CorD Magazine, February 2021, no.196

Ambassador Of Cyprus To Serbia

H.E. TAKAHIKO KATSUMATA

My Heart Led Me Back To Belgrade

Hope And Encouragement From Tokyo

Jazz Musician, Composer And Pianist

www.cordmagazine.com

International Law Vs.The Law Of The Jungle

VASIL HADŽIMANOV

Ambassador Of Japan To Serbia

FEBRUARY 2021/ ISSUE NO. 196

H.E. DEMETRIOS THEOPHYLACTOU

interviews opinions news comments events COMMENT

Spiral

OF LIES FOCUS

DOUBT AND CONFUSION AT THE BALLOT BOX

Exclusive

SEBASTIAN KURZ 783002 771451 9

Unprecedented CHALLENGES

ISSN1451-7833

AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR

CONTENTS

06 SPIRAL OF LIES

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ Comment

24 A PEOPLE-FRIENDLY CITIES Architecture and Urban Planning

08 UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES

53 MY HEART LED ME BACK TO BELGRADE VASIL HADŽIMANOV, jazz musician, composer and pianist

SEBASTIAN KURZ, AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR

27 BUSINESS DIALOGUE

14 INTERNATIONAL LAW VS.THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE

H.E. DEMETRIOS THEOPHYLACTOU AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS TO SERBIA

42 C OMMITTED TO IMPROVE THE WORLD

06 CHILL OUT

PIERRE OMIDYAR AMERICAN ENTREPRENEUR AND PHILANTHROPIST FOUNDER OF EBAY

45 THE MATHEMATICAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL IS OUR FAMILY MIRJANA KATIĆ, PRINCIPAL Profile

46 DON’T ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME!

06 APRÈS-SKI STYLE INSPIRATIONS Fashion

Maximalism In France

18 GLOBAL DIARY @CORD_MAGAZINE

@CORDMAGAZINE

20 DOUBT AND CONFUSION AT THE BALLOT BOX Focus

CORD MAGAZINE

CORDMAGAZINE

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs DESIGN: Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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“CorD does not criticise or critique. We are a place where people can inspire and be inspired by others” Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Ljubica Gojgić Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić, Miloš Belčević, Sara Brajović EDITORIAL MANAGER: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen

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Comment

Spiral Of Lies

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ

T

he ideal goal of mutually insincere negotiations between the government and the opposition over the conditions of elections would be for the citizens of Serbia to be able to choose different political options at least to the extent that they can choose different vaccines – meaning at least three.

Vučić is ready to make certain concessions, because the current parliament being a virtual one-party institution is a source of shame for him - at least in Brussels , where he cares a lot about forging a better image. Vučić wants history to remember him for many things, but we doubt that bringing an end to parliamentary pluralism is one of them. The appointing of Ivica Dačić to the position of Speaker of the National Assembly already represents a specific concession in creating the atmosphere of dialogue, because Dačić has charm and social intelligence. And the European Parliament's rapporteur for Serbia, Vladimir Bilčik, has also stated that the National Assembly is the right place for negotiations. The opposition came out with a bizarre proposal on the formation of a 'ministry for elections', but that's also a way of highlighting Vučić's no less obscure 'ministry for dialogue', headed by the convert Gordana Čomić.

The opposition is also demanding a 'parallel orientation' of the public media service, which

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There is a confrontation in Serbia between an organised and arrogant government, on the one side, and a disorganised and imaginary opposition, on the other. While the opposition exhausts itself in the search for a “platform”, initially for negotiations with itself, Vučić is in a furious campaign ranging from pushing vaccination to completing temples and unveiling monuments. in Serbia is derisively compared to allowing the driving of cars under the 'even-odd' principle in communist Yugoslavia during the time of petrol shortages in the 1980s, when cars were able to take to the streets depending on whether the last number of their license plate was even or odd.

The opposition is also seeking the separation of presidential and parliamentary elections, while the regime notes that it was actually Boris Tadić who “cut short” his second presidential term in order to try to win the third one simultaneously with parliamentary elections. And Tomislav Nikolić beat Tadić in the unified elections of 2012. The opposition, quite unbelievably, isn't seeking a national frequency for one opposition television station or to make the TV duel on RTS (public service) obligatory for the first round of elections as well, according to the 'Croatian model' that saw Kolinda Grabar Kitarović stand with around a dozen opposition candidates on HRT in the first round of voting.

It was precisely 11th January this year that marked 30 years since the constituting of the first multi-party parliament in Serbia. The circle has now been closed, with the country in a position that it almost needs a “round table” on the restoration of pluralism, as happened in Poland during the time of Wałęsa. There is also a need for 'volume', as there was during

Gorbachev's time.

The Progressive Party government disavowed Tanja Fajon and her Euro-socialist 'splitting hairs', so Europe must either offer a better Slovene – if not the pro-Vučić Janez Janša, then someone preventative and non-regional, like Felipe Gonzalez, who ratified the electoral will after the stealing of local elections and demonstrations in 1996/ 97. Vučić also has his own Europeans. For example, the very sympathetic and welcome guest David McAllister, President of the European Parliament's Foreign Policy Committee.

Vućić will make concessions at least until he's created the impression that the new boycott is proof that the opposition is spoilt and tragically fragmented, which fails in efforts to convince the EU to have an alternative model of stability, which Nikolić and Vučić managed in the 2011/12 season.

In the dialogue process, the government also skilfully puts down parties that don't want EU mediation. It is defeating for Serbian democracy to be taught about elections by politicians from the former Soviet camp states or the republics of Tito's Yugoslavia. It is even sadder that it was actually Dačić who, as a representative of the government, negotiated on election conditions with the opposition back in 1992.

Interview Exclusive

SEBASTIAN KURZ AUSTRIAN CHANCELLOR

Unprecedented

CHALLENGES

Like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary containment measures shape Austria’s economic development considerably. GDP losses were as high as two billion euros per calendar week during the first lockdown in the spring, and we ultimately incurred COVID-19-related GDP losses of 8.3% in 2020 - Sebastian Kurz 8

February

By Ljubica Gojgić, Photo Arno Melicharek

PANDEMIC

We will have to expect that the fight against the pandemic will last another few months and we will monitor developments very closely, and with the utmost attention

VACCINATIONS

In addition to our testing strategy, vaccinations are a core component of our fight against the pandemic

REGION

The future of the whole region lies in the EU, and it is in our strategic interest to bring the region into the EU as quickly as possible

A

head of us are two to three tough months - said Chancellor Sebastian Kurz speaking to his fellow Austrians in early 2021, announcing the third lockdown since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Like the rest of the world, Austria is hoping for vaccination, but restrictions on movement and business, especially in the hospitality and tourism sector, must remain in place until the necessary doses of vaccine reach citizens. In this interview for CorD Magazine, the Austrian chancellor explains why he decided to add restrictions on the entry of citizens from the Balkans to a set of already unpopular measures. Chancellor Kurz, you stated at the end of last year that you believe this novel coronavirus will have been defeated by the summer of 2021. What can you say at this moment; what stage are we currently at in this struggle?

In this coronavirus pandemic, the world faces unprecedented challenges in all sectors of society. Currently, we are especially tackling the spread of the virus to save lives and preserve healthcare capacities, while at the same time providing support for the economy and alleviating the impact on our country through measures put in place over recent months. We will have to expect that the fight against the pandemic will last another few months and we will monitor developments very closely, and with the utmost attention. What are plans in Austria like for vaccination and will the announced 900,000 be used by March?

In addition to our testing strategy, vaccinations are a core component of our fight against the pandemic. We have made sure to speed up the process of our vaccination strategy by starting earlier than initially planned, expanding the target groups of the first phase and inoculating vaccines as soon as possible after their delivery.

We currently expect to receive approximately 1.1 million doses of approved vaccines by the end of March. With the introducing of strict measures to combat the spread of the virus, you also opted for some measures that are

Stricter measures regarding travel were introduced for everyone travelling to Austria, independent of their origin, after careful consideration of evidencebased facts and the lessons learned since the beginning of the pandemic

seen as discriminating against Austrian citizens with origins in Serbia and other Western Balkan countries. Entering Austria during the Christmas holidays was extremely difficult for them. Why is that the case, given that the Balkan region has recorded both fewer infections and fewer deaths than EU countries?

Stricter measures regarding travel were introduced for everyone travelling to Austria, independent of their origin, after careful consideration of evidence-based facts and the lessons learned since the beginning of the pandemic. For example, during summer, a third of all new infections were imported by people travelling abroad and returning with the virus.

This is the reality. As we know, that was the case not only in Austria but also in numerous

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Interview Exclusive of national GDP. Our Coronavirus short-term programme, in particular, continues to help safeguard employment. After a sharp slump in the first half of 2020, we saw a significant recovery in Q3 2020. However, any possible new wave of infections could continue to slow economic recovery. You describe yourself as a friend of the Western Balkans. As the chancellor of a country that supports the idea of this region's European integration, how do you explain the fact that neither Albania nor North Macedonia saw the launch of their membership negotiations in 2020, while Serbia didn't open a single new accession negotiation chapter? Does the problem lie with the Balkans or the EU?

other countries. Consequently, we decided to put stricter regulations in place. You decided to open Austrian ski resorts to tourists for the winter season, thus rejecting the proposal of Germany, France and Italy to wait for the epidemiological situation to improve. What guided you in bringing this decision?

Under the current regulations, outdoor sports facilities are open subject to strict provisions, such as a minimum distance of one metre and a capacity limit. Even stricter regulations apply to ski facilities, where, for example, FFP2masks are mandatory. Moreover, the respective regional authorities can determine additional measures, and ski lift operators have developed detailed safety concepts. The Federal Government enacted these measures to provide for a safe skiing season, in addition to the travel and quarantine regime currently in force, on the one hand, and the general lockdown that includes the closure of hotels and restaurants, on the other. What were the consequences of COVID-19 for the Austrian economy in 2020?

Like the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary containment measures shape Austria’s economic development

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Our support for the region in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is a top priority and is ongoing. We recently pledged 2.4 million euros for the COVAX initiative, while the EU recently decided to make 70 million euros available to finance immediate vaccine support for the Western Balkans considerably. GDP losses were as high as two billion euros per calendar week during the first lockdown in the spring, and we ultimately incurred COVID-19-related GDP losses of 8.3% in 2020. The Federal Government quickly launched a comprehensive and nonbureaucratic package to combat the economic consequences of the Coronavirus pandemic.

As early as 18th March, our package totalled 38 billion euros, which equates to almost 10%

Yes, Austria remains a friend of the Western Balkans, also in times of crisis. Our support for the region in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is a top priority and is ongoing.

Austria will help the Western Balkan countries and provide vaccines. For instance, we recently pledged 2.4 million euros for the COVAX initiative, while the EU recently decided to make 70 million euros available to finance immediate vaccine support for the Western Balkans. Swift vaccinations will be decisive in ending the pandemic and launching the socio-economic recovery.

Austria continues to support the region’s path to EU membership fully. North Macedonia, in particular, has developed into an exemplary EU candidate, and I regret that it was not possible to open accession negotiations in 2020. Austria will advocate for the launch of long-overdue membership negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania in the first half of 2021. We all only stand to lose from unnecessary delays in the enlargement process.

The future of the whole region lies in the EU, and it is in our strategic interest to bring the region into the EU as quickly as possible.

Serbia has a clear EU accession perspective, with 16 negotiating chapters opened and two provisionally closed. I welcome that the new government has prioritised EU integration, preservation of public health and economic growth, as well as the EU facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. Serbia has a unique responsibility in demonstrating that this region is forging ahead on its European path by significantly accelerating its own reform efforts and delivering concrete and tangible results in the rule of law and other fundamental areas. Continuous engagement in good faith to negotiate and achieve a comprehensive and legally binding normalisation agreement is crucial to progress on the European path.

Cont. on page 12

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Interview Exclusive

A terrorist attack occurred in Vienna at the peak of the struggle against the health and economic consequences of the Coronavirus Pandemic. To what extent did this act disturb the citizens of Austria and can it disrupt the attitude of the nation towards immigrants who account for a large percentage of the Austrian population?

During this heinous terrorist attack, four innocent people were killed and many more were injured. It was not only an attack against these innocent people, but against all of us, against our European way of life and our free society.

Our reaction is clear: we will not live in fear; we will not change our way of life. But we will fight terrorism, extremism and the ideology behind it, political Islam, with all means. They have found new fighters and supporters in Europe since their military defeats in Syria, Iraq and Libya. The goal of the terrorists is to divide our societies, but we will not let that happen. This is not a conflict between different religious groups or between Austrians and migrants; it is a conflict between the many who believe in peace and the few who seek war. What do you expect from the package of new anti-terrorism laws that was proposed after the attack in Vienna?

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Serbia has a unique responsibility in demonstrating that this region is forging ahead on its European path by significantly accelerating its own reform efforts and delivering concrete and tangible results in the rule of law and other fundamental areas The planned anti-terrorism package is to be adopted in the coming weeks and represents an important step in the fight against terrorism. Most notably, it comprises the electronic surveillance of convicted terrorists after their imprisonment, a criminal law provision against religious extremism and other preventative measures to combat foreign terrorist fighters. This law introduces categories, such as “political Islam”, as a criminal offense. It also introduces the possibility of preventative detention. It is also possible to deprive convicted terrorists of their citizenship and revoke social benefits. Is this package in line with international standards when it comes to respect for human rights?

The current proposal strengthens the fight against terrorism, in particular religiously

motivated extremism, independent of religious denominations. Freedom of religion will also be guaranteed in the future. Foreign terrorist fighters are nonetheless ticking time bombs.

Even if they have served their prison sentences, they are still a threat to our societies. We will make it possible to keep them under electronic surveillance for longer.

Additionally, we will make it impossible for convicted terrorists to obtain a licence to carry firearms or work in safety-critical areas by introducing a register for persons posing a threat to public safety. Furthermore, there will also be a register of imams in order to avoid radicalisation. Our goal is to prevent young people from being misled, brainwashed and radicalised. We want to avoid them becoming a threat to our societies. These laws are not against a religion, but against extremism and dangerous ideas that undermine our constitution.

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Interview

H.E. DEMETRIOS THEOPHYLACTOU

AMBASSADOR OF CYPRUS TO SERBIA

International Law Vs.

THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE There are certain issues of vital national interest on which Cyprus cannot – and shall not – succumb to any pressure. Cyprus is not the only EU member state that does not recognise Kosovo. This is not an issue of harmonisation.

The territorial integrity of Serbia, much like the territorial integrity of Cyprus, is a matter of principle and international legality, and is therefore of vital national interest – H.E. Demetrios Theophylactou 14

February

By Ljubica Gojgić

TASK

I will do my very best to further strengthen our excellent level of bilateral cooperation, based on shared values and cultural ties

MULTICULTURALISM

Multiculturalism is also of particular interest, due to various influences that have left their mark on Serbia and Cyprus

COOPERATION

We are particularly pleased that Foreign Minister Selaković chose Cyprus for his first official bilateral visit. This reflects our mutual respect, understanding and solidarity

T

he new Cypriot ambassador is enthusiastic about starting his term in Serbia, despite that happening during difficult times. His plan is to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including defence, education and science, economy and tourism. In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Demetrios Theophylactou explains why Cyprus has not accepted the occupation of part of its territory, for almost half a century, and why the Government in Nicosia does not accept the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. He says that he doesn't believe recognition of Kosovo's independence could be set as a condition of Serbia's EU accession. Your Excellency, given that you are just starting you term in Serbia, what have you set as your priorities?

At the outset, I would like to underline that it is a privilege to serve as Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to the Republic of Serbia. Clearly, I will do my very best to further strengthen our excellent level of bilateral cooperation, based on shared values and cultural ties. Moreover, I will work closely with the Government of Serbia, also in the context of our participation in the European Union (EU), to further promote cooperation in multilateral organisations. As for priorities, those include security and defence, cybersecurity, education, economic cooperation and scientific research, including IT applications in energy, climate change and biomedical engineering.

There is also scope to promote tourism: business, medical, sports and cultural tourism. Our countries have remarkable people in Letters and Arts who can create beautiful joint projects. In ecclesiastical art, there is great potential for studying and exchanging expertise between scientists and art historians. This will broaden our knowledge of our Orthodox religion. Multiculturalism is also of particular interest, due to various influences that have left their mark on Serbia and Cyprus. The ultimate objective is to strengthen the traditional ties between our peoples.

the impact of this visit from the perspective of Cypriot officials?

I will work closely with the Government of Serbia, also in the context of our participation in the European Union, to further promote our cooperation in multilateral organisations Your arrival in Belgrade coincided with the visit of Serbia's Foreign Minister to Cyprus, with Minister Selaković having emphasised that this was his first visit to a foreign country in his capacity as foreign minister. What can you say about

We are particularly pleased that Foreign Minister Selaković chose Cyprus for his first official bilateral visit. This reflects the mutual respect, understanding and solidarity that has developed between Belgrade and Nicosia over the years.

The visit provided a good opportunity to reaffirm and reiterate our common positions on a number of issues. We expressed gratitude for Serbia’s consistent and principled support to Cyprus, particularly in regard to a just and viable settlement of the Cyprus problem, respecting our territorial integrity and sovereignty. Cyprus's positions of principle on the non-recognition of Kosovo had been clearly stated. It was also an opportunity to assess Serbia’s accession course to the EU, for which Belgrade enjoys the full support of Cyprus.

Nicosia welcomed the progress achieved so far

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Interview rial integrity. How does Cyprus view the oft repeated calls of colleagues from the EU suggesting that you should harmonise your stance on the independence of Kosovo with that of the majority of the Union?

There are certain issues of vital national interest on which Cyprus cannot – and shall not – succumb to any pressure. Cyprus is not the only EU member state that does not recognise Kosovo. This is not an issue of harmonisation. The territorial integrity of Serbia, much like the territorial integrity of Cyprus, is a matter of principle and international legality, and is therefore of vital national interest.

Subsequently, we shall continue to reiterate our stance on the non-recognition of Kosovo. Given that you are very familiar with the situation in the EU, do you believe that Serbia will be asked to recognise the independence of Kosovo as a condition of EU accession?

on reforms and strongly advocated for this to be commended in European Council Conclusions.

Recognition of progress and the opening of new chapters constitute strong incentives for candidate states to continue their reform agenda. In brief, the visit had a symbolic significance and a substantive value, as it fine-tuned our positions on significant bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. When could the idea of a tripartite meeting between officials of Cyprus, Greece and Serbia be implemented and what is the potential of this cooperation?

Once the conditions regarding the pandemic allow, we are eager to establish a trilateral cooperation mechanism. Indeed, we are ready to convene this mechanism, on the basis of decisions taken at the Intergovernmental Commission of 2018. We consider Serbia as a natural extension of the network of regional multilateralism.We can advance a specific agenda with added value on connectivity, sustainability, entrepreneurship and crisis management coordination. We also look forward to putting into effect the Memorandum of Understanding on Diaspora cooperation and identify specific actions. Cyprus is among the EU member states that decided not to close borders to Serbian citizens who require a negative coronavirus test in order to travel. How has this stance

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Candidate countries are required to harmonise their national legislation with EU legislation. There is no question of conditions associated with Serbia’s EU accession reflected on the number of visitors to Cyprus from Serbia?

The pandemic had a significant impact on travel and tourism. This has inevitably influenced the movement of travellers from Serbia, and vice versa.

Serbia was placed in the second category and later in the third category of high-risk countries, based on epidemiological data. In 2020, we had about 2,600 arrivals for the purposes of repatriation, business, sports or pleasure. However, we believe that the number of visitors will increase substantially in 2021. Direct flights from Belgrade make it a good hub for business and special interest tourism, where more emphasis will be placed from now on. Serbian officials have repeated their gratitude to Cyprus for supporting the country's struggle to preserve its territo-

This scenario is unlikely, if only because a number of EU member states would object to it strongly. Accession negotiations take place within a set of policy areas, or Chapters, on which progress ultimately determines the outcome of negotiations, based on specific criteria. The Chapters of the Acquis, 35 in total, form the basis of accession negotiations. Certain reforms are necessary to meet the accession criteria. Candidate countries are required to harmonise their national legislation with EU legislation. There is no question of conditions associated with Serbia’s EU accession. Serbia didn't make any progress on the road to EU integration during 2020, while North Macedonia and Albania didn't see the long-awaited launch of their own membership negotiations. Do you consider that a true willingness for expansion to encompass the Western Balkans currently exists in the EU?

Due to various developments, both within the EU and globally, including the protracted financial crisis that was further exacerbated by the pandemic, EU enlargement has shown signs of ‘fatigue’.

This is not to say, however, that there is a lack of willingness to continue enlargement with Serbia or the Western Balkans. It is simply a matter of managing internal and external contingencies, which inevitably impinge upon the pace and scope of enlargement. Notwithstanding that, the process envisaging the accession of Serbia and the Western Balkans continues unabated.

Cyprus faced new problems connected to its own sovereignty during 2020. Do solutions exist to the dispute over the ownership of sources of gas in Cyprus's waters that Turkey also claims the right to exploit?

Indeed, in 2020 Turkey intensified its illegal actions against Cyprus, in full defiance of international law and with utter contempt for the EU’s efforts to keep the door to dialogue open. Ankara’s actions and aggressive public discourse have further exacerbated tensions in Cyprus and Greece, increasing instability in the Mediterranean – and beyond. This aggressive behaviour is effectively poisoning the climate, undermining any efforts towards de-escalation. As for natural resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Cyprus, Turkey is currently performing its 12th consecutive illegal seismic survey over the course of the past 18 months, after carrying out six illegal drilling operations within our maritime zone, which is delimited in accordance with international law.

The offshore exploration blocks have been duly licensed to international and European energy companies by the Republic of Cyprus. Ankara also continues its provocations against Greece, announcing yet another illegal seismic survey in Greece’s continental shelf, despite efforts to create a climate conducive to dialogue. Are you satisfied with the EU's response of imposing sanctions on Turkey for its “unauthorised activities” in the Cypriot coastal region?

One can appreciate that, for a small country like Cyprus, the only means at our disposal to protect ourselves are in the upholding of international law.

Therefore, in an environment where others wish to impose the law of the jungle, international legality is of an existential nature to us. This is a point that Serbia fully shares with Cyprus. In November 2020, the EU renewed its sanctions regime against Turkey in response to escalating violations of international law. Belgrade aligned itself with this decision.

Clearly, Ankara’s illegal actions constitute a direct threat to our integrity and sovereign rights. Further sanctions should be imposed, given the gravity of the noted violations. Certain EU member states are hesitant to consent, for their own reasons. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has assessed that the time has come to resume talks on the reunification of Cyprus.

It is instructive for your readers to know that Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of Cyprus to the EU provides that “the Republic of Cyprus enters the EU as a whole and that the Acquis is suspended in the occupied area” Do you believe that talks leading to a final solution are possible at this juncture?

The President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Nicos Anastasiades, has reiterated our commitment to resume negotiations on the agreed basis achieved in 2017, after the last round of talks in CransMontana, Switzerland. Indeed, the UN Secretary General plans to convene an informal meeting in New York, in late February, with the participation of Greece,Turkey and the United Kingdom, in order to assess prospects for the resumption of negotiations.

However, repeated statements by Ankara and the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot community directly questioning the agreed basis and openly advocating a “two state”solution are not conducive to meaningful negotiations with realistic prospects for success.

The occupation of part of the territory of Cyprus began almost half a century ago. It would probably be interesting for readers in Serbia to hear why no Cypriot government has ever considered giving up the fight for the northern part of Cyprus, which you still refer to as the occupied territory?

Turkey aims at imposing the permanent division of Cyprus, through a “two-state” solution.Turkey's illegal occupation, in violation of international law, has been condemned by the UN and other international bodies. No Government of the Republic of Cyprus will ever give up on our sovereign rights. It is instructive for your readers to know that Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty of Cyprus to the EU provides that “the Republic of Cyprus enters the EU as a whole and that the Acquis is suspended in the occupied area”.

It is clear that the Acquis is suspended in the northern Turkish occupied part of the island. In short, Protocol 10 of the Accession Treaty envisages “the suspension of the Acquis in the areas of the country that are not under the effective control of the Government of Cyprus”. Moreover, Turkey’s refusal to abide by the obligation to execute judgements of the European Court of Human Rights related to Cyprus, especially the 4th Interstate case of Cyprus vs. Turkey, cannot be tolerated. We are grateful that Serbia sees eye-to-eye with us on this matter.

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GLOBAL DIARY

“I look forward to having a friend in the White House who could work with Europe on fighting climate change, quashing the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuilding multilateralism.” – URSULA VON DER LEYEN, EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT

THOUSANDS IN PRO-NAVALNY PROTESTS On January 23, 2021, police detained more than 3,700 people across Russia at nationwide protests against the arrest of political opposition figure Alexey Navalny. It was the largest number of people detained on a single day in the country.

There were numerous reports of excessive use of force by police, including beatings, with much photographed or filmed by media outlets or private citizens and posted to social media. Although there were some incidents of protester violence, the vast majority of the protests were peaceful.

An independent assemblies’ monitoring expert estimated that the January 23 protest in Moscow was the largest in seven years. Several media outlets estimated that over 100,000 people took to the streets in over 100 cities across Russia.

ESTONIAN PM QUITS OVER CORRUPTION PROBE

large state loan and struck a lucrative deal with city authorities in the capital, Tallinn, whose mayor is also from the party. The owner of the company's father, businessman Hillar Teder, donated large sums to the Center Party.

Among other suspects in the corruption investigation is Kersti Kracht, an adviser to Finance Minister Martin Helme from the far-right EKRE party.

Estonia's prime minister, Juri Ratas (42), resigned after his ruling Center Party came under investigation as part of a corruption probe. He said he hoped his resignation would help "shed light on all the circumstances and reach clarity."

The investigation centers on the Porto Franco property company. Porto Franco received a

QUEEN ELIZABETH RECEIVED COVID-19 VACCINE Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh have received their Covid-19 vaccinations, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said last month. The inoculations were administered by a household doctor at Windsor Castle, a royal source said.

To prevent inaccuracies and further speculation, Her Majesty, who 94, decided that she would let it be known that she has had the vaccination, the source added. Her husband is 99 years old. The couple's son, Prince Charles, tested positive for coronavirus and went into isolation in March. The 72-year-old later said he was lucky to only experience mild symptoms, adding he'd "got away with it quite lightly."

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“A new more infectious coronavirus variant means the government needs to be more cautious in lifting lockdown restrictions.” – MATT HANCOCK, UK HEALTH MINISTER

JOE BIDEN BECOMES 46TH U.S. PRESIDENT Joe Biden took the helm of the US presidency, declaring that “democracy has prevailed” and summoning American resilience and unity to confront the deeply divided nation's historic confluence of crises.

At 78, Biden becomes the oldest president in US history while Kamala Harris becomes the first female vice president, the first Black woman and the first Asian-American to hold the office. They were sworn in at a Washington, DC ceremony that was scaled-back due to the Covid-19 pandemic and security concerns.

More than 25,000 National Guard troops from across the country were deployed to the American capital, supporting federal and district agencies, amid fears of an insider attack.

President Biden signed 17 executive orders in his first official act from the Oval Office. Among other things, the orders strike down Trump’s ban on travelers from majority-Muslim nations, end construction of Trump’s border wall and strengthen DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for young immigrants.

MASSACRE AT ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCH IN ETHIOPIA At least 750 people are reported dead after an attack on an Oriental Orthodox church in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on 9th January. The Europe External Programme with Africa reported that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in

EARTHQUAKE HITS CROATIA Thousands of people lost their homes, seven people died and more than 20 were injured in the 6.4 strength quake, which hit the Sisak-Moslavina region of central Croatia.

The tremor was felt as far away as the Croatian capital Zagreb, located 50 km away from the epicenter and shockwaves were felt in neighbouring countries.

Croatia has appealed for containers and other shelters for around 1,200 families whose homes have been completely destroyed. The US Geological Survey said it was the largest earthquake to occur in Croatia since the introduction of modern seismic instrumentation. An earthquake of similar size occurred in 1880 near Zagreb.Slovenia has moved to close the Krsko nuclear power plant it co-owns with Croatia.

Axum, about 130km west of Adigrat, had been attacked, and that hundreds of people who hid inside were brought out to the front square and shot to death. The attack was carried out

by Ethiopian government troops and Amhara militia from central Ethiopia.

At least 1,000 people were estimated to be hiding in the church at the time of the attack. Locals have said they believe the church was targeted by

raiders of the lost ark. The church is thought to contain the original Ark of the Covenant, a sacred golden chest first mentioned in the book of Exodus that carried the 10 commandments, parts of sacred scripture, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna.The church belongs to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, an Oriental Orthodox Church that is estimated to have about 36 million members.

MIKA ALEKSIC ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT Members of the Ministry of the Interior arrested Miroslav Mika Aleksic (69), famous director, screenwriter and acting teacher on grounds for suspicion that he committed criminal offenses of rape and illicit sexual acts. It is suspected that Miroslav Mika Aleksic in the time period from 2012-2020 in the premises of the acting school in Belgrade, the owner sexually assaulted five of his students, two of whom were minors at the time of the crime. He was taken to the police station, because several girls reported him for rape or sexual harassment.

Well-known actress Milena Radulović, in the confession she gave for that paper, said that Aleksić raped her when she was a minor and that it happened several times.

Since there's suspicion that there are other persons who were sexually assaulted by the suspect, they can report it in the premises of the Police Administration for the City of Belgrade.

February

19

Focus

How has COVID-19 influenced the attitudes of the electorate

Doubt And Confusion

At The Ballot Box

The confirming of the right centrism of the ideological spectrum was finalised during the COVID-19 pandemic, while the atomising of the remaining political space continued. This diffuse pressure has not expressed itself in articulated opposition options with the possibility of further reducing voter turnout or increasing the uncertainty of the outcome of the Belgrade elections in the case that abstainers decide to return to the polls.

A

lthough there is currently no (publicly announced) public opinion research on the attitudes of the electorate, it seems that SNS, as the mainstay of the government, didn't make a large number of mistakes during the pandemic that would come at the cost of major changes within the electorate. However, the dissatisfaction created in that part of the electorate that doesn't traditionally vote for SNS has not been articulated through any of the existing opposition options. In short, as one of our interlocutors summarises, “along with the fear of COVID-19, the opposition boycott deepened abstention among citizens.� Nevertheless, if these voters show up to vote in the upcoming elections it could create certain changes in

20

February

the results of elections in Belgrade and, to some extent, the possibility of the presidential elections requiring two rounds. Before making any forecasts, it should be noted that the timing of the regular presidential elections, elections for the City of Belgrade and early parliamentary elections remains unclear. There is a possibility that the planned early parliamentary elections will be abandoned or held in a different period in relation to regular elections. Although it seems that, in the short term, COVID-19 left the political scene more or less intact, a question remains over the mistrust and fear that developed during this lasting pandemic. It could lead the electorate, in the period ahead, to replace an unwanted choice in search of a new saviour.

and what consequences could it have on the upcoming elections?

BOJAN VRANIĆ PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF THE FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

AWAITING VOTERS THE RETURN OF VOTERS TO THE POLLS IN A NEW ROUND OF ELECTIONS WILL MEAN THE RETURN OF NON-SNS VOTERS. THIS BRINGS UNCERTAINTY TO THE RESULTS OF THE BELGRADE ELECTIONS AND, TO A CERTAIN EXTENT, THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. SPECIFICALLY, VOTERS IN BELGRADE REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THOSE WHO'VE ABSTAINED TO DATE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO SHAKING THE SNS GOVERNMENT IN BELGRADE AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, CREATE A HIGHER PROBABILITY OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS REQUIRING TWO ROUNDS. The 2020 parliamentary elections carried the epithet of preelections for the presidential elections, parliamentary elections and elections for the City of Belgrade to be held in 2022. This unusual situation is part of the shadow that's fallen over the legitimacy of last year's elections: the lowest turnout in the history of parliamentary elections (48.93%), the opposition boycott and the COVID-19 pandemic. These facts represent the point of embarkation for 2022 elections.

The turnout was eight per cent lower in 2020 than in the 2016 parliamentary elections, and 12% lower than the average turnout during the period from 2003 to 2012. The cause of this reduction is being sought in the pandemic and opposition boycott. According to a survey conducted by CESID (April 2020), approximately 10% of citizens felt fear and other negative emotions due to the pandemic. The same research shows that almost two-thirds of citizens were more satisfied than dissatisfied with the state's preventative measures. In other words, SNS, as the mainstay of the government, didn't make a catastrophic mistake during the pandemic that could have led to it being abandoned by the electorate. Along with the fear of COVID-19, the opposition boycott deepened absenteeism among citizens.

On the other hand, the number of SNS voters increased by about

130,000 compared to 2016, while SNS COMPLETED ITS at the same time the number of COLONISATION AND voters opting for SPS fell by about CONSOLIDATION OF THE 80,000. SNS completed its coloCENTRE-RIGHT IDEOLOGInisation and consolidation of the CAL SPECTRUM IN 2020, centre-right ideological spectrum WITH WHICH THE SYSTEM in 2020, with which the system WITH A DOMINANT PARTY with a dominant party has been HAS BEEN STRENGTHstrengthened in Serbia, and as a ENED IN SERBIA, AND AS rule this increases the number of A RULE THIS INCREASES those abstaining from voting and THE NUMBER OF THOSE strengthens apathetic preferences ABSTAINING FROM VOTof voters, which can be boiled to ING AND STRENGTHENS “things will stay the same regardAPATHETIC PREFERENCES less of how I vote”.

OF VOTERS, WHICH CAN BE How will this trend impact on BOILED TO “THINGS WILL the 2022 elections? A view of the STAY THE SAME REGARDmanagement of the crisis during LESS OF HOW I VOTE”. the pandemic that's positive to a certain extent, as well as the implementation of mass vaccination, testifies to the claim that fearful emotions won't lead to a reduction in the turnout in 2022.

Moreover, if we take into account that the highest turnouts came during the polarised system (2000-2012), a question arises as to whether the opposition will close ranks in the next 18 months, which would motivate abstainers to return to the ballot boxes. This would see the turnout return to 55% (the average turnout from 2012 to 2016). The biggest question mark hangs over Belgrade voters, who could increase the overall turnout if they vote en masse. The number of SNS voters will not change significantly, because that part of the ideological spectrum has been consolidated, but a higher turnout will certainly impact on the number of SNS mandates in the National Assembly. In that sense, SNS will probably return to a result of 48% of votes, which still wouldn't change much in the structure of relations in the Assembly.

The return of voters to the polls is the return of non-SNS voters. There is uncertainty when it comes to the Belgrade elections and, to a certain extent, presidential elections. A significant part of those who've been abstaining from voting are among voters in Belgrade; if the city turnout reaches an average of 55% (2008-2018), it can be expected that the SNS government in Belgrade will be shaken and, more importantly, that presidential elections will more likely require two rounds. It is a thankless task to discuss the possible outcome of presidential elections until we see the most serious opposition candidate to take on Aleksandar Vučić. There are no such candidates for now.

February

21

Focus

How has COVID-19 influenced the attitudes of the electorate

JASMINA LUKAČ, JOURNALIST OF DANAS AND DEMOSTAT

DISTRUST IS A DANGEROUS TOY THE FALL IN TRUST AMONG CITIZENS REGARDING EVERYTHING THAT STATE OFFICIALS ARE DOING – FROM ANTICORONA MEASURES TO THE CONDUCTING OF ELECTION PROCEDURES – IS A COIN WITH TWO SIDE, BECAUSE ON THE OTHER SIDE IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY THE GULLIBILITY TO ACCEPT ANYTHING AS SALVATION. IN “PLAY” FOR THESE ELECTIONS WON'T ONLY BE THE ATTITUDE OF VOTERS REGARDING WHO THEY'LL VOTE FOR, BUT ALSO WHO THEY WILL SEE AS THE WINNER AFTER VOTING. In order for us to be able to state WE CAN SEE THREE CONSEwith certainty whether and with what QUENCES OF THE COROconsequences the choices of voters NAVIRUS PANDEMIC WITH in the upcoming elections will have THE NAKED EYE. FIRST changed due to the pandemic we IS A DECLINE IN TRUST would need to have the findings of IN THE CURRENT POLITIa reliable public opinion poll. DemoCAL SYSTEM, SECOND IS stat's findings from last November GROWING COMBATIVENESS only show that opposition voters AMONG THE PEOPLE AND are significantly more distrusting A POLARISING OF THE of Covid virus vaccines than those CONVICTIONS THAT THEY who voted for the government. We ALREADY HAVE, AND THIRD can see three consequences of the IS THE INCREASINGLY Coronavirus pandemic with the naked VAGUE BROADER FRAMEeye. First is a decline in trust in the WORK OF THE OUTCOMES current political system and everything OF POLITICAL MOVEMENTS that state officials are doing - from AROUND THE WORLD anti-Corona measures to the conducting of election procedures. Second is growing combativeness among the people and a polarising of the convictions that they already have, because political stances are connected with the raw struggle for health and life. Third is the increasingly vague broader framework of that struggle, which is confusing and frightening. Also under this framework are changes happening around the world, for example in the U.S. elections and events after them. Then there is the fact that, due to the quarantine, political content is rarely “live” and is reduced to mediation via the internet and social networks, which raises doubts about the new level of social control that extends beyond the previous influence of the classical media. That fall in trust is a coin with two sides, because on the other side it is accompanied by the gullibility to accept anything as salvation.

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February

It is therefore difficult to say how all this could be reflected in presidential elections and elections for the Belgrade City Assembly in 2022, which are to be followed by regular elections and – if the promise of the Serbian president and SNS is fulfilled – early parliamentary elections. The possibility should not be ruled out that – precisely due to the Coronavirus pandemic – these parliamentary elections will not be held and that this convocation of the parliament will remain in office.

In “play” for these elections won't only be the attitude of voters regarding who they'll vote for, but also who they will see as the winner after voting, as well as whether they will be ready to hold demonstrations in response. It seems at present that the winner could be the one who is able to lead a campaign of healing and convince voters that they are in a position to protect their health, but also to “heal” the political system and make it fairer and more just.

SAŠA ADAMOVIĆ, HISTORIAN AND POLITICAL ANALYST

CORONAVIRUS WILL JUST BE A BAD DREAM THE PART OF THE OPPOSITION THAT BOYCOTTED THE LAST ELECTIONS IS TOO WEAK AND DIVIDED, WITH LEADERS WHO ARE POLITICALLY SPENT, AND DOESN'T REPRESENT A SERIOUS ALTERNATIVE TO THE GOVERNMENT. THAT'S WHY THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC HASN'T CHANGED AND WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE POLITICAL SCENE. THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING THE GOVERNMENT ARE RELATED TO THE ISSUES OF PRESERVING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STABILITY AND THE ISSUE OF KOSOVO AND BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA. The Coronavirus has not changed THE STRONGEST PRESthe attitudes of voters and won't SURE EXERTED ON THE change them, nor will the COVID-19 GOVERNMENT WILL PUSH pandemic have any repercussions TOWARDS SERBIA RECOGon the results of the presidential and NISING KOSOVO'S INDEparliamentary elections in Serbia, to PENDENCE AND AGREEING be held in spring next year. The opTO THE UNITARISING OF position – or the part that boycotted BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA the last elections – is too weak and divided, with leaders who are politically spent, and doesn't represent a serious alternative to the government. The majority of Serbia's citizens are aware of that. Moreover, the opposition isn't even in a position to find a high-quality common presidential candidate who could possibly enter the second round of elections, let alone prove victorious against

and what consequences could it have on the upcoming elections? the current president of Serbia. Actually, the only hope for the Serbian opposition is for the European Union to include itself in the election process, somehow on its side. On the other hand, the government will be confronted by major problems in the period ahead. On the internal front, it is imperative for the government to preserve economic and social stability. The Kosovo issue and the protection of Republika Srpska will remain the two most important national policy priorities.

The strongest pressure exerted on the government will push towards Serbia recognising Kosovo's independence and agreeing to the unitarising of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Coronavirus pandemic will probably be just a bad dream by the beginning of 2022, while the problems that I've mentioned will continue to dominate Serbian politics.

ZORAN SEKULIĆ,

DIRECTOR AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF NEWS AGENCY FONET

MORE DISSATISFACTION, BUT WITHOUT POLITICAL ARTICULATION LAST YEAR SAW AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SO-CALLED NEGATIVE POINTS, I.E. INCREASED PUBLIC DISSATISFACTION TOWARDS THE AUTHORITIES AND THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT MANAGED THE CRISIS, PRIMARILY AMONG THAT PART OF THE ELECTORATE THAT TRADITIONALLY DOESN'T VOTE FOR THE PARTIES IN GOVERNMENT. HOWEVER, THE OPPOSITION FAILED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SITUATION AND HASN'T INCREASED ITS INFLUENCE SIGNIFICANTLY. The pandemic had very serious health consequences last year, even tragic ones, but it also had serious social and political consequences. When it comes to the political scene, what I mean is that the government didn't score major points or gain a high rating during the course of last year, although I doubt it has been weakened significantly. That part of the electorate, on the one hand, is very disciplined politically, while on the other hand it is connected in terms of interests. What I think happened last year is that there was an increase in the number of so-called negative points, or that there was an increase in overall public dissatisfaction towards the authorities and the way the government managed the crisis. Here I'm primarily thinking of that part of the electorate that traditionally doesn't vote for the parties in government. However, a problem arose because the opposition failed to take advantage of the situation and hasn't increased its influence significantly.

I will also remind you of the reasons why the government didn't gain any additional points and why the number of negative points

increased. This is firstly because it treated the pandemic and the virus with contempt at the beginning of the crisis. Then it abruptly shifted to the most drastic measures of blocking the public and virtually imprisoning those aged over 65, only to abruptly relax all those measures just before the elections, so we saw a sudden spread of infection and an explosion of the pandemic in the second half of the year. This certainly isn't seen as a positive attitude and behaviour of the authorities by either the population aged over 65, medical staff, doctors, educators or the families of people who died during the pandemic, and I believe that will be a reservoir of negative energy that could emerge in some subsequent elections.

The government attempted to make up for this by building hospitals and procuring respirators, but it seems to me that it has entered this year resolved, considering the upcoming dialogue between the government and the opposition, in order to prepare for the elections very seriously and thoroughly. For now they've been formally announced for the spring of next year, but my assessment is that I wouldn't be surprised if parliamentary elections were held by the end of this year, with presidential and Belgrade elections left for the spring of next year. Why? Because the EU insists on the separating of elections. On the other hand, it potentially suits the government to separate these elections because the opposition is confused, because the opposition cannot reach agreement on participation in the elections – it can't even agree on the kind of pre-election conditions it is seeking in that dialogue. In the platforms that have emerged to date, two of the three demands are completely unrealistic. The demand to separate elections is realistic and the government could use it for itself. Pre-election promises that have emerged – that there will be compensation for minimum earnings, that there will be another one-off payment for the entire population, that construction of a metro rail system and other major infrastructure works will be launched – tell me that the government has actually already embarked on a serious campaign, despite there not formally being a campaign.

All told, this will unfold in parallel with the uncertain further course of the crisis, which will also be influenced by the whole situation with the procurement of vaccines. If the government succeeds in its intention to vaccinate 70-80% of the population this year, that will be a great pre-election trump card, given the fact that the health, medical consequences and ramifications of all of that will mean the overcoming of the pandemic. Finally, if it conquers the pandemic, the government will be able to head towards parliamentary elections with a sense of complete freedom and comfort. How the opposition will respond to that is completely unclear at present.

The fact is that a serious part of the country's electorate is dissatisfied. That section of the electorate now has no institutional framework in which it can articulate its dissatisfaction. Vučić is aware of that; he is aware that a parliament with 250 MPs who are all in power has no legitimacy. And if he does decide to go to the polls, he will give his all to ensure that a minimum of 15% of that new parliament is held by some opposition figures – but not just any members of the opposition, rather those that he would be able to control.

February

23

Feature

Architecture and Urban Planning

OXO ARCHITECTES’ PLAN TO CONNECT PARIS WITH A NORTHERN SUBURB VIA A MIXED-USE STRUCTURE

A People-Friendly

Cities

24

February

Urban mobility is essential when it comes to facilitating the exchange of ideas and innovation.

However, during the last century, we went from urban planning aimed at pedestrians and cyclists to a city designed for cars. Is there any way of going back to a sustainable and healthy model?

T

Moreno. Hidalgo has already banned traffic along parts of the Seine hink about the city or town where you live. How long does and on some Sundays along the Champs-Élysées. it take you to get to the grocery store on foot? Is your school Other cities, such as Buenos Aires, have introduced free bike-rental or work close enough to walk to? What about a public park, schemes for both residents and tourists, while pioneering Amsterdam a doctor’s office, a daycare, or any other places that you visit has a new model, the City Doughnut, which aims to reduce emissions on a daily basis? While some cities have already considered what it and waste in the drive towards carbon neutrality. means to live near all of these necessities, others are revamping their urBut though the “quarter-hour” framework seems convenient and ban planning strategies and designing their neighborhoods to be more ecologically sound, it implies many limitations. Lockdown challenged pedestrian-friendly. an understanding of cities as places that provide the chance introducPartially inspired by the work of Jane Jacobs, who viewed neightions and chains of encounters upon which interesting careers (and perborhoods as social connectors, the idea behind “15-minute cities” was developed by Carlos Moreno, a Sorbonne professor who aimed to improve the urban quality of life. With “hyper-proximity” to MAYOR ANNE HIDALGO’S GOAL WAS TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPamenities, jobs, government services, public parks, shopping, and MENT OF MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITIES WITHIN EACH ARa variety of entertainment only by bike or foot, the concept re- RONDISSEMENT OF PARIS. DUBBED THE “VILLE DE QUART D’HEURE”, considers how cities can be better designed to support the basic OR THE QUARTER-HOUR CITY, THE GOAL IS TO TRANSFORM THE needs of residents. Within this small radius from their homes, CAPITAL INTO MORE EFFICIENT NEIGHBORHOODS TO REDUCE POLstronger communities will be created that allows residents to feel LUTION AND CREATE SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE AREAS more invested in the businesses and services in their area. sonal lives) are constructed. Is it realistic to think of this 15-minute lasso Moreno models the 15-minute city on his research into the “new reas a permanent, practicable feature? “We don’t want to oblige people to lationship between citizens and the rhythm of life in cities”. To achieve stay in the 15-minute district,” Moreno says. “We don’t want to recreate a better rhythm, he says, we need to develop multipurpose services — a village. We want to create a better urban organisation.” “one building, with many applications through the day. How, for examWhile the “15-minute city” might seem like a utopian impossibility, ple, we could use a school for other activities, during the weekend. We many policymakers around the globe are already beginning to give their also want buildings that mix places for living and working at the same urban cores new life with better city planning, the decentralization of time — this reduces the time for commuting.” services and goods, and new laws that rezone streets to remove cars and Above all, the 15-minute city is one that cuts down unnecessary make way for pedestrians and cyclists. One city spearheading this urban journeys: “We need to reduce the presence of cars on the streets,” says

HANGING GARDENS OF ONE CENTRAL PARK, SYDNEY

February

25

Feature

Architecture and Urban Planning next three years- all while taking away 60,000 parking spaces for cars.

Along with Paris, Melbourne has created its own take with a 20-minute neighborhood where everything is within a 20-minute commute. Copenhagen, perhaps a more well-known example, has cen-

MELBOURNE HAS CREATED ITS OWN TAKE WITH A 20-MINUTE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE EVERYTHING IS WITHIN A 20-MINUTE COMMUTE. COPENHAGEN, PERHAPS A MORE WELL-KNOWN EXAMPLE, HAS CENTRALIZED ITS SENSE OF URBANISM AROUND THE RELIANCE ON BICYCLES WITH A LAYER OF PROXIMITY TO DESIRABLE PLACES. PEOPLE-FRIENDLY AMENITIES IN SROCKHOLM

strategy is Paris under the leadership of its Mayor, Anne Hidalgo. In fact, it was one of the pillars that drove her political campaign to successful reelection. Her goal is to encourage the development of more self-sufficient communities within each arrondissement of Paris. Dubbed the “ville de quart d’heure”, or the quarter-hour city, the goal is to transform the capital into more efficient neighborhoods to reduce pollution and create socially and economically diverse areas. At her unveiling of this plan, Hidalgo insisted that this revitalization effort would incorporate other strategies as well- including a 5,000 person unarmed police force, a massive undertaking to plant more trees, and heavy fines for uncivil behavior such as littering. More notably, she stated that she wants to continue to pedestrianize the capital by putting a bike lane in every street within the

tralized its sense of urbanism around the reliance on bicycles with a layer of proximity to desirable places. Even American cities are now taking a closer look at this method, especially with the lessons learned and self-reflection as the COVID-19 pandemic looks ahead to new futures. At a time where people often spent 1-2 hours a day just commuting to work via private transit methods, there’s been an increased focus on returning the streets to the people, finding ways to reduce the heavy reliance on cars and recreate a sense of neighborhood that has diminished with the increase of urban sprawl. Here Technologies has created an interactive map that shows which cities are already tilting the scale towards being more aligned with the 15-minute city goals. While some neighborhoods are walkable now, even more, will likely move in this direction as city planners begin to use this framework to develop their own future city concepts.

FIRST SMART FOREST CITY IN MEXICO WILL BE 100% FOOD AND ENERGY SELF-SUFFICIENT

26

February

Leaders’

NEDA LAZENDIĆ, Country Manager, WindVision Development

MEETING POINT NEMANJA ĆIRIĆ, Business Development Manager at GP Gradjevinar doo

Educating Future Professionals

An ambitious plan of Windvision and NBT: 800MW of wind capacities connected to grid until 2026

EFTHYMIOS PARTSALIS, ceo of Intracom Telecom Belgrade

Investing In The Future

Focused On High Quality

Connecting People and Markets

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MILOVAN STANIŠIĆ PH.D., Singidunum University President

MICHAEL AHLGRIM, Head of Southeast Europe, DB Engineering & Consulting GmbH

APAVE

Focused On Projects Of The Future

PAGE /39

MILOVAN STANIŠIĆ PH.D., SINGIDUNUM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

Educating Future Professionals Singidunum University is ever better positioned on the the domestic and international markets of higher education thanks to its modern curriculum, top lecturers and excellent study conditions career, and that determines their choice of university. They highly value practical knowledge and skills, which they see as the most important criterion for employment. This is precisely one of the reasons for the constant growth of interest in our programmes, as Singidunum is recognised as a university that prepares students to be competitive on both the domestic and international labour markets, in accordance with modern business trends.

Practical sections are inherent in all our courses and study programmes. This kind of modern approach to education allows our students to be directly involved in modern business flows without additional professional training.

M

ilovan Stanišić, Ph.D., Singidunum University President speaks exclusively for CorD magazine about the modern approach to education, importance of work placement, bilingual studies and strategic partnerships with universities from the U.S. and Europe.

Interest in studying at Singidunum is growing from year to year. Are students aware of the importance of the practical knowledge that they need to acquire and apply even during their studies?

Due to the easy access to information nowadays, students know exactly what is important and necessary for a successful

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February

The world's most developed countries have economies based on knowledge and innovation. Is that why your study programmes have been designed to cater to the needs of the economy and contemporary conditions for doing business?

Singidunum University has outstanding collaboration with the business community.

The information we receive from companies operating in different areas of business contributes to the fact that our study programmes and teaching methods meet the needs of the labour market. All of our programmes have been carefully created to educate professionals who will – with their knowledge, creative ideas, innovative solutions and entrepreneurial spirit – be able to contribute to the economic and technological development of our country.

Never has it been that difficult to educate young professionals, especially given the fact that the popularity of a number of professions we are familiar with is beginning to wane, as well as the rapid emergence of new ones. In order for us to overcome this problem, we have adapted our study programmes to the actual needs of the labour market; we opt for using the most up-to-date textbooks, with the latest case studies, and contemporary theories, while teaching staff members are constantly improving their interactive methods of teaching and working with students.

Doing an internship is a built-in part of the University study programmes - why is that the case?

There is no high-quality education without the synthesis of theory and practise. That's precisely why student internships are a mandatory part of studies at all the faculties of Singidunum University, and at present we have more than 500 agreements on the implementation of student internships signed with companies from various economic sectors. These are companies operating in the fields of marketing, finance, information technology, tourism and hospitality and education. There is also a possibility for students to organise internships on their own, which is confirmed by a certificate issued and signed by the employer.

This provides them with an opportunity to acquire their first work experience relevant to the study programme they are undertaking, which is certainly their entrance ticket

to the business world. A large number of our students take advantage of this opportunity in the best possible way.

One of the main indicators of quality of higher education worldwide is the ability of graduates to navigate the labour market and their level of employability. How does Singidunum rate in this respect?

The real competences and skills of job candidates is what present-day employers look for and highly value. It no longer matters whether students come from public or private colleges, foreign or domestic, what matters is the extent to which they will contribute to the successful operations of a company. It is because of this that many students – especially in the fields of computer science, information technology and software and information engineering – secure a job already during their studies. There is no better proof of our effort than when a member of our alumni makes a successful career and achieves enviable business results. As you said, many of them have exceptional business results and numerous awards, occupying key positions in large companies, state institutions and international organisations, and for us that's the best sign that we do our job well.

Is there still great interest in studies in English at Singidunum University and the programmes organised in partnership with Franklin University?

Interest in our English-taugh study programmes is growing significantly among foreign candidates, who recognise Serbia as a safe and attractive destination for studying. Thanks to a modern curriculum and programmes, teachers with international experience and excellent study conditions, Singidunum has positioned itself well on the international market of higher education. What also contributes to the position are our strategic partnerships with universities from the U.S. and numerous European countries, which enable our students to spend their final years of study at one of these institutions and obtain their degree.

Our Business Economics, Tourism and Hospitality, IT and Software and Information Engineering programmes also attract an ever increasing number of students from Serbia who want to study in English. This is just an additional argument supporting

Singidunum responded to the challenges brought by the pandemic in record time and enabled the smooth running of teaching activities online

the claim that young people understand the surrounding needs and want to become bilingual professionals, thus gaining better employment opportunities, especially in foreign companies, while studying in their own city/country together with peers from all over the world. The possibility of studying in English and then transferring to foreign universities is especially attractive to young people from Serbia and the region, who – due to circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – have been prevented from starting their studies abroad.

COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden and radical transformation, i.e. digitalisation, which has also affected the field of educa-

tion. How do your colleagues and students rate the quality of online teaching?

We are witnessing one of the most significant turning points in the history of the educational system, with an awareness that things will never be the same again. Thanks to excellent technical equipment and the digital competencies of its lecturers, Singidunum University managed to respond to the challenges brought by the pandemic in record time and enable the smooth running of teaching activities online. We use the Microsoft Teams platform, which enables the effective implementation of teaching processes by utilising numerous innovative learning tools. Students have access to learning materials, including video recordings of lectures, and communication with lecturers is extremely effective. The quality of teaching has been rated very highly among students, while it has been noticed that they attend lectures more than they did under regular conditions, because they can follow lectures from a location that best suits them.

The most important thing for us is that students are satisfied with the way we implement online teaching and that many of them are even suggesting that the same model, or a blend of a traditional and an online one, should be preserved in the period following the pandemic.

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29

“Serbia has our support to achieve its goal – full European integration and to be the economic leader in the Balkans” – H.E. ANTHONY GODFREY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

LOCAL NEWS

GENERALI INITIATIVE THE HUMAN SAFETY NET LAUNCHES "EXPAND IMPACT" PROJECT

GERMANY’S CONTINENTAL PLANS TO OPEN CAR ELECTRONICS FACTORY IN SERBIA German car parts manufacturer Continental plans to open in March a 140 million euro ($171 million) car electronics factory in Novi Sad, in northern Serbia, the government of Vojvodina province has said. The factory will employ no less than 500 workers, the Vojvodina province government said in a statement on Tuesday. Continental decided to invest in the factory following the excellent performance of its research and development (R&D) centre for vehicle interior and safety control systems in Novi Sad, the managing director of Continental Serbia, Sasa Coringa, said after meeting with the president of the Vojvodina government, Igor Mirovic.

The Human Safety Net (THSN), Generali's global community support initiative, is launching the Expand Impact project, an innovative multi-year strategy to spread social impact to the most vulnerable families and ambitious entrepreneurs. In line with its vision of creating an open support network, THSN is joining forces with ten companies, foundations and agencies as co-investors.

Philip Done, CEO of Generali Group, said on this occasion: "We understand the scale of the challenges facing The Human Safety Net initiative. Globally, two hundred and fifty million children under the age of five risk not realizing their full development potential.

PHILIP MORRIS WON THE "TOP EMPLOYER" AWARD FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN A ROW The company Filip Morris Serbia is the winner of the international award "Top Employer" for the sixth time in a row, which has strengthened its position in the company of the best employers in Serbia.

The attitude towards employees, in which their professional development is an absolute priority, is one of the examples of good practice with which the company Philip Morris qualified for this prestigious certificate for the sixth year in a row.

This year's award for the best employer confirms the commitment to the continuous improvement of the work environment, through the development and implementation of quality practices in the field of human resources, the value of which is confirmed by employee satisfaction.

INTERSTATE AGREEMENT ON ENCOURAGING INVESTMENTS SIGNED WITH THE US Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali and US Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey signed the Interstate Agreement on Encouraging Investments, which is a precondition for starting the activities of the American International Development Corporation (DFC) in Serbia.

Mali said that this act is important because it confirms that the agreement from Washington is still being applied, as well as that the door to further cooperation with the American administration is now getting opened. He said that the goal is to harmonise the guarantee scheme for Serbian companies worth $1 billion with the DFC by the end of the first quarter of this year, as well as to make it available to our micro, small and medium enterprises in the middle of the year.

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“The EU will mobilise up to €9 billion of funding for investment flagships in the areas of transport, energy, green and digital transition, to create sustainable growth and jobs in the Western Balkans” – OLIVÉR VÁRHELYI, THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD AND ENLARGEMENT

Placements postings

&

appointments@aim.rs

MIHAILO JANKOVIĆ, NEW CEO OF MK GROUP

Mihailo Janković amassed his rich leadership and managerial experience working for leading multinational companies and companies owned by private investment funds and private regional companies – British American Tobacco, The Coca-Cola Company, Knjaz Miloš a.d. and Nectar Group. He has vast experience in the domain of the operational and strategic transformation of companies aimed at enabling their sustainable growth and business development. During the course of his career, Janković has also been a member of the management boards of professional business associations and non-profit organisations in Serbia. He was declared the 2019 “Manager of the Year” by the Serbian Association of Managers.

AMBASSADOR JAN BRAATHU, NEW HEAD OF THE OSCE MISSION TO SERBIA

Prior to his arrival in Belgrade, Jan Braathu served as Head of the OSCE Mission to Kosovo, while he was previously Norway’s ambassador to Kosovo and Albania (2011-2016) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (2006-2011). He served, from 2000 to 2006, as deputy director general and head of the division for Western Balkan Affairs, responsible for Norwegian Government Western Balkan policy, while from 1998 to 2000 he was attached to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry’s OSCE Chairpersonship-in-Office Section, following Western Balkan issues and representing the 1999 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office at the Rambouillet talks. He previously served as an advisor on Balkan Affairs, in charge of developing policy proposals and coordinating Norwegian policy and initiatives in the region, prior to which - from 1993 to 1996 – he served as first secretary and acting counsellor for Economic Affairs at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London and - from 1990 to 1993 - as first secretary at the Royal Norwegian embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

DJORDJE POPOVIĆ (CCAO, TELENOR), NEW PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE NORDIC BUSINESS ALLIANCE IN SERBIA (NBA)

Đorđe came to Telenor in May 2019 from the position of Partner in international law firm CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz. During his career, Đorđe advised international clients in relation to the major telecommunications companies` acquisition, setup and project development of licensed broadcasting entities, regulatory and contractual issues associated with wholesale broadband transactions, as well as online advertising and brand marketing. Popović graduated from Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade. He holds postgraduate degree in Securities Law from University of Belgrade and Master of European Studies from Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität Bonn (Germany). In parallel to his business practice, he is regularly publishing and researching in diverse legal areas and is a guest lecturer at University of Belgrade.

DRAGOLJUB DAMLJANOVIĆ, NEW DIRECTOR OF THE SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN SERBIA

Dragoljub Damljanović has been at Schneider Electric for more than 16 years, contributing to the development of the company during that time by serving in numerous leadership positions: Director of Schneider Electric Serbia d.o.o.; Vice President for the territory Southeast Europe responsible for energy and service offers; and Sales Director for the Digital Grid Division worldwide, a function that he will continue to perform alongside the new challenge that he's accepted to take on in Serbia.

The outgoing director of the Schneider Electric Development Centre, Luis D’Acosta, continues in his position as Vice President of the Schneider Electric Digital Grid, based in the United States.

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NEDA LAZENDIĆ, COUNTRY MANAGER, WINDVISION DEVELOPMENT

An Ambitious Plan Of Windvision And NBT:

800MW Of Wind Capacities Connected To Grid Until 2026 Norwegian company NBT AS has partnered up with WV International to develop wind farms in Serbia, with a plan for all 800 MW of wind farms to be operational by 2026. The first 168 MW will be included in the network as early as 2023, and in the meantime the company will change its name to WV-NBT Srbija

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ind farms are set to bring significant levels of economic development and tax revenues to the local region, providing up to two thousand jobs during construction and have a lasting economic impact even after the completion of construction, explains Neda Lazendić, WindVision Development Country Manager for Serbia.

It was 10 years ago that your company started working on wind farm projects in Serbia. What stage are they now at?

WV International has been active in the field of renewable energy for almost 20 years and operates in eight countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Morocco, Serbia, Senegal and Tunisia. It has successfully implemented wind farm projects producing over 200 MW in Belgium and France, obtained permits for over 800 MW and matured into a team of 50+ employees with expertise in the entire life cycle of constructing renewable energy plant projects.

The megawatts that WindVision is counting on the most will come from the Alibunar wind farm complex and the Banat wind farm complex, located on the territory of South Banat, with a total installed capacity of 800 MW. The project to construct the Alibunar wind farm complex, which was launched in 2010, has been completed and has valid building permits, while a connection to the network

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has also been secured. It is for this very reason that WindVision is impatiently expecting a new legislative framework for the implementation of renewable energy investments under transparent, competitive and viable market conditions, such as the announced auction system.

The megawatts that we're counting on the most will come from the Alibunar wind farm complex and the Banat wind farm complex, with a total installed capacity of 800 MW Projects to construct the Banat wind farms are at various stages of project development and will also be adapted to the new national legal framework.

Norwegian company NBT AS has become your partner in developing wind farms in Serbia. How big will their power output be and when can we expect the first amounts of electricity from these farms to appear on the network?

It was late last year that NBT AS (NBT), an Oslo-based investor in high-power wind farms, joined company WindVision International in the

portfolio to construct 800MW of wind farms in Serbia, as well as a project to construct a solar power plant with an installed capacity of 80MW. NBT has significant expertise in implementing projects in emerging market countries, such as Ukraine and China. NBT is the second largest producer and operator of wind energy in Ukraine, with the 800MW Zophia and 250MW Sivashenergoprom projects.

Is it realistic to expect wind parks/wind farms to contribute to the economic development of the region and to create new jobs?

WV International and NBT will develop and build wind farms in adherence to international standards and in accordance with EBRD requirements and equator principles.

These wind farms will bring significant economic development and tax revenue to the local region, providing up to two thousand jobs during construction and have a lasting economic impact even after the completion of construction. These projects will also significantly increase the share of renewable energy sources in total electricity consumption in Serbia, which is one of the energy sector's most important goals. I'm personally very excited about the implementation of these projects, as I've been working on them from the very beginning and am looking forward to them contributing to the energy transition of the Republic of Serbia.

EFTHYMIOS PARTSALIS, CEO OF INTRACOM TELECOM BELGRADE

Investing In The Future

The region's best positioned radio supplier

CEO OF INTRACOM TELECOM IN BELGRADE

T

he local Intracom Telecom team in Belgrade and Skopje, covering the markets of the region, employs 33 people who are tasked with implementing and supporting a number of projects, from infrastructure engineering to sophisticated software solutions in the areas of the IoT, digital video, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Intracom Telecom exports to 72 countries worldwide and has subsidiaries around the globe, including Serbia. Over the course of four decades of operations, you've amassed more than 100 renowned buyers. What else do we need to know about your company?

Intracom Telecom has become the benchmark in Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and innovates in the 5G/4G wireless fronthaul, midhaul and backhaul. We are investing significantly in R&D programmes, thus developing cutting-edge products and competitive solutions. We have strong participation in the EU flagship initiative for 5G and have been significantly involved in the EU Horizon 2020 research framework.

We operate four R&D centres and three production facilities, all located in the EU, and our Group employs 1,800 highly-skilled professionals worldwide. We offer a portfolio of comprehensive software solutions and a complete range of ICT services, focus-

Intracom Telecom is a global telecommunications systems & solutions vendor that's been operating for over 40 years.

CorD Magazine met with Efthymios Partsalis, CEO of Intracom Telecom in Belgrade to talk about the Group’s wide variety of solutions and services. ing on IoT, SDN/NFV, Big Data analytics & data-driven intelligence, advanced digital video delivery and Smart City solutions.

Moreover, we also address the energy & utilities industry, with an emphasis on smart

We operate four R&D centres and three production facilities, all located in the EU, and our Group employs 1,800 highlyskilled professionals worldwide

metering and end-to-end IT solutions. In the security solutions domain, we are developing Critical Infrastructure Protection and Border Surveillance solutions.

Alongside research, the development and production of wireless network systems, software and Smart City solutions, what else is included in your company's developments?

Intracom Telecom is leading the development and standardisation of future technology. We were recently identified as the “best positioned radio supplier” for Telecom Infra Project’s (TIP) OpenSoftHaul (OSH) global RFI, coordinated by the Wireless

Backhaul Project Group (WBH PG), which was organised and backed by Axiata, Deutsche Telekom, MTN, Telefónica and TIM Brasil.

Moreover, we contribute to the acceleration of fifth generation networks and virtual network transformation and have been acknowledged by Intel Network Builders for our outstanding collaboration and technical leadership with our groundbreaking NFV Resource Intelligence™ (NFV-RI™) platform.

Intracom Telecom Belgrade participates in the implementation of complex integrated projects with a broad scope. In which sectors of the economy do you operate?

Intracom Telecom develops and provides products, solutions and professional services primarily for fixed and mobile telecom operators, public authorities and large public and private enterprises. We are recognised as an esteemed vendor of Wireless Network Solutions with a best-in-class portfolio. Our Telco and Enterprise Software solutions, besides OSS/BSS & IPTV for telco operators, includes solutions for Smart Cities & Utilities managed by our field-proven IoT orchestration platform. Our IoT & AI expertise, the superiority of our network equipment solutions and the vast experience we've amassed in completing complex ICT projects are brilliantly combined to digitally transform companies in any sector.

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"More than 1.2 billion euros have been invested in Montenegro in 20 months" – IVAN RADULOVIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL OF MONTENEGRO

REGIONAL NEWS MONTENEGRO

SERBIA’S EMS ACQUIRES 5% OF SHARES OF MONTENEGRIN POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM Transmission system operator (TSO) Elektromreža Srbije acquired 5% of the shares of Montenegrin TSO Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem (CGES) for about EUR 7 million. EMS now owns a total of 15% of the shares of the Montenegrin TSO. Five years ago it purchased 10% for EUR 13.8 million. The Serbian state-owned company bought the shares from small shareholders at the Montenegro Stock Exchange at an average price of around EUR 0.95 each, portal Vijesti reported. According to the portal, the price is about 9% higher than in the previous transaction. The majority owner of CGES is the Government of Montenegro, with 55% of shares, while Italian Terna holds 22%, and small shareholders control 8%.

BULGARIA

UNITED GROUP TAKES OVER BULGARIA'S LARGEST NEWS COMPANY United Group, the leading telecommunications and media operator in Southeast Europe, announced that it has reached an agreement to take over Vestnik Telegraf EOOD, Bulgaria's largest newspaper company, from Intrust EAD. Within the United Group, the company SBB and its services EON and Total TV operate in Serbia, and the media content is broadcast by the televisions and portals Sport Klub, Nova S and N1.

Victoriya Boklag, CEO of United Group, said: “We are excited to announce this agreement.

Bulgaria is an attractive market for the United Group and with Telegraf we are supplementing our portfolio with print media in that country.

With Telegraf within the United Group, we will be able to offer our customers in Bulgaria a full range of services and media content. We see an opportunity to further improve all editions of Telegraf by switching to digital business in order to further strengthen our digital portfolio in Bulgaria."

ROMANIA

ROMEXPO TO ORGANISE VIRTUAL TOURISM FAIR IN FEBRUARY Romexpo, the biggest Romanian exhibition center, launches #TTRVirtual, the first event in the 2021 exhibition calendar that will take place on a digital platform only. Romania's Tourism Fair will take place between 18 and 21 February and aims to support the entire tourism industry, which is severely affected during this period. "We wanted to stay in touch with our visitors, exhibitors, and partners. With the help of technology, perseverance and professionalism, we developed the concept #TTRVirtual - an event that reflects the experience of the Romexpo Exhibition Center in the online environment. I invite travel agencies, tour operators, authorities promoting the most beautiful places in Romania, local and international circuit organizers to join us in confidence," said Ionel Gagu, president and general manager of Romexpo. According to the organizers, visitors to the # TTRVirtual2021 platform will have the best experience in the field of tourism.

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NEMANJA ĆIRIĆ, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT GP GRADJEVINAR DOO

Focused On High Quality It was 32 years ago, during the founding of GP Gradjevinar, that the goal was set for it not to become the biggest construction company, but the most serious one. Testifying to the founders having succeeded in that aim is the portfolio of completed facilities and an endless list of satisfied clients

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ccording to announcements made by this family company, their focus in the years ahead will continue to be on the high quality of works implemented during the realisation of projects, the applying of the highest world standards in construction, as well as the latest technologies.

Your company was among the first private construction enterprises in our country.

How have you succeeded in maintaining your position despite the competition?

Our company was founded back in 1989, and one of the main ideas that existed before the company was founded – and which still motivates us today, 32 years on – is a desire to offer our clients the best solutions, with the highest quality and the shortest deadlines.

It isn't easy to achieve such desires in construction, but it is precisely these challenges and the dynamics of everyday life that contribute to this motivation.

Our desire to offer the best solutions to clients has led to the constant educating of all members of our team, and we have thus been in a position to perform as a General Contractor for many years.

Our clients often approach us with just a rough idea of the facility they need, but close cooperation and understanding their

needs enables us to design and build the facility to suit their needs precisely, with all the accompanying installations and infrastructure. All that's left for them to do is to move in and start operating.

You have amassed 32 years of successful experience and constructed more than 250 representative buildings intended for various purposes, but what's ahead of you? What are your plans for 2021 and the coming years?

New technologies always bring something new to all industries, and with them

Wherever possible, we will endeavour to implement green building systems, with project solutions that are better for the environment, using materials made from renewable or recycled sources come new ways of doing business. As a sector, construction perhaps isn't the fastest when it comes to applying new technologies, but such technologies are certainly becoming increasingly present and providing new and interesting opportunities. Our focus in 2021 and the subsequent years will continue to be directed towards high quality in the implementation of projects, with the applying of the world's highest standards in construction, as well

as the latest technologies. This will also be reflected, wherever possible, through the implementation of green building systems, with project solutions that are better for the environment, using materials made from renewable or recycled sources and the like.

You recently presented a new website and a new visual identity of GP Gradjevinar.

Was it time to modernise?

That's right, after 32 years of doing business with our recognisable logo, we wanted to give the logo a more modern look that would represent the contemporary operations of our company, while on the other side we wanted to retain the recognisable elements and their symbolism. We kept the Cyrillic letters as the basic script in the sign (respecting the long tradition of this script), but we also added the name in the Latin script just below, with consideration for the growing number of our international partners. The first part of the logo: the number 3 and the Cyrillic letter Ć (the first letter of the surname of the company's founding Ćirić family) under one roof still represents the family values that we cultivate in the company, but also our core activity – construction.

Numerous colleagues, who've been “part of the family” for years, have contributed to the company's development and it being recognised as one of the most reliable partners in construction among both domestic and international companies.

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MICHAEL AHLGRIM, HEAD OF SOUTHEAST EUROPE, DB ENGINEERING & CONSULTING GMBH

Connecting People And Markets DB Engineering & Consulting, as part of the Deutsche Bahn and DB E.C.O. Group, is one of the leading companies in the railway consultancy business, having amassed 50 years of experience and with more than 5,000 employees from 84 different countries

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e have been present in Serbia since March 2011 and have succeeded in performing some very attractive and large scale projects. At this moment we have around 30 permanent employees in Serbia, mostly engineers, while the list of our partners and subcontractors is much longer, says Michael Ahlgrim Your company has implemented thousands of projects worldwide over the course of the past half a century, while you've been present in Serbia since May 2011. How would you assess the development of rail transport in this region over the past 10 years?

We are offering the entire range of services, starting with an idea, through development and implementation, all the way to operations and maintenance. Our experts across all engineering disciplines develop and implement solutions that meet our customers’ needs and connect people and markets around the world from Germany, Europe, Australia and South Africa to the United Arab Emirates, China and Brazil. We draw upon many years of experience to perform the right analysis for each situation and take active sustainable steps that meet our customers’ needs and prepare them for the future.

The ultimate goal for rail transport in Southeast Europe should be the creation

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of a sustainable mode of transport, which would ensure future optimal connections and further economic development within the region, with special attention paid to environmental issues in order to effectively combine the strengths of each individual mode of transport – rail, road, sea and air – in the interests of customers.

I’m happy to see that this goal has been recognised and implemented in the transport strategies of all neighbouring countries, which will place railway transport in the position where it belongs. The current status of the existing infrastructure

The Belgrade – Stara Pazova Section is the first section of the future high-speed rail line between Belgrade and Budapest

cannot support further development and our first task, together with relevant stakeholders, is to reconstruct and modernise the most important railway lines, in parallel with constructing new ones.

We have been witnessing major investments in the rail sector over the last 10 years, starting from Slovenia - where the Divaca–Koper railway line is ready for

construction, Croatia – where Corridor X is already upgraded, Bosnia-Herzegovina, with priority designs along Corridor Vc that are ongoing, Serbia – with the development of the first high-speed line in the region and the reconstruction of Corridor X, North Macedonia and Albania – with design and construction works along Corridor VIII. All these projects should contribute to the better connectivity and transport of people and freight within the SEE region, which will create new possibilities for investments, a better economy and a higher standard of living for all citizens.

Which projects have you been engaged in and which companies have you collaborated with on works implemented in Serbia?

We have been present in Serbia since March 2011 and, thanks to Nikola Ristić and his team, we succeeded in developing our office and performing some very attractive and large scale projects in Serbia. At the moment we have around 30 permanent employees, mostly engineers, while the list of our partners and subcontractors is much longer. Our main clients are usually state-owned and private rail companies, regional transport operators, construction companies and private investors, but also international and national financial institutions. I would therefore emphasise our excellent cooperation with Serbian Railways

Infrastructure and the respective Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

The supervision of construction works on the Žeželj Bridge over the Danube was an example of excellent cooperation between different investors (EU Delegation and the Republic of Serbia) and international contractors.

From the private sector, our biggest client is RZD International, with whom we've already implemented various projects in the field of technical consulting during reconstruction works on the Belgrade – Pančevo section (15 km), six sections along Corridor X (112 km), Resnik – Valjevo (85 km) and construction works on the highspeed Belgrade – Budapest line along the Stara Pazova – Novi Sad section (40 km).

Here we are talking about two very important projects for the Republic of Serbia. The Belgrade – Stara Pazova section is the first section of the future high-speed rail line between Belgrade and

You are currently involved in conducting expert supervision on the section of the railway from Belgrade to Stara Pazova and the compiling of technical documentation for the Bar railway. What stages have these projects reached?

Budapest, part of the global “One Belt, One Road” initiative. As this kind of railway infrastructure has never been constructed in Serbia, we have to be very careful and to utilise all the knowledge we've gained from similar projects worldwide. The

We have been witnessing major investments in the rail sector over the last 10 years, everywhere from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, to North Macedonia and Albania

Chinese contractor will, according to the plan, complete the construction work most probably in the 3rd quarter of this year. We are confident that the first trains on this section will start to run by end of the year.

On the other hand, reconstruction of the Valjevo – Vrbnica section of the Bar railway is in the design stage. Technical documentation for the entire 210 km, including the preliminary design and design for construction, should be completed in the next 18 months. RZD International, part of Russian Railways Holding, is the main contractor for this project. At DB Engineering & Consulting we are proud to be part of this project and to support RZD International with our Design Centre located in Bucharest and local subcontractors, in order to develop designs according to the latest EU standards, bringing German knowhow and international experience, which will usher in a new era in the development of high-speed rail lines and place Serbia as an important node on the map of European railways.

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WORLD NEWS

"People were rushing in, thinking it could only go up. That the stocks would not go down. Until they did and people got crushed. One minute you are a millionaire on paper, the next minute your loan on your house gets called." – MARK CUBAN, BILLIONAIRE DALLAS MAVERICKS OWNER

UK

JOBLESS RATE HIGHEST SINCE 2016 Britain’s unemployment rate hit its highest in nearly five years in the three months to November, when coronavirus cases began to rise for a second time and most of the country returned to a partial lockdown.

Redundancies touched a record high, taking the unemployment rate to 5.0%, its highest since mid-2016, according to official data, although the increase was slightly weaker than economists’ forecasts. There were some signs of a limited recovery in December, when lockdown measures eased, although a deterioration is likely in early 2021 as a tougher lockdown shut schools and closed most nonessential businesses to the public.

CHINA

ELECTRIC CARMAKER XPENG ROLLS OUT AUTONOMOUS HIGHWAY DRIVING FEATURES IN CHALLENGE TO TESLA Chinese electric carmaker Xpeng Motors has started rolling out its new autonomous highway driving features to eligible customers as it looks to ramp up its challenge to Tesla in the world’s largest auto market. The electric vehicle start-up announced the Navigation Guided Pilot or NGP. The feature allows drivers to automatically change lanes, speed up or slow down, overtake cars as well as enter and exit highways. It is part of the next generation of Xpeng’s XPILOT 3.0 “advanced driver-assistance system” (ADAS). Customers who have purchased the option on the premium version of Xpeng’s P7 sedan will be able to download NGP over WiFi. The features are part of a broader so-called over-the-air update that allows customers to download new software via WiFi. It is similar to upgrading the operating system on a phone.

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US

MICROSOFT PROFITS SURGE Microsoft's chief executive has hailed 'the dawn of a second wave of digital transformation' after the tech giant made record quarterly revenues.

High demand for the firm's cloud computing services and a successful launch of two new video game consoles helped its year-on-year revenues grow 17 per cent to £31.4billion and net profits jump by a third to £11.3billion.

The company has seen sales of its products soar since the start of the coronavirus pandemic as a surge of people working from home accelerated purchases of cloud services such as Microsoft Azure, which rose by 50 per cent.

Focused On Projects Of The Future Apave VerTech is a company that's constantly working to improve its own knowhow and striving for modern solutions through great dedication to learning and the development of personnel, with clientfocused objectives

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s one of the leaders of the regional market for non-destructive testing (NDT), Apave VerTech was among the companies participating in the TurkStream project, a natural gas pipeline running from Russia to Turkey, starting from the Russkaya compressor station near Anapa in Russia's Krasnodar Region, before crossing the Black Sea to the receiving terminal at Kıyıköy. The TurkStream project replaced the South Stream project, which was cancelled back in 2014. Apave Vertech fulfilled its role in this project successfully, operating from July 2019 until June 2020.

Of the total length of 403 km of pipeline in Serbia, Apave Vertech inspected 147 km, extending from Bulgarian border to Central Serbia, with more than 13,000 welding joints of varying thicknesses – from 14 to 25 mm, 48" diameter.

Applied NDT methods are within the scope of services that Apave VerTech provides: VT (visual testing), MPI (magnetic particle testing), UT (ultrasonic testing), RT (radiographic testing) and advanced UT method – TOFD (time of flight diffraction). Testing for this project was performed by 35 to 40 multi-discipline certified inspectors. Organised in teams,

the most experienced individuals among them took on the role of team leader – supervisor and holder of the certificate confirming the highest level of expertise.

International welding engineers (IWE) also took part in the project, to ensure services were provided in a precise and professional manner.

Visual and radiographic testing were the only testing methods applied to each

Apave Vertech fulfilled its role in the TurkStream project successfully, operating from July 2019 until June 2020

welding joint that Apave VerTech’s teams were in charge of inspecting, with all other aforementioned methods used selectively at the request of the client. Apave VerTech’s teams used modern, high-quality equipment in order to achieve better results, particularly when it comes to radiographic testing. Crawlers, devices designed to move X-ray tubes inside the pipeline with

an external controller, covering up to four kilometres, are used to inspect a great number of welding joints (up to 100 a day), producing radiograms of high quality that are later processed in an automatic processing laboratory.

As a certified inspection body, the company provides services that comply with relevant standards, resulting in professionalism and efficiency. Apave VerTech’s training centre creates professionals who are welcome to become members of teams and build their careers in an international environment with a wide range of opportunities. One of the most significant training programmes was conducted in collaboration with the EU (Interreg) through its welding training programme.

Once certified by the Apave VerTech Certification body (approved by the Accreditation body of Serbia), any technician in the domain is ready to embark on the journey through a challenging and dynamic career offering constant opportunities for development.

In the period ahead, Apave VerTech will focus on participating in projects that operate on gas pipelines traversing Serbia and other countries, with the support of its branches in 45 countries worldwide.

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Enterpreneur

PIERRE OMIDYAR

AMERICAN ENTREPRENEUR AND PHILANTHROPIST, FOUNDER OF EBAY

COMMITTED TO

IMPROVE THE WORLD

Pierre Omidyar is the business magnate and philanthropist who is famous for having revolutionized the field of e-commerce, with his online bidding website, ‘eBay’. His vision for change, coupled with a strong belief and trust in humanity, has generated groundbreaking innovations and inspired people around the world to “think big” about what’s possible. Pierre is one of richest people in the world, having made his fortune of over $21billion 40

February

P

ierre Morad Omidyar was born to Iranian settlers, Elahé Mir-Djalali Omidyar, and her husband, in Paris, on June 21, 1967.

His mother was a renowned linguistics scholar, and his father was employed at the ‘Johns Hopkins University’ as a surgeon.

The family later settled down in the U.S, where the young boy attended the ‘Potomac School’, Virginia. He completed his secondary education in 1984, from ‘St. Andrew’s Episcopal School’ in Maryland.

In 1991, this software enthusiast, along with Arnold Blinn, Greg Stein, Will Poole, and Matt Kursh, founded a small-scale pen computing firm named, ‘Ink Development’. Two years later, the founders of ‘Ink Development’ rechristened the company to ‘eShop’, and began focussing on e-commerce.

Having a passion for computer science, as a young man Pierre Omidyar began his career with ‘Claris’ software company, and helped his team develop ‘Apple Inc’s application ‘MacDraw II’. Soon, he gave new meaning to his latent ambitions of launching a business, beginning with the establishment of ‘Ink Development’.

This soon came to be known as ‘eShop’, dealing in products like the ‘InkWare Photo’, and ‘InkWare NoteTaker’. Eventually, he launched ‘eBay’, and by the time he turned 31 years old, he had earned billions of profit. ‘eBay’ had introduced its own stock market, and soon the company’s shares brought home an income of approximately $4.45 billion. In 1999, Pierre won the ‘EY Entrepreneur of The Year’ award, for his successful venture, ‘eBay’.

In 1995, Omidyar inaugurated an internet site called ‘Auction Web’, which allowed users to buy and sell items online. Within a span of one year, the brilliant businessman acquired the license to sell airplane tickets on the site.

In 1996, he also hired the proficient engineer, ‘Jeffrey Skoll’, to work with him on ‘Auction Web’. Later on ‘Auction Web’ was renamed as ‘eBay’, after his initial choice of ‘echobay’ was already in use. During the same period auctions of items on sale had hit an average of 800,000 per day. The ‘eBay’ business continued to excel, bringing home billions for all the co-founders of the website.

Along with his wealth, Pierre became one of the first of the Silicon Valley elite to pursue philanthropy, and since founding the Omidyar Network in 2004, his commitment to improving the world has only increased

PIERRE OMIDYAR’S LAS VEGAS MEGA ESTATE

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Enterpreneur

PIERRE AND PAMELA

After creating eBay in Pierre turned much of his focus to philanthropy and, along with his wife Pamela Wesley, biology graduate and cofounder in most of his ventures, began building the foundation for a life dedicated to empowering people, fostering change, and tackling important issues on a global scale He became one of the first of the Silicon Valley elite to pursue philanthropy, and since founding the Omidyar Network in 2004, his commitment to improving the world has only increased. The Omidyar Network has allowed Pam and Pierre to become philanthropic innovators and investors, funding creative and unique efforts that can both tackle problems and ensure sustainability.

Pam and Pierre have also pioneered a number of other foundations to address directly some of the most pressing issues in the world today.

HopeLab, which was founded by Pam in 2001, focuses on using cutting edge technology to engage young people and improve their health.

What started as an idea to create a video game to help kids fight cancer gradually became much bigger and even bolder. With a generation that sees technology as second nature, HopeLab is leveraging that innate connection to bring about behavior change, enhance human connection, and increase capacity for self-efficacy. Like a spoonful of sugar with medicine, kids are having enough

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Most recently, Pierre and Pamela have become passionate advocates for free speech and trustworthy journalism through the global media platform The World Post and First Look Media fun that the lessons learned hardly seem like lessons at all.

Humanity United, another of their projects, was founded in 2008 to bring new approaches to some of the biggest and most challenging problems facing mankind, including human trafficking, mass atrocities, and violent conflict.

Again, the search for a unique approach is paramount, especially since many of these troubles have existed for as long as human history. The global reach of the foundation is particularly impressive, confronting diverse issues – peace building in Sudan, treatment of migrant workers creating the World Cup facilities in Qatar, and forced labor in the Thai seafood industry.

As Pamela said, “When humanity is united, we can act together to create a powerful force for human dignity.”

What is even more remarkable is that these enormous efforts only scratch the surface of Pamela and Pierre’s work so far. While they have maintained a modest lifestyle, the total scope of their work is a challenge to comprehend fully. They are just as enthusiastic about local initiatives in Hawaii as they are about national efforts for fair representation through the Democracy Fund. Most recently, they have become passionate advocates for free speech and trustworthy journalism through the global media platform The World Post and First Look Media. Jeff Skoll, another Carnegie Medalist who is a close friend and colleague put it succinctly: “Pierre is dedicated to social change and he will, deservedly, someday be acknowledged as the Rockefeller or Carnegie of our times.” With their all-encompassing approach and focus on innovation, Pam and Pierre have quickly become the 21st century model of philanthropists.

While their portfolio of philanthropic work spans multiple geographies and areas of focus, it is bound by a single belief that people are inherently good and capable, but don’t always have access to opportunity. Pierre and Pam are deeply committed to increasing this access wherever possible and addressing inequities through innovative, long-term solutions.

Some of his money went into providing a share of the capital belonging to California-based, ‘Montage Resort and Spa’. Recently, Omidyar also established the online news service, ‘Honolulu Civil Beat’, providing information on events occurring in Hawaii. The internet news website too has been doing well, and has earned quite a name for itself in the field of investigative journalism. According to many, this accomplished business tycoon is going strong, and looks set to reach the stars, when it comes to innovative online undertakings.

In 2010, Omidyar, along with Pamela, Richard Branson, and the ‘Nduna Foundation’, founded the ‘Enterprise Zimbabwe’, as a venture aimed at helping the nation develop their economy.

Omidyar has concerns that natural disasters can cut the Hawaii off from other parts of the world. Hence, he has invested in organic farming, renewable energy, and community building organizations as well as funded local initiatives for sustainable food.

Pierre and Pamela have three children.

PROFILE

The Mathematical Grammar School Is Our Family It was 30 years ago that I first entered the building of the Mathematical Grammar School in Belgrade. I've come a long way from that little girl, who arrived for enrolment carrying a folder containing her award from the National competition in mathematics and was overjoyed when she heard the words “Bravo, you've been accepted!” to today, when I'm the principal of the Mathematical Grammar School and the first woman at the helm of this institution.

MIRJANA KATIĆ, PRINCIPAL OF THE MATHEMATICAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

I

n choosing to be a professor of mathematics at the Mathematical Grammar School, I chose the best job in the world. The Mathematical Grammar School is attended by the best students in the world, who inspire you to be better every day and present you with new challenges, while you often also learn from them. They motivate you to work on yourself and advance every day. They have incredible talents, not only for the natural sciences, but for everything. They read Shakespeare in English, act, attend music schools, participate in literary competitions, win competitions in rowing and acting, volunteer at the Serbian Red Cross and international camps.

Yesterday our best student, Dobrica Jovanović, told a journalist that he likes to dance at weddings because he danced folklore as a little child and hasn't been to a wedding for a long time. That brightened up a gloomy day for me. I watched the boy

next to me, who's won almost everything that can be won in competitive mathematics and physics at the world level, only 13 gold medals in the previous six years, and who - according to all standards - is certainly among the five best graduates in the world, if not the best, who hasn't lost a shred of decency and kindness, and who modestly says that he doesn't know whether he'll be accepted by the most prestigious faculties that he has applied to attend.

We live in a society where, at every turn, we meet arrogant people who think they deserve various benefits. In such a society, there is a young man who should serve as inspiration to all young people in Serbia.

That is the essence of the stories of most of our students. These are the stories of the lives of Dr Luka Milićević, Teodor von Burg, Jelena Ivančić and many other exceptional individuals who've graduated from our school. Talent, work, dedication, goal, and anything is possible!

The Mathematical Grammar School is our family. It takes care of us and we take care of it, and that's the magic that either touches you or doesn’t. That's the case for every student of this school, every employee, associate, parent, but also for

the noble people who felt this magic when they met us. The magic never dissipates and we're happy.

Last year was very difficult, but we succeeded! Employees, students and former students (especially Aleksandar Kavčić and Nikola Spasojević who helped in the procurement of equipment), are deserving of credit for the fact that we quickly organised high-quality online classes and once again showed that everything can be achieved.

The children, pupils of the Mathematical Grammar School, were my greatest strength during this year. They gave their all every day for everything to be as normal, to laugh, fall in love, compete, give interviews, carry computers to prepare the space for our new TV studio, to be there for me every day, just as I am there for them. Children have not lost every compass of decency; children still have empathy within them and a desire to help others – neither COVID-19 nor fear for their own lives have changed that. They change the world and make it a better place for all of us to live.

While it has such pupils, the Mathematical Grammar School doesn't need to worry about its future.

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Art

Maximalism In France

Don’t Attempt This At Home!

HENRI SAMUEL INTERIOR

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By Sara Brajović

The French sense of taste has been forged in Paris and handed down by artists and decorators since the 17th Century.

The 17th and 18th centuries witnessed an expansion of exterior as well as interior design, including furniture, tapestry, small scale sculptures, metalwork and other crafts. The French Kings were just the generous patrons that these artists and craftsmen needed.

By no means was this a minimalist dream.

In fact- aficionados of pure lines and uncluttered spacesbeware! Opulence and maximalism is on the menu, but it has to be done right or can result in extremely poor taste

T

o understand the developments in interior decoration and collecting in the 19th Century and 20th Century one must revisit the past. The decorative arts in France during the period 1640-1792 are traditionally classified into relatively self-contained compartments, corresponding to the reigns of the three Kings of Versailles. Louis Quatorze (XIV (ruled 1643-1715) style is exuberant an flamboyant concentrating on showing the glory, wealth and power. Furniture lines are straight and it is truly Baroque and quite masculine. Louis

ELSA SHIAPARELLI HOME

Quinze (XV) (1715-74) represents a softer more feminine style, the Rococo style . Furniture lines were gracefully curved and there are lots of floral motifs. Louis Seize (XVI) (1774-92) style that was the rejection to the previous era and was the beginning of Neoclassicism. Restrained geometrical forms and references to classical Greek architecture.

Even in the 19th and 20th centuries the position of Paris as the artistic capital of the world must be traced to the decision taken by Louis XIV to employ art as an outward and visible symbol of the greatness of France. The

period of decoration of Versailles marks the introduction of the Grand Manor in French interior decoration with marble, bronze, tapestries, large paintings and mirrors, painted ceilings, richness of materials. Louis XIV boosts the French luxury industry and Versailles was the showroom. Mirror glass was an expensive luxury product and was up until then imported from Venice, island of Murano. An important influence in the emerging French style of decoration was the establishment of a factory for the manufacturing of mirror glass at Saint Gobain in Picardie. The mirrors in

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Art

Maximalism In France

YVES SAINT LAUREN AT HIS HOME CHATEAU GARBIEL

the Galerie des Glaces, the famed Hall of Mirrors in Versailles were so grand that it set a standard . Mirrors added to the brightness of the rooms and multiple reflections of several mirrors influenced the decoration and visual perception of the rooms. Everybody that was anybody wanted mirrors for reception rooms, boudoirs and dressing rooms. An object of vanity for some and mystery for others, with construction of the new factory mirrors could be larger at a smaller cost and eventually made their way into the French homes.

All throughout Louis XIV, Louis XV, Louis XVI and Empire style the emphasis was on the patronage of the Kings and Emperors alike but it started becoming an example for others . The Financiers rather than the noblemen started investing in works of art not only as a symbol of prestige but also as an investment. Much of the unwanted furniture at the Court would en up in smaller châteaus or would be given as gifts to other nobleman from the King. As fortunes began

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ROTHSCHILD HOME, HOTEL LAMBERT

COCO CHANEL'S FLAT

to change private châteaux were being sold with all their furnishings as well. The market for antiques did exist in the 18th century and Old Master paintings were popular. People mostly bought current items and natural history curiosities. Auction house Christie’s did a series of sales in 1795 for much lower

cost of what they were bought.

It is no surprise that in the 19th century we see the true beginnings and transition in the style that was created by the banking Rothschild family. The family started buying pieces after the French Revolution. One could find and buy many pieces from Château de

Versailles. They bought original fireplaces, ceilings, doors, panelling and reused them in their newly built castles. In particular Château de Ferrières, outside Paris, built between 1855 and 1859 by baron James de Rothschild was to become hugely influential for interior decoration amongst the American Industrialist dynasties when it came to building their own homes. Many French châteaux contents were stripped by American buyers and transported in the US. Château Ferrières along with the Rothschild family’s Paris residence Hôtel Lambert influenced many fashion designers and interior designers in the decoration of their own homes. A mixture of extravagant and rich fabrics, parquet floors, rare books, plants, flowers and all sorts of acquired curiosities. Over all the effect was one of maximalism and grandeur.

One of the most adept interpreters of the Gout Rothschild was Interior decorator Henri Samuel. He restored the Rothschild’s famed château de Ferrières in the 1950s and, having worked on the restoration of Versailles, was firmly established as a master of the historical interior. He took history as a reference and mixed contemporary design with the classic.

Rooms were classically articulate and filled with experimental pieces. He received the ultimate education working for Maison Jansen, Paris based interior decoration company and antiques gallery founded in 1880.

Elsa Schiaparelli, the famous French fashion designer and The Queen of French eclecticism moved into her property in Paris in 1937. She was the greatest rival and was regarded as one of the most prominent figures in fashion in the 1920s and '30s. As in her clothes she pursued a more idiosyncratic style in her home. Curvaceous furniture, upholstered scarlet and lilac furniture were paired with her collection of 18th century, Surrealist and Cubist Art. Wood panelling of the grand salon was covered with a 18th century tapestry and bookcases on each corner. Above the simple fireplace in marble lays a large mirror. Bird cages, glass domes, screens and were part of her eclectic collection .

YSL and Pierre Bergé have really stood out both in terms of fashion and particularly interior decoration and antiques collecting.

Yves Saint Laurent was undoubtedly the great-

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Art

Maximalism In France

HALL OF MIRRORS IN VERSAILLES

est couturier of the second half of the century.

He created many of the staples of the modern woman’s wardrobe and popularised looks that included the smoking suit, the safari jacket and the luxury beatnik style. Taste is an important preoccupation in certain circles. In France somewhere it is equal to religion. Amongst Saint Lauren’s contemporaries taste remained a vital preoccupation. Hubert de Givenchy amassed a rare collection of 18th Century furniture and art objects and Karl Lagerfield collected rare 18th century French furniture and Art Deco.

Saint Lauren create a style in this clothes and he did the same in his lifestyle, in his homes.

Yves and his partner Pierre Bergé were heavily influenced by the past, especially by the Rothschild homes. The home that most resembled this opulent Rothschild style was Châteaux Gabriel in Deauville. Grand high ceilings, rich materials, grand fire places, painted walls, thick, opulent fabrics, formed a perfect contrast with the Napoleon III furniture and other unusual and fantastic objets d’art. The help of iconic French decorator Jacques Grange was sought.

Coco Chanel’s studio in Paris demonstrates once

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again the French eclecticism. French classic furniture is mixed with antiquities and other objects coming from Italy, China, Japan (at the time it was really exceptional to mix Orient and Occident) all organized by an accurate

symbolism influenced by her superstitiousness.

Crystal balls,religious symbols like the cross, the Bible and Buddha icons and a couple of bronze deers mixed with an elaborately framed mirror over the sofa.

ELSA SHIAPARELLI'S HOME

YSL'S PARIS HOME

François Catroux who sadly passed away last year whose clients have included Princess Firyal of Joran, Roman Abramovich, Diane von Furstenberg is another legend of French interior design. His interiors have been conceived and executed using contemporary furniture, antiques, Art Deco and defies any particular period or definition. Once again François was influenced by the style Rothschild as he worked for Guy and Marie- Hélène de Rothschild even though he insisted it is not his cup of tea. He goes on to say: “Only they can do that style-it looks ridiculous when others try to do it.“ Proportion governs elegance and errors would make it look tacky. Point taken, we will not try this at home!

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February

My life

Vasil Hadžimanov,

By Radmila Stanković

jazz musician, composer and pianist

MY HEART LED ME BACK TO BELGRADE

When you are born into a family of top musicians, when you carry a celebrated surname that you need to justify, all that's left for you to do is to show how you can go further... and better. Vasil Hadžimanov (47) has proven that with his talent and work. He graduated from Berklee after just three years of studies, instead of four, and has long been a star in the field of jazz music, especially ethno-jazz, while he also holds the title of the world's best jazz pianist on the electric piano, which he secured in 2019!

Photo Milan Josipović

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I

Vasil Hadžimanov,

jazz musician, composer and pianist

t is a great joy when you have a son who's declared the best jazz pianist in the world - said Vasil's proud father, Zafir Hadžimanov, speaking recently.

And Vasil was named after his grandfather, while his father was named Zafir after his own grandfather. Granddad Vasil was a master pharmacist, but he was better known as a great interpreter of Macedonian folk songs and an ethnomusicologist who preserved the precious legacy of folk music creativity. Father Zafir is today 77 years old and has behind him a rich career as an actor, singer, composer and poet. His mother, Senka Veletanlić, has long since retired from the stage, where she was one of the top performers of fun melodies. His aunt, Bisera Veletanlić, possesses one of the most valued and splendid voices of the local music scene.

Vasil is the author of numerous compositions that he performs with his Vasil Hadžimanov Band, which he founded back in 1997. His work is also dedicated to the fusing of the ethno music heritage of the Balkans and Western music sub-genres (jazz, funk, world music). The first album of the Vasil Hadžimanov Band was released in 2001. He also composes music for films and TV series. His signature as the author of the musical score marked the film When I Grow Up, I'll Be a Kangaroo [Kad porastem biću kengur] and the TV series Basketball Players [Košarkaši] and Open Doors [Otvorena vrata].

Vasil's childhood unfolded in New Belgrade's Block 45: "I recall the feeling that I get when I think of those days. The sense of security, happiness, well-being and peace. I really think that I had a wonderful childhood. I grew up in Block 45, which was then completely different. New parks and playgrounds. Lots of greenery. The promenade by the river. Pure pleasure.”

He was born and grew up aware of the fact that his parents were public figures. He accepted this from the earliest days of his childhood: “Back then that didn't come with as much pomp and fame as it does today. There were no tabloids, views, likes, malicious and inappropriate comments on networks. Moreover, my parents and aunt were popular exclusively because they were fantastic in their professions, and not because of some scandalous behaviour, affairs or anything like that.”

He supports the notion that the best par-

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Photo Nebojša Babić

My life

My parents and aunt were popular exclusively because they were fantastic in their professions, and not because of some scandalous behaviour, affairs or anything like that enting is one that implies permitting a child to question authority and to think with their head first and foremost. At the same time, he says, it is necessary to provide that child with unselfish support in whatever fulfils them and makes them happy: “When I became a parent myself, I realised that is one of the most important parameters of good parenting. That and the feeling for when a child needs to be pushed, inspired and even forced to start something and, importantly, to finish something in their life, because that will certainly help them in the future, and when

it is necessary to let them go and not to pressurise and force. That's a terribly delicate and difficult task of every parent, but also perhaps the most important. My parents certainly knew that, and at decisive moments they made the right decisions that helped me to become what I am today. An important part of growing up has always been represented by culture and art.

And they are something that has completely disappeared from the map of educating young generations today.”

He is proud of the creative works of his parents and his aunt. PGP/RTS has just released an album of Senka's most beautiful songs called Zaželi ja ću doći [Wish and I'll come], and Vasil says that “every song on that album is a lesson for all singers, composers, arrangers, musicians and songwriters on how entertaining music really should sound.”

When it comes to his father he says that whatever he did, “and he did everything, by God, actor, singer, composer, arranger, poet, songwriter, screenwriter, producer, editor etc., etc., he did everything with the entirety of his being and without error.” An album of his was also just released, produced by Croatia Records under

the title Makedonija pjeva [Macedonia Sings]: “I'm personally waiting for another edition to be realised, which was recorded in the '80s, where - in a special way and with wonderful arrangements, played by the most eminent jazz musicians of the time - he sings Macedonian folk songs that were collected by my grandfather Vasil Hadžimanov, one of the greatest ethnomusicologists in the Balkans.”

He says that Bisera has always been a flawless singer and artist. Every song that's ever been composed for her has been sung in such a special and great way that when someone dares to sing something from her repertoire it often sounds meaningless to them: “I had my first professional performance with Bisera 30 years ago, and since then we've been performing together regularly. I learned a lot from her when it comes to music, just as I did from my parents. She can also boast of a wonderful new album, produced by Croatia Records-PGP/RTS, called Bisera.”

Vasil took a lot away from home, such as a value system that determined him for life.

Culture as an upbringing, as respect, as tolerance for others who differ from you. Hospitality and

I've been fortunate enough to play with the best all my life, and often with those who are better than me, which is always the best way to learn something new and different basic manners and much more: “I would like for other parents today to dedicate themselves to their children in the way my parents did. Low wages or the fast pace of life are no excuse. Devote time and attention to your children. That's the most important task you have, then everything else.”

The two of them, Vasil and Nataša, are the parents of 20-year-old Marta, who has just started her studies at the Academy of Arts in Mannheim, Germany, in the opera department class of highly esteemed professor Snežana Stamenković, who is also head of the department at this prestigious academy. Apart from her huge talent and love

for music, at the age of 20 Marta already has a serious resume. At the age of 17 she landed the main role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, which is performed at Belgrade's Terazije Theatre, thus becoming the youngest actress in the history of this theatre, but also the youngest actress to play the role of Christine in all professional productions worldwide. Still, alongside all of that, Vasil and Nataša share great satisfaction in the fact that their daughter is primarily a very high quality young person: “We are, nonetheless, most proud of her because she is an extremely good, honest and fair person.” And Zafir recently spoke about his son and granddaughter, stating: “Vasil is the greatest joy of my life. I even wrote a song about his birth - Žito moje [Wheat of Mine]. When I would smell him as a baby, after he was bathed, he smelt to me like fresh bread just taken out of the oven. And it occurred to me that wheat is the most important product of life. I am also overjoyed that the thread of musicality has passed down through the generations of my family.

At the age of 17, Marta went independently to Terazije Theatre and beat 50 of them in the auditions for the role in the play The Phantom of the Opera. She is currently studying solo singing in Germany, in Mannheim, and she'll receive their full scholarship. She has an incredible voice, a coloratura soprano. She is also beautiful and very much her own person. She doesn't give up on what she's imagined.”

When one raises a child, it is somehow inevitable for a parent to see a resemblance to their parents in their own actions; it could be said that this coincidence is inevitable: “Nataša and I certainly dedicated all our love and attention to our child, but at the same time we were careful not to make that love counterproductive and not to cause more damage through excessive attention, which can happen to anyone. My role as a father is like any father, we are involved and present, but mother is mother. Nataša definitely deserves most of the credit for the fact that Marta has matured to become an intelligent, well-mannered, good girl who always thinks for herself.”

When he was a pupil at the Branko Radičević Primary School in New Belgrade, there was a competition between the choir of his school, which was called Poletarci, and the most famous children's choir in the former Yugoslavia, Kolibri.

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My life

Vasil Hadžimanov,

jazz musician, composer and pianist

They were like eternal rivals and the “battles” these two children's choirs are still remembered: “Kolibri was always an unassailable children's choir in our country, and choirmaster and conductor Milica Manojlović certainly deserved the most credit for that. Our daughter had the good fortune and honour of working with Milica and being part of that choir from the age of five to twelve.

“However, thanks to my music teacher, Borika Čavdarević, a lowly school choir, Poletarci, managed to rise to the level of a professional children's choir, and we performed with that choir at very important concerts, travelled and recorded children's songs, with Senka and Zafir, among others. Today this choir is also brilliantly led by our godmother, Hana Vućičević, who works at the same primary school, Branko Radičević.”

Wonderful fellowship marked Vasil's years at the Mokranjac Music School, and everything he learned there still means a lot to him even today: “I flourished when I moved from primary school to high school. I had a few good friends in primary school, while at Mokranjac we were all inseparable from the get go. It was as if we'd found each other again, and that we'd always known and loved each other. Although I believe that the educational system in our schools is hermetic and that nothing has changed to this day, it is true that I learned an immense amount

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My preparations for Berklee started as soon as I sat down at the piano for the first time, and I was then five years old!

Berklee was a logical step for someone who so loved jazz music... I graduated at an accelerated pace, in three years instead of four when it comes to the technique of playing the piano, thanks to my professor Ljubinka HadziJovančić, but also about music theory and solfège, which helped me greatly when it came to much more easily improving my skills in the field of jazz music and composing.”

He was a student at Mokranjac when he had his first official concert, at Club 24 in Novi Sad. He says that he was very nervous, but not nearly as much as he was for the piano exams at Mokranjac: “I've been fortunate enough to play with the best all my life, and often with those who are better than me, which is always the best way

to learn something new and different. It was the same on that evening, when I shared the stage with the great Vojin Draškoci and the greatest Bisera Veletanlić. Vojin was then my mentor and he is one of the most deserving for the fact that I even chose this path that I'm still walking today.”

It is logical to ask him what his preparations were like for the world's most prestigious and most expensive centre of the music world – Berklee College of Music – but the only answer we received is that preparations started as soon as Vasil sat down at the piano for the first time.

He was five years old at the time: “Berklee was a logical step for someone who so loved jazz music, and thanks to the scholarship, but first and foremost to my parents, I succeeded in enrolling and attending that prestigious school.

I graduated at an accelerated pace, in three years instead of four, and spent another two years in America, where I learned a lot in practise that makes me the musician I am today.

“I remember a lot of beautiful things from Berklee. From the mass of students from all over the world with whom I had the pleasure of playing, via the wonderful professors who were a crucial part of my education, all the way to the many friends I met and made there, and with whom I'm still in contact. There is also a lot that I'd like to forget. I was going through a turbulent period of my maturing while war and poverty raged in my own country, Yugoslavia. All of this led to a series of mistaken moves that I wish I hadn't made. I certainly wouldn't like to forget them, just in case the same mistake happens to me again.”

It might be hard to believe, but the truth is that Vasil overslept and didn't attend his own graduation ceremony, in short, he didn't receive his own certificate of graduation from Berklee!

“That, for example, is one of the situations that I'd really like to forget,” he says today.

After his studies, Vasil considered remaining in America. During the 1990s, a decade that was so bad for life in Serbia, it would have been logical for him to stay there and try to continue his career and life in America. However, that wasn't to be.

“Although things went in a very positive direction in New York, where I moved in 1996 (I got a job at a prestigious studio as a music programmer and composer, while at the same time I started playing with the best young team in that city full of competition), I decided to return to Belgrade. What proved decisive? Not to explain

excessively, it was a matter of the heart. To the constant astonishment of the local people and confusion over my decision, I always repeat that I've never repented my decision to return and stay here. And from here I travel the world.”

Yugoslavia was Vasil's homeland, and with it Macedonia, his father's home country. “Unfortunately,” he notes, “everyone who mentions Yugoslavia today is labelled a loser and a failed nostalgic. However, if I had a choice, I would always replace all these “important” little states with one powerful Yugoslavia. I am particularly attached to Macedonia, because many good friends and colleagues of mine are from there, but also relatives who I love. I've had the good fortune and pleasure to share the stage with some Macedonian musicians, such as Toni Kitanovski, Martin Đakonovski, Aleksandar Petrov, Alek Sekulovski, Viktor Filipovski, Oliver Josifovski et al. And those are some of my life's favourite projects and concerts.

In Macedonia I've also been a guest professor at the Academy in Štip for the past eight years.”

When he isn't playing or composing, Vasil surrenders to film. Just like in music, he loves the most varied film genres and very closely follows the work of his favourite directors and actors. He also loves books, but his concentration escapes him in these turbulent times. He is only completely present and seriously focused during the time he dedicates to composing. And playing, of course. He has a lot to read and is increasingly trying to detach himself from his smartphone and pick up a book.

Vasil has officially been on the scene for a full 30 years, and he could look back to see what he's done over these three decades. But he doesn't waste too much time on that, because he still has a lot to do. “My aim is always the same. I want to do something different and new every time, but also to remain consistent to myself, for my starting point always to be music that fulfils me creatively and that I want and love to do. And nothing else.

“One of the things I could certainly be satisfied with is the fact that the Vasil Hadžimanov Band still exists and still creates high quality creative music, despite the many factors that crop up every day and would seem to cause the very opposite to happen. After seven albums and an eighth being prepared, countless concerts, numerous awards and success in the 25 years of the band's existence, it is clear that all this happened exclusively thanks to the tireless

Yugoslavia is my homeland...

Everyone who mentions Yugoslavia today is labelled a loser and a failed nostalgic.

However, if I had a choice, I would always replace all these “important” little states with one powerful Yugoslavia work of Nataša and myself, and then all other members and associates of this band. Too many problems exist that can influence a person to give up their dream and succumb to the pressures of the majority. I think our greatest success lies precisely in the fact that, despite all the adversity, we remain consistent and fearless in our mission of creating and spreading good music.

“However much you plan, in this business and this territory, it is impossible to know what awaits you tomorrow. And that's especially so today, while there's a world pandemic of a deadly virus whose biggest enemies are musicians who play in front of an audience. Luckily, jazz has taught us to live according to the system of

coping and improvising, and we've long since been ready for every possible surprise.”

An award named after Vojin Draškoci, the jazz musician, double-bassist, composer, arranger and music tutor, was established in 2013. Vasil has received that award, but also many others, while the most recent great accolade he received cheered him up at the beginning of last year – coming in the form of the 41st traditional award given by Jazz stations from Los Angeles, which proclaimed him the Best Jazz Musician on Electric Piano in 2019.

“The Vojin Draskoci Award, understandably, means the most to me, because it bears the name of my mentor and an overall wonderful man. Every award and praise has meaning for me, of course, especially this latest. It testifies to the fact that we found ourselves on such a prestigious list, among the best, and that we live in Belgrade, that it comes from great experts of music who've spent years dealing in the most serious way with the type of music that I've been creating all my life. It is very important when someone of that calibre shows you that you're on the right track. Perhaps that's the most important thing of all. I think that many people don't understand how difficult it is to deal with creative or artistic music in this area and still receive such worldwide recognition.”

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CHILL OUT AUSTRALIA

Rupert Murdoch Warns 'Awful Woke Orthodoxy' Is 'Suppressing Freedom Of Speech’ Rupert Murdoch has warned of the dangers of censorship and curtailing of debate, saying that an 'awful woke orthodoxy' is stifling dissent and hampering societies' ability to reach their true potential.

The 89-year-old media mogul made his remarks in a pre-recorded address, broadcast as he was awarded a lifetime achievement award from The Australia Day Foundation, a British non-profit. Murdoch, born in Melbourne, Australia, noted that a 'lifetime achievement award does have an air of finality, almost of closure.'

Murdoch said in his address that one of the greatest challenges currently facing media organizations such as his was 'a wave of censorship'.

GERMANY

The EQA. Electric Athlete In Compact Format EQA is the name of the new entry-level model to the all-electric world of MercedesEQ vehicles. The electro-aesthetics of its design are indicative of the Progressive Luxury of the Mercedes-EQ brand. Smart assistants support the driver in many areas: for example with respect to accident avoidance, the anticipatory and therefore particularly efficient operating strategy, and Navigation with Electric Intelligence. In addition, the car features various exceptional Mercedes-Benz functions, such as ENERGIZING Comfort and MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience).

The EQA is a member of the successful compact car family from Mercedes-Benz.

THAILAND

Thai King 'Makes His Consort His Second Queen As Her Birthday Gift’ The playboy Thai king has reportedly made history by making his mistress the country's second queen, despite previously jailing her for 'disrespecting' the current queen. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, 68, crowned Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi, her 36th birthday, Bild reported. The pair wore matching blue coats as they released fish and birds in a Buddhist ceremony to mark her birthday at Wasukri pier in Bangkok. It's an astonishing rise for the king's royal consort who was thrown out of the palace and jailed for trying to block her rival Queen Suditha's coronation in 2019.

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UK

Couple Who Won ÂŁ1m Euromillions Jackpot Feed Homeless People A couple who won a ÂŁ1million Euromillions jackpot have helped feed hundreds of homeless people struggling in the Covid-19 lockdown. Bill Mullarkey, 60, and Cath, 59, from Coventry, West Midlands, created a dish inspired by a Caribbean curry from St Lucia for a charity's outreach team. The pair helped chef Jim Eaves, who volunteers for Langar Aid, make the meal after purchasing and delivering the ingredients, alongside other snacks and drinks. The professional chefs, who scooped a jackpot prize on their weekly EuroMillions Millionaire Maker in 2017, came up with the idea after seeing volunteers deliver 1,000 Domino's pizzas to stranded lorry drivers in Kent last month.

SERBIA

ATP Tour To Return To Belgrade In 2021 The Hungarian Open, an ATP 250 clay-court tournament hosted in Budapest from 20172019, has been approved for relocation to Belgrade, Serbia from 2021. Typically staged in April as part of the European clay-court swing, the event was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relocation, approved by the ATP Board of Directors in January 2021, will see the event held in Belgrade as the Serbia Open under a lease agreement between license owner Ion Tiriac, and new event organisers Tara 2016s, led

by Tournament Director Djordje Djokovic.

Belgrade has previously hosted an ATP 250 event, from 2009-2012, twice won by current World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. The 2021 event is due to take place from 19-25 April.

UK

Britain's Oldest Paperboy?

One of Britain's oldest paperboys has let neither lockdown nor advancing years get in the way of bringing news to his community. Fighting fit after celebrating his 80th birthday at the weekend and getting his coronavirus jab, George Bailey was back out on his bike on Tuesday despite the chilly winter morning. The octogenarian woke up with night still shrouding his village in Kent and headed out, as he does each day, to collect the papers.

'I keep saying every Christmas I'm going to pack it in,' he said. But as each year rolls around the great-grandfather keeps on cycling round the village of Headcorn distributing the various national and local newspapers.

February

57

Vuarnet Glacier €580

Ralph Lauren €300

Ralph Lauren €1,700

Après-Ski Style

Inspirations

Whether you're a novice just finding your feet or a pro on the black diamond runs, it's what you wear while you après that matters most.

Regardless of whether and where you're hitting the slopes, looking stylish while you ski is half the fun—and après-ski activities provide another opportunity to impress. Dump your skis, don a great pair of fur-lined boots, and maybe keep rocking a statement coat: that's a recipe for being at the centre of attention.

From classic puffers to retro ski suits, there are ski styles to suit every personality and taste. Après-ski is one of the best parts about hitting the slopes, but it requires an entirely different outfit—one designed for style and recreation, rather than warmth and athleticism.

Yves Salomon €3,500

Moncler Genius €350

Canada Goose Gloves €110

Loro Piana €1,450

Piz Buin

Diemme

€25

€300

Celtic & Co €130

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February

Oliver Goldsmith

Lack of Color

Audrey sunglasses €340

€80

Bogner €320

Chloe

€690

Vaara

Dean Thermal bodysuit €300

Astis

€190

Moncler

Lindsey Thornburg

€360

Chief Joseph Shearling Coat €2,000

Sorel

€210

Shoreditch Ski Club €1,500

Christian Louboutin

Moon Boot

€190

€170

This Works €20

February

59

Culture

calendar

Carmen

2 February, 19:00, National Theatre Belgrade Set in Seville around the year 1830, the opera deals with the love and jealousy of Don José, who is lured away from his duty as a soldier and his beloved Micaëla by the gypsy factory-girl Carmen, whom he allows to escape from custody. He is later induced to join the smugglers with whom Carmen is associated, but is driven wild by jealousy.

This comes to a head when Carmen makes clear her preference for the bull-fighter Escamillo. The last act, outside the bull-ring in Seville, brings Escamillo to the arena, accompanied by Carmen, there stabbed to death by Don José, who has been awaiting her arrival. Carmen, the most famous of Bizet's operas, with its exotic Spanish setting, introduced a note of realism into opera that proved unacceptable to many who saw the first performances.

Francophonie: Public reading of French contemporary writers 7 February, 19:00, National Theatre Belgrade

The National Theater in Belgrade has signed an agreement with the French Institute and the French Embassy on a project that envisages the presentation and public reading of contemporary plays by French authors.

The presentation will be attended by young artists and members of the National Theater, it was announced after

The Cultural Heritage of Topčider Museum of African Art

Since the 19th century the urban planning of Topčider (one of Belgrade's many hills) was envisioned as a city oasis, with numerous parks, picnic spots, large areas of forest and greenery. Hidden within it are numerous villas, summer houses and art studios built at the beginning of the 20th century. Through the “Cultural Heritage of Topčider” tour we will reveal different cultural institutions. During this tour, you can visit Museum of African Art, the memorial House of King Peter, Archive of Yugoslavia, Heritage House – the Legacy of Petar Lubarda, Museum Vespa Serbia, House of Olga Jančić and Public Aquarium and Tropicarium Belgrade. To get an impression about the tour, visit this link. Walking and talking with you, are art historians Ana Knežević, Museum of African Art curator & Ivana Zatežić, Heritage House associate.

The tour can include visits to the following institutions: the Museum of African Art (14, Andre Nikolića Street), the memorial House of King Peter (40, Vase Pelagića Street), Heritage House – the Legacy of Petar Lubarda (1, Iličićeva Street), Vespa Museum Serbia (2, Brzakova Street), Public Aquarium and Tropicarium Belgrade (3, Milenka Vesnića Street), Archive of Yugoslavia (33, Vase Pelagića Street).

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the signing of the agreement on the project "Francophonie and the National Theater".

Manuel Bouard, Director of the French Institute in Serbia, congratulated everyone at the National Theater.

"We are honored to conclude an agreement with the National Theater in order to promote the works of French writers.

Readings of contemporary plays by French authors are very valuable, because they represent a new step in bringing the two cultures closer. It is an opportunity for the cultural public in Serbia to get acquainted with the new generation of French playwrights", said Bouard.

RECOMMENDS

GABRIELLE CHANEL: FASHION MANIFESTO Miren Arzalluz, Veronique Belloir 5994rsd

Reflect – Namibia After 30 Years Of Independence

Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel is an icon of fashion, and can lay claim to having invented the look of the 20th century. At the height of the Belle Époque, she stripped women of their corsets and feathers, bobbed their hair, put them in bathing suits and sent them out to get tanned in the sun. She introduced the little black dress; trousers for women; costume jewelry; the exquisitely comfortable suit that became her trademark.

Early in the Roaring Twenties, Chanel made the first ever couture perfume – No. 5 – presenting it in the famous little square-cut flagon that, inspired by Picasso and Cubism, became the arch symbol of the Art Deco style. No. 5 remains the most popular scent ever created.

MARADONA: THE HAND OF GOD Jimmy Burns 1458rsd

Museum of African Art The group exhibition of contemporary Namibian art is a celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the independence of one of the last colonies on the African continent.

The exhibition is the result of collaborative work with the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) and the works that you will be able to see were chosen at the beginning of February of 2020 by the joint forces of our museum and NAGN in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the exhibition Reflect is opened somewhat later than the memorable date – 21 March 1990 – when the independence of the former South West Africa, today the Republic of Namibia, was declared.

The exhibition presents the work of: Urte Remmert, Vitjitua Ndjiharine, Leonard Michaеl Abrahams, Alfeus Mvula, Paul Kiddo, Fillipus Sheehama, Erik Schnack, Barbara Pirron, Elia Shiwoohambа, Frans Nambinga, Tity Kala Tshilumba, Kabelo Kim Modise, Sebastian Namaseb, Engelhard Rooinasie, Michelle Isaak, Ismael Shivute, David Amukoto, Nangombe Kapandа, Rudolf Seibeb, Barbara Böhlke, Trianus L. K. Nakale, the association Whuda Marble Art Namibia and the joint work of Tabea Ruben and Aina Katore from the !Ikhoba Textile Project collection.

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

Diego Maradona, is arguably the greatest and certainly the most widely-known footballer of the modern age. During his tempestuous career he played for top clubs in South America and Europe, and was a central figure in four World Cups. With the fortunes he has earned from sponsorship and transfer deals, he personified football, both as popular sport and big business. Jimmy Burns pursued his research in several countries on both sides of the Atlantic, gaining access to Maradona's inner circle, and to other key witnesses, such as players, managers, trainers, doctors and officials. The result is a story straddling the international scene, from the slums of Buenos Aires, where Maradona was born, to the huge stadiums of the United States from where, in 1994, he was ignobly expelled after undergoing a positive drugs test. In his rise to fame - and notoriety - Maradona played for some of the world's greatest teams: Boca Juniors, Napoli and Barcelona. He scored some brilliant goals - and cheated with others.

SNUFF

Terry Pratchett 2025rsd It is a truth universally acknowledged that a policeman taking a holiday would barely have had time to open his suitcase before he finds his first corpse.

And Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is on holiday in the pleasant and innocent countryside, but not for him a mere body in the wardrobe. There are many, many bodies and an ancient crime more terrible than murder.

He is out of his jurisdiction, out of his depth, out of bacon sandwiches, occasionally snookered and out of his mind, but never out of guile. Where there is a crime there must be a finding, there must be a chase and there must be a punishment.

They say that in the end all sins are forgiven.

But not quite all...

GREENLIGHTS

Matthew McConaughey 2024rsd From the Academy Award (R)-winning actor, an unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.

I've been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.

Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers.

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (MINALIMA EDITION) J. K. Rowling 4009rsd

An irresistible new edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone created with ultra-talented designers MinaLima, the design magicians behind the gorgeous visual graphic style of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. J.K. Rowling's complete and unabridged text is accompanied by MinaLima's handsome colour illustrations on nearly every page, superb design, and eight exclusive interactive paper-engineered elements - including Harry's Hogwarts letter, the magical entrance to Diagon Alley, a sumptuous feast in the Great Hall of Hogwarts and more.

Designed and illustrated by the iconic house of MinaLima - best known for establishing the graphic design of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films - this is the perfect gift for Harry Potter fans and a beautiful addition to any collector's bookshelf, enticing readers of all ages to discover the Harry Potter novels all over again.

LUCIAN FREUD: A LIFE

Mark Holborn, David Dawson 19340rsd A breathtaking visual biography of Freud, told through his own words, unpublished private photographs, and painted portraits.

This unprecedented look at the private life of Lucian Freud begins with childhood snapshots and ends with rarely seen photographs made in his studio in the last weeks of his life.

In between, the life of one of the most important artists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries is vividly documented – through family photos, in images of the painter in his studio with some of his most celebrated sitters, and in portraits by his peers, first among them Francis Bacon.

February

61

&FACES PLACES 8/1/2021

Relations Between Serbia And Morocco At Highest Level Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikola Selakovic met with Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Serbia H.E. Mohamed Amine Belhaj.

On that occasion, it was pointed out that traditionally friendly relations between the two countries are at the historical maximum, but also that they are successfully developed and further strengthened, through strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest, with mutual respect and esteem.

The head of Serbian diplomacy said that there is room for the strengthening primarily in the fields of economy, agriculture and special-purpose industry, especially bearing in mind the potentials of the Serbian and Moroccan economy, and both sides are interested in further development of political dialogue and exchange of visits at the highest and highest level.

20/1/2020

Medical Aid From Bahrain For Fight Against COVID-19 Arrived In Belgrade An airplane with a donation from the Kingdom of Bahrain arrived to the Nikola Tesla Airport, and on that occasion Prime Minister Ana Brnabic pointed out that the aid of 67.5 tons of medical equipment is an extremely generous donation.

In her address to the press, Brnabic stated that in January a total of five airplanes arrived from Bahrain, with 20 medical ventilators in today's shipment.

This assistance is the result of a telephone conversation between President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa from 24 November last year, who offered assistance to Serbia in the fight against the pandemic, she said.

The Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to the King of Bahrain for the donation and underlined that the Serbian government will work diligently to improve relations with Bahrain, and that this aid is a big step towards that.

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February

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

22/1/2021

The 58th Anniversary Of The Signing Of The Elysee Agreement On 22 January this year Germany and France marked the 58th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, signed in 1963 by Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and President Charles de Gaulle, with the aim of uniting two peoples separated by three wars and mutual mistrust. The agreement was supplemented by an additional agreement signed in 2019 in Aachen

by President Emanuel Macron and Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel.

H.E. Thomas Schieb, German Ambassador and H.E. Jean-Louis Falconi, Ambassador of France marked the anniversary in Belgrade.

22/1/2021

Signing Of The MoU For “Belgrade Metro” Project Minister of Finance Sinisa Mali signed the Memorandum of Understanding for the “Belgrade Metro” project between the Serbian government, the City of Belgrade, Chinese company Power China and French companies Alstom and Aegis Rail.

Signing was held in the Palace of Serbia with Director of the Serbian public utility company "Belgrade Metro and Train" Stanko Kantar, Senior Vice President of Alstom group Philippe Delleur, General Director of Aegis Rail Olivier Bouvart and representative of Power China She Zidji.

The signing was also attended by Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Tomislav Momirovic, Deputy Mayor of Belgrade Goran Vesic, Chinese Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Chen Bo and French Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Jean-Louis Falconi.

The first line of the Belgrade metro should go from Makisko Polje through Belgrade Waterfront, the city center and Karaburma to Mirijevo, while the second line will go from Mirijevo to New Belgrade and Zemun.

February

63

&FACES PLACES 26/1/2021

Ambassadors Of Egypt And The Czech Republic Visit Zlatibor On the occasion of the opening of the "Gold Gondola" on Zlatibor, which connects the center of Zlatibor with the mountain peak Tornik and represents the longest gondola of that type in the world, the ambassadors of Egypt and the Czech Republic in Belgrade visited Zlatibor.

In addition to the gondola ride, the ambassadors stayed at the Tornik ski center, while the Zlatibor Tourist Organization organized trips to the Stopić Cave and the waterfalls.

26/1/2021

72nd Republic Day Of India Marked Ambassador of India to Serbia H.E. Subrata Bhattacharjee hosted the marking of the 72nd Republic Day of India.

Due to the pandemic and restrictions, the celebration was held at the Embassy’s premises with fewer guests and following the guidelines for COVID-19.

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February

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

27/1/2021

International Holocaust Remembrance Day Marked The International Holocaust Remembrance Day was marked today with the laying of wreaths at the Monument to the Victims of Genocide in the Second World War and an online educational workshop, organized by the Serbian-Jewish Singing Society.

It is marked on 27 January, as a remembrance of the day in 1945 when the Red Army liberated the largest concentration camp in Nazi Germany - Auschwitz, in Poland.

The Secretary General of the President of Serbia, Suzana Paunović, in her capacity as the President's envoy, laid a wreath at the Monument to the Victims of Genocide in the Second World War. On behalf of the Government of Serbia, the wreath was laid by the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs Darija Kisić Tepavčević and the envoy of the President of the Assembly Vladimir Orlić, the Deputy Mayor of Belgrade Goran Vesić, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps.

27/1/2021

The EBRD And The Western Balkans Investment Framework Support Serbia In Expanding Broadband In Rural Areas The EBRD signed a € 18 million loan agreement for a rural broadband project. Bilateral donors of WBIF support the project with a grant of 1.7 million euros.

Zsuzsanna Hargitai, EBRD Regional Director for the Western Balkans, said: "Life in rural areas has been identified as one of the factors of inequality in EBRD regions, including Serbia. Creating better links - both physical and technological - between urban and rural areas helps ensure a better quality of life in rural areas and prevents brain drain from the countryside.“

February

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&FACES PLACES 27/1/2021

Monument To Stefan Nemanja Unveiled The solemn ceremony of unveiling the monument to one of the most important Serbian rulers, the founder of the medieval Serbian state, the great prefect Stefan Nemanja, was held today on Sava Square in Belgrade. The ceremony, which began with the intonation of the Serbian anthem, was attended by President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, ministers in the Serbian government, Serbian Parliament Chair Ivica Dacic and Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik. Also present were Belgrade Mayor Zoran Radojicic, Deputy Mayor Goran Vesic, dignitaries of the Serbian Orthodox Church, representatives of the diplomatic corps, Banja Luka Mayor Drasko Stanivukovic and many others.

28/1/2021

30 Years Of Delta Holding Marked On 4th February 2021 Delta Holding will celebrate it’s 30 year-anniversary.

During the last 3 decades the company has made 2,5 billion euros income of selling businesses and has been reinvesting that money in Serbia and neighbouring countries. ’’What separates Delta from other companies is knowledge and ability to create businesses and increase their value, as well as sell them when the conditions are met.’’ said Marija Desivojevic Cvetkovic, Delta’s Senior Vice President for Strategy and Development. ’ Qualified and motivated employees are what enables our company to operate this way. This is the reason we believe that people are Delta’s biggest value.’’

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February

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NEW NORMAL — 06 WITH GOOD OLD COMPLEXITIES

TAMARA DALTROFF, EACA DIRECTOR GENERAL

PROGRESS WITHOUT 11 NOAGILITY

LARISA GRIZILO, SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT VIP MOBILE

APPRECIATE 14 SMOKERS IQOS

TOMMASO DI GIOVANNI,VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AT PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL

THE MIGHTY & 09 COMMUNICATION TRENDS FOR 2021 MAJA STOJANOVIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OLAF&MCATEER

IS NEVER 12 DIGITISATION ENDING

JELENA BAUDER, DIRECTOR, BAUDER FARMACEUTICA D.O.O

NEVENA KURTOVIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FUSION COMMUNICATION

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs

4

PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs

PHOTOS Zoran Petrović

OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

EDITORIAL MANAGER Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs

February

BOJANA KUZMANOVIĆ , DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING - GORSKI HOTEL & SPA

MILOŠ LONČAR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS LEAD FOR SEE, DELL TECHNOLOGIES

TECHNOLOGIES 16 NEW ARE ALLIES

IS PART OF 10 DIGITAL OUR LIVES

THE LEVEL OF 17 RAISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

18 COMMUNICATION NOVELTIES

IS KEY TO 13 EMPATHY COMMUNICATION TANJA VASOJEVIĆ, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, DELTA HOLDING

FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

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

office@cordmagazine.com www.aim.rs; www.cordmagazine.com ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2020 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by

alliance international media THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

February

5

TAMARA DALTROFF, EACA DIRECTOR GENERAL

By Milos Belcevic

New Normal — With Good Old Complexities W ith unprecedented turmoil, the year behind us re-shaped the world and brought some old questions and complexities to the extremes, as well as some new perspectives. The European Association of Communications Agencies: EACA, along with its member agencies, is working on the front lines for a better future of advertising and everyone in the ecosystem – from consumers and the public, who need transparency and protection, to businesses, which need equal opportunities and space to grow. Here, looking back on 2020 and forward to 2021, EACA Director General Tamara Daltrooff spoke exclusively to CorD Magazine.

Last year was a challenging year in many ways – first and foremost due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but also with numerous political, social and ecological challenges across the globe. We would like, however, to start on a more positive note. Google became the first digital platform to join EASA, the European Advertising Standards Alliance. What does this mean for the European advertising ecosystem?

- EACA and our member communications agencies welcome Google’s active support for advertising self-regulation by becoming a member of EASA. The advertising ecosystem is only as strong as all of its players working together. Google becoming the first digital platform to join EASA is a milestone and a key achievement to secure the future of responsible advertising and consumer protection.

A new resource designed to help young people better understand the world of online advertising was launched by UK advertising’s non-profit education pro-

6

February

gramme, Media Smart, in collaboration with the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EDAA), of which EACA is a board member. What is the importance of empowering and educating young people in this domain, and what are some of the main challenges?

- MediaSmart is doing a great job in the field of media literacy, helping young people navigate with confidence through an online world of messages and communications – including commercial advertising. This is both an opportunity and the greatest challenge. Understanding what the value exchange behind advertising is – for example free content in exchange for data – is a key to transparency and the sustainability of ad-funded business models that are often used by media. MediaSmart also helps young people better understand how digital advertising works and what choices they have with regard to the ads that they see. So far, MediaSmart has only offered its programme in the UK. There could be opportunities to expand it to other markets.

The European Commission wants to revamp the EU’s digital tax, but EACA stated that this would disproportionately hit the advertising sector, which is already suffering from the COVID-19 crisis. What would be the consequences of such a tax? And could there be some better alternatives?

- As you mention, there are agencies that are struggling with the consequences of the COVID crisis. A digital levy – actually meant to recover investments in the EU Recovery Fund – would mean yet another blow. Moreover, the EU pressing on with its own tax while OECD-level negotiations about a global tax reform are ongoing sends the wrong message and a destabilising signal to international negotiators, threatening the EU’s credibility in those talks. A better alternative is to put full support behind the OECD process and work towards a global solution.

The introduction of such a tax would see a disproportionate burden placed upon advertising agencies. Not only would agencies have to pay the digital tax directly, but it would also result in the cost of placing ads online increasing, and this increased cost will then be passed down the supply

chain, ultimately being borne, most likely, by advertising agencies. This will result in agencies paying the digital tax not once, but twice.

What is the Immediate Impact of COVID-19 on the advertising industry? And what are some expected long-term consequences?

- Advertising budgets and advertising spend took an immediate hit, as brands responded to the pandemic. WARC has estimated that

to social media and online outlets. National lockdowns have led to changes in consumer behaviour. According to IAB Europe data, the digital video ad spend actually grew by 0.3%, in 2020, as a result of people spending more time at home streaming content. Overall, whilst digital advertising was affected by the pandemic, this has not been as detrimental when compared with other advertising mediums.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 had quite a negative impact on the advertising labour market.

Obviously, agencies are also looking into the ‘new’ way of working (remotely), travel and office space will play a different role in the future. The long-term impact on the company culture should not be underestimated the global advertising spend fell by 10.2% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, following the immediate cut in spending during the first half of 2020, the ad spend increased in the second half, especially spending related

Many have been forced to implement a range of cost cutting measures in response to the pandemic, from furlough schemes, pay cuts and hiring freezes to redundancies. Forrester have estimated that 50,000 people globally

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some of the elements in the proposal can be quite positive for the ad ecosystem and those seeing the ad, including the noted transparency rules.

will become unemployed across both 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic. As a consequence, agencies have lost talent, while investment in building up new talent has been low. It will take a while for staff levels to return to those of pre-COVID-19 days.

Are there new regulations and initiatives around platforms and political advertising on the horizon? And what could be potential solutions that would benefit all stakeholders in this (advertising) ecosystem?

- In December, the European Commission published two important proposals: the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. Together they constitute a reform of Europe’s digital space and introduce new rules for all digital services, including social media, online marketplaces and other online platforms. The DSA focuses specifically on the dissemination of illegal content online.

This refers to products, services and content.

The Commission expects drastic changes in how platforms moderate and/or promote content. It also requires more transparency around online advertising on platforms.

Recipients of an ad should understand that what they see is an ad, who is behind the ad and what parameters were used to target them. The Digital Markets Act aims to make sure that businesses operating in Europe can compete freely and fairly. It addresses the “gatekeeper” problem, whereby “major providers of core platform services” block new entrants from entering the market and push prices up. Again, this includes search engines, social networks and video sharing platforms, but also advertising networks or ad exchanges. The DMA requires such providers to become more transparent.

For example, they will be obliged to give advertisers and publishers information that helps them understand the price paid for each of the different ad services.

Political advertising is not specifically addressed in these two proposals. However, the Commission should come up with a dedicated proposal in Q3 this year. This should provide further transparency surrounding online political adverts, including why an individual is seeing a certain political ad, who paid for it, how much was paid, and what micro-targeting criteria were used.

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How does 2021 look for the advertising industry – and what would be some main trends to look out for?

- Experts have predicted that 2021 will be a year of recovery for the industry, but this is anticipated to be a slow and long recovery.

As I mentioned previously, digital advertising was not hit as hard as other advertising mediums, and digital is predicted to continue to strengthen its position within the industry, with programmatic advertising and video advertising expected to be a strong trend in 2021. We also observe that 2021 will be a ‘double’-pitching year, as many pitches were postponed until 2021. This situation is very challenging for agencies, as their workforce has been reduced. Obviously, agencies are also looking into the ‘new’ way of working (remotely), travel and office space will play a different role in the future. The long-term impact on the company culture should not be underestimated. With the first anniversary of George Floyd’s death around the corner,

Understanding what the value exchange behind advertising is – for example free content in exchange for data – is a key to transparency and the sustainability of ad-funded business models that are often used by media As well as this, the Commission is planning to further develop its work on the Code of Practice on Disinformation, with guidance expected this Spring on how platforms can update measures to stop the spread of disinformation online.

The aforementioned proposals will now be discussed at the level of the European Parliament. As we have seen in discussions preceding the launch of the two initiatives, some Members of the European Parliament are highly critical towards advertising. They see a solution in only allowing for contextual advertising, for example. The Commission has a softer stance on advertising, understanding its necessity, for example, to finance independent media. Therefore

agencies will be challenged to show progress in diversity & inclusion.

With regard to policy, the DSA and DMA will keep us busy for the next few years.

The Privacy regulation is also still on the agenda and in mid 2021 it will be decided whether we will see a new attempt at a European digital level. Then there are other developments, for example a major overhaul of regulation in the food sector. For agencies, this means renewed discussions about nutri-score, labelling, packaging etc., but also about health. Regarding the latter, we are waiting for the Commission to launch its “Europe beating Cancer” plan, which will obviously link to issues like advertising for food, alcohol or tobacco.

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NEVENA KURTOVIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FUSION COMMUNICATION

Digital is Part of Our Lives Although it has achieved many years of successful cooperation with most clients, which grow into partnerships, the Fusion Communication Agency strives to always provide more and more communicate, not just where. When you have a why, the how becomes easier.

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e want to use everything that science and technology allow today and to share that knowledge with our clients and the whole community. That is our mission, says Nevena Kurtović The digital sector demands constant improvements and learning. Will this be one of the trends in the communications field during the year ahead?

- I think we can actually say that the digital sector is not a trend that we have to get on board with, rather it is part of our lives and that train departed many years ago. It’s fast pace and change to the industry is what we have to follow and adapt to handle.

The pandemic, while being one of the biggest challenges we’ve had to face, had many lessons to teach us both privatley and professionally.

The changes we need to make, the flexibility and adaptation not just of current or planned campaigns, but of many startegies and communication plans, has challenged us and put things in a different perspective. Yes, it is a trend for sure.

However, we need to focus more on the how we

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February

How did your Direct NEURO research emerge?

- What is crucial is that the most important thing for decision making is to have good insights based on the most relevant data, not rationalisations. The Direct Neuro project covers both marketing and HR and allows us to really have a comprehensive view of the business, so that proposed solutions lead to better decisions and improvements. It also gives us unlimited opportunities to test, analyse, check experiences, phenomena etc.

We have “high end” technology and the highest quality equipment for eye tracking (laboratory and field), EEG, GSR (galvanic skin response), face

most lately. What we do know is that its engaged users are in the young age group (6-18), meaning that they make the ‘Toks’ and comment. There has been a rise in older users post-quarantine.

However, they seem to be more passive, in the sense that they are not content creators.

Campaign wise, there is a small number of domestic brands that actually have accounts and create content on Tik-Tok, but we’ve mostly seen influencer campaigns for now. The most popular domestic ‘Tokers’ are more or less high school age, so we can see that the trend is still among the younger population.

Have “murmurings”, half-truths, misinformation and lies about the Coronavirus and vaccines overpowered the truth?

We have so many channels and lines of communication that it is impossible to keep up. It all depends on how reliable the source is and voice analysis, while we’ve gathered together an experienced team of neuroscientists who are backed by numerous world research projects.

How has our country “received” Tik-Tok, which is a major newcomer in the marketing industry that differs significantly from Facebook and Instagram?

- Even though there are still no official statistics regarding Tik-Tok, it is more than obvious that it is the social media network that has exploded the

- Any and all misinformation, false news and similar are a danger to the truth. In this day and age we have so many channels and lines of communication that it is impossible to keep up. It all depends on what you read/listen to, where you get your information, how reliable the source is. It has become highly individualised, so answering this in general would be very hard. We would have to first establish the truth and then see whether other information casts a shade on that.

LARISA GRIZILO, SENIOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT VIP MOBILE

No Progress Without Agility Vip mobile is a company that's shown enough courage to be the first in many things, to leave its comfort zone and shift the boundaries. That's why it's today recognised today as a pioneer and innovator, which proved to be particularly important and valuable under the conditions of the pandemic.

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Participants in communication – whether individuals or companies – are today expected to be available, responsive and fast, and networks are expected to compensate for the benefits of live conversations to the maximum possible extent.

represent a factor in the company’s advancement and further development in the long run. However, trendscanalsoheadinalesspositivedirection–as social beings, we are prone to a sense of alienation due to a lack of personal contact.

Thanks to the development of technology, things are changing at an incredible tempo in the world of telecommunications. What does this mean for online communications?

- The unstoppable and ever faster development of modern technologies has changed everyday life and shaped people’s habits, but also the

Many people will certainly continue to work from home this year.This is just one of the trends.

Could you single out some more?

- Online communication became a vital segment of internal communications for the work of companies virtually overnight. In just a few days, we secured the technical and software conditions for more than 80% of employees to work from their homes. Breaking down the boundaries of

The crisis showed how important it is to implement digitisation at different levels. The transformation of employees has become a precondition for a company’s successful digitisation. What is Vip mobile doing in that area?

-The key to every transformation, and one ofVip’s prioritiesfortheyearahead,islearning.Prioritising personaldevelopmenttodayisamatterofresponsibility that employees take on both for their own futures and that of the company. Provided this relationship is mutual and the company offers a supportive environment, co-employees have greater autonomy in decision-making, greater responsibility, but also space to learn from their mistakes, to feel internal motivation that arises primarily from the need for new challenges. In that way, they create a connection with the identity of the company, because people feel as though someone is taking care of them, that they are part of the collective and that their work contributes to something bigger. Such a relationship of mutual support leads to the creation of an agile team, one that’s resistant to external social and market challenges, even under the conditions of a hybrid environment.

Virtual communication requires a special commitment, in order to preserve team spirit and energy, and to establish an atmosphere of togetherness and mutual support. This is now the most important task of the directors, managers and HR sectors of large companies, including Vip.

To the fore today are the quality of communication and trust in the companies whose telecommunication services users choose ways they communicate. The conditions of the pandemic galvanised and directed the further development of communication platforms and tools. This has led to the opening of the next chapter in the culture of communications, both on the business and private fronts.This brings to the fore the quality of communication and trust in the companies whose telecommunication services users choose.The need for a fully comprehensive communicationprocessthatunfoldsasefficiently as possible has become of prime importance.

location opened the way for new business models and the greater employment of people from local communities. Apart from this, more work will be done on the automation of work processes and the establishing of new digital platforms that satisfy the increasingly demanding expectations of users. Numerous business processes have also undergone changes, which have a tendency to persist even after the crisis has abated. Agility andcross-functionalteamscontributetoreducing the risk of losing profits during crises, but also

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MILOŠ LONČAR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS LEAD FOR SEE, DELL TECHNOLOGIES

Digitisation is Never Ending Dell Technologies provides industry customers with the broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio, spanning from edge to core to cloud. Also, as a trusted partner, the company is committed to helping customers find the best solution for their business

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e have huge experience in supporting the government sector and can help turn Government IT operations into an agile and efficient innovative machine that can meet, exceed and anticipate citizens’ demands, announces Dell Technologies’ Miloš Lončar Time and information are considered as the highest valued elements in the business world.

Is that why you are constantly seeking solutions that will allow your customers to save both?

- Data is the most important value for companies.

The ability to quickly analyse, understand and implement information is very useful, especially today, when everything is happening very fast.

Companies have challenge to protect data, especially if you take into consideration changes in how, when and where we work. Employees simply need to have access to data regardless of when and where they are. This raises the question of how to protect our end point devices, which are not in a controlled environment, but when the best solution is implemented they can then concentrate and utilise all their extra time for their core business, innovations and the creativity that drives progress.

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What is the situation like today when it comes to the level of IT equipment for schools, the police, the army, ministries, health and other state institutions?

- There is a tendency towards improvement, and this is a long term process that started some years ago and will continue in the future. The current state is not ideal, but we can see great improvements happening and the commitment of institutions to implement or increase the level of digitisation, as they are aware that they can overcome challenges that address flexibility

Has the pandemic imposed a need for companies to seek new IT solutions, new platforms and new systems?

- This pandemic is an unprecedented situation the likes of which the world has never previously encountered in its modern history.The impact and shock that it had on the traditional or modern way of life and economics is huge. It really showed the need for technology that can empower not only governments and companies, but all of us, to build optimism and look to the future of the 4th Industrial Revolution, which I believe will close the gap

We are starting to like having everything we need at the push of a button and seek devices that can make this happen for us and efficiency points through the use of technology. One of the challenges is the deficit in an educated workforce from the use and support perspective. All these institutions are massive systems that require a lot of maintaining. It is for this reason that it’s important during digital transformation processes for the correct solutions to be chosen, not only at data centres but also at end points, as there is only one data centre while there are tens of thousands of users. The correct positioning of business level end point technology/devices is important and represents the right step in creating the most secure and manageable system that can easily be supported and maintained with existing resources.

between the digital, human and physical aspects of our lives and bring us opportunities to balance our lives as we desire. Maybe I can go as far as to say that this is not a trend but is now becoming a full transformation. For example, can any of us now imagine life without e-commerce? We are seeing an increase in the use of new platforms and solutions that are allowing self-service, service on demand, automation etc. We are starting to like having everything we need at the push of a button and we seek devices that can make this happen for us. Demonstrating how far we’ve come, Dell technologies introducing AI to user devices means that they’ve become even smarter. How long will it be until we won’t even need a button?

TANJA VASOJEVIĆ, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT, DELTA HOLDING

Empathy is Key To Communication Delta Holding believes that satisfied, smiling staff are the company's best possible ambassadors and its greatest value, and that outstanding results are only achieved in a pleasant environment with good two-way communication

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t is important to take care of the team, to encourage the team members’ spirit, if necessary with humour, because that is what makes a company. The present loss of business can be overcome, with greater or lesser difficulty, faster or slower, but the loss of people is irredeemable for a business system, says Ms Vasojević

At the mention of communications, most people think of the public or target groups, because far less attention is paid to communications within the company, but they are equally important, if not more important.

In Delta, both segments are important, is that right?

- Perhaps the most important communications are those towards our staff. More precisely, with our staff, because it must be a two-way conver-

pleasant environment. This is the only way they can achieve extraordinary results. Of course, if they are dissatisfied or disappointed, that will give you the worst possible reputation, because they know everything about you, they are insiders and the people around them believe them.

What principles does your company follow in communication, in addition to openness, encouraging dialogue, clear messages?

- Definitely in the first place empathy. The most important thing is to understand people, and that means the staff I have mentioned, but there are also our business partners, suppliers, customers, associates and the entire community who are watching us. To have a highly developed empathy, you have to be a good guy and we have been constantly, for three decades, working to

Internal communication is one of the most effective tools to protect what is most important to us in business: people. sation. They are most important because our business consists of people and now, in a year when we are celebrating 30 years of business, we are actually celebrating the achievements of our people in the businesses we have been in all these years. Internal communication is one of the most effective tools to protect what is most important to us in business: people.

Besides, our colleagues are the best possible company ambassadors if they are satisfied and smile, if they work with good people and in a

make Delta a good, hard-working, caring guy, and to show that face to the public.

How much did it affect our work when we spent part of last year in quarantine, and a huge number of employees have been working from home,?

- We had already introduced working from home in Delta Holding in 2019, so in 2020 it did not catch us unprepared. But it undoubtedly had a large impact because daily routines have

changed a lot and new habits have already been formed. This is a new reality and we have had to adjust to it. From Delta’s experience, we can say that it is important to take care of the team, to encourage the team members’ spirit, if necessary with humour, because that is what makes a company. The present loss of business can be overcome, with greater or lesser difficulty, faster or slower, but the loss of people is irredeemable for a business system. We fully stick to safety measures, but we do not want to stop the work and we find ways to do this successfully.

Can the public be aware of Delta Holding’s leading position on the market just on the basis of their immediate insight and the impression that you do not communicate it to the public?

- There is no immediate insight, apart for a very small number of direct observers. If the world could work exclusively on the basis of immediate insight and if that were enough, there would be no media, no advertising, no brands, everything that makes communication.

I have to admit I am in love with this business and that’s why I think that communication is everything. We are what we communicate.

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TOMMASO DI GIOVANNI, VICE PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS AT PHILIP MORRIS INTERNATIONAL

Smokers Appreciate IQOS W Philip Morris International plays an important part and has ramped up its efforts to communicate the benefits and risks to people who smoke despite old legislation designed for cigarettes. This company wants to leverage advances in science and technology and rapidly improve public health

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e feel we have a responsibility to spark this debate, and to share our science and the progress that can be achieved thanks to technology and innovation. Old ideologies should be put aside; pragmatism and collaboration should become the rule of engagement - says PMI’s Tommaso Di Giovani.

How to convince people who enjoy smoking and who do not want to give up their pleasure to try something new?

- This is a very good question because it nails the core of the challenge to replace cigarettes with better alternatives that can improve public health. Despite all efforts from authorities and NGOs, the vast majority of smokers simply do not quit. Even the WHO says that by 2025 we will have approximately the same number of smokers we have today around the world.

Convincing them that they should abandon their

old habits and switch to RRPs is important if we want to leverage advances in science and technology and rapidly improve public health.

Developing and scientifically assessing reduced-risk alternatives, such as IQOS, takes time and significant efforts but it is not enough.

It is important that smokers appreciate the product and that they understand its benefits and risks compared to cigarette smoking.

Otherwise, why would they stop using a product that is very simple to use and that delivers a pleasure that is also derived by combustion for one that is more complex, as it involves use of electronics, and that does not involve the burning ?

People who would otherwise continue to smoke need to receive accurate and easy to understand information about these products, and be encouraged to switch. We play our part, and have ramped up our efforts to communicate benefits and risks to people

engagement. We owe it to smokers and those who care about them.

It is time to look at science and innovation like one would do in other industries: with the consumer at the centre. Recent advances of technology and innovations create a great opportunity to accelerate improvements in public health.

Inertia in the decision making and ideologies are slowing down this progress, with the consequences that smokers continue to use cigarettes

who smoke despite old legislations that were designed for cigarettes and that often do not allow to say much about alternatives – which is counter to common sense. It is now time for governments, NGOs and others to embrace the public health opportunity offered by these products and update old regulations. The US FDA did it, and has in place a framework that allows companies to communicate verified benefits on these products following a process of review of evidence to support specific claims to consumers. For instance, they recently authorized us to communicate to consumers that IQOS significantly reduces exposure to harmful or potentially harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes. Other countries, like recently Greece and Portugal, are moving in similar directions but change takes time.

As a tobacco company you are more open to talk to public today than ever before? How

does public react to your communication, having in mind history of negative perception of tobacco industry?

- We are more vocal, you are right. We do so because we firmly believe it is time to look at science and innovation like one would do in other industries: with the consumer at the centre. Recent advances of technology and innovations create a great opportunity to accelerate improvements in public health.

Inertia in the decision making and ideologies are slowing down this progress, with the consequences that smokers continue to use cigarettes. In countries where attitudes are more open towards innovation, including in tobacco, like Japan, approximately a quarter of smokers have switched and abandoned cigarettes. Cigarette sales declined to rates never provoked by any traditional tobacco control campaign. We need to have an adult conversation about this. Why should smokers in Serbia or elsewhere not be encouraged to switch to better alternatives? Otherwise, many may simply continue to smoke. And –de facto – being pushed to stay with cigarettes if they do not quit? We feel we have a responsibility to spark this debate, and to share our science and the progress that can be achieved thanks to technology and innovation. Old ideologies should be put aside; pragmatism and collaboration should become the rule of

Today, external and internal communication is done digitally, through digital channels.

However, does that not mean that analog communication is a thing of the past? Is it still important for companies like yours?

- There is certainly a trend towards digital but analog channels remain important everywhere.

The most important thing is to ensure that adults who smoke have access to accurate information regardless of the medium of communication.

Did the FDA’s last year’ decision to classify the IQOS in the category of modified risk tobacco products (MRTP) help proper information about better alternatives to cigarettes reach ‘hard-core’ smokers, who are your target group, more easily? Did this decision ‘spill over’ to the rest of the world in regard to communication with users and how?

- The FDA reached this decision after a comprehensive analysis of hundreds of thousands of pages of scientific studies, two to three years after Philip Morris submitted the documents. Its decision clearly states that, whilst not risk-free, IQOS is substantially different than cigarettes, generates significantly lower levels of harmful compounds and switching completely significantly reduces exposure to harmful and potentially harmful chemicals compared to continuous use of cigarettes. Dozens of independent research organisations and government health authorities have confirmed important elements of our science but this was the most comprehensive assessment to date. In the US, adult smokers will receive this information and we hope it will convince to abandon cigarettes and switch to a better alternative to continued smoking, contributing to public health. The decision had global resonance. In many countries, public health experts and the authorities acknowledged its importance. While the decision applies to the US, we hope it will provide other government confidence in the science that backs up the benefits of IQOS and encourage a trend to replace cigarettes with IQOS or similar products that do not use combustion. People who smoke and public health truly deserve science and technology to be taken seriously.

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JELENA BAUDER, DIRECTOR, BAUDER FARMACEUTICA D.O.O

New Technologies Are Allies

Due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19, Bauder Medical was unable to dedicate its full capacity to the organisation of professional gatherings, conferences, symposia and congresses in the field of medicine and pharmaceuticals, but this enabled the medscape.rs platform to come to expression fully.

well as the importance of presenting a unified message to the public.

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ebelievedeeplyandhopethatthis year we will again be among the best, and will justify the reputation that we’ve enjoyed in recent years, because we listen constantly to the market and the needs of clients and students - explains Bauder Farmaceutica Director Jelena Bauder, speaking for CorD. During the previous year, the speed of transferring information was crucial to the preserving of people’s health and lives. Did that help us to grasp the importance of communication and modern technologies?

- It was difficult to find the positive side to this overall situation until recently, yet it has now emerged indisputably in the form of the scale and speed of joint initiatives created in response to the pandemic. New technologies today represent an ally in communication and business. However, worldwide, including in our country, there has been inconsistency in statements that has resulted in confusion and mistrust among the population.

Simply, I think that communication wasn’t coordinated at all levels. I certainly hope that we will draw a lesson from this whole situation about the right way to convey accurate information, as

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Medscape.rs is your online platform, in which you’ve invested a lot of teamwork, effort, dedication and time. Did it reach its full expression during the pandemic?

- The need for social distancing in the age of the coronavirus has resulted in major changes in our lives and an ever increasing shift to the online world. We reached a situation where we work from home instead of going to work, where our living room is also our office, while we work twice

greatest achievements of modern times?

- Immunisation saves millions of lives every year and that’s something we mustn’t forget. The psychophysical ramifications of a pandemic are almost inconceivable, both in scope and complexity. Everywhere around the world there will always be misconceptions and theories among a certain number of people, but there are certain channels of communication that help to spread them. Communication with the public should be based on appeals, alongside the adoption of appropriate strategies and reliance on a rational approach that implies adequate, truthful and

The positive side of this entire situation is reflected in the scale and speed of the joint initiatives that emerged in response to the pandemic as much as when we went to work, but there’s no socialising among colleagues, no team spirit...

The medscape.rs platform did come to its full expression in the age of the coronavirus, but even before that it was positioned highly among our business partners and participants.

MedScape represents a certified organisation of trust thanks to our successful operations.

We’ve founded the MedScape Academy and an e-newspaper that will start operating soon.

How do we deal with misconceptions and conspiracy theories that seem to be stronger than ever? How did we reach a situation where we’re even disputing vaccines, as one of the

timely information, as an aid in decision-making and the right to choose. Second, and no less important, is the emotional factor, which implies descriptive informing of what can be prevented by vaccination and showing empathy towards all age structures of the population, as well as positive encouragement in decision making.

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the way of life around the world and raised questions of financing, the provision of services and management that should be answered by the heads of health systems in each country. In the end, it is important to recover to a level that is considered as the new normal, and I hope and believe that we will reach that level as soon as possible.

BOJANA KUZMANOVIĆ , DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING - GORSKI HOTEL & SPA

Raise The Level Of Your Expectations When it opened three years ago, Gorski Hotel & Spa brought new energy to Kopaonik. This energy was so strong that the service and the very concept of hospitality and the hotel industry were permanently raised to a higher level, both at this destination and across the whole country

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fter profiling our hotel as the place with the best food, desserts and service, we at Gorski decided, according to an already well-known pattern, to shift the boundaries and bring a new experience that was unprecedented on Kopaonik. It was with this in mind that, this winter, we opened our exclusive à la carte restaurant of Italian cuisine - La Pista. As the name suggests, this restaurant is located on the Malo jezero ski trail, within the scope of the hotel. Recognisable architecture and interior design will allow guests to enjoy the exceptional views and atmosphere, while experiencing the pleasure of fine dining that hasn’t previously existed on Kopaonik.

Natural wood dominates all around and spreads the well-known scent of the mountain.

A fireplace, dim lighting, a terrace, views of the snowy trails - idyllic, right? It is very close to the interior and reminiscent of a hotel, but is a long way from everything you’d expect.

The uniqueness of this restaurant is diverse. Perhaps the most important thing is to start from the fact that all food is prepared exclusively using ingredients of the highest category. Groceries are delivered directly from Italy exclusively for the needs of the restaurant. In addition to the most famous Italian food brands, which everyone expects at a restaurant like this, there are also ingredients produced in small manufacturing operations where the entire production is reserved for La Pista. This means only one thing: everything

you try at La Pista will be an experience that is impossible to repeat elsewhere!

The restaurant operates in two regimes - daily and evening. Just as the guests of Kopaonik like the most, during the day everything is subordinated to skiing. This makes La Pista an ideal place to gather for a short break from skiing. With pizzas, pastas, risottos or traditional cooked dishes from the Italian mountains, the experience will be complete on the spacious terrace and in front of the ski trail.

In the evenings, La Pista turns into an elegant, fine-dining venue, with the kind of service and food that you could previously only expect at the finest restaurants in Belgrade.

An intimate and romantic atmosphere by the fireplace, complemented by a quiet live performance of jazz, blues and pop music, gives you the combined pleasures of Italy, Kopaonik, the mountains and sophistication.

La Pista, just like Gorski Hotel & Spa, will definitely raise the level of service and expectations, contributing to the development of Kopaonik as a destination, while providing every individual with an unforgettable experience that they will remember for a long time and will gladly return to experience again. The variety of ingredients and preparation techniques, but also the wines that the sommelier will pair for you, will leave you breathless.

That is our way of communicating. Work.

Uniqueness. Innovation. We tell you everything through experience.

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Communication Novelties

The Coronavirus has shifted us from the real world to the virtual world Although nowhere in the world – with the exception of Israel – is the roll out of vaccines taking place at the desired speed and under positive dynamics, vaccination against coronavirus provides a glimmer of hope that we will win the match between humanity and COVID-19. However, fortunately or not, that doesn’t mean that our lives will return to normal. The truth is that nothing will ever be the same again. And why would it be?

The Coronavirus has shifted us from the real world to the online world, and that encompasses everything that we would have considered impossible until yesterday – education, festivals and seminars, training and study courses, furniture fairs and dog shows, even concerts and dance competitions. Company meetings are online, shopping is done from an armchair and communication unfolds via all available platforms and applications, none of which seems to anyone today as being part of the future, something intended for new generations, which clearly shows us the direction in which we are heading.

And which direction are we heading?

Technology provides us with a more or less normal life Marian Salzman, senior vice president of global communications at Philip Morris International, the most awarded woman in the PR field and one of the world’s top 5 experts in trends and styles in communications, also claims that nothing will ever be the same again.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, millions and millions of people have - thanks to modern technologies - continued to live relatively normal and ordinary lives. The tools of modern communication have enabled them to work from home, to learn from home, to buy from home, and even to socialise with friends and family, despite the physical distance. That is now also part of the everyday life of many of us, and that will also be the case in 2021,” announced Salzman.

However, she notes that our priorities will change during this year and the years to come.

“Status symbols will no longer be the most expensive phone or trainers, rather a secure living space. That’s what we’ll strive for. People will seek safer investments, will additionally secure their homes with security cameras, alarm systems, backup power ... Everyone will strive to simplify their lifestyle and save money.”

Simplicity and conciseness will be valued again According to the predictions of the experts of company CommBok, which has developed its own next generation communication platform, simplicity will be highly valued again.

“Until just a few years ago, every company that sought its own way tried to develop its own application for communicating with customers and users of their services. That’s no longer the case today, because people want to have as few applications as possible on their phones. They want to do everything through applications that they already use, such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, Viber etc. This means that more and more companies will have to use these channels to communicate with customers and users of their services.”

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Internal communications experts to be increasingly in demand “The dramatic increase in the number of employees working from home has made internal communications very important.Their significance will continue to grow in the coming years, and teams for internal company communications will be valued as strategic advisors at the executive level.

The fact is that companies will also have to accept that it is essential for them to send the same messages to their employees and their target audiences,” considers Rowena Crowley, a senior advisor to Comprend.

Her colleague, creative advisor Sophie Corner, nonetheless thinks that, when it comes to communications, 2021 will be marked by huge growth in the number of events broadcast live on social networks.

“Companies will strive to get as close as possible to their target groups, to offer them a more direct and personal approach, and this is most easily achieved through panel discussions, online forums and round tables, but also events that have an entertainment element, such as fairs and festivals.”

Even young people are starting to get informed via television

An increase in the popularity of the internet has been recorded worldwide, but also of television, a channel of communication that had begun seriously lagging behind social networks in previous years. During the pandemic, people informing themselves via television increased by more than 50 per cent among those aged 18 to 29, who additionally also continued searching for news on the internet (as many as 82% of them). Communications experts explain this by citing the fact that people under quarantine had a more pronounced need for timely and accurate information about the coronavirus, and as they also had more free time, they also used television and global networks to seek various entertainment and other contents that had no connection to the pandemic.

“Some companies have taken advantage of this and intensified advertising on these communication channels, which could continue in 2021,” consider experts from leading British marketing agencies.

Emoticons break down barriers and boundaries to communication Although philologists are concerned about the future of language and communication, because young generations are increasingly using abbreviations and emoticons, professors of cyberpsychology at Nottingham Trent University are sending a different message.

“It’s too easy to call emoticons language killers and partially blame them for people becoming addicted to smartphones, text messages and picture messages. No, people today aren’t incapable of expressing themselves without the help of several dozen yellow faces, they only use them wisely to overcome obstacles and barriers to communication. Emojis compensate for the lack of tone and colour in a voice, facial expressions, gestures...

These are vital elements of face-to-face communication, while they don’t exist in writing, unless these cute yellow faces are used,” says Dr Daria J. Kuss, a neuroscientist and cyberpsychologist, speaking for The Independent.

This professor, who has spent years studying verbal and non-verbal communication with her colleagues, reminds us that emoticon was included in the Oxford Dictionary in 2015, and not the word “emoticon”, rather actual smileys that cry with laughter.

February

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February

JAPAN - BEAUTIFUL HARMONY

CONTENT CELEBRATION OF 06 MUTUAL RESPECT AND FRIENDSHIP COMMENT

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HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM TOKYO

THE WELL17 PRIORITISING BEING OF SOCIETY ROBERT LUKIĆ, TOYOTA SRBIJA CEO

H.E. TAKAHIKO KATSUMATA, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO SERBIA

VICTOR VEKLITCH, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR ADRIATICA AT JAPAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL

32 THE LAND OF RISING AI TECHNOLOGY

BETTER 18 HEALTH,BRIGHTER FUTURE MITSUBISHI’S 12 COMMITMENT TO ENERGY AND DIGITAL

THE BEST INVESTORS 24 BRING NEW VALUE EVERY YEAR

MILENA ARGIROVIĆ, DIRECTOR, TAKEDA

IN THE DRIVING 26 BEING SEAT IS OUR DUTY OLIVER LEPORI, JBAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

TRANSFORMATION

NAOKI TSUKADA, GENERAL MANAGER, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION BELGRADE LIAISON OFFICE

32 THE LAND OF RISING AI 34 JBAS ACTIVITIES OF 40 SYMBOL NATIONAL UNITY TECHNOLOGY

JAPANESE EMPEROR NARUHITO

THE GAMES WILL GO 44 AHEAD “WITH OR WITHOUT COVID”

WISH TO DEEPEN 20 WE OUR PARTNERSHIP OF GOOD 28 TOWARD SOCIETY 5.0 48 SYMBOLS FORTUNE CUSTOMERS EAGER 30 FOR RELIABLE SOLUTIONS

TOKYO 2021 OLYMPIC GAMES

JIRO TAKEICHI, CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JICA BALKAN OFFICE

JAPANESE 14 INVESTMENTS ARE LIKE ORIGAMI

JAPANESE ECONOMY

JAPANESE CRANES

MLADEN JEVTIĆ, SALES MANAGER ADRIATIC, AT HITACHI VANTARA

GORAN PEKEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE JBAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LEADS TO 23 VISION RESULTS JKP MLADENOVAC

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com ART DIRECTOR Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs

PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs Mihailo Čučković m.cuckovic@aim.rs

PHOTOS Zoran Petrović

OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

EDITORIAL MANAGER Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs

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FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs GENERAL MANAGER Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

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

office@cordmagazine.com www.aim.rs; www.cordmagazine.com No 23 ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2020 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by

alliance international media THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

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COMMENT

Celebration of Mutual Respect

AND FRIENDSHIP

For many years, excellent bilateral relations between Japan and Serbia did not lead to equally successful economic dealings. Today, however, it seems that the tide is gradually turning, with the investment of Japanese company Toyo Tires, one of the world's largest manufacturers of tyres, representing just the latest achievement. It is also a good omen during a time when the two countries are celebrating the 140th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

A

Western Balkan region. t the end of 2020, Serbian President Aleksandar Following the historic 2018 visit of Japanese Prime Vučić received the credentials of newly appointed Minister Abe, many Japanese investors have come to view Japanese Ambassador Takahika Katsumata, who Serbia as a significant regional centre for the CEFTA and the conveyed a message from Emperor Naruhito to Western Balkan areas, which has helped to deepen relations him. President Vučić returned the greetings and sent an between Belgrade and Tokyo in terms of economic exchange. invitation for the Emperor of Japan to visit our country, Japanese companies increasingly seeing Serbia as a emphasising how this would be an exceptional opportunity to source of highly skilled labour. Furthermore, the remarkable mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between progress made on economic reforms and fiscal consolidation Belgrade and Tokyo. hasn’t gone unnoticed. As a result of diplomatic efforts, as If the situation permits, a visit of Emperor Naruhito well as the engagement of the Japanese Business Alliance in would provide an excellent opportunity to further improve cooperation and the friendship between the two countries.

The two countries have jointly decided to If the situation permits, a visit of Emperor Naruhito establish the year of 1882, which corresponds would provide an excellent opportunity to further with the reigns of Serbian King Milan Obrenović improve cooperation and the friendship between and Japanese Emperor Meiji, as their year of friendship. Bilateral relations between Serbia and the two countries Japan have been improving constantly for many Serbia, the Japanese business community is well informed years, both politically and economically, with interest in the about the conditions offered in Serbia.

Serbian market increasing among Japanese investors lately.

Foreign trade with Japan has been increasing gradually Japan has, for many years, been among the most significant over previous years, reaching a level of around 200 million contributors to Serbia in terms of technical and material euros, which may be more than during the previous period donations, with that total valued at 507 million euros over but still leaves plenty of room for improvement. the past 20 years.

Beyond economics, there is also an opportunity for the Japan sees the stability of the Western Balkans not two countries to increase their cooperation even further merely as a regional and European issue, but also as a in the fields of science and technology, innovation and strategic issue for Japan. In that respect, Japan has shown technological development, and sport. its appreciation for Serbia’s role in promoting peace and And with sport in mind, we’re really looking forward to stability in the Western Balkan region, resulting in Japan the upcoming Olympic Games to be hosted by Japan and continuously supporting economic reforms in Serbia and would like to wish the competing Japanese and Serbian the country’s EU accession aspirations, while Japan also athletes lots of success. encourages cooperation between countries within the

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INTERVIEW

H.E. TAKAHIKO KATSUMATA, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO SERBIA

Hope And Encouragement

FROM TOKYO

We know that it is challenging to host the Olympic Games under such circumstances, but this is precisely why we intend for these 2021 Games to prove that humanity has defeated the virus Takahiko Katsumata Serbia. Ambassador Katsumata is witnessing increased interest in Serbia among Japanese investors, which he says is reflected in the recent arrival of the Toyo Corporation in Inđija.

R

eturning to Belgrade after a gap of almost four decades, new Japanese ambassador Takahiko Katsumata notes that the city has been modernised, but says that he can still find good cafes, contemporary art and recognisable historical monuments like the ones he remembers from back in 1984, when he first found himself in Serbia as a young diplomat.

In this his first interview for CorD Magazine, the ambassador says that he’s been working enthusiastically on the commemorating of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and 8

Your Excellency, you arrived to take on the role of the new ambassador of Japan to Serbia this past December, stating at the time that you were returning to Belgrade 37 years after your first visit. How are your impressions today?

- I have been to Belgrade, then the capital of the former Yugoslavia, in the summer of 1984. That young diplomat from Japan was very impressed with the magnificent landscape of green hills with a castle over the grand Danube and Sava rivers. The warm hospitality of the people was also unforgettable.

I am so happy to be here again as the ambassador of Japan. My first impression after 37 years has not changed at all. I see that Belgrade looks far more modernised compared to my first visit. However, it remains rich in various kinds of cultural elements, such as kafana taverns, modern arts or historical heritage. People in Belgrade remain kind, with much hospitality. The Serbian culinary culture is also interesting to me. It is a pity that I so far haven’t been able to try well-known specialities of Serbian cuisine in local restaurants due to the sanitary measures related to COVID-19.

Fortunately, I’ve already had some opportunities to visit local cities of Serbia. I went to Inđija for the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Toyo Tires factory and I also went to Golubinci for a visit to a tobacco farm that’s a supplier to the JTI company that made Japan’s first ever direct investment in Serbia. On the way to these places in Vojvodina, I saw the beautiful landscape of the suburban districts with traditional architecture and lifestyle. I hope to visit as many of Serbia’s cities and villages as possible during my term.

Your term began during the time of the global struggle against COVID-19, which also seems to be dictating the topics of in-

JAPAN - BEAUTIFUL HARMONY

BUSINESS CLIMATE

INVESTMENT

TOKYO OLYMPICS

Serbia can offer foreign investors easy access to a workforce with competitive costs or quality labour with high levels of education

The investment of Toyo Tires is expected to be the largest one ever from Japan in Serbia, at 382 million euros, and will create more than 500 jobs

Taking all possible measures to prevent infections, we will continue to work hard to prepare for a safe and secure Games

ternational and bilateral relations. What measures is Japan taking to combat the pandemic?

-Given the fact that COVID-19 has become a global issue, it is crucial for the international community to make concerted efforts. Japan has been working closely with the international community to tackle this global challenge.

With regard to cooperation with Serbia, in August 2020 Japan decided to provide a total amount of 100 million JPY (approx.

820,000 euros) to the Government of Serbia to strengthen the country’s medical system for the fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19, through the provision of medical equipment. This grant aid provides medical institutions, especially in Serbia’s rural areas, with Japanese X-ray equipment, ambulances and other health and medical-related equipment. My desire is for the donation that delivers Japan’s high TOKYO quality medical equipment to contribute to overcoming the healthcare disparities that exist between regions in Serbia and With regard to cooperation with Serbia, in August 2020 Japan strengthening the country’s medical system decided to provide a total amount of 100 million JPY (approx. that can fight against infectious diseases, including COVID-19, not only this time, but 820,000 euros) to the Government of Serbia to strengthen the also in longer-term perspectives. country’s medical system for the fight against infectious diseases, Japan appreciates the continuous efforts of the Serbian Government to combat including COVID-19, through the provision of medical equipment COVID-19, including the early start of antiYou’ve been discussing the possibilities of strengthening Corona vaccination in these days, and we will continue to work economic cooperation with Japan since your arrival in Serbia. closely to overcome this pandemic crisis.

How would you explain your claim that Serbia has become more interesting to investors from Japan?

Media reports suggest that vaccination should start in Japan - About 30 Japanese companies are currently doing business at the end of February. Which pharmaceutical companies have increasingly in Serbia, including Toyo Tires’ recent launch of the been selected to deliver a vaccine in Japan? construction of its new factory in Inđija, which is the biggest - The government has sealed a contract for 144 million doses of direct investment of Japan, worth almost 400 million euros. the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, enough for 70 million of the country’s This trend was created by Serbia’s efforts to implement socio126 million people, by the end of June. Japan also has contracts economic reforms, including the promotion of a better business with Moderna and AstraZeneca for the time being. Prime Minister environment for foreign companies, and Japanese companies have Suga Masahide recently appointed former Foreign Minister Kono started becoming aware of the actual merits of their investment Taro as the Minister in charge of the promotion of Corona vaccinain Serbia. Serbia has concluded FTAs with the EU, Turkey, Russia tion. It is highly expected that prompt, safe and fair vaccination and other countries, which leads to good access to large regional will start in Japan soon.

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transfer Japanese technology and create a good business model to encourage other Japanese companies to start doing new business in Serbia. I hope this unique factory will expand a new European market and, as a whole, will be one of the driving forces behind the Serbian economy.

SHINKANSEN TRAIN - TOKYO STATION

markets. Serbia can also offer foreign investors easy access to a workforce with competitive costs or quality labour with high levels of education.

I also need to mention the top diplomacy between the two countries in recent years, characterised by the visits to Serbia of Prime Minister Abe in 2018 and Foreign Minister Kono in 2019, as well the visit of Prime Minister Brnabić to Japan in 2019, which have provided a strong driving force to promote our economic partnership.

We expect Japanese companies to continue accelerating their investments in Serbia.

I also need to mention the top diplomacy between the two countries in recent years, characterised by the visits to Serbia of Prime Minister Abe in 2018 and Foreign Minister Kono in 2019, as well the visit of Prime Minister Brnabić to Japan in 2019, which have provided a strong driving force to promote our economic partnership

You attended the formal launch of the construction of the Toyo Tires factory in Inđija. What are your impressions of the town and what do you expect from that investment?

- Inđija is close to both Belgrade and Novi Sad, and also has good rail and road access. This is why many companies from overseas are doing business in the region. I believe that Toyo Tires took this geographical advantage into consideration.

The investment of Toyo Tires is expected to be the largest one ever from Japan in Serbia, at 382 million euros, and will create more than 500 jobs. It also brings a new automated assembly system with state-of-the-art technology, which is expected to 10

Toyo Tires also considered the Polish city of Gdansk as a location for its new factory.

What role did state subsidies for Japanese companies and the gifting of land for the construction of the factory play in this company choosing Serbia?

- First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Serbian government for its continuous efforts aimed at improving the business environment in Serbia, especially for its well-designed support programmes for companies to start their businesses.

For example, 15 free zones have so far been established in the country and companies have been offered preferential treatment, such as partial tax exemption. I believe that these enthusiastic forms of support from the Government are a key factor in Japanese companies deciding to expand their operations in Serbia. I also believe that the merits of regional market access and quality labour are also attractive for companies.

On the part of the Embassy of Japan, we have offered an investors’ manual to Serbia on the website for the reference of potential Japanese investors and companies. The Embassy has also been providing them with relevant information, in collaboration with the Development Agency of Serbia, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) etc. We hope that more and more Japanese companies will increase their interest in investing in Serbia.

Citizens of Inđija and Vojvodina are concerned about the possibility of uncontrolled environmental pollution once Toyo starts producing tyres. Given that Japan is considered a country with high environmental awareness, which standards will this Japanese company adhere to in Inđija?

- At the ground-breaking ceremony in December 2020, which the esteemed President Vučić also attended, Toyo Tires President Mr Shimizu mentioned in his speech that the company would like to make a contribution to promoting both the environment and the economy of Serbia.

JAPAN - BEAUTIFUL HARMONY

As I mentioned earlier, the investment of Toyo Tires will bring new an automated factory with state-of-the-art technology that also encompasses various environmental standards.

I understand that the underlying idea of Mr Shimizu regarding Toyo Tires’ business approach is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, which are set to be achieved by 2030.

I expect Toyo Tires will not only put current Serbian and EU standards into practise in Serbia, but that it will also show a high level of commitment to the environment with an eye to the year 2030.

It was announced at the end of 2020 that a new, major Japanese investment could arrive in Novi Sad, with the Nidec Corporation considering the creation of a factory for the production of electric vehicle motors. Do you know if this Japanese company has made its decision?

- I am aware that NIDEC, a world leading motor producing company, is making preparations for its project in Serbia, but I’m not in a position to prejudge the business decision.

In general, FDI from Japan to Serbia has been increasing sharply in recent years and the number of inquiries about doing business in Serbia that we receive form Japanese companies is also increasing. I feel like the interest of Japanese companies is growing steadily. The Embassy of Japan will continue to support Japanese and Serbian companies in pursuing their business opportunities in both countries, and I strongly hope that Japan and Serbia can strengthen our economic relationship even during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tokyo Olympics, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, should be held during 2021. What are the biggest challenges for Japan as the host country of the games, apart from the fact that the delay will increase the costs of organising the games by approximately three billion U.S. dollars?

- The biggest challenges in hosting next summer’s Games would be, of course, countermeasures against COVID-19. Following the decision to postpone the Games, Tokyo 2020 took swift action to deal with the unprecedented situation. The government has

MATSUMOTO CASTLE

I would like to do my utmost to make the 140th anniversary of the Japan-Serbia Friendship in 2022 a wonderful opportunity to confirm and further promote our bilateral friendship, which was established through an exchange of letters between the Meiji Emperor of Japan and Serbia’s King Obrenović in 1882

Upon submitting your letters of accreditation, you were asked to convey an invitation for Emperor Naruhito to visit Serbia. It was mentioned at the time that the commemorating of 140 years of diplomatic relations could provide a good reason for such a visit at the highest level. Is there any interest in organising such a visit?

- We are grateful for the cordial invitation of the esteemed President to His Majesty the Emperor of Japan. The Emperor of Japan wishes to further promote friendly ties and goodwill relations between Japan and the Republic Serbia. I would like to do my utmost to make the 140th anniversary of the Japan-Serbia Friendship in 2022 a wonderful opportunity to confirm and further promote our bilateral friendship, which was established through an exchange of letters between the Meiji Emperor of Japan and Serbia’s King Obrenović in 1882.

now established a framework governing athletes’ movements and activities, including their entry to Japan and movements during the actual Games, as well as for spectators and all other people involved.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a first for humankind, and its effects are still ongoing. We know that it is challenging to host the Olympic Games under such circumstances, but this is precisely why we intend for these Games to prove that humanity has defeated the virus, as our Prime Minister says. Taking all possible measures to prevent infections, we will continue to work hard to prepare for a safe and secure Games. I wish for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to bring hope and encouragement to people all around the world.

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INTERVIEW

NAOKI TSUKADA, GENERAL MANAGER, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION BELGRADE LIAISON OFFICE

Mitsubishi’s Commitment to Energy and

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) is a global integrated business enterprise that operates across virtually every industry in approximately 90 countries and regions worldwide. With a network of around 1,700 group companies, MC remains fully dedicated to growing its businesses with integrity and fairness, while contributing to a prosperous society.

M

C has had a presence in Serbia for several years, while the MC liaison office in Belgrade has been instrumental in supporting new business opportunities for the company.

Most recently, MC has been collaborating with Toyo Tires to build a factory in Serbia. This will be Toyo Tires’ first factory in Europe and its eighth overseas. Operations at the new facility will commence in 2022, with approximately 500 employees.

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) continues to actively provide its expertise to help realise Japanese investments in Serbia. What are some highlights of your collaboration with Toyo Tires?

-Toyo Tires is a business and capital alliance partner of MC, and it has invested a total of around €400 million in Serbia with the construction of the new tyre factory. The new plant is due to start manufacturing operations in the spring of 2022, reaching a capacity of five million tyres annually (based on passenger vehicle tyres) by the summer of 2023. The factory will bring in new technology and create around 500 jobs.

The construction of this factory is Toyo Tires’ most significant investment in Serbia to date by far, considering the €367 million price tag for the first phase, the size of the facility and the fact that it is Toyo Tires’ first project with MC as a capital and business partner. In addition, the main contractor for the construction of the main facility, which will cover around 20 hectares, will be another Japanese company – Takenaka.

The total investment is worth €382 million and the exports of Toyo Tires’ products are expected to be worth around €240 million per year, which will be huge drivers for the development of the Serbian economy. We also expect this project to encourage other Japanese companies to enter the country.

The construction deadline is 17 months away, and the manufacturing complex for the fully-automated production of car and truck tyres will be located on a parcel of nearly 64 hectares, with a planned annual production of five million premium class tyres that will be heading to the European

and Russian markets. Toyo Tires will use the latest production technology to construct the plant in Inđija, where it will produce top-quality products at competitive prices and in an energy-efficient way.

You mentioned that the tyres made in Inđija will be produced in an energy-efficient way. Is this an example of Mitsubishi Corporation’s commitment to Energy Transformation (EX)?

-The transition to low-/zero-carbon forms of energy, which we refer to as “EX”, is impacting every industry, and we embrace the challenge of responding to climate change while delivering on our responsibility to provide a stable supply of energy to society.

We have continued adapting to our ever-evolving external environment since our company’s foundation, in order to grow together with society based on our guiding philosophy: The Three Corporate Principles. Our EX

The Toyo Tires investment is worth €382 million, while its exports will be worth around €240 million at an annual level

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initiatives align with our spirit of “Corporate Responsibility to Society”, helping to preserve the global environment. We are currently considering how MC can provide optimal solutions for social and environmental issues, and we plan to announce new initiatives towards realising a low-/ zero-carbon society by the end of the 2021 fiscal year.

Can you please tell us more about your Digital Transformation (DX) initiatives?

-MC has created a company-wide taskforce to launch a number of DX initiatives, starting with the food distribution sector. By leveraging MC’s strengths across numerous industries, each business group is working to develop concepts for cross-cutting DX initiatives across myriad fields.

Specifically, we are expanding our DX activities across the sectors of distribution, plant and mining operations and urban development, including smart city projects.

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INTERVIEW

GORAN PEKEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE JBAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Japanese Investments Are Like

ORIGAMI Together with the Government of Serbia and the Embassy of Japan, JBAS is also optimistic regarding the potential arrival of new Japanese companies that will have an additional positive impact on the development of Serbia and prompt it to become a better environment for the life and work of its citizens.

T

he largest Japanese investment in Serbia, the construction of the Toyo Tires factory in Inđija, started in December 2020, during times when many foreign investors are refraining from bold moves. “Indeed”, says Goran Pekez, president of the JBAS Board of Directors, “the investment of Japanese company Toyo Tires, one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers, is significant in many respects.”

The operations of this factory will have a direct impact on the development and economy of the entire country, considering that planned exports will contribute to Serbia’s macroeconomic stability, explains our interlocutor. “From a narrower point of view, the employment of over 500 workers in Inđija will contribute to more balanced regional development. The very fact that this factory is Toyo Tires’ first production centre in Europe indicates the company’s high degree of confidence in the stability of the Serbian economy.”

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At the same time, he notes, it encourages new investors from Japan, but also other counties, to opt to locate certain parts of their businesses in Serbia.

“As a representative of the Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia, I am very proud of the fact that this investment has shown that, despite the great physical distance between the two countries and altered business circumstances due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it is possible to further strengthen business ties between Japan and Serbia and to improve our economic and bilateral cooperation,” says Pekez.

Other investments from Japan have also been announced. What most motivates Japanese investors to launch their business activities in Serbia?

- Following the historic 2018 visit of Japanese Prime Minister Abe, many Japanese investors now view Serbia as a significant regional centre for CEFTA and the Western Balkans region or, in the case of manufacturing companies, as a strategic hub for exports to the markets of the EU, Russia and Turkey.

In addition to market opportunities, the willingness of the Republic of Serbia to create partnerships with investors is also of crucial importance to deciding on investment destinations.

It is my pleasure to note that investments from Japan to Serbia have been growing lately, in terms of invested funds. Until a few years ago,

JAPAN - BEAUTIFUL HARMONY

PARTNERSHIP

PROSPECTS

COMPASION

The willingness of the Republic of Serbia to create partnerships with investors is also of crucial importance when deciding on investment destinations.

We would be happy to see positive trends regarding further accession to the EU, trade liberalisation, the application of relevant legislation and the improvement of the business environment in Serbia.

We are proud and grateful to our members for assisting the Serbian healthcare system in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic

they were measured in the millions, then in the hundreds of millions, and today we are expecting new ones that are perhaps worth over a billion euros.

Together with the Government of Serbia and the Embassy of Japan, JBAS is also optimistic regarding the potential arrival of new Japanese companies that will have an additional positive impact on the development of Serbia and prompt it to become a better environment for the life and work of its citizens.

How do Japanese investors and companies of Japanese origin differ from others?

- All Japanese companies operating in Serbia have financially stable backgrounds and these investments also imply transfers of high technology and a modern way of doing business. At the same time, we bring Japanese cultural We are thankful to have the direct support of President Vučić and values – high standards of safety at work, environmental protection, social responAmbassador Katsumata, who jointly visited the launch of construcsibility. Advanced innovative solutions are tion of Toyo’s factory building, as well as the best farmers of Japan applied in business processes, the busiTobacco – just in the course of December ness culture and organisational systems, among which I would single out Kaizen.

Together with the Embassy of Japan and the Government of the ReOur investors are becoming partners in building economies based on the values and aspirations of modern society - improving public of Serbia, we strive to strengthen the existing base, highlight climatic conditions, developing a digital environment and intensifying positive examples and motivate other companies to join the busiinternational trade and cooperation. I would even say that Japanese ness community that serves to improve relations between Serbia investments are like origami – from simple raw materials, with proper and Japan. We are thankful to have the direct support of President skills, knowledge and the continuous improvement of the process, Vučić and Ambassador Katsumata, who jointly visited the launch of sophisticated results are achieved. construction of Toyo’s factory building, as well as the best farmers of Japan Tobacco – just in the course of December. There is no better way How did your members respond to the challenge of the 2020 pandemic? to enhance bilateral economic development than to support projects - I am pleased to note that JBAS has conducted a number of activities that deliver the highest employment and investments. We hope to have to maintain communication among members and to help them face more such occasions in future. the challenges in the best possible manner. We are proud of all of our members, who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to adapt to What are the expectations of JBAS for 2021? change, maintain their market positions and keep performances at - JBAS member companies share global optimism that the Serbian high level, while undertaking all possible commitments to preserve economy will resume its positive trends in the coming period, while the health of their employees. we would like to see Serbia progressing through the post-COVID I would also like to mention that the pandemic has not impaired phase as quickly as possible, and with new energy for the society and the business interests of a number of Japanese companies in Serbia. economy to recover.

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We also fully support Serbia’s efforts to join the EU, in the hope that those efforts will develop further. The outcomes of these changes are expected to improve legislation, the environment, conditions for doing business and eventually quality of life. On the Japanese side, we hope that the Olympic Games will be organised in 2021, as planned, and many of our members are sponsors or supporters: for example, Toyota organised a series of events to promote technological achievements in order to support the staging of the Games. As JBAS, we will stand as a partner to promote preparations and hopefully celebrate Serbia’s sporting successes.

How satisfied are you with the Serbian Government’s measures to alleviate the negative consequences of the pandemic?

- I am pleased to note that the Serbian Government has been responsive to the COVID crisis, acting proactively to protect both the economy and the citizens, and successfully balancing health system resources and industry capacities.

On behalf of JBAS, I would like to express satisfaction with the resulting macroeconomic indicators, which show that the economy of Serbia has suffered minimum losses. Such data promise a shorter recovery period and the swift resumption of previously increasing

Until a few years ago, Japanese investments in Serbia were measured in the millions, then in the hundreds of millions, and today we are expecting new ones that are perhaps worth over a billion euros trends in the country’s development. In order to make further progress, it is also vital to maintain strong public finances and infrastructure development in this period, and we are happy to witness positive improvements in this regard.

How did JBAS support its members during 2020?

- During 2020 we focused on all topics that are of interest to the business of our members. Apart from support regarding COVID issues, we organised numerous seminars and training courses that were held online.

Our partners included the Embassy of Japan in Belgrade, JETRO, JICA, Serbian ministries and other institutions of the Republic of Serbia, as well as a large number of companies, organisations and associations. The topics we dealt with were tax issues, environmental protection, the labour market, finance and public procurement, while we also focused on Kaizen education, human resources and communications.

There has also been an intensifying of the activities of our committees, which deal with challenges in their particular lines of business, from industrial production and IT, to the automotive sector and high technologies.

The previous period also saw your members provide significant assistance to equip the Serbian healthcare system during the pandemic. Please tell us more about this.

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- We are proud and grateful to our members for assisting the Serbian healthcare system in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic by providing donations in medical equipment, sanitary packages, goods and support related to medical treatment and providing mobility, but also supporting the fight against the virus through the direct involvement of their employees.

More concretely, we secured donations in the amount of 137,000 euros, with some of the beneficiaries including the Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Fund, General Hospital Vršac, the Clinical-Hospital Centre Dr Dragisa Misovic Dedinje, Senta Hospital and other hospitals, the Institute for Maternal and Child Health Protection in Belgrade, patients’ organisations for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) - UKUKS, NORBS (the National Organisation for Rare Diseases in Serbia), beneficiaries of the UNICEF programme, the most vulnerable sections of the population that were additionally impacted by the COVID-19 crisis (the homeless, over 65s, people with disabilities, children, low income families). Moreover, representatives of JBAS and the B92 Fund also delivered 10 flow meters to the Zvezdara Hospital Centre.

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ROBERT LUKIĆ, TOYOTA SRBIJA CEO

INTERVIEW

Prioritising

THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY Toyota has always participated actively in the creation of a better society with its uncompromising commitment to quality, continuous innovation and respect for the planet

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oyota has spent a quarter of a century investing in hybrid technology. The fact that Toyota’s 15 million hybrid-powered vehicles have made it possible to reduce harmful emissions by more than 120 million tonnes of carbon dioxide speaks for itself, notes Toyota Srbija CEO Robert Lukić.

Does the growing popularity of hybrids – even during a year that saw a huge drop in sales of new vehicles globally – provide the best confirmation of your company’s visionary approach?

- Our hybrids are among the most reliable and enduring vehicles on the market, and we now have the fourth generation of that technology on the scene. Other manufacturers want to reduce their shortfalls, and we are helping them by offering around 24,000 patents free of charge in order to speed up electrification. This is yet more proof that our number one priority is the well-being of society and that we don’t think exclusively about commercial success.

Toyota is a pioneer and an innovator in the entire range of ecological motors, for example in the application of hydrogen and fuel cells, as one of the sustainable solutions for transport and mobility in the broadest sense. The fact that clean water is emitted from the “exhaust” is reality rather than science fiction. And we should emphasise in particular the applicability of this technology to public transport, whether that’s buses, trucks or ships - even the biggest ones.

came, which shouldn’t be seen as assistance to certain manufacturers, rather primarily as a desire to improve the situation.

When it comes to Toyota and the sale of hybrids, Serbia is lagging far behind compared to Europe. There sales of vehicles with this type of drive has long since exceeded 50%, and is even above 60% in the West. Although there has been increasing in interest, our so-called sales mix hasn’t changed drastically compared to 2019, when there were no subsidies. Even back then, every fourth Toyota vehicle sold in Serbia had a hybrid drive, while just a year earlier that share was a modest 11%. Otherwise, the advantages of hybrids are not only in the domain of ecological protection. They also have lower operating costs and greater

Hybrid technology has gained the trust of customers through education and constant promotion, and primarily through proving itself in practise

In Serbia some 25% of Toyota vehicles sold are already hybrids. Did state subsidies contribute to that?

- Subsidies have primarily shown that the state is ready to engage actively in solving problems, and pollution is one of the biggest. Belgrade is constantly among the most polluted capitals in the world. Bor, Pančevo, Obrenovac and other places are rarely out of the red alarm zone.

Drivers of low-emission vehicles were practically fined for a long time, because they paid the same annual registration as the big polluters. After the correcting of that injustice, subsidies for eco-vehicles also

driving comfort (less noise). That’s why, for example, there are ever more hybrids represented in the taxi service. There are already over 400 of them in Niš alone.

What else can be done to make ecological, green vehicles even more accessible to customers?

- That’s a two-way street. On the one side are the manufacturers and the development of technologies that impact on reducing pollution, while on the other side are states and their administrations, which must recognise citizens’ interest in improving living conditions. Our government has taken a visible step forward by introducing subsidies, while the next step could be fairer taxation. Tax classifications according to engine volume have been left behind. In developed countries, the main criterion is environmental impact, i.e. harmful emissions. There are also other good practises, such as reduced costs of parking or access permits to certain parts of cities only for eco vehicles. As a whole, these then provide results and make the progress that we’re striving for.

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INTERVIEW

MILENA ARGIROVIĆ, DIRECTOR, TAKEDA

Better Health,

BRIGHTER FUTURE Takeda is determined to provide transformative healthcare solutions and products. At this company they feel a responsibility towards patients, colleagues and other stakeholders, but also to the communities where they operate

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akeda introduced a refreshed corporate philosophy at the end of last year. As our company and the environment evolve, so must the corporate philosophy that tells the story of who we are, what we do, how we do it and why it matters. These reminders are especially pertinent during the ongoing pandemic, allowing us to focus and maintain our commitment to patients, says Milena Argirović.

Everything at Takeda begins with the question “how can we do even more for our patients?”. How is this question answered?

- I want to relay some of the core components of the corporate philosophy and what it means for us and what we aspire to be in the future: create “better health for people, brighter future for the world”. This should guide everything we do. Our vision describes our aspiration for the future: to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and our planet.

Takeda is determined to provide transformative healthcare solutions and products. We have a responsibility to patients, colleagues and other stakeholders, as well as to the communities where we operate.

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We collaborate closely with patients, providing them with relevant support programmes.

The contribution of Takeda is also more visible than ever now, during these COVID times. We are able to ensure the continuous delivery of our products and overcome all obstacles, and I’m proud to say that there hasn’t been a single day of disruption in the delivery of our

The COVID pandemic helped us to recognise the importance of two things: innovation and healthcare products to patients in Serbia. This is one thing, the most important one, I would say. And the second most important thing is that we were really able to help patients who are non-COVID sufferers to receive their healthcare through the introducing of support programmes, such as Telemedicine, very early during COVID – already in April of last year. Through this programme, all IBD and Lymphoma patients were able to have regular check-ups from their homes, enabling both

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innovative product for HAE (hereditary angioedema) patients, where we were one of the first countries in Europe and the first country in Eastern Europe to deliver this treatment to patients, due to fast marketing approval and the clear value of the product being recognised and funded by the authorities. Despite COVID restrictions, we were able to place Serbia at the centre of the world by bringing top HAE experts from Europe to exchange medical expertise during a fully digital, virtual expert meeting. On this occasion, Serbian, German and Italian experts exchanged their knowhow and experience in the field of HAE. This enabled a new treatment paradigm implementation in Serbia and better disease outcome and quality of life for those of our patients who are living with this severe rare disease

them and their physicians to stay safe while also preserving our overstretched healthcare system from further overload.

This project has been recognised by the Government of Serbia and we are working with them to incorporate it into the public healthcare system.

Has the COVID-19 pandemic finally led to us recognising the significance of health and pharmaceutical companies?

- COVID pandemic brought an unprecedented disruption to the healthcare system.

However, it also helped us to recognise the importance of two things: innovation and healthcare. Innovation is now not limited only to products, but also encompasses innovative services, including digitalisation of the entire healthcare system. This is what COVID has taught us in general.

The importance of innovative pharmaceutical companies like ours is increasing.

And collaborations between pharmaceutical companies and healthcare systems have been more evident than ever before.

Through our constant communication, we were able to supply the market, ensure treatments for both COVID and non-COVID patients, and ensure some services that innovative pharmaceutical companies can provide, such as telemedicine and other digital solutions. Takeda Serbia is currently partnering up with other innovative Japanese companies from the high-tech sector in order to find top-notch solutions that will support the further development of our healthcare system and patient care.

We will no longer be seen as companies that are only delivering products, rather we will form more and earlier partnerships with all stakeholders, including the government, payers and patient organisations. We will have to start our partnerships and the planning earlier in the life cycle of a product, while also broadening the scope of partnerships.

We won’t merely register a product and then leave it to the market, rather we should also think about how we can work together with the authorities and patients to support the further development of healthcare systems and provide overall support to societies in the countries where we operate.

Being a company from a non-EU country, we are doing our best to speed up the regulatory and legal processes in order to bring transformative medicine at the same time or just slightly after the European Union countries. Let´s mention here Takeda’s latest

What did you gain from the latest acquisition of biopharmaceutical company Shire in 2019?

-We have grown and gained another additional, exciting portfolio. On the other hand, the Shire and Baxalta acquisitions, and along with that the divestment of our non-core portfolio, brought us the best way to remain focused on key therapeutic areas and provide the best service to patients.

That acquisition came back in 2019, and I am happy to share that, in April this year, we will formally become a single legal entity in Serbia. Over the past 2 years, we had to adjust the processes and the organisation, but also to preserve business continuity and provide continuous support to patients.

Huge recognition for this achievement belongs to the whole Takeda team, who worked tirelessly to deliver this ambition goal.

Even during the integration period, our patients are our key priority and, as I have mentioned, it is only by staying focused that we can ensure we have enough time and resources to address these needs. Our strategic imperative is to responsibly translate science into highly innovative, life-changing medicines. This means that we focus on diseases with the highest unmet needs, to bring medicines of the highest quality to market, as soon as possible. As a company, we are committed to delivering only life transformative medicines, which is why we are present in areas where our products really add significant value and bring transformation to people’s lives. And this is also our commitment and mission for the future.

We were the first country in Eastern Europe to deliver the latest innovative product for HAE (hereditary angioedema) to patients

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INTERVIEW

JIRO TAKEICHI, CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JICA BALKAN OFFICE

We Wish to Deepen

OUR PARTNERSHIP

We are looking forward to the moment when we will be able to meet face-to-face and continue working on our projects together with our Serbian partners.

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ince the declaring of the pandemic, the JICA Balkan Office has prioritised the health of its office staff and their families.

Therefore, following the recommendations of the Serbian government, shorter working hours and work from home were introduced. And a consequence of this was that communication was shifted to online meetings, first internally and then also with counterparts and partners. Although the same working style is still a must, JICA is now focused on activities that aim to solve the issues of partner countries. “It is so important that, through the activities, we 20

also convey to our partner countries the Japanese working style and way of thinking and to gain their understanding,” says Jiro Takeichi, Chief Representative of the JICA Balkan Office. “Since we wish to deepen the partnership between Japan and Serbia through our mutual understanding, we are slightly concerned that real understanding cannot be achieved if there is no face-to-face contact. We are therefore looking forward to having the freedom of movement that existed before the pandemic, so that Serbian and Japanese people can meet face-to-face and continue working on projects together.”

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Given your focus on public health and environment protection, and the aim of creating societies that are resilient to pandemics, which projects have you formulated with the Serbian government in the meantime?

- Regarding the health sector, the Serbian government is taking serious measures to prevent diseases and had formulated public health policies before the pandemic. In order to contribute to these government policies, JICA previously provided medical equipment to hospitals in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac. Moreover, JICA has also for many years provided assistance in improving the early detection of breast cancer by donating medical equipment and technical assistance.

In this pandemic as well, JICA and the Serbian Ministry of Health are continuing their cooperation and there is a plan to strengthen the health system, provided we reach agreement.

On the other hand, in order to strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector, we started a pilot project with the Ministry of Agriculture to improve the living standard of farmers. We focus on the fact that Serbian fruit is highly valued abroad, and that cultivating strawberries in greenhouses would increase the production output and they could be exported to the Japanese market, which further leads to increasing farmers’ income and improving their livelihood. This pilot project is implemented by Serbian company Master fruits, in partnership with Japanese company Itochu Corporation.

friendship between the two countries and that is the main goal of the volunteer programme. Volunteers aren’t only dispatched to Belgrade, but rather also to other Serbian towns, such as Jagodina and Kraljevo, where they assist local institutions in sporting activities, work with people with disabilities, in the disaster prevention sector, and also teach the Japanese language. The volunteer programme has gained popularity thanks to their activities. However, they suddenly had to return to Japan temporarily, due to the pandemic. Among them are volunteers whose assignment ended during their temporary return to Japan. They lost the possibility to come back to Serbia to continue with their activities. Others were eager to return to Serbia and continue their work. I would like to introduce two of them who returned to Serbia in December 2020. One of them is Mr Yuya Miyagi, who has been dispatched to the Belgrade Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities. In Serbia, where the social participation of persons with disabilities is still limited, he was kindly welcomed by colleagues and beneficiaries of the association, as he supported them in enjoying sporting activities and improving their quality of life. At the moment of his return to Serbia, he was almost at the end of his assignment, but he used the opportunity to wrap up his activities here and bid farewell to the members of the association. Another volunteer who returned recently is Mr Kazuki Yuji, who works at the Karate Club in Aranđelovac. The owner of Karate Club KNJAZ, one of the biggest karate halls in Serbia, expressed his wish to host a karate teacher from Japan who will convey the Japanese spirit of martial arts to the members of this karate club.

Mr Yuji was therefore selected and dispatched, as a suitable volunteer who had Aranđelovac success in his previous work as a volunteer in another country. Mr Yuji will live in Aranđelovac and work at the Karate club until January 2022, so you might even meet him. While closely following the pandemic situation, the JICA Balkan Office plans to continue increasing the number of volunteers in Serbia.

We hope that the Kaizen system, which was born in Japan but has grown in the Western Balkans, will be used as a key to regional development and will become a brand of the Western Balkans

We know that Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers had to return to Japan after the outbreak of COVID-19. How many of them were dispatched to Serbia between the beginning of the program and March 2020, and what were their experiences?

- At the moment the pandemic was declared, in March 2020, there were eight volunteers in Serbia. The volunteer programme includes young and senior volunteers who are dispatched to Serbia and work together with their Serbian colleagues for two years, introducing the Japanese working style and Japanese way of thinking in order to familiarise them more with Japan. Furthermore, volunteers also disseminate their experiences of Serbia in Japan and the Japanese people thus learn more about Serbia. Achieving this mutual understanding leads to strengthening the

It was in August last year that you signed a very important project related to the introduction of a sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport system in Belgrade. Can you please tell us more about the expected goals?

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- Following the famous project ‘Japanac’ (yellow bus donation), we are proud to support the modernisation of public transport in Belgrade. As it is the main mode of transport in Belgrade (almost half of daily trips are by public transport, followed by private cars at 26% and walking at 24%), the new project will provide a direct positive impact on the quality of life in Belgrade. This project will tackle the issue of operation management based on a trip demand survey and its analysis, as well as financial sustainability by improving the fare collection system. Our expectation is to have an efficient and sustainable public transport system here in Belgrade.

- The Knowledge Co-Creation Programme (KCCP) is system in which administrative officials and office workers from all around the world gather in Japan, take lectures in a specific professional field, such as environmental protection, healthcare, education etc., and prepare an action plan applicable for their countries. Japan is now a developed country, but the country was devastated after World War II ended and it was necessary to rebuild the social system. The history and experience of Japan, which arose from this situation and rebuilt its state, is used as knowhow in this programme. About 400 different KCCPs are organised in Japan every year, and many participants from Serbia have so far taken part. However, this programme has been hit hard by the pandemic. The recommendation was to organise KCCP courses online, if possible, and some of them have been rescheduled. However, we shouldn’t forget that the main purpose of the KCCPs is for participants to actually visit Japan and experience it for themselves.

Moreover, it is a good opportunity for administrative officials from different countries to meet, spend some time together and establish a network. We hope that we will again welcome Serbian administrative officials to Japan as soon as the situation normalises.

Very successful long-term cooperation between the Development Agency of Serbia and JICA in the field of mentoring in the Western Balkans ended in 2020. How would you summarise this experience?

- As they aim for accession to the EU, Western Balkan countries first need to strengthen their system in terms of economic revitalisation and the creation of employment, and to do this the key factor is the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as the main generators of domestic employment. For a long time, by focusing on dialogue with business owners, JICA How satisfied are you with the implehas been supporting the establishment mentation of other projects related to of a mentoring system that increases Mr Miyagi and Mr Yuji on their way back to Serbia in December 2020 sustainable resource development? the productivity of SMEs. Mentoring - In April 2020, a project that covers services are not merely consulting the environment pollution caused by services – rather they are considered mining excavation and deals with the as working alongside business owners issues of developing technology for and employees to help change their rehabilitation of the environment, as attitudes to business. In the meantime, well as sustainable resource developabout 200 mentors have been trained ment, was finalised after five years of and 2,500 companies from this region implementation. The project location have so far taken advantage of these was the Bor mine. Work on scientific research to develop a modern mentoring services. Japan has amassed experiences in mentoring for technology was carried out jointly by the Mining and Metallurgy Instimany years, by diagnosing companies’ challenges. After interviewing the tute Bor, the University of Belgrade Faculty of Mechanical Engineering employees of a target company, mentors analyse the challenges they and Akita University from Japan. Through this project, the level of face by utilising the essence of KAIZEN and 5S. After more than 10 years pollution was evaluated using data gathered in the field and provided of cooperation in this field, a mentoring service has been established in by satellite technology. The project also resulted in the development Serbia and the mentoring experience is now disseminated to otherWestern of complex technology for extracting gold particles from polluted Balkan countries. We are very happy to know that our mentoring services soil. In summarising the result of this joint research, I would say that are applicable in the Western Balkans and that our mentoring system is the researchers of all institutions involved worked with devotion to appreciated here. In order to generate the economic development of the contribute to sustainable resource development and provided the whole region, we are now preparing to dispatch Japanese experts who will final report to the Serbian government, as was planned. Moreover, continue our cooperation. We hope that the mentoring system, which was by working on this project together, researchers from Serbia and born in Japan but has grown in the Western Balkans, will be used as a key Japan created a strong network and I am happy that this has nurtured to regional development and become a brand of the Western Balkans. one more generation of researchers. I also hope that the connection established between the researchers from our two countries will also Based on your expectations, when and how will training resume within continue to be a resource of each research institute in the future. the Knowledge Co-Creation Programme (KCCP) Group?

After the programme was halted in March 2020, due to COVID-19, Japanese volunteers recently retuned to Serbia to share the Japanese working style and Japanese way of thinking with Serbian citizens

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Vision Leads TO RESULTS The operations of public utility company JKP Mladenovac are grounded in financial stability, prudent and transparent use of money, dedication, initiative, inventiveness, and industrious workers and responsible managers who pursue the goals set

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udging on the basis of the appearance of the town’s streets today, but also rural roads covering the territory of the municipality; judging by the quality of the water supply, the dynamics of waste collection and the realisation of all works under the jurisdiction of this public utility company, the residents of Mladenovac have plenty of reasons to be satisfied A stable supply of potable water, unobstructed drainage of wastewater and a cleaner town – that’s how Vladeta Lučić defined his vision and goal upon being appointed director of JKP “Mladenovac” just over five years ago. He knew that he wouldn’t be able to realise any of that without financial stability, the prudent and transparent use of money, accountability for every move and every decision, dedication, initiative, inventiveness and hard-working colleagues.

However, thanks to the fact that he’d spent the previous 12 years working in various positions at JKP “Mladenovac”, Mr Lučić has – as he himself notes – clear insight into what wasn’t working. Having worked as a design and supervision engineer, head of the Maintenance Service, director of the ‘Water and Sewerage’ Sector and deputy general director, he was able to see where changes were needed and what kind. This led to improvements in the organisation of work, greater staff discipline and a more prudent attitude towards citizens’ money.

Judging on the basis of the appearance of the town’s streets today, but also rural roads covering the territory of the municipality; judging by the quality of the water supply, the dynamics of waste collection and the realisation of all works under the jurisdiction of this public utility company, it would seem that the director’s vision has been realised.

However, despite these positive results, Mr Lučić and his colleagues want everything to be even better, which is why they invest a lot of

energy and exert a lot of effort to modernise the equipment and machinery. They don’t sit idly on their hands and wait for money to come from the budgets of the municipality, the town or the republic, rather they try to secure everything they require to do their work on their own, with their own funds earned from providing services under the scope of their core activity and through participation in various projects.

As such, last summer – according to official information and the financial report – they used their own funds to purchase a new Iveco tanker truck with a capacity of 8,000 litres of water, which is installed

Two new vehicles – a refuse collection vehicle bought as a donation from the Government of Japan and a tanker truck purchased from the company’s own funds – have eased work for employees and improved the quality of services with the appropriate equipment, from a pump to a water sprayer. This vehicle is used to a great extent by the workers of JKP “Mladenovac” for the transportation of drinking water to citizens, as well as for maintaining hygiene and washing streets.

And it was just a year and a half ago that the Government of Japan donated 62,345 euros for the purchase of an Iveco combined refuse collection vehicle. This vehicle has a volume of seven cubic metres and is used to collect waste in narrow streets that can’t be accessed by large 16-tonne trucks. It is thanks to this vehicle that the quality of household waste removal services have improved, but also the working conditions of workers employed in the cleaning sector. It is also important to note that JKP “Mladenovac” applied independently for this donation, among 12 local organisations that were included in the project to improve the natural environment in the Republic of Serbia.

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INTERVIEW

VICTOR VEKLITCH, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER FOR ADRIATICA AT JAPAN TOBACCO INTERNATIONAL

The Best Investors Bring

NEW VALUE EVERY YEAR Manager for Adriatica at Japan Tobacco International (JTI).

However, thanks to its strong fundamentals, JTI managed to be the only tobacco company in the Western Balkans to grow its market share.

“In Serbia we managed to sustain our core plans. Having tobacco leaf production, Japan Tobacco International remains the industry’s biggest employer in Serbia, with 3,000 people engaged from the fields in Vojvodina to shops across the country,” says Veklitch.

JTI suffered no workforce reductions due to the COVID crisis and also remained the country’s fifth biggest taxpayer.

“We have been consistently increasing our contribution to the Serbian economy for the last 14 years – every year,” concludes Veklitch.

Japan Tobacco International has been consistently increasing its contribution to the Serbian economy every single year for the last 14 years. Although industry has been impacted by the pandemic in Serbia, JTI has managed to sustain its core plans and keep up with investments

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truly challenging year is behind us, but Japan Tobacco International managed to maintain its business during the pandemic.

Despite the difficult times, the company showed exceptional care for employees and adapted swiftly to the new circumstances, resulting in it receiving the prestigious Top Employer Serbia Award for the sixth year in a row. Furthermore, the company just opened the new JTI regional headquarters in New Belgrade.

“Our industry has been less affected by the pandemic than some others, but we had our share of consequences. As I speak for both the Serbian and Western Balkan markets, we noted reduced consumption and downtrading,”says Victor Veklitch, Vice President and General 24

Were these results a matter of luck under the circumstances of the pandemic, or something else?

- We must primarily thank our people for these achievements. Our focus during the pandemic was on providing a safe and motivating working environment, but also on maintaining team spirit by organising virtual events and communication. Looking forward to overcoming the COVID restrictions, we just opened JTI’s new regional headquarters in New Belgrade, which is worth three million dollars! This new modern and highly flexible office space will make our work together and day-to-day tasks easier and more enjoyable.

I’m happy that JTI’s dedication during this difficult year has been recognised and that we were awarded with the certificate Excellence During Challenges, as a company that showed exceptional employee care and adapted rapidly to the new circumstances. We also received the prestigious Top Employer Serbia award for the sixth year in a row.

Are you satisfied with your cooperation with the Serbian Government; are they open to listening to the needs of business?

- The key to predictability in our industry, irrespective of the pandemic, is a stable tax policy. Our contribution in Serbia is big: excise duties on tobacco products account for 8.3% of total budget revenues and 10% of total tax revenues. I am glad to say that the Serbian Government and National Assembly extended the tobacco excise duty calendar for five more years, thus providing both predictability and further growth of tax revenues for the state budget. In five years, Serbia will attain the minimum EU standards of taxation, thus this is also an issue of harmonisation with the EU. Illegal trade in tobacco also impacts massively on your industry and state revenues. Has this part of the grey economy changed during the pandemic? How is your company contributing to preventing illicit trade?

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- Illegal tobacco trade did not slow down, especially in the distribution of bulk tobacco. “Creative” smugglers have found new channels to their consumers, such as social networks and websites. It is important that JTI IN NUMBERS • Tobacco industry’s biggest employer: total of 3,000 people engaged • Serbia’s fifth biggest taxpayer: 2.6 billion dollars paid since the factory’s acquisition in 2006.

• Capital investments: more than 180 million dollars • Value of exports: 300 million dollars since 2007 • Contribution to the Serbian economy in 2020: almost 317 million dollars the government’s taskforce on the illicit tobacco trade, led by Police Director Rebić, continues the fight against illicit trade, with intensified inspections and strict penalties. JTI will continue providing satellite surveillance of tobacco fields, thus allowing the government to have a direct impact on preventing the supply of illegal tobacco. Since launch of this system in 2017, the Police have destroyed around 250 hectares of illegal tobacco fields that had the potential to damage the state financially by some 327 million euros, which is equivalent to the cost of building 30 kilometres of motorway. JTI also donated sniffer dogs to customs officers and the police , as well as supporting the Trade Inspectorate’s project aimed at preventing online sales of tobacco. An effective fight will keep the illegal share of consumption in single digits and unable to steal from the state budget.

Has the crisis changed your investment plans?

- Although this is a challenging period for the entire planet, we are very proud that we’ve been able to keep investing in our business. JTI’s con-

“I’m happy that our dedication during these difficult times has been recognised with the awards Excellence During Challenges and Top Employer Serbia” tribution to the Serbian economy in 2020 was almost 317 million dollars, from capital investments to taxes and salaries.

What is your expectation from the business environment in Serbia in 2021? Do you expect the Serbian economy to recover quickly?

- It is difficult to predict anything in this time of uncertainty that’s been brought to us by the pandemic, but I hope that the new year will bring better living and working conditions. The fact that Serbia’s economic contraction in 2020 is among the lowest in Europe provides solid ground for optimism in the future. The state implemented a large fiscal package, among the largest in emerging Europe, to support businesses and jobs, and it is not unrealistic to expect predicted GDP growth of 5.5%. This progress comes from the significant efforts of President Vučić and the Government, who have done a lot to maintain the economic performance at a high level despite the difficult times.

Serbian President Vučić and Japanese Ambassador Katsumata visited one of JTI’s farms last December. How have you managed to maintain your cooperation with primary producers?

We are strategically committed to the development of tobacco production in Serbia and target 50% purchase of Serbian tobacco crops.

We are proud to be both the largest producer and the only foreign company that buys domestic tobacco. At the same time, it is a great responsibility for us – with about 3,000 tobacco growers, members of their families, seasonal workers and our employees earning from our production. We are truly thankful to President Vučić and Ambassador Katsumata for continuously supporting us and our partners. That provides great motivation to continue setting new business records.

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INTERVIEW

OLIVER LEPORI, JBAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Being In The Driving Seat

IS OUR DUTY

The success stories of our members and the interest in cooperation with Japan among local companies are important signs of improved conditions for investing in the Serbian market. Developments in this field are fast-paced, and it is the duty of JBAS to be in the driving seat.

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he Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia (JBAS) was founded upon the initiative and following the enthusiasm of a number of representatives of Japanese companies operating in Serbia. It has since gone on to become a strong pillar in maintaining Japanese-Serbian business ties and improving bilateral cooperation between the two countries. It is today recognised by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is also a reliable partner of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency, JICA, and the Japan External Trade Organisation.

Oliver Lepori, the new executive director of JBAS, started his career working in managerial positions for companies operating in the international business environment in the EU, the Balkans and the Republic of Serbia. In this interview, one of his first in his new role, Mr Lepori draws a vision of the further development of the Alliance.

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“The vision of further development of the Alliance certainly implies a gradual and smart increase in the number of members of the Alliance, improvement of the set of existing services, securing support for foreign trade and intensifying dialogue with key stakeholders, in order to achieve the maximum results of bilateral cooperation between Japan and Serbia,” says Mr Lepori. “We intend to concentrate on activities that are of particular importance for the business of our members and to help them navigate the regulatory framework and all relevant issues influencing their industries.

“Since the experience and support of Japanese companies already operating in Serbia have contributed directly to the arrival of new investors and the creation of new jobs, we will also pay special attention to attracting new investments from Japan,” adds our interlocutor.

In your opinion, what are the main challenges in the development of Japanese-Serbian relations?

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- On the one hand, there are numerous obstacles in the form of bylaws applied, the grey economy, customs regulations and other restrictions, which significantly hinder the arrival of powerful companies from Japan and elsewhere in Asia. In this regard, we believe that constructive dialogue and support to the Government of Serbia from our expert industrial groups is very important for improving the business environment. On the other hand, there is still plenty of room for the local community, both the general and business communities, to learn more about the Japanese culture, so in the coming period we plan to further promote it, together with our partners. We believe that the eagerly awaited Olympics in Tokyo, which are directly sponsored by some JBAS members, will certainly bring more of Japan and its brilliant achievements to our society.

also within our priorities. One of the results of this cooperation is that, with JBAS support, Serbian companies can directly offer their products and services to the Japanese market, but also receive direct offers based on any specific requirement they might have.

What activities for members can be organised online?

- The coronavirus crisis has taught us that a considerable part of business, even including events with high attendance rates, can be shifted to the virtual world. JBAS organised numerous activities that were held online in 2020. However, although the offer of applications and communication possibilities are very diverse, most of us are now noticeably missing live contacts. We therefore hope that we will soon be able to gather safely again.

In the meantime, we plan to intensify the promotion of Japanese values, the transfer of new technologies and skills, and to promote individual members.

The Alliance grew in the previous period. How many members did you enter 2021 with?

Which of Japan’s positive industrial practices could be applied - We entered 2021 with 45 members. JBAS is proud of each in Serbia? of them individually, for their contribution to strengthening - Japan made it a priority to increase automation, artificial Japanese-Serbian business ties, regardless of whether they are intelligence and digitisation in a variety of sectors. It has been of Japanese or Serbian origin, and regardless of the industry in leading the world in terms of robotics since the 1970s and has which they operate. Our community represents a strong, unified continuously maintained its position as the world’s top innovator. voice promoting partnership between Serbia and Japan. We therefore plan to develop closer relations between our members in the future, in order to strengthen the We intend to concentrate on activities that are of potential of bilateral cooperation.

particular importance for the business of our members

What kind of support do you expect from the Embassy and to help them navigate the regulatory framework and of Japan in your further work? all relevant issues influencing their industries -The Embassy of Japan, headed by H.E. Ambassador Katsumata Takahiko, is one of the key factors for Good practices could be used to accelerate solutions to certain expanding bilateral cooperation with Japan in the period ahead. problems faced by our manufacturing or services sectors, deOur two institutions are focused on each other in their work and pending on the specific local requirements. our coordination of JBAS activities with the Embassy is very Top economic development goals set by the EU - such as beimportant. Close connections have been developed over time, ing climate-neutral, the green economy, fit for the digital age, and we expect new energy and intensified communication to rural development and highly developed and regulated digital meet our common goals in the future. services - have been an everyday reality in Japan for a decade already. Serbia and Serbian companies can benefit significantly How will you nurture cooperation with other chambers and from the further improvement of cooperation with Japan. associations in the coming period?

- We highly appreciate and respect the work of all chambers Do you find that the atmosphere today is more favourable for and associations in Serbia. I believe that cooperation with these attracting Japanese investors to Serbia? institutions is necessary, because our members operate together - Due to the joint efforts of the Government of the Republic of on the Serbian market and we both share its good practises, but Serbia, the Embassy of Japan and our industrial committees, we also face the same obstacles to doing business. the conditions for investing in the Serbian market are improving Together we can do more to improve capacities for building a every day. The success stories of our members and the interest competitive economy and improving the regulatory framework, of local companies in cooperating with Japan are important inwhich will have a positive impact on industry and the Serbian centives for new investments and the expansion of cooperation. economy in general.

Developments in this field are fast-paced, and it is the duty of Apart from this, continuing to collaborate closely with JICA, JBAS to be in the driving seat.

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JAPANESE ECONOMY

TOWARD SOCIETY 5.0 With new state intervention targeting digitisation, Japan will further enhance its position as a leading nation for innovation. The Japanese vision of Society 5.0, in which information technology and artificial intelligence are inspired by the need for both GDP growth and the amelioration of the consequences of an ageing population.

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he Japanese economy is slowly but steadily recovering from the challenges posed by the prolonged pandemic. In December 2020, the Japanese government announced a massive economic stimulus package that must provide particular support to environmental measures and digitisation. Japan has the world’s largest electronics goods industry and is often ranked among the world’s most innovative countries, while the new state package may further help the country in retaining that position.

Japan’s budget allocations for innovation activities was 3.8 trillion yen (US$35 billion) in 2018 and 4.2 trillion yen (US$38 billion) in 2019.

Spurred by such a political driving force, Japan’s investment in the development and application of digital technologies, as well as in basic research, has consistently received significant boosts.

In the face of increasing competition from China and South Korea, manufacturing in Japan is today focused primarily on high-tech and 28

precision goods, including hybrid vehicles and robotics. Many expect that the post-COVID-19 world will further emphasise the importance of digital transformation, strong R&D and innovation, as major growth drivers.

According to the latest IMF report, global growth is expected to shift back from negative to positive (-4.4 to +5.2%), and Japan is expected to see positive growth (-5.3 to +2.3%), albeit at a slower pace of recovery.

Despite positive outlooks, experts believe that emerging from the crisis will be a tough job even for the most advanced economies.

According to a conservative forecast by the Japan Centre for Economic Research, it will take four years for the economy to return to its pre-COVID-19 state.

Credit rating agencies in Japan are maintaining the ratings of companies with rising debt. As a result, there has been no change in

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corporate ratings even with the economic downturn. According to economists, this means that banks’ bad debts have been kept in check without increasing. Obviously, some companies may face huge over indebtedness, while experts warn that some industries - in particular the aviation and similar industries - need public capital injections.

The Japanese government is slightly more optimistic than the private sector. Foreign demand is strong and gives hope that Japan’s economy will receive a strong boost, which is good news given that domestic demand is low as consumers remain cautious. As noted, a growing trade surplus accounted for more than half of Japan’s Q3 2020 rebound in real GDP, and helped reverse two consecutive quarters of declines. There are also expectations that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership - a free trade deal between ASEAN countries, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea - will further boost exports as tariff reductions are phased in gradually.

Japan is also providing subsidies to companies that will build factories in Japan or Southeast Asia in an effort to diversify production away from China. It could also support Japanese exports.

Still, the Japanese government has a lot to think about when facing some of the long term challenges.

Japan’s population is ageing and shrinking fast. With a median age of 48.4, Japan’s population is the world’s oldest. The government of Japan projects that, by 2060, there will be almost one elderly person for each person of working age.

As projections show, over the same 40-year period Japan’s current population of 127 million will shrink by over a quarter, while the accelerated speed of ageing and shrinking of its population will pose economic and other challenges for the country.

As the IMF points out, the ageing and shrinking population will strain Japan’s public finances, as age-related spending—such as on healthcare and pensions—rises as the tax base shrinks.

As a result of these growing challenges, Japan needs to strengthen the mutually-reinforcing policies of “Abenomics”—including monetary easing, flexible fiscal policy and structural reforms (particularly labour market reforms). The IMF suggests that this comprehensive set of policies is needed to boost potential economic growth, lift inflation to meet the inflation target of the Bank of Japan and stabilise public debt.

This requires an accommodative monetary policy stance, including by maintaining the Bank of Japan’s short- and long-term interest rate targets to support growth and inflation, increased efforts aimed at maintaining financial stability, combined with supportive near-term stimulus and long term structural reforms, particularly in the area of labour-market reforms. This is the top priority, as these moves can deliver the most gains in terms of growth and supporting higher inflation. Among them are Increasing training and career opportunities for workers without lifetime employment, most of whom are women.

Furthermore, reforms have to encompass older workers and foreign

workers. In the case of the first (women), increasing the availability of childcare services will support women’s participation in the labour force. In the case of the second, abolishing firms’ right to set a mandatory retirement age will support older workers.

Some of the classical economic measures deployed include product and service sector deregulation, reforms of small- and medium-sized enterprises, and corporate governance reforms. Those may in turn lift productivity and investment. Reforms to further liberalise trade and promote foreign direct investment will further support investment and growth in Japan.

The IMF believes that almost 60 per cent of the predicted demographic-driven growth slowdown might be eased by the proposed set

There are expectations that the new Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership - a free trade deal between ASEAN countries, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea - will further boost strong export figures for Japan’s economy of reforms. Moreover, automation can also help mitigate the challenges brought by an ageing and shrinking population, particularly automation in healthcare, transportation, infrastructure and fintech.

Indeed, as of 2016, Society 5.0 (which stands for a super-smart society) has represented the big societal transformation plan of Japan. While Industry 4.0 envisages the digital transformation of manufacturing, Society 5.0 aims to tackle several challenges by going far beyond just the digitisation of the economy towards digitisation across all levels of Japanese society and the (digital) transformation of society itself.

Five key themes are next generation mobility/smart city, smart public services, next-generation infrastructure, FinTech (financial technology)/cashless society and next generation healthcare.

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INTERVIEW

MLADEN JEVTIĆ, SALES MANAGER ADRIATIC, AT HITACHI VANTARA

Customers Eager

FOR RELIABLE SOLUTIONS Hitachi Vantara has long represented the gold standard for highperformance data storage, but in 2021 the company is also raising the bar when it comes to mid-market storage.

Woven into every segment of its operations is the Japanese culture, in which the focus is squarely on the customer

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his Japanese company and its partners are excited to extend powerful new enterprise-class offers to midsized organisations in Serbia, in order to empower them to accelerate their transformation and achieve their business objectives Hitachi Vantara enables all the industry-leading capabilities and intelligent software that have fuelled the success of the Enterprise platform (VSP 5000) down market to our new Mid-market products (VSP E590 and E790), with aggressive price points and enhanced ease of use. For Midrange customers this means: no need to compromise on reliability or performance while building state-of-the-art digital infrastructure to drive existing and new business opportunities.

With data volumes growing nearly twice as fast as IT budgets (19% Y/Y vs. 10% Y/Y), a critical pain point is represented by the storing of data and making it accessible to customers and their applications. As most companies in Serbia fall in the “mid-sized”

category when it comes to IT needs, they need solid infrastructure that is able to deal with mushrooming data demands. With fewer IT staff and resources, mid-sized customers are eager for reliable solutions that can reduce their storage costs and drive efficiency.

Our well-known 100% guarantee also applies to the new series of products. With the guarantee we give to users, we guarantee

With the guarantee we give to users, we guarantee 100% availability of data on our devices and no loss of data

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100% availability of data on our devices and no loss of data. This is something that our customers around the world and in our country appreciate, because they recognise the quality of equipment and support they receive from Hitachi.

Hitachi Vantara and our partners are excited to extend these powerful new enterprise-class offers to mid-sized organisations in Serbia, in order to empower them to accelerate their transformation and achieve their business objectives in 2021!

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TECHNOLOGY

The Land Of RISING AI

How Japan Uses AI and Robotics to Solve Social Issues and Achieve Economic Growth

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utomation has become part of the global manufacturing line, where robots take on repetitive jobs, like filling boxes or welding a car frame in the same way, day after day.

But what if robots could step away from their limited range of tasks, and start to problem solve in complex operational situations, like spotting a malfunction on the assembly line or identifying a better compound for a part?

And how could robots enabled with “deep learning” – where algorithms learn from large amounts of data collected via experience – begin to share insights with other robots, to increase innovation in all kinds of settings, from factories to self-driving cars on the road to early cancer detection and drug discovery in hospitals?

These questions are the focus of Preferred Networks, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence company founded in 2014. The Tokyo-based firm, which is worth roughly $2 billion, according to CB Insights, is a symbol of Japan’s sweeping strategic innovation initiative, where AI and robotics are viewed as keys to both solving

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social issues and achieving new economic growth.

That solutions-based approach is crucial for Japanese companies in the highly competitive AI technology arena that is dominated by U.S.- and China-based companies that have attracted billions of dollars in funding, says Preferred Networks co-founder Okanohara Daisuke.

“Since our founding, we’ve said that our company would focus on addressing problems in the real world, not the virtual world,” he says. “That coherent policy and stance, as well as continuous achievements, are highly valued by our partners.”

Preferred Networks’ recently announced partnership with Toyota is an example of Japan’s focus on deployment of AI and deep learning to solve immediate challenges. The project is designed to develop service robots that can assist people in everyday life. This could fill a critical need in Japan, where an aging population and tight labor market makes it difficult to ensure there are enough services for the elderly at home, and in health care settings.

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The two companies will collaborate on research and development using Toyota’s Human Support Robot (HSR), a platform that allows robots to work beside people offering basic care and support assistance in nursing and long-term care applications.

Equipped with one arm, a display, cameras and a wheeled base, it can automatically collect and retrieve items, and provide remote control and communication capabilities.

In Japan – and elsewhere in the world – this is the kind of innovation that can help address many of the challenges the society faces, says Akaishi Koichi, Vice Minister, Innovation Policy, in the Japanese Cabinet Secretariat.

Akaishi describes Japan as rapidly moving towards “Society 5.0,” as the world adds an “ultra-smart” chapter to the earlier four stages of human development: hunter-gatherer, agrarian, industrial and information.

Akaishi said that in Society 5.0, where all things are connected and integrated through technology, Japan is focused on helping companies, including startups and “hidden gems” among small and medium-sized enterprises, to come up with brand new and innovative ideas, in order to provide the world with solutions.

As the third biggest economy globally, Japan was once a leader when it came to disruptive innovative technology: think pocket calculators, the Sony Walkman and LED lights. As Silicon Valley and Chinese developers began to explore IoT, big data and AI, Japan fell behind. Now with Japan facing so many challenges, Akaishi says the country is poised to embrace AI and leverage its solutions.

In order for more “hidden gems” companies like Preferred Networks to emerge, the Japanese government is supporting a wide range of reforms in areas that range from education to regulatory policy and finance, says Akaishi.

Among the initiatives: Educational reform is moving schools away from a culture of memorisation to learning focused on problem-solving.

Data literacy will be emphasised at primary and secondary schools, where the government has funded computers and technology implementation.

More certifications and grants from the government to Japanese universities offering AI education to ensure a growing pool of qualified developers and workers.

Promotion of Japan’s AI research initiatives, universities and networks to the global community in an effort to attract

overseas research projects to Japan.

Unification of data formats and standards in various industries will enhance the ability to deploy big data across companies and settings.

A new regulatory review process is making it easier for companies to launch experimentation and bring innovation to the marketplace.

Programs are creating new data privacy standards that could be internationalised.

New tools are helping startups find financing within and outside Japan.

Akaishi says that with these initiatives, Japan will become a country with widespread AI literacy. Rather than fear the implications of automation and robots, he says, Japan has set up a policy council to identify ethical and legal implications of AI and create new policies. But Akaishi believes the country will embrace AI as a new tool for creating the future. Japanese technology workers will not only find new opportunities at home, but will find more

Japan is rapidly moving towards “Society 5.0,” as the world adds an “ultra-smart” chapter to the earlier four stages of human development: huntergatherer, agrarian, industrial and information collaborative opportunities abroad.

“We are facing fundamental change in our work and our society and AI will make a tremendous impact,” Akaishi says. “We have the opportunity to make huge changes.”

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JBAS ACTIVITIES Last year started well for JBAS, with many ambitious plans, but 2020 was ultimately all about supporting our members and a society in crisis!

JBAS ASSEMBLY 2020

23rd January 2020 HIGH-TECH MEETING A high-tech meeting was held with Nenad Paunović from the Government of Serbia’s Office for Information Technology and eGovernment.

This meeting saw the Office for Information Technology and eGovernment of the Government of Serbia present its achievement and development plans, while member companies of the JBAS High-Tech Committee – Allied Telesis, Division Digital Solutions, Epson, eSmart Systems, Fujitsu, Hitachi, ICL Services, NES Communications, NTT Data, Typhoon HIL and SoftRoadsApps – presented the latest technologies coming from Japanese companies, a good amount of which are made in Serbia.

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24th January 2020 LECTURES ON JAPANESE CULTURE Thank to Japanese company SRA IT, JBAS members had an opportunity to regularly attend lectures on Japanese culture. The first lecture is currently available and takes us on a journey from ancient Japan and the middle ages, to the Edo and Meiji periods!

26th February 2020 AERO POLLUTION WEBINAR An aero pollution webinar, with the “Batut” Public Health Institute and JBAS member company EuroCons, presented facts about the basic human right to breathe, including very interesting information such as the fact that humans inhale 15kg of air daily.

30th January 2020 TAX NOVELTIES IN 2020 In cooperation between JBAS and the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, and with the support of TPA Serbia, a seminar on Tax novelties in 2020 was organised for members of these two business associations. Participants had an opportunity to learn more about the new introductions in the fields of VAT and tax amortization, and to receive more information about tax incentives for companies engaged in innovation from the aspect of corporate and personal income tax, as well as other tax incentives from the aspect of personal income tax.

20th February 2020 VI REGULAR JBAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY The session of the 6th regular JBAS General Assembly took place at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology. The JBAS members gathered on this occasion were greeted by Ljiljana Marković Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Philology.

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1st March 2020 BALKAN JAPAN BOWL 2020 JBAS supported the organisation of BALKAN JAPAN BOWL 2020, an original competition intended for students of the Japanese language and culture in the Balkan region. The final event of the competition was held at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Philology, while the honorary judges of the 2020 competition were H.E. Junichi Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan, and Naoki Tsukada, one of the founders of JBAS and a member of the JBAS Board of Directors representing the Mitsubishi Corporation. The contest was also supported by JBAS founding member JTI and JBAS member Go Sushi.

3rd March 2020 INTERNATIONAL COFFEE BREAK The International Coffee Break event, organised jointly by eleven bilateral business associations operating in Serbia, was held within the framework of the Kopaonik Business Forum.

Guest participants gathered with the goal of meeting each other and networking, while they also had an opportunity to meet representative of the business associations and learn more about their activities.

19th March 2020 LAW ON PUBLIC PROCUREMENT WEBINAR A webinar organised with the support of the Gecic Law firm enabled JBAS members to learn more about what the new Law on Public Procurement, as well as receiving information on the extent to which the public procurement mechanism is applicable due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

16th April 2020 ONLINE GATHERING REGARDING ECONOMIC MEASURES FOR COVID The implementation of the COVID-19 economic measures webinar, aimed at enabling discussion of the implementation of COVID-19 economic measures intended to mitigate the health crisis, saw specialists of the Crowe RS tax department provide their insight for JBAS members.

18th June 2020 DIALOGUE 4.0 WITH THE TAX ADMINISTRATION Representatives of four foreign business communities in Serbia – French, German, Italian and Japanese – discussed novelties in tax administration procedures with Mrs Nataša Mirković, Head 36

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of the Customs Procedures Department at the Serbian Tax Administration, with member companies submitting practical questions to her.

their latest insights and recommendations regarding digital communications for the post-COVID future, with the 59-minute webinar entitled ‘How to grow your digital presence’.

2nd July 2020 HOW TO GROW YOUR DIGITAL WEBINAR The digital marketing specialists and influencers of JBAS member company Olaf&McAteer took us on a digital journey and shared

7th July 2020 JBAS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP MEETING The meeting of the JBAS automotive group brought us some good news and put us in a positive mood for the period ahead. JBAS member companies are working on organising future events, opening new offices and showrooms and promoting new models, while some are even working on investment projects – all in all, great things to be welcomed!

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24th July 2020 JBAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sometimes a relaxed and pleasant chat to check up on how JBAS members are coping with the crisis and discuss measures to support them is more than a good reason to gather - JBAS Board of Directors.

11th July 2020 WEBINAR ON APPLICATION OF PREVENTATIVE MEASURES RULEBOOK In order to provide further support to JBAS members and keep them updated and ready for regulatory changes, a webinar on application of the Rulebook on preventative measures for a safe working environment and the prevention of infectious diseases was held, together with the team of JBAS member company Gecic Law.

30th July 2020 ONLINE HR MEET-UP In partnership with JBAS member company ManpowerGroup, an online HR meet-up was held. This event also marked the launch of activities within the newly established JBAS HR group. Participants had an opportunity to receive detailed information about labour market trends, challenges, the tendencies and specifics of different industries on the market, as well as different levels of position within the organisational structure, but they were also able to learn more about solutions and best market practices as a response to the current health and economic challenges.

20th August 2020 JBAS DONATIONS! Representatives of JBAS and the B92 Fund delivered 10 flow meters worth 320,000 dinars to the Zvezdara Clinical Hospital Centre. A previous donation – providing 10 flow meters each for the General Hospital in Ćuprija and the General Hospital in Šabac – was made with JBAS members Vossloh-Schwabe Serbia and Yazaki Srbija. Representa38

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tives of JBAS member companies also personally provided funds for the purchase of an additional five flow meters. These flow meters represent only part of a larger donation provided by the Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic in cooperation with its members, equating to total donations exceeding a value of €137,000. JBAS member companies also donated medical equipment and protective supplies, hygiene packages, food and support related to receiving medical treatment and providing mobility. The donations provided haven’t come only in the form of money and goods, but have also included the direct engagement of companies’ employees. Beneficiaries have included the Serbian Ministry of Health, the National Health Insurance Fund, General Hospital Vršac, The Dr Dragiša Mišović Clinical-hospital Centre Dedinje, Senta Hospital and other hospitals, the Institute for Maternal and Child Health Protection in Belgrade, Patients organisations for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Diseases) - UKUKS, NORBS (National Organisation for Rare Diseases in Serbia ), beneficiaries of the UNICEF support programme and members of the most vulnerable sections of the population that were additionally impacted by the COVID-19 crisis (homeless, over-65s, people with disabilities, children and low income families).

SERVICES WERE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO MEMBERS, IN COOPERATION WITH THE KAIZEN GROUP AND KAIZEN INSTITUTE In the spirit of the famous Japanese business philosophy of continuously improving working practises and personal efficiency, events, workshops, webinars and lectures were given all year long, with the participation of speakers such as Takeda’s Milena Argirović, JTI’s Goran Pekez, Toyota’s Robert Lukić and many others.

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JAPANESE EMPEROR NARUHITO

Symbol Of

NATIONAL UNITY Japan officially began a new era on 1st May 2019, when Crown Prince Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne to become the new emperor. In his first speech as emperor, he said that he felt the solemn weight of his position, but vowed to be a symbol of unity for the nation.

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day prior, his father, Emperor Akihito, had become the first Japanese emperor in more than 200 years to abdicate, bringing to an end the Heisei imperial era. Naruhito, 61, differs from his more tradition-bound predecessors in many ways , and has consistently challenged expectations by prioritising his family and academic life.

After graduating with a degree in history from Tokyo’s prestigious Gakushuin University, he studied at Oxford University’s Merton College from 1983 to 1985.

His chosen area of study was the history of transport on the River

His Oxford years left a strong mark on the young Prince, who described the period as the happiest time of his life, when writing in his 1993 memoir “The Thames and I” Thames, highlighting an interest in waterways that continued with his doctoral research at Gakushuin. His Oxford years left a strong mark on the young Prince, who described the period as the happiest time of his life, when writing in his 1993 memoir “The Thames and I”.

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Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako The Imperial Household Agency decided in November to cancel the imperial family’s annual New Year gathering, which saw 68,000 people visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo last year, to prevent the spread of the virus.

At the event, which usually takes place on 2nd January, the emperor, empress and other members of the family greet the gathered well-wishers from a balcony.

In the message, the emperor also referred to the torrential rain in western Japan last July, expressing solidarity with those who lost family members and homes.

“We pray that this year will be as peaceful as possible for everyone,” the empress added.

A series of imperial succession rituals since Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne were concluded last November, when Crown Prince Fumihito was formally declared first in line to the throne at the “Rikkoshi no rei” rite.

Since Emperor Naruhito’s enthronement, the imperial family is now only left with three heirs — the emperor’s younger brother, the crown prince, 55, his son, Prince Hisahito, 14, and Prince Hitachi, 85, the uncle of the emperor.

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Prince Naruhito lived with his family until the age of 30, representing a departure from imperial tradition that requires future emperors be raised by their subjects. The practise aimed to instil consideration for people in place of personal attachments, but family life was considered equally important by the time the crown prince was born.

Naming a new era in Japan 42

BEAUTIFUL HARMONY Midnight of 1st May 2019 marked both a change of emperor and the dawn of a new era in the imperial calendar. The name of the new imperial era, meaning “beautiful harmony”, was taken from Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, Manyoshu.

This is a new emperor for a new era, but how does a single word define Japan?

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Seimon Ishibashi bridge, which leads to the main gate of the Imperial Palace The name of the era represents a departure from the tradition of deriving imperial era names from Chinese classics, a practise that lasted more than 1,300 years. Public opinion polls suggest

The practise aimed to instil consideration for people in place of personal attachments, but family life was considered equally important by the time the crown prince was born that more than 70% of Japanese citizens approve of the name, while the reaction to the incoming emperor himself has been largely favourable. Despite public approval, questions remain about the role Emperor Naruhito will play in a changing Japan.

The emperor’s role is largely ceremonial, focusing on public engagements with citizens and meeting foreign dignitaries.

However, as the first emperor born after World War II, Naruhito may be expected to push for change.

“The world is changing and we are wondering how he will adjust his position and responsibilities to this new landscape,” wondered an editorial published in leading business daily Nikkei.

In his accession speech, Emperor Naruhito acknowledged the heavy burden that his father had carried in the role, insisting that he would “bear in mind the path trodden by past emperors”.

Speaking in the same speech, he said: “I sincerely hope for the happiness of the people and further progress of the country, and for world peace”.

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TOKYO 2021 OLYMPIC GAMES

The Games Will Go Ahead

"WITH OR WITHOUT COVID" Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed for the first time in the history of the Olympics. But Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reports that his government has exerted all efforts and spent over $33 billion to ensure that the Games will open on 23rd July 2021. The Tokyo Olympic Games will go ahead this year “with or without Covid”, says the vice president of the International Olympic Committee.

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The National Stadium, Tokyo

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he Tokyo 2020 organisers have said in a statement that Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga expressed his determination to hold the Games, and that meetings were ongoing to ensure that they could go ahead while implementing thorough infection countermeasures and other precautions due to the pandemic.

“All our delivery partners, including the national government, theTokyo Metropolitan Government, the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the IOC and the IPC, are fully focused on hosting the Games this summer,” the statement said. “We hope that daily life can return to normal as soon as possible, and we will continue to exert every effort to prepare for a safe and secure Games,” said Prime Minister Suga, continuing: “will be a symbol of humanity overcoming the novel coronavirus, and a chance to showcase to the world Japan’s reconstruction following the devastating (2011) earthquake and tsunami.”

Most of the Tokyo Summer Olympic events will be held in Tokyo itself. The venues are divided into two zones: Heritage Zone and Tokyo Bay Zone. Heritage Zone venues are in central Tokyo, within

Most of the events of the Tokyo Summer Olympics will be held in Tokyo itself, with venues divided into two zones: Heritage Zone and Tokyo Bay Zone the Yamanote Loop Line, while most Tokyo Bay Zone Venues are on Odaiba, an artificial island in Tokyo Bay. Outside of Tokyo, football matches will also be played in Saitama, Yokohama, Kashima, Rifu and Sapporo; baseball/softball will be played entirely in Yokohama and Fukushima; basketball in Saitama; golf in Kawagoe; and the athletics marathons and walking races will be held in Sapporo, in order to avoid high summer temperatures in the capital.

Elsewhere, Tsurigasaki Beach in the Chiba Prefecture will host surfing’s Olympic debut; sailing will be seen off the island of Enoshima to the south of Tokyo; track and mountain-bike cycling will be held in Izu City; while bicycle road races and individual time trials will be based around the Fuji International Speedway motor racing track.

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Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing, karate and baseball were the five sports chosen from a short list of 26 to enter the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme and thus join classic sports, such as athletics, fencing, cycling, gymnastics and swimming. In other words, 21 sports were left out and are dreaming of joining the next Olympic events. In addition to these five new sports, Tokyo 2021 will also have 15 new disciplines. The aim is to increase women’s participation and promote equality, including the 1500m women’s and 4x100m mixed event in swimming, a mixed team event in archery, the 4×400m mixed relay in athletics, 3×3 women’s and men’s basketball etc.

The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have taken all measures to ensure athletes, judges, volunteers and spectators feel comfortable and safe in Japan. More than 11,000 athletes from around 200 countries are scheduled to take part in the Games, which are now due to begin in July 2021. However, measures in place that limit the time they can spend in the Olympic Village — a countermeasure to reduce the risk of 46

Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing, karate and baseball were the five sports chosen from a short list of 26 to enter the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme and thus join classic sports, such as athletics, fencing, cycling, gymnastics and swimming

Aquatics Centre - 15,000 seats

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The organisers of the Tokyo Olympics have taken all measures to ensure athletes, judges, volunteers and spectators feel comfortable and safe in Japan. More than 11,000 athletes from around 200 countries are scheduled to take part in the Games

Cardboard beds for Tokyo Athletes Village

Olympic village

COVID-19 infection — mean that they won’t all be able to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.

Fewer athletes than originally planned will attend the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies, while athletes also cannot check in at the Olympic Village — which can accommodate 18,000 people — more than five days before their event and must leave two days after finishing their competition.

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JAPANESE CRANES

SYMBOLS OF

GOOD FORTUNE

Graceful, long-legged cranes are said, according to myth, to live for a thousand years, which is why they are a magical sign of longevity in Japan. This elegant bird can be seen everywhere, from decorations on bridal kimonos and sake bottles to airline logos and, of course, in the form of the classic origami crane

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ranes, which belong to the Gruidae family, are the largest of all flying birds. And they’ve long symbolised good fortune, fidelity, grace, longevity and immortality.

Throughout history and in most cultures, mythological tales exist about cranes, which are depicted as majestic birds with charisma that are known for their spectacular courtship rituals. In Christian stories and art, cranes are considered vigilant, symbols of foresight and a natural enemy of the Devil.

In Hindu mythology, the crane represents the Goddess of deceit, while folklore tales abound about the saras bird (Indian crane) being the ultimate symbol of deception.

The crane has always been a strong symbol of success and good fortune in Japanese culture, and when folded in origami it is believed that your heart’s desire will come true. One young girl’s story provided new depth to this idea.

Her name was Sadako Sasaki. As an infant, she was exposed to radiation after the bombing of Hiroshima, which had developed into leukaemia by the time she was twelve years old.

With the goal of making 1,000 origami cranes, she began folding paper to form this majestic bird, in the hope that they would

The crane has always been a strong symbol of success and good fortune in Japanese culture, and when folded in origami it is believed that your heart’s desire will come true heal her. Her heart’s desire changed midway through, however, and her wish became to heal the world instead of herself. She continued folding the cranes for world peace and healing until

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she passed away. She was buried with a wreath of 1,000 paper cranes that her classmates helped her finish. She is forever memorialised at the Hiroshima Peace Park, where a statue of her stands always draped with 1,000 paper cranes to make sure her message of world peace will never be forgotten.

Classed as an endangered species, there only an estimated 2,750 cranes left in the wild, with around 100 of these calling Japan home.

The Japanese crane inhabits the eastern regions of the northern island of Hokkaido. Due to humans destroying large swathes of their natural habitat in wetland areas that these beautiful birds need for their breeding and living, low rainfall and new dam construction is also causing the wetlands to dry out.

Sadako Sasaki heart’s desire became to heal the world instead of herself. She continued folding the cranes for world peace and healing until she passed away These birds were thought to be on the brink of extinction until a small group of local farmers took it upon themselves to feed the birds regularly, in order to help them through the winter months when food is scarce. The farmers treated the birds as guests, seeing the birds’ visits to their farmlands as a great honour.

This has helped to bring them back from the brink, and these birds are now believed to be beginning to gain the upper hand yet again, with numbers starting to slowly stabilise and the help of local and worldwide organisations ensuring that this amazing bird will eventually be saved.

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