Bad News for the Economy Shkelqim Cani, Albanian Finance Minister

36 |

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

02

Romania

Upgrade of Railway Section and Several Ports Romania’s Transport Ministry was recently allotted €1.3 billion in European funds, money which will be used to upgrade a railway section and several ports

“Following negotiations between representatives of the European Commission and Member States, a €10 bln transfer from the Cohesion Fund to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) was agreed in order to accelerate the completion of priority transport projects located on the TEN-T network,” reads a statement of the Romanian Ministry.

Romania’s share amounts to some €1.3 bln which will be used to “develop projects on the two corridors which cross Romania and are part of the priority de-

velopment areas of the European Union, namely the Rhine-Danube Corridor and the East/EastMediterranean Corridor”.

One of the projects to be funded through this program is the rehabilitation of Craiova-Calafat railway, which ensures connection to the Calafat-Vidin bridge, as an integrated part of the East/EastMediterranean Corridor. The cost of the project amounts to €400 mln.

The rest of the sum, of up to €1.3 mln, will primarily be used to modernize the 16 Danube and maritime ports.

04

Croatia

Croatia to Build Own Gardaland Amusement park aims to open in 2015 and lure 25,000 visitors a year to Biograd on the Dalmatian coast Construction on a Croatian version of Italy’s Gardaland theme park, in the northern Dalmatian town of Biograd na Moru, is set to start next spring, with doors opening in 2015.

The “Croatian Gardaland”, which will be the first theme park built in Croatia, has been designed

by Italian Amusement Design specialists Bausaa, who worked on the design of theme parks in Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Investors are hoping that the

The Albanian Finance Minister Shkelqim Cani says that the growth for 2013 will be 1.2 % and not 3, as we previously thought. “We are in a very unpleasant situation. We don’t have much money”,said

park, which will reportedly cost around €25 million, will attract more than 200,000 visitors a year.

The park will have three sections, a children’s section, a family section and a section for teenagers with adrenalin rides, electronic games and simulators hall.

The last phase of construction will see an aquarium built and a Red Carpet Museum with wax figures of famous people.

Source: Croatia Week

Cani, as he compared the situation to 1997, one of the worst years for Albania.

He said that if the government doesn’t take austerity measures, the total debt will reach 69 % of the GDP.

Dispute

06

Kosovo

“Croatia should consider buying back Mol Nyrt.’s stake in Zagreb-based refiner INA Industrija Nafte d.d. to settle a dispute the government has with the Hungarian oil company.”

— Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister

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Opposition Continues PTK Sale Probe Quest Kosovo opposition parties vow to press on with demands for an inquiry into the sale of the Post and Telecommunications of Kosovo despite their failure in parliament Ismet Beqiri, an MP from the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, said the party would continue to seek a commission of inqury into the privatisation of the PTK despite a setback in parliament. He spoke after the Kosovo parliament failed to vote to set up an inquiry commission into the privatization because not enough MPs showed up for a vote.

The ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo and its coalition partner, the Alliance for a New Kosovo, both boycotted the session, depriving those

who sought a vote of a quorum.

Only 45 lawmakers were present at the session, while 61 Mps are needed for a vote to take place.

The government first took the decision to privatize the PTK in October 2008, but in June 2010 it decided to privatize only 75 per cent of the PTK’s assets.

After several delays, the government in April said that a German company, AXOS capital, in consortium with Najafi Companies LLC, had been selected to take over 75 per cent of PTK in return for €270 million.

07

Gabor Bekefi

New CEO, Carlsberg Serbia Group

Wolfgang Zettl

New CEO of Henkel Central Eastern Europe

Hungary

Opel Makes New Hires Germany-based automobile manufacturer Opel has so far made 400 new hires at its new engine plant in Szentgotthárd, Hungary and headcount will rise by another 60 by yearend, Opel Magyarország spokesperson Judit Csontos reported to state news agency MTI. Headcount will rise by several hundred and reach about 1,000 by 2015, Csontos added.

Opel started production at its €500 million engine plant in September 2012. The company launched a €130 million expansion at the plant in April and decided in July to invest a further €60 million at the base. Production capacity at the plant is set to reach an annual 1 million units by 2015.

08

Felix Sobotka new Managing Director of the Henkel factory in Krusevac

Gabor Bekefi is the new CEO of Carlsberg Serbia Group, which operates in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. He took the position on October 14, replacing Ralph Zigerlig.

Gabor Bekefi was previously associated with the company’s operations in Serbia, operating as general manager of Carlsberg South East Europe since 2010, as well as the acting CEO of Carlsberg Serbia Group from 2010 to 2011. In 2013 Mr. Bekefi became the acting director of Carlsberg Bulgaria, and from October 14, 2013 he will become the CEO of Carsberg Serbia Group and the Carsberg Bugarska company.

Wolfgang Zettl, CEO of Henkel Central Eastern Europe’s south region (comprising Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Serbia), has taken the position of Director of Adhesive Technologies at Henkel Serbia in Belgrade. Zettl’s career began at Henkel’s Adhesive Technologies sector in Austria in 1999, before he moved to Romania in 2000. In recent years, in his role as CEO of Henkel Central Eastern Europe’s south region, he was responsible for the successful operation of Adhesive Technologies and its strong growth in all markets.

Felix Sobotka has been managing director of Henkel’s factory in Krusevac since September this year, having come from Henkel’s headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he was the director of development projects within the Laundry & Home Care sector. His career at Henkel began in 2006 in the Internal Audit sector. Sobotka inherits Erdei Ferenc’s position, who has since been appointed manager of Henkel’s factory in Körösladány, Hungary.

09

Montenegro

Starts Work on New Luxury Resort

Bosnia Herzegovina

Airlines Plans to Return to Serbia Bosnia and Herzegovina Airlines plans to launch flights to Belgrade Serbia from December 2 in cooperation with Air Serbia. The Bosnian national carrier will initially operate four weekly flights from Sarajevo to the Serbian capital before increasing the service to daily next summer. The flights, which will operate with an early morning departure, replace Jat Airways’ morning service from Sarajevo. As a result, passengers will be able to transfer onto Air Serbia’s Western European departures. The Serbian carrier will place its own code on B&H Airlines’ flights. The Bosnian carrier will continue to code share on Air Serbia’s Sarajevo service which will operate every day in the afternoon .The flights are also code shared by Etihad Airways.

Mid October marked the launch of the Lustica Bay luxury complex in Montenegro. The ceremony was attended by the Montengrin Prime Minister, Milo Djukanovic, and Samih Sawiris, the Egyptian owner of Orascom Development, the company behind the project.

“This is a project that paves the way for the new model of development, which will allow us to grow on the principles of sustainable development,” Djukanovic said at the ceremony.

The complex, when complete, will include two marinas, an 18-hole golf course, more than 1,000 apartments, seven hotels and other facilities, such as a school and a hospital.

“Montenegro has a lot of opportunities, wonderful coast, and if you ask all the investors who invested here if there was a better opportunity in Europe, the answer would be ‘No’, for sure,” Sawiris said.

The total value of the project, which lies in Tivat municipality, is estimated at a € 1bln, about €30 mln of which has been invested so far. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 37

On the Path to EU

HOW OTHERS DO THAT: media UK Press Regulation

Twilight of the Scribblers?

Fleet Street’s diminishing power underlies the fight over press regulation Fleet Street’s ebbing power.

Mr Blair’s heroic efforts to woo press barons in the 1990s are the stuff of Westminster legend. He was right to court them: in the 1990s the national daily newspaper circulation stood at 14 million. Today it stands at 8 million —still hefty, but declining quickly, and lower than the viewership of either of the two main Saturday-night talent shows. Politicians, like advertisers, are duly turning to other media channels. panel that oversees the new regulator. It ONY BLAIR once called the They use online platforms like Twitter would give the regulator less power to inBritish press a “feral beast”. The and ConservativeHome to transmit their insult would have been bolder sist on corrections. And Parliament would messages directly to voters, loosening the had it not come at the very end not be able to alter the charter—in the newspapers’ grip on the national politiof his ten-year premiership, when he was politicians’ version, it could do so if twono longer vulnerable to the beast’s claws. thirds agreed. cal debate. When they do court the mass British politicians have long grumbled On October 8th this year the governmedia, they concentrate increasingly on about the country’s ill-behaved national broadcast ones. Mr Cameron’s press chief ment announced that the Privy Council, newspapers, and have periodically threatpitches most of his spin at television jourthe ministerial coven tasked with dishing out royal charters, had rejected the newsened to tame them. They have long been nalists. Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat cowed by the papers’ influence over leader, has a weekly radio phone-in. voters, too. But that is changing.

Ed Miliband, Labour’s boss, intends In the 1990s the national daily Last November Lord Justice to transmit his arguments about livnewspaper circulation stood at 14 Leveson concluded a mammoth ining standards through consumer fomillion, today it stands at 8 million — so rums and television programmes. quiry into Fleet Street misbehaviour by calling for a tough new press reg- that politicians, like advertisers, are duly On October 9th he appeared on “Watchdog”, a show that normally inulator that would be more independturning to other media channels ent of the newspaper industry than vestigates viewers’ reports of broken the current one. The three main political toasters. Mr Miliband spent much of last papers’ proposal, deeming it incompatible parties agreed. They devised a watchdog week in a row with the Daily Mail, which with “fundamental Leveson principles”. that could impose fines of up to £1 milhad insulted his deceased father.

The biggest newspapers may push And politicians are rediscovering an oldahead with their own system anyway, leadlion (€1.18m) on errant news publishers and direct them to print corrections and ing to a standoff. But whatever happens, the er method of reaching people: talking to apologies. Instead of backing the new arepisode illustrates a subtle shift. Politicians them directly. Aware of the disdain in which have threatened newspapers with strictvoters hold Westminster politics, between rangement with law, though, they proposed now and the 2015 election the parties plan a royal charter—a foundation deemed less er regulation before, but they have nevto run hyper-local campaigns manned by offensive to a free press. er come so close to imposing it. That they energetic doorstep canvassers.

Most of the big newspaper businesshave gone so far this time hints not just at The newspapers may protest when the the shocking nature of the press’s behaves rejected those plans, and swung behind government issues its final decision on the an alternative charter. This differs from iour—Lord Justice Leveson’s inquiry was new regulator. But fewer people are listenParliament’s proposals in several ways. sparked by allegations that the phone of It would allow former editors to join the a murdered girl had been hacked—but at ing, and that makes them less fearsome. ■

T

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Kralja Petra 50

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Kralja Petra 44

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world news

Business Dialogue 01

Nightmare “Our nightmare, this recession without precedent, the longest since the Second World War, is behind us.”

— Enrico Letta, Italian Prime Minister

US

JPMorgan Chase Close to $4 bln FHFA Deal JPMorgan Chase ,the US biggest lender has agreed to pay roughly $4 billion to settle claims that it misled Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac about the quality of home loans sold to them in the run-up to the crisis

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the overseer of the government-sponsored mortgage giants, sought as much as $6 bln.

The tentative pact would be part of a larger settlement JPMorgan is hoping to hash out with the Justice Department (DOJ) that would resolve multiple mortgage-related investigations and lawsuits.

The NY Post reported that talks over a potential $11 bln agreement between the bank and DOJ were hung up on several issues.

If the bank cuts an $11 billion check, which would be the largest settlement of its kind, JPMorgan wants assurances that regulators won’t keep coming after it for more. So far, the DOJ has been reluctant to meet that condition.

In mid October the financial crisis finally caught up to the bank. Hurt by more than $9 bln in litigation and regulatory costs, JPMorgan posted its first loss since 2004.

Already JPMorgan has set aside roughly $23 bln — $7.2 bln in the latest quarter alone — to address mounting legal and regulatory problems.

Separately, JPMorgan is also close to a deal with the National Credit Union Administration, which could see it pay an unspecified amount to resolve accusations that the bank duped investors into Source: New York Post purchasing toxic mortgage debt.

03

South Africa

Eskom Secures €100m to Build Solar Power Plant

The agreement was signed with development finance institution Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, which will be built near Upington in the Northern Cape, “puts us on a path towards reducing our carbon footprint and investing in a sustainable energy future”, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said in a statement.

The project is expected to produce 525GW hours of energy and supply power to 200,000 homes. The funding is expecting to support South Africa’s commitment to climate change and pave

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ESKOM (South African electricity public utility ) has signed a €100m (R1.3bn) loan agreement to fund a 100MW solar power plant the way for industrial development and job creation AFD is financing the plant together with the African Development Bank, investment funding company Clean Technology Fund, the European Investment Bank, German government-owned development bank KfW and the World Bank, Eskom said.

The institution has so far loaned South Africa about €200m towards two renewable energy projects.

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

02

South Korea

Growth Slows in Smart-phone Market The growth pace of the domestic smart-phone market is slowing dramatically this year, an apparent blow to both telecommunication operators and handset makers The figure has been on a constant decline since the first quarter of last year when it recorded 3.1 million, to 2.6 million in the second quarter, 2.5 million in the third and 1.6 million in the fourth.

“The stagnant growth pace indicates the market is nearing saturation,” a market analyst said.

As of August, the total number of smart-phone users in Korea stands at 36.3 million or 67.1 percent of 54.2 million mobile subscribers use smart-phones, up from around 35.5 million in the April-June quarter this year.

A June report by Strategy Analytics projected the Korean

04

market would reach a 79.5 percent penetration rate of the smartphone market this year, and earlier this month the leading mobile market research institute said Korea’s smart-phone market will likely post negative growth this year, and will not recover last year’s sales level for at least the next six years.

The U.S.-based institute predicted the sales of smart-phones this year to fall to 26.3 million units, down 14 percent from 30.7 million sold last year. Market experts said the Korean market nearing saturation encouraged the domestic handset makers to pick up the pace for sales efforts in foreign markets.

Qatar

Harrods Pays $111m Dividend to Qatar Holding Harrods, the London luxury department owned by Qatar Holding, has paid a £68.6mln (€80.3 mln) dividend

The payout comes after the Knightsbridge store posted a 1.8 percent rise in pre-tax profit for the year to February, to an all-time high of £92.5mln (€109.3mln), driven by a 10 percent jump in sales, to a record £765.4mln (€904.2mln), according to the Sunday Times.

Last month, it was reported that Harrods is set to undertake a multi-million refurbishment as part of the Gulf state’s investment in the iconic brand.

The main focus of the revamp will be the famous escalator, which has been in the store for decades and is believed to have been the first of its kind in the UK. The new refurbishments will be unveiled on November 4, a Harrods spokesperson said.

Qatar Holding bought the Knightsbridge store in 2010 for a reported €1.77 bilion from Mohamed al-Fayed.

Up until last year, Harrods’ new owners had spent €124mln upgrading the store.

Source: arabianbusiness.com

Pain

05

“Greece’s economic pain will ease in 2014 as it exits a recession that will be less acute than forecast this year, helping the country meet its bailout targets.” — Antonis Samaras, Prime Minister

06

New Zealand

Foreign Investment Rises by NZD$5b

Private Firms to Invest Billions in Hospitals

New Zealand's investments overseas increased by about NZD$5bln (€310,2mln) over the past year, while the amount of money flowing into the country also lifted Statistics New Zealand released data showing New Zealand had money invested in about 100 different countries as at the end of March this year. Those investments Auckland, New Zealand amounted to $163.9 billion (€101.3bln), up from $158.4 billion (€90.4 bln) in the year to March 31, 2012.

Some examples of offshore investment include Kiwis buying shares on foreign stock exchanges and Kiwi companies setting up overseas subsidiaries.

Of New Zealand’s total investment abroad, 64 per cent was into five countries Australia, US, UK, Japan, and the Netherlands. The amount of money coming into New Zealand also increased. Foreign investment in New Zealand was $315.5 bln (€195.4bln) at March 31, compared to $306.6 bln (€190.2bln) on the previous year.

Nearly 70 per cent of that investment came from Australia, UK, US, Singapore, and Japan.

07

Russia

Excise Taxes Push Alcohol Consumption Down

Alcohol consumption in Russia is down 13 percent this year Recent figures from the Health Ministry show that 13.5 liters of alcohol are consumed annually per person, a reduction over previous years.

The drop is due to the government’s well thought out anti-alcohol policy, including an increased excise tax, said Pavel Shapkin, head of the National Alcohol Policy Center.

In 2011, the country ranked fourth in terms of alcohol consumption globally with over 15.5 liters imbibed

09

per capita, according to the World Health Organization.

The National Alcohol Policy Center’s Shapkin said his organization plans to solidify these improvements by further promoting anti-alcohol messages.

One measure Shapkin supports involves asking Russian television channels to stop broadcasting films that show “a loyal attitude to alcohol consumption.” Source: The Moscow Times

UK

US settlement hits HSBC for $2.5bln HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, has been hit with the largest class action settlement in US legal history of $2.46 bln as a result of its 2002 takeover of American lender Household International.

Investors in Household filed a suit in 2002, accusing HSBC of making false and misleading statements that inflated its share price. When it emerged the firm had engaged in predatory lending and not fully disclosed the quality of its loan book, the share price plummeted. Under chairman Sir John Bond, HSBC paid £9 bln (€10.6 bln)for Household in November of that year.

In 2006, a jury found in favour of the Household investors. Yesterday Judge Ronald Guzman ordered HSBC to pay about $1.5 bln in damages and $1 bln in interest. “The fact that we obtained the largest judgment ever in a securities fraud trial demonstrates our firm’s resolve to vindicate the rights of defrauded investors,” said Mike Dowd, the plaintiffs’ lead lawyer. An HSBC spokesman said: “We plan to appeal and believe we have a strong case.”

Poland

Private investments, chiefly from abroad, on the Polish hospital market are likely to reach a dozen or so billion zlotys in coming years, Polish Hospital Federation President Jaroslaw Fedorowski told PAP

“The investment needs of Polish public hospitals amount to around PLN 50 bln (€11.98bln). This is not much less than the annual budget of the National Health Fund (NFZ),” Fedorowski said.

According to Fedorowski, it will be possible to get this money from private as well as public-private investors from Poland and abroad if binding laws and public order procedures are simplified.

In 2013 some 20-30 hospitals are to be transformed into capital companies and plans for 2014

08

provide for the commercialisation of around 50 hospitals.

Foreign investor interest in the Polish hospital market has been growing, not only insurance or investment companies such as Bupa or Penta, but also hospitalmanaging firms overseeing clinics in the U.S., Australia, France, Greece, Austria, the Czech Republic and Great Britain.

There are 760 hospitals in Poland and over a thousand clinics offering hospitalisation services. Most (66 percent) are owned by local governments. Source: PAP

Finland

Supercell Founders Helps Smaller Firms

Ilkka Paananen (left) and Mikko Kodisoja

The founders of plan to invest profits from the sale of a majority stake in their company in Finnish growth firms

CEO Ilkka Paananen, the game developer Supercell – who with co-founder Mikko Kodisoja will each profit some €180 million from the sale of a 51 per cent stake to Japan’s SoftBank – believes successful companies have the duty to help smaller firms.

“We want to use this capital to help new business-owners move forward,” Paananen told STT, stressing that a number of new growth firms are needed in Finland. “Game companies will not become the new Nokia. You mustn’t lull into thinking that game companies will come and save the country,” he stated. According to Paananen, Finland’s expertise in technology is strong enough for it to become “the European Silicon Valley”.

“Why was Facebook built in the Silicon Valley and not in Finland? We could have just as easily built it here,” he viewed. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 41

after work BAT

A Decade in Serbia British American Tobacco (BAT) has marked ten years of its successful privatization of the Vranje Tobacco Industry at a reception held at the Vranje plant in the presence of Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić. The company has been operating in Serbia since 1996, and with the acquisition of the Vranje Tobacco Industry, BAT became one of the FDI pioneers and the biggest British investor in Serbia. Since the company’s arrival (in Serbia), BAT has paid €950 million into the Serbian state budget while the FDI itself amounted to over €200 million, out of which €115 million was invested in acquiring and modernizing the Vranje factory. Additionally, BAT has spent a million euros on socially responsible projects in Serbia in the last decade.

AHK

Thanos Trimis (left), General manager, BAT Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria, Srdjan Lazović, Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for CEFTA Region, British American Tobacco South-East Europe, Ivica Dačić, Serbian Prime Minister, and Rasmus Pagh, General manager, BAT Vranje.

Luna

Serbian-Bavarian Cooperation

Birthday Celebration The Luna Boutique on Knez Mihailova in Belgrade has celebrated its first birthday. The celebration was a typical birthday with cake and candles, while, in honour of its birthday, Luna reduced its prices and gave out gifts to the party guests. Many business partners, associates and loyal friends of the Luna brand attended the party. The celebration was hosted by a well-known Studio B show host Ivana Vućićević.

Martin Knapp (left), Director of DSW, Markus M. Letsch and Dr Ulrike Wolf

A Bavarian business delegation was on an official visit to Serbia on October 8 and 9, with Dr Ulrike Wolf, Head of the Foreign Trade Department at the Bavarian Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology, and Markus M. Letsch, director of the Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Middle Franconia at its helm. The visit of the Bavarian delegation, which was made up of representatives of 13 Bavarian companies, was organized by the German Business Delegation in collaboration with the Bavarian Ministry of Economy, Infrastructure, Transportation and Technology and Nuremberg Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Middle Franconia.

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109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Biljana Jovanović CEO, Luna fashion company

McCann

Exhibition in honour of “White Cane” A charity exhibition of typography posters titled “McCann Freestyle” was officially opened at ‘Parobrod’ (‘Steamboat’), the cultural centre of the Municipality of Stari Grad, which marks the beginning of a joint venture called McCann Steamboating. The posters sold out and the funds raised in this way will be spent on buying guide dogs for the association of blind and visually impaired people, ‘White Cane’. The posters were made by designers working for McCann Belgrade - Marko Prokić, Petar Pavlov, Lidija Milovanović, Mladen Milašinović, Nataša Radosavljević, Nenad Dodić, Marija Milanković, Jelena Grahovac, Neda Petković, Miloš Vuković, Tereza Cenić, Jelena Atanasovski, and Ana Banduka.

Takeda

Innovations in Pharmaceutical Industry The first Japanese pharmaceutical company in Serbia – Takeda – held a business gathering at the City of Belgrade Assembly on October 9.

At the gathering, the company’s representatives talked about the history and the business format of the oldest and the biggest pharmaceutical company in Japan which brings innovative medication to Serbia and adheres to the principles of ethics as its core business philosophy. Japanese Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Masafumi Kuroki, who was appointed to this post in March 2013, spoke about the historical collaboration between Japanese and Serbian healthcare systems and the importance of the future economic cooperation.

Frank Rotmann (left), Area Manager, Takeda Central and Eastern Europe, H.E. mr. Masafumi Kuroki, Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, Milena Argirović, Country Manager, Takeda Serbia and Montenegro, Rober Gallo, Corporate Communications Director, Takeda Europe and Canada, Samar Al-Behaisi, Medical Director for Oncology, Takeda Europe and Canada, Mr Toshya Abe, Resident Representative JICA Balkan Office

srdjan šaper, President of McCann Beograd

Scholarships

For Women in Science

Jasna Zrnović, Secretary-General, UNESCO, Ivica Radović, Assistant of the Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, Dijana Mosić, Katarina Zeljić, Miljana Tanić and Brigitte Streller, General Manager, L'Oréal Balkan

For the third consecutive time, Serbian women scientists have been granted national scholarships by the international programme ‘For Women in Science’. Dijana Mosić, Katarina Zeljić and Miljana Tanić were each awarded with €5,000 for their exceptional scientific work in the segment of natural sciences. Also, a new round of scholarships has been announced, and young women scientists will be able to apply for new scholarships between October 15 and December 15 this year. The 2013 recipients are award-winning mathematics, molecular genetics and oncology scientists, and they were awarded scholarships as an impetus for their scientific work and as support to their continuing scientific engagement in Serbia.

UNICEF

Financial Education for Children Ms Judita Reichenberg, UNICEF Area Representative in Serbia, and Dr Veroljub Dugalić, Secretary General of the Association of Serbian Banks, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the United National Children’s Fund in Serbia and the Association of Serbian Banks. UNICEF Serbia and the Association of Serbian Banks are going to jointly promote socially responsible behaviour with a focus on children and organize financial education for children and youth through the Initiative for Developing Children-Friendly Financial Products and Services. The partnership of these two organizations will provide ASB members with regular and detailed information about the initiatives and guidelines launched by UNICEF, so that financial institutions cab be in a better position to assess the impact of their business on respecting and supporting children’s rights in the context of their market activities, development, advertising and sales of financial products and services.

Dr. Veroljub Dugalić, President of the Serbian Bank Association and Judita Reichenberg, Representative at UNICEF Serbia

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 43

faces & places 01.10.2013

National Nigeria Day A reception was held at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in honour of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Nigeria hosted by the Nigerian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Harold Augustus Koko. Apart from many Serbian and foreign officials, Crown Prince Alexander and Princess Katherine Karađorđević were also in attendance.

01.10.2013

Glass Koala

Australian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Dr Helena Studdert presented a Glass Koala Award to film director Zdravko Šotra in honour of his film “Professor Kosta Vujić’s Hat” which won this year’s Serbian Film Festival in Australia.

The Festival is celebrating its 13th anniversary this year. It usually lasts from mid-October to mid-November and takes place in seven cities in Australia.

01.10.2013

Iraqi Culture Week

Iraqi Culture Week, which took place for the fourth consecutive year, was officially opened at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. The national folklore ensemble from Northern Iraq Dahuk performed at the opening. The event was officially opened by the Iraqi Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Dr Falah Abdulhasan Abdulsada.

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109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

02.10.2013

Day of Non-Violence On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and International Day of NonViolence on October 2, a function was held at 10:00 at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi located on the Sava River Quay, at the end of Gandhi Street, New Belgrade. A large number of people, including members of Indian community in Serbia, attended the function. The function was held in the open air on the Sava River Quay and included the garlanding of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi by the ambassador of India, observation of one minute silence and singing of religious hymns.

02.10.2013

Day of German Unity With many diplomatic, political and business guests in attendance, the German Embassy marked the Day of German Unity. The reception was hosted by the German Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm, and his guests included Serbian Parliament Speaker Nebojša Stefanović, Aleksandar Vučić, first deputy prime minister and Saša Radulović, Economy Minister Saša Radulović.

08.10.2013

The National Korea Day

The Korean Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Kwang-Keun held a reception in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel for public, business and political figures in Serbia in honour of the National Day of the Republic of Korea.

10.10.2013

Reception for ambassadors

Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted a dinner at the Royal Palace in honour of the newly accredited ambassadors to Serbia. Their Royal Highnesses extended a warm welcome to their guests and introduced them to the culture and tradition of the Serbian people. The newly accredited ambassadors enjoyed the performance of a traditional Serbian folk ensemble Gradimir, and, following dinner, they were introduced to the history of the Serbian Royal Palace whose interior is a testament to many important events in the Serbian history and tradition. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 45

faces & places 17.10.2013

Exhibition at the Palace Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted the opening of an exhibition, “The Image of the Russian Spirituality in the Royal Palace,” at the Royal Palace. This unique exhibition is dedicated to the Russian ecclesiastical art of the 18th and the 19th centuries. Paintings and icons from the Royal Compound Art collection, HM King Peter I Foundation at Oplenac and from private collections were displayed.

14.10.2013

The National Day of Spain The Spanish Ambassador to Belgrade, H.E. Mr. Arturo Laclaustra Beltrán, held a reception at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in honour of the National Day of Spain.

H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm, German Ambassador to Serbia on opening ceremony

Mrs. and Mr. Beltrán and Michael Davenport, head of the EU Delegation to Serbia

H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm and Ronald Seeliger, Chairman of the DSW Board of Directors

18.10.2013

Belgrade Oktoberfest

Martin Knapp (left), Director of DSW, Mr. Heinz Wilhelm and Rolf-Juergen Seyerle, CEO of Mercedes-Benz

Belgrade is certainly not lagging behind the rest of the world, as could be seen from the fourth consecutive Oktoberfest celebration held in Belgrade. The event was organized by the DSW (the German-Serbian Business Association) which operates under the German Business Delegation to Serbia (AHK). This year, the DSW held its Oktoberfest celebration for 1,400 guests, including its members, namely 260 companies which cooperate with German businesses. The German Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Heinz Wilhelm officially opened the event.

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109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

19.10.2013

BELhospice Charity Ball

Charity organization BELhospice hosted a ball with the goal of raising funds for palliative care of terminally ill cancer patients. Apart from great food, guests were able to enjoy premium wines and an entertainment programme inspired by the 1920s. During the course of the evening, the guests also learned more about BELhospice and the benefits of palliative care for terminally ill cancer patients.

mira adanja polak (left), mr. and mrs. davenport

22.10.2013

23.10.2013

Hungary’s National Day

UN Day

Hungarian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Oszkar Nikowitz hosted a reception at the Ivo Andrić Hall at the Metropol Palace Hotel in honour of the National Day of Hungary. Guests included representatives of the diplomatic corps, Serbian government officials and many public and political figures.

Mrs. Irena Vojackova- Sollorano, Serbian PM Ivica Dačić and Mr. Peter N. Due, Head of UNOB

mrs and mr. Nikowitz

25.10.2013

H.E. Mr. Oszkar Nikowitz and saša radulović, Serbian Minister of Economy

Resident UN Coordinator Mrs. Irena Vojackova- Sollorano and Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOB Mr. Peter N. Due hosted a reception at the Aero Club, at 4, Uzun Mirkova Street, in Belgrade, in honour of United Nations Day. Many guests were in attendance, including the Serbian PM Ivica Dačić. The event celebrated the end of successful nationwide consultations ‘Serbia We Want 2015’ and Serbia’s participation in the global development processes.

National Day of Austria

Austrian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Mr. Johannes Eigner and Commercial Affairs Advisor at the Austrian Embassy Mr. Andreas Haidenthaler hosted a reception in honour of the National Day of Austria at the Belgrade City Assembly on Friday, October 25. In addition to the representatives of the diplomatic corps, Serbian political, religious and other public figures attended the reception too.

H.E. MR. johannes eigner, Austrian Ambassador to Serbia and H.E. MR. Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg, Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 47

■ By Aleksandar Miletić

interview Dušan Ivković, basketball coach

King of the

hoops

Multi-decorated basketball coach Dušan Ivković is one of Serbia’s greatest sporting figures. Having recently left his position as national team coach, he reminisces about the game he’s given so much to and cuts to the heart of what he sees as the problems afflicting Serbian and European basketball right now

H

e might have turned 70 on 29 October this year, but Dušan Ivković, one of European basketball’s most successful coaches, isn’t ready to bid farewell to the coach’s bench just yet. As he puts it, he isn’t sure how or where he will spend the next few months, but he plans to enjoy his break from basketball. He parted ways with the Serbian national team in September after the team finished seventh at EuroBasket in Slovenia, taking the final qualification spot for the 2014 World Cup in Spain. To somebody with a habit of winning titles, seventh place might seem unworthy of acclaim, but Ivković thinks differently and understands exactly what the result means to both him and the team.

“Without a doubt this is by far the best work I have done for the national team, bearing in mind all of the circumstances,” he says. “I used to coach Europe’s biggest basketball stars, and each of them had a very strong patriotic streak, but this time around it was difficult to assemble the

players together, let alone make a team out of them in such a short time. We were the youngest team at the championship.

We have fulfilled our goal together, despite training with just 11 players, which would pose a problem for even the great Red Auerbach. We can be happy with our team qualifying for the next two important competitions, the World Cup in Spain and the 2015 European Championship in Ukraine.”

While the Russians call him “the crea-

Apart from basketball and Crveni Krst (a Belgrade quarter that locals believe nurtures a special kind of people, and which Ivković calls “the unparalleled school of life”), there are also his pigeons – a gentle hobby that is in stark contrast to the ruthless, gladiatorial-like atmosphere of professional sport. Pigeons were there for him long before he got involved with basketball, back when he was just a boy. The thrill of keeping them is made obvious in old family photographs. To him, pigeons are more than just a hobby – they fly where nobody else dares to go and always come back; they know how to return love and attention. This is why we begin our interview in front of the pigeon loft at his house in Mali Mokri Lug, a house he built to get away from the nouveau riche who occupied the elite neighbourhoods of Senjak and Dedinje back in troubled times. Still, this is an interview about basketball, and basketball alone.

Basketball is still my great love and a big commitment that has been in my family for generations.

I’m still not sure at this moment…

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tor of modern CSKA”, and the Greeks refer to him as “the father of European Olympiacos”, for Serbians he is our most decorated coach.

But his greatest source of pride is in remaining good old Duda, the same person he was when he started his playing career at Radnički. He isn’t quick to allow people into his world, but when he does, it is for life.

However, when he chooses to ‘erase’ somebody from his memory, that person is practically dead to him.

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

■ What are your immediate plans? Are you staying in basketball?

- After the European Championship ended,

I had a lot of time to spend with my family and friends, with whom I practically hadn’t spoken to for almost the whole summer, because when I am with the national team I give the whole of myself to the team. This summer was especially hard for me and I’ve

already explained why. In the next few days, I’m going to pop over to Istanbul to watch a Euroleague game with Fenerbahçe and my best man Željko Obradović. Afterwards, I’m going to meet with some friends of mine and then travel to Athens to see my younger son Pavle, who is studying at a college there. While in Athens I’m also going to see many of the dear friends I’ve made during the three decades, on and off, I’ve been in Greece.

Basketball is still my great love and a big commitment that has been in my family for generations. I’m still not sure at this moment… I think that if you are given the opportunity to do something good at any stage of your life, then that’s the only thing you should do.

Whether I continue working or not has never had anything to do with ‘a good offer’, and I could never understand the saying “I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse”. This season, I would like to continue to adhere to my principle of putting a lot of work into my job, and that is very difficult if you start coaching a team mid-season. I have already received some offers. But I feel good and that’s the most important thing.

■ Who is going to miss

whom

the

most, Ivković missing the Serbian team

nounced beforehand, although nobody believed I would do that.

Then, five years ago, when nobody wanted to coach the Serbian national team,

I deliberately disregarded my own principle of never going back to the same job and got talked into becoming national team coach by the people at the Basketball Federation of Serbia, primarily Bora Stanković. For the past five years I have been working with the same zeal I had at the beginning of my career.

For the past five years I have been working with the same zeal I had at the beginning of my career

■ It’s no secret that you are against hav-

or vice versa?

ing foreign players in the national team, al-

- It is difficult to say. I know I have always been there for the team and that, at a very delicate moment in 1992, when sanctions were imposed on us, I managed to succeed in getting the team to train in Greece for three years, and for that team to even exist, albeit under a different name – a sort of ‘All Stars’ team. I volunteered back then. We returned as winners from the 1995 European Championship in Athens. After that we celebrated our success in Belgrade on that famous winners’ balcony, with the whole city coming to greet us. Back then I was probably the most popular coach in the country, which had endured a really difficult time, having just survived the embargo. When we won the gold medal, I withdrew and let Željko Obradović take over, just as I had an-

though there are only a handful of European teams without foreign players. The English footballer Jack Wilshere said recently, “If you’ve lived in England for five years, for me, it doesn’t make you English,” in response to the possibility of Manchester United’s Belgian-Albanian player Adnan Januzaj playing for England. What do you think about certain Serbian basketball officials agreeing to the idea of foreigners playing in the national team?

- In this widespread financial crisis small countries will find it increasingly difficult to obtain finances, and the solution will be to nurture and train a player from a very young age all the way to the senior team.

Yes, I was adamant about not having foreigners play for our national team, although

I have been offered that by various managers and basketball bosses almost every single day. Several legendary coaches have been quoted as saying that if Russia could manage with Holden, who was instrumental in the Russian team winning the 2007 European Championship, why shouldn’t we take on McCalebb or some other foreign player.

I am not a nationalist; I only want to preserve the Serbian school of basketball, which has very special qualities. I did the same in the mid-1990s, when FIBA gave a year to every basketball player in the former Yugoslavia to pick a national team to play for. I was lucky to have been in Greece at that time and to be able to talk to Jarić, Gurović, Vukčević, Tomić. Now, they are considering letting two foreigners play for national teams, so Spain could squeeze Ibaka into their national team.

I am absolutely sure that no player can play with such an emotional charge and zeal for his nation and team as a native player can.

■ What about foreigners playing for clubs?

- I think European basketball has been devalued by below-average American players.

Dušan Ivković Coaching career (international):

Yugoslavia 1988-1995 Serbia 2008-2013 Trophies (club):

Euroleague: 1997, 2012 Saporta Cup: 2000 ULEB Eurocup: 2006 Korać Cup: 1979 Yugoslav Championship: 1979 Yugoslav Cup: 1979 Greek Championship: 1992, 1997, 2012 Greek Cup: 1997, 2000, 2001, 2011 Russian Championship: 2003, 2004, 2005 Russian Cup: 2005

Medals (international):

European Championship (gold): 1989, 1991, 1995 World Championship (gold): 1990 Olympic (silver): 1988 European Championship (silver): 2009

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 49

Back in the day, we had the opportunity to learn from top American players such as Bob McAdoo, Mike D’Antoni, Rolando Blackman and other veterans who taught European basketball so much. Today, basketball talent in Europe is scarce, as many young players have chosen to go to US colleges and get drafted, although very few of them end up playing in the NBA. ■ Last year you caused a sensation

with Olympiacos, winning the Euroleague with a very young team despite not having a proper centre. What is your view of modern basketball?

- I have been insisting all along, both on the national and international scene, that we need to talk about what kind of players modern basketball needs.

I’ve been lucky to have coached dozens of the world’s best players, from Kićanović and Dalipagić at Partizan, to Dražen Petrović and Vlade Divac in the national team, today’s players included. At the last meeting of the ULEB Technical Commission, which was attended by 130 basketball referees, I said that it was time to establish a basketball promotion committee, to assess what was going on, what kind of players we needed, and to draw a parallel between the situation in European basketball today and five-to-ten years ago. It has become more than obvious that the quality has been declining.

■ The Americans tend to be reluctant to admit somebody is better than them, but it is known that many NBA coaches, above all your friend Gregg Popovich, think very highly of you. Do you have any prejudices against NBA coaches, and do you think maybe most of them are no match for you?

- One day, just like European players are playing in the NBA, European coaches are also going to coach there. I was told by certain NBA managers that I had to go there to see what it is like and to enjoy myself.

And I’ve seen that coaches really enjoy themselves there because the NBA is a perfect organisation in every sense. In Europe, relations are somewhat different. For instance, when I catch players texting on their mobile phones underneath the table while we’re discussing something important, I simply have to ban the use of phones.

I don’t regret not going to the NBA, although 10 years ago I was given the opportunity to be the first foreign coach there. I gave a deadline to the Denver Nuggets and their general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, but when they called after the deadline’s expiry to tell me they wanted to hire me, I said to them, “Sorry, but I’ve already signed with CSKA.” I probably could have stopped the contract, as it was the opportunity of a lifetime, but I have never regretted my decision. I believe a Serbian coach will work in the NBA soon.

One day, just like European players are playing in the NBA, European coaches are also going to coach there

■ We’ve seen in Serbia and other countries just how much politics

■ Only a handful of great bands, actors and artists have managed

meddles in sport. Why didn’t you, as a public figure and a popular

to last for decades. They say that only those people who are willing

coach, end up as a ‘walking political advertisement’, promoting

to adapt to the spirit of times are the ones who survive. How have

certain political interests in exchange for certain privileges?

you managed to last all these years since winning the Triple Crown

- The most important thing for me is to be able to sleep peacefully, without owing anything to anybody, and being true to my word and work. Maybe the Ivković family could have been recognised by the city authorities by being given some living space or the right to buy land, but we are not unhappy since basketball has given us a great abundance of everything and made our lives nice and easy. Politics is something I have never been drawn to, although I’ve received many offers to join various political parties. My younger son is studying something he really loves: history and diplomacy. If you want to go into diplomacy or politics, you need to prepare yourself, and I am definitely not that type.

Maybe you’d join a party named ‘Fans of Crveni Krst’ if there was one, since your heart is still in that Belgrade neighbourhood, even though you no longer live there.

Yes, I wouldn’t think twice about joining and being together with all those wonderful people I grew up with, under the watchful eye of giants who were synonymous with a special code of honour. ■

(the Yugoslav League and Cup, and the FIBA Korać Cup) with Partizan in the 1978-79 season?

- The basketball scene must always move forward and constantly offer something new. The top singers cannot change their voices, the artists usually maintain their artistic style throughout their careers, and the best actors have their own special way of appealing to the audience… In sport, everything changes so quickly. I wasn’t stubborn, although I stuck to my principles, but I have tried to make my teams play the most modern basketball out there. Back in the day, I played against players who were over 6’ 6” tall, which was unthinkable. The Americans, for instance, had players such as Spud Webb and Tyrone Bogues, who were a head shorter. Today, the game rests on a strong defence with an equally strong transitional game. The main criteria relative to game control is the number of easy points, while the assist-to-turnover ratio has always been an important indicator.

50 |

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

SPECIAL EDITION

"World Markets and Opportunities"

BELGIUM 2013 cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 51

The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal monarchy. It is a founding member of the EU. Brussels is the capital of Belgium and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.

The population density of Belgium is 365 per square kilometre as of March 2013. The most densely inhabited area is Flanders.

Belgium is a Federal State made of Communities and Regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, francophone Wallonia in the south and bilingual French-Dutch capital Brussels. The German community in the East.

Belgium has three official languages, which are in order of size of the native speaking population of Belgium: Dutch, French and German. Many other languages are spoken by Expats living in Belgium.

Belgium has weathered the global crisis quite well, notably with a relatively good unemployment performance. GDP expanded 0.10 percent in the second quarter of 2013 over the previous quarter.

Belgium is famous for its chocolates, which are appreciated the world over. A favourite dish is mussels and chips (French fries) which, according to legend, are a Belgian invention. The country also produces over 1 000 brands of beer.

Folklore plays a major role in Belgium's cultural life: the country has a comparatively high number of processions, cavalcades, parades, 'ommegangs' and 'ducasses', 'kermesse' and other local festivals, with an originally religious or mythological background

King Philippe is the reigning King of the Belgians, having ascended the throne on 21 July 2013. He is the eldest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola. Royal family: King Philippe and Queen Mathilde have four children.

interview

H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia

Progress Made, Still More to Do

I think that Belgian companies that are operating in Serbia are satisfied with their investments in general. Still, they have experienced some difficulties and surprises with the regulatory framework, dealing with the administration, bureaucracy and red tape. That’s something that is hampering their development in Serbia

diverse and intense. In political terms, we are cooperating with Serbia on its EU integration plans. Also, I would say that the most visible of our bilateral relations is perhaps in the economic area.

• In which segments is cooperation between the two countries most developed?

- I’ve been very blessed, I would say, that during my mission in Serbia some very important Belgian investments have taken place. The main one is, of course, the take over of Delta Maxi by Delhaize which continues to expand its activities in Serbia. Also, we had investments in the renewable energy field. A rendering plant that processes animal waste from slaughterhouses has been built in Inđija which is now fully operational. There are other projects in process that are being carried out now and some in the field of wind energy that could materialize very soon. Of course, other Belgian companies are present in Serbia in the sectors of

added that that area had a great potential in terms of boosting cooperation between Belgium and Serbia. How can Belgium help Serbia with the agricultural industrialization?

- Serbia is blessed with great agricultural assets, the richness of its soil, its favourable climatic conditions and available land. We have already some companies present in that field, and there are wider possibilities for further cooperation. We have had a number of interested companies that came here to look into these possibilities.

• What are the criteria that Serbians food producers have to fulfil in order to export in Belgium? e are strong advocates of - The Belgian food market is a very demandSerbia’s becoming a meming one in terms of quality. The Belgians ber of the European Union,” are used to and demand high quality food says H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, in the shops and on their table. That’s the Ambassador of Belgium to Serbia: “It should market aspect, but the quality is also backed be recalled that it was during the Belgian EU by a strong regulatory framework which is presidency in 2010 that the European Counaligned with EU standards. Belgium cil tasked the European Commission to and the European Union will not acprepare a report on the possibility to The major advantage of Serbia is its cept products that do not conform to grant candidate status to Serbia. At that workforce, which is very available, maybe European standards. These standards time there was still some reluctance are strictly implemented. We are thus and divergence of opinion within the a little bit too much for the good of the two difficulties: on the one hand European Union and Belgium wanted country with a very high unemployment rate facing Serbian standards may differ from EU to go ahead, so we proposed a solution ones and second, the implementation that all member states could agree. I’m just taking this as an example of our com- agriculture and food industry, public lighting, of existing regulations and standards is ofmitment to Serbia becoming member of EU.” floor coverings, building materials, metalwork- tentimes too loose. The consequence is that foodstuffs which answer the expectations of ing industry, to name but a few. the market but do not meet the standards • What is your view of the overall quality of • Earlier this year, you underlined the impor- cannot be exported to EU countries. It’s a Serbian-Belgian relations?

- I think the relations are excellent. They are tance of agricultural industrialization and lost opportunity.

"W

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

difficulties Belgian companies have experienced some difficulties and surprises with the regulatory framework, dealing with the administration, bureaucracy and red tape.

quality Belgians want and demand extremely high quality standards of food in stores and restaurants.

destination Serbia is good destination for companies that look for the other markets to reexport what is produced here.

still in force. And furthermore they conflict • What experiences have Belgian investors in investors.

I can say that Belgian companies that are with recently adopted regulations. In spite of Serbia had in terms of the efficiency of their investments, the business climate and benefits operating in Serbia are satisfied with their this being recognized nothing could be done investments in general. Still, they have expe- about it. So this company has given up trycompared to other investment destinations?

- The workforce here is the main asset. I’ve rienced some difficulties and surprises with ing to solve this quandary and resigned itself heard from companies that have invested the regulatory framework, in their dealing to pay the fines. Here I have a report from another Belgian company, I will not menhere that they are very pleased with the level of the quality of the workforce, with We have very significant cooperation tion the name, of which I will read an ex“Our general impression is that the its knowledge and willingness to work in fields of police, justice and the fight cerpt: administration here is extremely slow and be trained. There is a large reservoir of available workers which unfortunately against crime. This is conducted by the in the decision-making process and the procedures are slow, blurred and unclear. for Serbia is a result of its current high interior ministry Also there is the lack of will and ability to unemployment numbers.

Its central location in the Balkans where with the administration, bureaucracy and meet business requirements and demands of neighbouring countries can easily be reached red tape. That’s something that is hampering investors which leads to a lack of motivation and the trade agreements that Serbia has their development in Serbia. Let me give you on their part and leads them to seek other with third countries like Turkey and Russia a couple of examples. I have heard a compa- markets for investments.”

We know that the Serbian government inand the CEFTA which provide privileged ac- ny complaining that it had to deal with some cess to their markets for Serbian exports are legal provisions that date back to 1960s, to tends to change this and has been working other factors that make Serbia attractive to the socialist period, which are obsolete but on it, but still there is progress to be made.

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Investors are now impatiently waiting for the new law regulating building and construction permits to be adopted by the end of the year.

Another demand from companies is greater job flexibility. The government is aware of the situation and I hope that the new Labour law that has been drafted can be adopted soon.

• Within the region, how important is the role of Serbia?

- Serbia is not only centrally located, it is also the largest country of the region, in terms of territory, of population and of borders it has with the other countries in the region. Obviously, Serbia is a key player for regional stability and its role is undeniably very important.

Serbia is aware of this and in recent times we have seen several high level Serbian visits to neighbouring countries and also visits of those countries’ high representatives to Serbia, just like the one by President of Croatia Mr. Ivo Josipović, that took place in October.

These are important signals that will induce further positive developments. We are very pleased by that and applaud these efforts.

significantly larger regional market which in turn will be more attractive for investments.

• What do you think of the European integration process in Serbia thus far?

- There have very serious changes for the better in recent years and in the last twelve months very significant progress has been made in the field of the relations between Belgrade and Priština. This issue is a difficult one that has impacted negatively on the European path of Serbia so we were impressed

• What is your opinion of the internal results that Serbia has achieved during the European integration process, and what should Serbia do more in this respect?

- Legal reforms are important and much has been done already. However I think more emphasis should be put on implementation. Sometimes we may observe that work is done in terms of legislation, but then the instruments, institutions, qualified personnel, financial means, etc. necessary for its implementation are missing. A good law on paper is not a good law if it is not implemented! In this respect it is important to mention that the EU is already assisting Serbia with its programs to achieve this.

• What kinds of cooperation do Belgium and Serbia have in non-economic areas like education, culture and sports?

- We have very significant cooperation in fields of police, justice and fight against crime. This is conducted by the interior ministry. Our police attaché is based in Vienna, but he comes here on a regular basis and maintains constant contact with his Serbian counterparts. As far as culture is concerned, • How important is it for West Balkan counlet me remind you that Belgium is a federal tries to cooperate more among themselves in state in which culture among other governorder to improve the region’s standing in the mental responsibilities is the competence economy and other segments? of the Federal entities. One of these, the - We see a great potential there. Belgium is a French Community of Belgium (CFB) has a very strong advocate of regional cooperation cooperation program with the University not just for others but for itself as its history of Belgrade for the teaching of the French shows. Belgium and Serbia became indelanguage. A lecturer from the CFB pendent countries about the same time. Belgium very quickly realized Sometimes we may observe that work is done in is here on a permanent basis. Furthat for growth and prosperity, we terms of legislation, but then the instruments thermore, in the framework of the “Organisation internationale de la needed strong cooperation with our do not exist for its implementation Francophonie” in cooperation with neighbours. An economic union was established with the Grand Duchy of Lux- and happy to see the determination of the France and Luxemburg, the French Comemburg in the 1920s. Just prior to World War Serbian government to deal with it and to munity supports another important training Two, the two countries and the Netherlands present practical solutions for a long time program in the French language designed launched the Benelux idea. And then after problem. This has given concrete results for civil servants who will have to deal with World War Two, Belgium wholeheartedly have been duly recognized by the Progress European integration matters since French is one of the official languages of European participated from the onset in the European report of the European Commission.

There have also been positive develop- Union. In the cultural field I am particularly integration endeavour which led to the Euroments with respect to judicial reform, the pleased that renowned Belgian artists and pean Union we know today.

Clearly, regional cooperation, wherever it is fight against corruption, but I think it’s fair to companies respond positively in great numin the world, will always benefit the countries say that we had hoped that more would have bers to invitations to participate to the mathat are part of it. And we think that the coun- been accomplished. But again efforts are go- jor cultural events that are organized here. tries of the Balkans, with their very similar ing in the right direction and there is no rea- It tells us three important things: first, Bellanguages, have something in common that son to doubt that they will be continued. On gian artists are appreciated in Serbia; seccan help them to cooperate more. You would the other hand, the government has made it ond they love to come here and, third, Belthen have not only individual domestic mar- clear that it is determined to deal with the grade is recognized as an important centre kets of limited size with populations some- economy and the precarious situation of the for culture and a place to be. I can only fully where between four and eight million, but a public finances. This also has to be welcomed. agree with that. ■ World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

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interview

Mihailo Vesović, Vice President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

Bolstering Higher Forms of Cooperation On November 14, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce will host the Serbian-Belgian Business Forum which we will realize in collaboration with the Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA)

T

he Kingdom of Belgium is a moderately important foreign trade partner of the Republic of Serbia with trade between the countries constantly showing stability. According to Vice President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce Mihailo Vesović, the trade value between Serbia and Belgium in 2012 amounted to US $359.8 million. Belgium was ranked 22nd among the 164 countries to which Serbia exported its goods. The total value of Serbian export to Belgium stood at US $130.9 million which is a 1.14% share of overall Serbian exports that year. In the observed period, exports declined by 2%.

the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Serbian and Belgian governments in 2009. During the official visit of the Belgian Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Didier Reynders to Serbia in April this year, and following his meeting with the Serbian PM and several government ministers, the two sides agreed that the bilateral relations between the two countries were at a high level and also underlined that there was some room for further improvement of the cooperation through concluding agreements and bolstering higher forms of economic cooperation.

• How important is Belgium for Serbia as an economic partner? What • What are the most important Belgian investments in Serbia and which economic segments have the biggest potential to receive more is the current level of the trading between Serbia and Belgium?

- In terms of import, Belgium ranked 24th out of the 204 countries investments?

- There are close to 20 companies in Serbia which have Belgian from which Serbia imported in 2012. The value of imported goods from Belgium, in the period in question, stood at US $228.9 million companies as shareholders. One of the biggest Belgian investments in which is a 5% increase relative to the same period last year, and it Serbia was the acquisition of Apatin Brewery by Belgium-based multinarepresents a 1.26% share in total Serbian imports. In 2012, our deficit tional corporation InBev. In 2009, Apatin Brewery was sold to AnheuserBusch InBev (a conglomerate which was created following the merger in trading with Belgium amounted to US $98 million. between the U.S. company Anheuser-Busch and During the first eight months of 2013, the total trade between Serbia and the Kingdom of There are close to 20 companies Belgian group InBev) and CVC Capital Partners which acquired all InBev breweries in Central Belgium amounted to US $297.1 million. Serbian in Serbia which have Belgian Europe, including the one in Apatin. The most reexports were valued at US $113.6 million, which cent Belgian investment in Serbia was Delhaize’s is a 40% increase compared to the same period companies as shareholders acquisition of a 100% share in Delta Maxi Group. last year, while imports from Belgium amounted With the acquisition of Maxi, Delhaize has managed to expand to Bulto US $183.5 million, a 25% jump from the same period in 2012.

Serbia mostly exports fruits and vegetables, tobacco, motor vehi- garia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Montenegro, in addition to cles, yarn and textile products to Belgium, and mostly imports chemi- Romania and Bulgaria where the company had already been doing business. Smederevo-based company Metech, which operates under Belgian cal products, rubber and plastic products, machinery and devices. company Metes N.V., is a result of a merger between Metalik Holding • What are the most important bilateral agreements concluded be- from Belgium and Univerzal Holding from Serbia, both engaged in the production of all sorts of metal sheeting. Construction of a €350-miltween Belgium and Serbia in the segment of economic cooperation?

- If we are talking about relatively recent international bilateral agree- lion wind farm is supposed to start in the Municipality of Kovačica soon. ments concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Kingdom of These are actually two projects which are going to be implemented by Belgium, there is the Agreement on Debt Consolidation dating back to two companies – Elektrawinds and Elektrawinds-K which is going to 2002, the Agreement on Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Invest- have its registered seat in the Municipality of Kovačica.

Belgian companies are mostly interested in investing in the metal ments concluded between Serbia and Montenegro and the BelgianLuxembourgish Economic Union which came into force in 2007, and processing industry, renewable energy sources, the food industry and the World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

• What is the cooperation between the PKS and Belgian chambers of commerce like and how is their work regulated?

- The PKS and the Federation of Belgian Chamber of Commerce have been cooperating successfully for number of years. The Federation is an umbrella organization for all chambers of commerce in Belgium.

Apart from that, the Federation represents the interests of over 30 • Could you cite some Serbian companies that operate in Belgium?

- I have already mentioned that the bilateral cooperation between the Belgian and Luxembourgish chambers of commerce abroad. Unlike other countries, membertwo countries is dominated by the ship in chambers of combuy/sell arrangements. During The fact that the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has its merce is not mandatory the first eight months of this year, office in Belgium is of great importance for bolstering in Belgium. The Serbian the following Serbian companies Chamber of Commerce is a exported the most to Belgium economic cooperation and supporting Serbian umbrella organiCROP S&PARTNERS, JT INTERNAcompanies in their appearance on the Belgian market national zation of businesses which TIONAL AD SENTA, BLOCKX DOO has been supporting SerBAČKI PETROVAC, HEMOFARM AD VRŠAC, PRVI PARTIZAN AD UŽICE, METECH SMEDEREVO, YUBE bian economy for over 156 years, while protecting the interests of business people through cooperating with line ministries and other DOO POŽEGA, and FIAT AUTOMOBILI SRBIJA from Kragujevac. relevant economic institutions. The Chamber also actively supports • What activities has the Serbian Chamber of Commerce been con- Serbian businesses in their appearances abroad and encourages inducting in terms of establishing economic cooperation with Belgium? ternationalization of business. To this end, the Chamber uses the sup- Since June 2010, and in collaboration with the Kingdom of Belgium port and cooperation with international organizations of chambers of Embassy’s Economic Affairs Section, the Serbian Chamber of Com- commerce, the agreements we have concluded with foreign chambers merce has been organizing the visits of the Belgian economic mission of commerce which are our partners, as well as a network of its offices (Belgian businessmen) to Serbia. Apart from Serbia, Belgian business abroad, including the one in Brussels, thus contributing to presenting people have also been visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia Serbia as an attractive location for investing and doing business. ■ at the same time. This year, Serbian and Belgian business people from branches like renewable energy sources, wastewater treatment and IT, met in Belgrade, on June 20. On November 14, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce will host the Serbian-Belgian Business Forum which we will realize in collaboration with the Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA). In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of the Flanders (Voka) Region, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has implemented a project called PLATO with the aim of boosting economic cooperation and implementing experiences and advanced technologies in business. The project is about advancing cooperation between SMEs with the help of corporate managers. The PLATO Serbia project was funded by the Government of Flanders with the help of the European Commission which declared the project one of the top ten formats for increasing competitiveness in the SME sector.

Ultrapolymers d.o.o. Belgrade was founded in August 2004, as a sales office The fact that the Serbian Chamber of Commerce has its office and daughter company of Ultrapolymers Group NV, Belgium company dealing in Belgium and that the Head of this office, Gordana Zrnić, has been with worldwide distribution and compounding of plastics with production monitoring the development of EU regulation is of great importance sites all around Europe. for bolstering economic cooperation and supporting Serbian compaUltrapolymers d.o.o. was first acting as distributor and agent of LyondellBanies in their appearance on the Belgian market. Another important sell Industries as a main supplier. Since market demand for new materials work carried out by our office in Belgium is ensuring the reliable growth every day, we include in our offer materials of respectable suppliers flow of information which is supposed to help the PKS and its memsuch as Ravago, Styrolution, Domo, BASF... bers with being properly informed about the ongoing and planned Our business goal is to recognize the opportunities and extend product changes to EU regulation, as well as for launching relevant initiatives portfolio and services and offer it to customers. We are implementing our in harmonizing the Serbian regulation with the EU. In cooperation strategy for further grow and strengthening our position on Serbian polyolefin with the Serbian Embassy in Belgium, our office has been actively market to remain one of the leading distributors in our country. engaged in promoting the Serbian economy and its investment and tourism potential through various presentations and workshops. One Antifašističke borbe 25/I, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia of many such events was presented through Mikser and a group of Tel: +381 11 21 22 035, +381 11 31 49 849, +381 11 31 49 875 Serbian companies which are involved in creative industry under the Fax: +381 11 31 49 874 title of "Serbia in Redesign: Mikser and Guest”. This was an excepEmail: jelena.stefanovic@ultrapolymers.co.rs, www.ultrapolymers.com tionally successful event which drew a lot of media attention. energy sector. Also, there has been growing interest in trilateral cooperation. Serbia’s has a preferential status in trading with the Russian Federation and the countries of the Customs Union (the Russian Federation, Belarus and Kazakhstan), and this remains very appealing to investors.

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

interview

Ann-Véronique Mortier, Investment and Trade Commissioner, Embassy of Belgium

Growing Closer Belgian investors are starting to discover the Serbian market.

A lot of work has been done to attract them by promoting the market as being attractive. A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds

with Delhaize being the biggest investment. The Belgian companies established in Serbian are very satisfied with their investment in Serbia. Some of them, as Metech, are very active in trying to convince other Belgian companies to establish themselves in Serbia.

The major problem for attracting Belgian companies to Serbia, is the ‘psychological distance’ that exist between Serbia and Belgium. In other words, there are not so many links between Serbia and Belgium.

Belgian entrepreneurs don’t think about doing business with Serbia,

T

he Kingdom of Belgium, in the very heart and administrative centre of Europe, is only at the beginning of its relationship with Serbia and its economy. According to AnnVéronique Mortier, Investment and Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Belgium, this is not because of Serbia’s negative public image or any other intervening factor apart from a lack of direct experience. In this interview with CorD, Ms Mortier says it is simply “because Belgians have nearly never done business with the Balkans in general.” These ties, however, are improving and the two countries are growing closer with the arrival of Delhaize as well as more than 40 other investors from Belgium.

A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds

• How satisfied are you with the current economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia?

- Economic cooperation between Belgium and Serbia is satisfying as more than 40 Belgian companies are established in Serbia World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

not only because the image of Serbia is still negative, even if it’s improving, but because Belgians have nearly never done business with the Balkans in general.

• Which segments of the Serbian economy could attract more Belgian investments?

- Belgium has a lot of expertise in know-how and specialized machinery for different segments as agri-

business, construction and environment. Many Belgian companies in those sectors are eager to share their knowledge with the Serbian economy once they are ready for it.

Several Belgian delegations in the agribusiness came to share their knowledge about the way they organized their business, collaborating with each other instead of considering each other as competitors.

• How appealing is the Serbian market to Belgian investors and what specific needs do they have?

- Belgian investors are starting to discover the Serbian market. A very useful collaboration exists for this purpose with SIEPA. The main obstacles are still the big load of bureaucracy, the non-transparent tender procedures and the lack of funds.

Belgian businessmen also wonder why some Serbian businessmen are not somehow more proactive.

In some sectors as is the environmental sector, laws still have to be adopted to push the industrial sector to adopt new green measures. In the wind energy for instance, some obstacles haven’t been removed yet by the government to make it possible to realize their investment.

• What are the ways in which the Belgian Embassy in Serbia has been helping Belgian and Serbian inves-

tors willing to extend their business operations to these two countries?

- We organize contact days and seminars in Belgium to promote Serbia as an interesting export market and investment country.

On an annual basis, several delegations of Belgian business men are visiting Serbia. We organize B-to-B meetings for them. We also help Belgian investors once they are in the procedure of establishing themselves or even after that by promoting their activities or by helping them to solve problems if they are confronted by them. Last but not least, the Belgian Serbian Business Association (BSBA) organizes on a monthly basis activities for its members. Sometimes they are social, like a chocolate and wine evening, and sometimes they are business-focused. The last event organized was a seminar and stand at the Ecofair in collaboration with Energo-Zelena.

The government should focus on approving and implementing the laws in accordance to the acquis européen to attract Belgian investors with their know-how to make it easier for them to implement it

• What kind of reception do Belgian investors receive when they come to Serbia, and what should the Serbian government do in order to make the Serbian market more appealing to them?

- The tender procedures are not very transparent for interested investors and make it more difficult to attract them. The government should focus on making the procedures less bureaucratic and more efficient. They also should focus on approving and implementing the laws in accordance to the acquis européen to attract Belgian investors with their know-how to make it easier for them to implement it. The Serbian economy should become less dependent on the goodwill of the government and each of its ministries. The inter-ministerial collaboration should become more efficient to make procedures quicker and less time consuming. ■

General Manager tel: +381 31 563 442 fax: +381 31 563 472 Marketing Manager: tel: +381 31 563 478 fax: +381 31 563 436 office@prvipartizan.com; www.prvipartizan.com Prvi Partizan a.d. Miloša Obrenovića 2belgium | World Markets and Opportunities 31000 Užice, Serbia

Cooperation between Serbia and Belgium

Stable Partnership At the moment the prevalent form of economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium is a classic buy-sell arrangement, comprising 80% of Serbian exports to Belgium and more than 90% of imports from Belgium.

The next most common form is finishing services, which makes up close to 8% of Serbia’s exports to Belgium and approximately 2% of Belgian imports into Serbia

T

he Kingdom of Belgium is a moderately important foreign trade partner of the Republic of Serbia. Of the 147 countries Serbia exported to in Q2 of 2012, Belgium was ranked 22nd, receiving a 1.16% share of Serbian exports. Similarly, of the 183 countries that Serbia imported goods from in Q2 2012, Belgium ranked 23rd, translating into a 1.22% share of overall Serbian imports. This data hasn’t changed much since 2006.

Both exports and imports grew until 2009, when, due to the global economic downturn, they started to decline. Exports and imports did grow somewhat in 2010, but failed to reach their 2008 level. According to 2011’s data, Serbia imported US $218.3 million worth of goods and services from Belgium, exporting US $133.8 million. Serbia has traditionally recorded a negative balance in trading

with Belgium, and during the first six months of 2012, Serbia recorded a US $49 million deficit, with an export-toimport ratio of 56.11% – a 5% decline relative to 2011.

The following Serbian companies export the most to Belgium: Smederevo Ironworks (formerly U.S. Steel), JT International AD, Metanolsko Sirćetni Kompleks (MSK), AD

There are approximately 20 Belgian companies operating in the Serbian market at present

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Prvi Partizan, BlockX d.o.o., LR Fruit, MetalHemiko d.o.o., CT Computers d.o.o., fruit and vegetable processing and preserving company YUBE DOO, and STAV DOO. The following Serbian companies import the most from Belgium: Delta Sport d.o.o., DOO Tarkett, Yusafarm DOO, Smederevo Ironworks, KL DOO,

Beohemija, Atlas Copco, HIP Petrohemija, JT International, and Delta Agrar.

Opportunities for industrial cooperation between Serbian and Belgian businesses can be found in the metal processing industry (machine building, electronics, vehicle manufacturing), chemical industry and the agricultural and food processing industry.

At the moment the prevalent form of economic cooperation between Serbia and Belgium is a classic buysell arrangement, comprising 80% of Serbian exports to Belgium and more than 90% of imports from Belgium.

The next most common form is finishing services, which makes up close to 8% of Serbia’s exports to Belgium and approximately 2% of Belgian imports into Serbia.

There are approximately 20 Belgian companies operating in the Serbian market at the moment. Until

Export to import ratio, in %

Trade exchange between Serbia and Belgium, in million USD 80

300 200

60

59.01

100 40

0 -100

61.29

74.36

59.18

45.17

55.18

66.55

57.19

45.24

20

-200 2005

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013-VII

Export in USD

Import in USD

recently, the biggest Belgian investment in Serbia was international corporation InBev acquiring the Apatin Brewery. Another substantial investment was the acquisition of A Bank (formerly Alko Banka) by KBC, which is the third biggest insurance and banking group in Belgium, with €32 billion in capital, 50,000 employees and 12 million clients.

In 2009, the Apatin Brewery was sold to Anheuser-Busch InBev (a conglomerate created following the merger between U.S. company Anheuser-Busch and Belgian group InBev) and CVC Capital Partners, which acquired all InBev breweries in Central Europe, including the one in Apatin. CVC Capital Partners is a global private equity and investment advisory firm founded in 1981. To date, the company has managed to raise and manage funds of more than €18 billion. CVC funds own 51 companies worldwide, including Formula 1, Samsonite and Cortefiel, and employ more

Balance in USD

0 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013-VII

Opportunities for industrial cooperation between Serbian and Belgian businesses can be found in the metal processing industry, chemical industry and the agricultural and food processing industry than 280,000 people. Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) operates in 130 countries and has 120,000 employees. The company’s revenue stood at €26.5 billion last year.

Leading SITC segments in exporting to Belgium

The most recent Belgian investment in Serbia was the acquisition of a 100% share in Delta Maxi Group

by Delhaize Group for €932.5 million, including Delta Maxi’s liabilities of €300 million. Following the acquisition of Delta Maxi Group, and taking into account the number of Delhaize stores in Greece and Romania, Delhaize Group is now among the leading retailers in Southeast Europe.

On June 7 this year, the Belgian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Mr. Alain Kundycki, attended the official signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the mixed Belgian-Dutch company WindVision and the Municipality of Kikinda. The Memorandum stipulates the construction of a biomass energy facility that will produce heat. This is “a method that suits both the needs of the citizens and companies, without having to resort to fossil fuels for energy”. The overall investment is estimated to be in the region of €15.2 million. ■

Leading SITC segments in importing from Belgium

Road vehicles

8%

40%

9% 10% 10%

22%

Metal-based products, not specified elsewhere Miscellaneous finished products, not specified elsewhere Fruits and Vegetables Furniture and furniture parts Other

Clothing Road vehicles

55%

Plastic materials in their primary forms

6% 8% 10%

10%

12%

Medical and pharmaceutical products Operating machinery and devices Other

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

Economy of Belgium

Coping with Crisis Belgium’s economic freedom score is 69.2, making its economy the 40th freest in the 2013 OECD Global Index and 18th among the 43 countries in the Europe region. Still, the global financial crisis has caused a sharp economic slowdown in Belgium

Belgian Federal Parliament

U

ntil last year, Belgium had weathered the global crisis quite well, notably with a relatively good unemployment performance. However, stillweak domestic demand, rapid fiscal consolidation and slow export market growth weighed on the economic recovery. The global financial crisis has caused a sharp economic slowdown in Belgium. The general government deficit reached 3.0% of GDP in 2012, excluding the potential deficit impact of the recapitalization of Dexia (the Franco-Belgian financial institution active in public finance, providing retail and commercial banking services to individuals and SMEs, asset management, and insurance).

After the cut-off date of the autumn

Continued strong protection of the rule of law and the foundations of economic freedom is reflected in Belgium’s high scores in property rights and freedom from corruption

Belgium GDP Annual Per Capita Evolution Date 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

GDP Per C. €34,000 €33,700 €32,700 €31,600 €32,400 €31,600 €30,200 €29,000

Annual Change 0.9% 3.1% 3.5% -2.5% 2.5% 4.6% 4.1% 3.6%

Source: CountryEconomy.com

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forecast, the federal government had frozen around 0.1% of GDP in expenditures to address the budgetary impact of the economic slowdown, but this could not prevent Belgium from missing its own deficit target of 2.8% of GDP. Towards year-end, revenues slowed down more than anticipated, while small spending overruns occurred in social security. In response to turmoil in the banking sector and the subsequent contraction in overall economic activity, the government stepped in to support the financial system and implement a fiscal stimulus package. However, the economic recovery that began in mid-2009 has been uneven, and structural weaknesses that include a rigid labour market and high taxation continue to hinder international competitiveness.

Fiscal consolidation is advancing well, but public debt is still high. Fiscal consolidation has already been sizeable, and the government is committed to secure a structural budget balance by 2015. This is appropriate to avoid further consolidation measures in case the economy deteriorates further, which could pose a risk to growth.

Looking ahead, maintaining (at

least) a structural budget balance over the medium-term would ensure a rapid reduction in public debt, creating room to finance part of ageing-related spending increases.

The recent reform of early retirement programmes will increase the internationally low effective retirement age – a key to contain pension spending ‑ but the system still gives insufficient work incentives to older workers. The recent reform of fiscal federalism arrangements is transferring more spending and tax responsibilities to the communities and regions. However, it does not clarify the medium-term burden sharing of fiscal consolidation efforts between government levels.

Population ageing is boosting cost pressures on the health system.

The system delivers accessible care and broadly satisfactory health outcomes. Nevertheless, its performance is reduced by practice and efficiency variation across providers, high consumption of drugs and perhaps supplier-induced demand. Health responsibilities are fragmented across government levels and sickness funds have too passive a role. The strict regulation of the supply of health services risks rendering the system too inflexible as ageing changes demand patterns. Long-term care has a high reliance on care in institutions.

Boosting the labour supply is a key not matched by a commitment to the prin- tal domestic income. Government spending driver of growth. Reforms of the unemploy- ciple of limited government. Expansionary has levelled off at 53.4 per cent of total doment benefit system and special provisions public spending has generated significant mestic output, but budget deficits over 4 per for new graduates are expected to improve budgetary pressure. With government debt cent have caused public debt to reach levels the efficiency of the labour market. However, nearing 100 per cent of GDP, reducing the equivalent to about 100 per cent of GDP. The cost of establishing a company has other factors still hold back the labour mar- chronic deficit needs to be a high priority.

Laws are well codified, and the judicial been reduced to below 20 per cent of the ket, including high sectoral minimum wages, labour market traps created by the high tax system is generally respected, but the courts level of average annual income, and starting a wedge and the decoupling of wages from can be slow in practice. Similarly, intellectual business takes only three days and four procedures. Although employment regulations productivity.

The modern, private enterprise economy have gradually become less burdensome, Belgium’s economic freedom score is 69.2, making its economy the 40th freest of Belgium has capitalised on its central the non-salary cost of hiring a worker remains high. Inflation has been modest, but in the 2013 OECD Global Index. Its overgeographic location, highly developed price-control policies continue to affect a all score has increased by 0.2 points from last year, primarily reflecting notable im- transport network, and diversified industrial range of products and services.

Belgium has low tariffs along with provements in freedom from corruption and commercial base other members of the European Union, and the management of public spending that counterbalance declines in labour property rights and contracts are generally and non-tariff barriers are relatively low. With freedom and monetary freedom. Belgium is secure, although enforcement actions can a few exceptions, the investment regime is ranked 18th among the 43 countries in the be protracted. Corruption is minimal, and the largely open. The Financial Crisis Law passed Europe region, and its overall score is above government prohibits and punishes all forms in June 2010 grants the government stronger powers to step in during crises. Following of bribery. the regional and global averages.

The top income tax rate is 50 per cent, the 2011 nationalization of the Belgian unit, Continued strong protection of the rule of law and the foundations of economic free- and the top corporate tax rate is effectively uncertainty remains high with regard to Dexdom is reflected in Belgium’s high scores in 34 per cent. Other taxes include a value-add- ia, a Brussels-based Franco–Belgian bank. ■ property rights and freedom from corruption. ed tax (VAT) and an estate tax. The overall Sources: Heritage.com, These institutional strengths, however, are tax burden amounts to 43.8 per cent of toOECD Economic Surveys 2013

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

Belgian culture

In the Centre of Europe Belgium is essentially a country of medium-size and small cities, many with long histories. In the central parts of these cities, rows of terraced houses are built among a network of ancient churches and marketplaces. Opulent buildings often feature a Belfry in the central marketplace, or, as in Brussels, a city hall and corporation houses

A

lthough the name of the modern state refers to the original Celtic inhabitants after the Roman conquest in 44 B.C.E., the population was romanised and adopted the Latin language. Latin gave rise to a series of dialects including, in the southern part of the country, the Walloon dialects. The name "Walloon" derives from a Germanic word meaning "foreign," and refers to the Roman Empire. Flemish culture came to northern Belgium as a consequence of the Germanic invasions of the fourth century. In the central and southern regions, the Germanic invaders formed small kingdoms and adopted their subjects' culture.

Until the eighth century, conquests and divisions modified the borders of these kingdoms. The last division took place at the treaty of Verdun (843) between the grandsons of Charlemagne, who divided the Holy Roman Empire into three parts, of which the central part, Lothar-

Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was the most famous painter of his time, receiving commissions from European sovereigns

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ingia, encompassed the territories between the Netherlands and Italy, including present-day Belgium. However, Lotharingia was absorbed into the German Empire, and the idea of a state between France and the German Empire did not resurface until the fourteenth century. The Burgundian princes inherited, conquered, bought, or received in dowry most of the fiefs constituting the Netherlands, Belgium, and northern and eastern France. They established their court in Brussels and brought the French language to their states. The possessions of the dukes of Burgundy were inherited by the Habsburg dynasty in 1477.

In the middle of the sixteenth century, a religious civil war led to the division of the Low Countries into two parts. The north became the Netherlands, a Dutch-speaking, Protestant state. The south remained Catholic and was associated with the Habsburg dynasty until the French conquest in 1794. Under the Habsburg rulers, the use of Flemish progressively declined, but the position of French was reinforced during the French administration (1794–1814). After the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna established the kingdom of the Netherlands, including present-day Belgium.

However, the policy of King Willem I van Oranje Nassau (1772– 1843) of favouring the Dutch language and the Protestant religion, led to the revolution of 1830, after which Belgium became independent.

Literature Sometimes it is denied that there is a Belgian literature, with only Flemish and Walloon or French and Dutch writers who happen to be Belgian citizens. However, authors such as Charles de Coster (1827–1879) and Emile Verhaeren (1855–1916), wrote in French on Flemish themes. Another important Francophone writer from Flanders was the symbolist Maurice Maeterlinck.

The main nineteenth-century Flemish

Emile Verhaeren

writers were Hendrik Conscience and Guido Gezelle. Flemish and Francophone writers contributed to important literary movements such as symbolism, surrealism, and magic realism. Important themes are the hardness of life, the questioning of the nature of reality, and the quest for original ways to get through life. The distrust of authority was present in one of the oldest Flemish tales, Reynard the Fox, in which the small fox outsmarts the larger animals.

Graphic Arts The golden age of graphic arts lasted from the fourteenth century to the seventeenth century and was

embodied mostly in painting. The Flemish Primitives school of painting (fourteenth and fifteenth centuries) made the region the main artistic centre of Europe outside of Italy.

Artists such as Jan Van Eyck (1395– 1441) and Rogier Van Der Weyden (1400–1464) were interested in spatial composition and psychology and rendered the colours and textures of living and material objects with realism. The main artistic figure of the next century was Pieter Breughel the Elder (1525–1569), with his lively paintings of peasant life.

Pieter Paul Rubens

Pieter Paul Rubens (1577–1640) was the most famous painter of his time, receiving commissions from European sovereigns. His main focus was on the human figure. Rubens influenced Anthony Van Dyk (1599–1641) and Jacob Jordaens (1593–1678). The graphic arts declined until the late nineteenth century, when James Ensor and René Magritte (in the twentieth century) revived the avant-garde.

The most innovative works of living artists can be seen in contemporary art museums in Antwerp and Ghent.

Performance Arts The Franco-Flemish style dominated European music in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with composers such as Josquin des Prez and Orlando di Lasso. In the twentieth century, the most famous Belgian musician was the singer Jacques Brel. Several living classical composers are active. The harmonica player Toots Thielemans is the most famous jazz musician. The Blindman Kwartet combines jazz, pop, and classical music. The presence in Brussels between 1959 and 1987 of the French choreographer Maurice Béjart stimulated a new generation

ral spaces. While the north has many isolated farms between villages, the southern farms tend to be grouped in villages on both sides of a road.

Josquin des Pre

The FrancoFlemish style dominated European music in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with composers such as Josquin des Prez and Orlando di Lasso

Art Nouveau house

of choreographers. The main theatrical centres are De Singel in Antwerp and the Kaai Teater in Brussels. Several theatres and orchestras are supported by the government.

Architecture Belgium is essentially a country of medium-size and small cities, many with long histories. In the central parts of these cities, rows of terraced houses are built among a network of ancient churches and marketplaces.

Opulent buildings often feature a Belfry in the central marketplace, or, as in Brussels, a city hall and corporation houses. In nineteenth century, many working-class cities were built in mining and industrial areas. In some cities, new middle-class suburbs were linked to urban centres by large avenues. The stylistic height of this expansion is illustrated by the Art Nouveau houses built by Victor Horta. In the first half of the twentieth century, garden cities were built to provide humane lodgings for the working classes. Today, as the population continues to leave the central cities, one-family houses are organized in small suburban villages. There is some contrast between the north and south in the use of traditional, ru-

Comics With more than 700 comic strip authors, Belgium has more comic strip artists per square kilometre than any other country in the world. It is here that the comic strip has grown from a popular medium into an art in its own right. Nowhere else comics are so strongly rooted in reality and in people's imagination. Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Tintin, Largo Winch… All those comic characters were born in Belgium.

Belgium has numerous well-known cartoonists, such as Hergé (The Adventures of Tintin), Peyo (The Smurfs), Franquin (Spirou et Fantasio, Marsupilami, Gaston), Willy Vandersteen

Lucky Luke

(Spike and Suzy), Morris (Lucky Luke), Edgar P. Jacobs (Blake and Mortimer), Jef Nys (Jommeke) and Marc Sleen (Nero). More recently, Jean Van Hamme (XIII, Largo Winch, Thorgal, etc.), Raoul Cauvin (Les Tuniques Bleues, Agent 212), François Schuiten and Benoît Peeters (Les Cités Obscures) are among the most read cartoonists.

Belgium is home to some of the most important European comic magazines and publishers, with Dupuis (Spirou magazine), Le Lombard (Tintin magazine) and Casterman. The Belgian Comic Strip Centre, a true temple dedicated to comic strip art, is an undisputed masterpiece of the Art Nouveau.

Located in the heart of Brussels, in a majestic Art Nouveau building, created by Victor Horta in 1906, the Belgian Comic Strip Centre opened its doors to the public on October 6th 1989. ■ Source: Every Culture, Belgum.be ComicsCenter.net.

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

People and tradition

The Two Belgiums A history of linguistic and cultural division runs through modern Belgium, with the country partitioned along north-south, Flemish-Walloon lines. This has been a source of social friction, but, as is fitting for a country that lies at the heart of the EU, Belgium’s ethnic divide has fostered a country rich in culture and history

M

odern Belgium’s two predominant cultural and linguistic groups are the Flemish and the Walloons.

The Flemish, comprising more than half of the Belgian population, speak in a dialect of Dutch and live mainly in the north and west of the country. The Walloons, making up about one-third of the population, speak various dialects of French and live in the south and east. The vast majority of both groups are Roman Catholic.

Belgium was part of Gaul in Roman times and was inhabited by Romanised Celts. Gradually the land was infiltrated by groups of Gothic Germans, until finally in the 3rd and 4th centuries AD a new wave of Germans, the Salian Franks, began to migrate down from the northeast. Eventually they pushed back the Romans and held a line corresponding generally to the present north-south, FlemishWalloon divide – a natural line formed by what was then dense woodland.

Only later, in the 5th century, after

the withdrawal of the Roman frontier garrisons, did many Franks push southward and settle much of Gaul proper. The northern Franks retained their Germanic language (which would later become modern Dutch), whereas the Franks who moved south adopted the language of the culturally dominant Romanised Gauls – the language that would become French.

Much of modern Belgium’s history consists of the Flemish community’s struggle to gain equal status for its language, and to acquire a fair share of political influence and economic opportunity

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

This language-based frontier between the northern Flemish and southern Walloons has remained virtually unchanged ever since.

The linguistic boundary is demarcated by law and passes roughly eastwest across north-central Belgium along a line just south of capital city Brussels. North of that line, all public

signs and government publications must be in Flemish, which has official status; the same situation prevails with French south of the line. In Brussels, which is officially bilingual, all signs and publications must be in both languages.

Much of modern Belgium’s history consists of the Flemish-speaking community’s struggle to gain equal status for its language, and to acquire a fair share of political influence and economic opportunity in a society dominated largely by the Walloons after the country’s independence in 1830. In the 20th century, the Flemish successfully obtained legislation to further these aims, but linguistic and other differences with the Walloons remain a source of social friction.

Roughly 59% of Belgium’s inhabitants belong to the Flemish community, 40% to the French-speaking community and 1% to the country’s Germanspeaking minority. Dutch is the official language of the northern Flemish region, known as Flanders, and is one

of the two official languages of the Brussels-Capital Region, which lies geographically on the Flemish side of the divide but is officially neutral.

The 40% of the population who speak French reside mostly south of the divide in the Walloon region, known as Wallonia (which, like Flanders, is a political entity). Although French is Wallonia’s dominant language, and is spoken in the Brussels-Capital Region, Wallonia is also home to Belgium’s German-speaking minority. German, recognised as the third national language, is not used frequently in the national administration.

French was introduced as the language of the political elite by feudal lords of French origin, particularly the dukes of Burgundy, who chose Brussels as their main city of residence.

French was in turn adopted by the bourgeoisie in the 18th century, and in 1830 became the official language.

Through a combination of education and social promotion, French replaced the local dialects of Wallonia and Brussels, although it failed to take as strong a hold in Flanders. In Wallonia, a series of Romance dialects were spoken rather than a single language, but never gained official status. Although Brussels was originally a Flemish city, the influence of French has always been strongest here, with only a tenth of the population speaking Dutch.

In Dutch-speaking Flanders (where the language is referred to commonly as Flemish), official Dutchlanguage institution the Taalunie guarantees the international unity of the language. There is, however, a great diversity of Flemish dialects, each differing in vocabulary and pronunciation. French is also spoken in Flanders by a minority of people in

the upper- and upper-middle classes, as well as along the linguistic border and around Brussels. The presence of these Francophone minorities in some parts of Flanders has been a source of political conflict, and in the 1980s led to the resignation of a number of central governments.

Roughly 59% of Belgium’s inhabitants belong to the Flemish community, 40% to the Frenchspeaking community and 1% to the country’s German-speaking minority Much of Flanders’ mythology involves the Lion of Flanders. The lion has been the symbol of the counts of Flanders since the time of the Crusades, and has become the symbol of Flemish emancipation since gaining cultural autonomy in 1972. The oldest elements of Flemish symbolism were developed as Belgian “myths” before the emergence of the Flemish movement. A successful 14th-century revolt of cities in the former county of Flanders against a count from the French royal family became an expression of early Flemish/Belgian nationalism.

The Flemish national day celebrates

the victory of the Flemish militias over the royal French army at the Battle of the Golden Spurs, which is named after the trophies collected from slain French knights. The Flemish national anthem (“De Vlaamse Leeuw”) was composed in 1847 and was adopted as the Flemish movement's anthem in 1900 before becoming the Flemish community’s official anthem in 1973.

Another important Flemish event is the National Song Feast (ANZ), a mixture of Flemish songs and modern expressions of culture that has been held annually in Antwerp since the early 1930s. And every year on the last Sunday of August, the Flemish movement gathers for the Yser pilgrimage to World War I battlefields, which, due to the Flemish movement’s Christian roots, carries a main slogan with strong religious connotations: “No more war, autonomy, and truce of God.” The Walloon movement, meanwhile, has taken the French rooster as its cultural symbol. Belgium’s Francophone community celebrates its national day on 21 September, although it is not emphasised as heavily as similar events in Flanders – Wallonia did not even adopt an anthem of its own (“Li Tchant des Walons”) until 1998.

Away from Flanders and Wallonia, back in the middle ages Belgian capital Brussels adopted Saint Michael as its patron saint, with the image of him killing the dragon as its coat of arms. However, when Brussels became a separate region, its leaders felt they had to find symbols to support the separate identity of the region, opting for the yellow iris and setting the Brussels-Capital Region’s celebration day during the season in which that flower blossoms. ■ Sources: Britannica, EveryCulture.com

food & drink Bread and potatoes are Belgium’s traditional staple foods. Most meals include pork, chicken or beef, and seafood is popular in the north of the country. The national drink is beer, but wine is imported in large quantities. In northern cities, popular dishes include mussels with fries, as well as waterzooi, a broth of vegetables and meat or fish. Throughout Belgium, French fries are eaten with steaks or minced meat. Cooking is done traditionally with butter rather than oil, and there is also high consumption of dairy products. Immigration has ensured a diverse range of ethnic restaurants, which is gradually changing the eating habits of residents in culturally mixed areas. belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

Belgian Tourism

Holidays in Many Forms Two of the big tourist attractions in Belgium are the Ardennes and the coast.

Belgium plays an important role in the gastronomic life of Western Europe. The Belgians are well known for their exuberant lifestyle, and they take pleasure in their guests enjoying themselves

B

elgium fires one's imagination.

Tourists from all over the world are attracted to Belgium and its cosmopolitan capital, Brussels.

It is no surprise then, that Belgium has a lot to offer the foreign tourist. Belgium means holidays in many forms. You will be able to briefly escape the daily grind, with a weekend in a Belgian city, but you can also plan a true voyage of discovery throughout Belgium.

Two of the big tourist attractions in Belgium are the Ardennes and the coast.

If you like hiking, cycling, sport, nature and tranquillity, you will undoubtedly want to go to the Ardennes, Belgium's lungs. If you more likely to be tempted by sun, sea, sport and enjoyable bustle, then there is the lure of the coast.

Those with a craving for art and culture or architectural beauty will be pampered in cities of art. Those who would like a taste of our gastronomy, cultural events and nightlife will have their every wish satisfied. As a result, the many cities of art - with Brussels at the top - are able to depend on an ever-

FRAHAN-SURSEMOIS

increasing interest from tourists.

Belgium plays an important role in the gastronomic life of Western Europe.

The Belgians are well known for their exuberant lifestyle and they take pleasure in their guests enjoying themselves.

The restaurants are outstanding, and what is more agreeable to finish a beautiful day, than the enjoyment of a Flemish meat casserole with a Trappist beer from the Ardennes?

The Ardennes, situated in the south-east of Belgium, are one of nature's unspoilt areas, rich in fauna and flora

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

The Ardennes The Ardennes, situated in the southeast of Belgium, are one of nature's unspoilt areas, rich in fauna and flora, with vast forests of broadleaf and fir, hills and fast flowing rivers. Visitors can wander through the many picturesque villages nestling in the valleys where traditions and folklore still live on, and where the region's arts and crafts can be enjoyed.

Springtime in the Ardennes is the season for walking, cycling, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Horse riding, climbing and mountain biking are other examples of popular sports in the Ardennes. The keen mountaineer has an exciting choice of challenges. In winter, the Ardennes are a fun paradise for downhill and cross country skiers, or perhaps you prefer tobogganing and snow scooter racing. There is action, even underground. Some of the caves are certainly worth a visit.

Amid the greenery lie the silent witnesses of the past of the Ardennes, such as castles, forts and citadels. They come to life again during special events and displays where knights and their shield bearers turn the neighbourhood into a battlefield.

There are accommodation facilities to fit every budget. There is a choice of holiday cottages, shared accommodation, chalets and 'bed-and-breakfast' accommodation. Alternatively, why not spend the night in a beautifully restored castle.

The Belgian coast The coast's 65 kilometre long stretch of sandy coastline has 15 resorts, each with its own character and unique atmosphere. The sandy beaches are ideal for children. The beaches shelve gently out to sea, and life guards ensure everyone's safety. Sunbathers have found that they acquire a healthier tan here than in southern Europe, thanks to the iodine and salt in the air.

The Belgian coast offers a wide range of sport and recreation facilities.

Here you can hire a bicycle or a buggy, or go sailing or fishing. The wide beach is ideal for ball games, horse riding and beach surfing.

The summer months are the busiest period for the coast. However, other seasons have their own charms, even if sunbathing is not part of it. There are plenty of alternatives on the coast.

Close by, there is Bruges, one of Belgium's finest cities of art. A visit to this historic city is a must.

Cities of Art For a small country, Belgium has a remarkable number of cities of art: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Bergen, Liege, Ghent… Each of these cities has a lot in store for you and is a choice destination for a city trip.

Do you like the idea of coming face to face with the paintings of Rubens, Ensor or Van Eyck in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp? Or do you want to go straight to the Rubens House Museum? Alternatively, does a visit to the house of the Art Nouveau architect Victor Horta, in Brussels, have greater appeal? Perhaps you simply prefer to stroll

through the picturesque little streets of Bruges.

All cities of art in Belgium have sufficient diversity and quality 'in-house', to provide you with an agreeable stay.

What's more, this not only applies to museums and monuments. After a visit to the museum, the enjoyment of a delicious meal with a glass of wine or Belgian beer in one of the many restaurants is a must. When in Antwerp, you can take a trip afterwards in a horse-drawn carriage through the old city centre. In Bruges, a boat trip along the Bruges canals will undoubtedly go down well. In the Moules frites wth evening, you will then be ready for a rose and pastis dazzling cultural program or for a night out in the convivial surroundings of our pubs.

Families with children will find enough variety in between all these cultural activities to make a party of it for them too. After all, there will always be

The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated an event somewhere, like a festival or a colourful brass band passing by.

Brussels

Brussels Brussels is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Europe's must-see destinations, with its small town charm, trendy bars and restaurants, fabulous food, great nightlife, fantastic shopping, numerous museums, and other attractions including the diverse and interesting exhibitions and festivals organized there every year.

Brussels is also becoming known as a mecca of style, art, and design. While attracting more and more big names in international fashion to its growing shopping districts, home-grown Belgian designers are rapidly gaining global notoriety. The streets of Brussels feature art and architecture created from an unmistakably Belgian point of view that cannot be replicated. This beautiful city is a centre for fashion, art, and Belgian culture.

Brussels “must sees” are: the Grand Place, a unique mix of beautiful 17th century architecture and modern social life; Town Hall - this Gothic-style tower remains one of Belgium's finest civic buildings; the Royal Palace, a stunning palace in the heart of Brussels that is open for public visits; the infamous Manneken Pis statue serves as an symbol of the spirit and humour of Brussels; Coudenberg – archaeological remains of a prestigious palace dating back to the Middle Ages; the Royal Saint Hubert Galleries, home to lively cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques; Atomium - built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels, now the city's most popular attraction; Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula, beautiful Cathedral at the centre of Brussels; the Place du Grand Sablon – Classic European architecture, now houses high-class antiques stores, restaurants, and chocolate shops. ■ Sources: Belgium.be, VisitBelgium.com Antwerp

belgium | World Markets and Opportunities

company register AGRO-MIL STANKOVIC Dragan, Beheerder 37214 Pojate Tel:+ 381 37 805-000 info@agro-mil.co.rs www.agro-mil.co.rs ASSEMA d.o.o.

Director Goran Andric Miloja Pavlovica 9/9b 34000 Kragujevac Phone:+381 34 338006, office@assema-machines.com www.assema-machines.com ST JUDE MEDICAL BALKAN Damir Kofrc, Director Bulevar Mihaila Pupina 6 11000 Beograd Phone: +381 11 220 0311 http://www.sjm.com AGRICON Co. NINKOV Aleksandar, Manager Gagarinova 22 21 000 Novi Sad Tel:+ 381 21 443-762 agricon@agriconco.com www.agriconco.com AIDA-TRADE Ana Mladenović, Director Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 43, 11000 Beograd Tel: +381 11 3247 148 maderabg@eunet.rs www.maderarestoran.com APATINSKA PIVARA d.o.o.

Dragan Radivojević, Direktor Trg Oslobodjenja 5 25260 Apatin Phone : +381/25/783-111 Svetlana.vukelic@starbev.com , www.jelenpivo.com ARCHPLAN D.O.O Hellebuyck Jan Albert Regina, Director Bulevar Nikole Tesle 20/13 11080 Zemun Tel :+381 11 260-3882 jan.hellebuyck@archplan.rs jan.hellebuyck@gcb.rs AREX MARZIPAN d.o.o.

Nebojsa Misic, Director Njegoseva 77A 11000 Beograd Tel:+381 11 3449591, 344-9590 office@arex.rs; www.arex.rs ATLAS COPCO a.d.

ILIBASIC Predrag, Deputy General Manager Milutina Milankovica 23 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 220 16 40 Predrag.ilibasic@rs.atlascopco.com www.atlascopco.rs AXIS DESIGN MILANOVICMiodrag, General Manager Internacionalnih Brigada 54 11000 Beograd tel: +381 11 30 86 897 office@axis.rs; www.axis.rs BAD & EMS o.d.

Ademovć Mustafa, Ortak 29. Novembra br.30

36320 Tutin Phone :+ 381/20/383-944 BALGREEN d.o.o.

PAVLOVIC Anita, Manager Nehruova 210 11070 Beograd Mob:+381 637202644 info@balgreen.com www.balgreen.com BALKANDIA Geert Kerckhofs Dvadesetdevetog Novembra 1A Barajevo Phone :+ 381/11/83.25.415 info@balkandia.com BergHOFF d.o.o.

NIJEMCEVIC Radivoje, General Manager Neznanog junaka 14 11040 Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 36-70-524 rnijemcevic@berghoff-scg.com www.berghoffworldwide.com BIRO – MARKETING o.d.

Branislav Živković, vlasnik Trogirski trg br. 5 37000 Krusevac, Phone :+ 381/37/443342 info@biromarketing.com www.biromarketing.com BLOCKX doo BENKOVA Miluska, General Manager, Ciglanska bb 21470 Bački Petrovac Tel:+381 21 781-507, blockx@stcable.net info@blockx.be BOMARAN d.o.o.

Bojan Miladinović, Director Carli Caplina 39 (Hala Pionir) 11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/11/329-31-81 bomaran1@gmail.com BONIMEX S.A. Leeweg 22, 9270 Laarne Phone : +32/9/369-49-67 g.wylocke@bonimex.be , info@bonimex.be CALYPSO RM d.o.o.

Predrag Klisura, Director Slobodana Lale Berberskog 3B 11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/11/3975996 calypsorm@gmail.com City Magazine Roularta d.o.o.

Hendrik Maria J De Nolf, Predsednik UO, Kapetan Misina 8/3 11000 Belgrade Phone: +381/11/328-60-88 info@citymagazine.rs, www.citymagazine.rs DANUBE CONSULTING GROUP Stephane Stefanovic, Director Nusiceva 20/15 11000 Beograd Phone:+ 32/495222291 stephane@stefanovic.be DARISON d.o.o.

Darko Milosavljević, Director Vlajkoviceva 25/I

11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/63/447-445 dmilosavljevic@darison.rs DE VALK d.o.o. / EUROTEP d.o.o.

VALCKE Johan, General Manager, Aleksandra Petrić, Director Prvomajska 45, 26000 Pancevo Tel:+381 13 304-977 office@eurotep.rs www.devalk.co.rs DELHAIZE SERBIA Ioannis or John Kyritsis, Director, Jurija Gagarina 14 11070 Novi Beograd Phone: +381 11 7153 400 office@delhaize.rs http://www.delhaizegroup.com http://www.maxi.rs DUCO d.o.o. Živko Cvejin, Director Vojvođanska 15 / lokal 2 11070 Beograd Tel: + 381 11 217 62 82 info@duco.com http://www.duco.rs/ ELECTRAWINDS- S doo Kurt Derieuw, Director Vladimira Popovica 8 11070 Beograd Phone: +381 11 66 00 955 kurt.derieuw@electrawinds.be http://www.electrawinds.be ENERGO ZELENA Tamara Drecun Vasić, Director Železnička bb 22320 Inđija Phone: +381 22 800 450 office@energozelena.rs www.energozelena.rs GOVI BALKAN d.o.o.

Gavro Milinković, Director Katarine Ivanović 6/Gavrila Principa 5, 15000 Sabac Phone : +381/15/34-71-29 info@govi.com http://www.govi.com GUIDANCE a.d.

BAJIC Nebojsa, Director Brankova 7, 11000 Beograd Phone: + 381 11 2629 550 nbajic@guidance.rs kontakt@guidance.rs www.guidance.rs IBA Molecular Peter Leitner Chemin du Cyclotron, 31348 Louvain-la-Neuve Phone :+ 3210201230 Peter.leitner@iba-group.com , Info-cyclo@iba-group.com ICTTI-International Centre for Technology and Knowledge Transfer, Partnership and Innovation Dr Hugo van Veghel, Board member, chairman Narodnog Fronta 73a 51-52, 21000 Novi Sad Phone: +381 21 6364980 h.vanveghel@ictti.org http://ictti.org

World Markets and Opportunities | belgium

INOSTONE d.o.o.

GRUJIC Dejan, Director Vojvode Bogdana 38 11120 Beograd Tel:+381 11 2424436 inosyub@eunet.rs INOUTIC / DECEUNINCK Dragan Stevanović, Director Kruzni Put bb, Lestane 11309 Beograd Phone: +381/11/344-32-17 drast@beotel.net www.deceuninck.com http://www.inoutic.hr INPHARM CO. D.o.o.

Viljem Jovanovic, Director Cara Dusana 266 11080 Zemun Tel:+381 11 3073900 office@inpharm.rs www.inpharm.rs Milica.rakic@inpharm.rs IZOLACIJA a.d.

Aleš Slavec, predsednik UO, Biljana Simatović, Izvršni direktor, Kumodraska 257 11000 Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 3986615 biljana.simatovic@izolacija.rs izolacija@izolacija.rs www.izolacija.rs KBC BANKA a.d.

Avram MILENKOVIC, CEO Omladinskih brigada 90v, 11070 Beograd Tel:+381 11 30 50 300 office@kbcbanka.rs www.kbcbanka.rs Kenzai Group d.o.o.

Patrick Geeraert Žorža Klemansoa 19 (objekat “Carpetland”) 11000 Beograd Tel: +381 11 785 28 28 inf@kenzaigroup.com www.contractworld.rs www.carpetland.rs LEVER Inzenjering d.o.o.

Ljubiša Popović, Director Ustanicka 64/XVII, 11000 Beograd Phone: + 381/11/3089-354 www.firestonebpe.com , www.renolit.com www.soprema.be METECH d.o.o.

KNABE Walter, General Director Djura Salaja 17 11300 Smederevo Tel:+ 381 26 644800 office@metech-srbija.com www.metech-srbija.com www.metes.be MINEL-SCHREDER d.o.o.

VUCKOVIC Bratislav, General Manager Tosin bunar 51, 11080 Zemun Tel:+ 381 11 2614477 office@minel-schreder.rs www.minel-schreder.rs MONDI SERBIA d.o.o.

KRUNIC Goran, Director

Vrdila 211 A , 36000 Kraljevo Tel :+381 36 823-020 mondiserbia@eunet.rs, goran.krunic@mondiserbia.rs www.mondiserbia.rs PERISKAL d.o.o.

Milorad Smiljanić, Director Decanska 13/6, Bitoljska 14/1 11000, Beograd +381 11 23 91 360 Fax. +381 11 23 91 360 office@periskal.rs http://www.periskal.rs/ PLANTA SPONTANEA d.o.o.

Daniela Curbillon-Čonić Kralja Petra Prvog. bb 19220 Donji Milanovac Phone : +381/30/590-247 plantaspont@nadlanu.com POLY DEC d.o.o.

DJORDJEVIC Marina, Manager Pere Todorevica 15 11030 Beograd Tel:+381 11 305.94.23 office@polydec.rs www.polydec.rs PROFEX D d.o.o.

STEVANOVIC Dragan, Manager Koste Jovanovica 35 11000 Beograd Tel:+381 11 3910-907 profexd@eunet.rs PRVI PARTIZAN Dobrosav Andrić, Director Miloša Obrenovića 2 31000 Uzice Tel: +381 31 563 478 office @prvipartizan.com www.prvipartizan.com PURATOS d.o.o.

DJORDJEVIC Orfej, General Manager, Autoput za Zagreb 41 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+381 11 3171-250 office@puratos.rs www.puratos.co.rs RADIJATOR INZENJERING d.o.o.

Milan Janjić, Director Živojina Lazića Solunca br.6 36000 Kraljevo Phone:+ 381036399140 milan@radijator.rs radijator@tron-inter.net http://www.radijator.rs/ RAVAGO LAMBDA SR Nenad Đurić, Director Cara Dušana 207a 11080 Zemun Phone: +381 11 7151 250 n.djuric@ravago.rs http://www.ravago.rs/ RESINEX FAC d.o.o.

Masarikova 1 21000 Novi Sad Phone : +381 21 472 18 36 office@resinex-fac.rs http://resinex-fac.rs RESINEX SRBIJA Vladan Šotra, Director Cara Dušana 205a 11080 Zemun

Phone : +381 11 30 72 528, 589 v.sotra@resinex.rs , office@resinex.rs http://www.resinex.rs REYNAERS ALUMINIUM Sretenovic Sasa, General Manager, Milutina Milankovica 27 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 713 2177 sasa.sretenovic@reynaers.com www.reynaers.com SOCIETE MINIERE DE BELOGRADCHIK Bulgarie : Quartier Zdravets 35 – etage 2 3900 Belogradchik Phone : +359 888 969 196 Serbia- Resavica miniere@wautelet.net , j.c.rombeaux@skynet.be www.chasseautresorfrancophone-sofia.org STYLOS d.o.o.

Natalija Pavić, Director Futoski put 67 21000 Novi Sad Tel:+ 381 21 489-16-00 info@stylos.rs www.stylos.rs SUNCE MARINKOVIC d.o.o.

Ljubiša Marinković, Director Lepenicki bulevar 39 34000 Kragujevac Phone:+ 381/34/301-485 office@suncekg.rs www.suncemarinkovic.com SUPER CANDY d.o.o.

RISTIC Sandra, Director Bul. Zorana Djindjica 75 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+381 11 2120554 super.candy@sezampro.rs www.lachocolate.rs sandra.ristic@siol.net TARA INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING d.o.o Hugo A.M. van Veghel, Director Narodnog Fronta 73A/51-52 21000 Novi Sad Mob:+ 381 60 525 00 20 Tel:+ 381 21 63 666 12 info@tara-internationalconsulting.eu h.vanveghel@taraic.eu www.taraic.eu TAVROS d.o.o.

CANAK Jovan, General Manager, Milutina Milankovica 76 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 318.06.40 Fax :+381 11 318.82.79 tavros@eunet.rs www.tavros.com TERMOVENT KOMERC PEROVIC Dusan, Director Suboticka 23, 11000 Beograd Tel: +381 11 3087 966 info@termovent.rs www.termovent.rs TRIVAX VV d.o.o.

Gordana Filipović, Director Trice Kaclerovica 24a 11000 Beograd

Phone :+ 381/11/246-3149 Katarina.trikic@trivax.com ULTRAPOLYMERS d.o.o.

Milan Janković, Director Antifašističke borbe 25 11070 Novi Beograd Phone :+ 381112122 035 jelena.stefanovic@ultrapolymers.co.rs http://www.ultrapolymersgroup.com/ URADI SAM d.o.o.

Niko Matthijas, Director Djordja Stanojevica 35 11070 Novi Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 22 84 686 info@uradi-sam.rs www.uradi-sam.rs VIRMAX d.o.o Vladimir Brkić, Director Miloša Ćosića 18 32000 Čačak Phone: +381 32 222 601 Vladimir.brkic@virmax.rs office@virmax.rs http://www.virmax.rs/ VIZZION EUROPE SA Georges Chebib, JOVICIC Rasko Diplomatska kolonija 22 11000 Beograd Tel:+ 381 11 3676.502 rasko.jovicic@vizzion-europe.com www.vizzion-europe.com PREDSTAVNIŠTVO VIZZION EUROPE Sefik Birkiye, Director Šekspirova 15 11000 Beograd Phone:+ 381/11/3941062 mail@vizzion-europe.com www.vizzion-europe.com WILHELM & Co. Ul.Koste Glavinica 9/5 11000 Belgrade Phone :+ 381 649427791 www.wilhelmandco.be WINDVISION OPERATIONS doo Johan Wilfried Theo Vos, Danilo Drndarski Obilićev venac 18-20 11000 Beograd Phone:+ 381/11/328.35.27 Danilo.drndarski@windvision.com http://www.windvision.com X POINT Miodrag Milanović, Director Internacionalnih brigada 54 11000 Beograd Phone :+ 381/11/30 86 897 office@xpoint.rs misa.milanovic@xpoint.rs YUBE d.o.o.

Bjorn Bart Schuermans, Jadranka Stojanović Brace Micica 66 31210 Pozega Tel :+381 31 823-043 Fax :381 31 812-825 j.stojanovic@dirafrost.be www.dirafrost.be

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Exclusive distributor for Serbia: MEDACOM DOO Tel. 018/200-252; www.berghoff.rs

tourism Season 2013/2014: Prepare for a Long and Cold winter

Where to Ski?

When you are planning a ski vacation it is important to choose the right ski resort, to get the best deals on lodging and lift tickets, and, most of all, to find the best skiing. Here is some information on several skiing options and vacation packages for both the region and Europe. In many ski resorts, the season starts in November, so it is the right time to start planning and find the best solution for you, your friends and family.

Zlatibor, Serbia

Level: Beginner and Intermediate Prices: Accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €30.00. Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €56.00

The Tornik ski centre is located at an altitude from 1,110 to 1,490 meters, with the highest lifts and ski slopes at 1,400 meters. The ski centre is only 9 km from the tourist centre of Zlatibor. The total ski lift capacity is about 5,400 skiers per hour. Four ski slopes - Čigota, Tornik, Ribnica and Zmajevac (for a total of 8 km) are covered by snow cannons ensuring artificial snow, making ski resort no longer dependent on the weather.

St. Anton, Austria Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Hotel accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €80.00; Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €198 - €208

The Austrian ski resort, St Anton, sits at an altitude of 1304 metres in the Tyrolean region of the Austrian Alps. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 2811 meters, the St Anton ski area is snow-sure. Over 418 snow cannons ensure artificial St Anton snow, covering 102 km of ski trails, which is around 53 of the ski slopes. The nearest airport transfer to St Anton is Munich, at a distance of 250 km or approximately 180 minutes driving time. The St Anton ski season runs from December to May.

Chamonix, France Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €85.00.

Ski Pass Prices (adult 6 days) €200 - €240

The renowned French ski resort of Chamonix lies at 1035 metres in altitude in the Haute Savoie region of the French Alps. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 3842 meters, the Chamonix ski area is snow-sure. Over 96 snow cannons ensure artificial snow over 23 km of ski trails, or around 15 of the ski slopes at Chamonix. The nearest airport transfer to Chamonix is Geneva at a distance of 88km or approximately 80 minutes driving time. The ski season runs from December to May. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 75

Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Hotel accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €80.00. Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €167 - €208

Cortina is found at 1224 metres altitude in the Veneto region of the Italian Dolomites.

With its highest lifts and ski slopes at 2939 meters, the ski area is snow-sure. Snow cannons ensure artificial snow making over 75 km of ski trails, which equals around 95 of the ski slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Cortina is Venice at a distance of 160 km or approximately 120 minutes driving time.

The Cortina ski season runs from November to April. There are over 600 hotels in or near Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Verbier, Switzerland Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Hotel accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €140.00.

Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €260

Verbier is at 1500 metres altitude in the Valais region of the Swiss Alps. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 3330 meters, Verbier ski area is fully snow-sure. Over 50 snow cannons ensure artificial cover on 4.2 km of ski trails, or around 40 of the ski slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Verbier is Geneva at a distance of 161 km or approximately 172 minutes driving time. The Verbier ski season runs from November to April.

Kranjska Gora, Slovenia Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €45.00.

Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €147

Kranjska Gora lies at an altitude of 810 metres in the Gorenjska region of the Slovenian Julian Alps. With the highest lifts and ski slopes at 1623 meters, the Kranjska Gora ski area is not snow sure. Snow cannons ensure artificial snow at Kranjska Gora over 9 km of ski trails, covering around 75 of the ski slopes. The nearest airport transfer to Kranjska Gora is Ljubliana at a distance of 60km or approximately 90 minutes driving time. The ski season runs from December to April.

76 |

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Popova Šapka, Macedonia Level: Beginners and Advanced

Prices: Accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €17.00; Ski Pass (adult 1 day) €9.00

Popova Šapka is the most famous ski resort in Macedonia and is located in Šar Planina at an altitude of 1700 meters.

18 kilometres away from town of Tetovo and 53 km from the Macedonian capital, Skoplja. The highest peaks are over 2500 meters. The ski centre has ski lifts with the total length of 6,070 metres, with a capacity of 4,000 skiers per hour.

Popova Šapka has a large number of sunny days during the skiing season. The nearest airport transfer to Popova Šapka is Skopje at a distance of 60km.

Jahorina, Bosnia & Herzegovina Level: Beginner to Expert

Prices: Accommodation (double-twin rooms) from €15.00.

Ski Pass (adult 6 days) €60.00

The Olympic downhill ski centre of Jahorina, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is just 28 km from Sarajevo. The main road leads from Sarajevo to the top of Jahorina ski resorts with over 20 kilometre-long ski runs, with four ski-lifts and four two-seaters. There is also night skiing. The nearest airport transfer to Jahorina is Sarajevo at a distance of 17 km or approximately 20 minutes driving time. The Jahorina ski season runs from December to April.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 77

culture calendar CONCERTS Natalie Cole Kombank Arena November 5, @ 20.00 Natalie Cole, winner of multiple Grammy awards and daughter of legendary jazz and pop musician Nat King Cole, will perform at Kombank Arena on November 5.

Natalie Cole started her musical career back in early 1970s as a soul artist and became successful in the 1980s thanks to her pop-orientated rhythm & blues songs. From the 1990s through to 2010, she followed in the footsteps of her famous father by choosing traditional pop as her foundation. In the period from 1976 to 2009, she won a total of nine Grammy Awards, including the Best R&B Performer (for “This Will Be”, 1976), Album of the Year (Unforgettable...

With Love, 1992), and Best Traditional Vocal Pop Album (Still Unforgettable, 2009).

Olivera Katarina Sava Center November7, @ 20.00 Olivera played in over thirty films and collaborated with the most reputable film authors like Thomas Schamoni, Mića Popović, Saša

Petrović, Đorđe Kadijeć, and Arne Mattsson, to mention a few.

After decades of shunning both media and films, Olivera’s comeback to the silver screen was in Uroš Stojanović’s film “Charleston For Ognjenka”.

Olivera also played at the Belgrade National Theatre (in ‘Koštana’, ‘Infanta’, ‘Master Hanuš’, ‘Nikola Tesla’), as well as in several dramas (‘Jelena Gavanska’, ‘Four Women’).

Vasil Hadžimanov Bend Madlenianum November 12, @ 19.30 Vasil Hadžimanov and his band are going to perform on November 12, at 7:30 pm, celebrating the 15th anniversary of the band and recording their first ever live DVD.

By combining the traditional Balkan folk rhythm and melodies with contemporary Western music genres, Vasil and his band have made jazz popular and accessible in the Balkans, while, at same time, have introduced the warm and temperamental sounds of the Balkans to the world.

To mark 15 years of his musical career, Vasil has decided to hold a big concert at the main hall of the Madlenianum Theatre.

Zvonko Bogdan Sava Center November 24, @ 20.30 The legend of the Pannonian chanson Zvonko Bogdan is celebrating 45 years of his career as a recording artist and musical author with a concert titled “Every Night I Sing to You” which is going to be held at the Sava Centre, in

Claudio Arimany Guarnerius November 29, @ 20.00 Flautist Claudio Arimany is one of the most reputable Spanish artists, and an award-winning musician with a successful global career and discography, including CDs Arimany recorded for Sony Classical, Novalis and Delos Int. He has performed at the prestigious concert venues across the globe to wonderful reviews.

Legendary French flautist JeanPierre Rampal says that Arimany is one of the best flautists of his generation, while the critics speak highly of his performances.

“He is one of the few virtuosos who put technique in the service 78 |

of musicality and sensitivity. There are only a few artists that can do that. I am looking forward to each performance with Arimany” - J P. Rampal said.

Programme: Mozart’s Flute Quartets Patron: Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Rundek Cargo Trio Sava Center November 17, @ 20.30

On November 17, the Rundek Cargo Trio is going to hold a rather unusual concert in Belgrade, on the autumn leg of its Serbian tour.

During the concert, audiences will join Rundek and his band on the stage of the Sava Centre.

“Unlike those concerts where the audiences are so far away in huge major venues like this one, and where we, standing on a wide darkened stage, feel like we are in an apartment that is way too big, this time around, we are going to bring the audience to us, fill up this huge apartment with friends and have a terrific party,” Darko Rundek explains.

During the Serbian leg of his tour, guitarist and singer Darko Rundek, violinist Isabel and multi-instrumentalist Dušan Duco Vranić are also going to play at Novi Sad’s Quarter on November 15, the Bečej Theatre on November 16, Arena Fun Factory in Kragujevac on November 22, Dom Belgrade, on November 24.

This celebratory concert is named after his song “Every Night I Sing to You” which appeared on Zvonko’s first ever LP on which he was accompanied by the legendary Janika Balasz String Orchestra, and which was released on December 3, 1968 for Jugoton label.

The LP marks the very beginning of Zvonko Bogdan’s career as a recording artist. During his fruitful career, he recorded not only his own songs, but unique covers of the most popular folk songs.

CLASSICAL MUSIC Evgenia Basalaeva Guarnerius November 3, @ 20.00 Critics agree that pianist Evgenia Basalaeva has a very unique musical style; she is exceptionally

Omladine in Pančevo on November 23, and the Culture Centre in Užice on November 24.

Guitar player, singer, musical author and lead singer of the musical group Haustor from Zagreb, Darko Rundek has a string of incredibly influential albums behind him (like ‘The Third World’, 1983). He went solo in the 1990s and, since then, has released many momentous albums like ‘Apokalipso’ (1997), ‘In the Big Wide World’ (2000), ‘Hands’ (2002), on which he was accompanied by a huge band called Cargo Orchestra, and ‘Mhm a-ha oh yeah da-da’(2006).

Wanting to embark on a new stage in his career, Rundek, Isabel and Duco left Cargo Orchestra and formed a new musical adventure called Cargo Trio which released its first album called ‘Blue Airplane’ in 2010.

impressive and has a special way of communicating with audiences while being successful at interpreting music from various eras. Basalaeva is the recipient of many prestigious awards, she is the Art Director of the Kiev Chamber Orchestra ‘Kontrasts’, a soloist in the State Chamber Orchestra ‘Kiev Soloists’, the Chairwoman of the Kiev Classic Art Foundation, and a member of jury at reputable international music contests in Russia.

Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra Kolarac November 8, @ 20.00 Bizarrte Conductor: Oleg Ceatani Soloists: Sarina Shang, violoncello and piano Programme: Schubert, Liszt, Stravinsky, SaintSaëns, Ravel; Production: Belgrade Philharmonic

culture news Gala Concert – Jovan Kolundžija & Gudači Sv. Đorđa Guarnerius November 13, @ 20.00 This year, the traditional encounter between maestro Kolundžija and Belgrade audiences will happen at Kolarac, with the performances from our celebrated violinist Jovan Kolundžija and chamber orchestra Gudači Sv. Đorđa (Saint George’s Strings) in an attractive amalgamation of classical and film music.

traditional annual gala concert at the Central Hall of the Sava Centre under the title ‘Lola -69 Years with You’. As always, the performers will demonstrate their superior artistic skills and provide unforgettable moments by dancing, singing, acting, playing music and emanating love. Once more, Ivo Lola Ribar is going to validate the value of their artistic work and meet the expectations of all past and future company members.

OTHER

In addition to the most beautiful classical pieces composed by Bach, Kreisler, Saint-Saëns, Massenet and Sarasate, for the first time ever, maestro Kolundžija is going to perform the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone.

Patron: Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information

Taiko Drums Kolarac November 7, @ 18.00 For centuries, great Japanese drums called Taiko have been present in everyday lives and religious ceremonies of the Japanese. In Shinto, the oldest religion in Japan, Taiko were used to call on ancestral deities. The beats of Taiko drums brought men closer to higher powers in nature and vice versa. Gods and spirits were awakened and appeased by the sounds of Taiko drums in order to fulfil fertility, harvest and health prayers.

58th Belgrade Book Fair Sajam, October 20 to 27

The International Book Fair in Belgrade is one of the oldest and most important literary events in the region.

Nearly every publisher from Serbia and the most reputable publishers from the region gather at the Fair to present their annual production.

In parallel with the exhibition portion of the Fair, there is a lively programme in the form of conferences, roundtable discussions, meetings with authors, public debates and workshops.

For literature fans, the Book Fair presents a unique opportunity to find in one place and buy at special discounted prices all the books

they've wanted to buy all year, as well as to meet their favourite authors, discover new ones and participate in one of the many programmes at the Fair.

The Book Fair is the most popular cultural event in Serbia. In 2012, a total of 150,798 people visited the Fair.

This year, 501 publishers exhibited at the Fair, which is an increase from the last year's 481.

The Fair held a charity event by collecting books for libraries in Serbia this year too with a total of 2,000 books collected.

DANCE AKUD ‘Ivo Lola Ribar’ Sava Centre November 16, @ 20.00 As the biggest ensemble of its kind, with over 1,000 members, Academic Cultural and Artistic Company Ivo Lola Ribar has been carefully fostering Serbian national artistic tradition and customs in folklore, orchestral music (folk, string and chamber), chorus music and theatre for seven decades now.

This year, Ivo Lola Ribar is going to hold its

French Embassy in Belgrade

During the age of the Samurai, Taiko drums were used to boost soldier morale and courage.

At the royal courts, the drums were used in No and Kabuki theatres. In Buddhism, the sound of the Taiko drums is the sound of Buddha’s voice.

Today, there are thousands of Taiko ensembles in Japan with some fostering the traditional style of drumming, while others have been succumbing to the influences of Western music or ethnic music of other cultures.

Ljiljana Bulić will present Taiko drums at Kolarac. Admission is free. For more information visit http://taiko-srbija.rs

Swiss Music Days Dom Omladine, October 18 and 19 The contemporary Swiss music festival – the Days of Swiss Music – took place in Belgrade from October 13 to 19. A portion of the programme was held at Dom Omladine on October 18 and 19. Since 2000, Belgrade audiences have been able to enjoy improvisation and experimental Swiss music every year mainly via the Ring Ring Festival, and, in Southeast Europe, through projects like Jonas Kocher’s Swiss-Balkan Creative Music.

Festival visitors heard a wide array of inventive and radical compositions

from the Swiss music scene.

Collaboration and meetings between Swiss and local Serbian musicians also took place during the Festival, as a reflection of the dynamic experimental scene in Belgrade.

Kolarac, October 15 The French Institute and the French Embassy in Serbia presented a book entitled “The French Embassy in Belgrade”, written by Emmanuel Bréon and Stanislav Sretenović, and published by Editions Internationales du

Patrimoine from Paris (2013).

“In 1935, a new French diplomatic mission in Belgrade was established at the location of one of the most beautiful panoramic views in Europe. In addition to the French Embassy’s representing a refined and elegant masterpiece of the Art Deco period, it also symbolized the development of French-Serbian relations between the two world wars. The book talks about many architectural, artistic, and historical values of this building which still catches the eye of Belgrade citizens and its visitors.”

Participants: Stanislav Sretenović, historian and the book’s co-author, Aleksandar Kadijević, art historian, and H.E. Mr. FrançoisXavierDeniau, French Ambassador to Serbia.

29th Belgrade Jazz Festival Dom Omladine / Sava Center, October 24 to 28 The 29th Belgrade Jazz Festival took place at Dom Omladine and Sava Centre in Belgrade cordeditorial@cma.rs |

from October 24 to 28. The title of this year’s festival was – “All the Faces of Jazz – the Giants of the Contemporary Jazz Scene.”

Audiences were treated to over fifteen concerts of the most popular jazz musicians from the US, Europe and Serbia. After the official opening ceremony, all of the concerts moved to the venues of Dom Omladine Belgrade.

Some of the figures of the contemporary jazz scene took part in this year’s Festival like the Vijay Iyer Trio, and legendary saxophonist Lee Konitz, one of the last heroes of the 1950s golden age of jazz, and, together with Miles Davis and Lennie Tristano, one of the founding fathers of cool jazz.

European contemporary jazz was profiled too, like the music by Swedish cellist Lars Danielsson which is a cross between the Scandinavian and Eastern folklore, on one side, and jazz and classical music, on the other. There was also a performance by pianist Yaron Herman,

an old acquaintance of Belgrade jazz audience.

Another special performance was by Ronin, the Swiss “zen-funk” quartet, led by pianist Nik Bärtsch, which is known for variations of repetitive motifs in a ritual grooves ambiance and a mix of jazz funk, modern classical and Japanese ritual music.

109 November 2013 | 79

chill out

Dog ate money - U.S. Treasury paid up

Camel meat in top Golf restaurants

A Montana man who pieced together the remnants of five $100 bills eaten by his one-eyed dog last year is sporting a $500 check he says he received this week from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to replace the digested funds.

Wayne Klinkel said his dog Sundance, a golden retriever, sniffed the wad of bills out of a car cubby space while waiting for Klinkel and his wife to return from lunch, and the canine made the currency his lunch.

Klinkel, a graphic designer from Helena, Montana, who works for the local newspaper, the Independent Record, said he found Sundance had left nothing uneaten but one intact dollar bill and a small piece of a single $100 note. "He's been notorious for eating paper products," Klinkel said about Sundance. "I knew right away what had happened."

From camel carpaccio to camel bourguignon and gold-leaf burger, the meat offered traditionally at big festivities of bedouins has become a fancy ingredient in the Gulf’s prestigious restaurants.

Under the golden dome of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace, which bills itself as a sevenstar hotel, French chef Sandro Gamba proudly presents his latest: a camel burger bedded in gold-leaf bread, served with onion jam and smoked halloumi cheese.

On the side, the traditional french fries have been replaced by fried hummus fingers.

This dish, priced at around €37, has become “one of our best sellers,” boasts Gamba, the hotel’s master chef who oversees its 15 restaurants.

British pilots admit to falling asleep in cockpit Spanish shepherds guide 2,000 sheep through Madrid

More than half of British airline pilots say they have fallen asleep in the cockpit, a survey said, ahead of an EU vote on flying hours which a pilots’ association said could compromise flight safety.

According to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA), 56 percent of 500 commercial pilots admitted to being asleep while on the flight deck and, of those, nearly one in three said they had woken up to find their co-pilot also asleep.

Pilot exhaustion grabbed the headlines this week when a newspaper reported two pilots on a British long-haul flight fell asleep in the cockpit, leaving the packed jet travelling unsupervised on autopilot.

The survey, released by BALPA, came ahead of a vote in the European Parliament beginning last month on new rules which could replace British regulations.

Source: Reuters

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Shepherds led a flock of 2,000 sheep through Madrid on October 6 in defense of ancient grazing, droving and migration rights increasingly threatened by urban sprawl and modern agricultural practices.

Tourists were surprised to see downtown traffic cut to permit the ovine parade to bleat — bells clanking — across some of Madrid’s most upmarket urban settings.

Since at least 1273, shepherds have had the right to use droving routes that wind across land that was once open fields and woodland before Madrid mushroomed to the great metropolis it is today.

Every year, a handful of shepherds defend that right in Spain’s capital city.

Following an age-old tradition, they paid 25 maravedis — coins first minted in the Source AP 11th century — to city hall officials to use the crossing.

Undercover homeless tours A homeless Seattle man is offering tours of the homeless lifestyle for a price few can afford. Mike Momany says that for $2,000, you will get the opportunity live undercover as a homeless person in his city for three days with a tour guide.

“You will gain a new respect for the folks that find themselves in this predicament,” his company, Real View Tours, says of its Course in Applied Homelessness, on its site. “It’s to bring an experience to people they can’t get very easily,” Momany told the paper . “It’s really not to make money.”

Momany says he will first transform a customer’s “look and persona into an anonymous homeless person” and take them to “favoured homeless spots” before checking into the hostel he stays in.

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Glasses translate menu as you read Japanese firm NTT Docomo has unveiled its latest development where cameras, computers and know-how combine to give the wearer a whole different view of what they are looking at. One function of the gizmo overlays the wearer’s first language onto unfamiliar text, making signs and menus instantly understandable - a boon to travellers in Japan, where foreign-language menus are not commonly found off the tourist trail.

Another application turns any flat surface into a touch screen, with a finger ring relaying positioning information to the device that lets wearers touch tags that only they can see, perhaps to perform an internet search.

Other uses include facial recognition that is intended to look up someone’s identity - and job title - from a smartphone’s directory.

Source AAP

Hungarian students hold naked protest Around 10 students and a professor at Kaposvar University in southwest Hungary attended classes on October 4 only in pants, or, in some cases, nothing more than strategically placed textbooks, in protest at the draconian new rules.

The naked protest is in response to a letter written by the university’s rector to students imposing a conservative dress code, meaning dark suits and shoes for men, and jackets, blouses and trousers or long skirts for women.

“From October 1, there is also no place in the university for mini-skirts, flip-flops, heavy make-up, inappropriate fashion accessories, or unkempt fingernails and hair,” the letter read.

Lighter clothing is apparently still allowed during warm summer days - in Hungary temperatures can often reach 30 degrees or more - which gave the students the idea for their protest.

Olympic pools of beer drunk at Oktoberfest

World Stone Skimming Championships A tiny Scots island was invaded by nearly 1000 visitors as it hosted the World Stone Skimming Championships.

More than 300 competitors and 600 spectators from across the world joined 60 residents on the Inner Hebrides island of Easdale for the event.

Each competitor was allowed three skims using Easdale slate stones.

Despite fierce competition from players who had travelled from Russia, Japan and the US, it was Dougie Isaacs, from Blairgowrie, Perthshire, who lifted the silverware.

Germany has wrapped up its world-famous Oktoberfest beer festival, reporting that 6.4 million visitors drank 6.7 million litre-sized Mass glasses of beer over 16 days - more than twice the volume of an Olympic swimming pool.

The 180th edition of the Munich celebration of beer, lederhosen, dirndl dresses and oompah music wound up and was “extremely relaxed, folk festival fun for every taste”, said its organiser Dieter Reiter.

In festival kitchens, 114 oxen and 58 calves fell victim to the appetite of revellers who also washed down with frothy beer other traditional foods like giant pretzels, pork and dumplings. The number of visitors who needed medical attention fell 20 per cent to 7551, said the Red Cross, including 638 cases of alcohol poisoning and many people who suffered cuts from broken glass.

Police said they were called out 2031 times, exactly the same number as the previous year, including for 58 beer-fuelled brawls, almost 450 cases of assault and over 500 cases of pickpocketing.

Beer festival guests lost 4200 personal items, including more than 1000 passports or ID cards, 520 wallets, 400 sets of keys, 50 cameras, two wedding rings and one Segway personal transporter.

Brazilian family keep seven tigers as pets A Brazilian family has shown their love for tigers by adopting seven of the massive cats as family pets.

Devoted Ary Borges (43) showed his dedication to saving endangered tigers - by moving SEVEN into his house.

The dad-of-three rescued two tigers from a circus eight years ago and built a sanctuary in his garden. Now the family live, eat, and even swim with the giant man-eaters in their backyard pool in Maringa, near Sao Paulo, Brazil.

And shockingly Ary lets his two-year-old grand-daughter, Rayara, ride on the back of the fully-grown big cats.

They even allow them into their kitchen during mealtime and let them lounge around the house.

Ary began to breed tigers at his property to secure their survival. He hoped to boost their numbers to counteract the worldwide decimation of the species, and one day release captive tigers back into the wild. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 81

corporate

Lenovo

amazing features Building on Lenovo’s rich history of technological breakthroughs, Lenovo is investing more than ever in innovation that differentiates our products and that sets the standard for quality, reliability, style and speed. Serbia was the first market in Europe where, in October 2013, Lenovo launched flagship new smartphone K900 along with S820, A390 and P780 smartphones. New phones are available at WinWin shops and through MTS network provider. www.lenovo.com/rs/sr/ www.facebook.com/Lenovo.Srbija lenovosrbija@lenovo.com

Lenovo A390

1/2

best choice

recommended by

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The power of dual core processing means a customer won't be waiting for applications to open or images to appear. Better multitasking means a smoother and faster smartphone experience. Android™ 4.0 enables easy multitasking, rich notifications, customizable home screens, resizable widgets and deep interactivity. A390's 3G network to create a onthe-go WiFi network for your other devices like laptops & tablets. With a 5M Camera, clear, hires photos and video with the will be captured.

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Lenovo P780 Lenovo P780 mobile phone quad core processor enables better multitasking, delivers a smoother Android experience and eliminates stutter when playing games or HD video on your smartphone. A full function smartphone has never had battery life like this with its huge 4000 mAh battery delivering up to 25 hours on 3G, 43 hours' on 2G, and up to 20 days' active standby. A user will enjoy an amazing viewing experience with the Lenovo P780 mobile phone's 1280 x 720 HD resolution 5" IPS display with 294 PPI. An 8M auto-focus camera has a LED flash. The 720p front camera also makes video conferencing possible when a user is on the go.

Lenovo K 900 The K900 is a premium smart phone with a super-slim profile whose look and feel make it a must-have for those who want to be seen with their smart phones. A unique blend of design and performance, the K900 sports a 5.5-inch IPS screen, one of the best camera arrays available in class and a super slim 6.9mm profile, all running on an Intel® Atom processor.

The K900’s camera stands out as one of the smartphone’s most distinguished features and with 13MP, the K900 ranks at the top of its class in this aspect and combines this with an industry-leading, Sony® Exmor BSI sensor for what would already be considered outstanding performance.

Lenovo S820 The S820's quad core processor enables better multitasking, delivers a smoother Android experience and eliminates stutter when playing games or HD video. The customers will enjoy an amazing viewing experience with the S820's 1280 x 720 HD resolution display. The 178° viewing angle means that photos can be seen by a group of friends easily. Lenovo S820 features a 12M autofocus camera with LED flash. The 2.0M front camera also makes video chat easy and fun for you and your friends.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 83

corporate

Lenovo S6000

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Ultrabook ThinkPad Helix is an 11.6" detachable tablet laptop hybrid, which combines a Intel inspired Ultrabook™ with the mobility of a tablet. The system is powered by a dual-core 2.0GHz Intel Core i7-3667U processor. It also has 8GB of 1333MHz DDR3L RAM, a 256GB solid state drive, a front 2.0-megapixel camera, a rear 5.0-megapixel camera, NFC, 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, an integrated digital microphone and built-in stereo speakers with Dolby Home Theater v4 technology. The screen has in-plane switching (IPS) technology, a wide 178° viewing angle, LED backlighting, a 16:9 aspect ratio and a Full HD 1920 x 1080 native resolution powered by integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000.

As tablets have continued their march into the mainstream, increasing demands with regards to larger screen devices has raised the bar for tablet makers. Lenovo has responded with the S6000, a sleek and powerful option for customers looking for a device that switches seamlessly from entertainment to social media and beyond. Powered by the MTK 8389/8125 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, the S6000 shines as a multimedia and gaming tablet fronted by a 10” IPS 1280X800 display with a wide, 178-degree viewing angle, micro HDMI port and digital microphone. The S6000 also offers a number of additions to optimize its performance as a connectivity tool for social networkers including optional HSPA+ and a substantial battery that allows for 8+ hours of continuous WiFi web browsing. Even with these specifications though, the S6000 does not lose track of style and convenience; it is all tied together in a super slim (8.6mm) and light (560g) frame that feels good and helps you look good.

Lenovo Miix

2/2

best choice

recommended by

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109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Lenovo Miix is a platform-bending multi-mode device that adapts to a user’s every need. The latest entry to Lenovo’s rapidly expanding range of multimode PC innovations, the Lenovo Miix is a 10.1-inch Windows 8 tablet with a PC processor, perfect for entertainment and productivity on the go. Sporting a “quick-flip” detachable folio case with an integrated AccuType keyboard, the Lenovo Miix instantly switches between PC mode and tablet mode to quickly adapt to user’s needs. The Lenovo Miix display has a 10.1-inch HD (1366x768) IPS display that is accessible in both laptop and tablet mode.

The device runs on an Intel Atom dual core processor and comes with 64GB of built-in eMMC storage, expandable up to 32GB with a micro-SD slot.

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Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2 The ThinkPad Tablet 2 is a truly practical business solution, weighing only 565 grams and lasting more than 10 hours on a single charge. Vibrant, wide-view 10.1" IPS display with five-finger multitouch technology seamlessly integrates with Windows 8 and allows more precise control as well as a vivid and immersive viewing experience.

2MP front-facing webcam for crystal-clear video conferencing is supported by dual-array digital microphones with noise cancellation and VoIP. Tablet has 8MP rear-facing camera with LED flash and 30 fps video recording.

Lenovo ThinkPad T440 Ultrabook The ThinkPad T440 Ultrabook starting at 4 lbs and with a 21 mm profile at its thickest point, is mobile as well as powerful. 4th generation Intel® Core™ processors deliver the performance to increase productivity for your business. Devices turn on in an instant and are always up-to-date. You can multitask quickly and move effortlessly between applications, collaborate wirelessly in a high quality videoconference — all with the convenience of longer battery life. The device has Integrated 720p HD webcam which provides crystal clear video, face tracking and keystroke noise suppression technology that will help you web conference or chat like you're really there. Dual digital array microphones ensure a premium audio experience.

Lenovo A1000 The A1000 delivers an audio experience normally reserved for more expensive tablets in a 7” device.

With Dolby Digital Plus integrated into the device and large, front-facing speakers that ensure the sound is directed at your ears rather than the floor, the A1000 is perfect for music lovers and those seeking a “pocket studio” for either music or movies.

The A1000 runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1 on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor and has on-board storage of up to 16GB, extendable to 32GB with a microSD slot, so you can load your content up and take it with you to the gym, the office or anywhere you want to experience high-quality sights and sounds.

It also comes in either black or white, allowing you to customize your pocket studio to your lifestyle.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 85

fashion

The latest trends

Leather, Men’s style, Minimalism and Retro

The fashion world is changing rapidly and every season greets us with new trends in clothes and jewelry. For anyone who wants to meet the fashion, it is important to keep abreast of the latest innovations to always look perfect.

For the upcoming fall-winter 201314 season you should consider combination of few latest trends that will help you to look trendy in all circumstances.

price:

€265

Black leather

Any of various skin colors, whether matte or patent in the new season is quite popular, but the championship still belongs to the black skin. Fashion experts advise to ‘dilute’ clothes in black leather with small splashes of color and accessories, in order to avoid the gloom.

price:

€395

Michael Kors leather jacket Infuse your daily look with urban attitude in this motorcycle-style Michael Kors leather jacket, finished with knit sides for a contemporary mixed-media twist.

Alexander McQueen Silk Modal Scarf The grand ornament and floral design to centre with lattice print background adds excitement to even the most casual look.

price: price:

€370

Lauren Ralph Lauren Wool Houndstooth Cape This luxurious wool-blend cape features a classic houndstooth pattern and sleek leather buckles and trim.

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€810 Ducka Q Nelo’ Sleeveless Leather Dress An intricately quilted pattern at the back brings beautiful dimension to a buttery-soft leather dress cut in a short, fitted silhouette.

price:

€1,510 Road Not Taken’ Blazer Skinny silk lapels and a minimalist-inspired cut lend ultra-modern style to refined single-button blazer. price:

€255

Men’s style

Men’s Clothing, slowly but surely goes to the women’s dressing room. Perhaps this is due to the social changes taking place today with the modern women, with their position and gender equality with men, but the designers explain everything much simpler: the woman in men’s clothing looks fragile, helpless, utterly feminine and devilishly charming.

Leopard Print Sweater A muted leopard print lends a perfect touch of pattern to a fine silk-andcashmere pullover styled with raglan sleeves.

€560

Knit Pencil Dress Monochromatic yarns reinforce the chic minimalism of a knit short-sleeve dress that softly hugs the figure.

price:

€195

Baylee - Small’ Shoulder Bag Color-blocked handles accentuate the simple, practical, and chic silhouette of a perfect day bag. Polished gold tone zips linked by an iconic Chloé chain bracelet complement the slouchy softness of supple leather.

The Kooples Coat, Shirt & Jeans Leather lapels refine a black-and-white tweed coat boasting a roomy, menswear-inspired shape and doublebreasted price: closure.

price: price:

€120

€660

‘Striper’ Round Nylon Strap Watch Durable steel encases a razorsiped, three-hand dial for modern minimalism. A date display and NATO-style watch strap enhance the practical design.

Minimalism

Just three years ago, minimalism was one of the most important areas. And now he is back to his place of honor.

Concise, and simple things – that’s a choice of designers.

The absence of fringe ryush, contrasting fabrics, buttons and buckles at least, as they say, simply and tastefully.

Lisa Perry T Square Dress Contrast stripes draw clean lines across the bodice of a mod Lisa Perry shift dress.

On-seam hip pockets and scoop neckline. price:

€735

price:

€665 Leather logo tote This graphic carryall is the perfect bag to tote your stuff around. Finished with multiple interior pockets for all your belongings. price:

€70

Retro

Retro in the new season will be truly a popular trend. Looking through the collection we noticed that somewhere we’ve already seen something like that, maybe in our grandmother’s trunk.

Trouvé Mixed Media Cardigan Feathery mixed-yarn front panels nuance a soft two-tone cardigan framed by a supple faux-leather placket. cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 87

fashion

Top Trends Autumn/Winter 2013/2014

Create Your Own Style

This season the safest colour is grey, from head-to-toe. It’s a little risky but, if you take our advice you will look great.

Suits come with contrasting hues and patterns.

Men’s fashion outer wear trends for fall winter 2014 diversifies men’s wardrobe, offering a lot of ideas to create your own style. Classics are one of the trends of the new season. Besides, collections of men’s outerwear for autum/winter 2014 include dynamic images of retro, military, sports and ethnics, as well as traveller However one of the most notable trends of autum/winter outerwear is coat. In addition to down-padded coats, classic double-breasted models with fur collars, duffle coats, pea coats and capes are very trendy

price:

€ 1,550

‘Brennan’ Wingtip Boot Richly burnished leather lends an antique feel to a sharp boot clad in classic wingtip paneling. Leather upper and lining/leather and rubber sole.

price:

€ 935

price:

price:

€ 330

€ 2,800

Hancock Donnegal Bonded Blazer Bonded wool; lining: cotton/rubber, three button closure, one chest pocket, two side pockets, gromets at underarms and center-vented back.

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Canali Check Suit Pure wool jacket with two-button front, chest pocket, flap hand pockets, non-functional four-button cuffs, double back vents. Made in Italy.

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

Canali Fur Collar Coat Crafted in an exquisite blend of baby llama and wool, this long coat is no exception. Timelessly classic in silhouette, it is the mid blue hue and detachable beaver fur collar that make it decidedly modern.

Grenson Sid Derby A grained leather finish and perforated wingcap makes Grenson’s Sid long wing Derby a classic choice; the perfect shoe for day or evening.

price:

€ 1,475

price:

€ 245 price:

€ 995

Burberry Brit Wolverton Jacket Cotton/polyamide; trim, doublebreasted button front, center back vent,detachable leather bib with hand pockets, belted at waist

Army Green Military Shawl Sweater Luxe Italian wool has a warm woolen feel and is naturally wrinkle resistant. Shawl collar.

Long sleeves. Buttoned placket. Ribbed trim.

price:

price:

€ 370

€ 100

Hancock Classic Bonded Flannel Car Coat Bonded wool, oversize spread collar with removable faux fur, single breasted hidden button closure, with two side pockets.

Salvatore Ferragamo Oxford Shoe Cotton/polyamide; trim, double-breasted button front, center back vent,detachable leather bib with hand pockets, belted at waist.

price:

€ 95 Messenger bag Adjustable shoulder strap, 100% leather trim, single exterior pocket, three interior pockets.

Tag Heuer Mikrograph Watch Tag Heuer’s Mikrograph watch is a truly handsome timepiece. Its polished rose gold case, complete with sapphire glass, sits upon a luxe alligator leather strap. Boasting an automatic movement and chronograph functions, it will make a price: worthy addition to your everyday.

price:

€ 51

€ 165 Mixed-Media Quilted Jacket Standing collar with rib-knit lining and double-snap closure with full zip and button placket. Long sleeves with wool-blend insets and snap-tab cuffs.

Four exterior pockets and one interior pocket.

cordeditorial@cma.rs |

109 November 2013 | 89

profile

Don’t be Afraid of Work,

Run from Fear

I encourage my co-workers to be team players, to always ask when in doubt, and to ask for help when they cannot resolve something. It is always easier to work with people who believe in the tasks ahead of them, who are enthusiastic, and who know the solution to everything, including the way out of the most difficult situations

I

Nataša Đurđević Director of the Public Relations Sector at Delta Generali Osiguranje

employee in the company for which I work. began my career as a journalist/reporter at one of city’s If I had to sum up my attitude towards my work in one TV stations. I came to Delta Generali Osiguranje nine sentence, it would go like this: “Don’t be afraid of work, run years ago as a PR associate. Dedication to work, innovaaway from fear.” tion, putting company’s goals ahead of personal ones, reNew tasks, polishing my skills in new PR segments, havceptiveness and professionalism in communication, great support from the managers, colleagues and associates, ing a successful team, and the size and strength of the comand willingness to be a team player have all contributed to pany I work for have always motivated me to do more and the company’s success in PR, and it was also a great recwork harder. Working in the biggest insurance company in Serbia, and working in an environment in which employees ommendation for my promotion. I became head of the PR are encouraged to advance and improve is also very stimuoffice in 2007, and, in 2009, I was appointed director of the PR Sector at Delta Generali Osiguranje. lating. The company I work for has made it possible for me Working for a big company like Delta Generali to develop along with it. That’s why I like giving the same Osiguranje, which has over 2,000 employees and is a part opportunity to young people and new colleagues. of the international group Generali, entails professionalism, Good managers have to possess emotional intelligence dedication to meeting the company’s goals, and teamwork. to recognize the skills of their co-workers and help them in Considering that we are operating in a very competitive intheir development. They need to be determined and ready to deal with the consequences of their decisions, both in resurance market in Serbia, continuously improving our services and client relations, as well as relations with our emlation to the employees and in managing projects.

My recommendation for success is work hard and be ployees is the basis of our success. We pay a great deal of committed to your work. Have a straightforward relationattention to developing our employees’ potential, namely their professional skills, know-how and competences. Apart ship with your co-workers and associates. Respect your from that, our employees are expected to readily accept new challenges, take initiative, and be creative.

Good managers have to possess emotional Over the years, I have learned how to direct intelligence to recognize the skills of their comy energy, knowledge and attention to people, workers and help them in their development events and things that create new values. I love my job. I love it when people are dedicated to their work and when they give their best in order to meet their goals. I encourage my co-workers to be team colleagues, business partners and clients. Always adplayers, to always ask when in doubt, and to ask for help here to the values you are advocating and have integriwhen they cannot resolve something. It is always easier to ty. Strive to perfect yourself constantly, and accept new work with people who believe in the tasks ahead of them, skills in managing both the people and projects with the who are enthusiastic, and who know the solution to everyaim of making the work more efficient and stimulating, and results better. Respect yours, and other people’s thing, including the way out of the most difficult situations. time. And maybe the most importance piece of advice I am expanding my knowledge, perfecting my skills, and would be to communicate. ■ trying to be a good manager, good co-worker, and good 90 |

109 November 2013 | www.cordmagazine.com

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Remeha company, the Dutch manufacturer of high-efficiency gas condensing boilers, has already been present on the market for more than 75 years in the field of heating technology with stable and innovate development. Remeha gives you comfort exactly the way you want. Our efficiency enables quick response to market demands.

Green Building d.o.o.

Temerinska 57 21000 Novi Sad Srbija T +381(0)21 47 08 88 E info@greenbuilding.rs I www.remeha.rs cordeditorial@cma.rs |

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