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FACES & PLACES
25/07/2022 The Embassy of Egypt Hosts Reception On The Occasion Of National Day
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The Ambassador of Egypt to Serbia H.E. Bassel Salah hosted a formal reception on the occasion of the National Day of Egypt, marking 70 years since the modern Arab Republic was proclaimed. On this occasion, Ambassador H.E. Bassel Salah expressed his gratitude to the President of Serbia and the Government for the “magnificent welcome” of President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The reception was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Parliament Speaker Ivica Dacic, and followed only five days after the historic visit of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Belgrade.
30/07/2022 Morocco Celebrates Throne Day
On 30th July the people of the Kingdom of Morocco celebrated Throne Day, marking the 23rd anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which symbolizes the strong and repeatedly highlighted attachment of Moroccans to the Alawite throne and their unwavering bonds of loyalty to their Sovereign, which have been perpetuated centuries ago. This year, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Serbia marked 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, which are currently experiencing exceptional momentum based on friendship, mutual respect and trust, as well as on convergence of positions on issues of common interest.
1/08/2022 Swiss National Day Commemorated
The Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade has celebrated Swiss National Day. The reception was held at the Swiss Ambassadorial Residence. Speaking in his address, H.E. Urs Schmid, Ambassador of Switzerland in Serbia, said “Like the first three Swiss cantons that signed an alliance more than seven centuries ago, let’s remember that we share common interests and values and that together we are stronger.” The reception marking the National Day of Switzerland was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and religious communities, as well as representatives of cultural and political life. A CorD special edition dedicated to bilateral relations between Switzerland and Serbia was presented at the reception.
1/08/2022 First Visit Of A Spanish Prime Minister to Serbia
Spain has been supporting Serbia for more than two decades on the issue of Kosovo, and after the two-day visit of its Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the first visit by a Spanish Prime Minister in the history of Serbia, the message is that relations between the two countries will continue to be based on the joint defence of the principles of international law and territorial integrity and sovereignty. After meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, PM Sanchez underlined that Serbia should become a full member of the EU and that Spain will always support it on the path to European integration.
FACES PLACES&
10/08/2022 Standing Ovation For John Malkovich At Felix Romuliana
Hollywood actor John Malkovich and the orchestra of the Vienna Academy with the Wroclaw Baroque Orchestra delighted the audience at the ancient site of Felix Romuliana near Zaječar with the performance of the musical piece “Paklena Komedija”. Malkovich and the musicians were rewarded for this theatrical experiment by a standing ovation from around 1,000 visitors in an open-air space inside the remains of a 3rd-century Roman imperial palace. “Infernal Comedy” combined Malkovich’s stage expressiveness in speaking a text inspired by the experience of a serial killer and superb classical music performed by two orchestras. Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn’s arias were masterfully conjured up by orchestras and sopranos Chan Reese and Susan Langbein. The performance was performed as part of the Zaječar Cultural Summer at Felix Romuliani and the ArtLink Festival, which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
11/08/2022 Ambassador Of Japan Attends Ceremony Of The First Toyo Tires Delivery Manufactured In Inđija
Ambassador of Japan H.E. Katsumata attended the ceremony organized by the company Toyo Tires Serbia on the occasion of the first delivery of 500 tires produced in their factory in Indjija. In addition to the ambassador of Japan, the ceremony was attended by Vladimir Gak, the president of the municipality of Indjija, Yoji Imura, the general director of Toyo Tires Serbia, as well as other representatives of the company’s management and employees. During the ceremony, guests loaded the last package of tires into the truck and sent it on its way to the USA. Ambassador Katsumata praised the efforts of the Toyo Tires team, which, despite the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, managed a great achievement. He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Serbia and the municipality of Indjija for their support. 64 September
On the occasion of the 75th Independence Day of Pakistan, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Belgrade. Ambassador of Pakistan to Serbia H.E. Shehryar Akbar Khan hoisted the flag at the Embassy’s premises. Messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out to participants. Embassy officials and members of the Pakistani community attended the ceremony.
India celebrated the 75th anniversary of its independence on 15th August 2022. To celebrate and commemorate these 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements, India has launched the India@75 initiative. The India@75 initiative is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India this far in its evolutionary journey, but who also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-dependent India). As part of India@75 celebrations in Serbia, Indian Ambassador H.E. Sanjiv Kohli hoisted the national flag of India at a 15th August event held on the premises of the Embassy. September 65
FACES PLACES&
19/08/2022 Flag Ceremony At The Indonesian Embassy
The Indonesian Embassy in Belgrade held a flag ceremony marking the 77th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. H.E. Mochammad Chandra Widya Yudha, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Serbia, and Embassy staff welcomed Indonesian citizens and friends of Indonesia to the ceremony held on the premises of the Embassy.
“We admire the Ukrainians for their determination to realize their decisions to live in a country that is free, prosperous and make their own decisions,” said the European Union Ambassador to Serbia, Emanuele Giofre. Together with the US Ambassador Christopher Hill and the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister of Serbian Affairs, Nemanja Starović, participated in the ceremonial gathering on the occasion of the 31st Independence Day of Ukraine. EU ambassador Gioffre stated that it is a day of celebration, but also a day of mourning for all the victims of the war in Ukraine. 66 September
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New Tech For New Jobs
Despite many of the surrounding countries having already introduced 5G networks, Serbia continues to wait. Serbian Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Tatjana Matić explains that the procedure for acquiring the right to use radio frequencies on the basis of an individual license, which is issued following a public bidding process, is underway, in accordance with the Law on Electronic Communications.
Upon completion of the procedure, the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Postal Services is then tasked with making a decision on whether applicants fulfil the conditions for issuance of individual licenses on the basis of the public bidding process.
After this, explains our interlocutor, the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications passes an act that stipulates the minimum conditions for the issuance of individual licenses in accordance with the public bidding procedure, then the Agency brings a decision on the launch of the public bidding procedure.
Many of the countries of our region have already advanced in this work. What have their experiences taught us about implementing 5G? - The experiences of other countries, whether in the surrounding area, the European Union or around the world, represent examples of good practice that Serbia will take into consideration when planning and implementing public tenders. There are numerous examples of potential applications of the 5G network, which encompass areas like the automotive industry, agronomy, medicine, education, logistics, manufacturing, energy, connected autonomous vehicles, ap-
AVAILABILITY COORDINATION
Considering 5G’s development potential, Serbia will ensure that all interested parties have opportunities to utilise this technology The construction of the middle mile segment enables private sector operators to construct the last mile infrastructure and ensure their investments in rural areas are sustainable The Strategy for Digital Skills Development represents a fundamental document that will contribute to advancing digital competences in education
COMPETENCES
plications for the automation of transport and storage, and many other areas. The development of 5G networks and modern technologies will undoubtedly provide a strong impetus to Serbia’s overall development.
The Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia recently conducted a survey on the use of high technology (automation, artificial intelligence applications etc.) in Serbian companies. How much of a real need for 5G exists in our industry and who would be its most important users?
The biggest gap in the acquiring of digital skills is linked to income levels between households. That’s why social inclusion in the area of developing digital skills is the Strategy’s most important task
- The basic advantages that are brought by 5G technology include a significant increase in flow with reduced delays, which is essential for efficient automation and other important processes for the development of industry. That’s why our industry is interested in the implementation and adequate application of 5G technology. Considering 5G’s development potential, Serbia will ensure that all interested parties have opportunities to utilise this technology.
The use of 5G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data and other modern technologies provides new opportunities for development, innovation and hiring staff, as well as contributing to society achieving optimised healthcare, improved operational efficiency, environmental protection and the development of smart cities.
At the same time, you previously announced major works to construct capacities for broadband internet in the parts of Serbia that had a poor internet signal or lacked internet coverage entirely. How much have these works progressed? Under the scope of the ongoing first phase of the project, the Ministry enables public institutions and primarily schools in certain rural settlements to connect with the existing optical network. The construction of the ‘middle mile’ segment provides an incentive for private sector operators to construct the ‘last mile’ infrastructure by rendering their investments in rural areas financially sustainable. The areas where joint construction is being conducted would be left without coverage if it weren’t for government intervention, because operators have no economic interest in independently constructing broadband infrastructure.
Likewise, documentation for obtaining location conditions has to date been prepared and submitted for approximately 1,500 kilometres, while requests for the approval of construction have also been submitted for almost 1,200 kilometres of the route. A tender is also underway for the works contractor on the construction of the middle mile segment of infrastructure, as well as for the expert supervision of construction, with these tenders being conducted in accordance with the rules of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Infrastructure works will begin following the culmination of the tender and the signing of the contract.
The second phase of the project will see additional rural settlements provided with broadband access.
The rise of e-services and e-government, and finally also the shift to online education, have all impacted on the need for all citizens to acquire digital skills. How much of a gap in digital skills exists in this domain and to what extent does the current Strategy represent a relevant platform for further action? - The Strategy for Digital Skills Development in the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2020 to 2024 aims to reduce the gap that’s emerged due to accelerated technological development and the objective impossibility of individual and collective digital transformation unfolding at the same pace, along with indispensable internet security and personal data protection. Existing data of the Statistical Office show the state of computer literacy, where a slight gap exists between the male and female population in favour of men, as well as a distinct gap between urban and rural households when it comes to the use of information and communication technologies. However, the biggest gap is in income levels between households. In this sense, social inclusion in the area of developing digital skills is the Strategy’s most important task.
Considering the various identified groups of the population and their vulnerability when it comes to the capacity to develop digital skills, the Strategy follows the EU’s contemporary development goals and relies internationally on the existing regulatory framework that is constantly developing. As such, this Strategy really represents a fundamental document that will contribute to advancing digital competences in education, improving digital skills with the aim of furthering the use of electronic services and labour market competitiveness, eliminating disparities that emerge between different groups of the population as a result of social stratification and the availability of modern technologies and infrastructure, as well as promoting the continuous and lifelong education of experts in this field.
BUSINESS
Epson: Tech That’s Hot Yet Heatless
Increase your productivity and reduce your environmental impact without compromise by using Epson inkjet printers that use Heat-Free Technology to deliver advanced benefits
Epson Heat-Free Technology does not require heat in the ink ejection process. Instead, pressure is applied to the Piezo element, which flexes backwards and forwards firing the ink from the printhead. In contrast, laser printers need to heat the fuser to enable printing.
The benefits of Heat-Free Technology is consistent high-speed printing and less power consumption that saves energy and money, requires fewer replacement parts, a reduced environmental impact and less intervention, thus increasing productivity.
Consistent high-speed printing: Epson Heat-Free Technology requires no heat to warm up when it is switched on or awoken from sleep. This means it starts printing immediately, compared to the delayed functioning of laser printers that need to preheat the fuser to print. Consistent high-speed printing is ensured, even for documents with high-printing density.
Less power consumption saves energy and money: Epson HeatFree Technology uses less power than laser technology, because it does not use heat to warm up. As inkjets have no fuser unit to heat, this results in significantly less energy consumption.
Fewer replacement parts, lower environmental impact: Laser printers typically have more consumables and require the periodic replacement of the drum, transfer belt and fuser in many cases. Thanks to Heat-Free Technology, Epson inkjet printers use fewer parts that need replacing than in a laser printer, and these printheads are not a consumable. This reduces the environmental burden of having to manufacture and recycle additional resources.
Less intervention increases productivity: The Heat-Free structure of Epson inkjet printers means that there are fewer parts that can fail, which reduces the amount of intervention required. As a result, Epson inkjet printers offer reliability and significantly reduced downtime.
Hipernet TV Provides The Best Sports Content
Yettel's Hipernet offer includes fixed Internet, the latest generation TV and fixed telephony services. It uses only the optical network, which guarantees excellent Internet connection speeds and service quality in all places where it is available
As of this summer, Hipernet TV also includes the best sports content, broadcast in top picture quality. Here we speak with Yettel Fixed Services Segment Manager Slobodan Papak about what sets Hipernet apart from the competition and which sporting competitions are available within the scope of the Hipernet TV offer.
Offering TV channels and streaming content has become an important factor when it comes to satisfying users’ needs, and Hipernet is your response to that. What sets Hipernet apart from the competition? - The main vision of Hipernet TV is to bring content closer to users. This means that we break down the artificial barriers that divide content according to the source from which it comes, from some catalogue of movies or linear television, or some channel. Even the broadcast time isn’t crucial, with the exceptions of sports and news content. The content provided within the scope of Hipernet TV is sorted thematically. Thus, if the user wants to watch a thriller movie, it is enough to go to the “Movies” section, then the “Thrillers” category, and all the thrillers broadcast on all television stations over the previous seven or more days will be available. We wanted to adapt the TV user interface to the large amount of content available, following the example of Netflix and other global pioneers of video content innovation. Of course, for all those users who are accustomed to watching TV in the traditional way, Hipernet TV provides all the functionality of traditional linear television. Another important area is optical Internet for the entire household and stable Wi-Fi in every corner of the home. According to our research, this is extremely important to people, particularly when several members of a household have different needs. And thirdly, we are exerting efforts to provide a really high-quality experience for users during their interaction with us - from a clear presentation and easy service selection, via tidy installation, the exact time of which is determined by the user, to efficient customer support.
What can Hipernet TV users expect? - Hipernet users can now follow the English Premier League, as well as the other most relevant sports content available on the Arena Sport and Eurosport channels. We are talking about the best football competitions, including Serie A, La Liga, League 1, the Champions League, Europa
League, but also the Super League of Serbia. Arena Sport channels will also feature the best basketball, such as the NBA and ABA leagues, while Eurosport is known as the home of cycling, tennis, winter sports and the Olympic Games. In this way, we have created a diverse offer for all sports fans. tuitive and simple way. With Hipernet TV, all sports content is in one place, organised by sports, competitions and leagues. In addition, with an excellent selection of channels, users
can choose movies, TV shows or children’s content sorted by genre.
Is it possible to use Hipernet TV as a separate service? - Hipernet TV is an ideal combination with Hipernet’s high-speed optical internet. However, we also offer Hipernet TV as a separate service, and the only prerequisite is that you have a stable internet connection, regardless of technology and operator. This means that you can choose a combination of optical internet and digital television, or just one of these services.
Is the app’s interface responsive to diverse content? - When developing products and services, we are always guided by a desire to enable users to access content that interests them in an in-
TLD Operator’s Role In Cyber Security
With the outbreak of the pandemic, many companies rushed to implement digital technologies to keep their business running. Yet, many of them missed an essential step in securing their digital assets against cyber attacks. With increasing numbers of people using the internet and accessing their business environment, bad actors gain a larger field of operation and benefit significantly from a successful attack
The domain name system (DNS) is one of the most critical components of internet infrastructure and, sadly, one of the most neglected. When a portion of the DNS is compromised or unavailable, users cannot reach related online resources and services. That’s because the DNS runs as the address book for the internet and is responsible for translating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (series of numbers) into human-friendly domain names. Spoiling some elements of the DNS implies entire parts of the internet becoming unreliable or unreachable. It should therefore come as no surprise that DNS is a top target for cybercriminals.
Running a trustworthy ccTLD
As more people and businesses have been moving online, it has been our duty, as a ccTLD registry, to maintain stable and safe access to internet resources. As in any industry, domain name holders want to be sure that their personal information is adequately protected and that they are provided with top-notch services.
As security risks ramp up, TLD registries must implement thorough protection against security threats on two key aspects: databases of contacts and technical information related to registered domain names and the technical DNS infrastructure critical for public domain name resolution.
Over the last few years, certain security measures have been established to reduce vulnerability to known threats and respond to growing attacks. RNIDS and its registrar partners are now more secure, implementing stiff security protocols to prevent any incident involving the registry’s data and its operations. As a result, we haven’t experienced any registry breaches or operational difficulties, but this doesn’t mean there are no attempts. Like any system connected to the internet, we experience constant probing and attacks against our systems.
Is registry assets security enough to gain our users’ confidence?
One of the main threats faced by RNIDS is the compromise of registrants’ accounts used to update domain name information. That enables the attacker to execute unauthorised changes to domain name data by pointing a domain name toward a compromised online service instead of the appropriate content provided by the registrant. Accordingly, RNIDS has enabled three domain name lock mechanisms for registrants of Serbian national domains. By locking their domain names using an appropriate type of domain name protection, registrants allow only authorised persons to perform changes to the domain name.
Locking domain names, to some extent, prevent phishing and malware distributed via lookalike websites. Lookalike sites are regularly used to distribute malware or execute phishing schemes by replicating financial institutions or government portals to collect valuable personal information to drain bank accounts or steal identities.
Locking the domain name solves only part of the DNS security problems. The Domain Name System (DNS) responds without validating the source, which means it is vulnerable to injecting invalid DNS information and
redirecting users to malicious content. This happens every day, all over the world. The estimate is that two-thirds of all cyber-attacks are related to the abuse of the DNS used for criminal acts or censorship of content.
DNSSEC (DNS Security Extension) is a technology that provides mechanisms for protection against the modification of DNS responses and redirecting users to online locations that are potentially harmful. For several years, RNIDS has been enabling Serbian national domains to be DNSSEC signed, in order to protect internet users from becoming victims of cybercriminals. This DNS security extension can be used by all domain name holders, but is almost mandatory for financial institutions and companies that do business online.
DNS infrastructure security
Attacks against DNS infrastructure have increased in frequency and intensity over recent years. The aggregated bandwidth of millions of compromised “zombie” devices in a botnet has proven disastrous, and even well-equipped targets cannot sustain that amount of traffic. The best practice of TLDs to mitigate large-scale DDoS attacks is to utilise multiple globally distributed DNS anycast providers. RNIDS has responded to the problem by implementing changes to network architecture and introducing rate limits on the number of consecutive queries. Our DNS infrastructure comprises a network of public DNS servers in several geographic locations on all continents.
Trust is vital
A vital element of any TLD operator is trust in the reputation and ability of the registry to manage its namespace and enforce its policies. Where domain name registration is suspicious or engaged in illegal activity, RNIDS may audit the registration by triggering the Registrant Information Validation process via a registrar, thus ensuring that a registrant meets RNIDS registration policy requirements. If the registrant fails to verify that the information provided is correct, the domain name is suspended and cancelled, and no longer poses a threat to internet users.
RNIDS systems process more than 500 million DNS queries on a daily basis, and if someone wants to visit the website or send an e-mail on the .rs or .срб domain names, we ensure that they are directed to the right website; or that the message is delivered to the intended mailbox.
RNIDS strives to contribute to a safer environment for all internet users in Serbia. We thus actively organise educational campaigns and professional meetings to share our knowledge on technical, legal and internet protection issues related to domain names, DNS infrastructure and other issues that fall under our area of expertise.
Conclusion
The terms “secure, stable and resilient” have always been associated with TLD operators. From day one, we have been working to maintain the security, stability and resiliency of the systems that support the .rs and .срб domain names. We keep pace with the technology and cyber security trends and ensure that our customers enjoy the benefits of utilising the Serbian domain namespace.
As a TLD operator, RNIDS constantly monitors its systems to detect incidents and mitigate risk. We are aware that new attack vectors and events are constantly popping up and require continuous attention and the implementation of adjustments and different approaches to adequately defend against changing circumstances.
Strengthening Digital Life & Operations
With the successful completion of last year’s rebranding project and the launch of a new brand on the Serbian telecommunications market - A1 Serbia told its users that it would strengthen its users’ digital life and work. Less than a year and a half on, A1 Serbia is positioning itself as an important player in the area of applied ICT solutions and business software applications. This stride forward in operations also provided reason for us to interview A1 Serbia Enterprise Sales and ICT Solutions Director Goran Stojadinović.
ICT development has shuffled the deck on the market in such a way that now one telecommunications company is recognised as a partner in IT operations. How would you comment on that? - We say in jest at A1 Serbia that we have long been connecting not only people, but also machines. Mobile operators are among the main drivers of the digital transformation of business around the world. We didn’t want to stop at the providing of telco services and internet access, rather we wanted to provide our users with full coverage to enter cyberspace, with the help of solutions and services for cyber security, advanced connectivity, data storage and machine-to-machine communication. Given that we’re a provider of internet and digital solutions, we have possibilities to combine services and offer everything in one place for business users, under the one-stop-shop principle. Likewise, these solutions mustn’t be a burden on users, which is why we insist on the “managed service” model, where we relieve them of any concern over the running of the service, in accordance with the “turnkey” principle.
ICT advances have brought countless possibilities and benefits to enterprises of all sizes. Which of these gains do you see as being the most important? - The primary needs of business that will never change are to make your operations more efficient and profitable. Digitalisation has only increased those needs, but also brought the tools to achieve them. The applying of modern ICT solutions is synonymous with efficiency, as it enables enterprises to make major savings, improve the quality of their products and services, shortens the time required to complete a job and reduces administration. An excellent example of that is A1 SD - WAN [Software Defined Wide Area Network], which is software-defined networking that provides greater flexibility by enabling the flow of traffic via multiple networks, unlike VPN that directs all traffic down a single route.
Increased numbers of remote employees and new business models rely on flexibility, speed and security. Is security the most important issue in the online world because of the situation with the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine? - In this digital age, the risk of data loss continues to rise as a result of the rapid digitalisation of companies and as a result of the fact that data has become the most valuable asset of organisations worldwide. In order for every company to be fully prepared for the new way of working, it must also take measures to ensure the protection of its resources, or its data, and provide for swift and efficient recovery in the event of an incident, hacker attack etc. We really recognised this need well and can state with pride that we launched the A1 Cyber Backup solution, which is intended for all business users, regardless of whether or not they’re users of A1 Serbia’s services, and has built-in proactive protection against cryptographic viruses, such as ransomware and other malware.
Interest In e-Money On The Rise
Led Pay is an electronic money (e-money) institution that operates within the framework of the OMR Group, with a license from the National Bank of Serbia to issue e-money and provide payment services. Among the pioneers of e-money in Serbia, Led Pay strives to become the leading institution in this domain not only in the country, but also further afield
Speaking for this issue of CorD Magazine, Led Pay CEO Snežana Stjepanović addresses current projects, the issuance of e-money and other payment services that it offers its clients, including business payment transactions and the acceptance of payment cards.
LedPay participated in the e-fiscalization process. In which ways did your company contribute to this process? - As a company, Led Pay was actively included in the e-fiscalization process from the outset, by enabling its partner companies to combine a cash register app and a payment terminal in a single device. Specifically, this is a Castles device, the Saturn 1000 model, in which a cash register application is integrated with a payment application that is enabled for the acceptance of Dina, MasterCard, Maestro and Visa payment cards, and recently also UnionPay payment cards.
How do you enable clients to utilise this service? - Our company signs contracts directly with clients that use the Saturn 1000 POS terminal device (which enables the accepting of payment cards). In that way, we strive to promote cashless payment methods and thus ease clients’ handling of cash, and without the obligation to open current account in a different commercial bank.
The market is dynamic, while the demands of clients are changing significantly, together with their needs. How have clients responded so far? - We were pleased to have succeeded, within a period of around a month and a half, in signing more than 400 contracts with clients, which makes us Using e-money can bring a multitude of benefits, while it can be used for different purposes – from crowd funding to classic payments of goods and services
very proud, and for Led Pay to be accepted equally alongwith other banks that offer the same service. One important factor was definitely the fact that we don’t require our clients to open additional bank accounts, nor to switch commercial banks. Many clients that didn’t accept payment cards as a payment method prior to the shift to e-fiscalization are now doing so for the first time.
Your company has also launched several projects linked to the increasingly relevant e-commerce, while you also offer your clients payment card acceptance and split payment transaction services. - Led Pay will offer its clients (web shops and web platforms) the service of accepting payment cards at online points of sale, as well as the split payment transaction service, where payments are executed, on behalf of the web platforms, directly to the accounts of merchants who sell their goods or services online. The clients in this segment also had positive reaction and the interest was definitely greater than we expected.
Is the local Serbian market ready to shift to cashless payment options through e-money? - Interest in e-money is really massively on the rise in Serbia, as we can see from our daily contacts with potential distributors and partners. Its use can bring a multitude of benefits, while it can be used for different purposes – from crowd funding to classic payments of goods and services. This payment method brings savings to both those who accept e-money and those who use it, and thus we have the aim of maximally raising awareness of the benefits of this type of cashless payment, as well as expanding our network of clients and becoming the leading electronic money institution in the country, and hopefully further afield.
THEME
5G Network Catalyst Of Regional Economic Integration
Irini Reljin Ph.D., School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade For development in the Western Balkans, it is important to follow the EU strategic framework for the digital agenda in the long term, while harmonising the interests of the countries' economies. The joint work of Western Balkan representatives ensures an exchange of experience and knowledge, which is good preparation for EU membership
The imperative of modern science is in its application, which is why science has entered deeply into the needs of industry. 5G is part of the industrial revolution 4.0, making a major contribution to its application in almost all branches of industry. The concept of 5G is based on the need to increase the speed of information transfer, greater mobility, enormous capacity and, crucially, small delays (at the level of human perception) of the order of a millisecond. Given the stated and fulfilled requirements, the following are possible applications of 5G:
Video transmission that requires high throughputs and shows sensitivity to variations in delay, but not to the magnitude of constant delay.
Control and management of automated processes are based on interactive user access or fully automated processes, with strict requirements for signal delays. The most complex automatic control is in the movement of driverless vehicles. Associations of car manufacturers are intensively testing such vehicles, based on the collection of information from interconnected vehicles on the road and data generated by servers at checkpoints along the road. Delays to data generated in this way must be extremely small, and the signal transmission must be highly reliable. The data is stored in a computing cloud distributed along the road. 5G networks need e a densely connected (capillary type) optical network for signal transmission, i.e. to exchange large amounts of data. The automotive industry in the EU is already installing devices intended to increase the safety of automated vehicles, which use a radio frequency range known as G5.
Serbia was the only non-EU country to sign a memorandum of cooperation and participated in
preparing plans for testing cross-border passage of automated vehicles with two EU member states.
Automation of processes in closed systems (production halls, mines, warehouses, ports, airports), due to the possible collision of moving objects, requires small delays. Movements of objects take place in a limited space, creating conditions for the introduction of vertical operators (manufacturers, ports, construction sites, etc.). A part of the radio-frequency spectrum is usually set aside to be auctioned for these purposes in which the frequencies are used in a limited area, enabling their reuse in more distant places. Serbia has provided a portion of the 100 MHz band for use in limited areas. Vertical operators can be either independent operators, or engaged operators of public mobile systems, or a combination of the two.
Telemedicine applications in the 5G environment are particularly interesting for remote operations, where a surgeon from a remote location controls a robot, while making decisions based on video with extremely low latency.
Smart technologies in synergy with 5G make it possible to improve living conditions. Sensors are placed in a large number of locations collecting data on environmental pollution, climate parameters, noise level, etc. The operation of the parking service, waste management, water supply network, water level monitoring, monitoring of parks, green areas and agricultural crops (increasing yields) is simplified.
The radio frequency bands intended for 5G systems were finally adopted at the World Radio Conference in 2019, after harmonising the requirements (and interests) of the 193 ITU members and performing tests. • The 700MHz band favours transmission in rural areas because it provides greater coverage and a smaller number of base stations, but unfortunately a smaller amount of data that can be transmitted. • A higher frequency range (26GHz) provides small coverage (just a few metres), so it is often necessary to use a larger number of base stations. High frequencies ensure high flows making them suitable for urban environments. • The 3.4-3.8 GHz band is a compromise between the size of the coverage area and the amount of transmitted data and is considered the most interesting “golden band” for 5G.
Serbia was the first to release the 700 MHz band while digitalising the transmission of the television signal, but unfortunately it has yet to announce an auction for licenses to use this part of the spectrum. Some Western Balkan economies have not even released 700 MHz yet, while Montenegro and North Macedonia were the first to hold auctions for the introduction of 5G systems.
Hesitation on introducing 5G is only a loss for industry and the overall development of society.
DIGITAL AGENDA FOR THE
WESTERN BALKANS
In developing the Digital Agenda for the EU, a Digital Single Market (DSM) was defined, to provide better access to digital goods and services for consumers and companies. For economies that are preparing for European integration, DSM is a serious obligation, and the World Bank has defined an action plan for development of the Common Regional Market (CRM) for the period from 2021 to 2024. It was conceived as a “catalyst for deeper
regional economic integration and a step towards the DSM”. The goal is to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the region, to place it on the global investment map and reduce differences between the CRM and the EU market. An important element in this is the areas of the digital region, which will integrate the Western Balkans into the pan-European digital market. Activities aimed at intensive development and better connection of broadband networks (fixed and 5G), towards the adoption of digital skills for all Western Balkan citizens, towards the development of the digital economy in the light of new ICTs and towards the strengthening of capacities for the introduction of trusted services have been elaborated.
Progress in developing the EU digital society is shown by the Digital Economy and Society Index DESI. Initially, it relied on five categories: connectivity (network), human capital, public digital services, internet use and integration of digital technologies. By weighting the values of the parameters that describe the status of individual categories, DESI is calculated for each of the EU member states.
The responsible ministry of the Republic of Serbia calculated the DESI index for the first time for the year 2016. At that time, only one EU member state had a worse result. In 2020, the regulatory agency for electronic communications showed that Serbia was more successful than nine EU member states.
Serbia was the first to release the 700 MHz band when digitalising the transmission of the television signal, but unfortunately it has not yet announced an auction for issuing licenses to use this part of the spectrum. Hesitation on the introduction of 5G is a loss for industry and the overall development of society
The methodology for calculating the DESI index in the EU is changing. The last major changes were made in 2021, and according to these DESI is calculated on the basis of four (originally five) categories. The changes followed the Digital Compass defined by the EU to speed up the digitalisation process. It insists on: the adoption of digital skills, the introduction and use of public online services, Cloud technology and BigData services in the economy, gigabit internet access for everyone and the introduction of Cloud and large databases at network endpoints.
THEME
Where Should Start-Ups Reside?
This article is authored by Ljubivoje Radonjić, research associate at the Public Policy Research Centre The approach taken to date in encouraging innovation in Serbia could deepen the gap between Belgrade, as the undisputed centre, and the country’s less developed regions. Is it time to re-examine the existing model of smart specialisation and provide more wind to the sails of Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac?
The adoption of the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Serbia for the 2020 to 2027 period created a platform to integrate scientific, economic and technological capacities with the aim of advancing the innovation and research ecosystem in Serbia and increasing its regional and global competitiveness. However, the current Action Plan for implementing the Smart Specialisation Strategy for the 2021 to 2022 period strives to maximise overall national potential, while side-lining concerns over their development at the regional level.
In the absence of a targeted policy to encourage the development of innovation capacities from the perspective of the country’s regions, a question arises over the actual level of innovation activity by region, as well as the degree to which a dichotomy exists between the development of innovation capacities and balanced regional development. Through an overview of the regional allocating of various instruments of the Innovation Fund of the Republic of Serbia from 2016 to 2022, the latest study of the Public Policy Research Centre maps the key differential points in the development of innovation among regions in Serbia.
With an initial overview of the regional allocation of support, we can already observe serious disparities in the level of development of regional innovation ecosystems. The analysis conducted showed that economic and scientific capacities from the Belgrade region are undeniably positioned as the most productive part of Serbia’s innovation ecosystem. Testifying to how important these capacities really are is the fact that every other project of the Innovation Fund was awarded to applicants hailing from this region. Activities around the sharing of knowhow and creating of innovations are represented to a much lesser degree in the remaining three regions, though there are also differences among them. Specifically, every fifth project financed by the Innovation Fund, on average, is awarded
to applicants from Vojvodina, while only one in every ten approved projects is implemented by someone from the Šumadija and Western Serbia region or the region of Southern and Eastern Serbia. A higher number of approved projects equates to a greater inflow of investments. According to the data analysed, approximately 62% of total funding approved by the Innovation Fund has been allocated to applicants from the Belgrade region. The remaining funding was allocated to the other three regions: 19% of funds to Vojvodina and 11% of funds to Šumadija and Western Serbia, while the smallest percentage of funding – a mere 8% approximately – was allocated to applicants from the Southern and Eastern Serbia region.
Start-Up Support Programme
Belgrade
Vojvodina
Western Serbia and Šumadija
Southern and Eastern Serbia 0.217948718
0.076923077
0.076923077 0.628205128
THE BELGRADE REGION’S SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES REPRESENT A PILLAR OF SUPPORT FOR THE ENTIRE NATIONAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM The commercialisation of knowledge, which is realised through collaborations between science and business, is most commonplace in the Belgrade region: this region’s private sector relies on intraregional scientific resources to the greatest extent. Furthermore, the scientific capacities of the Belgrade region represent an important pillar of support for the development of the innovation potential of other parts of Serbia. The knowledge created in the scientific and research framework of the Belgrade region is of particular importance to the economic sector of the Šumadija and Western Serbia region. Findings show that, in more than 66% of the projects that urge cooperation between business and science, enterprises from the Šumadija and Western Serbia region networked with scientific and research organisations from the Belgrade region. On the other hand, 42% of projects led by companies from Vojvodina had key science domain partners from the Belgrade region, while cooperation with Belgrade scientific and research organisations was realised in approximately 36% of projects led by companies from the region of Southern and Eastern Serbia. This ubiquitous presence across other regions serves to confirm that Belgrade’s scientific capacities extend beyond regional frameworks and represent a lever that encourages the development of the entire national ecosystem by connecting regional innovation capacities.
0.628205128
Belgrade #REF! #REF! Early Development Programme
Early Development Programme
0.217948718
0.076923077 0.076923077
START-UP ECOSYSTEMS AS URBAN “OASES” OF INNOVATION Findings show that, over previous years, participants who were ready to establish a start-up came mostly from the Belgrade region. The second region in terms of the number of startups launched is Vojvodina, which lags behind Belgrade significantly, with almost three times fewer newly founded companies in this province during the period from 2016 to today. Of course, establishing start-ups is linked to urban centres, and given that the majority of them are established in Belgrade, followed by Novi Sad, this type of innovation activity is almost negligible in the remaining two administrative centres of Kragujevac and Niš. This is also confirmed by data showing that, during the analysed period, only around 15% of the total number of startups supported by the Innovation Fund were in Šumadija and Western Serbia and in Southern and Eastern Serbia. Regardless of the fact that the Innovation Fund continues to incentivise the establishment of start-ups, by providing conditions for their growth via financing, networking and mentoring support, it doesn’t appear likely that the disparity between the number of new technology start-ups in these cities will be overcome quite so easily. Numerous local factors – such as a higher number of organisations that provide support to start-ups, more technological corporations present in the city and the higher concentration of young people and technological experts (Start-up Genome, 2021) – continue to provide a great advantage to Belgrade over other urban centres.
SUPPORTING SMART SPECIALISATION PRIORITY AREAS AND THE REGIONAL ASPECT Although the Innovation Fund doesn’t take the regional allocation of support into account when supporting the development of the 4S priority areas, the analysis indicates that incentives provided to date have fallen somewhat into line with the pre-existing comparative advantages within the regions. The two areas that were the most dominant, or at least highly represented, in all regions are information and communication technologies and the development of innovations in the fields of mechanical engineering and production processes. In the region with the largest number of projects – Belgrade – it is most commonplace for innovations to be developed within the scope of these two areas. Innovation in Vojvodina mostly occurs in the domain of agriculture and the food industry, while ICT is also the second most represented area in this region. In the remaining two regions of Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia, innovative activities are most commonplace in the area of mechanical engineering and associated activities. Such a distribution of areas by region is to be expected to a certain extent, and serves to prove that the concentration of resources and participants within certain areas by region acts as a self-regulating mechanism that impacts on innovations being generated specifically in those areas and furthering regional comparative advantages. Successfully combining innovation and regional development policies depends on the
On average, every fifth project financed by the Innovation Fund is awarded to applicants from Vojvodina, while only one in every ten approved projects is implemented by someone from the Šumadija and Western Serbia region or the region of Southern and Eastern Serbia
dual challenge of differentiating and specialising regional capacities. Differences – in terms of history, socioeconomic conditions, geographical, demographic and other specificities – determine regional differences in capacities, possibilities and limitations on research and innovation, as goals that cannot be met fully within the framework of undifferentiated policies, which are limited to providing aggregated and generic prerequisites (education, public research infrastructure and financing). As such, developing the innovation of each region requires the special determining of the relationship between opportunities and limitations for each region. Once such combinations are identified, the need for a further process of “specialisation” becomes clear, which actually means attempting to concentrate resources, cluster actors, incentivise related projects and provide specific new public goods and institutional support in order to advance knowledge and encourage innovation in selected domains.
Although the process of developing the Smart Specialisation Strategy actually identified regional comparative advantages (and limitations), the existing mechanism for achieving the goals of the Strategy does not recognise the regional aspect. Approaching the support of innovation by viewing Serbia as a single entity raises the question of how optimal the existing development model actually is, given the possibility of it further deepening the divide between the parts of the country that have developed scientific, economic and other capacities and those that don’t, and the possible need to harmonise the different parts of Serbia’s European integration process in a coherent way.
TATJANA MATIĆ,MINISTRY OF TRADE, TOURISM & TELECOMMUNICATIONS
We’re Achieving Excellent Results
During the course of last year and this, we achieved excellent results in the area of tourism, with contributions to these enviable results provided by the development of road structure, tourist economy support measures implemented by our state and the re-opening of the countries of the region and Europe
As was the case in tourist regions worldwide, the health crisis caused by the pandemic also halted the trend of growing tourist activities in Serbia. However, this meant domestic tourist destinations became an appealing alternative to holidaying abroad and the number of tourist arrivals and overnight stays began to be dominated by domestic tourism.
According to data from the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, over the course of 2020, the total number of tourist arrivals in Serbia fell by 50.7% compared to 2019. However, tourism trends had already started stabilising in 2021, mostly as a result of the intervention measures implemented by our state in support of the tourism economy, and the re-opening of the countries of the region and Europe. Apart from promotions for domestic tourists, we also focused on international markets, such as those of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Spain, France, Italy, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and others, with those efforts still yielding excellent results today.
The total number of tourist arrivals over the course of 2021 was up 42.4%, with the turnover of domestic tourists increasing by 25.2% and foreign tourist traffic up 95.5% compared to 2020, which means that interest in Serbian destinations has increased among both locals and foreigners.
We are also achieving excellent results this year. According to data of the eTurista [eTourist] portal – the central information system in the fields of hospitality and tourism in the Republic of Serbia – the country had more than 1,630,000 tourist
arrivals during the first five months of this year, with more than five million overnight stays. This means that we can expect even better results by the end of this year and during next year, thanks to investments in infrastructure, particularly road infrastructure, as well as the allocating of vouchers for Serbian holidays. Vouchers have proven to be an excellent solution for the recovery of our tourism, as they contribute to increasing traffic among domestic tourists in the country, boosting the utilising of the existing tourist offer and affirming new destinations. A no less important factor is that this method of promoting domestic tourism also serves to help reduce foreign currency outflows.
Vouchers have proven to be an excellent solution for the recovery of our tourism, as they contribute to increasing traffic among domestic tourists in the country, affirming new destinations and reducing foreign currency outflows
We are nonetheless still facing some challenges, primarily related to labour shortages. Low wages and a shortfall of workers in the hospitality industry are becoming chronic problems. According to the estimates of HORES – the Business Association of the Hotel and Restaurant Industry of Serbia – this sector has a shortfall of around 15,000 workers, with some 6,300 of them having quit their jobs over the last few years. The majority of hospitality sector workers accept job offers from abroad. That’s why, in Serbia, students, foreign workers and job applicants with no experience in the sector are hired to work in positions that lack competent personnel. A possible solution could be found in providing benefits like tax breaks and exemptions from income tax contributions. It is my sincere hope that the Open Balkan initiative will contribute to increased labour mobility in the Western Balkan region and speeding up the resolving of this problem.
Charms Of Late Summer 2022 3
The Spirit Of France In Belgrade
Over the course of less than five years of operations, Mama Shelter Belgrade has managed to set itself apart as one of the most successful of the 16 “Mama” hotels operating all over the world, from Los Angeles to Rome. More than a million satisfied guests have passed through its 125 rooms during that time
Despite it being an atypical and unusual occurrence, there is actually a hotel in Belgrade that’s equally enjoyed by foreigners from all over the world and local guests, for whom special packages and services have been created. The credit for that, apart from belonging to the major brand that is the “Mama” brand, also belongs to a small team of creative enthusiasts.
Mr Majić, your “Mama Shelter” adventure has lasted for four and a half years so far, and continues to grow ever more exciting. We know that you believed in the concept and the team, but did you know back then that “Mama” would be quite so popular? - That’s right, my adventure with “Mama” has lasted since her first day. I’m very proud of the fact that, in less
than five years of operations, we’ve succeeded in singling ourselves out as one of the most successful among the 16 “Mama” hotels operating all over the world, from Los Angeles to Rome. I would like to highlight in particular the fact that “Mama” has brought to Belgrade the true spirit of French fun and hedonism, and has somehow changed the way hotels are enjoyed. I’m known in my team as a perfectionist, so I personally wouldn’t accept anything less than the great popularity of “Mama” among guests, both foreign ones and our dear fellow citizens with whom we socialise on a daily basis. We shouldn’t forget that “Mama” has as many as 125 rooms and that more than a million satisfied guests have passed through them to date.
Apart from an excellent location, specific interior design and superior service, what’s the secret of Mama’s success? How important was that personal touch to your guests; the fact that they feel like they’ve arrived home? - I consider that the most important feeling. Every hotel, especially when it comes to people who travel often, should and must represent a second home for them – a place where they feel comfortable, secure and cared for. Apart from that, “Mama” also introduced a fourth criterion: fun. Something happens at our cocktail bar almost every day, our terrace provides the most beautiful views of sunsets in the city, so you can enjoy a complete package of hedonism at the heart of Belgrade without ever needing to leave the hotel.
We know that flexibility is today more important than ever before; and that without it businesses cannot survive. How does “Mama Shelter” adapt to market conditions and expectations? - I think the answer to that question is best exemplified through our approach to operations during the pandemic. When it comes to the hotel business, we monitored trends and created new packages for digital nomads, for people who
had the ability to work remotely. On the other hand, our F&B sector was extremely creative and we immediately introduced home deliveries of the finest “Mama” specialities. Some of the operational models have remained in place today and proven themselves to be very successful and practical.
Your desire from day one was for Belgraders to also enjoy “Mama”, and not just guests from abroad. Have you devised special packages and services for locals? - Yes, those are offers that were created during the time of the pandemic, when it wasn’t possible to travel, so we let our imaginations run wild, and then helped our guests do the same... All those offers, including Sexcation, Movie Night, Mama Deal and Sunday Lunch at Mama’s, became so popular that they remain relevant and widely used today.
Apart from being able to be tourists in their own city, Belgraders, but also other domestic guests, have opportunities to organise team building events and work at “Mama Shelter”. How was that concept conceived? - That’s right. Seemingly like every other hotel, “Mama” offers conference halls and rooms for meetings, team building events and work, but the feedback we receive from our clients is that the energy of “Mama” is special. For almost all of them, working from the “Mama” studios is fun and less strenuous, and this proves that the famous Jalil Amor really knew what he was doing when he designed the interior and every nook and cranny of Mama Shelter Belgrade.
There has finally been more or less normal travel this summer, without restrictions and bans. Did you have sufficient capacity to handle all interested guests? Is it time to bring other Accor Group hotels to Serbia? - I experienced sweet anguish this summer, the best kind a hotel manager can have, and that’s overbooking. Market demand was incredible, but I also believe and like to think that that was still partially down to us [laughs]. When it comes to the Accor Group, with years of planning behind us, this year will demonstrate our full result, and I’m personally very happy that, in the coming years, the Accor Group will be present in Serbia and the region with its broad palette of various types of hotels.
The Luxurious Experience Of Autumn On Zlatibor
Hotel Zlatibor Mountain Resort & Spa, the jewel of Serbian tourism and the country’s most modern mountain resort, has already won over tourists from across the entire region, thanks to its high-quality offer, luxurious facilities, fantastic location and impeccable service
Zlatibor is a mountain with an authentic spirit and charm. It welcomes guests with open arms throughout the entire year, and the Zlatibor autumn is something that everyone should feel and experience. It was at the beginning of this year that Zlatibor gained a new, state-of-the-art hotel facility in the form of the Hotel Zlatibor Mountain Resort & Spa. Representing the perfect combination of contemporary design and rustic elements that are characteristic of the area, it has been created as a new favourite destination for the ideal mountain holiday at the very heart of the “golden mountain”.
The Hotel Zlatibor Mountain Resort & Spa complex is located alongside the lake and central square, while the hotel provides a view that is itself priceless and precious, especially during the evening hours. A large selection of
accommodation options and various types of units provide guests with the opportunity to enjoy a different holidaying experience, while the comfort and convenience of luxuriously equipped rooms and suites ensure an incredibly tranquil and relaxing experience.
LUXURY AMENITIES FOR THE PERFECT HOLIDAY The luxury amenities of this exclusive, five-star hotel don’t leave anyone feeling indifferent. The standout feature of the offer is the Magnesium Wellness & Spa centre, where everything has been tailored to guarantee a sense of peace, relaxation and positive energy. Encompassing an area of more than 4,000m2, it is enriched by a special type of water with a unique chemical composition that has a positive effect on the body. This water is rich in magnesium and is found in all three of the centre’s swimming pools: the recreational, swimming and children’s pools. Guests also have at their disposal several types of saunas, a salt room, tepidariums, massage services and face and body treatments. A special, isolated corner – the VIP Spa – has been created for the enjoyment of visitors with more refined tastes.
Hotel Zlatibor Mountain Resort & Spa has taken care to ensure its guests can take advantage of its modern-equipped fitness centre, as well as unusual and innovative forms of entertainment, in the bowling alley and pool hall.
A special place has also been set aside for the youngest guests. An attractive and content-rich playroom, adapted to suit children of all ages, is the right place for your little ones to spend quality time, have fun and enjoy unusual amenities. Autumn is reserved for various children’s theatre shows and workshops, while the all-day animation programme allows parents to enjoy joint activities and personal time.
When it comes to the gastronomic offer, the Kalem by ZAK Mountain Concept restaurant provides guests with incredible culinary creations that are prepared according to the recipes of top experts, while the RUJ guesthouse restaurant provides opportunities to enjoy both international dishes from around the world and local specialities that are typical of the Zlatibor area. Alongside its large selection of dishes, this restaurant also offers a unique preparation concept.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE Autumn is the ideal time to enjoy fresh air and the blessings of nature. Alongside its luxurious hotel amenities, Hotel Zlatibor Mountain Resort & Spa also offers its guests opportunities to experience the natural beauty of Zlatibor in the best possible way. Quad riding, with a break and refreshments at Lake Ribnica, is reserved for the bravest guests, while practising yoga outdoors is the perfect choice for those wanting to feel balance and synergise with the energy of pristine nature. You can also feel the energy of
You can also feel the energy of nature in the air, from the heights, while enjoying views of the clearings and forested landscapes of one of the region’s most beautiful mountains
nature in the air, from the heights, while enjoying views of the clearings and forested landscapes of one of the region’s most beautiful mountains. The autumn offer also includes a ride in the Gold Gondola lift and planned activities that the hotel provides for its guests, as well as a family voucher for the Dino Park, where you are sure to have a fun time and spend unforgettable moments with your nearest and dearest.
This is the right time for an ideal mountain break! Find details of the autumn offer on the hotel’s website: www.hotelzlatibor-resort.com
You can receive all information on the hotel’s luxury facilities and available capacities over the telephone (+381/31-31-50 500) or via email (info@hotelzlatibor-resort.com).
PETAR PLATIŠA, SALES DIRECTOR, MONA HOTEL MANAGEMENT
Guests Seek An Experience
The portfolio of the Mona Hotel Management group currently includes four hotels: Hotel Mona Plaza and Hotel Argo, both in Belgrade, Hotel Zlatibor Mona and Hotel Javor in Kušići. Apart from its own properties, the group also manages hotels owned by other investors
Next year will mark two decades since fashion house Mona entered the world of hotel management, and last year saw the company commemorate the birth of Mona Hotel Management. Here the group’s sales director, Petar Platiša, speaks to CorD Magazine about what was brought by separating the fashion and hotel sectors, as well as discussing plans for the period ahead.
What are all the aspects involved in hotel management? Is it just a case of leading operational activities that the services used by the guest depend on, or does it also include the legal aspect, sales, marketing, planning etc.? - Managing a hotel implies the complete synchronising of managerial and operational activities with the aim of satisfying guests, A total investment value of 30 million euros, with 170 rooms and nine conference halls, makes the Hotel Mona Plaza really special
satisfying employees and achieving the desired profitability. Legal service, sales, marketing, accounting and other services provide significant contributions to achieving goals, such that it is only the full synchronising of the noted services with operational activities that leads to the desired results.
Does managing hotels that you own differ from managing hotels that are owned by other investors, and if so, how? Can it be done without a large, experienced and tightly knit team? - Without an experienced and well-connected team, it’s not possible to manage one’s own hotel, let alone hotels owned by other investors. One of the fundamental differences in managing one’s own hotels compared to hotels owned by other investors is reflected in the harmonising of business philosophies and the metrics of the business itself, given that the majority of hotel industry investors come from other industries that have some different business philosophies, thus the harmonising of philosophies represents the basic difference in managing hotels owned by other investors.
What’s among everything included in your portfolio? We assume that Mona Plaza is your biggest project to date, something that brings
you are particularly sense of pride. - Our portfolio currently includes four hotels: Hotel Mona Plaza in Belgrade, Hotel Argo in Belgrade, Hotel Zlatibor Mona and Hotel Javor in Kušići. Our biggest investment to date is certainly the Mona Plaza, with 170 rooms, nine conference halls and a total investment value of 30 million euros, which really makes it special. We plan to further develop that brand in the period ahead, both within our own portfolio and by way of expansion through management contracts and franchise agreements.
Today’s guests, particularly the foreigners who are increasingly coming to Serbia, seek much more than spacious rooms and a superior service. They seek a unique experience, authentic contents, original interiors etc.? - Guests today, both in Serbia and other destinations, desire experiential travel, which is why we are shifting our entire philosophy to “experience”, to a model through which we want to offer an immersive adventure, whether that’s about individual guests, groups or other market segments. Experience is what people pay money for nowadays.
Who are your most frequent guests; who fills your capacities? Did the pandemic lead to a change in the structure of your guests, their habits, desires, needs and expectations? - The pandemic had a great impact on changing the structure of market segments, which is totally understandable. We are noticing changes in market segments, as well as opportunities to increase average sales prices. We’ve redesigned our budgets in accordance with the potential of the new market and growing market segments that accumulate the most. As for the needs themselves, I would like to highlight the fact that, as in the previous question, it is experience that represents one of the main points of interest in the desires of guests.
How do you utilise your unique advantage reflected in having two top hotels, one in the centre of Belgrade and the other on the country’s most popular mountain? - I will gladly use this opportunity to announce that the Zlatibor Mona Hotel will also become part of the Mona Plaza brand prior to the start of the upcoming winter season, so we will have Hotel Mona Plaza in Belgrade and Hotel Mona Plaza in Zlatibor. We utilise our unique advantage in “cross-selling”, given that many market segments participate in both hotels to a large extent, so having two hotels of the same brand in different destinations provides us with a great “cross-selling” opportunity, which we try to take advantage of, thereby spreading our brand’s strength and visibility.
How far have you progressed on your planned introduction of a loyalty programme that will provide member companies with benefits at hotels operating under the scope of the Mona Hotel Management group? - The loyalty programme represents one of our most strategically important projects, considering that we plan to use the period ahead to expand across the region – both through our own investments and through management contracts and franchise agreements, as I mentioned, so creating a unique database of companies, individuals and groups will have a lot of importance, not only in terms of our further development, but also to all potential investors interested in cooperating with us and taking on the Mona Plaza brand.
RENATA PINDŽO,FIC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Tourism Plays A Key Role In Inclusive And Sustainable Growth
At a juncture when it’s evident that international demand for tourism is changing and pressure is mounting on the global tourist market, it is important to redefine the strategic orientation and the way tourism is managed, and to make Serbia an authentic, globally recognisable and competitive tourist destination
Tourism was recognised globally, even before the pandemic, as an important and powerful branch of the economy, with importance and influence that extends far beyond activities related to holidaying and free time, and which represents a unique and significant source of new jobs and the generating of funds for the life of local communities, particularly when it comes to sensitive sections like young people, women, persons with special needs etc. In other words, tourism represents a genuine opportunity to achieve more sustainable and balanced regional development, at the global and national levels. At the same time, the UN General Assembly hosted its first major debate on tourism in May 2022, emphasising tourism’s key role in ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth and the development of modern societies. It is likewise important to point out that, over the last decade, the Government of the Republic of Serbia has made tourism a high priority in the scope of its economic agenda. The implementation of key infrastructure projects across the country has created the prerequisites required for the future development of tourism. The Government support that was provided during the most critical periods of the pandemic was essential to preserving jobs, but also ensuring the survival of many companies. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that, alongside highlighting the importance of tourism to the Serbian economy, the pandemic also highlighted outstanding issues that need to be resolved in order to make serious strides on the future development of Serbian tourism. That requires an intensive, cross-sector approach from the government that will enable predictability and the improvement of conditions for doing business and investing in this sector, innovative sources of financing, but also effective coordination of the public and private sectors aimed at achieving a shared vision of Serbia as an authentic, globally recognisable and competitive tourist destination.
Everything that I’ve mentioned motivated members of the Foreign Investors Council to initiate the forming of a new FIC Committee for tourism and hospitality, with the desire to utilise their vast international experience and repute – especially in the human resources domain that’s crucial to this labour-intensive branch, in technological and organisational solutions, but also in the building of a corporate culture – to provide their contribution to redefining strategic priorities and improving the business and investment climate of Serbia’s tourism and hospitality sector. At its founding session, this Committee stressed the particular importance of regulatory solutions to the issue of workforce seasonality, the rationalisation of costs, including tax policy, combating the grey economy through the improving of the regulatory framework and the proposing of measures aimed at discouraging and preventing such activities, as well as creating an effective and approachable framework for improving investment in tourism and hospitality for all investors.
Furthermore, with its 20 years of experience and positive reputation, the Foreign Investors Council will provide specific additional weight to resolving the aforementioned issues, signalling to the Government how important this prospective economic branch is, but also signalling to companies operating in this sector that they are not alone, but rather the entire business community stands behind them with only one desire: to advance and ease the business and investment climate for their benefit, but also for the benefit of Serbian citizens, as our member companies are respectable and reliable employers for more than 100,000 citizens of Serbia.
The Wine Route To Happiness
There has been an increasing interest in recent years among foreign and domestic tourists in wine tourism and visiting wineries. These can be found all over the country, from the Subotica region in the far north, to Vršac and Fruška Gora, and further from Belgrade all the way to Šumadija, Smederevo, Negotin, Niš and Župa
Serbia currently has about 220 square kilometres under vineyards and more than 700 types of wine. If investment in the development of wine making continues, wine tourism will certainly flourish, as foreseen by the state strategy for the period until 2030.
Although Prince Mihailo is considered the pioneer of wine tourism, connoisseurs of wine, the history of wine making and wineries in Serbia believe that the credit for this belongs to the organizers of the first Smederevo grape exhibition held in 1899, because it was open to all interested guests. After that, everything went much easier, so the events just kept coming, and today the most famous are the Župa Harvest, Grožđebal in Vršac, Smederevo Autumn and many others that celebrate wine and viticulture in Serbia.
Today, the state’s decision to provide wine making with a status similar to that of the IT sector and to adopt a development strategy for 2020-2030, which assumes 300 million EUR will be invested in wine making and viticulture in the next decade, contributes greatly to this. Serbia currently has about 220 square kilometres under vineyards and more than 700 types of wine. If investment in the development of wine making continues, wine tourism will certainly
flourish and wine routes will be put on the map, right next to fortresses, imperial cities, but also traditional destinations like mountains and spas.
SERBIA HAS NINE WINE ROUTES Wine tourism is a trip that includes visiting vineyards, wineries, wine festivals and wine exhibitions, but also much more. It includes getting to know the culture and traditions of wine regions, getting to know the process of wine production, tasting different gastronomic specialities... Fans of these trips are people who enjoy wine and have a desire to learn more about the wine industry, but also to spend quality time in pleasant company and a natural environment. Such trips are also educational because the tourists learn about wine, its consumption and the essential elements of wine as a product.
Wine tourism is extremely popular in Europe, and today our country is increasingly using its potential to compete with other destinations. For this purpose, nine wine routes have been defined - Palić, Fruška gora, Šumadija, Smederevo-Belgrade, Župa, Kosovo and Metohija, Niš-Kragujevac, Vršac and Negotin - on which there are native vineyards and Serbian wineries, which have been producing, tasting and selling high quality wine for a long time.
Thanks to this, there are Serbian agencies that organise special wine routes for wine lovers. However, visitors can also organise themselves, find addresses, working hours on the websites of
wineries, make an appointment and come for a visit. It usually includes a tour of the winery and the cellar, but also a tasting of several types of wine, the host’s advice on which wine goes with which food, getting to know the production technology, tradition and all the important but less known details. Along with that, there is also a tour of the vineyards, some of which are several decades old, and those in Fruška Gora even several centuries.
WINE TOURS ARE MADE FOR EVERYONE Wine tours are not reserved only for oenologists, for connoisseurs of excellent wine who know how to list all the grape varieties from different countries, for those who can distinguish between dozens of different wines. Anyone who enjoys the unique tastes of different wines and likes to spend time outdoors can enjoy wine tours.
Many wine regions around the world have discovered that promoting wine is a fantastic way to achieve financial benefits, so our wineries have followed in their footsteps and invested major resources in improving and promoting this type of tourism. Although wine tours contribute to on-site sales, a much more important aspect is building a brand and relationship with consumers. Selling in the winery itself is only a short-term goal, while building trust and positive associations is a much longer-term and more profitable goal.
For wine lovers, wine tours provide a great experience. For those new to the world of wine, wine tours are a great way to soak up good tips on wine tasting and the unique flavours that wineries work hard to create. Meeting people with similar interests is also a great advantage of wine tourism.
TOS HAS DESIGNED EIGHT WINE TOURS To improve wine tourism, the Tourist Organisation of Serbia has decided to create an institutional framework and, in cooperation with tourist associations, wineries and wine cellars, offer the public what has been expected for a long time: “Wine Routes of Serbia”. A programme has been established for a total of eight wine tours in different regions of Serbia, which tourists can visit through tourist agencies or on their own. Whereas every day of the year is good for visiting wineries, enjoying wine events requires a little patience, because they are held during autumn. Wine harvest in Vršac, Harvest days in Palić, Župa harvest in Aleksandrovac and Pudar days in Irig are scheduled for September, while the Belgrade Wine Fest will be held in October.
To improve wine tourism, the Tourist Organization of Serbia, in cooperation with tourist associations, wineries and wine cellars, has designed the “Wine Routes of Serbia”
Photo: Ivana Čutura
Rodoslov, Wine Ambassador Of Serbia
The Aleksandrović family has been engaged in viticulture and winemaking for more than a hundred years. By the beginning of World War II, they had 30,000 vines, and today they can boast 75 hectares of their own vineyards planted with high-quality grape varieties
The Aleksandrović winery is a leader among Balkan producers and has won a large number of medals for quality at the world’s largest competitions. Their wines can be found in the World Wine Museum in Bordeaux and in the wine lists of elite hotels and restaurants from Japan, China and Russia, all the way to the USA, and they are especially proud of Rodoslov, the crown of their work so far. The story of Rodoslov Grand Reserve is a primordial story of the birth of a great Serbian wine. It begins in 2004, when the Aleksandrović winery started thinking about making a wine that would be the crown of all their previous work. The project was started with the idea of making a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from the best years, a typical burgundy blend that would bear the certification of the Šumadija terroir. That local certification was to be assured by the Prokupac grape.
Thus, from the 2006 harvest, the first Rodoslov was created, a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Prokupac, a total of about 5,000 litres of wine that macerated
for 40 days and then matured for two years in French oak barrels and another two years in large used Slavonian oak barrels with a volume of 4,000 litres.
When it was released on the market in 2011, after an additional year spent in the bottle, the wine immediately attracted the attention of local connoisseurs. Praise came from every direction, and Rodoslov 2006 took first place in the selection of the Best Wines of Serbia that year.
Wine is defined by the characteristics of the climate.
It was the beginning of a series of successful comparisons with other Serbian wines, which continued with numerous recognitions abroad, but also with another confirmation at home when Rodoslov 2016 repeated its success of the previous year and won the title of the best red wine of Serbia!
“Rodoslov is actually a wine authored by our oenologist Vladan Nikolić”, explains Božidar Aleksandrović, owner of the winery. “Although we had burgundy blends as a model, specifically several wines from Medoc, we were aware that Cabernet and Merlot cannot give the same
From the 2006 harvest, 5,000 litres of the first Rodoslov were created, which was a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Prokupac
result in Šumadija, because the soil and climate are different. So we had to find a way to define the characteristics of the climate as clearly as possible in the wine. That’s where we got the idea to add Prokupac to the blend, though we didn’t have it in our vineyards at that time, but we sourced top-quality grapes from a 50-yearold vineyard in the vicinity of Stalać.”
GRAPES FROM THEIR OWN VINEYARDS However, the next edition of Rodoslov from 2009 contained Cabernet Franc instead of Prokupac. The reason was the decision to make this wine only from grapes from their own vineyards. Harvesting was done on three occasions, from specially selected plots from which they obtained the best quality. The result was a particularly powerful wine with pronounced fruitiness, similar to a Bordeaux.
The vintage of 2012 was a certain turning point, when the maceration was reduced to 25 to 30 days in order to highlight the elegance and accentuate the fruitiness even more. Thanks to this, Rodoslov from that vintage and the next one from 2013 had the qualities of a New World wine. Immediately after being put on the market, the wine was ready, and the presence of phenols and tannins was more harmoniously integrated. It was the first evolution in the development of Rodoslov.
Finally, Rodoslov 2016 went one step further, as the first unfiltered wine from the Aleksandrović winery, which in a way united the stylistic characteristics of all the previous vintages. Today, Rodoslov is found in the most prestigious restaurants and hotels of 10-15 countries, from China and Japan, through Russia and Western Europe, to the USA
MARKET REACTIONS ARE CLOSELY MONITORED “If I had to single out the Rodoslov that best corresponds to the idea that Vlada and I had when we started making this wine, then it would be that vintage,” continues Mr. Aleksandrović. “We took the risk of bottling wine that had not undergone filtration, clarification, or stabilisation, everything that gives us the assurance that it will be microbiologically safe in the bottle. And we took that risk to get a wine that will bear the imprint of the vineyard and the climate even more, because every stabilisation and filtering procedure changes the wine’s style and eliminates part of the originality”. A little more of this wine was produced than in previous vintages, about 10,000 bottles. The winery closely monitors the market’s reactions to it, especially in countries where it is currently exported, first China and then Scandinavia. Today, Rodoslov is found in restaurants in 10-15 countries, from China and Japan, through Europe to the USA.
A GREAT RECOGNITION FOR A SMALL WINE COUNTRY Rodoslov has become not only the pride of our winery, but also the wine ambassador of Serbia. We don’t produce it in large quantities, but it is a big deal when we see that some experts put it on the lists of the world’s best wines, as was the case in 2017. That year, in Japan, Tasaki Shinya, best sommelier in the world in 1995, ranked Rodoslov 2012 among the five best wines on the Japanese market. That’s a huge recognition for a small wine country. I can’t get more satisfaction than that”, concludes Božidar Aleksandrović in this short story about Rodoslov, noting that the next release of this special wine will be from the 2019 vintage.
When asked if they are thinking about re-introducing Prokupac to Rodoslov, since in the meantime they have planted two hectares of vineyards with this most popular local red variety, our interlocutor gives an affirmative answer.
“Certainly, certainly. The only reason we haven’t done it already is that we are waiting for the vineyard to reach full strength. So, in about ten years.”
Serbia's
Underground Beauty
Among the many natural beauties that Serbia can boast of are more than 2,000 caves. Unfortunately, only a small number of them have been explored, arranged and made accessible. While many hidden underground gems are patiently waiting for someone to discover them, others have been attracting the attention of speleologists and tourists for decades, thanks to their magnificent underground halls, corridors, rivers, waterfalls, figures and decorations
Serbia does not have the longest cave in the world, because that title belongs to the Mammoth Cave in the American state of Kentucky, whose network of underground channels is 240 metres long. Serbia does not even have the most famous cave in the world. The Spaniards can boast of Altamira in the Santander province. Serbia does not even have the deepest cave in the world, because it would be difficult to outdo Krubera in the Georgian mountain region of Western Caucasus, whose deepest point is at 2,197 metres down, but it doesn’t matter. We also have something to boast of.
Serbia has more than 2,000 caves that are rightly considered precious, unique natural treasures with a plethora of stalactites and stalagmites, magnificent jewellry, underground rivers and waterfalls, incredible figures... Most of the caves are hidden by the mountains in the western and eastern parts of Serbia, so well that only a small number are organized and accessible to visitors. RESAVSKA CAVE
The title of the most famous speleological pearl of Serbia is rightly held by the widely famous Resavska Cave, one of the most visited tourist destinations and one of the most interesting places in our country. It lies about 20 kilometres from Despotovac, near the Ravanica and Manasija monasteries, surrounded by a beautiful landscape.
The Resavska Cave has as many as eight halls, and each of them holds unique cave jewellry, which is perfectly lit so that the visitors can enjoy the beauty.
Due to its long tradition over several decades and its great popularity, the Resavska Cave is the best organized tourist cave in Serbia, even though the temperature in it is only seven degrees throughout the year.
STOPIĆA CAVE
Between the villages of Rožanstvo and Trnava, just 20 kilometres from the centre of Zlatibor, known as the “golden mountain”, a slightly different
Stopića Cave, Photo: Sandro Zdravković
Ceremošnja, Photo: Geograf208
Lazar’s Cave, Photo: Tomaž Jančar
gem is hidden - Stopića Cave. Its five halls hide many beautiful sights that amaze tourists, and it all starts at the very impressive 18-metre tall entrance. There is also a unique underground waterfall, 10 metres high, known as the Source of Life, dugure, large openings in the ceiling, a cone with the unusual name Dogs’ Cemetery, and large “siga” tubs that are the trademark of the Stopića Cave. In these hollows lined with stone walls, water accumulates and overflows in cascades.
LAZAR’S CAVE
Lazar’s Cave is located in eastern Serbia, in the idyllic surroundings of Lazar’s Canyon. It belongs to the poorly explored system of the Zlot caves and is the only speleological object from that entire underground system that is accessible to tourists. Lazar’s Cave is considered the longest speleological system in Serbia, as it is 10,000 metres long, of which only 900 metres are accessible to tourists. It is enough just to see the Throne Hall, the Concert Hall and the Hall of Blocks and to enjoy the cave decorations with interesting names, among them the conductor, the orchestra and the bison, which looks like a petrified animal.
CEREMOŠNJA
On the northeastern slopes of the Homolje mountains, 15 kilometres from Kučevo, near the village of Ceremošnja, after which it got its name, there is the Ceremošnja cave. It was opened to tourists only in 1981, and since then visitors have been able to admire one of the largest and most beautiful halls in Serbia, whose acoustics are so special that it is difficult to find a similar example. The largest hall is called the Arena and it contains the most beautiful examples of cave jewellry. The trademark of Ceremošnja is the cave column On Eternal Watch, and there is also Beautiful Vlajna Girl, a luxurious column made of crystalline, sparkling calcite, the Abyss and Andesite halls decorated with snow-white ceiling jewellry, the opening of the Door reminiscent of altar doors and a whole series of stone formations. The tourist trail is 447 metres long, the cave is dominated by the colour white, created by lime calcite.
By the way, Ceremošnja belongs to the living caves, which means that decorations are still being created in it.
RAVNIŠTARKA
In the immediate vicinity of Ceremošnja, in the area of the nearby village of Ravnište, there is Ravništarka. It is a little longer than Ceremošnja, and equally interesting in terms of the beauty of the jewellry. According to legend, this cave was discovered by fearless and curious village boys who managed to overcome all the obstacles. Thanks to them, tourists can admire the unique wealth of cave jewellry, enjoy the monumentality of the Black Castle hall filled with powerful stone figures Kraljević Marko, Beautiful Ravništarka Girl and Big Heads.
CERJANSKA CAVE
Just 15 kilometres from Niš, near the Kamenički Vis picnic area, at the altitude of 515 m, at the place where the Provalija River sinks, you will find Cerjanska Cave. The main corridor of this cave is over three kilometres long, and it is decorated with numerous stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, wavy draperies, cave corals and crystal flowers. Cerjanska Cave has been under state protection since 1955. The path that leads to it is ideal for easy hiking in nature, and at the entrance you can see a small waterfall.
ICE CAVE
The winding meanders of the river Uvac are one of the biggest attractions in Serbia and one of the most visited tourist spots in our country. In the immediate vicinity is the Uvac cave system, the largest in our country. This system also includes the Ice Cave, which can be reached by boat on the Uvac Lake. In the cave, which has all the elements of an underground castle - decorations, tall pillars
Ravništarka, Photo: Geograf208
Cerjansku Cave, Photo: Lazar Ristić
and draperies - there are large tubs of siga from which visitors can drink water.
The entrance to the Ice Cave is located under a steep limestone section, and with side channels its length exceeds 2.5 kilometres.
RISOVAČA
In the immediate vicinity of Aranđelovac, in gentle Šumadija, there is Risovača. Although it is far smaller than the endless tunnels of Lazar’s Cave, although its jewellry cannot match the decorations of the Resavska Cave, Risovača has been at the very top of the most visited caves in Serbia for a very long time. It was discovered quite by accident, during the collapse of the quarry, but that’s why what it hid immediately grabbed attention of both speleologists and archaeologists. Beneath the ground they discovered a large number of fossils, bones and skulls of long-extinct animals, from woolly mammoths, to rhinoceroses and cave lions. The researchers were particularly amazed when they discovered that Neanderthals had also lived in this place.
BOGOVINSKA CAVE
At the bottom of the Kučaj Mountains, near the road Boljevac-Zeječar and the village of Bogovina, there is the Bogovinska Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful in our country. Of the six kilometres discovered so far, only the first few hundred metres have been arranged, so tourists are not recommended to go deeper into the cave. The Bogovinska cave is considered a spring cave, because the Bogovinska river occasionally flows through its middle, the largest part, while the upper part is always without water. What fascinates everyone who enters the Bogovinska Cave is the beautiful cave jewellry.
RAJKO’S CAVE
Just 2.5 kilometres from Majdanpek, next to the gold-bearing river Pek, Rajko’s cave is hidden, the only white cave in Serbia, whose decorations look like frozen scenes characteristic of a winter idyll. This speleological pearl abounds in hidden treasures, including the murmur of the clear Rajko’s River, which echoes through the cave halls, thousands of calcite tubes on the ceilings, ruddy bigrene bathtubs, the Winter Fairytale Hall with a figure of a white bear, and the Crystal Forest Hall adorned with a twinkling lake.
Following reconstruction, the two horizons of the Rajko’s Cave are connected, so that visitors can go around the entire complex on a concrete circular path that is beautifully lit. Ice Cave: Photo: JYB Devot
Rajkova Cave, Photo: Sawa
Risovača, Photo:Vanilica Bogovinska Cave, Photo: Bubamara94
