CorD Magazine, December 2021 no. 206 by CorD Magazine

H.E. JOOST REINTJES

PETAR ĐUKIĆ

AMBASSADOR OF THE NETHERLANDS TO SERBIA

DIRECTOR OF THE SERBIAN NATIONAL THEATRE IN NOVI SAD

Tradition & Modernity Under One Roof DECEMBER 2021/ ISSUE NO. 206

Forcing the Launch of Mining Could Prove Calamitous

www.cordmagazine.com

Rule Of Law Is Our Cornerstone

DR ZORAN ĐERIĆ

PROFESSOR OF THE FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY AND METALLURGY

interviews opinions news comments events COMMENT

Nafaka FOCUS

Unified Candidate In A Used Suit

Exclusive

ZDRAVKO KRIVOKAPIĆ

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ISSN1451-7833

PRIME MINISTER OF MONTENEGRO

CONTENTS CURRENT TOPIC

06 NAFAKA

18 UNIFIED CANDIDATE IN A USED SUIT

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ Comment

Focus

08 LIKE CZECHIA & SLOVAKIA

24 THE RICH WORLD’S CLIMATE HYPOCRISY

ZDRAVKO KRIVOKAPIĆ Prime Minister of Montenegro

12 RULE OF LAW IS OUR CORNERSTONE

54 TRADITION & MODERNITY UNDER ONE ROOF

MY LIFE: DR ZORAN ĐERIĆ Director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad

United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow

27 BUSINESS DIALOGUE

H.E. JOOST REINTJES Ambassador of the Netherlands to Serbia

60 CHILL OUT

44 MELANIE PERKINS, CANVA CEO Enterpreneur

62 HOLIDAY STYLES Fashion

64 CULTURE CALENDAR 16 GLOBAL DIARY

47 THE SEDUCTIVE JOY OF READING

66 FACES & PLACES

GORAN SKROBONJA Writer

48 THE MOST INFLUENTIAL POLITICAL CARTOONS OF ALL TIME

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Art

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ART DIRECTOR: Branislav Ninković b.ninkovic@aim.rs CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović,

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Comment

Nafaka After the ‘Versailles’ peace (1918-1941) and the ‘Titoist’ peace (1945-1991), the area of the so-called Western Balkans and Bosnia-Herzegovina now live in a third epoch of peace: ‘Dayton’ peace. And just as the periods of Versailles and Titoist peace gave way to nightmares of interethnic war as soon as the European constellation collapsed, the same fate could await the “Dayton” peace if such an hour of bloc collapse comes. For now, the current European constellation is being preserved, despite constant challenges, which should perhaps encourage us to believe the words of the U.S. State Department official responsible for this territory, Gabriel Escobar, who insists “there will be no war”.

BY ZORAN PANOVIĆ

he road from civilisation to barbarism can be traversed at lightning speed. It was back in 1996 that the United Nations decided to declare 21st November World Television Day, because that was the date of the first World Television Forum, which saw key media personalities gather to discuss television’s growing importance. Let’s return to the Belgrade of 1938: that was when daily newspaper Politika published a picture from the capital’s Fairgrounds showing then Prime Minister Milan Stojadinović at the ‘Philips’ stand, admiring a new a miracle of technology: television (experimental broadcast), only for that faith in progress, just a couple of years later, to turn everything into barbarism. Because those same Fairgrounds were turned into a horrific concentration camp. A similar fate awaited Yugoslavia in 1991, when it descended into barbarism from a country that was on the threshold of joining the unified Europe of the future. And even today, when Bosnia-Herzegovina finds itself in its worst crisis since the signing of the Dayton Accords, we don’t know if Yugoslavia has really fully disintegrated. In today’s limbo of the Dayton “Yugosphere” (Tim Judah), there is the latent threat of a new bloody collapse that’s certainly always more likely than the region’s possible “Scandinavianisation”. ‘Nafaka’ is a Turkish word derived from the Arabic ‘nafaqah’. This Turkism, which is common

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among Bosniaks, usually means destiny, God’s will or luck. According to Islamic teachings, nafaka is also that which God has set aside as sustenance for people (or animals) to eat and drink during the course of life. Generally, nafaka is symbolically ambiguous. And for B-H, 26 years after Dayton,

‘Nafaka’ is a Turkish word derived from the Arabic ‘nafaqah’. This Turkism, which is common among Bosniaks, usually means destiny, God’s will or luck. According to Islamic teachings, nafaka is also that which God has set aside as sustenance for people (or animals) to eat and drink during the course of life in the absence of functionality (sustainability?), it could be said, without an ounce of cynicism, that this is maybe its nafaka. William Hague, former UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, noted in an op-ed piece for The Times this November that the Balkans is a key area for the West to oppose the constant eroding of stability.

Even Paddy Ashdown, a man with the authorised might of a colonial governor (according to The Guardian’s assessment), noted when he left B-H in 2006 that his greatest failure was that he hadn’t managed to build a civil society among people obsessed with the nightmare of utopia, because the country is – as Ashdown stated long – still a ‘scared and divided country’. Responsible realpolitik, hence, means that the West, Russia (now necessarily also Turkey), but also Serbia and Croatia, must continue to be the guarantors of Dayton, while B-H’s famous functionality is not a Dayton matter, but rather a matter of the will of its own elites and foreign patrons to rationalise ethnonationalism. Everything is also slightly bizarre: Milorad Dodik came to power with the wholehearted assistance of the Washington administration of 1998, with Madeleine Albright dubbing him “a breath of fresh air in the Balkans.” However, in high representatives like Valentin Inzko or his successor Christian Schmidt, Dodik – like many other Serbs – sees the spirit of Béni Kállay, the Austro-Hungarian stateman and administrator of the then Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who tried to create a “Bosnian nation”. The Građanska B-H initiative is a similar form of manipulation. Serbs and Croats agree to technical B-H. But that’s not enough “functionality” for the Bosniaks. Can you imagine Kosovo Albanians agreeing to be “technically” Serbia?

Interview Exclusive ZDRAVKO KRIVOKAPIĆ

PRIME MINISTER OF MONTENEGRO

Like Czechia & Slovakia

With the exceptions of attempts to verbally interfere in the internal affairs of Montenegro, and certain media addresses, among less important individuals from Serbia’s state apparatus, we don’t see any serious, official attempts of Serbia to meddle in Montenegro’s sovereign issues and internal affairs ~ Zdravko Krivokapić 8

December

By Ljubica Gojgić

RELATIONS

It is unnatural for relations between Montenegro and Serbia to be of a poor or average quality. We want the best possible relations with Serbia

FUNDAMENTAL AGREEMENT

We have proposed and submitted to the Patriarchate a Fundamental Agreement to suit our constitutional and legal framework and we now await their response patiently

FOCUS

At this juncture, I simply don’t have the time to consider whether the Government will survive or not. As I said, I’m primarily focused on results

he first official visit of the Montenegrin Prime Minister to Serbia proved successful and – despite having started with a protocol gaffe that attracted a lot of public attention in both countries – will contribute to “relations between the two countries improving and restarting on a new and healthy footing,” says Montenegrin Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić in this interview for CorD Magazine, before confirming that the agenda didn’t include numerous unresolved issues pertaining to bilateral relations and announcing the first joint government session, to be held in late December or early 2022. Summarising your impressions following your first visit to Belgrade in your capacity as Prime Minister of Montenegro, do you consider it as being that so-called “measured step” towards improving relations?

I absolutely consider it in that way. It is unnatural for relations between Montenegro and Serbia to be of a poor or average quality. We want the best possible relations with Serbia. We spent almost 90 years living in the same country, and even prior to that our relations were marked by strong historical ties. The role model for this relationship could be the relationship between the Czech and Slovak republics, or between Germany and Austria. It is to be understood that we want the best possible relations with all countries of the former Yugoslavia and the region. A good neighbourhood policy is our imperative, particularly in the context of the shared European perspective of the entire region. There has been lots said about the protocol of your welcome to Belgrade. Has that issue been resolved through an apology from the Prime Minister of Serbia?

It is not under my jurisdiction to interpret the possible protocol omissions of our hosts, regardless of the country in question. I have stated publicly that the warm and pleasant welcome I received from Deputy Prime Minister Nedimović says more than whether or not he

The inherited disputes and unresolved issues between Montenegro and Serbia have lasted for at least 15 years. From dual citizenship, via payment transactions, to the Marović case. These problems cannot be solved over a two-day visit, regardless of the public’s expectations

was wearing jeans. This government is much more interested in having as many tourists as possible coming from Serbia to Montenegro next summer, or in reaching a trade exchange of a billion euros, than it’s interested in whether or not someone wore jeans. Has agreement already been reached on the date of the announced joint session of the two governments?

It has been proposed that the first joint session of the two governments be organised on the Montenegrin coast, in late December this year or early January next year. The exact date has not yet been defined, but I believe it will be soon. You explained in your address to the media that your visit was focused on the renewal of bilateral relations, which is way the agenda didn’t include

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Interview Exclusive You made a guest appearance at the talks held between leaders of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia within the scope of the Open Balkan initiative. The previous Montenegrin government expressed its reservations towards this regional project, explaining that all energy should be directed towards the EU accession process. What is your stance?

This Government’s ambition is to complete the process of negotiating accession to the EU by 2024. As the most advanced EU membership candidate country, we are focused on our integration agenda. In terms of regional initiatives, we already have the Berlin Process, the Regional Cooperation Council and CEFTA, which represent excellent multilateral “umbrellas” for the region’s fastest possible integration into the EU. If the Open Balkan initiative fits this framework, it is very welcome, and we will continue monitoring its development carefully. When it comes to the establishing of new relations between the government in Podgorica and the Serbian Orthodox Church, the public in both countries expect some kind of final step, in the form of the signing of the so-called ‘Fundamental Agreement’. Although this agreement has been announced several times, there has so far been no signing. Do you think that will happen soon and what does it depend on?

unresolved and contentious issues like dual citizenship, the status of Serbian and Montenegrin ambassadors or Montenegro’s extradition request for Svetozar Marović. When will these issues be discussed and what position will the Government of Montenegro take?

If the visit to Belgrade only raised issues on which Montenegro and Serbia differ, that visit would last at least a week, while discussions between the two delegations would turn into negotiations that would require a special conference for resolving the disputes between the two countries. The inherited disputes and unresolved issues between Montenegro and Serbia have lasted for at least 15 years. From dual citizenship, via payment transactions, to the Marović case. These problems cannot be solved over a two-day visit, regardless of the public’s expectations. During the visit, thus, both sides expressed a mutual desire to improve relations between the two countries and restart them on a new and healthy footing.

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In terms of regional initiatives, we already have the Berlin Process, the Regional Cooperation Council and CEFTA, which represent excellent multilateral “umbrellas” for the region’s fastest possible integration into the EU. If the Open Balkan initiative fits this framework, it is very welcome, and we will continue monitoring its development carefully

At this juncture it depends on the Patriarchate. We have adapted the proposed Fundamental Agreement to suit our constitutional and legal framework and submitted it to the Patriarchate, whose response we are awaiting patiently. Following the change of government in Montenegro, did the West apply any pressure on the new government to keep Belgrade at a distance?

There was absolutely no pressure. My visit to Belgrade testifies to that. When it comes to advancing good neighbourly cooperation in the Western Balkans, we’ve always received words of encouragement from our friends and allies in the West. How would you comment on the theory circulating among sections of the public in both countries regarding Serbia’s alleged meddling in Montenegro’s internal affairs, which most commonly claim that the Serbian Orthodox Church is the central column of that undue influence?

With the exceptions of attempts to verbally interfere in the internal affairs of Montenegro, and certain media addresses, among less important individuals from Serbia’s state apparatus, we

don’t see any serious, official attempts of Serbia to meddle in Montenegro’s sovereign issues and internal affairs. If the situation was different, I certainly wouldn’t go on an official visit to the Republic of Serbia. I equally don’t think that the Serbian Orthodox Church represents a column of any kind of undue influence. Orthodox dioceses on the territory of Montenegro are, viewed canonically, self-contained and completely grounded - historically and in any other way - in the essence Montenegrin statehood, and thus cannot be treated as a product of any external factor or foreign influence. You’ve announced your expectation that – following the review of school programmes in Montenegro – the Yugoslav and Serbian writers whose works were previously omitted will be returned to the teaching curriculum. Will the possible returns of Njegoš, Desanka Maksimović, Aleksa Šantic and Meša Selimović be interpreted as an educational issue or a political one?

Malicious, ill-intentioned people will always convert such issues into political ones. However,

I don’t think that the Serbian Orthodox Church represents a column of any kind of undue influence. Orthodox dioceses on the territory of Montenegro are, viewed canonically, self-contained and completely grounded historically and in any other way - in the essence Montenegrin statehood, and thus cannot be treated as a product of any external factor or foreign influence

those well-meaning, educated and wise people, who’ve read the aforementioned authors and are familiar with their literary value, will never resort to such politicisation. By the time the new issue of CorD Magazine is released in December, we should also know the fate of your government, the reconstruction of which is being sought by certain political players who claim the only alternative would be new elections. Will your government survive; and what are you prepared to possibly change?

When your February issue comes out, the minimum monthly income in Montenegro will be 450 euros, and the average will be 700 euros.That is what interests this Government, and me as Prime Minister. We are interested in results, not armchairs. I’ve already shown an openness towards others to participate in these results, though this idea was rejected by the largest constituent of the parliamentary majority. At this juncture, I simply don’t have the time to consider whether the Government will survive or not. As I said, I’m primarily focused on results.

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Interview H.E. JOOST REINTJES

AMBASSADOR OF THE NETHERLANDS TO SERBIA

Dutch ambassador Joost Reintjes speaks about the intensifying of bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the Netherlands with great enthusiasm. As he points out in this CorD Magazine interview: “in 2020, almost a third of all foreign direct investment in Serbia came from the Netherlands”. And the ambassador believes that this trend may continue in many areas – from agriculture, wastewater management, port infrastructure, medical equipment and urban greening to IT. Viewed from the perspective of the Netherlands, he says that a “clear trackrecord in rule of law reforms” represents a prerequisite for economic progress, but also an accelerated route to EU membership.

Rule Of Law Is Our

Cornerstone

December

By Ljubica Gojgić

TRADE EXCHANGE

Our bilateral trade has been growing steadily, at an average of around 20 per cent annually, and we will hopefully hit the milestone of a billion euros soon

EU ACCESSION

The Netherlands believes that the revised methodology provides all the necessary steps for the EU accession process

utch ambassador Joost Reintjes speaks about the intensifying of bilateral cooperation between Serbia and the Netherlands with great enthusiasm. As he points out in this CorD Magazine interview: “in 2020, almost a third of all foreign direct investment in Serbia came from the Netherlands”. And the ambassador believes that this trend may continue in many areas – from agriculture, wastewater management, port infrastructure, medical equipment and urban greening to IT. Viewed from the perspective of the Netherlands, he says that a “clear track-record in rule of law reforms” represents a prerequisite for economic progress, but also an accelerated route to EU membership. Your Excellency, you said after the presenting of your letter of credence upon arrival in Belgrade that quite some room exists to intensify political dialogue and to work on many forms of cooperation between Serbia and the Netherlands. As the end of your first six months in Serbia approaches, could you tell us about the directions in which cooperation between our two countries could develop?

Serbia and the Netherlands have a broad relationship, diplomatically, politically and economically. And we work continuously to broaden that relationship. On the political front, we have seen increased engagement with ministerial and high-level visits and political consultations, including the visit of foreign minister Selaković to the Netherlands in late November. I recently had meetings with Prime Minister Brnabić, as well as with quite a few other ministers. I’m sure that these discussions will continue during the next year, because they are important to understanding each other’s points of view and further intensifying our bilateral cooperation. Another cornerstone of our engagement in Serbia is the promotion of the rule of law, a core

In the eyes of investors, Serbia can be, and is showing itself to be, a reliable, stable and promising destination for business. This is because of the quality of labour, geographical location and increasing infrastructure connectivity value of the European Union. This is why we fund several projects through our MATRA fund, like the recent Detention and Alternative Sanctions training. These programmes also strengthen our bilateral ties, as we have trained hundreds of alumni throughout the years and are still in touch with many of them. Our economic ties are also strong: there are numerous Dutch companies here, employing

OPPORTUNITIES

As an agricultural country, we clearly see opportunities in Serbia. Its climate, fertile soil and skilful farmers are an excellent match for Dutch innovative solutions

more than 17,000 people in a variety of sectors in Serbia. These companies and their products include household names that almost every Serbian knows and uses, such as Ahold-Delhaize, Philips, Heineken, KLM and Unilever. Our bilateral trade has been growing steadily, at an average of around 20 per cent annually, and we will hopefully hit the milestone of a billion euros soon. To assist in the green transformation of urban areas in Serbia, the Dutch public and private sectors have joined forces and established the Green Cities Serbia partnership, a consortium of experienced Dutch companies that offer sustainable and innovative solutions for greener, liveable, sustainable and beautiful cities. We have close cooperation with the City of Belgrade and also plan to partner with Niš and Novi Sad. Lastly, with Dušan Tadić – just like with Velibor Vasović 50 years ago, a highly respected captain of Dutch champion Ajax Amsterdam – we have another example of excellent SerbianDutch cooperation. I was happy to meet him in Belgrade during the summer. During your talks with officials in Serbia, you’ve heard expressions of hope that large multinational companies based in the Netherlands will perceive Serbia’s excellent investment climate and opt to do business in our country. Does such interest exist in the Netherlands?

In the eyes of investors, Serbia can be, and is showing itself to be, a reliable, stable and promising destination for business. This is because of the quality of labour, geographical location and increasing infrastructure connectivity. If we zoom in on the Netherlands, in 2020 almost a third of all foreign direct investment in Serbia came from the Netherlands. Now is the time to ensure that a clear track-record on rule of law

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Interview in this field at all, I believe there are ways to combine mining and environmental protection through a robust regulatory baseline and legal system. People around the world are becoming increasingly aware – and protective – of the environment. It is important that, when moving forward on plans like new mining projects, all voices are heard and that there is enough support for the decisions taken. This issue is particularly important in Serbia, given that there are also great ambitions in the domain of agriculture. You recently noted Serbia’s potential in the production of berries and offered the expert services of Dutch institutes.

reforms and increased transparency amplify that impression further still. The potential to increase our cooperation is huge and ranges from agriculture, wastewater management, port infrastructure, medical equipment and urban greening to IT. The Embassy helps identify business opportunities for Dutch companies and advise on potential risks. The Dutch-Serbian Business Association is a testament to this mutual interest and I’m very proud that the Dutch business community has been growing. You stated during a recent discussion at the Ministry of Energy that interest in investing in the energy sector exists among some Dutch companies. Could you tell us which projects are attracting the greatest attention among Dutch investors?

Dutch companies have been orientating themselves towards opportunities in the renewable sector, including wind and solar energy generation, waste to energy projects, as well as engineering and project management. We have world-class engineers and innovators in the power generation sector.

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We believe that the Netherlands benefits from a strong European Union with strong member states. That’s why it is important that candidate countries strengthen the resilience of their institutions, economies and democratic processes during the accession process You studied mining engineering. As such, could you respond to the current dilemma in Serbia over whether mining and environmental protection be combined?

I understand that it is a topic of debate. The environment is important to all of us. Although I don’t consider myself an expert

Agriculture is part of the DNA of the Netherlands, we are the world’s second largest exporter of agriculture produce, just behind the U.S. This is due to excellent knowledge infrastructure that ensures close cooperation between scientific institutions, the government and the private sector; the so-called “golden triangle”. As an agricultural country, we clearly see opportunities in Serbia. Its climate, fertile soil and skilful farmers are an excellent match for Dutch innovative solutions, like new berry varieties that don’t bruise easily when handled, covered production and a more sustainable approach to production. It is a promising sector and the Embassy plans to organise various conferences, training courses and visits of Dutch experts to Serbia in order to support the work of Dutch and Serbian businesses. Serbia hasn’t made progress on its EU accession path for two years, in terms of opening new negotiating clusters. Given the Dutch stance that “there are no shortcuts to membership”, what do you see as the key reason for this deadlock?

For the Netherlands, the accession process is merit-based and is determined individually for each country, based on the country’s reform progress. It is therefore important to underline that, for quite some time, no negotiating chapters were opened with Serbia because of limited to no progress in crucial reform areas, in particular relating to the rule of law. In that respect, my government recognises the renewed

engagement and various steps taken by Serbia during the last year, as identified in the latest progress report. At the same time, the Dutch government considers that more can be done, in particular in the fight against corruption and organised crime, and in relation to media freedom. However, the fact that there are no shortcuts does not mean that the process cannot be accelerated – quite the contrary. According to the revised methodology, progress made regarding the so-called fundamentals determines the overall pace of the accession process even more than before, as well as the possible opening of new negotiating clusters. You’ve no doubt had an opportunity to hear the stance that Serbia’s progress towards EU accession is essentially dependent on one condition: its position regarding Kosovo. Many believe that accepting its unilaterally declared independence would be a shortcut on the road to membership. Do you think that they are correct?

Although the normalisation of relations with Priština is definitely very important, it is not the one and only benchmark, in the sense that it is a shortcut to EU membership. The Netherlands believes that the revised methodology provides all the necessary steps for the EU accession process On the other hand, you come from a country that doesn’t have much enthusiasm when it comes to the issue of EU enlargement. How do you convince citizens that EU membership for countries like Serbia can be a “winwin” option, as you wrote recently?

I don’t agree with your assessment. The Netherlands supports Serbia’s EU perspective and is engaged throughout the region. We believe that the Netherlands benefits from a strong European Union with strong member states. That’s why it is important that candidate countries strengthen the resilience of their institutions, economies and democratic processes during the accession process. We have been cooperating actively with institutions and civil society organisations for years to help reach that goal through various bilateral programmes, such as MATRA and the Multi Donor Trust Fund for Justice Sector Support.

being part of the EU also means you adhere to the values and norms of the Union and that you need to align your foreign policy with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union Serbia will hold regular presidential and early parliamentary elections in a few months. Do you think that conditions for fair elections have been achieved through the interparty dialogue that has been co-facilitated by MEPs?

There are several instruments that can contribute to improved election conditions, such as the different interparty dialogue working documents and the ODIHR recommendations, if implemented. The effect of these on

the quality of the electoral process can only be comprehensively assessed after the elections have taken place. Your previous diplomatic experience was related to the Middle East and Africa. However, it could be said that you arrived in Serbia via Moscow, where you spent a year at the embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Are you already familiar with the thesis that cooperation between Russia and Serbia could allegedly hamper Serbia’s European integration process?

It is an argument that surfaces regularly, but one that I don’t fully subscribe to. The EU integration process does not mean that (future) member states cannot cooperate with the Russian Federation. The Netherlands also has bilateral relations with Russia. However, being part of the EU also means you adhere to the values and norms of the Union and that you need to align your foreign policy with the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union.

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GLOBAL DIARY

“The UK is embracing its future as an independent trading nation” – BORIS JOHNSON, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM

ANNALENA BAERBOCK GERMANY’S FIRST WOMAN FOREIGN MINISTER Annalena Baerbock, the co-president of the German Green Party, will take over the position of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, and thus she will become the first woman in that position in this country. Annalena Baerbock will take office as part of a government coalition formed alongside the Social Democrats and Liberals. The Ministry of Economy and Climate will also be headed by the Green Party, another co-president, Robert Habeck. The first Chancellor of Germany from the ranks of the Social Democrats after 16 years, will become the additional Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance, Olaf Scholz.

EL SALVADOR BITCOIN CITY PLANNED AT BASE OF A VOLCANO El Salvador plans to build a Bitcoin city at the base of a volcano, with the cryptocurrency used to fund the project, its president has announced. The city will be circular to represent the shape of a large coin and will be built in the south-eastern region of La

NUMBER OF TREES CUT DOWN IN AMAZON REACHES HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 2006 Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has jumped 22% in the latest 12-month period, reaching its highest level since 2006, data from the country’s space agency shows. Between August 2020 and July 2021, trees were felled from land measuring 13,235 square km (5,110 square miles), the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) said. The state of Para suffered the most deforestation, accounting for 40% of the latest figure. There are nine states in the Amazon region. Data was gathered through the INPE’s PRODES satellite programme.

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Unión, President Nayib Bukele said. The site would take advantage of the Conchagua volcano’s geothermal energy to power Bitcoin mining, he added. El Salvador recently became the first country to use Bitcoin as legal tender. The move led to large-scale protests over fears the cryptocurrency would bring instability and inflation to the impoverished Latin American country.

“The Chinese people will never allow foreign forces to bully, oppress or enslave us” – XI JINPING, PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

NOVAK DJOKOVIC CLINCHES RECORD SEVENTH YEAR-END NO. 1 Novak Djokovic has made history again. The Serbian secured the year-end No. 1 FedEx ATP Ranking for a record seventh time, eclipsing the mark previously he shared with American Pete Sampras. By defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in Rolex Paris Masters semi-finals, Djokovic breaks a tie with Sampras, who completed six straight year-end No. 1 finishes between 1993-98. Djokovic has achieved the feat in seven of the past 11 seasons (also 2011-12, ’14-15, ’18 and ’20). “Just proud and extremely happy. Obviously that was one of the biggest goals and it’s always one of the biggest goals, to try to be No. 1 and end the season as No. 1,” Djokovic said.

PROTESTS IN SERBIA DUE TO THE NEW LAWS ON PROPERTY EXPROPRIATION AND REFERENDUM

Screenshot/YouTube NovaS

Hundreds of protesters blocked major roads and bridges in Serbia during the last weekend of November, as they rallied against new laws that green activists argue will give free rein to foreign mining companies, causing irreparable damage to the environment. Activists have threatened further action if the laws on property expropriation and referendum aren’t withdrawn. Environmentalists and civil society groups have expressed dismay that authorities have lowered the referendum threshold.

U.S. ISSUES ‘DO NOT TRAVEL’ COVID-19 WARNING FOR MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State Department latest advise against travel to Germany and Denmark because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in those countries. The CDC elevated its travel recommendation to “Level Four: Very High” for the two European countries, telling Americans they should avoid travel there, while the State Department issued parallel “Do Not Travel” advisories for both countries. The CDC currently lists about 75 destinations worldwide at Level Four, with many European countries on the list including Austria, Britain, Belgium, Greece, Norway, Switzerland, Romania, Ireland and the Czech Republic.

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Focus

DOES THE ROAD TO WINNING GOVERNMENT RUN THROUGH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?

Unified Candidate In A

Used Suit

Is the Serbian opposition on the hunt for a new Koštunica; a man with whom many would disagree, but who would have the right character traits to make him be acceptable to voters who don’t vote for the parties currently in power? Which candidate would have the best chance of succeeding in that? Is that even a good route for the opposition to return to power? Our interlocutors, political scientists and public opinion researchers, propose that the opposition employ radically different tactics

ow that the idea of boycotting elections has almost certainly been abandoned, a question arises as to which route, if any, would most quickly lead the opposition to a change of government in Serbia. Alongside the battle for Belgrade, the idea of a joint presidential candidate has also come to the

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fore. Colloquially dubbed “Koštunica 2.0”, even before the mentioning of any name publicly, this potential candidate has already found himself in the not-so-pleasant shadow of the former trump card of the opposition parties that were gathered in the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS). Who could emerge from Koštunica’s overcoat?

BOJAN KLAČAR

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR FREE ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY (CESID)

“KOŠTUNICA 2.0” ISN’T A REALISTIC SCENARIO FOR THE 2022 OPPOSITION CANDIDATE THE OPPOSITION REQUIRES AN AUTHENTIC CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESENT JUNCTURE, ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS CURRENT PROBLEMS AND IS READY TO ARTICULATE THE INTERESTS OF CITIZENS WHO ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT. THAT CANDIDATE MUST HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT NOMINATE HIM AND PUBLIC RECOGNITION, BUT HE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A POLITICIAN, AS WAS THE CASE WITH KOŠTUNICA

he chronology of great political changes in Serbia is the story of presidential elections. The two biggest changes of the past 30 years came following presidential elections: Slobodan Milošević lost the election (Yugoslav presidential) to Vojislav Koštunica on 24th September, 2000, while Nikolić’s defeat of Tadić on 20th May 2012 represented the prelude to the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) coming to power. The 1990 presidential election established Milošević as the leader, while the June 2004 presidential election was a “launch pad” for the Democratic Party (DS) and its then leader, Boris Tadić. It is politically logical that winning a presidential election is easier than winning parliamentary elections, because a good presidential candidate can act as a shock absorber for opposition shortcomings and divisions, symbolising opposition unity. However, today’s opposition often returns to 24th September 2000. “Koštunica 2.0” is not a realistic scenario for an opposition candidate for 2022. Such a profile of candidate is the product of a specific juncture, one that differs from today’s moment, and his success was not due to a solo effort or individual quality (which undoubtedly existed), but rather because he was backed by a serious political organisation (the Democratic A GOOD CANDIDATE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL Opposition of Serbia) and a coherent election strategy. The opELECTION WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE A GOOD position needs an authentic candidate for the present moment, one who understands current problems and is ready to articulate RESULT IN BELGRADE, BUT THE OPPOSITE ALSO the interests of citizens who are dissatisfied with the current APPLIES: A BAD CHOICE OF A PRESIDENTIAL government. That candidate must have the full support of the CANDIDATE WILL REDUCE THE CHANCES OF opposition that nominates him and public recognition, although he doesn’t necessarily have to be a politician, as was the case SUCCESS IN BELGRADE with Koštunica. That candidate must be autonomous, with his own political capital and integrity. If a good result is planned, that candidate must be the “star” of the upcoming campaign, because the next elections – regardless of the massive significance of the parliamentary and Belgrade elections – will be held in the atmosphere of a presidential election: all other elections will be overshadowed by voting for the president. If the goal is to achieve a positive result in the presidential elections, all organisations standing behind the presidential candidate must work for him, to adjust the campaign to that candidate, to buy tickets for the back row if that’s required. It would be a mistake for the opposition to ignore the presidential election due to projections of a good result in Belgrade. A good candidate in the presidential election will also encourage a good result in Belgrade, but the opposite also applies: a bad choice of a presidential candidate will reduce the chances of success in Belgrade. Other details – character traits, messages, political tactics – can be found in public opinion polls. The opposition still has enough time to address them and readily await the start of the campaign.

December

Focus

DOES THE ROAD TO WINNING GOVERNMENT RUN THROUGH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?

BOJAN VRANIĆ

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, FACULTY OF POLITICAL SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

THE MYTH OF A NEUTRAL LEADER IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT FOR THE OPPOSITION TO JUSTIFY THE IDEA OF A NEUTRAL LEADER AS AN ENGINE OF MOBILISING VOTERS WHO’VE ABSTAINED FOR A DECADE AND TO GENERATE THE TRUST NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT SUCH A STRATEGY WILL SUCCEED THIS TIME

hile the centre-left orientated opposition defines its strategy for the forthcoming elections, political analysts are bombarding voters with ideas and figures on how to weaken the ruling SNS party. The latest idea is that the opposition needs to find a single, neutral candidate, who is sufficiently pliable to absorb diverse inputs from both left and right opposition parties. In other words, the opposition needs “Koštunica 2.0”. The strategy of a unified neutral leader is doomed to failure. A neutral leader is a myth. The DOS campaign presented Kоštunica as a neutral leader, having a second level camp with civic guerrilla on the streets promoting simple ideas such as “Gotov je” (He’s done). In the aftermath of the 2000 presidential elections, Vojislav Koštunica proved to be everything but a neutral leader, ultimately creating an atmosphere of cohabitation within DOS. Expressed differently, the campaign was successful in bringing down Slobodan Milošević, but failed over the long run. For two decades, SPS, SNS and their political satellites have perpetually demoted the values and relativised the achievements of bringing down an BURDENED WITH THE LEGACY OF 5TH OCTOBER, authoritarian, warmongering regime. The grim image that’s THE OPPOSITION CANNOT HOPE TO DEFEAT often promoted in mainstream media forced the opposition PRESIDENT VUČIĆ HEAD-ON IN THE 2022 to distance itself from the legacy of 5th October. In such an atmosphere of discourse, it would be difficult for the opposition ELECTIONS. THE AIM OF THE OPPOSITION to justify the idea of a neutral leader as an engine of mobilising SHOULD BE TO INCREASE THE TURNOUT AND voters who’ve abstained for a decade and generating the necesBRING SNS TO BELOW 126 MPS, THUS FORCING sary trust to ensure that such a strategy will succeed this time. The scenario forces the opposition to fight on two fronts: one to THEM TO ENTER INTO A COALITION clear the name of 5th October; the other to mobilise voters. Increasing the turnout is the only way to contest the legitimacy of SNS-centric populism. Populism is a successful strategy only for as long as the image of their leader enjoying the support of the majority of the (true) people can be maintained. Defeating a populist leader is like defeating Hannibal: a full-frontal assault results in major defeat, while small and calculated skirmishes yield a result over the long term. Burdened with the legacy of 5th October, the opposition cannot hope to defeat President Vučić head-on in the 2022 elections. The aim of the opposition should be to increase the turnout and bring SNS to below 126 MPs, thus forcing them to enter into a coalition. Once the crack appears in the image of majority support for SNS, it can only spread, creating space for new non-populist parties to take centre stage on the Serbian political landscape.

December

Focus

DOES THE ROAD TO WINNING GOVERNMENT RUN THROUGH PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?

DUŠKO RADOSAVLJEVIĆ POLITICAL SCIENTIST

SERBIA IS TIRED OF LEADERS (FOR A SECOND TIME) SERBIA NEEDS HIGH-QUALITY POLITICAL AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, NOT UNBRIDLED TRUST IN A SPECIFIC PERSON, TO WHOM THEY ATTACH ALL OF THEIR HOPES, ONLY FOR THEM TO BE SUBSEQUENTLY BETRAYED

’m not certain that the Serbian opposition is unified as an organisational structure, that it shares a greater number of political principles and, as such, whether it can determine the directions of joint action and election participation. As a consequence of this, it cannot “spawn” a joint candidate either, one who would enter the ring against Vučić. To paraphrase Marx, he said that “something happens the first time as a tragedy, and the second time as a farce”. The same applies to the myth of the “new Koštunica”, who solves everything in time INTRODUCING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES, added on for stoppages and leads us, this time, out of “Vučić’s nutWHILE STRENGTHENING AND ACCEPTING house”. That won’t amount to anything. Serbia needs high-quality TRUE VALUES, IS A POLITICAL TASK OF THE political and development programmes, not unbridled trust in a specific person, to whom they attach all of their hopes, only for FIRST ORDER, WHILE SEEKING MESSIAHS, them to be subsequently betrayed as that person remains faithful À LA KOŠTUNICA, IS A WAY OF LURING THE to the Serbian comprehension of politics and values over the last GULLIBLE AND IDLE! thirty years – nationalism, Kosovo, identity issues, the “Serbian world”, squabbling with neighbours and flexing muscles, playing leader of the Balkans and the like. Introducing development programmes, while strengthening and accepting true values, is a political task of the first order, while seeking messiahs, à la Koštunica, is a way of luring the gullible and idle! It means more work with voters, less placing trust in good fortune and false alibis, with desirable candidates.

December

ZDRAVKO VELJANOV

PH.D. CANDIDATE, DOCTORAL SCHOOL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PUBLIC POLICY AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, CENTRAL EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY

ONE LEADER CURES ALL SWIFT CONSOLIDATION BEHIND A COMMON (EVEN NON-PARTISAN) CANDIDATE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO. THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ELECTED THROUGH A SERIES OF RUNOFF CONTESTS CAPABLE OF MOBILISING AN ELECTORAL BODY AND REPOLITICISING THE DISHEARTENED CITIZENS

he erosion of fragile democratic qualities around the region are generally accompanied by the continued entrenchment of autocrats. Important Western actors that were previously accredited with supporting democratic movements seem to be reacting to domestic politics, though most of their efforts fall significantly short of being capable of creating any significant and substantial change. Past (re-)democratisation efforts are hardly on the agenda of Western promoters of democracy. Instead, it seems that prolonging stabilisation continues to be priority. In the past, domestic efforts that lacked external support were insufficient to oust autocratic-minded leaders. Similarly, international actors are unable to prompt domestic changes when acting on their own. International support, coupled with the unifying of the domestic opposition, seems to be the magic formula. And the recent experiences of North Macedonia and Montenegro are INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT, COUPLED WITH THE telling examples. Furthermore, united opposition fronts were able to record UNIFYING OF THE DOMESTIC OPPOSITION, SEEMS significant victories against authoritarian leaders in the recent TO BE THE MAGIC FORMULA. AND THE RECENT local elections in Istanbul and Budapest. The opposition in EXPERIENCES OF NORTH MACEDONIA AND Hungary continues to implement these manoeuvres in an effort to inflict a final blow on Prime Minister Victor Orban by fielding MONTENEGRO ARE TELLING EXAMPLES a consensus candidate, in the form of conservative politician Péter Márki-Zay, who was elected from a pool of opposition candidates. More than two decades ago, after a few wasted years and electoral cycles, the Serbian opposition succeeded in getting behind a joint name, by backing than candidate Vojislav Koštunica, and overcoming what was a severely uneven playing field. The subsequent period saw improvements in democratic quality and the rapid democratisation of Serbia. However, Serbia’s fragile democratic qualities have been on a downward spiral since 2012 – in a period corresponding with the period of SNS rule. The election boycott of the last parliamentary elections hardly helped the opposition’s cause. Instead, swift consolidation behind a common (even nonpartisan) candidate is the only way to go. A fragmented opposition can hardly garner international support, as it is too costly for international actors to create a leadership vacuum. Instead, the candidate should be elected through a series of runoff contests capable of mobilising an electoral body and re-politicising the disheartened citizens. While Hungary has decided on a conservative candidate to appeal to the undecided voters, Serbia’s opposition still has some consolidating to do. Nevertheless, what the campaign in Hungary illustrates is that the candidate should be acceptable to both left-wing liberals and conservative dissatisfied voters, but also capable of mobilising provincial voters.

December

Feature

JAYATI GHOSH/Project Syndicate

The Rich World’s Climate Hypocrisy Many of the statements by developed-country leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow are at odds with their actual climate policies, and with what they say in other settings. Their short-sighted strategy ultimately benefits no one – including the powerful corporate interests whose immediate financial interests it serves.

December

any people around the world already consider the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow a disappointment. That is a massive understatement. Global leaders – especially in the developed world – still fail to grasp the gravity of the climate challenge. Although they acknowledge its severity and urgency in their speeches, they mostly pursue short-term national interests and make conveniently distant “net-zero” emissions pledges without clear and immediate commitments to act. Making matters worse, many rich-country leaders’ statements in Glasgow are at odds with their actual climate strategies, and with what they say in other settings. So, while G7 leaders at the summit were issuing underwhelming green commitments for several decades in the future, they were busy allowing and enabling more fossil-fuel investment that will generate additional production and greenhouse-gas emissions over the medium term. For example, could the real US government please stand up and declare itself? In his recent address in Glasgow, President Joe Biden said that “as we see current volatility in energy prices, rather than cast it as a reason to back off our clean energy goals, we must view it as a call to action.” Indeed, “high energy prices only reinforce the urgent need to diversify sources, double down on clean energy deployment, and adapt promising new clean-energy technologies.” But just three days later, the Biden administration claimed that OPEC+ is endangering the global economic recovery by not increasing oil production. It even warned that the United States is prepared to use “all tools” necessary to reduce fuel prices. This is one of the most blatant recent examples of climate hypocrisy by a developedcountry leader, but it is by no means the only one. And the duplicity extends to the proceedings at COP26 itself, where developing-country negotiators are apparently finding that advanced economies’ positions in closed-door meetings are quite different from their public stances. Rich countries, which are responsible for the dominant share of global carbon-dioxide emissions to date, are dithering on longstand-

while G7 leaders at the summit were issuing underwhelming green commitments for several decades in the future, they were busy allowing and enabling more fossil-fuel investment that will generate additional production and greenhouse-gas emissions over the medium term

ing commitments to provide climate finance to developing countries. They are also resisting a proposed operational definition that would prevent them from fudging what counts as climate finance. And they are still treating adaptation to climate change as a separate stream, and refusing to provide finance to avert, minimize, and address the loss and damage associated with climate change in the worstaffected countries. The declared COP26 promises also reveal the developed world’s double standards. A group of 20 countries, including the US, pledged to end public financing for “unabated” fossil-fuel projects, including those powered by coal, by the end of 2022. But the prohibition applies only to international projects, not domestic ones. Significantly, the US and several other signatories refused to join the 23 countries that

December

Feature

JAYATI GHOSH/Project Syndicate

separately committed to stop new coal-power projects within their borders and phase out existing coal infrastructure. But even if the pledges in Glasgow had been more solid, rich-country governments, in particular, face a major credibility problem. They have previously made too many empty climate promises, undermining the interests of developing countries that have contributed little to climate change. Advanced economies have made emissions-reduction commitments that they have not kept, and reneged on their assurances to developing countries regarding not only climate finance but also technology transfer. The climate finance commitment is now 12 years old. At COP15 in Copenhagen, advanced economies promised to provide $100 billion per year to the developing world, and the 2015 Paris climate agreement made it clear that all developing countries would be eligible for such financing. This amount is trivial relative to developing countries’ need, which is in the

December

Advanced economies have made emissions-reduction commitments that they have not kept, and reneged on their assurances to developing countries regarding not only climate finance but also technology transfer

total climate finance channeled to developing countries was less than $80 billion; the average amount each year since 2013 was only $67 billion. And this figure massively overstated the actual flows from developed-country governments, because bilateral public climate finance (which should have been provided to the developing world under the Paris accord) averaged less than $27 billion per year. The remainder came from multilateral institutions – including development banks – and private finance, which rich-country governments sought to take credit for mobilizing. Compared to this paltry sum, global fossil-fuel subsidies amounted to an estimated $555 billion per year from 2017 to 2019.

trillions of dollars, and also when compared to the vast sums that rich countries have spent on fiscal and monetary support for their economies during the COVID-19 pandemic. But the developed world has not fulfilled even this relatively modest pledge. In 2019,

Jayati Ghosh, Executive Secretary of International Development Economics Associates, is Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a member of the Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation

Leaders’

MAXENCE LIAGRE, CEO, MPC Properties

Huge Potential For Growth PAGE /28

MK GROUP

MK Group and AIK Bank: 700,000 Euros for the Future of the Region PAGE /32

ALEKSANDAR KURKANOVIĆ, Head of Sales & Executive Board Member at First Facility, and JELENA PALAMAREVIĆ, Head of Finance & Executive Board Member at First Facility

Always First PAGE /34

MEETING POINT ALEKSANDAR SIMURDIĆ, Director of the European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

Key Word: Togetherness PAGE /38

ALEKSANDAR SAVOVIĆ, Assistant Director for International Projects, GeoINOVA IT Engineering Banja Luka

Progress Based On Knowledge & Creativity PAGE /39

ENDRE TAMAS, Managing Director, ITnnov Ltd.

Minimising Exportation Risks PAGE /40

MAXENCE LIAGRE, CEO, MPC PROPERTIES

Huge Potential For Growth The Serbian market is attractive because of the high quality of assets and tenants. We at MPC Properties will continue to explore opportunities locally, but we will also very soon launch the regional and international expansion of the company - Maxence Liagre The arrival of an investment fund would firstly say a lot about the existing situation on the market, but would also change the perspective on the future. When funds target a market, it means that the market in question already provides enough security in terms of political and economic stability, and that it has sizeable and rational assets, but also growth potential. The presence of real estate investment funds would then increase market liquidity and, as a domino effect, rental levels and yields. I believe that it is now possible, as other markets in the region will soon reach saturation or an investment slowdown, but also because the Serbian market offers higher returns, together with a yield compression perspective.

You provided our magazine with a really great qualitative overview of the domestic real estate market immediately after your arrival in Serbia. What do you think today, after having spent a year living and working in Serbia? Of course, I know the market much better, but I’m still surprised by how dynamic and resilient it is. The Serbian market is probably the market that suffered the least due to the pandemic, but was also the fastest to recover. As of today, both for office and retail sectors, the occupancy levels, rental levels and overall performance are back to those of the prepandemic period. This means that the market still has huge potential for improvements and new developments during a normal period. What would the arrival of a real estate investment fund mean for Serbia? Is that even possible?

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The global pandemic has brought expansion of a new business model – working from home. How has this influenced the office market in 2021? What do you see as a trend in Serbia? When it comes to the Serbian market, ‘working from home’ is not a business model by itself, but just a part time option in the spectrum of the full-time classic business model. I see it more as a short-term response to the issue of the pandemic and not as a permanent model. In fact, the pandemic has just emphasised and accelerated a flexible way of working that was already starting to emerge, just as it did with e-commerce for the retail market. As soon as the pandemic started to ease, we saw an immediate increase in the number of employees in our office buildings, but also a very large increase in demand for new office space. So, the classic office model is still very strong and represents the first choice for companies and employees. The main difference now relates more to the offer of offices, which needs to be more focused on employees’ wellbeing and positive experience at work.

You launch a new office project in 2021: TLD Belgrade. What is new since the beginning of the year? Yes, our latest office project, TLD (Tri Lista Duvana), is in the full phase of development and we are targeting an opening for the beginning of next year. We have already reached 30% occupancy and, thanks to high demand, we believe that we could reach an occupancy rate of more than 70% by the opening. This building will be a landmark and the reference office address in city centre area, thanks to its unique location, architecture, optimal layout and quality of tenants. As I mentioned previously, we place a lot of importance on the employee experience: the building will possess a fitness centre, a common relaxation zone, as well as a Starbucks coffee shop, as the main retail tenant. During the course of next year, we will focus on a new greenfield office project in New Belgrade, as our portfolio has already reached an occupancy rate of 99%. We need to secure and improve our presence on the market over the next couple of years, as one of the major providers of office space. Based on your two decades of experience, could you predict what shopping centres of the future will look like? Firstly, I believe that shopping centres will remain, and that they will remain strong. I don’t anticipate any hegemonial dominance from e-commerce. Shopping is about pleasure, sensation and experience, and only classic retail will be able to offer that for a long time to come. That said, shopping centres will need to continue to evolve and permanently increase the experience through their f&b offer, but they must also integrate ever-more flagship stores, where customers will not only see and buy products, but also

feel a brand’s culture, image and trends. Shopping centres will become the ultimate showplace for brands and customers. Centres will also become physical hubs, where you not only shop, eat and socialise, but also where you will perform many other activities that can only be achieved through a physical presence, like all kinds of light surgery and body care, administrative procedures, indoor sports etc. Shopping centres will become city hubs due to their location, easy access and ample car parking, but also due to them being places with the highest standards for health and safety. What is it that makes Serbia attractive for you? As I mentioned before, the market is very dynamic and resilient, but it’s also in a development phase, rather than a consolidation phase. This means that there is still huge potential for the development of new projects. The second reason that the Serbian market is attractive is the quality of assets and tenants. You will find buildings on the market that reflect the latest architectural and technical trends worldwide, together with the best tenants from all over the world. Finally, you will find the same highest standards in people and companies that have great expertise of our industry. This is the combination that makes the market so attractive. How do you see the further expansion of the global real estate market? I don’t expect a geographical expansion like in the past, since every continent and country is already at a certain stage of development. I foresee more of an organic growth through refurbishment, extensions and the repositioning of existing assets. Real estate is not a solid business. It is permanently evolving and re-inventing itself. „Smart buildings“ and „green buildings“ are slowly becoming the standard, not only around the world but in our country too. Can these buildings be made even „smarter“ and „greener“? Sustainability will become increasingly important in the years to come. Portfolios and buildings will become green and sustainable, but what is new is that they will have to be recyclable. This means that we will have

Shopping centres will become city hubs due to their location, easy access and ample car parking, but also due to them being places with the highest standards for health and safety

to anticipate the lifecycles of buildings when developing them and make them modular and ‘recyclable ready’. Construction materials will have to be recyclable, but also re-usable, through all refurbishment and repositioning phases. More than 95% of MPC portfolio already has BREEAM or LEED certification. By the end of the year, they will additionally also receive Well certification, which is a standard for the health and wellbeing of users and visitors

of our office and retail buildings. We give great importance to meeting standards at the international level. This is now a must for our company, but also – and even more relevantly – for all our tenants and their customers in our buildings. What will the future bring to MPC? MPC Properties is a pioneer and a development company. That is in its genes, and we therefore need to permanently feed our growth. It is for this reason that we will continue to explore opportunities locally, but we will very soon launch the regional and international expansion of the company. We need to find enough surface area and material to express our potential. The company has spent years chasing and applying the highest international standards when it comes to the portfolio and management strategy, and now is the time to reap the benefits of that and to test ourselves with higher challenges.

December

“Due to the high technological standard of our plant production in Subotica, we need a highly qualified workforce” – ROLF DIETER GEISEL, PRESIDENT OF THE BOYSEN GROUP

LOCAL NEWS

SERBIA’S IT SECTOR EXPORTS CLOSE TO €2 BILLION On the occasion of the signing of the Agreement between the Research and Development Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia, the City of Belgrade and the Parking Service, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said that this year, exports in the IT sector of the Serbian economy will be almost €2 billion, and the surplus will exceed €1 billion. She assessed that Serbia is once again establishing itself as leader in new technologies and in the modernisation of public administration at the national and local level. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Branko Ruzic pointed out that it is estimated that the global market of artificial intelligence will be worth €500 billion by 2025.

MLEKOPRODUKT NAMED THE MOST GENDER SENSITIVE COMPANY IN SERBIA Mlekoprodukt, as a leading socially responsible company, has become richer for another recognition. Commitment to the principles of social responsibility, for every company, is an imperative and measurability of success, in all fields. In its daily activities and work, the company Mlekoprodukt recognized the importance of a “strong community” and set the empowerment of women as a long-term priority. Winning the award for the most gender-sensitive company in Serbia „Cvet uspeha za ženu zmaja“ for the best entrepreneurs, the Association of Business Women of Serbia, gave this company a recognition and strengthened its mission to support women in the long run.

NESTLÉ SERBIA DECLARED SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION Wastewater treatment project is the pride of the Serbian Nestlé factory. Nestlé’s wastewater treatment plant, within the factory in Surčin, is one of the winning projects in the “Sustainability Champions” competition. This title has been awarded to companies that have included the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in their business and sustainability strategies and are actively contributing to their achievement. The recognition was awarded within the “Sustainable Development and Business Week”, an event organized by the Forum for Responsible Business and Smart Collective within the platform “Sustainable Development for All”.

December

“According to a NALED survey, nine out of 10 companies finance innovations with their own funds” – VIOLETA JOVANOVIĆ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NALED

Placements postings

appointments@aim.rs

PIERRE COCHARD, NEW AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SERBIA

Pierre Cochard, 59, studied at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques (IEP), Paris, and France’s National Administration School (ENA - École nationale d’administration), completing his studies in 1989. He also completed a study trip to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Amman, from April to June 2005, with the Diplomatic Institute (MFA, France), contributing to a collective report on the Peace Process and the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. He first served his country’s MFA in the Strategic Affairs and Disarmament Department, where he held the post of Classical Disarmament and Measures of Trust Redactor from 1989 to ’94. His first foreign posting came at the Embassy of France in Teheran, where he served as Political Counsellor, External, Policy and Regional Environment, from 1994 to ’97, after which he served as Political Counsellor at the Embassy of France in Tokyo (Sept. ’97 to Mar. 2001). Returning to France, he held the post of Deputy Director General, Political and Security Department Head, at the French MFA from March 2012 to September 2016, before serving three years (Sept. 2016 to Sept. 2019) as Consul General of France in Jerusalem. He was also General Secretary of the French Delegation to the 74th General Assembly of the UN in New York from September to December 2019. Prior to arriving in Belgrade, from January 2020 to November 2021, he served as Foreign Affairs Inspector General at the General Inspectorate of the French MFA. A Married father of three, Ambassador Cochard holds the title of Minister Plenipotentiary, 1st class, and – in addition to his native French – speaks English and Persian.

OTP BANKA PRESENTED ITS BUSINESS RESULTS AND LAUNCHED GENERATOR ZERO After the successful completion of the most complex banking integration in this area, OTP banka Srbija presented the business results that marked 2021 and positioned it as the leading financial institution in the domestic market in numerous segments. One of the key strategic directions will be marked by the “green transition” in business, ie commitment to sustainable business and environmental sustainability, which is confirmed by the theme of the new Generator Zero entrepreneurial competition, which was officially opened in November.

H.E. OSVALDO MARSICO, NEW AMBASSADOR OF THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC TO THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

Osvaldo Marsico earned a degree in law from the University of Buenos Aires in 1981 and graduated from the Institute of Foreign Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of Argentina, in 1985, becoming a career diplomat. His first foreign posting was at the Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the USA (1987-’93), where he also earned his Master’s Degree in International Law from Washington DC’s Georgetown University in 1991. He returned to the U.S. from 1996-2003, serving in Argentina’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York, after which he returned to the Ministry and was ultimately appointed Deputy Legal Advisor (2006-’08). He next travelled to the UK, serving (2009-’12) as Chargé d’affaires (a.i.) of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the UK and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Argentine Republic to the International Maritime Organization. After spending a year (September 2012-December 2013) in Brussels as Chargé d’affaires (a.i.) of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic to the EU, he returned to Buenos Aires to take on the posts of Deputy President of the National Commission on the Outer Limit of the Continental Shelf of the Argentine Republic (2014-’16) and National Director of the Malvinas and South Atlantic Islands Department (2016-’20). He has been a Member of the Consultative Council on South Atlantic Affairs since January 2021 and was appointed ambassador to Serbia in October 2021. A visiting professor of international law since the year 2000, alongside his native Spanish, Ambassador Marsico also speaks English and French.

TATJANA PAVLOVIĆ, NEW DIRECTOR OF ORIGINAL CONTENT SALES AND CO-PRODUCTION AT UNITED MEDIA

United Media, the leading media company in Southeast Europe, has appointed Tatjana Pavlović as its director of original content sales and co-production. Pavlović, who has amassed more than 15 years of experience in international programme sales, will be responsible for activities that include increasing collaboration with global media houses, expanding international production and promoting United Media’s original productions. Prior to joining United Media, Pavlović worked for Antenna Group, TF1 International, Lagardere Group Studios and Zodiak Rights. Her academic credentials include university studies in Italy, France and Switzerland. She earned master’s degrees in film history and media management from the Sorbonne, where she is also a regular guest lecturer.

December

MK GROUP IS UTILISING ITS FAMILY SUPPORT PROJECT TO EXPAND ITS CSR ACTIVITIES IN SERBIA AND AROUND THE REGION

MK Group And AIK Bank: 700,000 Euros For The Future Of The Region MK Group is this year celebrating the fifth anniversary of the launch of its internal campaign project Family Support, within the scope of which financial subsidies are awarded to employees who’ve become parents during the course of the current year. This anniversary provided an occasion for MK Group, together with AIK Bank, to expand its internal activities into a large social responsibility project that takes the form of donations to maternity wards throughout the region, thus also directing its support for families towards communities in Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Group and AIK Bank will support our healthcare system again this year, this time in the direction of supporting our maternity wards. We agreed on a donation for the gynaecology department of the Dragiša Mišović Clinical Hospital Centre, especially considering that

Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar, AIK Bank CEO Jelena Galić and MK Group Corporate Affairs Director Aleksandra Stojanović

he project, which has a total value exceeding 700,000 euros, was launched with the aim of supporting family policies and measures intended to boost birth rates, as well as contributing to improving conditions for pregnant women, mothers and new-borns in maternity wards. It is being implemented with the support of the health ministries of all countries in the region. The previous period saw representatives of MK Group and AIK Bank hold individual meetings with government ministers, which served to select the maternity hospitals to be supported and define the purpose of financial resources. This led to agreement with Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar on a donation of

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100,000 euros for the maternity ward within the Dr Dragiša Mišović Clinical Hospital Centre. Speaking in response to the agreement, Dr Lončar expressed gratitude for the donation, which will ensure the provision of even better conditions for pregnant women in this maternity hospital. “The rise of birth rates and care for the youngest is a strategic goal for Serbia, because children represent our future. That’s why the state is investing extremely large resources in renovating existing hospitals and constructing new ones; we’re renovating paediatric wards, gynaecology and obstetrics clinics, and building Tiršova 2, because we want to create even better conditions for the youngest patients. We are glad that MK

SUBSIDIES FOR BABIES OF MK GROUP EMPLOYEES Over the course of the previous four years, during which MK Group has been implementing the Family Support project for its employees, a total of more than 31 million dinars has been awarded to 620 families and more than 1,000 children. The “Family Support” campaign also received special recognition from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2019 this hospital cares for pregnant women and children who are COVID-19 positive. We’ve also agreed on another important thing: that we’ll invest a dinar of our own for every dinar invested in Serbian healthcare by MK Group

and AIK Bank,” stressed Minister Lončar, before noting that MK Group also provided assistance to the healthcare system of the Republic of Serbia last year, including by providing holidays in its hotels for health workers engaged in the COVID-19 system. Chairman of the Executive Board of AIK Bank Jelena Galić thanked the Serbian Ministry of Health for its support in implementing the

Donations to maternity wards in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia, BosniaHerzegovina and Montenegro: Maternity Ward of KBC Dragiša Mišović in Belgrade Maternity Ward of UKC Ljubljana Maternity Ward of Cetinje General Hospital Maternity Ward of Sarajevo General Hospital Maternity hospitals in Prijedor and Gradiška Maternity hospital in Zagreb donation, saying: “this donation represents the expansion of the Support programme that’s being organised by both AIK Bank and MK Group for their employees who have realised their role as parents during the current year. I believe the moments when life is created are precious not only for every family, but also for the entire nation. Investing in new generations is investing in the future of the region, which is why we want to contribute in this way to improving the conditions under which new life is born. I would like to use this occasion to thank Minister Lončar, who helped us identify the maternity ward that will receive our donation.” Speaking on the occasion of the launch of this regional project, MK Group Corporate Affairs Director Aleksandra Stojanović noted that MK Group’s CSR activities are on the whole focused on healthcare and care for children and youth. “As a socially responsible company that’s present throughout the re-

Senior representatives of MK Group and AIK Bank meet with the Serbian health minister

gion, we direct support to all the communities in which we operate. The focus this time is on future mothers and babies. We have allocated over 700,000 euros for improving conditions in maternity hospitals and Family Support, and thus once again – as a company that employs 6,000 people in the Adriatic region –connected the entire region. “ MK Group is continuing its multi-year projects focused on childcare. The parental house of MK Group President Miodrag Kostić in Petrovaradin has been allocated for the use of the Novi Sad-based Institute for Health Protection, Children and Youth of Vojvodina for more than a decade. The company also works continuously to take care of the development and education of young people from the SOS Children’s Village in Kraljevo, while 169 children have been able to remain in the circle of their families thanks to a 60,000-euro donation to the Putokaz Centre in Niš. The Family Support regional project that’s being directed towards maternity hospitals represents a continuation of the general assistance provided to the healthcare system. MK Group was among the first companies to engage in the fight against the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic during the previous year, allocating a million euros intended primarily for the procurement of medical equipment and support to health institutions. Under the scope of the campaign “For Regional Heroes”, the company also provided 450 doctors and medical workers with free holidays at its hotels in Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia.

MK Group has implemented more than 500 CSR campaigns in all local communities where it is present over the past five years

The Family Support regional project that’s being directed towards maternity hospitals represents a continuation of the general assistance provided to the healthcare system. MK Group was among the first companies to engage in the fight against the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic during the previous year, allocating a million euros intended primarily for the procurement of medical equipment and support to health institutions. Under the scope of the campaign “For Regional Heroes”, the company also provided 450 doctors and medical workers with free holidays at its hotels in Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia alone, with a value in excess of five million euros. The company is a recipient of the prestigious VIRTUS award at the national level, in recognition of projects realised during the previous year, as well as the award of the Serbian Association of Managers for the Most Responsible Company in Serbia for 2020.

December

ALEKSANDAR KURKANOVIĆ, HEAD OF SALES & EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT FIRST FACILITY, AND JELENA PALAMAREVIĆ, HEAD OF FINANCE & EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT FIRST FACILITY

Always First First Facility d.o.o. Beograd is a member of the international First Facility Group of companies, which is among the leading players in the area of facility management services in Central and Eastern Europe. The team from Serbia is the final decision-maker when it comes to resolutions that are important to the management of the entire group directors from Serbia, with the support of the owner. The members of our carefully selected team have proven themselves to be professionals in their work, capable of achieving excellent results. During 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we managed to opened First Facility Slovenia, satisfied the needs of our clients and ended the year with success. We believe that, with this team, we are able to achieve a lot on both the domestic and foreign markets.

Aleksandar Kurkanović

onsidering that we’ve set the standards and procedures in the area of facility management, we are expected to be the first to apply the new standards and policies being applied around the world, as stated in our slogan, ‘always first’ ~ note CorD Magazine’s cointerviewees. First Facility d.o.o. Beograd is a member of the international First Facility Group. What is your core business? Kurkanović: First Facility provides a range of services that relate primarily to Preventative Facility Maintenance. These services contain regular and on call maintenance of all common technical systems of a subject property,

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maintenance of hygiene and greenery, a winter service, security, reconstruction and adaptation of tenants’ units and consulting services in the field of property management. In addition to all of this, First Facility provides professional property management services on behalf of owners. How important to your work is the team? Palamarević: Our team comprises of professionals who are dedicated to their work and who contribute, with all of their individual qualities, to easing the achievement of all ambitious objectives. The broader management of the company consists of local directors from the countries where we operate, coordinated by the board of

Who are your clients? Kurkanović: Our clients are large international real estate funds and companies that have entrusted the management and maintenance of their real estate properties to us. Our portfolio consists of Class A business properties, shopping centres, retail outlets, industrial facilities, logistics centres and residential complexes. The total surface area of all projects currently under our management and maintenance exceeds two million square-metres. More information about our references is available at www.firstfacility.net. How does the First Facility Serbia team support mutual cooperation among the group’s other companies that operate in other countries? Palamarević: Our Serbian team analyses and monitors all developments related to ongoing operations and new projects in other member countries. We are the final decision-maker when it comes to decisions that are important to the management of the entire group. Each of the companies

manages local projects individually, building good cooperation with clients in the process, which serves as a recommendation for the further expansion of cooperation with parties linked of these clients in other countries. Over recent years, Serbia’s commercial real estate market has been in the focus of foreign funds, which we consider as an opportunity for the further development of our operations. Considering that you are managing the other companies of the group in the region from Serbia, could you compare the two markets and give the differences in client’s demands? Kurkanović: First Facility operates on the EU market in six out of the eight countries where we’re present. The most important role is played by quality, without which would be impossible to build-up a brand and successful operations. It is indisputable that EU countries’ facility management services markets are far more developed than Serbia’s. Clients coming from the EU devote more attention to maintenance services and allocate more funds for those purposes than clients in Serbia. This is a reflection of their understanding for the critical importance of regular maintenance, which keeps the operating value of the property at the highest level, to the benefits of all users. Our clients, who have entrusted the maintenance of their properties to us, represent the main confirmation of the quality of the services provided by First Facility. Does the fact that you share knowledge and experience within the scope of a group of companies result in a better performance and increased competitiveness on local markets? Palamarević: It was in December 2019 First Facility unified all members of the group that now operate in eight countries, six of which are EU member states. The standards and regulations relevant in the area of property and facility management in the EU are applied to all of our business activities. Mutual communication between local managers, as well as the transfer of people and knowledge, contributes to the adopting of new ideas, which are certainly reflected in increased competitiveness.

Jelena Palamarević

First Facility provides property maintenance services for Class A business properties, shopping centres, retail outlets, industrial facilities, logistics centres and residential complexes Despite the pandemic that halted, hampered and changed the world, you established two new companies during 2020 and 2021: First Facility Slovenia and First Facility Czechia. Are you planning to expand the group further? Kurkanović: Yes, we founded First Facility Slovenia at the height of the pandemic; on 1st of May 2020, we successfully took over technical maintenance and hygienic maintenance at five Qlandia shopping centres in Slovenia. Our team quickly established the maintenance of technical systems and conducted all enhanced hygiene maintenance procedures. We don’t hide the fact that there were difficult moments during the “lockdown” period, but we didn’t give up. The latest member of the group was founded in October 2021, in Prague: First Facility s.r.o., which is preparing – with a new team – to take over

a technical maintenance service portfolio of six business properties covering a total surface area of approximately 100,000m2. This will be a significant milestone in the group’s development in Central Europe, as it will provide an excellent base for the further development of operations on the Czech market. For the upcoming 2022, we plan to open First Facility Croatia, which we have yet to discuss. You are known for the continuous improving of your services in accordance with the growing needs of your clients, and for setting new standards. What do these new standards imply? Palamarević: Improving services implies not only providing better quality in terms of response times, reporting and monitoring the implementation of work orders, but also in terms of the way services are provided. Quality is today partly measured in terms of the amount of CO2 emitted, the type of energy used in providing services, use of recycled materials and waste management. Environmental policy is one of the expected pillars of quality. First Facility sets European standards when it comes to the sustainability of operations and satisfies high standards in terms of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) policies, which are increasingly in the focus of clients.

December

“History has shown many times that we neglect the Western Balkans at our peril” – WILLIAM HAGUE, FORMER BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER

REGIONAL NEWS

MARKO ČADEŽ: OPEN BALKANS INTERNAL TRADE AND SINGLE LABOUR MARKET Representatives of six sectoral groups that include representatives of competent institutions of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia discussed about benefits for import, export and movement of goods, free movement of agricultural, food and industrial products, labour market, unique electronic identity for citizens of the Open Balkans and about the single information system. “Within the regional initiative of the Open Balkans, we ask that our trucks do not stop at border crossings between Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia, that all paperwork is completed within the shortest possible time, that we trust each other and that we recognise certificates issued in institutions of one of these three countries, as well as that we have single work permits”, said Marko Čadež, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Niš where the meeting of more than 160 representatives of governments, state administrations, institutions and chambers of commerce and industry of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia is taking place, the first one at such a large scale.

BOSNIAN COAL MINERS HALT WORK TO PROTEST AGAINST LOWER WAGES Thousands of miners halted work at Bosnia’s seven coal mines in support of colleagues protesting in Sarajevo against what they said were government violations of work and pay regulations. The seven coal mines are owned by the state-owned Elektroprivreda BiH (EPBiH) power utility, and employ about 7,200 workers. The government of Bosnia’s autonomous Bosniak-Croat Federation, which owns the EPBiH, plans to restructure indebted coal mines as part of its plan to switch gradually from coal to renewable energy sources, and cut the number of employees to 5,200.

SE EASTE GATE MALL OPENS IN SKOPJE Skopje is becoming a very dynamic city with great potential for progress and prosperity, and this October it got its new shopping destination with over 220 leading global and regional brands. East Gate Mall opened to the public with a unique offer that unites more than 220 major global and regional brands from all categories, from fashion, through restaurants, electronics, home decor, offers for children, to cinemas and entertainment. Just some of the well-known global brands that this shopping destination will include are Zara, Zara Home, Armani Exchange, Calvin Klein, Sinsay, Mango, XYZ, KIKO, Reserved, Oysho, The Athlete’s Foot, Twinset, Patrizia Pepe, XYZ, Valentino, Tods, Furla, Neptune Electronics, Kiko Milano, Dsquared2, Pandora, Massimo Dutti, De Facto, Madame Coco, Babor Cosmetics, Prenatal, as well as many others.

December

“While the signs of economic recovery in the Western Balkans have been strong so far, significant uncertainties remain” – ANA KREŠIĆ, EBRD REGIONAL ECONOMIST FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS

VODAFONE AND TELEKOM SRBIJA SIGNED A PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT Vodafone, a leading telecommunications company in Europe and Africa, and Telekom Srbija have signed a partnership agreement covering Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. With this strategic partnership, Telekom Srbija will have the opportunity to apply all the knowledge and experience that Vodafone experts have acquired and upgraded over the years on the global market. This business relationship will enable Telekom Srbija to use Vodafone’s leading position in the field of digitalization of consumer products and service offerings.

EBRD: WESTERN BALKANS ECONOMIES RECOVER FASTER THAN EXPECTED The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has raised its forecast for the Western Balkans region to 6.4 per cent for 2021 in its latest Regional Economic Prospects (REP) report, published today. This significant upward revision reflects better-than-expected output in the first half of the year and indications of continued growth momentum in the third quarter. Industrial production and rising exports to the European Union (EU) are supporting growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia, while Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro are benefitting from a strong rebound in the hospitality sector over the summer months. The recovery is also being driven by the expansion of household consumption, enabled by growing remittances, increases in nominal wages and credit growth in most of the region’s economies.

SERBIAN COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN SEEMEET2021 279 companies from 26 countries in the region and the world, including 14 participants from Serbia, participated in the largest business event for connecting companies in Slovenia “SEEmeet2021”. At an international gathering aimed at networking companies from the EU and Balkan countries, several thousand online B2B business talks and presentations were held, in order for companies to find business partners in different countries. The gathering is intended for companies that want to trade or become partners with other companies that offer commercial, financial and technological association.

December

ALEKSANDAR SIMURDIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS FUND OF AUTONOMOUS PROVINCE OF VOJVODINA

Key Word: Togetherness The European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is a leading institution operating in Vojvodina that participates in monitoring, analysing and implementing European integration processes, promoting European values and ideas, as well as attracting and utilising available EU funds and programmes via EU projects

economic, scientific-technological, educational and cultural potential, as well as an excellent environment for doing business that offers numerous advantages for successful investments.

e’ve opened the Fund up to local and international partners, shown the potentials of our cities and municipalities, reached agreement on strategic priorities, with a desire to offer a framework for the implementation of projects of importance to the local and regional development of AP Vojvodina - says the Fund’s director, Aleksandar Simurdić. The Fund that you head may have existed for just over a decade, yet it enjoys huge repute and has achieved impressive results. What makes you feel particularly proud? We commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Fund’s establishment last year, which - in terms of dates - coincided with the just-completed EU budget period until 2020. At the beginning of this year, for the needs of the Provincial Government, we prepared an analysis of absorbed European funds and programmes, which indicated to us the absorption of funds by territory, areas of intervention and the institutions that participated in the implementation of projects. I’m happy to note that representatives of local administrations on the territory of Vojvodina have recognised the importance and benefit of project financing for the achievement of the public priorities. You are very active in institutions based in Brussels, while you are also visited by delegations from the EU, ambassadors and other high officials. Do you see that as one of the preconditions for promoting Vojvodina as a European region? The Fund’s composition includes the Vojvodina European Office in Brussel, operating

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The Fund implements its Specialised Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds”, in order to strengthen the capacities of public administration locally within the framework of the Mission of the Republic of Serbia to the European Union, through which the provincial administration establishes new contacts and enhances the existing ones with European regions, regional organisations, international financial institutions and other partners, with the aim of forging partnerships for the implementation of international projects, exchange of ideas and creation of conditions to advance regional development. We can proudly say that AP Vojvodina is recognised as a region with a wealth of

When it comes to the utilisation of EU funds, is the creation of joint projects with regional and European partners one of your strategic plans for the period ahead? The key word is togetherness, because nothing is possible without people and nothing is permanent without institutions. It is certain that joint projects with regional and European partners are a significant generator of overall socioeconomic change. Given that projects are the starting point of cooperation, and not a goal for themselves, the Fund’s aforementioned activities are one of the ways to reach useful and relevant projects through dialogue, identifying what’s vital and recognising what has potential, but also through an overview of the challenges we endeavour to overcome. Just as the success and outcome of every process and project is dependent on the people implementing that process or project – their knowhow and skills, the Fund implements its Specialised Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds”, in order to strengthen the capacities of the public administration locally. In parallel with that, and on the doorstep of the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, we are also mapping the state of affairs at 45 local self-government units, with the aim of networking their potentials with suitable external sources of funding.

ALEKSANDAR SAVOVIĆ, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS, GEOINOVA IT ENGINEERING BANJA LUKA

Progress Based On Knowledge & Creativity GeoINOVA is among the most respected developers of CAD and GIS integration on the platforms of Autodesk, representing their product specific reseller in our area. This company is simultaneously also a certified partner of Microsoft, Adobe, Oracle etc.

t was 20 years ago that GeoINOVA appeared with the innovative story of CAD2GIS, which is innovated five years ago with the introduction of BIM technologies, while it is today deeply engaged in IT support for the concept of smart cities and the sustainable development of infrastructure.

Luka, BH Telecom, Telemach, Mtel Podgorica and dozens of smaller companies that design, build or manage telecommunications networks and systems. These solutions, particularly those that specialise in optical networks, are now also sold in Western European countries and on other continents. The customers of INOVA ElektroCAD-GIS include major companies operating in the electric power sector: Elektrokrajina, Elektroprivreda HZHB, Elektro-Hercegovina etc. Our latest product, INOVA RoadCAD-GIS, is used by all public transport companies in BosniaHerzegovina (FBiH Highways, RS Highways, RS Roads etc.). We are certain that RoadCAD-GIS will soon also be used by transport enterprises in Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia and elsewhere. INOVA AreaCAD-GIS is used by more than 70 municipal departments for spatial planning, urban landscape and architecture bureaus, as well as the institutes and ministries of cantons and territorial entities...

Your sophisticated solutions are basically related to the digitalisation and automation of planning processes, as well as the design, maintenance and management of spatial units and infrastructure systems. Who are your clients? They are, first and foremost, almost all infrastructure companies operating on the territory of the Western Balkans. For years already, INOVA TeleCAD-GIS, and our other solutions in the domain of telecommunications, have been at the core of the technical information systems of MTS Serbia, Telenor, Mtel Banja

What makes your company specific? Our partners are global technology leaders in the area of digital processing, vector graphics and databases. However, the specificity of GeoINOVA isn’t in the placement and applied upgrading of their products. The might and usability of our products is based on the accumulated knowhow of our engineers in the fields of telecommunications, civil engineering, architecture, urban planning etc., in combination with the creativity of our software developers. At GeoINOVA, there is ever-less of the practise of dividing engineering experience and software

development between two people. It was 20 years ago that we appeared with the innovative story of CAD2GIS, as a way to support the intelligent management of natural and infrastructure resources with engineering vector processing. We innovated that five years ago, with the introduction of BIM technologies. Today, we are deeply engaged in IT support for the concept of smart cities and the sustainable development of infrastructure... In short, the GeoINOVA mission is to provide its associates, and those of its clients, with creative work in the most technologically advanced IT environments. Is the best confirmation of your quality provided by the thousands of projects implemented with the help of your software, resulting in transparent economic benefits? Our customers are the best recommendation for our products, while the clear benefits that help improve the competitiveness of customers on the market are a confirmation of our quality. Our products are constantly reconsidered with a view to integrated ISO standards covering the field of informatics, the rules of the Open GIS consortium and the European INSPIRE Directive for spatial information. Confirmation of our quality is provided by the fact that no significant user has ceased cooperating with us during the 20 years of GeoINOVA’s history, but also the fact that we generally win tenders in the domain of geoinformatics, provided the determining factor in selection includes the criteria and requirements of the World Bank, EBRD, UNDP, USAID etc.

December

ENDRE TAMAS, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ITNNOV LTD.

Minimising Exportation Risks ITnnov is a company that provides export opportunities to the UK for SMEs in the CEE region. Besides importation procedures and logistics, this company now also offers A.I. market research, digital marketing and assistance with entering UK wholesale chains opportunity to develop into a one-stop solution for all export-import efforts. There was a clear need to expand our services. Aside from importation procedures and logistics, we now offer A.I. market research, digital marketing and assistance entering the UK wholesale chains.

BREXIT OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER FOR UK IMPORTS. WITH NEW AND FAVOURABLE TRADE DEALS BETWEEN SERBIA AND THE UK ALREADY IN PLACE, NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO EXPAND TO THE UK MARKET

he UK’s major market players will reestablish themselves, but there is a window of opportunity for proactive companies. I don’t see why Serbian companies with great and competitive products shouldn’t be among the first to seize that opportunity, says Endre Tamas, MD of ITnnov, who was actually born in Subotica.

ITnnov began its life as a small team of professionals providing export opportunities for SMEs in the CEE region. What was the motivation behind such an enterprise? We wanted to become a relevant UK importer by the time Brexit occurred. This meant covering all the background operations and necessary integrations. ITnnov started out with legislation and logistics, but then saw an

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What are your plans for the Serbian market? I was born in Subotica and have been living in Europe and the UK for the past 22 years. My roots are naturally tied to my home country. Our team in the UK already represents one of the largest pharmaceutical companies from Serbia, and sales are growing rapidly. We also work with medium-sized food producers and cosmetic companies. A new superfood supplier will be joining us from March 2022.

In terms of any company’s resources, A.I.’s main advantages are cost-efficiency and timeeffectiveness, precision and comprehensiveness Future stages include the rubber, metal and agriculture sectors, where we are seeing extremely high demand. Brexit opened up a whole new chapter for UK imports. With new and favourable trade deals between Serbia and the UK already in place, now is the right time to expand to the UK market.

You rely heavily on your in-house developed market research. Why is it significant? Do you utilise any similar innovations? The A.I.-based algorithm for market research is created by our lead developer, who holds a Ph.D. in machine learning. It has already scoured millions of pages of trading data and competition analyses. The A.I. doesn’t scrape data only when instructed. The process is ongoing, so we always have access to the latest information and trends. In terms of a company’s resources, A.I.’s main advantages are cost- and time-effectiveness, precision and comprehensiveness. These are essential when a company is deciding on export feasibility. The analyses we offer include a human factor – after all, we work for and with people. So, while we have tremendously automated menial tasks, we also apply our own expertise to consult on decisions and develop strategies. And this approach isn’t limited to market research. Our other departments are highly datadriven, but there’s more to the story than mere numbers. The marketing department, for example, combines cutting-edge analytics with cultural sensitivity – and there are certainly cultural differences between the Balkan region and the UK that are often overlooked. Such professional experience is greatly enhanced by machine, but can’t be replaced by it. Well, not yet at least. With all these in place, the relevant information and foreign market representation are more precise and well-rounded – which means that ITnnov reduces exportation risks to a minimum.

By Daron Acemoglu

The Bitcoin Fountainhead While it is clear that cryptocurrencies are here to stay, it remains to be seen what economic role they will – or should – play. In the case of Bitcoin, the technology’s success lies entirely in what it promises, rather than in what it can actually deliver

ith the price of Bitcoin reaching new highs, and El Salvador and Cuba deciding to accept it as legal tender, cryptocurrencies are here to stay. What implications will this have for money and politics? Money depends on trust. It is accepted in exchange for goods and services only because people can confidently assume that others will accept it in the future. This is as true for the US dollar as it is for gold. To argue that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are merely a confidence game – or a speculative bubble, as many economists have emphasized – is to ignore their popularity. And yet, cryptocurrencies lack the stable institutional foundations needed to bolster the public’s trust in them. Trust thus ebbs and flows, making them fragile and volatile, as Bitcoin’s wild gyrations have amply demonstrated. Moreover, with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies that rely on “proof-of-work” mechanisms, transactions must be continuously verified and logged in a decentralized ledger (in this instance based on blockchain). This requires millions of computers to operate continuously to update and verify transactions – work that is incentivized by the opportunity to be rewarded with newly minted Bitcoin. The energy consumed in these “mining” operations now exceeds that of a mediumsized country like Malaysia or Sweden. Now that the world has awoken to the dangers of climate change (and to the paltriness of our response to it so far), this massive waste should make Bitcoin highly unattractive. And yet, despite its volatility, fragility, and massive carbon footprint, five factors have conspired to make Bitcoin an attractive proposition to many people: its political narrative; the criminal activities it enables; the

seigniorage it distributes; the techno-optimism of the current age; and the desire to get rich quick at a time when few other economic opportunities beckon. Let’s consider each in turn, going in reverse order. We live in an era of dwindling economic prospects. Even workers with a college degree can no longer count on securing a stable job with good and rising pay. When economic opportunities are so scarce, get-rich-quick schemes become especially alluring. Not surprisingly, there is now an entire industry dedicated to telling people that they, too, can strike gold by investing in Bitcoin. Money has been pouring into the cryptocurrency because millions of people in the United States and around the world think they can realize significant returns from it. The narrative of massive returns for amateur and retail investors from a cryptocurrency is in keeping with our technology-obsessed

age. We are constantly being told that technological ingenuity is creating a brighter future. And on the surface, there is no denying that Bitcoin is a marvel of technological innovation. It took genuine creativity and mastery to create such an intricate decentralized system, capable of functioning without any oversight or government enforcement. Seigniorage, or the additional purchasing power conferred (typically to governments) by control of the money supply, is another factor in Bitcoin’s appeal. When the US government puts new currency into circulation, it can use it to purchase services or pay its debt. The prospect of gaining seigniorage is very attractive, and probably helps to explain why there are now more than 1,600 listed cryptocurrencies. In the case of Bitcoin, the absence of a centralized authority means that seigniorage is distributed, thus providing an incentive for mining efforts (which are now being conducted by more than a million people around the world). A dedicated source of demand can help a new currency establish a reliable footing. For cryptocurrencies in general, and for Bitcoin in particular, this anchor is planted firmly in the criminal world. In its early days, demand for Bitcoin was boosted by dark-web sites such as Silk Road, which enabled all sorts of illicit transactions. To this day, criminal activities account for almost half of Bitcoin transactions, by some estimates. Each of these four factors has boosted Bitcoin artificially. Obviously, our society’s economic ills will not be solved by people making money from Bitcoin. Nor has the prevailing techno-optimist mood been borne out in the real world. And whatever benefits there are from distributing seigniorage via mining, they are more than offset by the massive waste of energy.

December

“People are fed up and have no resilience left because of having been in the pandemic for a long time” – SAM SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF UK’S STOCKBROKERS FINNCAPP

WORLD NEWS

THE APPLE CAR IS COMING Apple’s long-rumored but not officially announced electric vehicle has hit a number of bumps and detours during the course of its development, but now a new report is claiming that Apple has solidified the Apple Car’s roadmap, which will result in a fully autonomous self-driving electric vehicle by 2025. Sources “familiar with the matter” told Bloomberg that the team in charge of developing the Apple Car was previously stuck choosing between two different developments paths: a more traditional EV with some enhanced driver-assist features similar to what you get from a number of existing vehicles, or a more sophisticated EV capable of a true autonomous driving with no input from its passengers.

AMAZON TO STOP ACCEPTING VISA CREDIT CARDS IN UK Amazon will stop accepting Visa credit cards issued in the UK from 19 January, the online retail giant has said. It said the move was due to high credit card transaction fees but said Visa debit cards would still be accepted. Visa said it was “very disappointed that Amazon is threatening to restrict consumer choice in the future”. Amazon said: “The cost of accepting card payments continues to be an obstacle for businesses striving to provide the best prices for customers.” The online retailer said costs should be going down over time due to advances in technology, “but instead they continue to stay high or even rise”.

GLOBAL SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS TO LAST UNTIL AT LEAST 2023 Supply chain pressures hitting the global economy are likely to last for another year at least, according to Publicis’ Maurice Levy. Levy, who is chairman of the board of advertising giant Publicis Groupe, told CNBC’s Karen Tso at the Women’s Forum on Friday that rising inflation was the result of scarcity in supply chains. “It’s also the fact that we are moving to green energy, we are moving to a green world and we have difficulties in getting this new energy to the level of the old world,” he added. “This is generating an increase in price and weighing on the purchasing power of customers.”

December

“Residential areas, commercial areas, services, museums, entertainment, bars, restaurants, airport, port, rail - everything devoted to Bitcoin” –- Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador

ERICSSON TO BUY CLOUD FIRM VONAGE FOR $6.2 BILLION Mobile telecoms equipment maker Ericsson said it had agreed to buy cloud communications firm Vonage for $6.2 billion. The deal was the Swedish firm’s biggest in years and follows its acquisition of U.S.-based wireless networking company Cradlepoint for $1.1 billion in 2020. “The merger agreement was approved unanimously by the Board of Vonage,” Ericsson said in a statement. “The transaction builds upon Ericsson’s stated intent to expand globally in wireless enterprise, offering existing customers an increased share of a market valued at $700 billion by 2030.”

UK FIRM OFFERS STAFF UNLIMITED LEAVE TO STOP BURNOUT Workers at a London stockbrokers will have unlimited holiday from next year to try to prevent staff burnout. Finncapp employees will have to take a minimum of four weeks leave plus two or three days every quarter. Unlimited paid holiday is a perk popular among some US tech firms but less so among financial services companies. For some companies it works well, increasing productivity, but others found staff took less time off. Finncapp, which also gives financial advice, has been “exceptionally busy” as City mergers and capital markets boom, chief executive Sam Smith told the BBC. Ms Smith said the company really started to notice how much mental health strain employees were under in February this year.

ALIBABA SHARES DIVE AFTER CHINA SPENDING SLOWDOWN WARNING Alibaba shares have slumped by more than 10% in Hong Kong trade after the Chinese online retail giant warned of a slowdown in consumer spending. The company forecast that its annual revenue would grow at the slowest pace since its stock market debut in 2014. The weak figures underscore the firm’s struggles with increasing competition and Beijing’s regulatory crackdown. Alibaba’s US-listed shares ended the New York trading session more than 11% lower. In the three months to the end of September, Alibaba’s revenue rose by 29% to 200.7bn yuan ($31.4bn, £23.3bn), its slowest rate of growth for a year and a half.

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Enterpreneur MELANIE PERKINS CANVA CEO

Canva Uncovered:

How A Young Australian Kitesurfer Built A $3.2 Billion Start-up Phenomenon 44

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On a steamy May morning in 2013, Canva CEO Melanie Perkins found herself adrift on a kiteboard in the channel between billionaire Richard Branson’s private Necker and Moskito islands

er 30-foot sail floating deflated and useless beside her in the strong eastern Caribbean current, the 26-year-old entrepreneur waited for hours to be rescued. As she treaded water, her left leg scarred by a past collision with a coral reef, she reminded herself that her dangerous new hobby was worth it. After all, it was key to the fundraising strategy for the design-software startup she’d cofounded with her boyfriend six years before.

“It was like, risk: serious damage; reward: start company. If you get your foot in the door just a tiny bit, you have to kind of wedge it all the way in”

Canva was based in Australia, thousands of miles from tech’s Silicon Valley power corridor. Getting a meeting - much less funding - was proving tough. Perkins heard “no” from more than 100 investors. So when she met the organizer of a group of kitesurfing venture capitalists at a pitch competition in her native Perth, Perkins got to training. The next time the group met to hear startup pitches and potentially write crucial early-stage funding checks, she’d have

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CNBC

Enterpreneur

a seat at the table - even if it meant having to brave treacherous waters. “It was like, risk: serious damage; reward: start company,” Perkins says. “If you get your foot in the door just a tiny bit, you have to kind of wedge it all the way in.” Such perseverance has long been a necessity at Canva, which began as a modest yearbook-design business in the state capital of Perth on Australia’s west coast. From those remote origins, Canva has grown into a global juggernaut. Twenty-million-plus users from 190 countries use the company’s “freemium” Web-based app to design everything from splashy Pinterest graphics to elegant restaurant menus. Besides an impossible-to-beat price (millions of users pay nothing at all), Canva’s key advantage over rival products from tech giants like Adobe has been its ease of use. Before Canva, amateurs had to stitch together designs in Microsoft Word or pay through the nose for confusing professional tools. Today, anyone, anywhere, can download Canva and be creating within ten minutes. The company’s revenue comes from upselling to a $10-a-month premium version with snazzier features or, more recently, from sales of a streamlined corporate account option. High-quality stock photos - of which Canva

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The Aussie power couple are likely worth more than $800 million has millions - cost another $1. It adds up. In 2019 the company more than doubled its revenue to $200 million; its most recent $85 million funding round valued it at $3.2 billion. Perkins, now 32 and an alum of the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, has an estimated 15% stake, valued at $430 million. Throw in her 34-year-old cofounder - and now fiancé - Cliff Obrecht’s similar stake, and the Aussie power couple are likely worth more than $800 million. In an era of billion-dollar checks from SoftBank and high-profile profligacy at WeWork, Perkins and Obrecht do things differently. They are couch surfers who prefer budget trips to private jets. (This summer, with Canva already valued at more than $2 billion, Obrecht proposed to Perkins in Turkey’s backpacker-friendly Cappadocia region with a $30 engagement ring.) Rarest of all: Canva says it’s been profitable - at least using the favored startup metric of adjusted

EBITDA, which strips out stock-option expenses, financing and tax costs - since 2017. “We have been really conscientious about not taking on too much capital because we’ve been profitable for the last two years,” Perkins says. It all starts with Perkins, who onboards every new employee (now 700 in total) with a thorough rundown of Canva’s most sensitive financial numbers and past investor pitch decks. Other unicorn founders boast. Perkins keeps receipts. And as Canva grows she’s trying to prove you can build a global tech giant from anywhere. “Melanie is a rare breed of entrepreneur, the likes of which you don’t find often anywhere,” says Mary Meeker, a seasoned internet investor whose new firm, Bond Capital, made Canva its first official investment in May. Perkins’ family jokes that she has a 100-point plan for changing the world. First, Canva has a much more straightforward challenge: win over big business. Like Atlassian, Slack and Zoom before it, Canva faces a classic dilemma: a freemium model can make you viral, but most users will never pay a dime. And though Canva says it has users inside almost every large corporation today, they’re typically rogue individuals or small teams, not official corporate accounts. Moving upmarket means increasingly brushing up against Adobe, the $149 billion (market cap) graphics giant that took in $1.65 billion in revenue last quarter from its design-focused unit alone. Then there are a host of high-flying startups like Figma and Sketch that cater to pros but could easily move into the consumer space. And that’s not even considering Canva’s ambitions in new mediums like video and presentations, which could pit it against everything from small Instagram video-making apps to Microsoft, maker of the blockbuster PowerPoint. It’s daunting, to say the least, but for Perkins, who has already turned doubting Silicon Valley players into eager supporters and mastered the Chinese market - and has built a $200 millionplus bank account - it’s all according to plan. “I feel like we’ve done an incredible job, but we’ve done very little compared to what we want to do. We’ve done 1% of what I think is possible,” Perkins says. “Our company mission is to empower the world to design. And we really mean the whole world.” Forbs

PROFILE

The Seductive Joy of Reading I’ve always loved books, but I was relatively late in realising that I would deal seriously with literature

GORAN SKROBONJA, WRITER

y father was a professor of literature, so a library occupied the central spot in our home, but my mother was the one to introduce me to the science fiction genre. I grew up reading the works of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, comics that won over the hearts and souls of the kids of the then Yugoslavia, the adventure novels of Karl May, short fantasy prose works that appeared in Zagreb-based magazine Sirius, the best fantasy works in the Andromeda almanacs and Biblioteka Kentaur [Centaur Library]. Still, it seems that the greatest turning point for me was the moment I realised I could read books in English, without the need for translation. I was about 14 at the time, and an entirely new universe had opened up to me. I suddenly no longer had to wait for local publishers to release translations of books that interested me - in Belgrade back then, in the second half of the 1970s, several bookshops sold (very affordable) pocketsized paperback books in English and other languages and, of course, almost all of my pocket money went on Robert E. Howard’s books about Conan or Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels (or, more precisely, whatever

pocket money was left after I’d purchased the latest long-play gramophone records or, as they’re called today, vinyl). It was while studying law that I got acquainted with the exciting world of contemporary horror literature, first via the books of Stephen King, such as Night Shift or Christine, and then those of other bestselling horror writers, like James Herbert or Dan Simmons. Back then, I was already trying to write my own short prose works, although I was convinced that, upon finishing my studies, I’d start working at some law office and spend my entire working life practising criminal law. Then, sometime in 1987, the aforementioned Sirius magazine, which was as indispensable to my generation as the Alan Ford comic book or the famous Stripoteka comic magazine, agreed to publish my story Poklon s neba [Gift from the Heavens]. That was an exceptional honour for a twenty-five-year-old: the country’s highest authority in the domain of Sci-Fi publishing considered something that I’d written worth publishing! That was fantastic motivation and an incentive for me to continue writing. In parallel with conceiving stories that could prove interesting and exciting to fans of the genre, I also began translating. I found my main motivation for that in a desire to share the literary works that delighted me with my nearest and dearest, who lacked sufficient knowledge of English to read the original versions. During the 1980s and early ‘90s, I played a very active role in Belgrade’s Lazar Komarčić Science Fiction Association and translated many works for its newsletter, the

Emitor fanzine, and not only fictional works, but also articles and journalistic features from foreign magazines of the genre. At the end of 1987, I read Stephen King’s then-magnum opus, It, and wanted to translate that magnificent novel for a local publisher. I suggested to Boban Knežević that he publish it, but he wasn’t interested in such a voluminous work, so he concisely proposed something that would otherwise never have crossed my mind: that I publish that book myself! No sooner said than done: I acquired the rights (I still keep that contract, the last page of which has King’s signature right next to mine!), and following the translation work that lasted almost a year (the text covers almost 1,500 standard pages), It went on sale, in two volumes. And all of a sudden that translation, as they say, “put me on the map”. I mostly address my own generation with the books I now write; the generation that recognises the influence of the youth and adventure literature that we all grew up with, but likewise also younger people, for whom the internet replaced the school and children’s libraries during that same formative period of growing up. The latest two-volume novel that I wrote together with Ivan Nešić, Firentinski dublet [The Florentine Doublet], was written precisely with that objective in mind - to return that seductive and irresistible joy of reading to readers. And judging by their reactions, we succeeded in that. And in a way we closed the circle, or, as today’s kids would say, “we turned the game around”. Thinking of that always brings a smile to my face.

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Art

Political Cartoons

THOMAS NAST - TAMMANY RING

The Most Influential

Political Cartoons Of All Time While the caricature may not always be taken seriously as a medium, the political cartoons featured here have had the power to inspire, outrage or amuse. Here’s a list of the best political cartoons of all time, from William Hogarth’s London-set ‘Gin Lane’ and the USA’s first political cartoon to Benjamin Franklin’s ‘Join or Die’.

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ailed by British cartoonist and writer Martin Rowson as “the greatest political cartoon ever”, James Gillray’s The Plumb-pudding in Danger is typical of the Georgian-era caricaturist’s biting satire. Drawn in 1805, the cartoon depicts French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and British prime minister William Pitt greedily carving a plum pudding shaped like the world in an amusing metaphor for the leaders’ battle for geopolitical power. It has been widely pastiched by later artists including Guardian cartoonist Steve Bell. DAVID LOW’S RENDEZVOUS In New Zealand-born cartoonist David Low’s Rendezvous, Hitler and Stalin genially greet each other after their joint invasion of Poland with the words “The scum of the earth, I believe?” and “The bloody assassin of the workers, I presume?” A cynical critique of the Nazi-Soviet Pact of 1939, the cartoon outraged Hitler to which Low responded, “No dictator is inconvenienced or even displeased by cartoons showing his terrible person stalking through blood and mud…What he does not want to get around is the idea that he is an ass, which is really damaging.” PHILIP ZEC’S DON’T LOSE IT AGAIN Published on VE Day in the British newspaper The Daily Mirror, Philip Zec’s 1945 cartoon is a visual call for peace, depicting an exhausted, injured soldier offering a laurel representing victory with the caption: “Here you are – don’t lose it again!” Despite having angered Labour politician Herbert Morrison three years prior with an earlier cartoon he denounced as “worthy of Goebbels at his best”, Zec’s Don’t Lose It Again was enough to prompt the politician to apologise to the cartoonist and ask permission to republish the cartoon as part of the Labour Party’s 1945 general election campaign.

BARRY BLITT - THE POLITICS OF FEAR

THOMAS NAST’S BOSS TWEED AND THE TAMMANY RING Often praised as “the father of the American cartoon”, Thomas Nast is best known for his works satirising politician William Magear “Boss” Tweed and Tammany Hall, the Democratic political machine frequently accused of nepotism that Tweed led. By highlighting the so-called Tammany Ring’s corruption and cronyism, Nast is credited with influencing the negative public

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Art

Political Cartoons

JAMES GILLRAY - THE PLUMB-PUDDING IN DANGER

perception of the organisation, with considerable support lost in the USA’s 1872 election. ROBERT MINOR’S AT LAST A PERFECT SOLDIER Published in the radical, left-wing magazine The Masses in 1916, Robert Minor’s At Last a Perfect Soldier shows a delighted army medical examiner presiding over a hulking, headless recruit – an ideal fighter for his brawn and lack of a brain. The cartoon, amongst other controversial caricatures by fellow cartoonists including Art Young and HJ Glintenkamp, prompted the US Post Office to stop delivering the magazine, citing a violation of the Espionage Act, resulting in a legal battle and the eventual closure of the publication. BARRY BLITT’S THE POLITICS OF FEAR Canadian-born cartoonist Barry Blitt’s 2008

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HONORÉ DAUMIER - GARGANTUA

By author

LOUIS RAEMAEKERS - ANTI-GERMAN CARTOONS

cover for The New Yorker – titled The Politics of Fear and depicting then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in full Muslim garb accompanied by wife Michelle decked out in military gear – caused such outrage that thousands of readers complained while Obama’s spokesman Bill Burton denounced it as “tasteless and offensive”. David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, defended Blitt saying: “The fact is, it’s nota satire about Obama – it’s a satire about the distortions and misconceptions and prejudices aboutObama.” WILLIAM HOGARTH’S GIN LANE Eighteenth-century artist William Hogarth’s Gin Lane depicts a nightmarish scene of Londoners crazed and debauched by the evils of drinking gin – in the foreground, a gin-addled mother allows her child to fall to its death while

ROBERT MINOR - AT LAST A PERFECT SOLDIER

an inebriated ballad-seller ironically sells flyers entitled “The Downfall of Mrs Gin”. Published in support of Britain’s Gin Act of 1751 – which sought to limit the consumption of spirits – Gin Lane was accompanied by a second illustration, Beer Street, which by contrast depicted happy, healthy folk responsibly enjoying the far less intoxicating brew. HONORÉ DAUMIER’S GARGANTUA Gargantua – created by French caricaturist Honoré Daumier, a fierce opponent of King Louis Philippe in 1831 – portrayed the royal as a money-guzzling incarnation of 16thcentury novelist François Rabelais’ titular giant. Condemned as ‘arousing hatred of and contempt of the King’s government, and for offending the King’s person,’ the publishers of La Caricature – the satirical publication the

image was intended for – were prosecuted several times while Daumier was jailed for six months at Paris’ Sainte–Pélagie prison. WILLIAM HONE AND GEORGE CRUICKSHANK’S THE POLITICAL HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Published in the aftermath of the 1819 Peterloo Massacre – during which hundreds of protestors who gathered to demand parliamentary reform were injured and a further 15 killed when cavalrymen charged the scene – The Political House That Jack Built, published by satirist William Hone and illustrated by George Cruickshank, was a radical tract denouncing the authoritarianism of the British government. An extremely popular publication based on the similarly named nursery rhyme, The House That Jack Built sold an estimated 100,000 copies between 1819 and 1820.

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Art

Political Cartoons

WILLIAM HOGARTH - GIN LANE

ROBERT GROSSMAN’S BABE LINCOLN Following the publication of American writer and psychologist CA Tripp’s 2005 book The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln – in which he suggested the president may have been homosexual – cartoonist Robert Grossman was prompted to draw his controversial cartoon Babe Lincoln, depicting him in a bustier, bloomers and high heels. Letters of outrage poured into The Nation, who published the cartoon, with readers incensed by the image’s homophobic nature and stereotyping of gay men. Grossman later issued an apology stating: “In the impoverished mental landscape of a cartoonist this is what passes for true inspiration.” LOUIS RAEMAEKERS’ ANTI-GERMAN CARTOONS Quite possibly the most influential cartoonist of the First World War era, Dutchman Louis Raemaekers anti-German drawings had such an impact that the German government attempted to push the Netherlands to take the artist to trial for “endangering Dutch neutrality”. Although Raemaekers was never prosecuted for

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WILLIAM HONE AND GEORGE CRUICKSHANK - THE POLITICAL HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

By author

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - JOIN OR DIE

his cartoons, rumors surfaced that Germany had placed a bounty of 12,000 guilders for the artist, dead or alive, and he would eventually flee to London. Amongst his controversial cartoons is To Your Health, Civilization! – a critique of modern warfare in which Death toasts mankind with a goblet of blood.

DAVID LOW - RENDEZVOUS

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN’S JOIN OR DIE American author, printer and founding father Benjamin Franklin’s cartoon Join or Die, first published in The Pennsylvania Gazette in 1754, emphasized the importance of the country’s then-disjointed colonies joining together against the threat of French expansion and Native Americans. Often cited as the USA’s first ever political cartoon, the image was extremely popular and was widely reprinted throughout the colonies, becoming a symbol of colonial unity and freedom and later used again during the American Revolutionary War to encourage solidarity against the British. theculturetrip.com

December

My life

Dr Zoran Đerić, Director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad

TRADITION & MODERNITY UNDER ONE ROOF 54

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By Zorica Todorović Mirković

Judging by his interests, he seemingly lives multiple lives simultaneously. Managing the oldest professional theatre in Serbia isn’t the only “life” he’s completely dedicated to, one which has seen him join the list of greats who’ve managed this theatre over its enduring existence that includes the likes of Jovan Đorđević, Antonije Hadžić, Pera Dobrinović, Branislav Nušić, Miloš Hadžić and other lovers of the performing arts. Each of his predecessors left their own mark, just as Dr Đerić is now inscribing his own. Apart from being a top theatre administrator, he is also a writer, primarily a poet, author, theatrologist, translator, writer of scientific studies in the fields of literature, film theatre etc., it is almost impossible to list all of his areas of activity. The description of his work comes across as being almost unbelievable; it seems as though we encountered him at the same time in the theatre, at the Sterijino Pozorje festival, at the Academy, at the Matica Srpska cultural centre etc., and he finds time for everything…

lthough he also works as a visiting professor in Banja Luka, his life revolves around the theatre and writing. It is there that he moves, as though in an enchanted circle, spinning with energy to launch things in a better way, for the Serbian National Theatre to stride - with its repertoire and skills - even further into the world. And for it to be thus valued in the right way. That is the mission of this tireless artist, because, judging by everything he does, he can rightly be referred to as an artist! We all have those mental images that we carry with us from childhood, from our homeland and wherever else our life paths have led us; those images are our hallmark, though we’re usually unaware of that. What kind of world, memories, inspirations and incentives did you take away from your native Bačko Dobro Polje, a beautiful Vojvodina village near Vrbas that’s home to post-war ‘colonists’ who arrived from Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina back in 1945? Unfortunately, I took little with me from my hometown – including impressions, memories and knowledge. My parents arrived in Bačko Dobro Polje as children (my mother was seven and began attending primary school when she arrived; my father was 15 and started learning a trade). They met at a village dance. The maternity ward where I was born was located in the centre of the village, in a park, and has now been turned into an apartment. My mother lives nearby, because we sold the family house that no one had inhabited for years, except mice and

insects, and everything was covered by dust and fell into oblivion. Bačko Dobro Polje isn’t far from Novi Sad. Do you go there often? As a child, living in the environment of your native area, you dreamt of one day becoming a pilot or a parachutist. Did you later ponder that unfulfilled desire, or was it just childish fantasy? I was compelled to return to my homeland by the archaeological discovery of Čarnok, a Celtic tribal settlement from the first century

As for my childhood desires, I still adore flying. Clouds are my eternal fascination AD, which sits alongside today’s Bačko Dobro Polje, which was actually called Kišker prior to World War II and used to be mainly inhabited by ethnic Germans. Whenever I can and whenever the weather permits, I go to Čarnok, where the oppidum of the main settlement is barely visible, with earthen ramparts, in a massive circular shape, which was accessed via a moat. From the first century onwards, these territories, which had formed part of Barbaricum, belonged to the Roman Empire. It was inhabited by the Sarmatae, then later came the Avars and other tribes. There was also a medieval settlement there, with a church, but nothing has remained of that.

As for my childhood desires, I still adore flying. Clouds are my eternal fascination. You are - as you yourself state – an artist and creator with multiple biographies. That is confirmed by your past work, in different periods of your life and different areas of activity, sometimes in parallel. That’s not common, and even less so for someone to achieve high quality in all fields. When you started publishing your writings, you first published poems? Apart from poetry, you also write essays, prose, scientific studies in the fields of literature, theatre and film etc.? I started out as a poet and, I believe, have remained that way until the end. I published my first poems quite early on, in Dečji novine [Yugoslavia’s former biggest publisher of comics], back in the ‘60s. As a secondary school pupil, I published in the high school publication Mladim danima [Young Days], but also in youth periodicals around Serbia. Duško Trifunović published my poems in Sarajevo daily Oslobođenje in 1975. Then came poetry festivals, and even awards. I published my first book in 1983, in Matica Srpska. I’ve published a large number of books to date, covering all sorts of fields. As a public figure, you are also determined – in addition to your administrative work – by your literary work. How did you feel when you held your first book in your hands? And what does your literary oeuvre actually comprise; and what about your equally rich administerial career? My first book was a collection of poems, Talog [Sediment], and it defined me as a poet.

December

My life

Dr Zoran Đerić, Director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad

It was only this year that I published my first book of stories, Portret pesnika kao umirućeg lava [Portrait of a Poet as a Dying Lion], and it is dedicated entirely to poets, or to their tragic destinies. I’ve so far published 15 poetry books and two poetry selections, while several of my books have been translated into foreign languages. An extensive book, Pesme produženog trajanja [Songs of an Extended Duration], was recently published (Cultural Centre of Vojvodina Miloš Crnjanski, Novi Sad, 2021), which represents a selection of my poems dating from 1981 to this year. So, a cross-section of my 40-year presence in poetry. I’ve published multiple literary studies on Slavic emigration poetry and several studies on theatre and film. Next comes translation. You’ve translated works from almost all other Slavic languages, while your poetry has also been translated in Russia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Macedonia. How satisfying do you find that; and which translations give you a particular sense of pride? I compiled an extensive anthology of my essays and translations of Slavic literature, which is also how it is entitled: Slovenska čitanka [Slavic reader/textbook]. I’ve translated poetry primarily, and plays and prose, by Russian, Polish, Czech, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and Belarusian authors, published in periodicals, but also in special books. My favourite authors are Vladimir Nabokov, Zbigniew Herbert, Joseph Brodsky and Czesław Miłosz. It was a major challenge for me to translate theoretical books from theatre studies, or from puppetry. I’m proud of my translations of Henryk Jurkowski’s two-volume Aspects of Puppet Theatre, as well as The Art of Puppet Directing by Wiesław Heino. You’ve also amassed a rich teaching career. You have a special relationship with students and are among their ‘favourites’. Is that due to part of your character, the way you work, or everything combined? I started my professorship relatively late, in my 40s, and perhaps that’s why I was totally devoted to that job, working together with students and learning myself. I still have great curiosity, a need to learn, gain new experiences and acquire knowledge. I don’t hide that and I don’t haughtily put myself above the students, but

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I still have great curiosity, a need to learn, gain new experiences and acquire knowledge. I don’t hide that and I don’t haughtily put myself above the students, but rather relate like one of them. That’s always been part of me rather relate like one of them. That’s always been part of me. Maybe that’s also what’s recognised and appreciated by others. You spent five years as a Serbian language lecturer at the University of Łódź in Poland, and have also taught as a visiting professor of Slavic studies in Prague, Gdańsk, Krakow and Novi Sad. You also taught at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, covering all callings. How

did you enjoy working abroad, but first and foremost in Poland and Czechia, which are countries with a wealth of culture? Lecturing in Poland was a very valuable experience for me in multiple ways. It was at Polish universities that I began my scientific work, participating in scientific conferences and drafting my doctorate. My Polish students are now successful businesspeople, not only in Poland, but elsewhere in Europe. Some of them remained at the colleges, earned their doctorates and now lecture, some took jobs in schools, in various companies, as translators etc. I spent lots of time with my students. We created plays, travelled, and I’m still in contact with some of them today. I travelled all over Poland and believe I got to know it. I went back later to attend theatre festivals, and I’m still in contact with several theatre directors, puppeteers and theorists. Prague occupies a special place in my memories; I wrote features, poems and a story about it. Over recent years I’ve been particularly attached to Bratislava, where they translated and published two of my books of poetry. I’ve travelled to Russia. Siberia is, for me, a very

A good play justifies all the effort exerted and money invested, and with them all the knowledge and creative potential, but also enthusiasm. Theatre must be loved in order for it to reciprocate with the same measure the best puppetry script at last year’s Festival of Professional Puppet Theatres in Serbia. Other directors have also expressed an interest in this show, so I believe it will have more performances on the puppet stage. I recently also received an award for puppetry in North Macedonia, in Štip.

special experience. I’ve been there twice: once by myself; and the second time with the Youth Theatre from Novi Sad. I’m planning to go to attend a theatre festival next year, for which I’ve been invited to be a member of the jury. And that’s without mentioning other cities I’ve been to in recent years, as a guest, as a theatrologist and theatre manager. Your interest, and engagement, in puppetry is insufficiently known and worthy of note. Although this form of performance art has been present in our country for more than eight decades, it has somehow remained at the periphery... Those who are familiar with your work know that you pay puppetry its due attention. Do you believe that our other artists will become more interested in puppetry and that this genre will gain the kind of place it deserves on the stage? I became interested in puppetry back in 1988, when I took on the position of director of the Youth Theatre in Novi Sad. I read everything that could be found on the subject. Those were mainly Russian and Bulgarian books. I later came

across Polish, Czech and Slovak books. I watched puppet shows. I was interested in the process of creating puppets: from the workshop to animating puppets on stage. I attended puppet festivals with the theatre, especially international ones, and learned by watching shows from all around the world. I wrote about puppetry production in our country, about books and festivals. And over the last ten years I’ve started translating puppetry studies and books. I’m part of the editorial department of the magazine Niti, which is published by the Theatre Museum of Vojvodina. It’s the only magazine of puppetry in our country. I this year published the book Lutkarski simulakrumi [Puppetry Simulacra], with the subtitle - contributions to the history of puppet theatres in Serbia. Within it I united my many years of research into puppetry art and practise. A monograph of the Youth Theatre in Novi Sad is currently being prepared to commemorate its 90 years of performances, which I’m working on together with my colleague, Ljiljana Dinić. My puppet show “Gulliver” was performed successfully at the Little Theatre “Duško Radović” in Belgrade. It was for that piece that I received the award for

In Subotica last year, as the selector of the 27th International Children’s Theatre Festival, you presented an interesting stance that children’s theatres should no longer deal exclusively with fairy tales, but rather should also address current global topics. Is that a striving for modernity, because neither puppet shows nor children’s plays can stand still forever? As the director and selector of the International Children’s Theatre Festival in Subotica, I became convinced that the aesthetics of children’s theatre is changing and developing, in harmony with the movements of dramatic theatre. Both when it comes to topics and approaches - from composition dramaturgy to the directing of plays. Puppet theatres and theatres for children and young people are diverse: there are ever fewer classical plays for children, and ever more digital and research performances. You have received many significant accolades for your work. You are a recipient, among many other awards, of the prestigious Teodor Pavlović Award (named after the restorer and reformer of Matica Srpska) for the best book for Celuloidna književnost: književnost i film [Celluloid Literature: Literature and Film, published by Novi Sad’s Grafomarketing. Which of the many awards and acknowledge-

December

My life

Dr Zoran Đerić, Director of the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad ensembles, in ballet and opera, and especially in drama. The emphasis was on classics, domestic and world, but also on contemporary pieces. The directors we’ve engaged for our projects are new, both in drama and opera. That turned out to be a great move – we received attractive, artistically potent plays that have won numerous awards, and won over audiences generally.

FROM THE SERBIAN NATIONAL THEATRE

ments you’ve received would you single out as highlights? The first award is always the dearest, and that was Champion of the Festival of Yugoslav Youth Poetry in Vrbas, in 1982. The following year, I received the Mlada Struga award at the Struga Poetry Evenings in Macedonia. Back then, that was one of the most important awards for young poets in Yugoslavia. I will single out another award for the poetry book “Čarnok” - “Đura Jakšić” (2015), as well as the latest one - Vuk’s Award, which I received at the beginning of this year for my literary and translation work, but also for my theatre and film studies work. Of course, the most important recognition I’ve received was the medal of merit in culture that I was decorated with by the President of Serbia. You are now in Novi Sad, serving as the manager of our oldest theatre, the Serbian National Theatre. This appointment is, of course, undoubtedly also a great honour and recognition. Many Novi Sad locals were delighted with the choice, because you exude the impression of a calm, deep man, who knows both what he wants and what he doesn’t.Which new additions have you introduced; and which traditional values have you retained and improved?

December

Work is being undertaken to create the conditions to launch an Institute, where continuous studies would be conducted covering the history and theory of Serbian theatre, the most important writers and works, theatres and festivals Arriving in the position of manager of the Serbian National Theatre was a great honour and a challenge for me. I wasn’t unfamiliar with either the repertoire or the work of our oldest theatre, but it took some time for me to acquaint myself with its internal organisation, with the complex structure comprising its artistic and technical units, as well as other parts of this great institution of culture. It seems to me that the repertoire was equal challenging, as it is a stronghold of great

You spent three terms of office as the manager of the Youth Theatre in Novi Sad and served as the operative director of the Sterijino Pozorje festival. How much did that experience help you in your work at the Serbian National Theatre? Although the Youth Theatre is a much smaller and more specific theatre than the National, the time I spent there gave me some kind of indicator of how to reach good plays and satisfied audiences. Select good scripts and even better collaborators, dedicate yourself fully to your task, and that that is – creating plays. Everything in the theatre is secondary to that aim. A good play justifies all the effort exerted and money invested, and with them all the knowledge and creative potential, but also enthusiasm. Theatre must be loved in order for it to reciprocate with the same measure. You’ve noted repeatedly that Serbia is the only country in the region, in Europe, that doesn’t have aTheatre Institute. Is that a serious shortcoming, but also an injustice committed against both the theatre and Sterijino Pozorje, as the biggest festival of domestic drama? Is something being done to address that issue or is everything left at the level of empty words and merely mentioning the need for such an institute? Gathered around Sterijino Pozorje is a group of theatrologists, representatives of the Theatre Museum of Vojvodina, the Serbia National Theatre, the Faculty of Philosophy, Matica Srpska and Sterijino Pozorje itself, who have spent several years publishing a collection of works dedicated to domestic theatrology. Work is being undertaken to create the conditions to launch an Institute, where continuous studies would be conducted covering the history and theory of Serbian theatre, the most important writers and works, theatres and festivals. Praiseworthy activities have been implemented to revive the theatre’s publishing work.

The Encyclopaedia of the Serbian National Theatre has finally been completed. Is there anything else that should be singled out among the theatre’s renewed publishing works and what plans do you have for the future? Yes, the first volume of the Encyclopaedia will be released from the printers soon. We’ve published several monographs dedicated to our exceptional directors (Savin, Mijač, Majera) and a monograph dedicated to Radul Bošković, who spent 40 years designing the visual identity of the Serbian National Theatre, while a monograph on great opera singer Miroslav Čangalović was published recently. We published a monograph to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Serbian National Theatre Ballet. We also plan to publish a monograph dedicated to 75 years of the Serbian National Theatre Opera and, of course, to that which our Drama ensemble has done over the last 30 years. We are continuing to publish works from the history of our theatre and also plan to publish original plays that we commissioned and staged. Is the current theatre model “outdated”, or do you think it should be improved and modernised while nurturing and preserving its positive aspects? Are you an advocate of the modern and traditional that ensures a theatre doesn’t lose sight of its fundamental mission? Just when those theorising the death of the theatre announce that it’s done or on the brink of collapse, the theatre renews and resurrects itself, showing its authentic strength and indestructibility. Much can be changed and modernised, except for that essence, which lies in the relationship between the performer and the audience, in that live contact and exchange of energy. That relationship hasn’t changed for thousands of years. That is the meaning, but also the mission of the theatre: to convey emotions, passions, love, positive energy… At the height of the novel coronavirus, in a world obsessed with caring for people’s health, the Serbian National Theatre showed that it thinks of its own audience, but also the audience of other countries. With the Italian conductor who led the orchestra, the director of the opera and Konstantin Blagojević, who composed the arrangement, you recorded our version of the famous song Bella ciao, as a sign of support for people around the world.

What do you think about the cultural scene in Serbia generally, and how would you assess the current situation at your theatre? I wouldn’t want to generalise. I would only state my impression of what I know best, and that’s the theatre scene. There turned out to be great theatres beyond Belgrade, in Vojvodina, then in Šabac, Gračanica, Niš… Of course, there is also the Serbian National Theatre. We have excellent cooperation with all of them, as well as with Belgrade theatres (primarily the Belgrade Drama Theatre), and we aspire to maintain and spread the theatrical arts, in order for audiences across the country to be able to see what’s best on Serbian theatre stages. The current situation at our theatre, when it comes to art ensembles, is at its creative pinnacle: all ensembles are achieving maximum results, regardless of the conditions under which we work, aggravated by the novel Coronavirus. There is a higher goal, and that is the result of a show (drama, opera, ballet).

Much can be changed and modernised, except for that essence, which lies in the relationship between the performer and the audience, in that live contact and exchange of energy. That relationship hasn’t changed for thousands of years. That is the meaning, but also the mission of the theatre: to convey emotions, passions, love, positive energy… With this deed, the Serbian National Theatre delighted the world. What did that feel like? That gesture surprised everyone, both at the Serbian National Theatre and beyond. He is original and humane at the same time. That combination of resourceful and spirituality touched the entire world.

Which of your successes make you proud and what are your further plans, primarily with regard to the repertoire? Do you generally consider new projects? I could list a lot. I’m proud of all three ensembles. The Drama ensemble has won dozens of awards at theatre festivals in Serbia and around the region, making notable appearances abroad. I would remind readers only of the noted performance of our Drama ensemble with the play Bridge on the Drina at the international festival in Seoul, South Korea. Or the guest appearances of our Opera ensemble in China, and prior to that in Lebanon and Hungary. Ballet was disrupted by the Coronavirus, but it is awaited by a European tour with the great ballet spectacle Madame Butterfly. We will soon have the world premiere of Cross Opera in Modena (Italy).That is a Creative Europe project that we participate in with the one-act play Dream, by Jasmina Mitrušić. New projects are under preparation. By year’s end we’ll have several premieres in the Drama section and a major concert by the Opera Orchestra. Do you manage to think about and plan for the future while burdened by the present? Or is it too early for that? Each new day is the realisation of a planned future.

December

CHILL OUT Longest Partial Lunar Eclipse in 600 Years The longest partial lunar eclipse since 1440 was spotted over Brisbane, Tokyo and New York overnight, turning the moon various shades of red. The celestial show saw the lunar disc almost completely cast in shadow as it moved behind the Earth, reddening 97 per cent of its face. It was visible throughout North America and parts of South America, with later parts of the show visible in Polynesia, Australia and northeast Asia. Pictures have been shared of the red moon, known as the ‘beaver blood full micro moon’, from around the world, showing various degrees of totality.

US Tourists Fined For Sneaking Into Rome’s Colosseum For A Beer Two American travellers likely racked up one of the priciest drinks bills in the Italian capital’s long history. The pair, both in their 20s, snuck into the Colosseum in the early hours of Monday morning to enjoy a beer. They were spotted sitting on the second ring of the ancient gladiator stadium at about 05:30 local time. But entry to the almost 2,000-yearold landmark is prohibited overnight. And while the drinks and the scenic surroundings may have been enjoyable at the time, it is unlikely to be something they repeat.

Shiba Inu Millionaire Retires After 700,000% Price Rise In 2021 A warehouse worker has quit their job and retired at the age of 35 after investing £6,000 in the meme-inspired cryptocurrency Shiba Inu. The risky bet turned the husband and father into a millionaire in less than a year, according to Fortune, after the meme coin sky rocketed in price by more than 700,000 per cent in 2021.

December

The 99-year-old Cyclist Who Has Won A World Silver Medal Kenneth Judd may be 99-years-old, but he is a cycling tour de force. The almost centenarian in October gained a silver medal in a global cycling competition that had more than 5,000 entrants. To win second place Mr Judd pedalled 2,348 miles (3,779 km) over 26 days. That’s an average of more than 90 miles per 24 hours, a distance that many of us of a younger age couldn’t cycle in one day, let alone for another 25 in a row. While he cycled, Mr Judd was able to enjoy quiet country lanes in his native Yorkshire, and the Lake District. Yet he was actually moving on the spot, using a high-tech exercise bike at a care home in Warwickshire. Now in its fifth year, the worldwide event is called Road Worlds For Seniors.

Northern Ireland To Scotland Bridge Plans Scrapped Plans to build a bridge or tunnel between Scotland and Northern Ireland have been ruled out due to forecasted costs and engineering challenges. A study examining if such a project was possible is expected to advise against proceeding with any proposals when it is released end of November. Transport expert Sir Peter Hendy, who was asked by the government to examine connections between the different parts of the UK, had concluded the project was not currently viable.

Adele Gets Spotify To Take Shuffle Button Off All Album Pages Adele has persuaded Spotify to take the shuffle button off all album pages so tracks play in the artist’s own order. The singer tweeted: “We don’t create albums with so much care and thought into our track listing for no reason. “Our art tells a story and our stories should be listened to as we intended. Thank you Spotify for listening.” The streaming service replied “anything for you”. A statement later hailed their “new premium feature... to make play the default button on all albums”.

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Holiday Styles 10 5

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December

Culture

calendar French-Serbian Film Meetings 1-3 December, Kombank Hall

As part of the Author’s Film Festival (26 November – 3 December), the sixth French-Serbian Film Meetings will be held from 1 to 3 December, organized by the French Institute, MegaCom Film, the Film Center of Serbia, the Ministry of Culture of Serbia and the Association for the Promotion of Independent Film ACID. The meetings will crown the successful film cooperation between France and Serbia through activities dedicated to the Seventh Art. Despite the difficult circumstances, due to the sanitary crisis, the French Institute and partners will work hard this year to deepen French-Serbian film cooperation, through topics for students and young professionals, exchange of good practices and activities aimed at strengthening the film capacities of these two countries. Belgrade will host French film experts who will exchange experiences with their Serbian colleagues on sustainable practices during filming, while representatives of the Young Ambassadors, the Serbian Cinema Screening Network, LUX Cinema and the ACID Association for the Promotion of Independent Film will hold a workshop on young audience development.

Club de lectura: “Las mujeres de la guerra, od Andrea Amosson” 16 December – Instituto Cervantes

Audio-book “From the Dark Forest to Paradise: A Path through Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy in ThirtyThree Languages” Italian Culture Institute Belgrade

On the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri (Florence, 1265 - Ravenna, 1321), the Italian Institute of Culture in Belgrade presents an audio book “From the Dark Forest to Paradise: A Path through Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy in Thirty-Three Languages”, dedicated once of the most significant literary works of all time, which provides a wide selection of this song in thirty-three different languages. The audio book was prepared by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation together with the Municipality of Ravenna and in cooperation with the Teatro delle Albe / Ravenna Theater, and published by the publishing house Emons Audiolibri.

December

At the next readers ’club of Instituto Cervantes, there will be talk about Andree Amosson’s novel Las mujeres de la guerra. Everyone is invited to participate with comments, questions, recommendations in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. The writer creates in a very easy way and with a lot of narrative ability, a historical novel that brings to the fore the forgotten heroines of all wars, those who sustain life contrary to any logic when the horror on the battle front was already released. Plot: Vera Ninković comes to Chile with her husband, a North American naturalist. The war of the Pacific begins in this area, which was not hers, but resembled the rage she experienced in the Balkans. The book is available in the electronic library of the Cervantes Institute.

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Halloween: The Official Movie Novelization John Passarella 1052rsd

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In 1978, Laurie Strode survived an encounter with Michael Myers, a masked figure who killed her friends and terrorized the town of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night. Myers was later gunned down, apprehended and committed to Smith’s Grove State Hospital. For forty years, memories of that nightmarish ordeal have haunted Laurie and now Myers is back once again on Halloween, having escaped a routine transfer, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. This time, Laurie is prepared with years of survival training to protect herself, her daughter Karen and her granddaughter Allyson, a teenager separated from her family and enjoying Halloween festivities.

“Howard Phillips Lovecraft is beginning to emerge as one of that tumultuous period’s most critically fascinating and yet enigmatic figures”, writes Alan Moore. But at the time of his death, Lovecraft was maligned by critics and ignored by the public. Leslie S. Klinger reanimates Lovecraft and charts the rise of the pulp writer. Lovecraft’s vast body of work-a mythos in which humanity is a blissfully unaware speck in a cosmos shared by ancient alien beings-is increasingly being recognised as the foundation for American horror and science fiction. With nearly 300 illustrations and more than 1,000 annotations, Klinger illuminates every hidden dimension of 22 of Lovecraft’s most canonical works.

Dorian Gray

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Dorian Gray is having his picture painted by Basil Hallward, who is charmed by his looks. But when Sir Henry Wotton visits, and seduces Dorian into the worship of youthful beauty with an intoxicating speech, Dorian makes a wish he will live to regret: that all the marks of age will now be reflected in the portrait, rather than on Dorian’s own face. The stage is now set for a masterful tale about appearance, reality, art, life, truth, fiction and the ultimate burden of conscience.

1916, Calcutta. A man pauses for breath outside the ruins of Jheeter’s Gate station knowing he has only hours to live. Pursued by assassins, he must ensure the safety of two newborn twins, before disappearing into the night to meet his fate. 1932. Ben and his friends are due to leave the orphanage which has been their home for sixteen years. Tonight will be the final meeting of their secret club, in the old ruin they christened The Midnight Palace. Then Ben discovers he has a sister - and together they learn the tragic story of their past, as a shadowy figures lures them to a terrifying showdown in the ruins of Jheeter’s Gate station.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

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From his Baker Street apartment, Sherlock Holmes wields his powers of deduction in pursuit of justice and truth, venturing out into foggy Victorian London accompanied by his faithful sidekick Dr Watson. This classic collection of Holmes tales includes many of the detective’s mostloved exploits: Holmes is confronted by a venomous snake in ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’, mystified by a missing thumb in ‘The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb’ and beguiled by a beautiful opera singer in ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’, never once losing his famous cool.

Following her bestselling, critically acclaimed The Silence of the Girls, Pat Barker continues her extraordinary retelling of one of our greatest myths. ‘Taut, masterly, wholly absorbing. Still one of the greatest stories ever written. A book that will be read in generations to come’ Daily Telegraph on The Silence of the Girls Troy has fallen. The Greeks have won their bitter war. They can return home as victors - all they need is a good wind to lift their sails. But the wind has vanished, the seas becalmed by vengeful gods, and so the warriors remain in limbo - camped in the shadow of the city they destroyed, kept company by the women they stole from it.

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&FACES PLACES

3/11/2021

Ambassador Of Cyprus Hosts President Of The House Of Representatives Ambassador of Cyprus to Serbia H.E. Demetrios A. Theophylactou hosted Annita Dimitriou, President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus, at his residence at a cocktail party organized in honor of her official visit to Belgrade. Annita Dimitriou is the first woman at the head of the parliament of Cyprus and the youngest chairwoman of one of the most important state institutions.

4/11/2021

Meetings Held In Belgrade As Part Of The Open Balkans Cooperation Initiative The presidents of Serbia and Albania, Aleksandar Vucic and Edi Rama, and the vice president of Northern Macedonia, Nikola Dimitrov, met at the Palace of Serbia in Belgrade as part of the Open Balkans initiative, which aims to increase trade and co-operation and improve relations. The initiative, initially called “mini-Schengen”, changed its name at the end of July, at a meeting in Skopje attended by the leaders of the three countries, Edi Rama, Zoran Zaev and Aleksandar Vucic, and it was agreed that from 1 January 2023 border controls between Serbia, Northern Macedonia and Albania will be abolished.

December

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5/11/2021

The Embassy Of India Celebrated Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day The Embassy of India in Belgrade celebrated Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Day on 5 November 2021. Besides senior officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government departments, a large number of ITEC alumni attended the event. In his address at the celebration, Indian Ambassador H. E. Mr. Sanjiv Kohli, gave an overview of the ITEC programme which covers over 300 training courses of different duration in premier training institutes of India to over 160 friendly foreign countries since 1964. Serbia is one of the ITEC partner countries and since 2008.

11/11/2021

The First Weaving Colony Opened In Novi Pazar The most recognizable carpets from Serbia, cilim, inscribed on the national list, in addition to Pirot and Stapar, are also the Sjenica-Peshter carpets. In order to fully affirm the most important segment of textile creativity in this region and preserve the technique of production, the first weaving colony was opened in Novi Pazar. The Etno Mreza, together with the city of Novi Pazar, NALED, the US Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, gathered weavers from all over Serbia to help preserve the intangible heritage of southwestern Serbia and economically empower women from these areas.

December

&FACES PLACES 15/11/2021

HBA Hosted The Deputy Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of Greece Hellenic Business Association of Serbia Board Members and its company representative members met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Konstantinos Frangogiannis, at the Greek Embassy, as part of his official visit to Belgrade. One of the most important topics of conversation was the challenges facing Greek companies in Serbia, as well as the possibility of assistance by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs in solving them. 16/11/2021

Foreign Investors Council Presented The White Book 2021 The Foreign Investors Council presented the White Book 2021 to the highest Government officials and marked its 19th anniversary. The presentation of this year’s edition was attended by numerous representatives of state bodies, embassies, as well as the stakeholder community. The White Book, written by FIC members, is the major product by which, for almost two decades, FIC gives recommendations aimed at supporting economic growth and better living standard of Serbian citizens. The conference was opened with introductory address by FIC President and Telenor CEO Mike Michel, followed by insight into the White Book 2021 by Editor-in-Chief Miroljub Labus, as well as addresses by Head of EU Delegation in Serbia Emanuele Giofre and Prime Minister of the Serbian Government Ana Brnabić.

December

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16/11/2021

IWC First Charity Fundraiser Of The Year The IWC’s November event, which took place on the afternoon of Tuesday November 16th, was a High Tea rather than the usual Coffee Morning. It was held in the luxurious Crystal Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Belgrade. Approximately 80 members and their guests were in attendance. IWC President Sonia Shehryar spoke to the gathering and introduced two special presentations. The first was a saree-draping demonstration led by IWC member Ruma Kohli, who is wife of the Indian ambassador to Serbia, and member Renu Rajan. The second presentation was a series of Bollywood dances performed by the dance group ‘Panna’. The High Tea event was followed by the club’s first charity fundraiser of the year, Chic for Charity, a silent auction of designer clothing donated by Serbian designers and members of IWC.

19/11/2021

Minister Of Foreign Affairs Met With The EU Ambassadors Accredited In Serbia Minister Selakovic underlined that membership in the EU is an absolute priority of our foreign policy and strategic commitment and added that we are fully dedicated to the reform process and the improvement of all segments of our society. He assessed that the dynamics of accession negotiations should be in line with our reform efforts, but that it is encouraging that this year’s report of the European Commission on Serbia’s progress has a more positive tone compared to the previous one.

December

&FACES PLACES

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19/11/2021

UNICEF’s First Exhibition And Auction Of Unique Digital Tokens Presented On the occasion of marking the 75th anniversary of UNICEF, the Ozone Gallery presented a special collection of unique digital tokens, better known as NFT, which will be exhibited until 11 December. Simultaneously with the exhibition, an online auction in cryptocurrency on the Ethereum blockchain begun, which was made with the expert support of ECD and MVP Workshop. The online auction takes place on the website www.donacije.unicef.rs/nft, and UNICEF invites all companies and people of good will who trade cryptocurrencies to compete and thus help children with disabilities. All proceeds from the sale of unique digital tokens will be used to procure assistive technology that helps children with disabilities.

23/11/2021

Farewell Reception For Ambassador Of Korea To Serbia A cocktail reception was held to bid farewell to the Ambassador of Korea to Serbia H.E. Hyoung-chan Choe, who is leaving Serbia at the end of his fouryear term. The reception was held at the Ambassadorial Residence, and attended by many members of the diplomatic community, officials from the public, political and civil sectors.

December

Sustainability

COMMENT

Do Acceptable SDG Goal

TRADE-OFFS EXIST?

Sometimes, when lucrative opportunities for economic growth arise, both governments and businesses look for trade-offs among the SDG targets that can be made at the expense of citizen wellbeing, thus pushing sustainable resource use, along with other commitments stemming from Agenda 2030, to the periphery of their attention

ustainability is most often defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The concept has three main pillars: economic, environmental and social, which were transcribed into UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and adopted in 2015. The SDGs address economic and social goals, as well as ecological sustainability challenges. That is to say, both globally and at the national level, countries that embrace the SDGs subscribe to an approach that places the same priority on efforts like improving living conditions for those in need and preserving the ecological integrity of the planet for future generations. Yet, this task is made tougher by the fact that opportunities for economic growth may sometimes jeopardise sustainable resource use. Thus, both governments and businesses

Sustainability

Mining is seen as one of the industries that will be pushed by regulators to adhere to “net zero”, as the major guiding principle for business that was reinforced at the recent COP26 Conference in Glasgow. This is certainly important information for Serbia, where mining is increasingly being considered as a vehicle for accelerated growth deliberate over whether to seek trade-offs among the SDG targets that come at the expense of citizen wellbeing. The recent 26th UN climate change conference, officially known as the 26th Conference of the Parties (or COP26), which took place in Glasgow, clearly suggested that Climate Change (SDG 13) might play a pivotal role in fulfilling

all of the SDGs, if not the majority of them. In other words, it seems that achieving the 2030 Agenda will be impossible without achieving serious progress in addressing climate change. As a result, all countries are expected to revise their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to reflect this ambition and come up with a detailed plan of how they will reduce the level of harmful greenhouse gases that they emit. This is certainly relevant for Serbia, which hasn’t exerted sufficient efforts to contribute to the overall goal of restricting global warming to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels. One of the major steps in that direction is moving towards a green economy and clean renewable energy. These are today key terms that can be heard across domestic state administration, businesses and among ordinary citizens and which demand that commitments made public are turned into an applied reality. It goes without saying that companies play an important role in that endeavour. Some of those that already embraced the SDGs as part of their market strategy, in order to distinguish themselves among others as responsible citizens, are now turning to “net zero” as the major guiding principle of their businesses. In that respect, it is important to know that metals mining is considered one of the world’s dirtiest industries, responsible for at least 10% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. One of the outcomes of COP26 is expected to be the applying of further pressure on mining companies to become more responsible through increased regulation aimed at reducing emissions. Many see climate change litigation and the rise in climate activism, climate disclosures and sustainable financing as the key factors that will shape public attitudes towards economic opportunities that stem from mining.

Sustainability

INTERVIEW PETAR ĐUKIĆ, FULL PROFESSOR OF THE FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY AND METALLURGY, UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE

FORCING THE LAUNCH OF MINING

COULD PROVE CALAMITOUS We haven’t responded to many of the challenges confronting sustainable development in Serbia. Still, there is one thing that has improved. And that is environmental awareness and the culture of sustainability, especially among the smaller, younger and particularly educated sections of the population. If we work on that even more, new generations will be much more responsible towards their heritage than we’ve been

n the ongoing discussions of the current juncture pertaining to various projects that have a strong environmental impact, we get the impression that the Serbian public is drastically polarised and perceives environmental protection and economic development as diametrically opposed extreme poles without a “middle ground”. Do we need to

Sustainability

better select projects, or to set different public policies regulating economic development, or to deal with the better provision of information? To find answers to these and other questions, we spoke with Petar Đukić, a professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy and an expert in the field of sustainable development.

“Polarisation didn’t arise from the ecological perception of reality, but rather from the shaken integrity of the government and trust in it, but also due to the crisis of all social values caused by the destruction of institutions that had collapsed already. It is similar across almost the whole world. Institutions only function if you are certain that people’s will and power will not

SILENCE

LIMITATIONS

SHORTCOMINGS

Every government sometimes gets into a public interest conflict, but scientists and experts should never permit that to happen to them. They have no right to passivity and silence

Here in the Balkans, we’re individually too weak, powerless and small, and the regional effects of climate change are too strong for us to have our own national strategies

Global policies are insufficiently integrated into our institutional frameworks, which ensures they’re not sufficiently operable at a practical level

be above institutions and laws. Thence arises also this polarisation, which leads nowhere,” says our interlocutor. To what extent are the debates that we have on this topic in Serbia indigenous and specific to our circumstances, and to what extent do they represent an echo of the very serious debates on economic progress and sustainability that are currently being held at the world level? Current debates addressing the climate are gaining an increasingly global tone (the impact of UN action, from Rio 1992 to Glasgow 2021), but for us also an essential European one (EU Green Agenda and Green Plan for the Balkans 2020), and finally a national-regional tone, which we still need to establish, if we think positively of everyone in the region. Here in the Balkans, we’re individually too weak, powerless and small, and the regional effects of climate change are too strong for us to have our own national climate change response strategies and mechanisms. We need purposeful joint action, devoid of any kind of national, ideological our great-state prejudice. This are issues that rise above all ideologies, and even “national” politics. As an economist, how do you view the idea that our understanding of economic growth as the continuous production of an ever-increasing volume and number of goods and services must change completely? I’m not a supporter of the “must” category. At the end of the day, we all see that in life nothing is a “must” except death. Precisely in order for the life of the Planet not to be extinguished prematurely, from a cosmic perspective, people should do as much as they can (and together they can do a lot) to prevent its accelerated extinction. Now, how much can people do? They can do a lot more than they’ve shown and done to date. Specifically, if you apply the “polluter-user pays” principle, whether in the form of taxes, charges or penalty costs, you will get better economic behaviour among the people around the society. Today there are current fees for the use of water,

If you only apply the “polluter-user pays” principle, whether in the form of taxes, charges or penalty costs, you will get better economic behaviour among the people around the society natural materials and materials from the land, but they are not high enough – not even around the world, let alone in our country. How come companies are showing so much interest in natural resources? This kind of an offensive on resources stems from several relevant factors: first, natural materials, and with them mineral fuels, have not lost their importance as the raw materials required for industrial development, like it seemed they would during the last decades of the 20th century. Large and small companies, as well as states and regional economies like that of the EU, are aware of that fact. Second, demand for natural

resources is currently rising sharply due to the perception of a rapid increase in global economic activity following the recession caused by the pandemic. Third, additional fuel for searching for and redistributing natural resources around the world provides information on the ultra-ecological future of industries and technologies, especially following the information that emerged from the Panel on Climate Change and after the global conferences addressing the climate and environment. Transitioning to new economic-technological structures and carbon-zero technologies is neither a simple nor a short-term thing. Therefore (and this is the reasoning of companies and many “industrialised nations”), it is not bad to continue utilising what we can in the old way, and under the given prices and conditions, before new, increasingly restrictive environmental standards enter into force. Finally, there is the regional-national aspect. If some project cannot make it through the standards, laws and ecological culture of one’s own country, then it still can in some other country where labour, capital, knowledge, and even natural resources, have a much lower price tag. To what extent are global policies related to the introduction of circular economy principles reflected in our institutional framework and operationalised at a practical level? The circular economy is just a complete notion; a model like the previous one on sustainable development (encompassing much more than the economy), and later the “green economy”, and now the latest ones like “bioeconomy” and even “climate economy”. These terms are almost the same in terms of content, differing only in terms of the focus of analyses. If you primarily have in mind closing the cycle of useful energy and fully utilised waste when designing an industrial process, i.e., a procedure that doesn’t contribute to disturbing the ecosystem in any way, without harmful emissions or depleting resources, then that’s a circular economy (an ecologically encircled economic system). And if the priority of your product and process design is to have a favourable impact on the

Sustainability

INTERVIEW body. The second reason is that professional associations and scientific societies try, to a great extent, not to offend the authorities, so they avoid open and critical discussions of public projects, confining themselves to the theory and not venturing into the domain of development policies. Finally, interests are a wonder, with many scholars or prestigious cultural workers having been bought off or threatened to be deprived of their privileges, directorship positions or the benefits of managing state projects etc.

climate, i.e., to contribute positively to climate action, it is called “climate economy”. Those who would like to copy nature in their processes and reproduction (an economy that has no leftovers, such as the complete exchange of matter and energy between the Sun, Earth, plants, animals, fungi and bacteria) then it is “bioeconomy”. All of these new terms are welcome, though I personally prefer to have one. And that one is sustainable development, because it relates not only to the economy, but rather also to society, politics, social institutions, culture etc. Sustainable development exceeds the goals of any sector-specific strategy and policy, which is why we need a strategy for how to further develop as a whole. We had a sustainable development strategy, which unfortunately “expired” in 2017, without an adequate replacement. The climate strategy, the draft of which is currently being finetuned, is not a sufficient substitute for sustainable development. To what extent is the academic community included in the shaping of these policies, both at the general level and at the level of consulting and seeking expert opinions regarding major projects that are launched and have a fundamental impact on economic and social development processes? The academic community in our country, like any other section of the public and profession, is deeply divided, according to seams of interest. Those who are involved to more in official projects (with some exceptions) mostly try to explain that something being promoted by the government must be done by you, because that is the best solution. The other part has the opposite stance. A pronounced example of that is the expert assessment of the architecture and infrastructure of Belgrade, the Belgrade metro, the opening of mines in Serbia, new settlements and projects beginning with the Belgrade gondola, masts and monuments, all the way to the residential complex on the Makiš field near Belgrade’s source of communal water. There is no discussion over which of these is risky and how much, acceptable or unacceptable, or regarding alternative solutions. It must be recognised, however, that academic independence and the honourable influence of experts are still silent and (rarely) speak up, like the announcements and statements of 90% of lecturers at the Faculty of Civil

Sustainability

None of the few remaining mines of metallic and non-metallic raw materials operating in our country are environmentally friendly or able to be. But that doesn’t mean we can’t also discuss sustainable (not “green”) mining Engineering regarding the poor and harmful choice of metro rail lines for Belgrade. Based on that and this kind of professional academic courage, I expect us to reach a rebellion and a presenting of the joint stance of experts from the Faculty of Transportation, the Jaroslav Černi Water Institute, the Hydrology Department of the Faculty of Mining, Civil Engineering and other faculties regarding public projects, regardless of any government structure. Do we, as a public, have the opportunity to hear all the arguments that would help us make decisions? We don’t, for multiple reasons. First and foremost, because (every) government tries maximally to block such debates and arguments, through the granting of short deadlines or by reducing public debates to online conferences, for example under the direction of the Chamber of Commerce, as a parastate

To what extent do we have well-established taxation and other instruments at the level of companies that would encourage the business sector to seek solutions for their businesses that take into account issues of sustainability? The state should duly review and adjust the mineral resource rent tax, pollution taxes and other fees in accordance with new scientific discoveries, monitoring the state of resources and the advancement of raising awareness. In Serbia’s contemporary mining sector, you have the greatest environmental and developmental damages, i.e., health damages, and even long-term social damages from the operations of Kolubara and Kostolac within the EPS framework. The second most harmful mining-industrial activity is the existing mining of copper and some gold in Bor (Chinese company Zijin Copper), the Smederevo Steelworks (we won’t mention individual fireboxes and traffic at present). Finally, there are only a few remaining mines of metallic and non-metallic raw materials. None of these mines are environmentally friendly or able to be. But that doesn’t mean we can’t also discuss sustainable (not “green”) mining. Nonetheless, a huge fuss has arisen (only partially justified by research) and the much more important (opening) of the lithium and boron mines. There is no dialogue, with both sides pushing their own agenda. This definitely won’t bring a stop to mining around the world and in Serbia, just as it won’t be possible to launch sustainable mining with the help of party pressures and the instrumentalising of a referendum. The most dangerous thing would be to force the launch of mining against the will of the people, and for people to carry out some obstructions, as is happening around the world.

KSENIJA KARIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO BUSINESS

A SUSTAINABLE

FUTURE IS ATTAINABLE

It was in 2005 that Schneider Electric introduced its first sustainability barometer, as an early adopter of ESG matters. The company has set ambitious targets, such as reaching carbon neutrality in its operations by 2025, while up to 72 per cent of its revenue today is green

ur company celebrates the 20th anniversary of its successful operations in Serbia next year.The core of our strategy is to build a sustainable business and company. Customers, employees, partners and investors have never been more focused on ESG considerations than they are now - says Schneider Electric General Manager for Serbia and Montenegro Ksenija Karić, speaking in this CorD interview. Sustainability has been one of the hot topics in recent years. How does Schneider Electric, as the world’s most sustainable company, view the tackling of this challenge? We strive to help others participate actively in resolving such an important issue by using adequate software and solutions. This means that we don’t only tend to be a role model in the manner we run our operations, but that we are also part of the solution for many of our clients, and that is the model everyone should follow. We plan to enable 1,000 companies – our major suppliers – to cut GHG emissions by 50 per cent by 2025, using our EcoStruxure platform. Over the past 15 years alone, we have saved 120 tons of CO₂ emissions and provided access to energy for about 30 million people worldwide. Energy demand is ever-increasing and will be up to 40 times higher a century from now. Is decarbonisation the way to reach a sustainable supply system? Where can one start? We believe that a more electric and digital world is key to a sustainable and resilient future. It is estimated that energy demand for cooling will increase threefold over the next 30 years, and that overall consumption will rise by up to 62 per cent by 2050. The way to meet these growing needs is to use energy in a better-quality and more rational manner. Innovation today relies heavily on both electric and digital. From gadgets that make our

Over the past 15 years alone, we have saved 120 tons of CO2 emissions and provided access to energy for about 30 million people worldwide lives better, via digital home-working, to e-mobility. And Schneider Electric is helping drive change in the world to make our customers and partners’ operations more sustainable. For businesses and consumers, renewable energy sources represent a fast-track to fulfilling decarbonisation-related pledges. However, it is necessary to point out the need for an integrated approach to improving energy productivity, including the decarbonisation of cities, which account for nearly 70 per cent of global CO₂ emissions today and consume 78 per cent of energy around the planet, as well as the necessity for transport electrification, the decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems and enabling flexible demand, combined with providing specific recommendations and sharing experiences regarding these concepts.

Can digitalisation and investments in Industry 4.0 contribute to further economic development? How does Schneider Electric participate in this process? We strive to be a role model and play an important role in creating a carbon-free world, while helping clients to operate more sustainably with significant cost-cutting. This means that digitalisation and Industry 4.0, coupled with Electricity 4.0, contribute to improving economic competitiveness. The latest addition to our portfolio is SM AirSeT, our green and digital SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear. SM AirSeT is a leap forward for sustainability, using pure air and vacuum switching technology, instead of SF6 gas, and allowing users to take full advantage of digital features to unlock the value of data. By introducing the new SF6-free technology, we have taken a crucial step forward in power grid decarbonisation. Such medium-voltage switchgear has already been installed in the substations of users across Europe, including E.ON, Sweden, and GreenAlp, France.

Sustainability

INTERVIEW JOVANA CVETKOVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT, TECHNICAL OPERATIONS AND INNOVATION AT MPC PROPERTIES

GREEN BUILDING & SUSTAINABLE

REAL ESTATE PORTFOLIO

The Navigator Business Center 2 is a recipient of the LEED GOLD certificate, which is yet another in the series of these certificates that MPC Properties already possesses in its portfolio. It was this latest certification that prompted us to speak with Jovana Cvetković, director of development, technical operations and innovation at MPC Properties

PC’s strategy is building and development of modern business and retail assets in accordance with the highest world standards. In the development process, we pay special attention to the green building principles and the impact they have on users and the environment.. As a market leader, we at MPC think long-term, and we don’t make any compromises when it comes to the quality and sustainability of our assets, which we are also recognised for on the market. Our job is not only to build and develop an asset, but also to manage it, so it is extremely important that the facilities we build are sustainable and functional, and the ultimate goal is to build sustainable assets

Sustainability

that achieve Building Resilience for Climate, People and Economies. Over the course of the past 10 years, MPC has contributed to the promotion of green building, and thus we today have three buildings that have been designed and built in accordance with those principles: the Navigator Business Center 1 and 2 have been built according to the LEED Gold standard; UŠĆE Tower Two was constructed according to the BREEAM standard, while UŠĆE Shopping Center is one of the first and the largest certified shopping centers in the region and Europe, thanks to LEED-EBOM certification (LEED Certified Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance) covering the area of existing, operational facilities. MPC Properties also confirms its commitment to green building by being an active member of the Serbian Green Building Council. The crucial green building strategy is that during the development of the project, its entire life cycle is considered, which starts from the idea, planning, design, through the execution of works, all the way to the operations. MPC Properties deals not only with the construction of assets but also with their management and maintenance, so it is very important for us to manage the entire development of the project, bearing in mind that after the investment in green building systems, significant savings will be achieved during operation.

Through the certification process, the quality of the facility is improved, and through adequate selection of equipment and proper mode of operation of technical systems, optimal space comfort is achieved, which further contributes to reducing energy consumption (electricity, heat, cooling) and water consumption, reducing waste… reduction of harmful impact on the environment (reduction of harmful gas emissions, increase of efficiency, reduction of waste and protection of watercourses). Accordingly, it contributes to the preservation of collective health, but also gives an example to the professional and general public about the importance and benefits of applied green building.

When it comes to environmental protection, MPC Properties also integrated its vast experience of real estate development and management during the concept design process for the exceptional UŠĆE Tower Two business building. When devising the concept for this business facility, we wanted to shift the boundaries of the domestic market and keep pace with current global trends and properties now being developed in Europe’s major business hubs, primarily London, Vienna and Warsaw, which is why this building is the first in Serbia to apply new natural ventilation technology. Thanks to this system, the excellent air quality of the space is secured with minimal energy consumption. Similarly, the area surrounding this business complex has been enriched with indigenous plant species, which serves to additionally create an environment that stimulates creativity and encourages healthy productivity. We’re additionally improving and shifting the boundaries of the market with each subsequent project, so our next step is to introduce WELL health and safety certification for the entire portfolio of MPC Properties – UŠĆE SC, BEO SC, Mercator, IOC, Ušće Towers 1 and 2 and the Navigator Business Complex. This certificate is particularly important to us, considering the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, and is also a way to integrate the best world practices into our system and operations, thus contributing to the betterment of the entire community. We are currently in the development phase of a comprehensive social responsibility strategy that’s harmonised with ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors, at the level of the entire MPC system, which will be applied to our properties.

MPC Properties is one of Southeast Europe’s most experienced real estate development platforms, with deep market knowledge, broad deal experience and assets with the highest standards. MPC has developed over 30 retail and office projects, which have been established since the company’s 2002 foundation. The company is primarily dedicated to investing in and managing real estate, with the key objective of increasing value through active initiatives. When it comes to design and construction technologies, as well as compliance with green building standards, MPC delivers an efficient and sustainable portfolio. MPC possesses or manages different types of properties, including high shopping centers, street retail outlets, prime office space and mixed-use projects. Sustainability

BUSINESS APATIN BREWERY

SUSTAINABILITY AS A CRUCIAL PART OF OUR BUSINESS Corporate social responsibility is a crucial and inseparable part of our company’s operations, both at the global level and individual brewery level. In each segment of our business, and with the participation of all our stakeholders, we create different programmes and projects that have social responsibility as their common denominator far invested around 130,000 euros in the procurement of 135 alcometers and 50,000 alcometer mouthpieces.

ur CSR policy is aimed at both the PEOPLE and the PLANET, and stands firmly on the following pillars: 1. Responsibly refreshing – in which we advocate responsible consumption of alcohol through numerous projects, such as the “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE” project; 2. Sustainable brewing – which means applying a responsible approach to production processes, within the scope of which we would single out our construction – worth RSD13 million – of the waste water treatment plant that now has the additional purpose of generating power as a by-product of treatment; 3. Collectively crafted

Sustainability

– our responsibility towards the community, where we initiate or support numerous organisations or projects; 4. Employee wellbeing – we promote the striking of a balance between career and personal life, and introduce numerous employee benefits while at the same time observing all the principles of diversity and inclusion. We thus became the first FMCG sector company in Serbia to be awarded the Family Friendly certificate. 1 5 YEARS OF “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE” CAMPAIGN This is one of our most enduring CSR projects, which we conduct in partnership with the Ministry of Interior, Traffic

Police Directorate and Road Traffic Safety Agency. Within the scope of this campaign, over the past 15 years, the Brewery has remained committed to educating consumers in order to draw attention to all the negative consequences of consuming alcohol prior to driving. In addition to using interesting methods to instruct consumers about the negative effects alcohol has on their motor skills, it also prompts them not to sit behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, but rather to use alternative transport to return home – to call a taxi or a friend to give them a ride; to walk or use public transport. We this year donated 600 reflective vests to traffic police. We’ve so

LASS PACKAGING G MANAGEMENT IN THE WESTERN BALKANS Apatin Brewery, together with German international development agency GIZ, NALED and company Sekopak, has been implementing the project “Glass Packaging Management in the Western Balkans”. Our €150,000 investment was used to procure infrastructure elements in the form of collection containers, as many as 600 of them for collecting glass packaging waste, all for the purpose of increasing the amount of glass packaging collected by 20%. In this way, a profitable system of glass waste treatment and recycling would be established in Serbia and around the region, thus improving the existing system of extended producer responsibility. In addition to investing in infrastructure and increasing the amounts of recyclable material of collected, this project also aims to educate – not only consumers and other people, but also local communities and public utility companies – and thus contribute to strengthening the overall capacities of local communities in this area of operations.

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BUSINESS ANA PEROVIĆ, ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT MANAGER AT ELEVENES

BILLION-EURO GREEN FACTORY FOR LFP BATTERIES UNDER CONSTRUCTION On the site of Subotica's former '29. novembar' factory, start-up ElevenEs – part of the multinational Al Pack Group that operates in the aluminium packaging and processing industry – is building the first major factory for LFP batteries in Europe

he project is also receiving significant support from EIT InnoEnergy, the most active global investor in the area of sustainable energy in Europe, in the low-carbon development sector, which has engaged in the project as an important facilitator and investor. The adaptation of existing production facilities and the construction of new ones, along with the installing of equipment, will unfold over the course of the next year; pilot production will commence at the start of 2023, while commercial production is expected to be launched in 2024, announces Perović. ElevenEs, an industrial development project of the multinational Al Pack Group, which specialises in aluminium processing and has already spent 25 years operating on the packaging market, has developed its own technology for the production of lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. After two years researching and developing LFP batteries, the company recently opened a modern research & development

Sustainability

centre in Subotica, where a team of international engineers and scientists works. Batteries based on LFP technology, unlike regular batteries, don’t contain cobalt and nickel, which makes production cleaner and more sustainable. These batteries have a lifespan that’s several times longer, are safer, deliver more power faster and are primarily intended for electric cars, buses, trucks, forklifts and other vehicles, as well as for energy storage linked to solar power plants and wind farms. The first battery factory in Europe to use this technology will be built on the site of Subotica’s former giant ’29. novembar’ factory.The complex will extend over an area of 30 hectares, with facilities occupying 160,000 square metres. Envisaged capital investments are estimated at around a billion euros, while the investment should reach 550 million euros by mid-2024, excluding investments in development. The factory itself will be constructed in several phases over the course of the next six years. The initial period will see the creation of a plant for the production of electrodes and the assembly and electro-formation of cells, while production activities will expand over time to encompass the production of other input raw

materials, including cathode material. Within the scope of the complex, there will also be a recycling centre for battery production waste. Following completion of the development of the first product line, a green “mega factory” will be created and will produce 300 MWh annually. After two years, production will be expanded to 8 GWh, while after 2028 and the finalisation of the complete investment, production is expected to reach 16 GWh annual. To clarify these capacities, 16 GWh equates to more than a billion of the

Envisaged capital investments are estimated at around a billion euros, while the investment should reach 550 million euros by mid-2024 batteries that are found in contemporary mobile phones, while translated into vehicles – it would equate to enough batteries for almost 330,000 fullyelectriccars.Althoughthistypeofproduction is highly automated, there will certainly be more than 1,800 people employed in development and production at that juncture.

SANELA VELJKOVSKI , PROJECT MANAGER, BUSINESS OPEN REGIONAL FUNDS FOR SOUTH EAST EUROPE - MODERNISATION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES, DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT (GIZ) GMBH

THE BELL TOLLS FOR

GLASS RECYCLING

In an effort to improve the percentage of glass packaging waste that's collected and recycled, German development cooperation has joined forces with private companies from the Western Balkans to implement the project 'Enabling a Cost-Effective Glass Recycling Value Chain in the Western Balkans’

result of establishing the preconditions for the cost-effective treatment and recycling of glass waste in the Western Balkan region.

orking through its development partnership mechanism, GIZ is combining its efforts with those of private companies, with the aim of responding jointly to the greatest challenges to the realising of the Sustainable Development Goals

What is the current situation in the field of glass packaging waste management in the Western Balkans? Environmental protection concerns are similar in all Western Balkan countries and joint efforts – through cooperation and exchanges of best practices – are not only useful, but rather essential. As a type of packaging waste, which is one the fastest growing forms of waste worldwide, glass packaging represents one of the few materials that are 100% recyclable and can be subjected to an infinite number of recycling circuits. Unfortunately, the low quantities of glass collected and insufficient management of glass waste recycling have resulted in most used glass packaging ending up in landfill sites or illegal dumps, where it takes more than 5,000 years to decompose. As for the waste sector generally, the main shortcomings for glass waste management lie in the infrastructure enabling collection and the development of sustainable solutions. Tell us something about your Project “Enabling a Cost-Effective Glass Recycling Value Chain in the Western Balkans”. Why is this project so important?

The main shortcomings for glass waste management lie in the infrastructure enabling collection and the development of sustainable solutions The project is built on a strong partnership between GIZ and packaging waste management operators SEKOPAK, with the support of Molson Coors’ Apatin Brewery from Serbia, EKOPAK from Bosnia-Herzegovina and PAKOMAK from North Macedonia. Serbia’s NALED (National Alliance for Local Economic Development), North Macedonia’s ZELS (Association of the Units of Local Self-Government) and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s regional development agency REDAH contribute to this partnership - as civil society organisations - with their capacities and experiences. All of the institutions included are aiming to realise the common

What are the results to date of the joint investment, advisory support and awareness-raising measures to improve rates of glass waste collection? During 2021, more than 1,000 glass collection containers have been installed in 14 pilot cities and municipalities throughout North Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. These waste collection containers, named Bells, have been introduced in Bitola, Štip, Gevgelia, Ilinden, Skopje, Tetovo, Niš, Sombor, Varvarin, Kragujevac, Ilidža, Novi Travnik, Bihać and Konjic. The joint investment, advisory support and awareness-raising measures to improve collection of glass waste have met with positive reactions among the citizens of these communities and resulted in glass collection rates having already increased by over 20%. How does the recent inclusion of the City of Belgrade in the project contribute to improving its results? Being aware of the importance of green projects to citizens, and their environment and living conditions, we would like to highlight the fact that the City of Belgrade officially joined our Project recently. As the region’s biggest city, Belgrade has – according to all factors – very specific elements for the organisation of primary separation, which can result in us having both a bigger impact and a new learning experience. Building upon this investment in collection infrastructure and lessons learned, the Project will prepare municipal models to establish adequate glass recycling systems that can be further disseminated to other municipalities in Serbia and around the region.

Sustainability

BUSINESS

UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA TH MARKS 20 ANNIVERSARY WITH LAUNCH OF CSR PROJECT 2,000 dinars from each loan granted during November and December 2021 will be used for CSR projects over the next year

or each cash loan and refinancing loan exceeding RSD200,000 that’s granted during November and December 2021, UniCredit will allocate RSD2,000 for CSR projects to be implemented during 2022. As part of its campaign, entitled “20 years of striving together to start good things”, UniCredit will began celebrating the 20th anniversary of its operations in Serbia. The funds raised over the course of these two months will be used by UniCredit for activities to support the society and local communities, with the goal of preserving and protecting the environment and natural resources in Serbia.

Now that we are marking this important milestone, we wished to do something together with our clients, who have always been at the core of our operations - Nikola Vuletić, CEO UniCredit Bank Serbia UniCredit Bank Serbia, which is part of UniCredit Group – a successful pan-European banking group – has been present on the Serbian market since 2001. During the 20 years of its successful operations in our country, UniCredit Bank Serbia has financed numerous green economy projects and conducted a large number of CSR activities. It has also been the local market leader in financing energy from wind farms, having financed five of the nine wind farm projects implemented in Serbia. “During all the years of UniCredit’s presence in Serbia, we have always strived to be more than a bank, to make a difference and leave a mark with our operations, approach and contribution. Now

Sustainability

that we are marking this important milestone, we wished to do something together with our clients, who have always been at the core of our operations; something with which we hope to forever pay back the community in which we live and work. We are aware of the importance of protecting and preserving the environment and natural resources.That’s why we will dedicate our 20th anniversary campaign to activities focused on specific financial assistance, as well as raising awareness of the importance of protecting and investing in our country’s natural resources,

because it is only when we preserve everything that we have that we can be certain that we will be able to celebrate the next 20 years, and that we will do so in a better and nicer environment,” says UniCredit Serbia CEO Nikola Vuletić. As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, UniCredit will publish the amount of funds raised on its website every day until the end of the year. These funds will be invested in projects aimed at protecting and preserving Serbia’s natural resources and wonders that need support the most

Sustainability

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION

PROTECTS SERBIA

Sustainable construction reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources, promotes the use of renewable energy sources, minimises waste, creates healthier and more rational spaces for living and working, and protects the environment

he great migration of populations to all the major cities of the world, including ours, primarily Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac, has led to their accelerated expansion and development of housing. Unfortunately, this growth has a huge impact on the environment, largely negative, because developing the urban habitat requires a huge consumption of natural resources. New buildings have an impact on the environment through a large number of processes

Sustainability

(production of building materials, transport, construction, installation of materials…) that can cause environmental damage. Also in the course of the building itself, the site produces waste and noise that also have a major impact on the environment. The urban environment restricts freedom of positioning in relation to natural resources, but on the other hand, existing infrastructure facilitates supply construction sites and buildings; outside the city this infrastructure

would have to be planned and built, affecting the environment. Unfortunately, natural resources are not unlimited, nor are they easy to replenish. For that reason, the World Commission on Environment and Development introduced the concept of sustainable development back in 1987. It defines this as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

When this complex concept is applied to construction and architecture, the goal is to minimize the negative impact on the environment, energy consumption, and the use of human resources. Sustainable building is reflected in the materials used to erect the building, the construction methods, the resources expended and the design in general. Although new facilities built in accordance with the principles of sustainable construction are expected to be functional and aesthetically superior, it is also important to achieve long-term energy efficiency. Sustainable construction reduces energy consumption in all phases of the life cycle of a building, from concept and construction to final exploitation, making new and newly renovated buildings cheaper to maintain and live

that use as little energy as possible. To reduce the consumption of electricity for the operation of cooling devices during the summer, you should choose thermostable or triple glass on the windows, devices that provide shade and natural cooling, advanced insulation materials in the walls, surround the building with greenery ... Sustainable buildings often have “living walls”, roof gardens with flowers, lots of plants, trees and shrubs watered with rainwater collected in tanks instead of gutters that empty into the drains. The principle of sustainable building puts the use of ecological materials in a high second place, at the very top of the list of priorities, to draw attention to nature protection.We must use high quality, environmentally friendly materials

The principle of sustainable building puts the use of ecological materials at the very top of the priority list to draw attention to the protection of nature in, and more suitable for the environment. This way of building also helps the building’s users, whether of a residential or business building, to more efficiently use energy sources that are becoming more expensive and less accessible. The concept of sustainable building is based on five eco-principles - smart design, use of environmentally friendly materials, energy efficiency, rational water consumption and environmental protection. In the area of smart design, it is important to choose a good location, a place exposed to the sun and protected from strong winds, because this reduces heating costs, i.e. energy consumption, whether it is electricity, gas or oil ... Simply put, the goal is to design buildings

with specific performance characteristics. This means long-lasting or easily renewable materials, recycled materials or those that can be easily recycled themselves. Ecological materials also include wood from sustainable sources, alternatives to cement whose production creates lower emissions of carbon dioxide and building elements that have been professionally removed from demolished buildings. There are many smart and simple ways to make a building energy efficient, especially with individual housing because it is possible to make a house with zero electricity consumption. Energy efficiency means taking into account the consumption of energy for heating, cooling, lighting, operating machines and small household

appliances,… Energy monitoring systems and solar collectors are introduced and alternative energy sources are used. Sustainable buildings are increasingly turning to the use of energy from solar panels on roofs, and around the world local windmills, geothermal pumps and various other sources are already being used. Although every living thing on the planet depends on clean, unpolluted, healthy water, we take this very limited resource for granted. The tap should not be turned off only while brushing your teeth, water should be stored as much as possible. Although Serbia has over 400 sources of drinking water, climate change and rising global temperatures can lead to a shortage of drinking water. That this is a realistic risk can be seen in the fact that in the past 20 years, the flow of water through Serbia has dropped by 20 percent and that its quality has deteriorated, as shown by an analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency. For this reason, the principles of sustainable construction require that in the design devices should be provided that reduce water consumption, enable its reuse, and in certain cases use atmospheric water. A healthy environment is one of the most important eco-principles and should be protected because the natural resources that make up air, water, land, forests, geological resources, flora and fauna are not inexhaustible and eternal. To have successful and healthy communities, we must have clean air, sufficiently clean and healthy water, natural resources and a non-toxic environment. Setting up a strong waste disposal plan at the beginning of a project will ensure that nothing will be left over that should not be. Following this advice will lead to a more responsible, environmentally friendly project in practically every respect. That is why you should always keep in mind that sustainable building is not only good for the environment, although that is a fantastic reason for adopting sustainable practices. It means saving resources and using recycled and renewable materials, while the use of sustainable materials is also beneficial for people’s overall health. When the works are completed, the focus should be on restoring the site as close as possible to its original condition. Besides dismantling all scaffolding, removing machines and tools, and cleaning up the remains of construction materials, it may be necessary to replace the top layer of soil and sow it with indigenous vegetation.

Sustainability

SUSTAINABLE FINANCING

A CAPITAL-MARKETS UNION IS THE

KEY TO GREENING EUROPE In the absence of a true capital-markets and banking union, the European Union will not be able to mobilise the financing it needs to support its green, digital transformation. Europeans must once again turn a crisis into an impetus for deeper integration

ean Monnet, an architect of the European Union, once said that European unity “will be forged in crises, and will be the sum of the solutions adopted for those crises.” The past decade and a half has provided further confirmation of Monnet’s prediction. Contrary to forecasts by many eminent economists, the EU Economic and Monetary Union survived the euro debt crisis and is still going strong, thanks to

Sustainability

the European Stability Mechanism. The Juncker Plan helped put the European economy back on track, and Brexit, far from breaking the EU apart, drew it closer together. The EU is again proving its worth in the COVID-19 pandemic. BioNTech’s outstanding researchers developed a leading vaccine in record time, and joint purchases made it possible to distribute vaccines fairly and effectively

(despite some initial difficulties), ensuring relatively high vaccination rates in many EU member states. The recovery plan and the European Guarantee Fund are now helping economically weaker states and regions to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. Since 2000, the EU has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to deliver solutions and show solidarity. But the never-ending search

The European Commission has done well to draw up an ambitious strategy for a green, digital transformation of the EU economy, sending an important signal to the rest of the world. But the absence of a competitive capital market jeopardizes Europeans’ ambitious climate targets. Massive investments are needed this decade to transform energy, transportation, large swaths of industry, and millions of properties, as well as to protect the people of Europe from the devastating effects of climate change, which were on full display these past two summers.

Europe simply is not realising its potential. The EU already has a single market for goods but not a fully functioning one for services, particularly in the otherwise booming digital economy

for quick fixes to acute crises has a major downside: the completion of the European single market has fallen to the bottom of the political agenda. Such EU-level issues played no role in this year’s German election campaign, even though a strengthening of the single market is crucial for confronting increased economic competition from the United States and China. Europe simply is not realising its potential. The EU already has a single market for goods but not a fully functioning one for services, particularly in the otherwise booming digital economy. If a Silicon Valley start-up develops a good product, it has immediate access to a huge domestic market and can grow to the point where it can hold its own globally. But in Europe, that same start-up would have to spend its early years dealing with so many foreign tax lawyers and national regulators that international expansion would hardly seem worth it.

Europe also lacks a capital-markets union and a true banking union; and because there are significant regulatory differences between EU countries, European shareholders and corporate bond investors shy away from offerings beyond their own borders, potentially forgoing more attractive investment opportunities. This highlights the need to complete the banking union, which includes common banking supervision, a banking settlement mechanism, and a shared deposit guarantee. European governments also must overcome their skepticism about securitisation, which is a key element of the capital-markets union. It is true that bundled loans triggered the 2008 financial crisis; but that is only because nobody was keeping a watchful eye on them. With better regulation and monitoring, securitisation can be a powerful tool for banks to unlock additional capital for new business loans and to finance investments in green technologies.

These objectives will be possible only if governments work together with public- and private-sector banks to bring private investors on board across borders. Europe needs to bridge a climate action funding gap of €350 billion ($401 billion) per year over at least the next ten years. We may have become used to governments and central banks providing vast sums of money to support the economy, but this will not last forever. Interest rates will not stay so low in the long term, sovereign debt will reach its limits, and higher taxes will not be enough to finance this once-in-a-century transformation. But the EU already has the tool it needs to close the gap: it just needs to create a true capital-markets and banking union. We can see what is achievable through common rules if we look to sustainable financing. With the issue of the first green bond, the European Investment Bank (EIB) provided an important impetus to the market for green bonds and sustainability bonds. This has resulted in a uniform market understanding of what constitutes a green or sustainable bond. Moreover, with the EU taxonomy, there are now transparent criteria for determining which economic activities are already green or can develop in that direction. Investors have a clear set of rules at hand to use as a guide for sustainable financing. This transparency at the EU level represents a huge step forward, turning a once-derided idea into a €2 trillion market. By CHRISTIAN SEWING, WERNER HOYER

Sustainability

FACTS & FIGURES

RECYCLING SAVES BOTH

THE PLANET AND MONEY In step with the growth of global overheating and increasingly obvious climate change, recycling is becoming increasingly important, because thanks to waste management programmes, many countries are relying less and less on raw materials. It would be good for us to follow best practice Serbia is richer this year by 150,000 new seedlings of indigenous species, more than 40 per cent of which have been planted in Vojvodina, our least forested region,” said Environment Minister Irena Vujović in Sombor. Apart from afforestation, Sombor also received funds for a project to remediate the devastated land around the former Proteinka animal carcass incineration plant, and to remove an illegal dump in the village of Čonoplja. The Minister emphasised that, during September, around 500 illegal rubbish dumps were cleared throughout Serbia, and expressed the hope that no more rubbish would be dumped at those locations.

PLACES FOR RECREATION INSTEAD OF LANDFILL In the village of Rtkovo in the municipality of Kladovo, the Ministry of Environmental Protection supported the removal of a rubbish dump, and a recreation area will be soon be completed on the site. In a public competition, the Ministry awarded Kladovo municipality four million dinars for a land protection project to rehabilitate the site. The green area will soon be completed, with about 80 newly planted trees and shrubs. So far, 26 illegal rubbish dumps have been removed and cleaned up in the municipality of Kladovo.

Sustainability

150,000 SEEDLINGS OF INDIGENOUS SPECIES PLANTED “Thanks to the funds allocated to towns and municipalities through a public competition,

LESS CHOCOLATE AND JUICE, LESS CO2 If you want to contribute to protecting the environment, reduce your consumption of sweets, pastries, fried foods and processed meats. According to a new study by Australian experts, this will be good for both your health and our planet. Professor Sarah Forbes, a dietician at the University of South Australia who

has conducted 20 studies on the environmental impact of food consumption in Australia and New Zealand, recommends on the one hand a regular daily intake of fruits and vegetables, cereals, lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes, milk, cheese and yoghurt, and on the other hand points out that the production of meat, cereals and dairy products greatly contributes to CO2 emissions. But however much pollution is caused by the production of these foods, the production of sweetened beverages, juices, alcoholic beverages, confectionery and processed meat causes even greater pollution.

THESE 10 COUNTRIES ARE CHAMPIONS OF RECYCLING Besides saving money, recycling waste so it does not end up in landfills reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. Introducing efficient recycling schemes means that less garbage ends up in nature, and where this has come the furthest is shown in the following list of countries that have programmes for successful waste management. Brazil: More than 70% of waste produced is recycled, which also benefits poorer citizens. They receive tokens for transport and food in exchange for waste in recycling centres. Austria: As many as 96% of Austria’s population sorts waste by recyclable categories. Canada: In Vancouver, leftover food is not thrown in containers, but in green compost bins. When food is disposed of properly, it releases less carbon dioxide than landfills. Wales: currently recycles about 65% of total waste. By 2025 they plan to recycle 70% of waste, and to process the remaining 30% in waste facilities. USA: In San Francisco, garbage is disposed of by categories: compost, recycling, landfill.

The goal is to reduce the use of landfills to zero by 2030. Switzerland: There are about 12,000 recycling points in Zurich. Recycling is obligatory in Switzerland and enforced with fines. Singapore: has only one landfill that is mostly used for non-recyclable plastic, all other non-recyclable waste is incinerated. South Korea: Until 1995, the food recycling rate was 2%, but today it is 95%. All waste is categorized and must be compressed before recycling. England: Leeds had 12,000 tonnes of glass waste last year, this year it now has 700 bottle banks located across the municipality. Germany: Thanks to education and a consistent waste management policy, Germany recycles 70% of all waste, the most in the world.

PEOPLE NEVER WONDER HOW MUCH WATER THEY ARE WEARING If fashion did not change from season to season, or even more often, 10,000 items of clothing would not end up in UK landfills every five minutes. This costs over 140 million pounds every year, but the problem lies not only in wasting money and clothes that could still be worn, but also in the harmful impact of “fast fashion” on the environment. Research by GAP has shown how “clothing consumption” affects climate change and harms the environment, because it takes: 7,250 litres of water to produce one pair of jeans 3,350 litres of water to produce one sweatshirt or sweater 1,500 litres of water to produce one T-shirt or shirt 850 litres of water to produce one pair of underpants or boxers 550 litres of water to produce one bra 375 litres of water to produce one pair of socks And as the average person in the UK has five pairs of jeans, seven sweatshirts or sweaters, 10 T-shirts, 34 pieces of underwear, 22 bras and

22 pairs of socks, that means that she spent 36,250 litres of water on her jeans collection, 23,450 litres for sweatshirts and sweaters, for T-shirts and shirts 15,000 litres, and for underwear 45,950 litres of water. The average person drinks 691 litres of water a year. This means that our collection of jeans consumes 52.5 years of drinking water for one person.

THE WISE SWEDE THROWS NOTHING AWAY, NOT EVEN A DEAD CHRISTMAS TREE In an attempt to increase sustainability, Stockholm found an unusual ally, used Christmas trees and other garden waste. The Swedish capital uses green waste to power homes and reduce its CO2 footprint. In Stockholm, people all over the city collect garden waste and dead Christmas trees from their neighbours and city parks to turn them into an environmentally friendly type of charcoal called biochar, a valuable soil supplement. The city of Stockholm produces about 300 tons of biochar every year, the equivalent of “removing” 700 cars from the city streets. The huge amount of energy produced in the process of biochar production is used by the city to power its district heating network.

Sustainability

Issue No 3

CONTENTS

DIGITALLY SHAPING 13 CONTEMPORARY LIVES AND MODERN BUSINESS

Milan Gospić, Country Manager, Microsoft Serbia

FOR 18 ENTHUSIASM DIGITAL MUSTN’T WANE

Vladislav Cvetković, President of the NALED Managing Board and Advisory Services Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers

STATE AS AN 04 THE INNOVATOR COMMENT

WE SHARE THE SAME 06 VISION OF DIGITAL NETWORKING WITH EUROPE

Tatjana Matić, Serbian Minister of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications

XWE HAVE CONFIRMED 10 OUR LEADERSHIP IN INNOVATION

IMPRESSUM

Dr Mihailo Jovanović, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment

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

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

2 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

ENGINEERING GROUP EXPAND R&D TEAM IN SERBIA

FUTURE HAS 21 THE ARRIVED IN SERBIA

Marko Bosanac, President of Montop Group

Dario Avallone, R&D Director, Engineering Group

TECHNOLOGIES 16 MODERN KNOW NO LIMITS

Danilo Savić, CEO, Data Cloud Technology

FINANCE Dragana Skrobonja finance@aim.rs EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs PUBLISHER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

DIRECTOR Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs a.novcic@cordmagazine.com PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o. Segedinski put 72, Subotica DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

AGILITY AND 22 INNOVATION ARE KEY TO PROGRESS

Ružica Vasić, Olivera Ostojić , Business Analytics Consultants at AIGO

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 34 ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2021 The views expressed in this publication are those of the presenter; they do not necessary reflect the view of publications published by alliance international media

DIGITAL DIRECTION KNOWHOW AND 23 INITIATIVE – THE FORMULA FOR SOLVING MODERN CHALLENGES

Nenad Nikolin, Founder & CEO of Fractal Dimension and CCS Solutions

GREEN AGENDA IS OTP 28 BANKA’S STRATEGIC DIRECTION Vuk Kosovac,Executive Board Member and Head of Retail at OTP banka Srbija

OF BEING 32 ADVANTAGES DIGITAL EIB

SUCCESSFUL 26 RESPONSE TO THE RAPID GROWTH OF E-COMMERCE

Zoran Đorđević, Acting Director of Public Enterprise Post of Serbia

I.T. IS THE FOUNDATION FOR PROGRESS

Vladimir Spasić, Account Executive, Dell EMC

SUPPORT TO 30 GREATEST THE SME SECTOR

Predrag Nikolić, Managing Director of the Centre For Digital Transformation

MULTIMEDIA AND 33 CREATIVE SERVICES WORKERS LEAD THE REGION GIG WORKERS IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE

OFFERS 31 TELENOR “TURNKEY SOLUTION” Ivan Stojanović, Marketing and Sales Director for B2B Customers, Telenor Serbia

WORLD ENTERS A 36 THE NEW ERA DIGITAL DIRECTION

DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

COMMENT

THE STATE AS AN INNOVATOR For emerging economies, building a digital economy presents a challenging task in which governments play an important role in fostering innovation and the adoption of new waves of digital technologies. Indeed, the Serbian government has embraced all of these tasks in close cooperation with businesses, academia and the civil sector

overnments have played a dual role in shaping innovation systems throughout history, both through their policymaking and as strategic investors in technology applications, as means of supporting the transformation of society. The state’s role in this endeavour is even more pronounced today, when it is of outmost importance for the economies to catch up with accelerated digital transformation. Although opposing views exist, such as that the state should step aside and leave everything to the private sector, the pandemic clearly showed that innovation and technological transformation are indeed important areas of state influence. In Serbia, e-government services represented the backbone of the societal response to COVID-19 by providing smooth online services covering everything from vaccination, via tax payments, to enrolling children in nursery school. There is increasing demand for an entrepreneurial state that will play a variety of roles in creating the digital economy. If there had been no state strategy, countries like Singapore, South Korea, Finland, Sweden, Israel, Estonia and China wouldn’t stand as the leaders in that area today. These examples clearly suggest that the state has a role to play in nurturing national digital ecosystems, but also in building innovative and inclusive digital economies. Of course, we aren’t talking about the old-fashioned state, which creates rules and expects everybody to dance to their tune; we’re talking about a state that’s

4 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

Examples of prosperous countries show that governments have played key roles in promoting a dynamic innovation ecosystem, in partnership with businesses, academia and the civil sector

ready for partnerships with a variety of actors - from academia, to business, start-ups and the civil sector - and keen to evolve in harmony with the needs of the economy and society. By its very nature, innovation is both driven by and a driver of digital transformation. Under such circumstances, the state doesn’t only have a role to play in enabling digital transformation, but rather also in making targeted investments. Some domestic examples are the state Innovation Fund and the Science Fund, which both play a role in enhancing innovation and pushing certain sectors, identified as being the most promising, through the process known as the Smart Specialisation Strategy. This methodology is used throughout the EU to identify innovative potentials in each of the economies of EU member states and membership candidate countries. For emerging economies, introducing a digital economy represents a shifting task in which the governments don many hats in order to foster innovation and the adoption of new waves of digital technologies, as well as to support the assimilation and dissemination of these technologies across the economy as a whole. If one inspects closely which role the Serbian government is playing in this process, it will soon be discovered that its tasks include the creation of enabling policies, boosting production of human resources, creating new institutions and implementing targeted infrastructure and platform investments, in order to secure the promised digital dividends.

INTERVIEW DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

TATJANA MATIĆ, Serbian Minister of Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications

WE SHARE THE SAME VISION OF DIGITAL NETWORKING WITH EUROPE The introduction of the 5G network will undoubtedly provide a strong impetus to Serbia’s overall development. Serbia has today already secured 4G mobile network coverage for more than 95% of its population, which has also enabled uninterrupted work from home, as well as the use of broadband services, under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

erbia is yet to await the introduction of 5G. And once it is initiated, it will bring significant flow rate increases with reduced delays, which is essential to efficient automation and other processes that are important to the development of industry. “There are numerous examples of potential applications for 5G networks, and they encompass areas like agronomy, the auto industry, telemedicine, application in mining, application in transport and storage. The introduction of the 5G network will undoubtedly provide a strong impetus to Serbia’s overall development,” says Serbian Tourism, Trade and Telecommunications Minister Tatjana Matić. Intensive work has been undertaken on the development of broadband infrastructure in Serbia over the last few years, in accordance with the adopted strategic framework. Telecommunications operators are developing their networks in line with the latest trends, which includes the installing of fibre optic communications infrastructure and increasing the coverage and capacity of mobile networks. 4G mobile network coverage has today already been provided for more than 95% of Serbia’s population. This has also enabled uninterrupted work from home, as well as the use of broadband services, even under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. “A significant number of innovative companies operate in Serbia, both developed ones and small start-ups. 5G technology creates the opportunity to

6 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

develop innovative new products and services, and to generally automate many processes, which is a chance for each of these companies,” says our interlocutor. Although we’ve markedly improved quality of life thanks to esolutions, particularly during the pandemic, technologies – especially 5G – have become the subject of the kinds of conspiracy theories and fears that aren’t unknown to our society. How do you combat misinformation and to what extent can such phenomena threaten the ultimate application of 5G in our country? It is necessary for the public to be familiarised with verified and scientifically grounded information related to the application of new technologies. The leading organisations that analyse research on the effects of electromagnetic radiation and define recommendations in connection with permissible levels of radiation – the most famous of which are the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and the World Health Organization – conducted research that relates to the impact of electromagnetic radiation. When it comes to the situation in our country, Serbia has much more stringent criteria on the prescribed values of permitted radiation levels than those defined in official international recommendations. In this regard, within the scope of the nationwide EMF RATEL project, sensors have been installed at points of interest and continuously measure the electromagnetic field levels of electronic communication networks (88 sensors in 39 cities) and the results of that measurement are available publicly. All values measured to date have been lower than the prescribed values permitted. Where does Serbia stand today, in relation to comparable countries, when it comes to the development of e-commerce? In the first half of 2021, according to data from the National Bank of Serbia, almost 11 million transactions were made in dinars (on the websites of Serbian traders), which is 91 per cent more than in the first half of last year. At the same time, those transactions had a total value exceeding 25 billion dinars, which is up 99 per cent compared to

the first six months of 2020. E-commerce is achieving high and relatively stable annual growth rates globally, and those rates have outpaced growth in traditional commerce by far. The fact that crises like the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have only served to further accelerate the growth of e-commerce shows that this is an extremely stable business model that’s been affirmed by the market and deserves the credit for generating more than a third of total GDP globally. Growth opportunities for e-commerce in Serbia have been utilised thanks to new laws in the areas of e-business and e-commerce, but also in the field of information security. This enabled the swift redirecting of many activities to the online environment and, despite the circumstances brought by the pandemic, the digital transformation of all forms of social functioning continued.

The Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications’ capital projects for the development of infrastructure will further accelerate citizens’ inclusion online. This relates primarily to the domain of education and the less developed parts of Serbia The Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications’ capital projects for the development of infrastructure will further accelerate citizens’ inclusion online. One of them is the project to build local computer networks, which was last year implemented in about 940 schools and will be finalised in approximately another 950 schools this year, as well as the project to build a broadband network in rural areas for 600 settlements that are home to around 90,000 households, thereby raising the digital connectivity of our society significantly, and with it the need for e-commerce and new digital services. You’ve announced amendments to the Law on Trade that will introduce, among other things, digital delivery notes. How prepared are our companies to accept these kinds of changes?

“Digital delivery notes” will not be an obligation, but rather an opportunity. As has been the case to date, businesses will still be able to use delivery documents that accompany goods in transport in paper form, with their own signature. So, there will be no additional costs for traders, hauliers and manufacturers. Considering the fact that a large number of companies already use delivery notes in the form of an electronic document, we want to facilitate their operations and ease the obligation to use a qualified electronic signature. With this change we can speed up the work of people on the ground, reduces costs and avoids unnecessary contacts that can pose a risk to human health, particularly during the time of a pandemic. Your Ministry is currently working to prepare a trade strategy for Serbia until 2025. What kinds of changes do you anticipate digital transformation will bring to this sector? The development of information technologies and digital transformation have already had a great influence on the development of trade around the world, and even in Serbia. The specific market circumstances caused by the pandemic, in particular, have accelerated the development and implementation of digital solutions within the scope of retail operations and directed shopping towards the internet. The digitalisation of trade is moving in three directions. The first direction implies the evolution of physical channels, through the incorporating of the latest technologies. The essence will be in the development of new marketing channels, which will maximise the value for customers, while the focus will be on digitalising the consumer experience within retail facilities, then on the digitalising of payments, as well as digitalising communication with customers both inside and outside the shop. The second direction in the digitalisation of trade implies the integrating of digital and physical sales channels. Traditional retailers are introducing digital channels to their business model, thereby becoming multi-channel retailers. By intensifying integration between these channels with the help of technologies like artificial intelligence, ERP software and massive data analytics, retailers will transition to a form of sales that includes all channels. The same DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

it is even more important to have a shared vision of digital networking and – as the main force for economic growth – that should be extended to the struggle against current challenges. Significant steps have already been taken in the framework of the Digital Agenda for the Western Balkans with the abolishing of roaming tariffs on the territory of the Western Balkans, which additionally confirms the Republic of Serbia’s commitment to regional networking with the European Union market. The applying of this European principle has already yielded visible results in the form of eased communications and business operations in the region, and I’m convinced that we’re on the right track and that – despite the challenges and difficulties prompted by the pandemic – we’ve made exceptional progress in the area of digitalisation.

applies to exclusively e-traders, who also switch to the multi-channel sales model by entering into business with physical sales facilities. The third direction implies imitating the characteristics of physical sales in a digital environment. E-merchants can thereby overcome barriers to buying and any aversion to online shopping. The key is in reducing risks when making purchases. This relates to the new format of so-called virtual stores, where customers have an opportunity to behave as though they’re in a real environment, choosing products from shelves while simultaneously buying them in real time. When it comes to the development of policies in the field of digital transformation, how much does your ministry rely on the academic community and Serbia’s growing start-up community? The competent Ministry, as well as other institutions of the Government, are in close communication with the private and academic sectors. This cooperation has resulted in an array of advanced regulations and incentive measures for the development of innovative ideas, which were developed in cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, E-Commerce Serbia and NALED, within the scope of 8 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

Ahead of us are further joint efforts towards integrating the region into the pan-European digital zone, which will lead to us becoming a digitally driven economy based on EU standards and practices the Serbia Creates platform. The Office for IT and eGovernment is working on the development of new services and innovative solutions in these domains and significant progress can be expected in this aspect. Podgorica recently hosted the 4th Western Balkan Digital Summit. How far have we advanced since the first summit, both as a region and at the national level? This summit, dedicated to furthering cooperation in the field of digital transformation around the region and the digital perspective in the context of European integration, is of exceptional importance to achieving shared prosperity among the economies of the region and its connection to the European Union’s single market. In the period of crisis caused by the pandemic,

Government services increasingly use improvements to E-solutions in their own work. How do these tools help when it comes to combating the grey economy? A large number of examples of successfully transitioning to online work exist In Serbia, as well as examples of digital transformation. These include, for example, the education system, remote personal shopping, the banking system and operations with citizens. We would also single out the services available via the eUprava [eGovernment] portal, which ease citizens’ everyday lives and improve the efficiency of the operations of enterprises. Special mention should be made of the struggle to combat the grey economy in the field of e-commerce, where the bolstering of the legal framework to prevent illicit trade certainly proved crucial. Likewise, a special contribution to this is also provided by public campaigns that don’t only encourage electronic transactions, but also raise awareness of the importance of legal transactions to economic growth as a whole. Our Ministry has conducted multiple media campaigns that inform citizens about the benefits of e-commerce. One of the most significant activities implemented with the aim of combating the grey economy was the campaign “Take your receipt and win”, while the campaign “Click for sure, buy verified” is currently underway and aims to raise awareness among citizens about secure and legal internet-based trade.

INTERVIEW DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

DR MIHAILO JOVANOVIĆ, Director of the Office for IT and eGovernment

WE HAVE CONFIRMED OUR

LEADERSHIP IN INNOVATION

The digital transformation in the age of Covid 19 was for many both a leap forward and a necessity for survival. For Serbia, this meant enabling a great step forward and laying the foundations for rapid innovation and establishing leadership in this part of Europe

f we look back today, we can say that Serbia reacted quickly, had the knowledge and strength to respond to Covid 19, and take care of its people’s health. This would not have been possible without a well-laid foundation. “For digitalization, it is very important that in the previous four years we had established the necessary infrastructure and developed several electronic services to transform the public administration into an efficient service for the public and for business,” says Dr Mihailo Jovanović, director of the Office for IT and e-Government. “Thanks to this there were key moments when we implemented new platforms and electronic services practically overnight, enabling the public to access many state services online even during the pandemic. “By establishing innovative solutions and electronic services we aimed for the best coordination of health care, education and other key systems in a pandemic, timely and accurate information for all and continuous provision of services to business and the public. “Serbia has positioned itself as one of the 5 countries in the world with the largest number of innovations during the Covid 19 crisis. “Aware of the need to respond quickly and efficiently to provide emergency immunization of the population from

10 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

EDUCATION

By the end of 2023, all schools will have broadband wireless Internet, digital textbooks, digital classrooms and computer labs.

11 January 2021, we enabled Serbians to express interest in vaccination against Covid 19 by filling out a simple questionnaire on the e-Government Portal www.euprava.gov.rs or through a contact centre on 0800 222 334”, says Jovanović. To avoid unnecessary crowds in laboratories and exposing people to the virus, the e-Schedule appointment service for PCR testing on personal request was launched. Anyone waiting for the result of a Covid 19 PCR test can receive it by e-mail or on the e-Health Portal www.e-zdravlje.gov.rs. “When we realized that citizens need a documented certificate showing vaccination, PCR test result, confirmation of the presence of Covid antibodies and recovery from the disease, we developed the Digital Green Certificate with all the information from the Covid system in one place. A few days ago, the EUcompatible Digital Green Certificate electronic service was launched, with which people can freely enter all indoor places throughout the European Union and 22 non-EU countries in this system”, concludes Jovanović. What are the most important directions for continuing the digital transformation in the Serbian Government’s view today? State Data Centre in Kragujevac. The Office for IT and e-Government established this Centre in record time as one of the most modern in the region in technical and security standards. It houses the key information and communication infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia. The centre meets the highest standard of reliability, and data centre services are provided in accordance with the security standard ISO 27001, the quality standard ISO 9001 and the service quality standard ISO 20000. Besides storing the equipment of state bodies, the State Data Centre also

TRUST

INNOVATION

The fact that the state data centre has commercial users is a strong impetus for further development of the IT sector and for innovation, technological revival and Serbia's leadership in this part of Europe

provides the Government Cloud service. Data and equipment are stored here for various state institutions, including the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government, the Central Register of Compulsory Social Insurance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Finance, local tax administrations, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices and many others. The centre also contains equipment and data of the Office for IT and e-Government and the state Oracle cloud infrastructure. We are slowly starting to implement electronic services used by local gov-

IT leaders, as a potential commercial user. This is another confirmation of the government’s results in digitalization, investment in the most modern data centre infrastructure, and human and technical capacities in Serbia.

During the Covid 19 crisis, Serbia positioned itself as one of the 5 countries in the world with the largest number of innovations

Serbia is a good and reliable partner for foreign investment in the latest technologies, and is a regional IT leader for the entire region in the era of the fourth industrial revolution ernments, so the plan is to launch an electronic office, but also a system for communication between people and their local governments. The Data Center also has commercial users. What does this mean for Serbia? The fact that the State Data Centre in Kragujevac also has commercial users is another strong impetus for further development of the IT sector and innovation, for technological revival and for Serbia’s leadership in this part of Europe. The American IBM and Vmware, the Chinese Huawei and many domestic IT companies that have already signed commercial contracts, keep their data in the State Data Centre in Kragujevac. We recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Oracle Corporation, one of the world’s

Cloud infrastructure is the basis for developing innovations in healthcare, retail, banking and other industries. How ready are the public administration and businesses to use these opportunities? Cloud is a practical reality of the public administration. There is no longer a need to procure independent hardware systems such as servers and storage. The Office for IT and e-Government has provided a variety of cloud systems based on Oracle, Vmware or IBM technology, which enables a fast response, agile implementation of new electronic services and savings in the purchase of equipment and licenses. The development of artificial intelligence also raises a number of ethical issues. Do you think that they have been answered in an exemplary way in the Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, or do we need other regulations? The National Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for the period 2020-2025 was adopted at the end of 2019, and Serbia is the first country in the region of south-east Europe and only the 26th in the world to adopt a national Strategy of this type. Businesspeople and the academic community also participated in writing the strategy, and one of the key items that was highlighted in order to accelerate the development of AI in Serbia is infrastructure support. Another of the items was the establishment of the Research and Development Institute for Artificial Intelligence of Serbia and the National Platform for Artificial DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

Intelligence, which is located in the State Data Centre in Belgrade. The goal of establishing this platform is to improve and expand the technology of artificial intelligence in Serbia, to support scientific research in the field of artificial intelligence, and to improve services and ensure the application of artificial intelligence in industry. A supercomputer was recently delivered to the state data centre. What does this mean in practice for the Serbian economy, for startups in Serbia and Serbia’s positioning in the field of artificial intelligence in general?

As one of the measures from the strategy envisages the establishment of the National Platform for Artificial Intelligence, we very quickly established the National Platform for the Development of Artificial Intelligence to fulfill it. The Nvidia super computer has arrived at the State Data Centre in Kragujevac. More precisely, this is the infrastructure that will enable our innovative startup companies and scientists to quickly develop new AI products because they will be able to test solutions faster with timely access to this infrastructure. It is important to point out that the access to the infrastructure is at a global quality level, so they will not have to pay for it abroad and wait for purchase processes to be able to use it. This will also allow the 12 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

community to use data from Serbia in Serbia, without sending it abroad. In this way we provide additional services to our startups and researchers - so far we have had space, support through funding, support through consulting - legal and financial, and now we are adding IT infrastructure for the development of artificial intelligence - the infrastructure of the future. The first users of the National Platform are the Research and Development Institute for Artificial Intelligence and the Institute for Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, 7 technical faculties in Serbia: University of Belgrade (School

The experience of other countries in the fundamental digital transformation of the public administration means a lot to us, but in developing them ourselves we rely exclusively on local resources because they are absolutely competent and valued on the global labour market of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics); University of Novi Sad (Faculty of Technical Sciences and Faculty of Sciences); and Electronic and

Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics in Niš), the University of Kragujevac and 4 science and technology parks (Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Čačak). Any development of this type means a constant need for IT staff. How many people do we ideally need, and how fast are we getting there? The IT market is very dynamic and changing daily. We must monitor and adapt to constant changes and challenges. Serbia has enough professional staff, but the need for staff will certainly be greater in future. That is why the government has done everything to improve the education of future staff. The key initiative is increasing the capacity of technical faculties, so the number of students has increased by about 630 places (about 20%) and the faculties have received approval to employ more teaching staff. The largest faculties have also received additional space. School of Electrical Engineering received a large amphitheater in the building of the Lola Institute, the Faculty of Mathematics received a 2,300 m2 building from a secondary construction school, and at Faculty of Organizational Sciences we are working on the adaptation of 1,000 m2 of space to expand teaching capacity. Programming has been introduced as a compulsory subject in the older grades of primary school, and by the end of 2023, all schools will have broadband wireless Internet, digital textbooks, digital classrooms and computer rooms. A Centre for Innovative Youth Entrepreneurship was opened at the Faculty of Electronics in Niš, where 6 young teams are already developing their ideas in robotics and advanced technologies. At Science and Technology Park Belgrade 56 companies employ over 420 engineers and have an annual turnover of more than 10 million euros, of which 60% is exports. Science and technology parks have been opened in Niš, Novi Sad and Čačak, and the foundation has been laid for the construction of a new building for the BioSense Institute on the campus of the University of Novi Sad. The new building of the Faculty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade will soon receive its first students.

MILAN GOSPIĆ, COUNTRY MANAGER, MICROSOFT SERBIA BUSINESS

DIGITALLY SHAPING CONTEMPORARY LIVES AND MODERN BUSINESS The previous year has been a catalyst for significant changes to the ways things are done across the entire industry. Digital tools have become an integral part of all processes, especially in the collaboration arena. Digital transformation has turned out to be in the focus of every successful company and is yielding superb results

he past year has shown how business should be transformed, as it distinguished the already successful companies that have already embarked on the digitalisation journey and have, thus, gained a starting advantage. Similar things have also happened in society. We are bearing witness to the increasing number of digital services used by citizens and a rise in the general need for digital knowledge. How is your company trying to improve knowledge, as the basis of the digital transformation? In response to growing requests to acquire new skills in the digital world, Microsoft opened three free learning platforms within its Global Skill Initiative: LinkedIn, Microsoft Learn and GitHub. The main goal is to enable access to learning and acquiring of the knowledge necessary for digital transformation. This programme has also been applied and supported in Serbia. More than 50,000 people from Serbia have attended free education courses, placing our country at the very top of the list of CEE countries. Such a large number of participants was also due to the program which was launched with support of Government of Serbia, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans’ and Social Affairs and Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, on the basis of which our partner Semos Education organised free education courses as way of supporting the Global Skill Initiative, as well as cooperation with three Comtrade education institutions. Along with acquiring the digital skills that are vital for most

desirable professions, the participants can also access free official training to prepare for Microsoft Certification exams; they can also pass those exams and acquire certificates. Microsoft certificates are helpful in all industries and serve as a guarantee of knowhow, so I would advise everyone formalise all the knowhow they’ve gained over the years in business and acquire some of our certificates, because they increase and ease one’s chances of gaining employment, earning a promotion or developing one’s career in general. What does digital transformation mean in practice? Are there any obstacles to its further development and, if so, what are they? What is essential to understand is that there is no stakeholder of society in the digital transformation process that is more important than any other. The state is an undeniably crucial element in this process, primarily in terms of the

legal framework, where Serbia needs to make a more substantial shift in the use of cloud services and open data, considering all the available resources without which new digital services could not be created, either for businesses or for citizens. On the other hand, citizens are equally important, as the users of all those digital services. At the end of the day, the goal of the digital transformation is to enhance the quality of citizens’ lives. In business, digitalisation is defined by trends like hybrid work, a hyperconnected, completely digitalised business environment, and cybersecurity. Each organisation needs a collaboration tool that will bridge physical and digital gaps, thus creating the need for a hybrid way of working. The whole of business is becoming digital and we see new ways of making and selling products with the intensive use of data and AI. All this requires multi-cloud, multi-edge infrastructure that enables the swift creation, maintenance and usage of applications. On the other hand, cybersecurity is the biggest threat to digital transformation today and is the number one risk being faced by every company and every service – not only in the business arena, but also in our everyday lives, including schools, hospitals and all institutions handling citizens’ data. Cybercrime represents a six-trillion-dollar cost for the world economy annually. Microsoft Cloud has been built for all these challenges, as the most trusted and most comprehensive cloud that powers the digital capability of every individual and every organisation, while simultaneously enabling their independence. Microsoft Cloud is built on trust and security. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

BUSINESS

DARIO AVALLONE, R&D DIRECTOR, ENGINEERING GROUP

ENGINEERING GROUP EXPAND R&D TEAM IN SERBIA Italian IT company Engineering Group, which operates on the Serbian market under the name Engineering Software Lab, has announced the further expansion of its team in Serbia, with one segment of the planned expansion covering the field of research and development. In order to learn more about this expansion, we spoke with Engineering Group’s R&D Department Director Dario Avallone.

esearch is one of the fundamental pillars of Engineering Group. What is the key approach? Research represents the first and most fundamental phase of our innovation process. In this process, we can count on a team of 450 researchers, which ensures that we are a well-recognised player in the context of European Industrial Research. This has enabled us to set up a wide and enduring network of research collaborations, both in Europe and worldwide, including the most qualified universities and research institutes, as well as the most innovative representatives of the ICT industry and relevant “users” providing emerging needs for all market sectors. In addition, we have contributed actively to the gradual creation and development of the main European research initiatives on ICT, aiming to cluster the industrial and

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academic view on emerging research and innovation priorities and related implementation strategies. We pay particular attention to the “concreteness and robustness” of our industrial research, but also to the capacity to effectively implement the technological transfer of solutions and skills produced. In other words, experimentation, innovation management and the offer are the three main objectives that form the basis of our R&D activities. This allows us to define a virtuous cycle, able to pick up new methodologies and technologies well in advance, to relate them to our customers’ business processes and thereby add value by following them all the way through their modernisation and “digital transformation”. Which types of R&D projects is Engineering Group involved in? We have participated in more than 500 research projects and are cur-

rently involved in more than 100 projects, with annual investment in R&D exceeding 40 million euros. Our research projects largely pertain to innovation challenges relevant to primary markets, such as Digital Industry, E-Health, Augmented Cities, Smart Energy & Utilities, Smart Government, Societal Physical and Digital Security, Smart Tourism & Culture, Smart Agriculture, Smart Transportation, Digital Media & Communication, as well as research on enabling technologies and architectures that are core to all our markets today and tomorrow, like Cloud and Edge, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Data/BigData and Collaboration Platforms, Blockchain and Quantum Computing. Our participation in relevant European initiatives and Associations, like FIWARE (providing “vendor independent” standard building blocks to build smart applications), Gaia-X (enabling data and service interoperability that ensures independence from physical infrastructure and/or providers), DAIRO (centred on nextgeneration technologies to exploit the value of data trough novel AI approaches) or IDSA (focusing on providing standards, architecture and software components to implement trusted data sharing within business ecosystems), represent a founding element of our success in research programmes and an essential ingredient for aligning our investments in the proper direction, in terms of

new solutions to be implemented and new skills and competences that will be demanded in order to constantly remain at the forefront of the competitive scenario. What plans do you have for your R&D team in Serbia? Over recent years, we’ve included several young IT professionals from Serbia in our R&D projects. They have shown exceptionally high quality of work and provided a great contribution to the success of the projects in which they’ve been involved. We plan to focus the contribution of the Serbian Research Team on a few, well-defined research topics primarily related to Digital Industry and Smart Energy & Utilities. This is due to a significant lack of qualified researchers in ongoing and planned projects, as well as the projects’ envisaged results, which are expected to open direct market opportunities in Serbia. We are also considering relocating at least one technological research stream to Serbia completely, but we are currently still analysing which topic could be most reasonably brought to the Serbian R&D Lab. The decision will very much depend on the availability of local universities to collaborate on a specific topic, as well as to the capability of attracting

Engineering Software Lab is a member of Engineering Group, one of the main players in the field of the digital transformation of public and private companies and organisations worldwide. Engineering Software Lab currently has more than 230 employees divided between two business units: the Custom Software Development unit, which gathers developers and specialists in the fields of consulting, project management, development of information systems; and the Engineering Enterprise Solutions Competence Centre, which provides SAP technical and consultancy support, as well SAP development the most brilliant talents who are in the process of graduating from Serbian universities over the next eight to 12 months. At the same time, the decision to create a dedicated technological Research Lab in Serbia is also related to local funding that

represents an indispensable sustainability and risk reduction vehicle. This is why accurate analysis of the funding instruments and related research priorities available in Serbia will be carefully considered before a final decision is taken. In your opinion, what can Serbia’s IT experts expect from working on R&D projects? The specificity of R&D projects is that they bring something new, something that transforms business and our everyday life simultaneously. This means that the latest technologies have been applied in the work, which is certainly an important point for IT professionals. A large number of people are involved in the R&D projects that we are working on. Many of them are part of our Group, but - at the same time - many hail from the network of partners, creating an incomparable working experience with distributed teams. What is also important is that, by joining Engineering Software Lab, you are joining a large engineering family that numbers more than 12,000 employees at more than 40 locations worldwide. Being part of such a large company provides stability, while at the same time providing plenty of possibilities for personal growth. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

BUSISNESS

DANILO SAVIĆ, CEO, DATA CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

MODERN TECHNOLOGIES KNOW NO LIMITS Data Cloud Technology secured its organisational and human resource capacities and then, a little less than a year ago, began providing services to a plethora of commercial clients. Interest in DCT’s services is expressed among companies that have the highest reputation at the world level Alongside the initially established cooperation with IBM and Huawei, the best example is the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Oracle for establishing Oracle Cloud at our Centre, and we also expect the signing of a contract soon. The fact that giants of the world ICT industry, such as Oracle, IBM and Huawei, have decided to cooperate with us shows that we are on the right track and is the best recommendation for DCT. At the fair events held recently in Dubai (DUBAI EXPO and GITEX), we established contacts with leading companies in the ICT sector, so we also expect an increase in the number of foreign clients in the coming period.

EO Danilo Savić says that’s he’s major optimist, because Serbia’s ICT sector is recording significant growth. Planning is one of the biggest challenges in this area, but the experts at DCT are ready to take their share of responsibility in a great job that has been launched successfully and needs to be completed in the same way. The Government of the Republic of Serbia established company Data Cloud Technology on 17th December last year. With what kind of results achieved did you celebrate the first birthday? Certain dynamics of implementation and development are dictated by the complexity of the system of the region’s most modern facility of its type. During the first year of operations, we formed a team of experts ready to respond to the challenges posed by the management of such a facility, standardisation was completed in accordance with the highest internationally established criteria and all security and protection subsystems were tested successfully.

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Could it be said that the Centre is among the most modern in the region, in terms of technical and security standards? According to technical and security standards, our Centre is the most modern in the region and the only one that provides 2N redundancy of all system components: power supply and cooling of IT equipment, as well as telecommunication connections. The Centre is designed in accordance with the Tier 4 standard, while the services we provide satisfy the ISO 27001 safety standard and the ISO 9001 quality standard. When we were establishing the Data Centre, we kept in mind that the key information and communication infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia is hosted here. In that sense, we are primarily orientated towards the highest technical and safety standards. Such an approach is only acceptable if we consider that the Centre hosts the data and equipment of the most important state institutions. Potential commercial users also imply that the noted standards have been met, because that’s a prerequisite for any kind of cooperation in this time of digitalisation. Which foreign and domestic companies have signed contracts on the use of the Data Centre? Is there reason to consider expanding its capacities in the future? The Centre’s services are used by clients from several different industries. Alongside the aforementioned international ICT giants (IBM, Huawei, Oracle and IngramMicro), we’ve also gained the trusted of companies from the telecommunications

sector (Telekom Srbija, Cetin, Orion Telekom and SOX), domestic ICT system integrators (ComTrade, AIGO), the financial sector (Srpska banka, Poštanska štedionica Banka) and the media sector (RTS). Expanding the capacities will be essential already during the next year, because the existing capacity has already been reserved to a great extent. The Centre project envisages three construction phases. The first phase was realised with the implementing of blocks 1 and 2, with a capacity already significantly filled and reserved. The second phase envisages the construction of blocks 3 and 4, which would double capacities, and all phase II construction has already been completed. The plan for phase III is to build blocks 5 and 6, in line with future needs and according to existing project documentation. You have some of the most highly-sought services in your portfolio today. Could you tell us more about those services? When it comes to the services that we offer, Telehousing (Collocation) is intended for clients who have their own ICT equipment that they want to install on the premises of the Centre. On the other hand, Cloud services like Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) are directed towards users who want to rent individual virtual servers with adequate processing, memory and storage capacities. These characteristics vary depending on the needs of the client, while DCT is ready to go out of its way to meet everyone’s needs with an optimal offer. It has been made possible to connect with all providers present at the Centre via the ‘meet me room’ and through two separate network cable, which ensures the system’s redundancy. Moreover, we also offer Hands and Eyes engineer services at the Data Centre. From our NOC (Network Operations Centre), through state-of-the-art information monitoring systems, the operations of the server, communications and all relevant statuses of equipment and services are monitored continuously, 24/7. Given that you represent part of an industry that’s synonymous with progress, how demanding is it to make plans for the development of digital infrastructure? We have great challenges ahead of us, but we don’t have any other option than to continue along the path we’ve set out on. Digitalisation must happen, as a phase of technological development or, stated more precisely, we have to implement it. Only if we keep pace with developed societies will Serbia have an opportunity to advance and develop in the way its citizens want, because the benefits brought by digitalisation are key to progress. Due to everything that’s been mentioned, but also due to the speed at which this progress is unfolding, the development of digital infrastructure isn’t only the biggest challenge for the ICT sector, but also for the state and society as a whole. What has the Centre that you head brought to the City of Kragujevac and Serbia as a whole? With the construction of the State Data Centre in Kragujevac, this city has become one of the most important ICT centres in Serbia, alongside Belgrade and Novi Sad. As the geographical centre of Serbia, and viewed also in the context of security,

With the construction of the State Data Centre in Kragujevac, this city has become one of the most important ICT centres in Serbia, alongside Belgrade and Novi Sad Kragujevac was the most logical choice for the location to build the Centre. It is up to us to justify the trust shown and provide our contribution to the development of the ICT sector in Kragujevac, the Šumadija District and the Republic of Serbia. Borders and distance are no obstacle for modern technologies, so I wouldn’t separate the importance of the Data Centre to Kragujevac from its importance to the entire country and region. Improving e-business, using the latest ICT capacities to provide services to users, reducing the risks data are exposed to and contributing to digitalisation – these are all great benefits to Serbia as it aspires to keep pace with the most developed economies and countries. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

VLADISLAV CVETKOVIĆ, President of the NALED Managing Board and Advisory Services Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers

ENTHUSIASM FOR DIGITAL MUSTN’T WANE The most important thing is for us to work continuously to raise awareness of the importance of digital transformation and to remind citizens and businesses, through various initiatives, of the life benefits it brings them. And plenty of work still awaits us in that regard

igital transformation had a high position on the NALEDA agenda even before the pandemic, and this private-public association will continue supporting the development and use of digital services in the coming period. “It is very important to encourage businesses to increase their competitiveness and become part of innovative world busi-

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ness practices through the development and application of new technologies,” says NALED Managing Board President and PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Director Vladislav Cvetković. The StarTech project was launched by NALED, together with company Philip Morris International and with the support of the Government of Serbia, at the end of 2020. Representing the backbone of this

project is the awarding of grants to small local businesses wishing to transform their operations and introduce new and innovative products and services. “We this year awarded the first 29 grants, with a total value of a million dollars, while another two funding contests await us over the next two years. This is a new way of supporting the development of entrepreneurship that sees one private company

EDUCATION

Interest in digitalisation is growing constantly, and we should continue working to improve IT literacy and promote e-services and an awareness of the benefits they bring to each individual

secure funds, and we would also like it to be an example to others to get involved in a similar way and encourage the digital transformation of our business,” says Cvetković. “The other important project I would highlight is the Small Business Informant, through which we also want to help small businesses create new opportunities for development through the accepting of cashless payments, introducing the option of selling their products online and Google mapping.” How can you now keep this system alive and accelerate it? It is important for the state to monitor the process of transformation through the digitalisation of its own work and procedures. It has succeeded in doing so over recent years, because – in addition to the digitalisation of tax procedures and the introduction of new services on the eGovernment portal – an electronic public procurement procedure has been established over the last year, and during the course of this year more than 88,000 procedures were announced and 36,000 launched. Fast-track preparations are now underway to start implementing eFiscalization and the eInvoice system, in which NALED is helping businesses and the public sector through a series of training courses that we are organising, as well as through the newly launched National Initiative for Cashless Payments, where we want to support up to 25,000 small businesses to also receive POS terminals when they procure cash registers, i.e., in the procurement of modern “2-in-1” devices. The most important thing is for us to work continuously to raise awareness of the importance of digital transformation and to remind citizens and businesses, through various initiatives, of the life benefits it brings them. And plenty of work still awaits us in that regard. The results of research conducted by NALED show that citizens from rural areas find it harder to give

EFFICIENCY

SUPPORT

The benefits of digital fiscalization are immeasurable when it comes to the efficiency of oversight. The amount and accuracy of data available to the tax authorities is incomparable, which will improve the efficiency of controls

In order for us to encourage people to become e-citizens, at the beginning of this year we opened dedicated counters in almost 140 local governments, which citizens can turn to for support in creating accounts on the e-government portal

up counters – as many as 40% stated that they have no intention of using eGovernment services.

How prepared are we institutionally to continue digital transformation at this accelerated pace? In your opinion, what is the next area requiring a radical shift? The research we conducted among representatives of local administrations showed that older officials find it more difficult to adapt to changes and have no desire to advance. Although this isn’t the case with the younger ones, they easily lose their enthusiasm due to being overburdened with work. Additionally, the digitalisation process is also slowed further by the lack of informed citizens, especially among the elderly population. This is an extra reason to devote ourselves even more strongly to popularising e-services among the local population, because we can only expect concrete results if digitalisation comes to life in all spheres of society.

There are those who suggest that we don’t need the very expensive efiscalization process at this juncture. What is your opinion? E-fiscalization is a matter of whether we want to keep pace with trends in the development of technology and build an efficient oversight system, while at the same time considering the great benefits it brings to citizens. The existing fiscalization system was introduced more than 15 years ago and is technologically obsolete. E-fiscalization also includes the initial cost of replacing equipment, and it’s good that the state has secured subsidies, but actually, over the long run, it brings multimillion savings

With the support of the European Union, we launched a project to establish a Local e-Government Index that will enable us to analyse the level of development of local administrations and assess their ability to provide e-services to businesses, because the average cost of maintaining and using old fiscal cash registers is around 120 euros annually, not counting the costs of storing and archiving receipts and documentation. Once the new system starts operating, there will be no more annual payments for servicing cash registers, and business owners will be able to use their mobile phones, computers and tablets as fiscal devices. Moreover, applying the new fiscalization model will ensure significant savings in terms of time, but will also drastically reduce the use of paper, which is an important step towards preserving the environment.

Several studies conducted prior to the COVID-19 outbreak showed that SMEs don’t intend to enter into this process. And then COVID ensured that – judging by some new studies – those who were late in starting have been all but wiped from the market. What are the prevailing attitudes among companies today? Although small and medium-sized enterprises viewed investments in digitalisation as an excessive cost prior to the outbreak of the crisis caused by the pandemic, this no longer seems to be the prevailing opinion. Judging by the NALED survey conducted recently among members of the business community, every other businessperson noted that they prefer to choose electronic services as a way of performing administrative tasks, while over 80% gave them a positive evaluation. When it comes to e-commerce, the number of shops and companies selling their goods via online stores almost doubled over the course of the past year. Also testifying to the claim that small and micro enterprises and entrepreneurs are showing a desire DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW

to modernise their operations is the great interest in the Small Business Informant campaign, which we’ve launched in five cities. We planned to visit at least 500 small businesses, but we’re sure that there will be many more of them, due to the great interest in introducing cashless payment options and online sales. Many public administrations also started offering a relatively wide range of e-services in a very short period of time. What are the drivers encouraging the further development of e-government at the local level today, and what are the challenges? Since the establishment of the Office for IT and eGovernment, the state has invested a lot in the developing of e-services and the challenge lies in the readiness of local governments to adapt to innovations. In order for us to determine which regions need help the most and to map the needs and challenges of various cities and municipalities, we launched a project – with the support of the European Union – to establish a Local e-Government Index (LEI). Under the scope of this index, we will analyse the level of development of local administrations and assess their ability to provide e-services on the basis of their level of technical equipment, IT skills, training of civil servants, the capacity of service users and other criteria. We will then know precisely which challenges are confronting which local governments and will be able to help them overcome the difficulties. To what extent have circumstances forced citizens to become digitally literate and where do you see the main “pockets” where it is necessary to improve digital skills? The COVID-19 pandemic and work from home have certainly had a great influence on citizens changing some old habits and starting to complete most tasks online. However, although our research shows that two-thirds of citizens are aware of the possibilities of e-government, only 14% of them complete administrative tasks online. In order for us to encourage people to become e-citizens, at the start of this year we launched a project of the same name [e-građani/e-citizens] and opened dedicated counters in almost 140

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One of the first and most crucial activities in the field of digitalising healthcare now is the adoption of the Programme and Action Plan for Digitalisation in the Healthcare System, the draft of which is now under public discussion, and after that we’ll know the direction in which digitalisation will head. The basic principles are for us to digitalise services and consolidate patient data within the framework of the eCard. NALED contributes to this process with its recommendations, and the issue of personal data security has also been identified as a priority in the objective of this programme. Apart from in the context of the digitalisation of healthcare, data security is also one of the topics that we approach with great attention in other areas. During 2019 and 2020, we analysed information security and personal data protection, which shows the state of affairs at the local level. Likewise, the protection of personal data is one of the basic objectives of the LEI project, and we will also include this topic in the curriculum of training that we will organise for local governments and NGOs.

Through the newly launched National Initiative for Cashless Payments, we want to support up to 25,000 small businesses to also receive POS terminals when they procure cash registers, i.e., in the procurement of modern “2-in-1” devices local governments, which citizens can turn to for support in creating accounts on the e-government portal. One of the major topics you address is the digitalisation of healthcare. Where should one start in this process, and how do you ensure the security of personal data in this process?

Cloud-based digital signatures are another topic that you’ve added to your agenda. What sequence of steps is required in this area for us to reach the desired objective? The 2017 Law on Electronic Business enabled the use of cloud-based digital signatures, which was previously only feasible through qualified e-certificates. Citizens can now register with a provider and use their signature, which has eased the use of e-government services drastically. When it comes to results in practise, a new development is the recent certifying of the Office for IT and eGovernment. We are awaited in the coming period by the start of all other public administration portals accepting cloud-based signatures and connecting to the eGovernment portal, in order for this service to be able to come to life to its full capacity. Thanks to this, in the near future it will no longer be necessary for us to have smart card readers and complicated procedures to be able to easily and quickly sign documents electronically or access the desired e-services.

RUŽICA VASIĆ, OLIVERA OSTOJIĆ , Business Analytics Consultants at AIGO BUSINESS

AGILITY AND INNOVATION ARE KEY TO PROGRESS

AIGO has spent many years continuously listening to the market and the requirements of business, investing in employee education and the creating of new IT services that provide clients with continuous development and available data showed themselves to be the most successful. This readiness was also recognised by investors, so adaptability was also very quickly reflected in the share prices of companies that harmonised their business models with remote work and life.

iven that our clients have complex and multidisciplinary goals, we overview trends existing beyond the confines of an industry in order to understand all aspects of business operations and enable our clients to learn more about themselves and their clients than ever before, note CorD’s interlocutors for this interview.

The pandemic highlighted the frailties of old IT models and traditional “on-site” solutions. Who were among those that best handled and adapted to the new situation? The COVID pandemic surprised the whole world and led to fundamental changes at various levels. It brought uncertainty

The ability of companies to manage crises and costs, through their agility and innovation, is more crucial today than ever before to the lives of individuals and companies, which had to change their business processes and procedures overnight. Adaptation became a global imperative, which had a direct impact on companies’ efforts to digitalise and introduce application support to business processes. The ability of companies to manage crises and costs, through their agility and innovation, is more crucial today than ever before. Applying new technologies for informed decision-making provides essential support in these efforts. The companies that were best prepared to embrace the possibilities of technological solutions

Contemporary business imposes ever-greater and more complex demands on the IT sector. How do you succeed in meeting all the expectations of your clients? The fact that digitalisation is topical has made the integration of applications within and between companies extremely complex. The speed at which requirements change also imposes new operational conditions, and that’s also the case for us, as participants from the IT sector. Familiarity with business processes is something that IT consultants must have in their repertoire of skills, in order for them to be able to view the bigger picture and implement all the needs of clients. It is vital for us to communicate efficiently and transparently with the client from the outset. That’s the only way for us to fully understand their expectations, but also to proactively suggest ways for them to develop further. When selecting technological solutions, it is necessary for companies, and us along with them, to also view the situation from the inside. We have a wide range of solutions at our disposal today, but the essence lies in the way we use that, i.e., whether a company has adapted the technologies to its strategic goals, and to what extent. To what extent do modern IT technologies and business analytics influence the achieving of a competitive advantage? How aware of that are the people running companies? As modern technological solutions increasingly become an integral part of business operations, so business analytics and its potential become a more visible, clearer and essential part of the system. Of course, places where progress can be made exist. Companies are aware of this potential, and we - as consultants - are here to help organise data collection, data systematisation and data processing processes in the most efficient way. This allows these companies to receive answers to the most important performance questions, to speed up the decision-making process, optimise business processes, launch new sources of revenue, identify better market trends and identify business problems on time. And all with the aim of creating and maintaining a competitive advantage. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

BUSINESS

MARKO BOSANAC, PRESIDENT OF MONTOP GROUP

THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED IN SERBIA Montop Pro (member of Montop Group) has initiated a project to develop the most modern optical telecommunication networks in Serbia. This Novi Sad-based company has the human and technical capacity to conduct overall planning for the combined communal infrastructure of broader urban and rural territories

iven that this company possesses state-of-the-art equipment for installing microtubes, inflating optical microcables and connecting cable sections, as well as devices for testing and measuring the technical characteristics of optical cables, company president Marko Bosanac expects dynamic and progressive growth on both the local and regional fronts.

Insufficent attention was paid to the development of infrastructure for a long time. How would you assess current activities in this area? By monitoring the largest investor in the region, Telekom Srbija, I consider the challenges in this area as being great, through the cycle of investments itself, such as the construction of intercity optical infrastructure and the FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home) project. With the applying of the “optical cable to the users” concept – the future has practically already arrived in Serbia. The need of users for ever-faster internet is growing constantly. By monitoring the latest technical and technological achievements, we decided to follow the growing demands of the market, and thus those of the end user. This is especially so given the fact that the latest technology for optical cable connections enables a link with huge bandwidth and high reliability. Thanks to an understanding of the need for constant investment and infrastructural modernisation, we have finally reached a position where we’re not lagging behind the more economically developed countries. As a leader in telecommunications, you are fully committed to developing information and com22 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

As leaders in the implementation of works, we will be ready for the challenges ahead and will support the future development of Serbia with our full force munication technologies. It could be said that you succeed in satisfying all the demands of your clients... We strive on a daily basis to constantly raise standards within the scope of our range of services, particularly when it comes to reliability and quality. Our long-term strategic orientation is towards the implementing of services guided by world standards and the sharing of the best business practices. I’m personally convinced - on the basis of the results that we’ve achieved to date - that the family of our satisfied clients will continue growing constantly.

Could we also say that the future has already arrived when it comes to broadband internet? Are you satisfied with your participation and contribution to the development of the most modern optical telecommunication networks? Observing the current situation, optical infrastructure has reached the doorsteps of half of Serbian households. Taking into consideration the fact that our country, like the leading EU countries, is recognised by the EBRD as a strategic partner in advancing digitalisation within the regional framework, we expect the implementation of a project to bring broadband internet to Serbia’s rural areas in the period ahead. As leaders in the implementation of works, we will be ready for the challenges ahead and will support the future development of Serbia with our full force. By absolutely acknowledging the claim that modern infrastructure represents the first step in the digitalisation of business, and that we, as a company, provide services in the construction of telecommunications infrastructure and the design and construction of data centres, we have the right to expect further growth and development. Being competitive and accepting of new challenges are important factors that have helped build our company’s reputation as an innovative partner in the construction of public facilities for various purposes, while adhering to the principles of the economical use of energy and environmental protection. We are strongly convinced that, when it comes to the topic of digitalisation in the regional context, the right time for Serbia and our company is yet to come.

NENAD NIKOLIN, FOUNDER & CEO OF FRACTAL DIMENSION AND CCS SOLUTIONS

BUSINESS

KNOWHOW AND INITIATIVE – THE FORMULA FOR SOLVING MODERN CHALLENGES Interview with Nenad Nikolin, a serial entrepreneur who recently returned from the Gitex conference held in Dubai (UAE) and EXPO 2020

enad is the founder and director of companies Fractal Dimension and CCS Solutions, but also the start-ups Green Mask, Couch Coach, Moje Vino [My Wine], Moja Vizit Karta [My Business Card] and S&N Winehouse. He is business advisor to around dozen start-ups from Serbia and Turkmenistan over recent years, with these enterprises having succeeded in raising initial investments for their operations totalling 620,000 euros.

Could you relay some of your impressions following your visit to the Gitex conference? This was my first time attending the Gitex conference in Dubai, and it reminded me very much of similar conferences that I attend regularly, such as MWC, 4YFN, TechCrunch and others. However, what certainly characterises Gitex are the visitors, who are incredibly curious and prepared to spend a long time in conversation with exhibitors and innovators, in order to educate themselves and learn about the latest technological achievements. I was particularly proud of the fact that, for the first time, I had an opportunity to see the extremely well-conceived and implemented appearance of Serbian companies and start-ups. I would single out in particular the victory of our start-up Joberty, which was the pride of the entire Serbian delegation at Gitex and we all cheered for it enthusiastically. Do Serbian companies have the knowhow and capacity to enter and compete on the UAE market? The UAE market is very significant and large in its own right, and our companies are already operating there successfully, but it seems that our public hasn’t been made sufficiently aware of that fact. Walking along the Dubai seafront, you can’t help but notice the Smart Palms, which represent the latest application of IoT technology and were realised by a team of experts from Belgrade. So, we have the knowhow and capacity, but I would say that we lack the initiative needed to complete the success, and for us to also achieve successful results not only on the territory of the UAE, but also elsewhere in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Dubai and the UAE are extremely important markets for us in and of themselves, but also represent the first stop to contracting business on the markets of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. You also had an opportunity to visit EXPO 2020 and the Serbian pavilion. How would you rate our performance? I don’t know if anyone else has already called EXPO 2020 a world wonder of the 21st century. If they haven’t, then I’ll be the

With a representative of EXPO 2020

first. EXPO 2020, at which almost all countries of the world are represented, has been conceived and implemented in such a way that it leaves you breathless, during every minute that you spend there. The ideas and innovations through which nations and states are striving to convey and present their traditions and cultures are the greatest value to have been achieved, while the fusion of music, culture and art, combined with technology, is the thing that fascinates. Serbia’s appearance has been excellently conceived, and our pavilion isn’t just the base for Serbian entrepreneurs in Dubai, but rather is very well attended, having recorded more than 300,000 visitors over the period of a month and a half. Did you manage to hold business meetings in Dubai? Yes, we had meetings every day, both at Gitex and at the Serbia Business Hub, which was formed at the initiative and with the support of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Government of the Republic of Serbia, and which – next to the Serbia pavilion at EXPO 2020 - represented our second home during our stay in Dubai. I would certainly single out the meetings with representatives of Dubai South, as well as those with the representatives of EXPO 2020, who showed great interest in our Green Mask product. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW 24 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

BUSINESS

ZORAN ĐORĐEVIĆ, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISE POST OF SERBIA

SUCCESSFUL RESPONSE TO THE RAPID GROWTH OF E-COMMERCE As a public company that has always had close links to the community and focused on the needs of users – be they citizens, companies or large economic systems – Post of Serbia has been the initiator and carrier of important state projects

n continuing such a tradition, we are focused on the implementation of the most significant investments, which will have a direct impact on improving services, establishing new platforms and securing the most modern equipment says Post of Serbia Acting Director Zoran Đorđević.

Since its creation, Post of Serbia has focused on the specific needs of its users. How do you manage to fulfil their expectations and requirements? During the years of the pandemic, we maintained the continuity and quality of services and responded successfully to the rapid growth of E-commerce. The increase in the volume of shipments was accompanied by an increase of approximately 20 per cent in the volume of post-express shipments. We developed new routes and delivery methods and implemented measures to preserve the high quality of service. We also ensured the significant improvement of all postal and financial services, as well creating and implementing new electronic services. We achieved all of that thanks to the dedication of our approximately 15,000 employees, through responsible administration and innovation, but also with the unbridled support of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, which shares our vision that the modernisation of postal services contributes to economic growth. You announced the opening of new facilities as soon as you took over the helm of this huge system. What is your aim? That is related to the needs of users and the development of the economy in a specific area, so we have enabled private individuals, legal entities and entrepre26 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

neurs to join our postal network through the opening of contracted post offices and counters. With this the conditions have been created for new employment and the self-employment of citizens, the generating of additional income for entrepreneurs and legal entities, while services are made even more available to all citizens and users. We’ve planned the opening of 300 branches, in order for every settlement in Serbia to have a post office, and that forms part of the preconditions for the economic revitalisation of some parts of Serbia. Apart from maintaining direct contacts with users, would it be right to say that you’ve advanced well beyond many others when it comes to the field of digital services? Through our operations we follow the goals of the Government of the Republic of Serbia in the field of developing digitalisation and the information society. The faster application of new technologies, modern information and communication services, innovations and highly educated professional staff are the carriers of de-

velopment plans for the modernisation of Post of Serbia and the complete reform of operations, which we are committed to achieving. We base the modernising of post office branches and processing centres, increasing the percentage of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fleet, the automating of technological processes and the creating of new digital services on the latest technological and environmental solutions and the development of robotics. New digital services, such as the issuance of digital green certificates, Ecommerce, postal and financial services from users’ homes, a “smart” system for shipment, E-archiving, E-telegrams and E-greeting cards are just a few of our current projects related to the development of innovative approaches and services. You’ve announced the introduction of new digital services for the economy, including E-archiving. Are you also preparing something new for your oldest users? In partnership with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia and the Public Notary Chamber of Serbia, we are already working on the implementation of the E-notary project, which enables the archiving of public notary documentation, as the first stage in digitalisation and centralisation of notary material. We have provided a faster and more efficient service for our oldest and most loyal users, by reducing queues and waiting times. Apart from new branches and extended working hours, we are also shortening waiting times through “smart” systems for managing queues. Moreover, as soon as is possible, we will enable the payment of affiliation fees and payments of money from current accounts at users’ home addresses.

VLADIMIR SPASIĆ, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, DELL EMC BUSINESS

I.T. IS THE FOUNDATION FOR PROGRESS Dell Technologies has grown to become a large organisation, merging large IT companies with a portfolio that includes both enterprise solutions and end-user devices. This company is proud of its business model, which is dependent entirely on its network of partners and customers

peaking for our magazine, Dell EMC’s Vladimir Spasić says that the company’s solutions can be found in all branches of industry, whether that’s finance, banking and insurance, healthcare, the construction sector, the petroleum industry etc.

You have an impressive portfolio that encompasses a broad spectrum, from computers and laptops, to various technical solutions. Are you proud that you succeed in satisfying even the most complex requirements of users? User requirements vary depending on the complexity of their organisation, but also the technical requirements that they must satisfy, both internally and externally. Our company’s complex solutions are capable of responding to the equally complex challenges imposed on our clients by the market, in order for their operations to be at the highest level. The era of digitalisation has brought us huge advancements in the sense of IT, and the need for specific solutions and even the associating of several companies is something that happens often, and all with the aim of satisfying the most complex requirements of users. We are primarily proud of our customers and their initiative to make the world a better place to live and work, and when our clients are satisfied, we’re proud of the fact that we’re in a position to contribute to their progress. You are known for helping users to traverse the digital transformation process as efficiently as possible. In which branches of industry are you present?

digital, and their operations are turning, our solutions have become more accessible to the wider market in accordance with that trend. IT is present in all branches of industry, and now forms the basis for the further progress of those branches, and our solutions can be found in all branches of industry, whether that’s finance, banking and insurance, healthcare, the construction sector, the petroleum industry etc.

When our clients are satisfied, we’re proud of the fact that we’re in a position to contribute to their progress The entire world has become digital in a short period, and IT – as the segment that our company deals with – forms the foundation of the new and innovative economic system. The solutions that exist in our company can be applied both to small systems and systems with technology needs that have far exceeded a pricetag of millions. Given that digital transformation is ubiquitous, and companies are increasingly striving towards

Last year proved to be extremely successful for you, despite the fact that you spent the last three quarters working entirely from home. Does this mean that this way of working will be commonplace in the future? There is currently great controversy about working from home, regarding what it has brought to employees, whether it has been good or bad for them, and what they actually lost by no longer working from an office. Given that no end to the pandemic is yet in sight, a question remains over what the job that we did until yesterday will look like in the future. Opinions and experiences are divided. It is certain that there has been a change to communication between employees, because the means of communication cannot replace personal contact. Ultimately, it all boils down to individual value, and whether working from home suits someone more, the only thing that’s for certain is that the working day has been extended. The majority are of the opinion that, in the end, everything will be reduced to a hybrid way of working, between the office and the home, and only time will tell what that will bring us on the other side. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

BUSINESS

VUK KOSOVAC,Executive Board Member and Head of Retail at OTP banka Srbija

GREEN AGENDA IS OTP BANKA’S

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

Photo by Nebojša Babić, Orange Studio

As the number one lender to businesses and households, and a leading provider of factoring and leasing services, OTP banka has almost 200 branches in 90 towns and cities, 306 ATMs, nearly 3,000 employees and 750,000 active clients. Over the last two years, the bank has accelerated its innovation and digitalisation, as well as deciding to embark on the path of green transition

e have a special responsibility towards society, which is why environmentally sustainable operations represent the new orientation of OTP banka. In order for our vision not to remain just an unrealised plan on paper, we launched Generator ZERO, as one of the initiatives - notes OTP banka’s Vuk Kosovac.

28 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

You are recording excellent operational results. It appears as though you haven’t experienced the crisis and pandemic solely as sources of problems? We are a bank that solves problems; that directs its efforts every day towards being better and providing all of our clients with services of the maximum quality. When the

OTP banka is no.1 creditor in Serbia, to both retail and corporate clients pandemic began, we found ourselves confronted by an unexpected test: to organise all processes, decisions and operations in such a way that neither clients, employees, nor results suffer. And we reached a solution that

required numerous strategic adjustments. However, that’s why we’re now the number one bank in Serbia when it comes to lending to businesses and households, with net profit of 54 million euros at the end of the third quarter of this year, representing 100 per cent growth compared to the same period of last year. We’re recording 12 per cent growth in the retail segment, while home loan production has grown 80 per cent compared to the same period of last year. All of that combined testifies to the fact that we succeeded; that we identified and offered the best solutions for our clients. The post-covid business environment will probably differ completely from the previous one, because it won’t be enough to merely follow technological trends. Does this mean that agility and accelerated digitalisation will be key factors of progress? Absolutely, because our habits are changing, and much faster than predicted. For example, we’ve recorded around four million e-commerce transactions to date, which represents a year-on-year increase of 40 per cent. All these trends compel us to invest even more in development and innovation, and in our solutions being new and harmonised with shifting needs. I must stress the significance of the fact that we’re part of the strong OTP Group, because it’s important for accelerated digitalisation to have this kind of expertise from other markets. Our clients today expect new solutions in terms of card payments, integrated payment models that are simple for traders, but also the introduction of cloud certificates, which will enable them to sign documents with the bank via their mobile device, with the exception of high-capital value contracts. With this we save their time, but also the consumption paper, thereby optimising the use of resources. We are also awaited in the coming period by the applying of an in-

measurable impact on reducing the carbon footprint. The contest runs until 20th December this year and is intended for SMEs and micro enterprises, start-up companies and informal start-up teams and entrepreneurs. We will award the best solution two million dinars, as well as long-term expert support in the areas of business expansion and identifying new development opportunities, while our project partners will also award valuable prizes for the best solutions.

We are present in 90 cities, with almoust 200 branches, 306 ATMs, nearly 3,000 employees and 750,000 active clients novation that comes to us from the Group, which has begun working with partners to develop the fastest A.I. supercomputer in Europe. This relates to a technology that can very quickly process huge quantities of textual information and data. Thanks to this, our clients will have faster and more personalised financial services. You recently announced a new contest for your Generator project. What can you tell us about that? Generator Zero is dedicated to supporting and rewarding innovative projects that offer sustainable solutions that can have a real and

New York-based specialised magazine Global Finance declared OTP Group the best bank in several categories. What are all the areas in which you’re the best? Is it also true that you officially have the best innovation ideas in the world? OTP Group has received several awards from this prestigious magazine, including for the best bank for small and medium-sized enterprises and for the best bank for private banking in Central and Eastern Europe. Similarly, it also received the award for the best financial innovation laboratory in the world, on the basis of financial indicators, quality of service and innovative solutions implemented in the preceding year. For us, the accolade for the best bank for private banking is particularly important, because private banking clients have specific and very high expectations of their banks. That’s something that we recognised on time and why we’ve included in our offer - for several years already - a wide range of banking services, investment and financial advice tailored especially for them, as well as our asset management knowhow through the Eminent Package. We understand the local private banking market and can additionally crisscross our different areas of expertise, such as corporate business, leasing and insurance, and we want to provide the most to our clients, in order for us to utilise the full potential of our activities and assets. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

PREDRAG NIKOLIĆ, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE FOR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION BUSINESS

GREATEST SUPPORT TO THE SME SECTOR The Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) is a national project for coordinating and implementing digital transformation in all private sector industries, with a special focus on SMEs

pproximately 900 companies applied for the Programme of Support for the Digital Transformation of SMEs during the previous period, with as many as 130 of them having to date implemented defined solutions, for which they received 50 per cent of co-financing - explains the CDT’s MD Predrag Nikolić. What guided the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry when it decided to establish the CDT in 2018, with the support of German international development agency GIZ? The intention was to launch the process of supporting the Serbian SME sector, with the support of German development agency GIZ, following the conducting of comprehensive public opinion research. It was determined that a high percentage of Serbian companies lack awareness of the importance of digital transformation, and that companies wanting to take the first step didn’t know where to turn for help. In tandem with the selecting, educating and certifying of consultants in the field of digital transformation – who subsequently visited companies across Serbia and helped them in the transformation process – work was also undertaken to change the awareness of the general public, because changing the way people think is the first step towards implementation later. The CDT has so far implemented two rounds of certifying digital transformation consultants, which were conducted according to the procedures and under the supervision of the Austrian Economic Chamber, so CDT consultants possess a certificate that’s recognised internation30 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

raising awareness of the importance of change. It is very important for companies to grasp that this isn’t merely about following technological trends, but rather is a question of their long-term survival on the market and their inclusion in supply chains. The CDT was selected as the Serbian Ministry of Economy’s partner on the implementation of the ambitious Action Plan in the field of digital transformation because, among other things, we have generated direct interest in inclusion in various programmes among almost 1,500 companies over the last three years. A significant number of companies has implemented technological solutions developed through consultations with our consultants.

The CDT has so far implemented two rounds of educating and certifying digital transformation consultants, with a third round currently being implemented ally. The CDT is currently implementing the third round of educating and certifying digital transformation consultants, but also – for the first time – consultants specialising in artificial intelligence. How aware are our companies when it comes to the importance and positive impact of digital transformation? In this sense, our job encompasses multiple areas – organising and building up the infrastructure required to provide assistance to businesses in this domain, but also thorough work on education, i.e.,

Has digital transformation been accelerated by the crisis that we’ve yet to emerge from? The global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has only confirmed the necessity of changing the way business is done. The aforementioned altered conditions for doing business prompted the CDT to react very quickly and adequately, by developing – with the help of GIZ – two programmes to provide swift support to companies facing operational problems. Practice has shown – both in Serbia and in the EU – that the companies that had already taken significant steps in the area of digital transformation prior to the pandemic were incomparably more resilient to the new crisis, because it was easier for them to switch to decentralised operations; that they managed to reach their customers and clients easier and quicker; and that their financial and business flows suffered less disruption as a result of the crisis.

IVAN STOJANOVIĆ, MARKETING AND SALES DIRECTOR FOR B2B CUSTOMERS, TELENOR SERBIA

Telenor strongly supports the process of digitalising the economy, the new model of fiscalisation and market education, which is why it has designed and announced a unique, comprehensive solution

n order to support customers in transitioning to the new model of fiscalisation and to ease this process, Telenor provides a comprehensive turnkey solution - says Telenor Serbia Marketing and Sales Director for B2B Customers Ivan Stojanović. What does this “turnkey solution” mean? Firstly, it includes all required technical equipment, the e-Cashier device, installed with adequate software with advanced functionalities. It also includes access to the Cloud portal, with a backup copy of data in the case of a defect. The device will have a Telenor SIM card providing unlimited internet traffic in the Best in Test network. We additionally offer full support in installation

BUSINESS

TELENOR OFFERS “TURNKEY SOLUTION” applications and filing a request to obtain the security element. What would be your recommendation to business customers? Our recommendation would be not to wait until the last moment. Due to the global shortage of chips and long delivery times, we urge them to apply as soon as possible, in order to secure their device on time. and education at the customer’s location, constant customer and technical support, and a replacement within 24 hours in the case of a defect. Finally, we provide help with the documentation required for fiscalisation, subsidy

How can customers apply? Customers can apply via the Telenor website. We want to help all business customers switch to the new model of fiscalisation as easily as possible, which is why we’ve made it possible for them to complete the entire process in one place.

DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

EIB

ADVANTAGES OF BEING DIGITAL With the digital revolution well underway, Europe needs to speed up the introduction of adequate infrastructure, skills and frameworks in order to be able to benefit from fast-paced technology development, or it may lose its head start on the global market. Most EU member states are currently trailing the U.S. when it comes to digitalisation, as indicated by the European Investment Bank’s Digitalisation in Europe 2020-2021 report

lthough the pandemic accelerated the digitalisation process considerably (63% of EU firms had implemented at least one digital technology in 2021), there are significant digital gaps that could impede the transformation of businesses in all sectors. This could impact the European Union’s micro and smaller firms, with fewer than 50 employees, in particular. They are already lagging behind in the adopting of digital technologies, mostly due to a lack of adequate skills and access to financing. Compared to 75% of large companies that are already digital, only 40% of micro companies fall into this category. 32 DIGITAL DIRECTIONS 2021

The report shows that countries (such as Belgium, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands) that are the highest-ranked according to the Digital Transformation Enabler’s Index are also EU leaders when it comes to digitalisation, managing to outperform U.S. companies in 2020. The index monitors the extent to which national industries integrate new digital technologies and foster the start-up and innovation culture. RADITIONAL INDUSTRIES NEED TO T SCALE UP THEIR DIGITAL GOALS This digital divide is also present at the sector level. Traditional sectors, such

as construction, manufacturing, transportation and education, are technologically less advanced compared to ICT and advanced manufacturing players (such as automotive, electronics, life sciences, drug manufacturers and mechatronics). Going further into typical digital profiles, traditional sectors can be classified as “digital adopters”. These are usually older companies that were established long before the digital age, are still in the early phases of digital adoption and tend to use well-established technologies, such as those regulating customer relationship management. On the other hand, “digital natives” are companies established on

strong technology platforms that demonstrate digital maturity across a broad range of processes and functions. We can also clearly see the correlation between a company’s success, productivity and employment, on the one side, and digitalisation, on the other. For example, in Finland, where the digital adoption rate is an exceptionally high 76%, labour productivity in digital firms is 37% higher than in non-digital ones. EUROPE TAKES THE LEAD IN CLIMATE INVESTMENT Digital companies are driving the market forward. Rather than replacing existing buildings and equipment, digital companies invest in the development of new products, processes and services, as well as data and software. At the same time, they are more active in innovation, which is crucial for the development of new business, energy and communication models. They are expected to contribute to the pressing issues confronting the world, such as social disparities, climate change and urban vs. rural development. The EU is lagging behind the U.S. in digital innovation, in terms of patent applications for industry 4.0 technologies, and this gap has been gradually widening. While some Chinese firms are becoming serious digital players, the GAFAM (Google, Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Microsoft) are all U.S. firms, which confirms the country’s supremacy in this area. On the positive side, Europe is a leader in green investments and climate change mitigation, embracing the combination of climate and digital solutions. Compared to the United States, the European Union excels in terms of the share of firms investing in both climate and digital (32% vs. 28%). The share of EU firms that are investing only in climate is also nearly three times higher than in the U.S. (14% vs. 5%). CREATING CONDITIONS FOR FASTER GROWTH Building infrastructure to enable download speeds faster than 1 Gbps is a number one priority in addressing the obstacles impeding more efficient digitalisation across all sectors. There are companies and countries that have the potential to unlock investments in

digital projects, but they require faster broadband speeds. The other underlying issues include a lack of digital skills and the absence of a central educational platform that would provide expertise and training, particularly to SMEs. Finally, these processes should be accompanied by an enabling legislative framework and new financial opportunities, especially in the areas of innovation and emerging technologies that are reshaping the future. This is the case with artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies, where Europe is currently facing an annual investment gap of up to €10 billion. The EIB report shows that the highest number of SMEs involved in these

The report shows that countries (such as Belgium, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands) that are the highest-ranked according to Digital Transformation Enabler’s Index are also EU leaders when it comes to digitalisation, managing to outperform U.S companies in 2020 two technologies can be found in the U.S. (2,995), followed by China (1,418) and the EU27 (1,232). In other words, China and the U.S. account for 80 per cent of annual equity investments in both technologies and failure to address this issue could result in the EU losing the global race in these areas. FINANCING OPPORTUNITIES Accessing funds for digital projects remains one of the main obstacles on the market. The reason for this is that many countries lack a structured approach to digitalisation, which should entail all relevant sectors and available funds. At the same time, although banks are still among the main sources of external funding for companies, they are often unable to provide adequate lending products and expertise for digital projects. EIB data show that firms in traditional sectors use the same funding channels as they use for any other project, while digital

natives tend to use more innovative and alternative funding instruments, such as hybrid financing and crowdfunding. In an effort to address the existing investment gap, the EIB Group has developed dedicated financial instruments for digital projects. In cooperation with the European Commission, it has launched two pilot initiatives: a guarantee facility under Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) and early-stage equity investments in artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. Both financial schemes aim to support companies of different sizes in scaling up their digital capacities. In 2020, the first agreement under the COSME programme was signed for Serbia, where the EIB Group allocated €60 million to its partner commercial bank. These funds are available to local companies wishing to improve their digital skills or acquire IT equipment and software, enabling them to adapt to new market demand. THE EIB STANDS READY TO DO MORE The other major initiative from the European Commission is support for the establishment of digital innovation hubs — networks for full-scale support for companies. In Serbia, such an ecosystem can be found in the Science-Technology parks in Niš, Novi Sad and Belgrade, which the EIB supported under its loan to the research & development sector. At these innovation hubs, start-ups can benefit from expertise to help them develop and promote their advanced products and services that often combine digital solutions. In Serbia and across the Western Balkans region, the EIB is already seeking new financing opportunities to provide better digital infrastructure and foster the adoption of digital models in businesses. At the same time, we intend to support the development of smart, technology-based societies and skills across all demographics. In that respect, the EIB plans to roll out the Connected Schools project, providing financing in Serbia and across other countries of the region. These kinds of initiatives can offer schoolchildren and teachers the digital skills they need to meet future industry requirements and stimulate economic development and innovation. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

GIG WORKERS IN SOUTHEAST EUROPE

MULTIMEDIA AND CREATIVE SERVICES WORKERS

LEAD THE REGION

Southeast Europe’s online labour market is becoming increasingly attractive to those with a less sophisticated skillset. The negative aspect of such a development is that these professions are paid less, and thus the total market value – measured by total generated income – is lower. On the positive side, however, is a convergence of (average) earnings between countries and between men and women

he region’s gig workers market is now stagnating, following strong expansion recorded over previous years. The leading global freelance platforms in Southeast Europe, measured by number of registered gig workers, are currently Upwork, Freelancer and Guru, where the latest measurement registered 104,988 freelancers across the region’s nine countries. This is shown by the latest report of the Public Policy

34 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

Research Centre (CENTER), a Belgradebased think tank covering changes to the online labour market in the region. Upwork is the most influential global platform in the region – representing the leading platform in seven of the nine observed countries (Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia and Bulgaria). Upwork added almost 3,000 new freelancers over the previous six months, far exceeding any

employer in the region’s real economy. Upwork now has an almost 43 per cent market share, while Freelancer has fallen to a 25 per cent share and Guru represents the second dominant player on the platform market, with 32.3%. In order for the comparison in the development of gig market to be as accurate as possible, and to counterbalance the difference in country size, the relative number of gig workers is compared to

the size of the country i.e., the number of inhabitants. North Macedonia continues to lead the way, with 249 gig workers per 100,000 inhabitants, or 87 more than Serbia, which comes second with 162 gig workers. The fact is that North Macedonia represents a “hotspot” economy for gig work – with the number of gig workers comparatively almost ten times higher than in the lowest ranking Hungary, which has only 25 gig workers per 100,000 inhabitants. A significantly higher share is enjoyed by Albania and Montenegro, although a relatively small number of gig workers are engaged in those countries. The latest measurement brought changes related to the distribution of freelancers by certain professions. The relative share of gig workers in the two dominant sectors (creative services and multimedia and software development) fell by almost four percentage points, so they now account for just below 58 per cent of the total number of gig workers in these two professions. In addition to the drop in these two professions, a decline was also recorded in sales and marketing. On the other hand, there was a slight increase in the share of gig workers in professional services, administrative services, data entry and writing and translation. Though relatively small, the scope of the changes is not insignificant. Specifically, these trends indicate that Southeast Europe’s online labour market is becoming increasingly attractive to those with a less sophisticated skillset. The negative aspect of such a development is that these professions are paid less, and thus the total market value – measured by total generated income – is lower. The latest measurement showed significant changes regarding the comparative advantages of the countries in terms of professions. Albania has the highest values in two areas relative to the regional average, and to all the other countries in the region. These are professional services – a new area – and sales and marketing, as was the case in the previous measurement. It is uniquely assessed against this characteristic, as no other country has two areas of pronounced advantage relative to the other countries. Furthermore, Albania also has a more significant advantage in software development.

Looking at all professions, BosniaHerzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro and Croatia show the lowest level of specialiasation, as there are no professions with the highest share in any of those countries relative to the other countries of the region, or that deviate significantly relative to the regional average. The dominant occupation among gig workers in all other countries is multimedia and creative services, with the exception of workers from Hungary, where writing and translation lead the way. Romania, with the second largest population of gig workers in the region (after Serbia), became a regional leader in software development. In North Mac-

WHAT IS GIGMETAR? Gigmetar looks at developments in the gig communities of Serbia and Southeast Europe: Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. This index seeks to identify the structural aspects of the gig labour market and the similarities and differences between gig workers in the region, as well as identifying trends and evolving changes. edonia there is a pronounced comparative advantage in data entry and administrative services. Serbian gig workers continue to dominate in multimedia and creative services – the highest number of freelancers is concentrated in this area and their share exceeds the regional average by 5.2 percentage point. Our sample is dominated by men in platform work: 635 of the 1,000 sampled. Nevertheless, the latest regional measurement shows a 2.1 percentage point increase in the share of women, primarily thanks to a higher number of women among new freelancers. The share of women increased in all of the region’s countries except Croatia. Considering gender structure by country, significant changes are noticeable. Namely, although men constitute more than half of the gig population in each of the countries of the region, the per-

centage of female gig workers in two countries (Albania and Montenegro) still exceeds 40 per cent. A higher share of women relative to the regional average can also be found in Bulgaria, Hungary and North Macedonia. The latest measurement again shows the most unfavourable gender structure in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The demanded average hourly rate remained practically unchanged relative to the previous measurement. One may conclude that the labour market has stabilised, at least with respect to hourly rates. Croatia remains the country with the most expensive workforce ($24.04/h), and North Macedonia remains the country with the cheapest workforce ($16.05/h). Hypothetically speaking, if a Croatian freelancer worked 176 hours (the maximum number of possible work hours in regular employment) in August and earned an average gig worker income, he would have earned $1,406.24 more than a colleague in North Macedonia who had the same level of engagement and earned the average hourly rate applicable in his country. Differences among countries are also evident with respect to the demanded average hourly rate. It only exceeds $20 in the countries that are EU member states. However, all of them – along with Albania and Montenegro – recorded a decrease in the average hourly rate. This was most pronounced in Croatia – 72 cents per hour – and least pronounced in Montenegro – only 0.02 cents per hour. On the other hand, the other three countries that have significantly lower average hourly rates recorded increases: from 0.81 cents in Bosnia-Herzegovina, to more modest increases in North Macedonia (0.26 cents) and Serbia (0.19 cents). The positive consequence of the pandemic identified in the previous period (convergence of (average) earnings between men and women) was also confirmed by the most recent measurement. The average hourly rate of women increased by 2.4%, meaning that they earned 83.54% of the average hourly rate of men in August. The initial negative impact of the pandemic on the convergence of income (recorded in May and October 2020) seems to have definitely disappeared. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

DIGITAL DIRECTION

THE WORLD ENTERS A NEW ERA For more than a year and a half, the global pandemic caused by the Covid-19 virus has been shaking the whole world, leading to changes in lifestyle and work, changes in habits and needs, but also to an accelerated development of state-of-the-art technologies, digitalisation and public and private sector transformation. The world will never be the same again, because the future has already begun

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ONLINE PURCHASES DOUBLED The number of online purchases in Serbia increased from seven million in 2019 to 14.3 million in 2020, and the total investment in e-commerce consumption in Serbia is expected to exceed 400 million euros this year. In step with this colossal growth, in early 2021 the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunication in cooperation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) compiled an e-commerce guide to educate traders about what e-commerce is and what regulations govern it, and to provide practical advice to improve this way of shopping. It turns out that e-commerce is the fastest growing segment and has proven more resilient than traditional commerce. The largest growth in the pandemic, more than 300 percent, occurred among e-traders of sports equipment and items, those who sell large and small household appliances, food retailers, but also delivery services.

5G IS NOT LATE IN SERBIA “The introduction of the 5G network is not late. Four operators are interested in the allocation of radio frequencies for the network – SBB, Telekom, Telenor and A1 – and the regulatory framework exists as a condition for starting the process of public bidding for the allocation of frequencies”, said Vladana Radisavljavić Đorđević, head of the group for the planning and development of electronic communication networks and services in the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, speaking at a meeting organised by the Serbian Informatics Society at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry. On the basis of the existing regulatory framework, the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal

Services RATEL has announced a public invitation to operators this summer to apply for the use of certain radio frequency bands. As proof that the introduction of the 5G network is not late, the meeting was presented the example of Great Britain, which had no 5G stations in July 2019, while many British cities are now covered by this network.

QUALIFIED ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE IN THE CLOUD COMING SOON The Office for IT and e-Government of the Government of Serbia is carrying out a certification that will enable the public to quickly and easily obtain a qualified electronic signature through an application on their phones. The office is working to simplify the use of the qualified electronic certificate, to ensure that as many Serbian citizens as possible use an electronic signature. There are currently five certification bodies in Serbia that issue qualified electronic certificates, and the novelty prepared by the Office for IT and e-Government is that it will not be issued on a plastic card or USB, but will be available on a mobile phone or tablet. Everyone who has the ConsendID application will be able to receive an electronic signature free of charge. The application will be protected by a pin known only to the user. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

DIGITAL DIRECTION

THE STATE IS PREPARING A PLATFORM FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE The first state platform for artificial intelligence will be located at the Data Centre in Kragujevac. The platform will be the result of the government strategy for the development of artificial intelligence for the period 2020-2025. An action plan states that a platform for the development of A.I. will be established and made available from the cloud to universities, colleges and other institutions to help them work on various projects related to artificial intelligence.

INVESTMENT ALWAYS PAYS Until March 2020, the development, and even the application of new technologies followed strictly defined long-term plans, but with the beginning of the pandemic everything changed. It became necessary to do practically overnight what before was planned for months or even years. The design and introduction of new tools, processes, applications and services, primarily those that enable and facilitate remote work, has become a practical matter of life and death.

As a result, new technological tools have emerged, the digitalisation process has been accelerated and new directions of development have been defined. Among other things, it has been shown that special attention should be paid to training staff to raise the level of their IT literacy, and to developing and using new tools that enable work from anywhere. Precisely because of remote work, it has been shown to be especially important to work on the development of security systems because every workstation (computer) outside the company’s security system is more susceptible to attacks and intrusions from outside. 38 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

MENTORS HELP PUPILS START WORK In the next few months, more than 25 mentors from some of the best-known IT companies and institutions in Serbia will share their professional experience with pupils of specialised IT departments all over Serbia, answer their questions, help choose a faculty, and later an employer or a field in which start their own business. Career 4.0, a programme of free mentoring support, was developed in response to an analysis conducted by the Digital Serbia Initiative with students talented in IT who are foreseen as the bearers of further development of the digital economy of our country. The opinions and attitudes of over 300 high school students from 17 towns showed that students do not have enough opportunity to become acquainted with present and future professions. Among the mentors are experts in software development, telecommunications, gaming, project management, biostatistics, marketing, management, biotechnology...

When the vaccination started, all development experience, not only of data centers but also software, was used to set up a vaccination system within three weeks. The vaccine’s arrival in Serbia was monitored in real time, how it landed, how it spread around Serbia, where it moved, how it was stored in warehouses, how it was administered... On the other hand, people expressed their desires on the e-Government portal, and depending on those wishes, the state managed the procurement of vaccines, distribution and storage. 40 MILLION DINARS FOR DEVELOPING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE In the state Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, Serbia has announced the establishment of the first Institute that will deal with research into its application in various fields. The goal of the work of the Institute, which will be established in Novi Sad in Vojvodina, is to create future staff and attract investment in the field of artificial intelligence. From the budget of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, 40,000,000 dinars (about 339,000 euros) were allocated to establish and launch the work of the institute, which, according to Boško Nikolić Ph.D., from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade, represents only one stepping stone in the building of A.I. in Serbia.

DATA CENTRES AND MODERN SOFTWARE FACILITATE VACCINATION E-vaccines and the example of vaccination in Serbia show how important the digitalisation process is in everyday life. Mihailo Jovanović Ph.D., Director of the Office for IT and e-Government, explained that in the case of immunisation against the novel coronavirus, the rapid distribution of data and their application in real conditions was crucial.

A.I. is intelligence exhibited by machines. Systems based on artificial intelligence can be based solely on software and operate in the virtual world (virtual assistants, photo analysis software, browsers, speech and face recognition systems) or they can be built into devices - hardware (advanced robots, autonomous vehicles, drones etc.). According to professor Nikolić, artificial intelligence in Serbia is most developed in the field of industry and agriculture, and data processing that predicts various behaviours. DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

INTERVIEW 40 DIGITAL DIRECTION 2021

CorD Magazine, December 2021 no. 206

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