FACES & PLACES

22/03/2022 CorD Magazine’s Event Empowered Women Held

Empowered Women event organized by CorD Magazine and aim was dedicated to strengthening the fight for gender equality and empowering women, especially the vulnerable. Participants heard that there have been important and good changes, but that society still has a lot of work to do. Key speakers were Professor Dr Zorana Mihajlović, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Serbia and president of the Coordination Body for Gender Equality, H.E. Annika Ben David, Ambassador of Sweden, Violeta Jovanović, executive director of NALED and president of Ethno Network and Vera Nikolić Dimić, executive director of AmCham. Neda Lukić, editor-in-chief of CorD magazine, delivered a welcome address. The companies that supported the event are Steel Impex, Dell Technologies, Generali, HEINEKEN, Aik Bank, Huawei and Bambi.

01/03/2022 65th Anniversary Of The Diplomatic Relations Between Rabat And Belgrade

Ambassador of Morocco H.E Ambassador Belhaj inaugurated the celebrations of the #yearofMoroccoinSerbia marking the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Belgrade. The ceremony was held in the postal-telegraphic-telephone museum in Belgrade, and was the occasion to reveal the joint stamp edition commemorating this jubilee made by Groupe Barid Al-Maghrib and Pošta Srbije, as well as to present a Morocco philatelic exhibition.

03/03/2022 IWC March Coffee Morning

The Romanian embassy graciously invited the members of the International Women’s Club to celebrate the spring holiday “Martisor” with them for the March 2022 IWC coffee morning event. After being welcomed to the event by the IWC president Sonia Shehryar, the embassy guests, IWC members, and members of the press were invited by Her Excellency Mrs. Davidoiu to a presentation on the cultural significance of the March 1st holiday, the majestic Corvin Castle, one of the seven wonders of Romania as well as the beautiful city of Moldova Nouă on the other side of the Danube river.

FACES PLACES&

04/03/2022 Prehistoric Man “Revived” With MetaHuman Technology

After the world premiere at Expo 2020 Dubai and huge attention from the public and media around the world, the project “Prehistoric MetaHuman”, a virtual revival of prehistoric man from Lepenski Vir, was premiered to the Belgrade public on 4th March at the National Museum in Belgrade. This is an innovative project of Serbian scientists and innovators, which was realized with the support of the national platform Serbia Creates. For the first time in the history of mankind, the digitally portrayed digital face of the prehistoric man from Lepenski vir was animated and “revived” with the help of the top Metahuman technology, developed in Serbia.

07/03/2022 “International coffee break” Event Held Within The KBF

Nine bilateral organizations in Serbia, within the Kopaonik Business Forum, gathered representatives of member companies at the already traditional event called “International Coffee Break”, in the Casa Hotel Restaurant of the Grand Hotel Grand. The event was organized by the following bilateral organizations: Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Hellenic Business Association of Serbia, Croatian Business Club, CANSEE Canadian-Serbian Business Association, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Nordic Business Alliance, Slovenian Business Club, and Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

09/03/2022 Sustainable Development The Central Topic Of The Kopaonik Business Forum

The 29th Kopaonik Business Forum was opened on 9th March gathering 1,000 participants. The central topic was “Serbia 2030: Agenda for Sustainable Development”. During the four days, three plenary sessions were held, as well as 33 panels where about 200 participants spoke. As the representatives of the organizers, the Association of Economists of Serbia, pointed out, the participants of the gathering aimed to give answers to the most important economic and social challenges that Serbia is facing, and where they see Serbia in 2030.

17/03/2022 Danijela Fišakov Re-elected As President Of The Slovenian Business Club

The Slovenian Business Club (SPK) held a regular session of the Assembly at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade, which was also an election session. In her address, the President pointed out that despite the past challenging year, the Slovenian Business Club has maintained stability and that the new Board of Directors will continue its work in the future, with a focus on the interests of SPK members.

23/03/2022 43rd International Tourism Fair Opened In Belgrade

Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Tatjana Matić officially opened the 43rd International Tourism Fair. She said that the visit of a large number of ministers from other countries will contribute to strengthening both tourist exchange between our countries and existing business cooperation. She pointed out that the Belgrade Fair has a long tradition and is one of the key drivers of the Serbian economy as a whole, but it is also one of the most important events of this type in the region. After last year’s break, she said, this event now provides an opportunity for exhibitors and visitors alike to remember the golden times of travel and, despite everything, to invigorate the hope of a return to normal life.

FACES PLACES&

24/03/2022 The General Assembly Of The French-Serbian Chamber Of Commerce Held

The French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (CCIFS) held its regular annual General Assembly at the Embassy of the French Republic in Belgrade, at which the report on activities and the financial report for 2021, and the draft budget for 2022 were adopted. Dragan Stokić, President of the CCIFS addressed the members of the chamber, referring to the results so far and the strategy for future development. CCIFS Director-General Sanja Ivanić presented the activities realized in the past year and those planned in 2022, while Miodrag Jelić, CCIFS Treasurer from Lesaffre presented the financial results and the projected budget for 2022 to members.

29/03/2022 French Order Of Merit Awarded To Prof. Dr. Ivan Petrović

The ceremony at the French Embassy was held in the presence of the director of the Vinca Institute, the rector of the University of Belgrade, the family and close associates of Professor Ivan Petrović. In his speech, Ambassador H.E. Pierre Cochard emphasized the exceptional merits of this great scientist and friend of France and his contribution to top French-Serbian cooperation, as well as his impressive contribution to French, European, and international scientific research in nuclear physics and cancer.

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Transport Connectivity Opens THE DOOR TO DEVELOPMENT

Despite the numerous challenges being faced by Serbia and the rest of the world as a consequence of the energy crisis and the conflict in Ukraine, our country is continuing to implement extensive infrastructural works that form the basis of further economic progress in regional and European frameworks

The state of transport infrastructure represents one of the key factors in attracting foreign investments, but also increasing the competitiveness of the domestic economy. It is for these reasons that the work of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure is always at the heart of public interest.

It was just prior to the publishing of this special edition that regular high-speed train traffic commenced on the new Belgrade-Novi Sad express rail route. However, this isn’t the only rail route to have been renovated. And that’s precisely why we began this interview with Minister Tomislav Momirović by addressing the issue of connecting Serbian and European railways, the importance of these transport routes to further economic development and the environmental aspects of increasingly intensive use of railways.

“It’s completely certain that the entire European Union has recognised railways as the future of freight transport. Emissions of CO2 are 3.5 times lower per ton-kilometre than freight transports by road. Also testifying clearly to this is the fact that the EU decided to provide grants of 600 million euros to finance the modernisation of the Belgrade–Niš–Tabanovce railway, which will complete the rail section of Corridor 10 through our country,” says Minister Momirović.

As our interlocutor explains, “our greatest competition currently is coming from Corridor 4, through Bulgaria. With the modernisation of the Corridor 10 route through our country, we will be part of the shortest east-west route. Naturally, this all means much higher revenues for companies that provide railway transport services. Furthermore, any company considering an investment decision will very

DEVELOPMENT

The state of transport infrastructure represents one of the key factors in attracting foreign investments, but also increasing the competitiveness of the domestic economy

carefully calculate the price and speed at which it can transport its products to its consumers”.

The minister also notes that greater importance has been attached to the environmental impact of transport over recent years. “Developed high-speed railways provide the best response to all of these issues,” concludes Momirović.

Belgrade, followed by Niš, will see the relocating of rail tracks and hubs from their city centre areas. Considering that almost all major European cities have preserved the very central locations of their railway stations, what arguments do you have for reaching different solutions?

With the relocating of the noted railway stations, but also the building of new ones, numerous problems will be solved, and here I’m primarily referring to the relocating of freight traffic away from city centres, reducing the risk of traffic accidents involving rail vehicles, as well as eliminating various sources of noise pollution. Moreover, I would note that the project to reconstruct and modernise the Niš–Dimitrovgrad railway envisages the relocating of only rail freight traffic from Niš city centre, while passenger trains would continue operating as they have to date. In that way, with the construction of the aforementioned bypass, the capacity of the railway will be increased, which is extremely important to ensure the efficient future functioning of the Niš rail hub.

When it comes to Belgrade’s central railway station, during the previous period – on the basis of decades of analysis of rail traffic and various studies – an urbanisation project was developed for the construction of a railway station, parking facilities and accompanying business/commercial facilities within the scope of the “Belgrade Centre” railway station. One advantage of this relocation is the possibility to efficiently connect it with other parts of the city, as well as the possibility for trains included in the ‘BG: VOZ’ urban rail system to access this station and utilise it to transfer passengers between different railway systems, which contributes significantly to improving multimodality and thus improving the quality of rail services for travellers.

ECOLOGY

We’ve allocated 300 million euros for environmental projects for this year – for the construction of the sewage network, wastewater treatment facilities and regional landfills

The idea of the ‘Open Balkan’ initiative is based, to a large extent, on the transport connectivity of the countries of the region. How close are we currently to realising this vision of good, modern connectivity across this region? I consider us as being very close to achieving the goals, but that in no way implies that we shouldn’t continue implementing all tasks that move us towards even greater transport connectivity among the countries of the region. We do everything that we do in order to improve

The Government of the Republic of Serbia is fully committed to the “Open Balkan” policy, which implies regional integration to ensure swifter and more efficient flows of goods and services, but we will see in the coming period how the conflict in Ukraine will impact on the connectivity of Europe as a whole

the prosperity of our citizens, and that’s also reflected in the “Open Balkan” project, which was launched extremely energetically by President Vučić. The “Open Balkan” project was launched to improve the future prospects of Serbia, to remove obstacles in the region and make our economies profitable, and also to facilitate the movements of citizens. Advancing the integration, interconnectivity and economic growth of the entire region are our strategic interests. The Government of the Republic of Serbia is fully committed to the “Open Balkan” policy, which implies regional integration to ensure swifter and more efficient flows of goods and services, but we will see in the coming period how the conflict in Ukraine will impact on the connectivity of Europe as a whole.

TAKE-OFF

Airports in Niš and Kraljevo represent a window to the world for their respective regions, and enable even better conditions for receiving people and goods

You launched works to expand the capacity of Niš Constantine the Great Airport despite air transport being hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. What is the ministry’s strategic plan for the development of Serbia’s smaller airports?

We signed a contract in February that implies the executing of works to extend the terminal building within the complex of Constantine the Great Airport in Niš. This will make Niš’s airport one of the most modern in Southeast Europe. The upgrading of the terminal building will enable an annual capacity of 1.5 million passengers and the simultaneous serving of six aircraft. It will have departure gates and the possibility of deploying an air boarding bridge, which it doesn’t currently have. We will also secure additional commercial space and enable significant improvements to passenger comfort.

Planned works on the expansion of existing airport capacities haven’t been side-lined despite the current situation in the country and around the world. Alongside all current investments and the plan to further develop Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport, it is essential for us to have regional airports that serve the needs of other regions in Serbia, and here I’m primarily referring to the Constantine the Great Airport in Niš and the Morava Airport in Kraljevo. These airports represent a window to the world for their respective regions, and the investments of the ministry that I head serve to create even better conditions for receiving people and goods. Following the completion of important infrastructure projects in road and rail transport, and thanks to our country’s economic stability, we can talk about the strategy for Serbia – like developed countries – to have airports located within a 50-kilometre radius of important regional hubs.

Another major project that you are heading is the “Clean Serbia” project. How much progress has been made on this project and what are the realistic possibilities of achieving its objectives by the end of this year?

Less than eight per cent of municipal wastewater in Serbia is currently treated, while less than 10% of the population is covered by some level of wastewater treatment. An extremely low number of households are connected to the sewage system in the Republic of Serbia, with a large number continuing to utilise septic tanks. Our plan is to develop a sewage network covering 7,000 kilometres and construct more than 250 wastewater treatment plants in Serbia over the following five years. The plan is to invest four billion euros in the implementation of these projects, in order to resolve a problem that is being faced by approximately three million residents.

President Aleksandar Vučić also launched the “Clean Serbia” project in an effort to resolve these accumulated problems and finally elevate Serbia’s infrastructure to the EU level. Untreated wastewater must no longer be pumped into our rivers; there must be no more wild dumpsites and waste products ending up discarded in forests and children’s playgrounds. This is today’s biggest and most critical environmental problem confronting citizens. We’ve allocated 300 million euros for environmental projects for this year – for the construction of the sewage network, wastewater treatment facilities and regional landfills.

Belgrade is a major construction site, but the general public needs more information regarding the strategic vision of connecting city transport and major hubs of regional and international traffic, such as the railway station and the new bus station? What is your vision; and what are your realistic plans to construct the parts of that mosaic that are currently lacking?

Once we complete important infrastructure projects in road and rail transport, we can turn to the strategy to develop air transport with the idea of Serbia – like developed countries – having airports located within a 50-kilometre radius of important regional hubs

Realistic plans are visible to everyone. Major investment projects that are approaching the stage of commissioning – such as the high-speed railway and the Belgrade Bypass, along with the Metro [underground urban rail system], which we’ve finally advanced from a standstill – represent the backbone of our dream of the modern Belgrade, as a centre of domestic, regional, European and world transport corridors. From the intermodal terminal in Batajnica to the new Port of Belgrade, we are slowly adding pieces to the puzzle and raising the competitiveness of Belgrade and Serbia in global frameworks. That’s because roads and transport corridors enable the economy to take off. And regardless of how impatient citizens are, and how much they want that all to be built as soon as possible, they must be aware of the huge amounts of energy and funding that we’ve invested following previous governments’ decades of inactivity.

One of the biggest challenges of the Covid-19 period was the creation of green corridors enabling Serbian goods to make their way to the countries of the EU. What challenges are you facing as a consequence of the conflict in Ukraine and what possibilities do you envisage to resolve them?

The conflict in Ukraine is something that will have far-reaching consequences for the whole of Europe, and also the world. Here I would like to look back on the extremely difficult situation that we faced when it came to ensuring the safe return of our truck drivers who were “captured” in Ukraine. I would mention the fact that the ministry I head took all essential steps - through contact with road haulage associations - to secure precise and accurate information on the number and location of all of our haulage vehicles and drivers, our citizens, who were prevented from continuing their journey from Ukraine to Serbia. We succeeded in securing the return of our people to Serbia. We will certainly continue taking all steps towards enabling the unobstructed return of our drivers and goods to Serbia.

Better And More WORK THAN EVER BEFORE

Never before in our history have we had as many construction sites and contracted jobs as we have today. During these times of modernisation and the construction of infrastructure in Serbia, CIP is one of the most important participants, both as a project designer and an expert works supervisor

The Institute of Transportation CIP employs more than 500 experts of all profiles and is the only company in the region that designs railway infrastructure. Founded as far back as 1881, it is this year commemorating 141 years of work on conducting studies, designing and supervising railway construction works in Serbia and across the former Yugoslavia.

With a tradition dating back almost a century and a half, CIP’s experts have created monuments of architectural knowhow on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, but also abroad.

We began this interview by asking CIP Managing Director Milutin Ignjatović which projects he would single out as being the most important today.

“Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, CIP is designing modern, high-speed railway lines, which represent a major leap in the history of designing and installing rail tracks for trains of speeds of 200 kph that will connect Serbia with most European countries. When it comes to railways, I would emphasise in particular the Belgrade-Budapest railway project,” says Ignjatović, continuing: “This is the most important strategic project of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the biggest project in CIP’s history, which makes us very proud.”

For the needs of this large project, CIP engaged top expert engineers and prepared complete planning and technical documentation with its partners for the 183km-long section of the line from Belgrade’s central station to the Hungarian border, encompassing the railway junctions of Novi Sad and Subotica.

PROFESSIONALITY

We have no real competition, because we carry out almost all of the largest and most important projects in Serbia, which require licenses, knowhow and experience that only we possess

RECORD

The Belgrade-Budapest railway project is the most important strategic project of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the biggest project in CIP’s history, which makes us very proud

PLANS

In accordance with the state’s priorities, CIP continues to work intensively with its partners on the designing of highways and expressways

“The ceremonial opening of this ‘masterpiece’ of construction that is the railway from Belgrade to Novi Sad was held on 19th March 2022, with which we gained the most modern railway in Southeast Europe,” notes CorD’s interlocutor.

Which period of our past is comparable to today when it comes to the number and value of the projects in which you’re currently participating?

It is evident that we’ve never before in our history had as many construction sites and contracted works as we have today. During these times of the modernisation and construction of infrastructure in Serbia, CIP is one of the most important participants, both as a project designer and an expert works supervisor.

In earlier times, CIP designed almost all structures and facilities that were built in Serbia, whether that was railways, roads, highways, hospitals, schools, sports complexes and cultural facilities.

CIP’s experts designed and supervised construction works on around 3,000 km of railways, complete with stations and large railway junctions, across the former Yugoslavia, and here we would single out the Sarajevo-Ploče and Belgrade-Bar railways, as well as the junction hubs of Novi Sad, Skopje and Belgrade.

Other rail infrastructure built according to CIP projects incudes the two-track section of the Gilje-Ćuprija-Paraćin railway, with a bridge over the Velika Morava along the Belgrade-Niš railway that’s capable of speeds of up to 160kph, the second track from the Pančevo bridge to Pančevo, with a bridge over the river Tamiš, as well as the main refit of six sections of the railway route of Corridor 10, covering a total length of 112km, and on an approximately 78km-long section of the Belgrade-Bar railway.

The “Northern Tangent” in Belgrade was completed with Pupin’s Bridge over the Danube, the Surčin-Obrenovac section of Highway E-763, covering a length of around 17.6 km, together with a 1,600-metre-long bridge over the Sava and Kolubara rivers, and the Ub-Lajkovac and Takovo-Preljina sections.

CIP also designed the majority of sections along Corridor 10’s Highway E-75 (Niš-Skopje),

as well as Highway E-80 along Corridor 10c (Niš-Bulgarian border).

CIP also carried out the preparation of planning documentation and the preliminary design concept for Highway E-761, the so-called ‘Moravian corridor’, with the 80-km-long Pojate-Kruševac-Adrani section.

It was also according to a CIP project that the road bridge over the Drina between

My vision is for CIP, in the near future, to be ranked among the world’s most important construction companies; a company that will bring together the best expert personnel and produce the best design projects

Ljubovija and Bratunac was built, thus connecting Serbia and Republika Srpska with a joint border crossing.

Furthermore, CIP also prepared technical documentation for the Batrovci border crossing and the expansion of the Horgoš border crossing.

It is also thanks to CIP projects that all of Belgrade’s modern tram lines have been installed and reconstructed for decades.

I would also highlight in particular the unique Avala Tower: the 203-metre-tall symbol of Belgrade that was destroyed in the NATO bombing of 1999 and rebuilt according to a CIP project and under CIP’s expert supervision.

We shouldn’t overlook the many structures that were reconstructed following NATO aggression, especially the bridges in Novi Sad – the Varadin Rainbow Bridge and the temporary, prefabricated rail-road bridge that was built in just 120 days.

CIP has also prepared project design documentation for the most important residential and business complexes in Belgrade, of which we would particularly emphasise the University settlement in Blok 32, the largest part of the Stepa Stepanović residential and business complex, with more than 4,600 apartments and all associated infrastructure, as well as for the residential complex in Ovča where works are underway.

We were also the first in Serbia to design a facility for the National Gamma Centre, under the auspices of the Clinical Centre of Serbia, which has since been constructed and made operational. We should also highlight the project of the unique House of Football in Stara Pazova, the reconstruction of Tašmajdan Stadium, Zeleni Venac Market in Belgrade etc.

Your portfolio includes some of the most important projects in Belgrade, such as the new Sava Bridge and new railway and bus stations. How will their implementation change the look of Belgrade?

Belgrade is already among the world’s most beautiful metropolises. When all the projects planned and launched have been completed, Belgrade will be unrecognisable. Here I’m referring primarily to the completion of the Belgrade Waterfront project, as well as the implementation of the projects of Institute of Transportation, CIP: construction of a new Sava Bridge on the site of the existing tram bridge; construction of a new bus station in New Belgrade; construction of a new railway station in New Belgrade and completion of the construction of the Belgrade Centre railway station in Prokop. All these projects will relieve traffic congestion in the capital, ease the everyday lives of Belgraders and render Belgrade even more beautiful.

The Belgrade Centre railway station in Prokop has been designed as the main rail hub passenger station, where Corridor 10 lines from the directions of Subotica, Šid and Niš intersect, then the Belgrade-Bar line and the route from Vrsaš.

The new bus station in New Belgrade’s Blok 42, with its 65 platforms, will be integrated with the New Belgrade railway station to form a unique interchange.

For New Sava Bridge, which satisfies all traffic, technical, architectural and environmental requirements, CIP prepared its Preliminary Design Concept as the winner of the first prize in the anonymous design contest to design the new bridge over the river Sava, to be located on the site of the existing tram bridge. It is planned for this bridge to cater for both rail and road traffic, with sections for pedestrian and bicycle traffic on both sides.

It is also vital for the Serbian capital to complete the Belgrade Bypass, because that would permanently solve traffic congestion, while shifting the transport of hazardous and volatile substances away from central Belgrade.

These kinds of jobs demand concentrated technical knowhow and a team of top experts ready to find the most rational solutions for the most complex projects. Given the workforce shortages confronting Serbia, to what extent do you succeed in retaining established experts and enticing talented youngsters? We have the most modern equipment and software for work, and we encourage employees to learn, improve their skills and progress

You’re right. For the first time in the more recent Serbian history, we have a labour shortage problem. The reason for that is that we’ve launched major infrastructure projects the likes of which we could only have dreamt of in the past. And CIP has managed, despite the difficulties, to retain its expert personnel and the highest quality engineers, because it invests the maximum in the advanced training and educating of employees, working conditions and a technically equipped, healthy and professional working environment. We have the most modern equipment and software for work, and we encourage employees to learn, improve their skills and progress.

We have an increasingly globalised and interconnected market, where competition is constantly on the rise. What are the most important prerequisites for CIP to remain among the world’s top project design companies?

The most important precondition for the continued development of CIP is for the state to maintain this kind of economic development, to continue implementing planned projects and contracting new jobs, and to maintain a state of peace and stability, which represent the most important prerequisites for the prosperity of every company and individual. CIP succeeded in carving out its position even during the most difficult conditions, so I have no doubt about our future.

With over a century of tradition, Institute of Transportation CIP is today a leading research, design and consulting company in Serbia and Southeast Europe.

Institute of Transportation CIP successfully carries out all design activities, such as geodetic works, geological research, laboratory tests in the field of environmental protection, preparation of study, planning and technical documentation, professional and technical checking of technical documentation, testing of structures, professional supervision during construction, technical inspection of buildings, engineering consulting services.

With a staff of over 500 and over 300 experts licensed by the Serbian Chamber of Engineers and the Republic Geodetic Authority, Institute of Transportation CIP is a reliable partner to state institutions, faculties, local and foreign companies. It has modern equipment and software for design, geodetic surveys and geotechnical research.

In more than 140 years of business, CIP has remained synonymous with a high concentration of technical knowledge and a team of top experts who are ready to find the most rational solutions to the most complex projects.

The result of decades of successful work by CIP in the country and abroad is more than 8,000 kilometres of designed, built and reconstructed railways, 25 major railway junctions, more than 2,000 kilometres of roads and motorways, 1,200 bridges, 550 tunnels and underground facilities for various purposes and more than a million square metres of health, cultural, business, residential, sports and industrial facilities.

The CIP is designing modern high-speed railways, a major leap in the history of the design and construction of railways with train speeds of 200 km/h and with which Serbia will connect to most European countries.

An optimal combination of many years of tradition and experience, following global achievements and trends, Institute of Transportation CIP has become a formula for business, quality, speed and trust, and has remained at the top of the list of the world’s engineering design companies.

Managing Director Milutin Ignjatović, dipl. inž. Nemanjina 6/IV, 11000 Beograd, Republic of Serbia Tel. 011/361-69-29, 361-82-87; Fax: 011/361-67-57 E-mail: office@sicip.co.rs; CONSTRUCTION - TRANSPORT - INFRASTRUCTURE www.sicip.co.rs 11

IVANA VULETIĆ,SECRETARY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA

Volume Of Works And New Jobs GROWING CONSTANTLY

The construction sector is recording constant growth year on year. We will continue promoting these trends in the period ahead by connecting relevant participants

If we listed all the areas of activity within the scope of the construction sector, as well as other economic activities that are connected, directly or indirectly, with this industry, this whole page wouldn’t be enough to present them in the proper way. It would be enough to mention roads alone for there to be no end to the list. Serbia’s construction industry today comprises more than 11,000 companies employing in excess of 100,000 workers.

The value of construction works implemented in 2021 had real growth of 17 per cent. It’s worth reminding readers that, in the first quarter of 2021, the construction sector achieved the highest year-on-year growth in gross value added of any economic activity, totalling 19.6% compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

A total of 2,916 construction permits were issued in December 2021 alone, which is up 34.3% compared to December 2020.

Works on newbuild construction projects conducted in December 2021 had an estimated value of 72.6% of the total estimated value of works. The highest concentration of construction activity is expected in Belgrade’s districts, representing 18.9% of the projected value of newbuild construction works, followed by the Kolubara District (15.9%), the South Bačka District (12.4%), the Srem District (10.3%) and the Šumadija region (9.1%), while the participation of the country’s remaining regions reaches up to six per cent.

Given announcements of the continuation of investments in Serbia in the period ahead, particularly investments in infrastructure, we expect these kinds of positive construction trends to continue.

The construction sector’s influence over the country’s overall economic growth, through many factors, is immeasurable, whether that relates to the construction stage or the stage of the exploitation of facilities through the engaging of domestic operatives and the local workforce, and the use of materials sourced domestically, while, for example, following the completion of construction, better infrastructure eases the economy’s operations.

When it comes to presenting us to the world, it is particularly important to mention Expo 2020 Dubai, during the course of which it has been planned for the Republic of Serbia to have business delegations participating in nine thematic weeks. The Republic of Serbia’s attendance of the expo has been jointly organised by the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia – Platform Serbia, the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (CCIS).

A total of 77 companies and 158 businesspeople applied for inclusion in the business delegation to participate in the Third Thematic Week, “Urban and Rural Development”. The 77 companies included in this business delegation employ a combined total of 4,546 workers, while financial statements for 2019 show

that they generated total business revenues exceeding 50 billion RSD.

Over the course of their time at Expo 2020 Dubai for the “Urban and Rural Development” Thematic Week, businesspeople from Serbia were introduced to the CCIS Business Hub, located in the South Dubai industrial zone, and given opportunities to use it free of charge to hold meetings, give presentations etc.

These companies established more than 2,000 contacts, 275 of which were utilised to establish potential cooperation, while five business contracts were concluded, as well as around ten preliminary contracts for works that will be implemented in the near future. These companies expect to sign contracts with values ranging from 10,000 to three million euros.

Serbian construction firms have traditionally had a presence on the markets of Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East etc. Our construction specialists are still engaged on these markets today, albeit in a slightly altered format. Specifically, the presence of Serbian companies engaged in project design and project management is constantly on the rise, while there are ever fewer Serbian companies engaged in the execution of works on the ground.

Moreover, a large volume of works are currently underway in Serbia, which makes our market very interesting and challenging for construction companies, especially in the field of executing works.

The construction sector accounts for 7.5% of total employment in the Republic of Serbia. Shortages and outflows of qualified and skilled workers is a problem that has long since confronted the construction industry as a whole, across the entire region. This problem is apparent in Serbia, particularly given the intensification of investment activity in the country’s construction sector during the previous period, which has a direct impact on increasing demand for workers to implement construction works.

Apart from a pronounced shortage of skilled labour, the construction worker market also faces the problem of an insufficient number of schoolchildren enrolled in vocational secondary schools specialising in construction. With the inclusion of as many companies as possible in the dual education system, work experience placements and internships would prepare pupils to begin working in construction immediately upon graduation. And, considering the increased labour market demand, there is certainly work to be had in construction. Likewise, there is also an initiative among construction companies to establish – with certain benefits, i.e., subsidies – training and retraining centres for construction workers within the scope of companies.

With the objective of implementing digitalisation within the framework of the construction industry, we launched an initiative to introduce possibilities to manage construction site diaries and construction books electronically, while our communication with NALED, related to the project to introduce benefits for registering seasonal construction workers, “Created in Serbia” campaign as being extremely important. This is all about supporting domestic producers, the products of which will bear the “Čuvarkuća” [Housekeeper] brand as a way of confirming that the product was made in Serbia. The right to use this brand has to date been taken on by brick and tile producing companies AD Polet and Wienerberger, as well as cement manufacturer Moravacem. All three companies have a long tradition on the Serbian market, while foreign investment has resulted in the further advancement of their operations.

Considering the fact that global trends across all industries are focused on sustainable

According to data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, 167,687 construction sector employees were recorded in Q4 2021, which is up 4.1% on the number of workers in 2018. According to SORS data for the construction sector, 161,136 employees were registered in Q4 2021, which is seven per cent more than in the same period of the previous year

resulted in the Law on Employment Due to Increased Volumes of Work In Certain Activities, with the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans’ Affairs and Social Affairs.

Our Association, together with company PlanRadar, last year organised a presentation of the Report on the Level of Digitalisation in the Construction Sector. Likewise, we are this year collaborating with company Orook, which is preparing a report on digitalisation in the scope of the construction industry.

When it comes to incentivising domestic production companies, we consider the CCIS’s development, in the construction sector the “green building” approach is something that’s expected to experience its full expansion in the period ahead.

Serbian companies have the potential to support this type of construction. I’m certain that possible subsidies encouraging this type of construction would lead to a further increase in the number of companies interested in such investments. Green building is a preventative approach for preserving the environment that provides benefits to the surrounding area, but also to the users of such buildings.

New Splendour For The

SAVA CENTER!

The Sava Center, the most important congress centre in the region, is today a major construction site occupied by hundreds of engaged workers and machines. The road to the new splendour of this centre, representing one of the most important buildings in this part of Europe, was paved by company Delta Real Estate, which plans to invest more than 60 million euros in this project

The Sava Center, the most important congress center in the region, is today a major construction site occupied by hundreds of engaged workers and machines. The road to the new splendor of this center, representing one of the most important buildings in this part of Europe, was paved by Delta Real Estate, which plans to invest more than 60 million euros in this project.

The formal launch of the comprehensive reconstruction of the Sava Center was marked in December 2021, at which point the future look of this facility was presented to the general public. The concept design of the reconstruction includes, first and foremost, the restoring of the former reputation of the centre itself, which symbolises the greatness and strength of the society in which it was created. The building’s façade will be renovated in accordance with the original design of chief architect Stojan Maksimović, with the external roof made of sloping glass surfaces set to continue defining its internal lines and mass, thus ensuring that the interior and exterior continue to represent a harmonious unit. More than double the number of conference halls, modernisation of audio and visual equipment, the newly formed winter garden and an increased capacity of the Blue Hall are just some of the features of the new Sava

Center. The project also envisages a clear division of the facility into congress-cultural and business-commercial zones.

Apart from preserving and modernising this facility, great emphasis will be placed on improving its energy efficiency and energy saving, which were among the Sava Center’s biggest problems in the past.

The company is currently considering the installation of solar panels on the roof, while it is almost certain that the increased amount of interior greenery, along with its glass façade surfaces with high transparency, will enable the Sava Center to become a genuine example of green-sustainable standards following reconstruction.

Belgrade was proclaimed one of the five fastest growing destinations for congress tourism back in 2015, and even back then there was a need for a modern congress centre that would be the driver of this branch of the tourism industry, both for our country and the region. The vision for the Sava Center has always been for it to be a focal point for gathering experts, representatives of scientific communities, culture, media, as well as all people from the business world. Following the reconstruction, this will be a place for all of them to exchange knowledge, make important decisions and forge new ideas that will improve the world in which we live and work.

Apart from preserving and modernizing this facility, great emphasis will be placed on improving its energy efficiency and energy saving, which were among the Sava Center’s biggest problems in the past

OBO TUNNEL SOLUTIONS

European tunnels are checked at the start of the holiday season each year. Many accidents and fires have led to the rethinking and modernising of most systems, while today’s demands – even for electrical infrastructure – are extremely high. OBO makes the passage safer.

Solutions are generally invisible, but provide a sense of security. Creating passive security

Maintaining functionality in the event of an error

Maintaining a reliable power supply and data transfer

Satisfying all fire protection requirements

OVERVIEW OF OBO SYSTEMS Cable management - practical and easy to install, either individually or group-guided cables Connection and distribution - for the secure connecting of electrical cables with maximum IP protection Surge protection - to protect control and power centres from partial currents of atmospheric discharges Insulation of fire breaks - tested firefighting systems that prevent the spread of fire, smoke and heat

Considering the joint planning and design of various tunnel systems, experience has shown that every individual project has its own requirements and needs for technical equipment. At OBO, you can receive the right advice on appropriate materials that will not endanger the environment, the appropriate surface protection of materials that must withstand tunnel conditions and are suitable for rapid corrosion, control technology and safety etc. This is made possible thanks to a perfectly equipped test centre, where testing is conducted not only on our standard products, but also on products specific to certain projects.

Ensuring normal operations without problems is at the top of the system operator’s list of priorities for tunnels. To enable this, all components used must be made of materials that meet stringent requirements. OBO products used in tunnels are resistant to high humidity and pressure. Mounting times can be decisive when selecting equipment that will be installed in the tunnel, and OBO has set new standards in this field – drastically reducing installation time through a quick connection of the cable tray. OBO GR-Magic and RKSMagic fast-acting systems provide the ideal solution. They minimise the time required and thus contribute significantly to project completion within specified deadlines.

Whenever something happens in a tunnel, the safety of people inside is a priority. For example, if a fire breaks out, emergency lighting systems, immobilising systems and monitoring systems must function flawlessly. OBO can significantly contribute to personal safety and firefighting.

OBO functionality maintenance systems have been tested and approved according to the DIN 4102-12 standard, while the cable carrier system is specially developed to maintain functionality in classes E30 and E90.

Tunnel constructions have a dense network of energy and signal cables that traverse walls and ceilings. These design constraints must be specifically protected in the case of fire, in order to prevent flames, smoke and heat spreading via openings in walls. OBO insulation systems guarantee this.

OBO BETTERMANN d.o.o. Stara Pazova www.obo.rs

A Multidisciplinary Approach Is A GREAT ADVANTAGE

Over the course of the 15 years that it’s been operating in Serbia, Asmec Consultants has grown from an engineering consultancy company specialising in structural design and works supervision to become a respectable company that’s expanded its operations to Europe, Africa and America

All of our structures, whether residential and commercial buildings, hotels or factories, have the common qualities of being economical, secure and durable - says Asmec Consultants Director Olga Đurić Perić, adding that they complete all jobs on time and in a high-quality way.

Your portfolio encompasses many elements, from works supervision and project management, to expertise in the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and public health. Does project design represent the foundation of everything?

Designing is the foundation for ensuring architects’ challenging ideas see the light of day. We do everything to respond to their ideas, from concept to preliminary and detailed design, via the harmonisation of designs with architectural ideas, to control of the execution of our design and project management. Asmec Consultants is a multidisciplinary engineering company that’s capable of designing various types of facilities, such as residential buildings, hotels, business centres, sporting facilities, factories, warehouses, bridges etc. We design structures in Serbia, Africa, Asia, America and across the whole of Europe, applying different norms and standards. Among our numerous positive references is the long-term cooperation that we have with many international clients. Moreover, for our designs we use the latest software that’s available on the market, including REVIT for BIM modelling.

You always strive to ensure the client is satisfied, whether you’re working with major international companies or small entrepreneurs. Do your successfully completed works represent your best reference, advertisement and recommendation?

Among our numerous positive references is the long-term cooperation that we have with many domestic and international clients

Since it was founded, the goal of the company has been to design facilities that are economical, secure and durable. Expertise, assured quality and respect for deadlines are the best recommendations. We’ve worked as subcontractors for large international companies, but also for small entrepreneurs, leaving our clients satisfied with every job we’ve done, so we can state with pride that we receive positive feedback from our clients regarding the quality of our work and adherence to deadlines.

We strive to complete the work on time, in a high-quality way and in accordance with all project requirements. We’ve also transferred this ethic to our employees, who are educated, young Serbian engineers, which is why we believe we’re providing a good contribution to the Serbian market and construction industry. We invest in our engineers and encourage them to develop their skills and work on improving their ability to communicate and coordinate, in order to be as successful as possible in finding a common language with clients and architects.

We consider the fact that we have “everything in one place” as another important recommendation, because we are a multidisciplinary company that comprises civil, mechanical, electrical and telecommunications engineers, as well as environmental protection experts.

Belgrade is adorned with many new buildings, including tower blocks of 50+ metres, buildings constructed according to the world’s highest standards, innovative designs and innovative solutions. Even the sky isn’t the limit today?

Belgrade is developing, expanding and growing, in terms of both breadth and height, so the face of the city is changing constantly. Serbia as a whole has also changed and is now crisscrossed by new roads and railways. Though road and rail infrastructure is important, we believe its development should go hand in hand with improvements to social infrastructure that has a great impact on quality of life. It is for this very reason that Asmec Consultants is working on projects to improve energy efficiency at schools, libraries, clinics and health centres.

DANILO ĐUROVIĆ,GENERAL MANAGER, HERTZ SERBIA

Satisfied Customers Represent OUR PRIMARY GOAL

Hertz is a leader in car rental services worldwide, while it has also been the first choice in Serbia for more than a decade. Apart from its fleet of 2,000 vehicles, including everything from fuel-efficient urban cars to luxury sedans, Hertz also offers a wide range of services

Rapid changes within the automotive industry and social product growth per capita will, in the years ahead of us, serve to make car rental an ever more attractive option compared to traditional car ownership - believes Hertz Serbia General Manager Danilo Đurović.

What distinguishes Hertz Serbia from the competition so much?

As the franchisee of a company that’s been a leader of the vehicle rental industry for more than a century, we are obliged to respect the highest industry standards in all aspects of our operations. This enables us to keep pace with trends and also apply the best practices on our market. We have developed systems for monitoring customer satisfaction, which is the basic goal of our business activities and the key to our success.

Is it true that you are able to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding drivers?

We are extremely proud of our flexibility, thanks to which we are able to go out of our way to meet the needs of our clients, even when they have requirements that extend beyond the standard products of daily, monthly, annual or multi-year vehicle rental services. Our basic mission is to have satisfied clients, which is why we constantly listen to their needs and respond to them in the right way.

Interest in operational leasing is growing in developed countries. How is it progressing in our country?

This concept is still in its infancy in our country, and there is great potential for development. The percentage of vehicles acquired through operational leasing, as a proportion of total sales of new vehicles in Serbia annually, is estimated at no more than 20%, while we believe this percentage should Our basic mission is to have satisfied clients, which is why we constantly listen to their needs and respond to them in the right way

be much higher. The right market ambience exists, because, apart from ourselves, there are also several other established companies providing this type of service, so we - as an industry - are doing everything in our power to promote this type of product and familiarise a greater number of clients with it.

We lack institutional support in promoting this type of product, through the establishing of tax incentives, the setting up of legal regulations and legal protections, and the organising of associations. External factors, such as rapid changes in the automotive industry and GDP growth per capita, will, in and of themselves, render car rental a more attractive option than traditional vehicle ownership.

Does our market have any unique characteristics? Which cars do our drivers prefer and which services are in the highest demand in our country?

When it comes to short-term vehicle rental, better known as rent-a-car services, our market is characterised by business users and expatriates, while the share of foreign tourists in total rents lags far behind these two categories. When it comes to operational leasing, it is currently dominated entirely by businesses, on the whole foreign companies and larger domestic firms.

When it comes to vehicle type, the specific characteristics of our market are that sedans remain very popular, while diesel remains the preferred fuel type. Given the general automotive industry trend that sees sedans increasingly replaced by SUVs and crossovers, while ever more manufacturers are announcing and/or implementing the complete withdrawal of diesel options, we also expect shifts in this direction on our market.

VUKAJLO LAINOVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF INDUSTRIAL PARK BELGRADE LTD AND STEVAN ROGIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF INDUSTRIAL PARK BELGRADE LTD Good Results Are The

BEST RECOMMENDATION

Industrial Park Belgrade Ltd (IPB) deals with the development and construction of modern logistics centres, project design etc. It is currently focused on completion of the sixth storage facility in Industrial zone 5.1 and identifying clients for facility number seven, which will be constructed by year’s end

IPB secures construction complexes for its clients that satisfy all international standards in terms of legal regulations, transport and utilities infrastructure, but also energy efficiency.

Do you build new facilities for tenants that are known in advance and have defined requirements, or do you construct them in such a way that they can be combined, merged and adapted to suit the wishes and needs of clients? Does this enable IPB to serve even the most demanding logistical requirements?

IPB can serve even the most demanding logistical requirements, because it approaches the development of new business-storage facilities in a flexible way, which includes both of the options that you mentioned. Depending on specific circumstances or needs, IPB can develop facilities for tenants that are known in advance according to their requirements and specifications, but can also build facilities that can later be partitioned, combined or merged following the identifying of a tenant. The goal is to always go out of our way to meet the needs and interests of potential clients, i.e., to realise mutually beneficial cooperation in the most optimal way.

What are the advantages of the storage facilities that you build, apart from their perfect location?

Apart from strategic positioning immediately alongside Highway E70, which ensures perfect transport connectivity, IPB secures construction complexes for its clients that satisfy all international standards in terms of legal regulations, transport and utilities infrastructure, but also energy efficiency (FM Global sprinkler system, heating and cooling system).

We provide a manned reception, video surveillance and ample parking for passenger cars, haulage vehicles and trucks. IPB’s property management team is also able to provide facility management, maintenance and security services.

You complete all projects within planned budgets and deadlines, without a single day’s delay. Is this one of the best recommendations for your work? Which companies have so far placed their trust in you? Apart from adhering to deadlines and planned budgets, the best recommendation for our work is organisational flexibility, which enables us to achieve optimal results in the most efficient way, or to react on time to potential unforeseen circumstances, needs to reorganise space and similar requirements. One important factor is expediency in obtaining all permits and other necessary construction documentation, which provides our clients with a sense of security.

We leased the first five business-storage facilities that we constructed to the company Milšped, and Slovenian company T.L. Sirk placed its trust in us by leasing of our latest, sixth facility to be completed. We are currently in the process of finding clients for facility number seven, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

When it comes to the construction of such facilities, the companies that have placed their trust in us includes the likes of Gradina, Yugometal, Euromont, Elmont Profil, Instalteh, Vlado Baumaschinen, Stobex, Procon, Transkop, BSN Energy, Prota Invest, Girt Pro and Frimex, as well as many other leading companies and entrepreneurs from the field of construction.

No Longer Lagging BEHIND THE WORLD

Thanks to huge investments in infrastructure, Serbia is today reminiscent of Europe’s most developed countries. We have new highways, trains that run at speeds of up 200 kilometres per hour, a high-speed railway, the expansion of housing construction, the latest business facilities and a completely different and much improved quality of life, but also economic growth that’s proving unstoppable

A TOTAL OF 36 DEPARTURES BETWEEN BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD

Two more pairs of “Soko” passenger transport trains were added to transport flows along the highspeed railway between Belgrade and Novi Sad as of Wednesday, 30th March. Accordingly, the “Regio Express” Soko trains are set to depart from the “Belgrade Centre” railway station bound for Novi Sad at 8.03am and 12.03pm, with the return journeys scheduled to set off from Novi Sad at 10.07am and 2.07pm. This means that there are now 18 daily departures in each direction along the high-speed railway between Belgrade and Novi Sad, or a total of 36 departures every day.

During the promotional period, which runs until 30th April, tickets for “Regio Express” trains are priced at 300 dinars for a one-way journey and 600 dinars for a return trip.

€885 MILLION FOR UPDATING INFRASTRUCTURE

Serbia will have 885 million euros at its disposal over the next decade to advance infrastructure. Over a third of this total (€300 million) is in the form of grants from the European Union (300 million) and just over half (€450 million) is in the form of loans from international financial institutions, with the remainder to be financed directly from the national budget.

One of the key roles in this area belongs to the Western Balkan Investment Framework, a financial platform that was launched in 2009 by the European Union to finance projects in this region.

A new Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans was presented in Brussels recently and will be used over the next decade to fund priority projects related to sustainable transport, clean energy, the environment and climate, the digital future and human capital.

SUNKEN GERMAN FLEET TO FINALLY BE RECOVERED FROM THE DANUBE

Following two and a half years of work on project preparation and the drafting of technical and tender documentation, we are now entering the final phase of implementation of the project ‘Removal of the Sunken German World War II Fleet From the Danube’.

“The Government of Serbia decided that, following many decades of neglecting transport and port infrastructure on the Danube, it would launch investments aimed at accelerating the development of water transport and water corridors via investments in ports, navigational safety and the regulating of our rivers to make them navigable 365 days a year,” said Serbian Construction, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Tomislav Momirović.

He noted that this project includes demining works and the removal of 21 sunken ships that narrow the width of the navigable route of the Danube from the prescribed 180 metres to just 90 metres. These ships, which were sunk prior to the end of World War II, are located downstream of hydroelectric power station Đerdap 2 [Iron Gate II].

These works are valued at an estimated 29 million euros and the required funds have been secured from a European Investment Bank loan and a WBIF fund grant.

Architecture and construction have always been areas where creativity is expressed and boundaries pushed, where new technologies and achievements of the modern world are applied. Given that innovation is the norm and standard of this branch of the economy, and not merely an expectation and possibility, it’s no surprise that it brings us new trends every year, including this one, and the five that we present here are set to dominate the world in 2022.

SMALL HOUSES

Since the pandemic forced us to more deeply examine our priorities, interest has been growing in small houses that are economical and more environmentally acceptable. What began as a cute little trend is now transforming into a permanent option, because small houses undoubtedly save us both space and money, while being more environmentally acceptable.

PREFABRICATED ARCHITECTURE

Creating entire buildings or different components in a location that is more suitable for construction, then transporting them to their final location for installation, is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular around the world. Prefabricated solutions reduce costs, guarantee sustainability, save time and ensure simplicity and modularity.

DIY SYSTEM

When the limitations of the pandemic prompted masses of people to begin considering how good it would be to build their own house or summer home, to live under a roof that they built themselves, between walls that they personal erected,

FIVE ARCHITECTURE & CONSTRUCTION TRENDS

the construction industry responded by launching the production of DIY elements. They come packaged and complete with step-by-step assembly instructions.

SUSTAINABILITY

Contemporary architecture and construction strive to integrate our homes with the planet as much as possible, instead of drawing on the planet’s resources and thus shortening its lifespan. The aim is to construct sustainable homes that reduce CO2 emissions and encourage a clean lifestyle. 3D PRINTED ARCHITECTURE

Creating construction elements with a 3D printer is a simple, efficient and innovative technique that reduces the risk of errors and saves time, as it eliminates many monotonous steps and simplifies the construction process as a whole.

PRICES OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS ALSO SET TO RISE NEXT YEAR

“As soon as the construction industry restarted, which is the driver of all industry worldwide, prices of oil, transportation, raw materials and semi-finished goods also started to rise, which is why the prices of certain construction materials have increased by anywhere from 30 to 100 per cent, with a tendency to continue rising to a lesser extent next year,” according to the assessment of Goran Rodić, vice president of the Chamber of the Construction Industry of Serbia.

He considers us a small country where inflationary fluctuations are present, which is why he thinks that this is the right time for people who have money to invest in real estate and thus secure their money.

“Prices around the world depend on intermediate goods, or oil and gas prices, which are indicators of movements of the economy and have the greatest impact on overall rises in prices, leading to investors in large countries not earning upwards of 1,000 euros per square metre, but rather seven to ten per cent, in order to cover their costs and “turn around” the money, while it is interesting that in some locations in our country the returns are enormous,” notes Rodić.

Source: Biznis.rs

NATIONAL URBAN FORUM IN BELGRADE PREPARING FOR POLAND

The World Urban Forum, which is to be held in Poland this June, prompted the organising of the National Urban Forum in Belgrade, which will be held on 11th and 12th April and will bring together a large number of participants from the public and private sectors, the academic community, scientific and research institutions, civil society, the business world and international institutions, while it will also host participants from abroad.

The aim of the forum is to assess and analyse key topics and activities related to the field of urban development, as well as other policies included in the scope of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure that have synergies with urban development policy: National Housing Strategy, Long-Term Strategy for Mobilising Investments in the Renovation of the National Building Stock (energy efficiency) and National Architecture Strategy.

The National Forum is being organised by the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Serbia, in cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – the Alliance of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia and UN-Habitat.

Let The Green ONE ENTER

Countries that were late in embracing green transition and have limited resources should consider the options ahead of them thoroughly and use their capacities wisely and efficiently. It has yet to be decided whether Serbia will employ its human capacities to leapfrog itself into the position of an environmentally responsible country

There has never been a worse time to procrastinate! - says University of Manchester professor Vladimir Janković, one of our interlocutors for this special edition. In other words, in the case of climate change and environmental policies, speed, determination and prudence are in high demand. Serbia has so far achieved modest results on implementing the Paris Agreement and transposing the EU 2030 Framework of Climate and Energy Policies onto its public policies. Indeed, the Serbian National Assembly has adopted the Climate Change Act, but has yet to specify mitigation targets. They are expected to become part of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy, which has yet to be adopted. Or, as noted by another of our interlocutors, University of Belgrade Faculty of Mechanical Engineering professor Aleksandar Jovović, important documents, regulations and strategies have been adopted, but all the pain points of decarbonisation remain almost at a standstill.

It is often that case that measures that must to be taken if the country wants to fulfil its emissions targets are not popular ones. The debate about the transition from fossil fuels to green sources of energy is a tense one, both from the political perspective – where powerful lobbies favour coal and the financial and social perspective; where poor citizen require heavy support to move from energy sources that are cheap but environmentally detrimental to ones that are healthier but more expensive and beyond their family budget. On top of that, those particularly tough parts of the transition don’t yield instant political support. It is sometimes difficult for both politicians and citizens to comprehend the medium-term benefits of abandoning fossil fuels and the possible costs of failing to do so properly and in a timely manner. Satisfying the long-term Sustainable Development Goals and achieving economic competitiveness and the social co-benefits of climate action seem to be a lollipop on a long stick.

To a certain extent, our slow progress reflects shortcomings regarding the rule of law, corruption, clientelism, political patronage and nepotism, the complete lack of expert discussion and democratic choices. For example, our interlocutor Čedo Maksimović, Emeritus Professor of Water and Environmental Systems at Imperial College London, believes that uncontrolled urbanisation in Serbia contributes strongly to the devastating of our modest water resources. Likewise, due to negative selection and ill-informed political decisions, Serbia’s “critical mass” of competent experts able to design modern solutions in the field of water and the management of complex systems is gradually vanishing. Thus, our ability to use innovative technologies and create professionally competent solutions is being compromised.

In summary, Serbia isn’t exerting enough efforts to “catch up” with countries of a similar economic power. Moreover, it is missing the opportunity to leapfrog others and become a regional and European leader regarding some solutions in the area of environmental solutions.

All of our interlocutors believe that Serbia should embrace the combining of Green and Blue elements, as an effective way of providing a sustainable natural solution to urban and climate challenges. And yet, if we look around in almost every town and city in Serbia, it is hard to find places that are green, more pleasant and less stressful for residents.

It is sometimes difficult for both politicians and citizens to comprehend the medium-term benefits of abandoning fossil fuels and the possible costs of failing to do so properly and in a timely manner

DR ALEKSANDAR JOVOVIĆ,FULL PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BELGRADE’S FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Responsibility IS UP TO US

With the ratifying of the Paris Agreement and the Energy Community Treaty, as well as the recent signing of the Sofia Declaration [on the Green Agenda], we, as a country, have committed ourselves to implementing the provisions of these documents. Despite numerous regulations and strategies related to these areas having been adopted or improved, all the pain points of decarbonisation remain almost at a standstill

The conflict in Ukraine has prompted some analysts to suspect that the European countries that decided to gradually shut down their thermal power plants will now revise those policies, for security reasons. That’s why the first question we posed to Dr Aleksandar Jovović, professor at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, is how the current energy crisis could impact on green energy transition policies, both globally and here in Serbia.

“Galvanised by the consequences of climate change and the acceleration of this global phenomenon to a point of no return to the world we know, numerous countries, movements and companies, but of course also individuals, have embarked on the journey to carbon neutrality. The speed at which this unfolds may vary, but it is not “lightly promised”. These changes were preceded by numerous technical/economic analyses, feasibility studies, political debates, but primarily scientific research work in coop-

DECARBONISATION

Decarbonisation certainly won’t be lacking in 2050, and it mustn’t be, because the consequences would be huge, and we’re already feeling them significantly ourselves, especially in this region

POVERTY

The Air Quality Programme will not yield results as long as there is raw coal on the market to burn in households, and as long as poverty compels citizens to burn various waste items

eration with economic players. It was only then that the decisions of the EU and other forward-thinking countries followed, which were subsequently made official, in many ways, at the so-called COP 26 UN Conference held in Glasgow 2021, through decisions and initiatives like ending the use of coal, which includes 160 countries, and the Global Methane Initiative, as well as the initiative for new agriculture. Nuclear energy has been presented as a potential avenue, but renewable energy sources and hydrogen are still the future. Decarbonisation efforts have also been joined by China and India. Research also shows the full magnitude of this process, in which the transition to low-carbon technology for cleaner production in the global north is currently unfolding to environmental and social detriment of the global south and, as such, decarbonisation is neither sustainable nor renewable,” explains Dr Jovović, continuing: “on top of all that, wars, like the assault on Ukraine, and energy problems from around a year ago, lead in every case to the achieving of decarbonisation goals being called into question, but they do not stop the process, and the launching a coal-fired TPP is only the temporary utilising of secured state reserves, planned simultaneously with the planning of decarbonisation, and not the recommissioning of previously abandoned powerplants, which should be seriously discerned”.

Serbia’s polluters also include the energy system and citizens who burn raw brown coal, tyres and various types of waste. In that sense, would it be good to view energy policies in parallel with the adjusting of social policy measures?

Both sources of air pollution and types of polluting components have changed over the last hundred years or so, along with the phenomena that they have caused, i.e., acidification and nitrification, ozone depletion, emissions of enduring organic components, climate change, and the impacts and consequences of a loss of labour productivity, through losses of sources of water and soil and drought, to a direct impact on health and the reducing of life expectancy. Energy and industry measures implemented in the EU have led to huge reductions in emissions, but our country’s heating energy sector remains the largest source of air pollution, emitting hundreds of thousands of tons of sulphur or millions of tons of carbon dioxide annually. However, individual fireboxes remain the worst cause of air pollution in local areas. A huge problem is represented by the burning of raw lignite, which leads to the emission of soot, sulphur and – with favourable meteorological conditions – un-

believably frequent occurrences of industrial and photochemical smog. In addition to all of that, the combustion of waste materials in unsuitable fireboxes equally leads to fires at landfill sites, emissions of lasting organic pollution components that are highly resistant to the natural environment and extremely harmful to human health (toxic, potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic).

Poverty prevents the further expansion of the district heating network or the gasification of settlements, but the gradual ending of the use of fossil fuels, on the one hand, and the educating of the population, on the other, will inevitably lead to improvement, but the problem won’t come close to being resolved as long as there is raw coal to burn in households and as long as poverty compels citizens to burn various waste items, and the Air Quality Programme, which forms an integral part of the Economic Reform Programme for the 2022-2024 period, as well as other strategies and programmes at all levels of government, will remain a dead letter.

Decarbonisation is an irreversible process, thus today we are witnessing a new industrial revolution, because just as the 19th century was the century of steel, the 20th century was the century of coal and oil and gas, this is the century of new technological solutions that are primarily achievable through the circular economy and smart specialisation

SHORTCOMINGS

We haven’t adopted a low-carbon development strategy, the national plan for energy and climate is overdue, and we don’t even have a comprehensive economic development strategy

One of the objectives of the TeRRIFICA project that you’re participating in is to recognise and collect citizens’ knowledge and conclusions regarding the challenges posed by climate change in six pilot regions in Spain, Germany, France, Serbia, Poland and Belarus. What kinds of parallels and conclusions can be drawn from the results collected to date?

The TeRRIFICA project, which includes the participation of the Centre for the Promotion of Science, is a research project being conducted within the scope of the Horizon 2020 programme Science With and for Society (SWAFS). Under the auspices of this project, six pilot regions invited their citizens to contribute to the research, the results of which will become a key element of plans for adapting to climate change, which should lead to institutional and strategic changes. The active involvement of citizens is more than evident – not only when it comes to mapping climate challenges in their own cities, but rather also in actively offering and implementing shared solutions (co-creation). The project developed a tool in the form of a map, which helped provide citizens with an opportunity to participate in both the research and the identifying of innovative solutions. Belgrade’s residents have been particularly active, which is why the city of Belgrade has the largest number of suggestions and ideas included in the project.

Who can apply pressure on public policymakers for them to be implemented at the national and local levels? In this context, what does the opening of Cluster 4 mean, but also the revolt of citizens on the streets?

The mega-projects that formed the engine of social development in the not-so-distant past, such as, for example, the construction of hydroelectric powerplants requiring the flooding and relocating of settlements and archaeological sites, are today no longer possible in the same way. People’s awareness of their own desire to live in a healthy and conserved environment, while preserving their cultural heritage, even at the expense of development, which emerged as a result of living in free-thinking communities, has also led to new technological solutions. EU citizens actually understood before anyone else the need for changes in the field of environmental protection and climate change, but they also understood the need to further develop society technologically. Pressure on politicians from citizens, as well as several court decisions, led to the formation of a cross-border carbon mechanism [Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)] on the EU’s external borders.

With the ratifying of the Paris Agreement and the Energy Community Treaty, as well as the recent signing of the Sofia Declaration [on the Green Agenda], we, as a country, have committed ourselves to implementing the provisions of these documents. And, despite great delays and many omissions, several regulations and strategies related to these areas have been adopted or improved. However, all the pain points of decarbonisation remain almost at a standstill, such as the provisions of the EU Green Deal, the failure to even adopt a low-carbon development strategy, the overdue national plan for energy and climate, the energy strategy, and the lack of a comprehensive economic development strategy. The transposing of European legislation, and behaving as though we’re an EU member state, is something that we accepted ourselves, when realising in one moment of clarity during our development that this represents the best solution for the future of Serbia, despite the flaws and negative aspects of every community, including this one. We have accordingly committed ourselves to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, monitored through the determining of targets for 2030 and the further harmonising of regulations in the field of GHG trading, as well as the drafting of an adaptation strategy and reporting on the way it is to be implemented. The opening of Cluster 4 is just a small gesture of affection, but also a great warning to those in government in the Republic of Serbia regarding their faults and what we need to do – not if we want membership, but rather if we want to be part of a community of advanced, developed, socially responsible nations, where the rule of law guarantees survival.

You consider wastewater treatment and waste management as representing the biggest problem. To what extent do government measures that are currently being implemented in this area represent an adequate response to solving this problem?

The programme for waste management over the next 10-year period has been adopted, an action plan is being drafted, the sludge management programme is being finalised, the circular economy strategy is underway, Serbia has a smart specialisation strategy, Belgrade has adopted its waste management plan, as a continuation of the plan from 2010, the city’s action plan for the management of construction and demolition waste has been adopted, and the Science Fund and Innovation Fund are providing attractive amounts of funding to finance projects in these areas. The City of Belgrade’s Regional Waste Management Centre of the City of Belgrade is in the final phase, a new landfill site is operating, a plant for construction waste, and for the first time a waste-powered thermal powerplant will soon start operating there, as though we’re in Vienna or Oslo. Many local governments are opting for varying forms of recycling and treatment, utilising national and international funds, albeit to insufficient extent. And all of this seems to be outstanding. So, where’s the problem; why aren’t we already at least like the worse EU member states? The problem was, and still is, in the failure to implement regulations, because implement is a bad, non-populist measure. And it required more than 10 years to grasp that there must nonetheless be implementation; that this pollution isn’t only ours, that it overflows beyond our borders and that can’t be done, and that we can also even earn and employ from, or on, waste, and that things can be better for everyone. It is now important for the secured funds to be utilised correctly, in a controlled manner, without theft, which everyone refers to euphemistically as corruption, and for the system and plants constructed to be managed according to the letter of the law.

The full-length, Serbian version of this interview is available to read on our website, www.cordmagazine.com.

The opening of Cluster 4 is just a small gesture of affection, but also a great warning to those in government in the Republic of Serbia regarding their faults and what we need to do – not if we want membership, but rather if we want to be part of a community of advanced, developed, socially responsible nations, where the rule of law guarantees survival

Every Drop Of WATER MATTERS

ACO Group is a world market leader in the development and production of innovative solutions in the field of managing surface waters and water within buildings, and is also a member of the Green Council of Serbia, which encourages the spreading of awareness about the importance of responsibly using natural resources and protecting the environment

We invest constantly in the development of innovative solutions oriented towards the environmental conditions of the future, and simultaneously also in the knowhow and education of both our own staff and our associates on the market - notes ACO East Europe Adriatic Managing Director Jelena Andrić Grafakos.

There has been more construction projects than ever before over recent years, which poses great challenges to the construction sector as a whole. How has ACO resolved this issue?

Despite all the challenges, the construction industry is continuing its rise, and it’s important to preserve sustainability and quality in all of this. ACO has achieved strong growth in terms of its results over the past six years, which we’ve reinforced with a new facility equipped with a showroom and the ACO Academy, the expansion of the team, increased stock and changes in the internal processes, as well as expanding our market presence through new segments and new sales channels.

It is essential in all of this to listen constantly to the market, to follow closely the needs of projects and customers, to have understanding for the changes, and to adapt and respond appropriately. That’s the only recipe for success during any times.

Different projects require different solutions, while each solution requires a wide range of different products, and the essence lies in a systematic approach to the sustainable and efficient development of urban areas, right?

Our system chain of products takes care of water in a sustainable way: Collect - Clean - Hold- Release and the reuse of water

When it comes to the construction industry and the economy generally, we can’t fail to address the environmental impact and the need to apply modern solutions that target the sustainable management of natural resources, first and foremost in the field of water. We are today witnessing the increasing impact of climate change, in the form of extended periods of heavier rainfall or drought. When we add increased urbanisation and even more surface areas under asphalt and concrete, we reach the fact that natural water cycle has changed, because less water can infiltrate the ground and partialy evaporate into the atmosphere. This is an additional threat for all surface water management systems, as most of them are dimensioned according to different technical and environmental conditions, which we had in the past. Precisely for these reasons, it is essential to approach all phases of construction project in a responsible way, from the design and selection of appropriate solutions, to construction and maintenance works.

Projects are today becoming increasingly demanding, especially in the sense of the disposal and reuse of water, such that we often encounter a need to create “bespoke” solutions for individual projects. In such situations, the importance of product quality, knowledge and cooperation among all project participants is crucial. This is the only way to encourage sustainability in approaching projects and ensure the achieving of a positive impact on environmental protection.

ACO is committed to professional water drainage, cost-effective water treatment and the controlled discharge and reuse of water. Does this represent your contribution to preserving the environment?

One of ACO’s slogans is: “We protect people from water and water from people”. Accordingly, our system chain of products takes care of water in a sustainable way: Collect - Clean - Hold- Release and the reuse of water. Given that everything doesn’t end with products, a strong influence has also been given to the service chain: Train - Design - Support - Care. We launched the concept of the ACO Academy in order to work together with our associates in identifying the best solutions to the challenges of managing water sustainably and protecting the environment.

NORBERT BECKMANN-DIERKES, HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF THE KONRAD ADENAUER FOUNDATION IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Fast-Track To A GREEN FUTURE?

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a German political foundation that has been present with an office in Belgrade since 2001 and implements projects in Serbia and Montenegro, with a focus on promoting democracy, political stability and economic prosperity

It is crucial for Europe that we improve the connection between our cities, peoples and countries. Only an interconnected Europe can handle the combined pressures of international market competition, climate change and threats to European security. One important way forward to a more connected Europe is to invest in the continent’s railway systems.

Why is the railway system so important for the EU? How do railways contribute to the Green Deal and the Green Agenda?

The EU has set an ambitious goal for itself, to reduce emissions in transportation by 90% by 2050. Transportation accounts for as much as 25% of total greenhouse emissions in the EU, so it’s no wonder that the EU has zeroed in on transportation to further reduce emissions. Furthermore, the transportation sector has seen the smallest levels of emission reductions compared to other sectors of the economy, such as manufacturing. It should be noted that 74% of all transportation emissions come from road vehicles and, to be more precise, 45% comes from cars and 29.4% from trucks. Having all of this in mind, it is no wonder that the European Parliament declared 2021 the European Year of Rail and that the EU and its member states started investing heavily in renewing and improving the European railway network. Rail transportation in the EU today contributes to 0.5% of all gas emissions, while carrying 7% of all passengers and 11% of goods. Provided they are reconstructed and renewed, railways – as a safe, fast and energy-efficient mode of transport – will provide a fast-track to a Green European Future.

The Konrad Adenauer Foundation has published a study on the state of the railways in the Western Balkans. What motivated you to organise this research and what are the key findings?

The study “Next Stop: Europe! Railways in the Western Balkans” is our contribution to the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Furthermore, no such comprehensive study previously existed and we felt it was necessary to undertake this task. The study covers all of the Western Balkan states and provides an analysis of the state of their rail networks. Unfortunately, railways across the region are underdeveloped and the region has shifted to road transportation over the last three decades. Serbia has by far the largest railway network, encompassing 3,819 km of railways, while all other Western Balkan countries combined have just 2,737 km. However, up to 90% of the tracks in Serbia are single-track, with the average speed for 50% of tracks standing at 60 kph. In short, railways are underdeveloped, underused and understaffed. Thankfully, the governments of the region have initiated an ambitious campaign of investments into the renewal of railway networks. The EU has given its full support to this campaign. There were 12 railway projects among the 39 projects funded within the scope of the Connectivity Agenda during the 2015-2019 period, for which the EU provided 358.9 million euros in grants out of total Connectivity Agenda funding of 880 million euros. The average grant to total project cost ratio is around 46.5% for railway projects and around 28% for connectivity projects in general. We can thus expect the railways of the Western Balkans, and particularly Serbia, will become the backbone of passenger and cargo transportation within a decade. This is particularly important given the fact that Serbia, and Europe as a whole, face a rapid decline in the number of professional truck and bus drivers, with the shortage of professional drivers in the EU reaching 400,000.

This CorD special edition is called “Green Serbia”. Given your previous work, can we expect new publications in the future?

I’m glad that you asked. The Konrad Adenauer offices in the region are working on a new study “Blue Connectivity: Inland and Maritime Waterways in the Balkans”. This is a working title and the research is in its very early stages. We will keep you informed as the study progresses.

OPPORTUNITY

Many of our towns have an innate potential to achieve their green potential quickly and without major investments

WARNING

A slow transition away from fossil fuels will create expensive delays in meeting the long-term SDGs and diminish economic competitiveness and the social co-benefits of climate action

CHANGE

The whole culture of middle-class ’comfort’ and ’status’ needs to change for there to be measurable emission reductions

Our interviewee, Vladimir Janković Ph.D., professor of the history of science at the University of Manchester, once shot a documentary series for the UK’s Discovery TV network with which he proved the influence of meteorological conditions on history’s biggest battles. Climate change is often mentioned today as one of the greatest security risks that will create, among other things, climate refugees.

Is this already happening to us and, in the general constellation, what does it mean for Serbia?

Climate change emerged as a security issue in the 1970s, after scientists argued that the likely consequences of global warming will have a major, long-term impact on world agriculture. Following up on the food crises during the early 1970s, scientists were increasingly wary of the possibility that changing climate could lead to a world characterised by diverging paths of economic development, a world of ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. During the ‘80s and beyond, the ‘securitisation’ of climate change expanded to the domains of natural resources, health and even national security and trade in general. I have published on reasons why we need to recognise that climate change is an economic security issue, in addition to being an environmental threat. More recent studies have shown that some of the recent crises are complex, multi-layered phenomena in which climate acts as a ’risk-multiplier’, but not the sole cause.

For a large number of Serbian citizens, climate change remains an issue of faraway natural disasters that “cannot happen here”, while on the other hand we read that Serbia is actually one of the countries hardest hit by climate change. Which of these is true and where can we observe them?

When analysing the alleged lack of public interest in climate change in Serbia – or the presumed lack of its ‘visibility’ – we need to remember the vast spatial/temporal scale at which climatic changes take place. Policymakers are additionally aware of economic scales, i.e., how long it takes to wean the economy off fossil fuels. Bracketing for a moment short-term, high-impact weather events like floods, storms or droughts, the general public cannot, in fact, directly experience climate change, nor can it assess the meaning of the interannual variability of its impacts on ecosystems, resources and society. And because Serbia will experience more ‘weather on steroids’ for a conceivably

long time, communicating climate risks to the public, businesses and authorities remains a central priority in democratic policymaking. round? What can be done within Serbia’s national borders that would be meaningfully visible and sustainable?

Under intergovernmental agreements, countries have committed to emission targets. As Serbia is expected to implement the Paris Agreement and act in accordance with EU 2030 Framework of Climate and Energy Policies, the National Assembly has adopted the Climate Change Act, which does not yet specify mitigation targets. This task will be undertaken as part of the

Serbia will experience more ‘weather on steroids’ for a conceivably long time. As such, communicating climate risks to the public, businesses and authorities remains a central priority in democratic policymaking

One question that always imposes itself is what a single country can do alone in an area that actually requires a global turnaLow Carbon Development Strategy. In order to understand why there are incentives for individual countries to work towards meeting emission targets, one needs to understand that the medium-term benefits of the use of fossil fuels will in reality – and as a result of ongoing changes in the energy market and

regulatory mechanisms – create expensive delays in meeting the long-term Sustainable Development Goals and diminish economic competitiveness and the social co-benefits of climate action. There has never been a worse time to procrastinate!

We see that many cities are struggling to regulate their green areas and are turning to natural possibilities for ventilating cities. In that context, how do you view the construction projects underway in Serbian cities?

Urban greening is a global trend. Coalitions of world cities have been set up to share best practices and Belgrade became a 16 Green Serbia 2022

member of the European Bank’s Green Cities Network in 2018, adopting the Green City Action Plan. These are excellent developments. However, the key problem facing all cities is in their capacity to address tensions between development and environmental protection. In order to reduce this tension, best practices in land use and construction should be promoted to showcase the benefits of urban greening to both citizens and other stakeholders. Luckily, most Serbian towns have the advantage of being relatively small in size and with easy access to amenities.

What, on the other side, can individuals do? You recently wrote that individuals, despite the best will, don’t have great possibilities to contribute to reducing the overall “carbon footprint”?

True. There are limits to what individuals can do. In theory, one can recommend avoiding driving cars, encourage riding bikes, using the train to visit the Adriatic, removing beef from one’s diet, becoming more energy efficient, planting a tree and so on. But we need to remember that these activities need to be convenient and streamlined, and to have a financial aspect. Indeed, paying more to be green is not an option for most. This is why, unless there is a price signal in

making these activities attractive to the majority, climate-friendliness will remain voluntary and its effects minimal. The whole culture of middle-class ’comfort’ and ’status’ needs to change for there to be measurable emission reductions.

There are limits to what individuals can do. In theory, one can recommend avoiding driving cars, encourage riding bikes, using the train to visit the Adriatic, removing beef from one’s diet, becoming more energy efficient, planting a tree and so on

Where does that leave us as a country and citizens who’ve recognised environmental pollution as one of the greatest threats to the health and well-being of citizens?

A change in consumer culture is key, yet it is not easy to accomplish. ‘Nudging’ uses attractive examples of green practices that are hoped to entice people to adopt them. Introducing stricter regulations and fees may not find voters’ support. Selling greener appliances at competitive prices may still be a matter for the future. However, regardless of specifics, the authorities – including the government – need to be resolute in choosing long-term environmental strategies to make Serbia a model country in environmental protection – which I hope will happen before 2035.

Good Neighbourly Relations Contribute To

SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

Šabac-based dairy Mlekara Šabac delivers part of its organic waste to the local biogas powerplant, and in return receives steam

Mlekara Šabac is one of the leaders of Serbia’s domestic dairy industry and has a tradition dating back almost a century. This dairy is well known on local, domestic and international markets for the quality of its products, which are made exclusively from milk sourced from Serbian farms, in accordance with traditional recipes that have enticed countless loyal consumers. The reason for its successful business operations lies primarily in unceasing development, innovation and the improvement of business processes, primarily production processes. Of course, sustainability and long-term development always represent the initial focus of all investments in innovation, but also care for the environment and the community in which Mlekara Šabac exists and creates beloved products like Sirko, Ala kajmak and Šabačka. Also confirming this are the certificates of the system ISO 14001: 2015, ISO 50001: 2018 and ISO 45001: 2018, which relate to environmental protection, efficient energy management and the protection of worker health and safety.

“SET Green Technology recently built a biogas powerplant next to our dairy, and good communication and neighbourly relations have resulted in the creation of a new sustainable development and environmental protection solution,” explains Mlekara Šabac Technical Director Nenad Ilić. He adds that these two companies have been connected through a system of underground pipelines, in order for the dairy to be able to deliver its organic waste – whey permeate and whey, which are created in the cheese production process – to this powerplant, and in return the powerplant should deliver to the dairy steam, which is its by-product. “As a large producer that exports 60 per cent of its products to three continents, Mlekara Šabac has a great need for heat energy, and the commissioning of this project will generate direct savings in the production process, while at the same time the entire cycle will have a positive environmental impact,” concludes the Mlekara Šabac technical director.

This is a good example of the sustainable linking of different industries, because alongside the establishing of cooperation with Mlekara Šabac, SET Green Technology has also developed a network of subcontractors to supply raw materials from the entire Mačva District, and within the scope of its four biogas plants it will – in addition to whey and whey permeate – also process crop harvesting leftovers like wheat and soybean straw, as well as maize straw.

INTERVIEW ČEDO MAKSIMOVIĆ Ph.D.,PROFESSOR AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON

Civil Disobedience Is Sometimes THE ONLY GOOD RESPONSE

An economy based on the high-quality management of the environment doesn’t only represent the economy of the future, but is also a precondition for the survival of human civilisation. Serbia is missing out on one opportunity after another to at least “keep pace” with countries that have similar economic power, and in certain areas it could be not only a regional leader, but easily also a European and world leader

In the interview he gave for our publication six years ago, Imperial College London professor Čedo Maksimović warned that the whole world is confronted by a need to seriously reconsider long-term strategies for the management of water and that the old rules are no longer valid, as they are easily failing to deliver the services for which they are planned. That’s why we used our first question on this occasion to ask him to determine whether we’ve been successful in identifying new long-term strategies and new rules during this period.

“New strategies are being identified and some of them are beginning to be implemented in practice relatively quickly. Faster in developed countries, slower in less developed countries, while many are failing to deal with new strategies and technologies at all. At the same time, the situation with shortages of good quality water is worsening almost the world over,” says our interlocutor, before clarifying: “the amount of water “in circulation” is the same, but the amount of water of a satisfactory quality is decreasing rapidly, primarily due to ever increasing water pollution. One fundamental new development is the revelation that it is becoming increasingly difficult to solve water problems in isolation. The solution lies in the gradual acceptance of integrated solutions (nexus) e.g., water in interactions with food, energy and pollution reduction. This is what we call Blue Green Solutions – BGS.”

We are living in times when it seems that all the answers are to be found in the applying of high-tech solutions, in the use 18 Green Serbia 2022

SURVIVAL

Around the world and in our country, awareness is rising regarding the preserving and improving of the quality of the natural environment as an important prerequisite not only for quality of life, but also for the basic survival of human civilisation

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

Given that Serbia has almost no wastewater treatment plants, it could immediately implement the latest technology. Instead of that, the government opted for an outdated and overpriced solution

WARNING

When we look at what’s already being built and what’s planned for our carriers of economic development in tourist resorts, one shouldn’t be surprised if there are outbreaks of significant epidemics in those locations

of artificial intelligence and in digitalisation. To what extent can these solutions help when we’re confronted by such a basic problem as water shortages?

That’s just part of the story. Automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence are best put to use in large and complex systems (for example, in supplying water to Paris or Los Angeles), and there the advances of operations with high technologies are great. However, (as you say) the problem of water shortages, particularly in smaller systems, and in small and isolated areas, can also be solved through simple methods, simply by applying instruments of the rule of law (when it exists). For instant, if the dam and reservoir of the Gruža Lake was created (with large funds invested and agricultural land sacrificed) in order to provide additional water resources for Kragujevac and that part of Šumadija, but then uncontrolled urbanisation is permitted “all around” (holiday houses, residential facilities, taverns, farms etc.) without the appropriate, stringent application of basic rules of “sanitation”, it is clear that the quality and “availability” of water will gradually decrease, leading to a shortage of high-quality potable water. There’s no help from artificial intelligence and digitalisation here. Simple logic (kind of the “rule of thumb”), and the strict application of the basic legal requirements of sanitation, reduces this type of shortage.

When it comes to this kind of knowhow and these opportunities, what does Serbia use today; and what could it apply if it amended its policies?

Serbia still has a “critical mass” of highly competent experts capable of planning and designing contemporary solutions of water infrastructure and in the management of complex systems. However, this significant human resource capacity is gradually being lost through several “mechanisms”: (a) quality experts and companies are subjected to conceptual solutions “imposed” by incompetent but “powerful” government officials who “operate” using a different logic (maximising their personal gains); (b) under the threat of simple existence or permanent job loss, both experts and companies agree to “elaborate” and sign up to the imposed concepts, i.e., “surrogates” of sound logic; (c) younger experts are lacking opportunities to gain quality expertise to cope with the

challenges of modern technologies, i.e., to be part of the creative process of mastering innovative technologies, rather than gradually “fitting into the system of obedience” by recycling obsolete solutions, to the “detriment” of the profession; (d) executive positions in urban planning institutions and public utility companies are given to obedient and professionally incompetent people, thus closing the cycle of the “collapse” of the system of professional values. Water systems are no exception.

Serbia still has a “critical mass” of high-quality experts capable of planning and designing advanced water infrastructure solutions and working on the management of complex systems, but that is gradually shrinking, both in this and other areas of professional competence. In order to reverse this negative trend, it is essential to “reset” the system and to restore, in the right place, basic principles of the rule of law, the professional and ethical values of the profession and their consistent implementation

Your opinion is that the key solutions to future healthy cities are based on prudent combinations of blue and green structures, i.e., urban waters and areas of greenery. Do you see examples of such a principle being applied in Belgrade or other cities in Serbia?

Blue-green solutions (BGR) and their combining with the “reset” of the social and legal framework and the system of true values in a civilised society is the goal that we should be striving to achieve in Serbia. In Belgrade and some other cities, we’re seeing the emergence of ideas for their application on a micro scale. However, mass implementation is unlikely to happen without the aforementioned “system reset”. This could be contributed to, to some extent, by the programmes of two ongoing EU projects: “euPOLIS” (https://eupolis-project. eu/) and “HEART” (https://www.heart-project. eu/), under the scope of which “demo examples” are being conducted at two locations in Belgrade. Hopefully, they can be extrapolated to larger scale, encompassing the whole city and other cities.

Ecological issues recently became one of the important social topics in Serbia that leads people to take to the streets.

At both the global level and the level of our country, there is rising awareness of the fact that preserving and improving the quality of the natural environment is an important prerequisite not only for the quality of life in urban, rural and natural environments, but also (without exaggeration) for the very survival of human civilisation. When those in power turn a deaf ear to both the initiatives of competent experts and the “cry of the people” to create a “healthy” long-term strategy based on the latest scientific and professional achievements, then “civil disobedience”, unfortunately, is the only way to call on “key decision makers”, and their unconditional followers, to start solving the backlog of environmental problems in a logical way.

When it comes to making strategic government decisions at the national and local levels in the UK, how much are the will of citizens and the views of experts respected?

The government there is also ambivalent. The will of citizens and the initiatives of experts and professional “bodies” are respected and implemented in many cases, mainly at the local level, through a system of public consultations for approving planning permission. However, there are also examples of the opposite, such as the Thames Tideway Tunnel - Super Sewer project. Despite opposition among the public and almost the entire academic community (in the field of water), which claimed that this is an outdated concept (a 19th-century solution to a 21st-century problem), the central government of the UK and the then council of the City of London took this project and “pushed it through the decision-making system”.

You are in a position to compare the two education systems of Serbia and the UK. What are the differences and similarities between their approach to solutions that can be applied in the economy in real time?

The British (higher education) system is a combination of “traditional values” and the swift, modern acceptance of innovation (new courses etc.) and clearer strategies for meeting the needs of society. They are certainly in a better financial situation: equipment, laboratories etc. Here I’m referring to “state” faculties with proven education values – as opposed to those that deliver values of dubious quality and fake diplomas”. One can still say that they are based on a profound theoretical basis for education. Upon graduation, good students easily fit into the world’s leading academic and scientific institutions. A major disadvantage, however, is that, in our country, we don’t develop “complementary skills”, such as how to “package” and properly present the results of expert work.

It is sometimes said that countries like ours can make a “quantum leap” in development by adopting some new technologies, and bypassing some old ones that they had neither the time nor the resources to implement earlier. Is that possible for Serbia when it comes to your area of expertise?

Instead of the word ‘CAN’, I would use the word “COULD”, provided the “social envi20 Green Serbia 2022

Blue-green solutions (BGS) combined with the “reset” of the distorted social framework to a system of true values, and restoring the role that belongs to the community of professionals in a civilised society, is the goal that we should be striving to achieve in Serbia

ronment” was at the required level to place the interests of the country ahead of the personal interests (usually financial) of the decision-makers). I’ve spent the last several years trying to achieve such a “quantum leap” in the field of urban waters, primarily in the design, construction, and management of the operations of WWTP (wastewater treatment plants). Given that Serbia has almost no WWTPs, it could immediately apply the latest technology: plants that are cleaner, far more “ecologically advanced”, cheaper to construct, operate and maintain, requiring much less space and energy, and which don’t stink. Instead of that, “the cards have already been dealt”, the government opted for the outdated “stinky”, overpriced (“dinosaur”) technology (19th-century solutions to serve the needs of the 21st-century). A great chance to “be a champion” is being gambled away. For more details on this, please check out the presentation: https://youtu.be/ab819Y4npn8 on YouTube.

You consider that everything which is today considered waste will be considered a valuable resource in the future.

Certainly. Such a future (circular ecology) has already begun in many developed and developing countries. Something that represents waste in one industry is a raw material for another, and so on “in a circle”. Serbia, as we can see today, is full of landfill sites, illegal dumps and polluted rivers. That’s just one of the indicators of a “distorted value system” and a disorderly legal and social system, with complete disregard for the health and well-being of the public. The standout examples here are systems that should be “exemplary”/carriers of economic development, such as tourism. You need only to take a slightly closer look at (and smell) our most famous mountain resorts (Kopaonik, Zlatibor and Divčibare). In less than the last 10 years a, they’ve experienced uncontrolled/ chaotic “urbanisation” with the construction of accommodation facilities lacking even the minimum level of long-term strategy, without proper inspection oversight and without supporting infrastructure.

We Must Change OUR HABITS

Steel Impex returns all the waste that it collects as a raw material, following treatment, thus encouraging a circular economy. According to representatives of this company, the waste management sector’s most complex problem is the lack of primary selection in households and the inadequate management of municipal waste

We recognised the importance of investing in renewable energy sources. The investment and installing of 550kW represents a continuation of our commitment to protecting the environment, while at the same time demonstrating innovation in the Republic of Serbia’s recycling sector - notes Steel Impex General Manager Maja Živković.

How does one establish a good recycling system?

Establishing a good recycling system begins with the raising of awareness about the importance of recycling, with participants including households, producers, companies, recycling operators, and final care operators. In more recent times, the waste management systems of more serious companies have even transitioned to the next stage, i.e., the adopting of a so-called “zero waste” strategy, which should ensure the reuse of all waste. It is essential for every individual to strive on their own, and we hope that, in the near future, regional landfills will be the ones that prevent unnecessary dumping at landfill sites, that they will redirect waste to operators that carry out treatment works and return waste to the market in the form of a raw material.

How realistic and achievable is the Republic of Serbia’s goal of reducing gas emissions by 33.3% by 2030?

Steel Impex strives, together with its suppliers and business partners, to contribute as much as possible to achieving the goals of the Republic of Serbia. However, in order

Businesses operating in Serbia express interest in the process of transitioning to renewable energy sources, both for their own needs and, at the same time, for selling electricity and connecting to the energy grid

for us all to help in that, it is essential to educate all citizens, from the oldest to the youngest. It is necessary to change habits, which includes promoting the use of public transport, alternative forms of transport, the rational use of electricity and water, the inclusion of household in primary selection and increasing the number of citizens who understand why recycling is mandatory. Serbia generates up to 1.7 tons of waste per capita annually. And officially only 2-3% of that is recycled.

Given the fact that Europe is facing one of the worst energy crises ever, will we see an increase in interest in renewables?

The global energy crisis has impacted both the European and Serbian markets. Energy prices reached a record level last autumn, and the fluctuations also impacted on renewable energy sources. Objectively speaking, no culprit can be singled out as being to blame for the situation, and I consider the biggest problem as being the imbalance in global supply and demand, which emerged, among other things, as a result of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the recommissioning of thermal power plants is currently being considered in Europe, which would actually increase CO2 emissions, while the reducing of emissions and protecting of the environment is being promoted on the other side.

Over the course of recent years, businesses operating in the Republic of Serbia have expressed interest in the process of transitioning to renewable energy sources, both for their own needs and, at the same time, for selling electricity and connecting to the energy grid. I expect this to be even more pronounced in the future. Steel Impex is a company that has recognised the importance of investing in renewable energy sources, and our investment and installing of 550kW actually represents a continuation of our commitment to protecting the environment, while at the same time demonstrating innovation in the Republic of Serbia’s recycling sector.

BOJANA PERIĆ,GENERAL MANAGER, EKOSTAR PAK We Create Preconditions For The

UTILISATION OF WASTE

Ekostar Pak is a national Operater of packaging waste management system. In terms of its number of clients, which exceeds 800, it is the Serbian market leader, with a market share of 34% in total amounts of packaging placed on Serbian market

Comparative data collected over the course of the past decade show that the amount of waste recycled in Serbia by Ekostar increases every year. Provided the direction of growth is maintained, the full scope of national targets linked to the reduction of packaging and packaging waste could become achievable. between these two models is reflected in the way they treat waste: does it end up dumped in landfill sites, where it slowly decomposes, polluting water, soil and air, before returning to nature; or does it, instead, through recycling, return to the production process to be used again for the same purpose or a similar one. The way waste circulates is dependent on all of us.

Is waste management the first step towards a circular economy?

The state and institutions are creating a normative framework that should integrate circular economy principles from the local to the national level. The principle of extended responsibility of the producer towards the packaging in which its product is sold represents a key pillar for the economy’s integration into the circular model. Finally, the willingness and readiness of all of us to approach waste responsibly, in accordance with regulations, but also natural law, ensures the cycle of the circular economy is complete. The European Union adopted an action plan in 2020 that should ensure that there are no emissions of greenhouse gases at the level of the entire European community by 2050.

With this goal in mind, the Government of the Republic of Serbia adopted its Programme of Waste Management in the Republic of Serbia for the 2022-2031 period, which should enable the creating of preconditions for utilising waste in the circular economy. This ambitious policy certainly famous numerous challenges in practise, but successful examples aren’t a rarity either. We often think that everything can be recycled. However, in order for waste to be able to become a resource, it is essential for its disposal to be controlled through the existence of clear rules of separation. If we carefully examine the packaging we use, we will see that every package displays codes in letters and numbers that the producer is obliged to highlight, as instructions for proper disposal following use. There are multiple benefits of adhering to this disposal rule.

We often here talk of the circular economy, which is something that citizens actually know very little about. What lurks behind this notion?

The circular economy represents the “product-waste-product” model and is an ecological alternative to the inefficient “take-make-use-discard” system. More simply put, the key difference 22 Green Serbia 2022

In our country we should start introducing the model of collecting three separate categories of waste: paper/ cardboard, plastic/metal and glass

Could you illustrate that to us with some specific statistics?

As an example, paper separated from food leftovers, glass or plastic will not be dumped in nature somewhere, but rather returned to industry and processed in an appropriate way. This will simultaneously satisfy industry’s need for paper without the use of additional natural resources, which serves to address another major ecological challenge. Properly separated waste was a precondition for the recycling of more than 80,000tons of packaging waste 50,000 tons of paper,8,300 tons of plastic, 9,600 tons of glass, 5,000 tons of metal and 7,100 tons of wood – which is how much Ekostar Pak managed to return to the cycle of reuse with its recycling system in 2021 alone.

We commonly simplify the recycling issue, because we don’t know how waste is properly sorted. Is that the first step to successful recycling, if not the key?

There are various waste collection models. The Programme of Waste Management in the Republic

of Serbia envisaged the first step as being the minimal separating of communal waste in households into two bins, one for recyclable materials and another for all other waste. However, experience has shown that not all waste collected in this way can be utilised by the recycling industry. Specifically, the industry requires raw materials that haven’t been contaminated by other impurities. It turned out that the “two bins” system doesn’t ensure the high quality of the materials collected, even if secondary separation is introduced, particularly when we want to incorporate the raw material obtained into new packaging that will serve the needs of food products, rather than being sent to be incinerated or landfilled.

What kind of recycling model do you advocate for?

I consider that it would be far more beneficial to start introducing the model of collecting three separate categories of waste: paper/cardboard, plastic/metal and glass. Such a way of separating enables the harvesting of high-quality raw materials and the fulfilling of specific prescribed goals for each material. Secondly, the costs of dividing waste into three groups justified recycling, because it reduces the costs of sorting and increases the value of material sorted for further use. Next, changing daily routines is an important incentive for increasing respect for the principles of the circular economy across the entire community, and has a direct impact

on protecting the environment. Furthermore, applying the circular economy model contributes to raising competitiveness, innovation and economic growth, alongside significant potential for the creation of new jobs. Finally, by changing economic principles and our daily lives, we add value to waste materials and preserve the precious and increasingly scarce natural resources and the environment to which we belong.

The Programme that’s been adopted envisages current national targets for the reduction of packaging and packaging waste to match EU targets in 2025. Besides this challenge, the Programme also envisages that we will introduce the required separation of waste into paper, plastic, glass and metal by 2029, so we have quite a difficult task ahead of us, because we will have to shorten this deadline if we want to achieve the planned goals.

Are things changing for the better? Is there a shift in the right direction?

Space needs to be created for improvement in the form of systemic steps in the area of primary selection, and that should be done through cooperation with units of local government. This means that it’s necessary to secure infrastructure nationwide throughout Serbia, in both larger and smaller areas, in order for citizens to be able to recycle waste unhindered. The capacities of existing landfills have already been filled in a

large number of municipalities, which is why the Programme of Waste Management envisages their overhaul or closure.

What we can see on a daily basis is that interest in recycling exists among citizens, and initiatives to promote primary selection, such as the campaign being conducted by Ekostar Pak in all 27 schools on the territory of Pančevo that’s directed towards raising awareness among young people that recycling is part and parcel of responsible behaviour and inclusion in the circle of nature conservation. As such, the key to improving the situation in this area lies in a systemic solution that implies synergy between the economy and the state, that is a joint model of system operators and local government units entrusted with collecting municipal packaging waste.

The world must take “radical action” to shift away from fossil fuels, including investing $5.7 trillion annually in solar, wind, and other forms of clean power this decade to ensure that global warming doesn’t pass dangerous thresholds, the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency said at the end of March

Other measures proposed in a 348page report on the global energy transition include improving energy efficiency, increasing electrification, capturing carbon emissions and expanding the use of hydrogen gas.

Scientists say global emissions need to drop 45% by the end of the decade compared to 1990 levels. But recent data show they are going up, not down, in part due to rising energy demand and the expansion of fossil fuel use.

“The energy transition is far from being on track and anything short of radical action in the coming years will diminish, even eliminate, chances to meet our climate goals,” said Francesco La Camera, the director-general of IRENA.

Countries agreed seven years ago in Paris to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), ideally no more than 1.5 degrees C (2.7 F), to avoid potentially catastrophic consequences for the planet. With temperatures now more than 1.1 degrees C above the pre-industrial average, a recent report by a U.N. science panel found that billions around the world are already vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

La Camera told an energy conference in Berlin that “not only the 1.5 C, the 2 C goal is really in danger if we don’t act and don’t make a dramatic change in the way we produce and consume energy.”

IRENA, which is based in the oil-rich Gulf emirate of Abu Dhabi-based IRENA, said investments of $700 billion should be diverted away from the fossil fuel sector each year to avoid creating wells, pipelines and power plants that can’t be used anymore.

This demand was echoed by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who called for an end to private sector financing for coal power, which surged to record highs last year.

“Lenders need to recognize that coal and fossil fuels are futile investments that will lead to billions of dollars in stranded assets,” he said.

With countries such as the United States ramping up domestic fossil fuel production amid energy price hikes and fears of supply shortages because of Russia’s war in Ukraine, Guterres urged governments not to delay the shift away from fossil fuels.

“The current crisis shows that we must accelerate, not slow, the renewable energy transition,” he said. “This is the only true path to energy security.”

Such calls have met with mixed results.

At a forum in Dubai at the end of March energy ministers of major oil producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as the secretary general of the OPEC oil cartel,

insisted that fossil fuels are part of the energy transition and hundreds of billions of dollars in oil and gas investments are still needed.

While the two Gulf countries have pledged to reduce emissions within their borders to net zero, they tout their barrels of oil as less carbon-intensive than those extracted elsewhere and have no plans to scale back production. OPEC expects more oil will be needed in the coming decades, mainly due to a population boom in Asia.

Even Germany, which seeks to become carbon neutral by 2045 and recently announced a raft of new measures to further boost renewable power, continues to dig coal for energy needs.

Utility company RWE this week won a court case allowing it to bulldoze a farm in the western German village of Luetzerath in preparation for the expansion of a nearby lignite mine.

BY FRANK JORDANS / AP

Scientists say global emissions need to drop 45% by the end of the decade compared to 1990 levels. But recent data show they are going up, not down, in part due to rising energy demand and the expansion of fossil fuel use