CorD Magazine No.146

BJARTE BOGSNES

www.cordmagazine.com

Chairman, Beyond Budgeting Institute, Vice President for Performance Management Development, Statoil

PROMOTING DIVERSITY

ENRIQUE CAMACHO GARCIA

Director of the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade

THE MAN WHO CHANGED INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL BORISLAV STANKOVIĆ FIBA Secretary general emeritus

DECEMBER ’16 / ISSUE No. 146

NEW PHILOSOPHY, NOT A NEW RECIPE

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ISSN1451-7833

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COVER FOCUS

2016 Highlights – 2017 EXPECTATIONS

CONTENTS

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In our now traditional survey, CorD ends each year by posing questions to ambassadors accredited in Serbia that relate to the year that is coming to an end and their expectations for the year ahead

MOTHER NATURE VS. CLIMATE CHANGE Comment

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2016 HIGHLIGHTS – 2017 EXPECTATIONS

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FACES & PLACES

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TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIETY!

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FIC PRESENTS WHITE BOOK 2016

THE MAN WHO CHANGED INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL

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GLOBAL DIARY

Bjarte Bogsnes, Chairman, Beyond Budgeting Institute, Vice President for Performance Management Development, Statoil

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PROPOSALS FOR A BETTER A SERBIA

THE SUNSHINE CLOWN

COPY EDITOR: Mark Pullen TRANSLATION: Snežana Bjelotomić, MRP Editorial

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CULTURE CALENDAR

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CHILL OUT

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DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE IN HEALING Alexander Clinic - Partners in Pediatrics and Guardian of Confidence

2nd “Serbian Visions” multi-congress, organised

by AHK and CCIS

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THE ONE AND ONLY NEW YEAR’S EVE Fashion

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AFTER WORK

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PROMOTING DIVERSITY

Enrique Camacho Garcia, Director of the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade

EDITORIAL MANAGER: Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs PHOTOS: Zoran Petrović

In memory of Oleg Popov

NEW PHILOSOPHY, NOT A NEW RECIPE

CONTRIBUTORS: Rob Dugdale, Maja Vukadinović, Mirjana Jovanović, Miša Brkić, Radmila Stanković, Steve MacKenzie, Zorica Todorović Mirković, Sonja Ćirić

Borislav Stanković, FIBA Secretary General EMERITUS

Foreign Investors Council

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EDITOR: Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs ART DIRECTOR: Jasmina Laković j.lakovic@aim.rs

Corporate Social Responsibility 2016

Focus

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December 2016

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EVERY DAY HAS A NEW LESSON Milica Milanović, Head of PR at the Royal Palace, Belgrade

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

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COMMENT

Mother Nature vs.

Climate Change The Paris accord was concluded by 196 governments last December, and came into force earlier last month. Several conference events specifically focus on how countries can use natural systems to meet their CO2-reduction targets

W

hile the climate-change challenge is immense, so, The Paris agreement entered fully into force in less than a too, is the opportunity to accelerate sustainable year. This indicates that there is global momentum for concrete development and ensure a better future for everyaction to address the causes of climate change, as well as its one on the planet. Under the Paris agreement, goveffects, such as the disastrous floods, water shortages, and ernments have committed to reducing their carbon emissions droughts already afflicting many countries. drastically, in order to keep global warming below 2°C. The vast That sense of urgency is not surprising. According to UN-Wamajority of signatory countries have already presented national ter, 90 per cent of all natural hazards are water-related, and they action plans for achieving this goal, and these plans will become will increase in frequency and intensity as climate change worsmore ambitious over time. ens. But natural systems can mitigate them: wetlands act as These Nationally Determined Contributions include renewsponges that reduce flooding and delay the onset of droughts; able-energy targets and proposals for sustainable transportaand mangroves, salt marshes and coral reefs all act as buffers tion, energy efficiency, and education. In addition, countries that protect against storm surges. And wetlands, oceans, and should consider adopting policies to manage natural capital forests do far more than just absorb and store carbon; they probetter. The Paris agreement itself recognizes the important role vide fresh water and food for nearly three billion people. that natural ecosystems play in limiting the amount of carbon Countries have a readymade platform that they can use for in the atmosphere, and governments their future wetland-conservation efshould not neglect such powerful tools. forts. The Ramsar Convention on WetClimate neutrality can be Governments will need to take aclands, an intergovernmental treaty tion to conserve existing ecosystems – under which 169 countries have comachieved through political and restore and expand degraded ecomitted to conserve and sustainably willpower, imaginative systems – in people-friendly ways. This manage their wetlands, is an ideal is particularly true of wetlands, which vehicle for help them reach their CO2policies, new green include all land areas – such as lakes, reduction targets, as well as meet the technologies and floodplains, peatlands, mangroves, and UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean-energy sources, and coral reefs – that are covered with wa2030. ter, either seasonally or permanently.

The Paris agreement’s long-term a multi-trillion-dollar shift Peatlands are particularly imporobjective is to achieve climate neutralin investment toward tant. Though they cover only three per ity – no net greenhouse-gas emissions sustainable economic cent of the world’s total surface area, – in the second half of this century. they store twice as much carbon as all Climate neutrality is necessary to keep sectors and infrastructure forests combined. Peatland soils are global warming below 2°C; to reach it, composed of carbon – in the form of we must reduce emissions to the point decomposed plant material – that has accumulated for thouthat they can be fully and easily absorbed by nature. This was sands of years; and when peatlands are drained or burned, that the natural cycle for millions of years before anthropogenic clicarbon is released into the atmosphere. In fact, draining peatmate change began. lands releases two times more carbon into the atmosphere than Climate neutrality can be achieved through political willpowthe aviation industry does. er, imaginative policies, new green technologies and clean-enerConserving and restoring peatlands could significantly regy sources, and a multi-trillion-dollar shift in investment toward duce global CO2 emissions, which is why, in 2015, the Nordic sustainable economic sectors and infrastructure. In addition, Council of Ministers announced a commitment to preserve the these measures’ success requires cost-effective investment region’s peatlands. Almost half of Nordic countries’ peatlands in conservation efforts and expansion of natural capital. Only have been lost, and this ecosystem degradation contributes 25 nature-based systems such as wetlands and forests can truly per cent of their total carbon emissions. guarantee success – and a clean, prosperous future. ■

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FOCUS

2016 Highlights –

2017 EXPECTATIONS

In our now traditional survey, CorD ends each year by posing questions to ambassadors accredited in Serbia that relate to the year that is coming to an end and their expectations for the year ahead

D

uring 2016 we witnessed some major turmoil, such as the UK’s decision to leave the European Union, the upsurge of terrorist attacks in different parts of the world, a continuation of the migrant crisis and the crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, prolonged economic stagnation almost all over the world. Adding to all of that, the election of Donald Trump as the new U.S. President has prompted debate around the world about whether we are set to witness a new agenda from this superpower. At the same time, we have witnessed scientific discoveries, major art events, sporting records and humanitarian activity. For the first time ever, the Nobel Prize in literature went to a songwriter, singer, and artist: Bob Dylan.

Serbia had its great moments too: with four negotiating chapters opened to date, Serbia has taken a signifi8 |

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cant step towards EU accession; the Serbian economy has shown robust growth based on exports and foreign investments; unemployment has fallen and the country has so far successfully fulfilled the obligations it took on when it reached agreement with the IMF. For this December’s issue of CorD, we asked our distinguished readers the following questions:

1. What will you remember about 2016, when it comes to your professional work?

2. What are your expectations for 2017?

Here are the answers.

ALGERIA

Libya, Syria And Yemen Should Find Peace H.E. ABDELHAMID CHEBCHOUB

ries and Oblivion), a book and Serbian author that are very dear to my heart.

I would also add that the European Union, despite all challenges, will prove its resilience and its attractiveness; and that the – unfinished - European project will not be doomed to failure, but rather regenerating new strength.

CANADA

Looking Forward to Celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary!

The historic visit of Serbian Pre-

sident Tomislav Nikolić to Algiers in May 2016, and his meeting with President Bouteflika, was indubitably the event that marked my professional work in 2016.

It was the first visit of a President of the Republic of Serbia to Algeria since the visit of President Tito to Algiers in 1979.

This visit was an opportunity for our two countries to sign several agreements and thus further strengthen the legal framework for our cooperation and open new perspectives for our relationship.

At the bilateral level, in 2017 I expect the growth of trade between Algeria and Serbia and a strengthening of our political relations.

At the international level, I remain hopeful that Libya, Syria and Yemen will find peace and stability.

When it comes to our region, the Maghreb, I hope that Algeria’s efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in Libya will be successful in 2017, just as it succeeded in restoring peace in Mali in 2015, and that the issue of the Western Sahara can find a just and lasting solution through the implementation of UN resolutions on this conflict, which has lasted for more than forty years.

Finally, Algeria, which has suffered from terrorism, has always called for international solidarity to deal with this cross-border scourge. We hope that 2017 will finally see the world get rid of this phenomenon.

AMBASSADOR OF ALGERIA TO SERBIA

AUSTRIA

EU Will Regenerate New Strength

H.E. PHILIP PINNINGTON

AMBASSADOR OF CANADA TO SERBIA

2016 (from Belgrade to Novi Pazar, Pirot or Apatin, and in between) is that Canada-Serbia bilateral relations are solid.

The visit of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić to Canada in November (the first visit by a foreign minister from this country since 2002), was a fitting cap to the year and allowed us to review and renew our bilateral relationship.

“Canada continues to support Serbia’s economic and social transition and the goal of making life better for Serbians. Good progress has been made, but there is a consensus that important work remains to deal with challenges: on judicial reform and on strengthening fundamental rights, especially for the most vulnerable in society, as examples.

“We continue to promote Serbia for Canadian exporters and investors and are seeing more interest in the exploration and mining sectors, as Canadians recognise the potential. Canadian investors in Serbia are satisfied, although they share the general concerns of investors from other countries.

“For 2017 we are looking forward to celebrating Canada’s 150th anniversary.

A strong Canadian presence in Serbia will continue, largely thanks to businessmen, artists and performers in the Serbian diaspora who return and are active here. On the economic front, we are looking forward to more Canadian companies coming to the Serbian market, or expanding their presence here.”

CZECH REPUBLIC

Of the many activities that we

had during 2016, I would single out the visit of our minister of foreign AMBASSADOR OF affairs, Sebastian Kurz, at the beAUSTRIA TO SERBIA ginning of the year. This visit not only confirmed the excellent relations between our countries, but also helped to prepare action against the massive uncontrolled inflow of refugees and migrants along the so-called “Balkan route”.

I would, however, like to mention something else that is not strictly related to my professional work: I had the pleasure to present my German translation of Filip David’s best-seller “Kuća sećanja i zaborava” (The House of Memo-

“The lesson from my travels in

H.E. JOHANNES EIGNER

H.E. IVANA HLAVSOVÁ

Migration Crisis And Further Progress in EU Accession

AMBASSADOR OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO SERBIA

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“I will remember 2016 for the 25

anniversary of the establishment of the Visegrad Group. We celebrated it in February during the Czech presidency of V4. I’ll particularly remember the Visegrad Group + Serbia foreign ministers meeting simulation, which we organised on that occasion in our embassy, with students from the V4 countries and Serbia.

“In 2016 we also commemorated the 700th anniversary of Emperor Charles IV’s birth. Like many other institutions in the Czech Republic, we also celebrated it by organising an exhibition about this great emperor.

“Last year was also marked by the migrant crisis. I admire how Serbia, her government, institutions and people, are dealing with this crisis. A group of young people from the Czech Republic also came as volunteers to help the Balkan countries deal with the large number of migrants. It is the obligation of all of us to show solidarity, while the Czech Republic also assisted Serbia financially.

“The next year is an election year in both of our countries. In Serbia there will be presidential elections and in the Czech Republic parliamentary elections.

“I hope that Serbia will make progress in accession negotiations and open more new chapters. I also hope for significant progress in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue.

“I wish for Serbia to economic progress and experience no more problems in the region and in bilateral relations.

“Bilaterally, we will mark 70 years of the embassy building. It has borne witness to the history of Czechoslovak/Czech – Yugoslav/Serbian relations and, due to its location, it has also witnessed Serbian history in the 20th century.” th

DENMARK

MORTEN SKOVGAARD HANSEN

HEAD OF MISSION OF THE EMBASSY OF DENMARK IN BELGRADE

“L

Improvement of The Business Climate And Danish Contributions to Creating New Jobs

ooking back at 2016, I would like to focus on the main area where we have seen positive developments. The Serbian economy is developing in a positive direction and the business climate is improving. I am happy about this, because it provides a basis to improve the situation for the people of Serbia. The improvements are also important for Serbia’s path towards the European Union.

“A stronger economy and the implementation of reforms prepare Serbia better for the EU. I congratulate Serbia on its improvement on the World Bank’s Doing Business index.

“A better business environment increases the possibilities for Serbia to benefit more from the EU process.

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“Investments from Denmark and trade between our two countries are already rising and at the Embassy and we are very busy in assisting Danish companies interested in the Serbian market.

“This year we also concluded an important Danish development project in Southern Serbia – the Fruits and Berries programme.

“This project has created hundreds of jobs and increased income for many families. I am very pleased that Denmark has been able to provide a contribution to job creation in this way.

“My expectations are that Serbia will continue progressing and that more people will feel the benefits of EU-related reforms.

“We hope to see new momentum in the reform process, not least in the area of the rule of law.

“The environment and energy are other important reform areas, and here there are interesting opportunities for partnerships with private companies.”

FRANCE

H.E. CHRISTINE MORO

AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO SERBIA

Last Year’s Terrorist Attacks And Expected Evolutions of Peace, Stability And Solidarity

“For me, the Prime Minister’s visit to Paris in September certainly

represents a milestone in our bilateral relations and France’s support to Serbia’s political priority: European integration. This priority goal of Serbia was confirmed by the results of the April 2016 elections, the opening of two more negotiation chapters, as well as positive assessments in the country report issued in November. However, Euroscepticism gained ground in the public debate during this year. This certainly mirrors the debates that are also taking place in the EU and, above all, the result of the “Brexit” referendum.

“One of our main challenges for 2017, both in the EU and in a candidate country like Serbia, is to make people better understand all the positive evolutions that the EU has made possible, like peace and stability, solidarity to bridge gaps in living standards, a big single market to expand economic activities, the possibility of travelling freely etc. This year saw my country further support progress in regional cooperation by hosting the Western Balkan “Berlin process” Summit in Paris on 4th July. In 2016 we had deplorable terrorist attacks committed in France, Belgium, Germany, the U.S., and Turkey, and also against Muslim populations in the Middle East and Africa; the struggle against terrorism and its prevention have become key challenges in international cooperation. Let us conclude with a more positive note: the Paris Agreement on climate change entered into force on 4th November, marking good news for the planet!”

GERMANY

Further Changes Will Enhance Living Standards in Serbia H. E. AXEL DITTMANN

GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

O

n the global and European scenes, 2016 has been another very challenging year. However, my personal and professional assessment of what has been achieved in German-Serbian relations is a positive one: Germany and Serbia continued to cooperate closely and successfully in many areas in 2016 - in politics, economics and culture.

Germany supported Serbia’s next steps on its path towards EU membership. In 2016 Serbia and the EU managed to open crucial chapters in the EU accession process, namely those covering the rule of law. Together with the EU, Serbia has developed very detailed action plans in these areas. They are a real blueprint for reform and consist of legislative amendments that need to

be made e.g. in order to ensure the independence, impartiality and efficiency of the Judiciary and to prosecute corruption cases more effectively. We hope that these changes will be implemented in 2017 and will thereby substantially enhance living standards in Serbia.

Germany also continued to support regional cooperation in 2016 through the Berlin Process, an annual conference cycle initiated by Chancellor Merkel and Foreign Minister Steinmeier in order to bring the countries of the Western Balkans region together to agree on concrete joint projects in cooperation with the EU. At the 2016 Paris Summit the Balkan countries signed the founding document for the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO). This office, a joint initiative of Serbia and Albania, will officially start its work in January 2017 and has the goal of establishing close cooperation between young people from the Western Balkan region.

Another good regional development in 2016 was further progress in the normalisation dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. It is good that both partners committed to continue this process in 2017, to the benefit of people both in Serbia and Kosovo.

In 2016 Serbia and Germany again cooperated closely on global challenges like the refugee crisis. Serbia reacted very responsibly to this crisis and Germany offered substantial support exceeding €4 million to the Serbian state and NGOs to deal with this challenge.

Both countries cooperated closely in the field of the economy. German companies are very interested in the Serbian market: over 350 German businesses have invested more than €1.8 billion in Serbia over the past 16 years, creating over 32,000 jobs in the process. The overall good cooperation between bu-

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sinesses was crowned in April with the establishing of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

This year we also enjoyed broad cultural exchanges between our two countries: the Bitef Festival, in which two German companies participated; the guest performance of the “Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company” in the Belgrade Dance Festival; German and Serbian DJs are collaborating closely and several visual artists have also linked up successfully. As of next season, a German conductor will be leading the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra – their first concert at the end of November was great and I am looking forward to listening to many more in 2017!

HOLY SEE (VATICAN)

Dialogue And Acceptance

H.E. MSGR. LUCIANO SURIANI

“I would like to briefly retrace

some highlights of the activity and teachings of Pope Francis in this year that is approaching its end.

“This 2016 was again marked, for Europe, with a massive flow of refugees, driven out by war and the search for a better life. The Serbian people knew how to provide an example of generosity and their capacity for acceptance. During April the Pope travelled to Lesbos, Greece, to express his affinity with the victims of migration and to raise European awareness regarding the issue of acceptance. “Europe, aided by its great cultural and religious heritage, has the means to defend the centrality of the human person and to find the right balance between its twofold moral responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens and to ensure assistance and acceptance to migrants” (address to the Diplomatic Corps, January 2016).

“The mass arrivals of people from other countries, who bring with them their culture and customs, also compels us to ensure greater dialogue between different religions. Receiving the victims of the horrible attack in Nice at the Vatican in September, Pope Francis said: “Establishing a sincere dialogue and fraternal relations among all… is an urgent priority that those in leadership positions, both political and religious, should seek to encourage, and which everyone is called upon to realise in his own space.” Christians are the first called to overcome divisions and to be a sign of unity and concord in the world. In this sense, the historic meeting in Cuba last February between the Pope and Russian Patriarch Kirill was particularly significant.

“We hope that 2017 will see significant progress achieved in the search for peace in the world, which is an issue so dear to the Holy See and all men of good will. Too many wars continue to bathe the earth in blood. The hope is that all leaders of nations will put the supreme good of peace at the centre of their political commitment. The Holy See, with its acknowledged efforts of mediation, will never stop working for peace to be able to reign to the furthest ends of the earth and for the indifference of many hearts to be conquered by the warmth of mercy, which transforms fear into love and makes us peacemakers.”

APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN SERBIA, HOLY SEE (VATICAN)

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INDIA

Expecting a Robust Exchange of Visits Between Leaders H.E. NARINDER CHAUHAN

AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO SERBIA

I

n 2016 India and Serbia continued to provide mutual support on issues of core interest. Serbia extended crucial support to India’s international role and Indian candidatures for various international organisations. Dr Jitendra Singh, Indian Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, visited Serbia to meet the country’s top leadership. An MOU on IT & Electronics was signed. Serbia can benefit from Indian expertise in using IT as a tool to improve public service delivery, such as e-learning, e-government services, tele-medicine, e-education, e-authentication, cyber security, internet-governance, e-commerce etc. The two countries will cooperate in R&D, innovation, IT hubs, start-up companies and infrastructure incubators. The first India-Serbia Business Forum was launched in Belgrade and will feed into the Joint Economic Committee. More than 400 Serbian businesses visited India for contracts (defence), fairs (trade) and festivals (films). The Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) facility was introduced and has already been utilised by over 200 Serbian nationals. A Hindi Chair was established at the University of Novi Sad, while Indian companies continued to be represented at the Novi Sad Agriculture Fair and the Belgrade tourism and book fairs.

I look forward to a robust exchange of visits between leaders and parliamentarians. We expect to renew our agreements on culture, arts, media, youth affairs & sports, and to implement agreements on trade, agriculture, tourism & IT.

ISRAEL

H.E. ALONA FISHER-KAMM

AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL TO SERBIA

Tightening Economic Relations and Boosting Israel’s Cultural Presence

“This year was a year of new beginnings for me. Arriving in Belgrade as Amba-

ssador of Israel to Serbia and Montenegro was one of the most significant events.

I found myself diving into the ocean of the fascinating history of the Balkans, attracted by its beauty, culture, politics and societies. After three months here, I feel I

am only at the beginning of a long learning process that will continue in 2017.

“I have high hopes for the next year. I feel that the time is ripe for new initiatives that will benefit the two peoples. A lot has been achieved in the last years, thanks to the endeavours and dedication of my predecessors. My plan is to dedicate efforts to tightening economic relations and boosting the Israeli cultural presence here.”

ITALY

Focusing on New Year's Resolutions Rather Than Expectations H.E. GUISEPPE MANZO

AMBASSADOR OF ITALY

I would use “symbolic” as the si-

gnature word to describe my 2016 in Belgrade. Of course, this year we also had what I would call the usual, intense flow of political, business and cultural exchanges. But, I would

say even more importantly, 2016 saw some special moments. These were events and initiatives where the strategic partnership between Italy and Serbia took a symbolic and, thus, even more visible, form to confirm its growing relevance in a complex regional context. The two-day meeting in Belgrade of all the Italian Ambassadors in the Balkans to discuss and shape our future strategies for the region was one of those moments.

So was the first ever regional conference of Balkan countries’ Special Prosecutors for Organised Crime and Terrorism, which Italy and Serbia jointly organised in Belgrade last May. On a personal note, I was particularly happy to be in Belgrade to witness and contribute to the year-long celebrations of the 90th birthday of our Embassy. Almost a century has passed, but it remains one of the places representing Belgrade’s public life, having welcomed more than 3,000 guests in 2016 alone. We even published a book about this which, again, represents a symbolic and iconic witness to our friendship.

I believe that 2017 will be a challenging year for our countries and for the world. So I would focus on New Year’s resolutions rather than expectations. Italy is ready and resolute to continue playing its key role in Serbia and the Balkans, in the name of those interests that our citizens share on security, growth and advancing the values of freedom. and democracy on which the European community is founded.

We will do that by making the common priorities that I mentioned the core business of the 2017 Western Balkans Summit that Italy will chair and host in 2017, a year when we reconfirm our role as a regional and global actor, as we join the United Nations Security Council from 1st Janu-

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ary, chair the G-7 (with the Taormina Summit in May) and host in Rome the special session of the European Council on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome laying the foundations of today’s European Union.

NORWAY

Keeping The Accession Process on Track H.E. ARNE SANNES BJORNSTAD

“This has been my first full

year in Serbia. The opening of the Obrenovac Sports and Culture Centre and the first ever Month of Norwegian Culture in Belgrade, NOktobar, will both remain as professional highlights. Nothing, however, can compare with the honour of being declared an honorary citizen of Belgrade, as a sign of gratitude from Belgrade and Serbia for Norway’s friendship and assistance “I expect Serbia to continue on its way towards ever closer cooperation and integration with the European Union. It will be an important year in this respect, with presidential elections and the need to make difficult decisions in order to keep the accession process on track. Serious reforms are always difficult and often become increasingly difficult when you approach your target. Serbia is already feeling the difficulties of transition from a post-socialist society to a modern liberal and democratic society aligned with the countries of Western Europe, but changes must continue in order to achieve the objective of EU membership and I believe they will.”

AMBASSADOR OF NORWAY TO SERBIA

Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Witold Waszczykowski. It is my conviction – shared by others, both here in Belgrade and at home in Warsaw – that this visit was a success. The talks that our delegation had with Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić testify to the continued strength of the bond between Poland and Serbia. The success of this visit makes us even more enthusiastic and more committed to further efforts in the coming year and beyond.

“In addition to the political pillar of our relations, we are also developing strong and vibrant economic cooperation with Serbia. The trade exchange between our countries has been growing constantly since 2010. Moreover, Poland can serve as an excellent example of how essential reforms can lay firm foundations for a healthy, robust and efficient economy that could be less vulnerable to crises. Sharing our experiences from the transformation period will be one of my priorities in the next year.

“I deeply believe that public and cultural diplomacy – which has always been my focus as diplomat – are brilliant tools for enhancing partnership, friendship and understanding among nations. We organised numerous cultural events in the last year, including the Chopin Festival and Polish Film Festival in Belgrade and Niš. We are particularly proud of having brought together the Polish City of Wrocław and the Serbian City of Novi Sad – the first being the European Capital of Culture in 2016 and the second preparing to take on this title in 2021.

“I am looking forward to an exciting year ahead in Serbia. More work is to be done so that we can intensify our friendly bilateral relations and increase Poland’s presence in Serbia. In doing so, we will be building on the special relationship that has always existed between our nations.”

SLOVENIA

POLAND

Developing Strong And Vibrant Economic Cooperation H.E. TOMASZ NIEGODZISZ

AMBASSADOR OF POLAND TO SERBIA

“H

aving arrived in Belgrade in August, I worked with the entire Embassy staff – a group of dedicated, young people – and my predecessor to ensure that we had a smooth transition at the top of our Mission. Soon after taking over as Ambassador to Serbia, I had the privilege and honour of organising an official visit of 14 |

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H.E. VLADIMIR GASPARIČ

Further Deepening of Economic Cooperation And Economic Diplomacy

AMBASSADOR OF SLOVENIA TO SERBIA

“G

iven that my term as Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia began recently, in January 2016, what will remain in my memory as the most important event of this year is the implementation of the joint session of the governments of Slovenia and Serbia, which was held on 24th October in Belgrade. This large, important and successful event was attended by both prime ministers, as well as numerous ministers and other senior representatives from both countries. I am particularly pleased about the concluding of tangible agreements, as well as the participation of numerous business representatives.

My expectations for 2017 in a professional context are related to furt-

her improvement of the bilateral relations between the two countries, in which the priorities of my work in Serbia are included – they are progress in resolving outstanding issues arising from problems associated with the inherited legacy of the former shared state, as well as the further deepening of economic cooperation and economic diplomacy.”

SWEDEN

H.E JAN LUNDIN

AMBASADOR OF KINGDOM OF SWEDEN TO SERBIA

sign of the importance that Sweden attaches to Serbia’s EU integration.

“In 2017 I look forward to bilateral cooperation in the field of sustainable development in implementing EU legislation, in fields such as water treatment and waste management, as well as working together on the global UN Agenda 2030, which will make the whole world a better place for future generations.

“I also look forward to celebrating a century of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Sweden, together with official representatives, experts and the NGO community.”

Visit of The Swedish Prime Minister: A Milestone in Bilateral Relations

“I will remember 2016 for the visit

of Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven to Serbia in August. This visit was an important milestone in the bilateral relations between Sweden and Serbia, and a

TUNISIA

H.E. MOHAMED BOUGAMRA

AMBASSADOR OF TUNISIA TO SERBIA

Lots of Opportunities to Enhance Economic Partnerships

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Our opportunities to enhance economic partnerships and bilateral re-

lations in 2017 are excellent and we believe that the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship between Tunisia and Serbia will be strengthened and further developed. We are very appreciative of the Order of the Republic of Serbia that was awarded by President Tomislav Nikolić to President Beji Caid Essebsi on the occasion of Serbian National Day last year. I would like to highlight Tunisia’s stance regarding respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

I am also seizing this opportunity to congratulate Serbia for the good performance of its teams at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Serbia is a great sporting nation and we wish it good luck in the qualification process for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

During 2017 we will continue to deepen our bilateral ties with the Serbian side and endeavour to further promote mutually beneficial cooperation. We will have a number of opportunities to enhance economic partnerships together in 2017. Of course, we are confident that greater numbers of our Serbian friends will be visiting Tunisia, which is a safe and warm country that is so close.

On a global level, and considering that no country is immune from the scourge of terrorism today, a shared commitment is required from all nations and increased cooperation between states is needed to fight and defeat terrorism, which represents a genuine threat to peace and security worldwide, and to make the world safer and more peaceful. May the New Year bring peace, stability and solidarity. We need to endeavour together to further promote values of tolerance, mutual understanding and the culture of peace, which are fundamental assets for peaceful coexistence.

Finally, and as we welcome 2017, let me extend to our Serbian friends my best wishes for a happy New Year and for further progress and prosperity, and also to convey my best wishes to the team at CorD Magazine for a happy and successful New Year.

UNITED KINGDOM

Working Together on Stability And Prosperity For Our Shared Future

H.E. DENIS KEEFE

UK AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

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will remember 2016 as the year that began with a wonderful visit by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. The warm reaction everywhere they went reflected their engagement with Serbia’s history and culture, as well as the many ways in which Britain and Serbia are working together on the basis of shared values. We saw this again at the end of the year with the visit of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. This has been

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a great year to be British Ambassador in Serbia.

Next year looks full of promise. It will be the 180th anniversary of diplomatic relations. I am looking forward to exploring more of our joint history, particularly through remembrance of the First World War, and to working together with Serbian people – in government, parliament, civil society, the media and elsewhere – to advance stability and prosperity for our shared future.

UKRAINE

H.E. OLEKSANDR ALEKSANDROVYCH

Both Countries Should Continue Towards EU Integration

AMBASSADOR OF UKRAINE TO SERBIA

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ithin a year of arriving in this country I have learned the Serbian language well enough to conduct negotiations and give interviews. Serbian is a beautiful language and quite similar to Ukrainian (68% of common vocabulary), which reflects our shared history and origins from old times.

“After a long gap, a Ukrainian-Serbian business forum was held in Kyiv in October 2016, attended by 110 companies. The interest was enormous, with the fields of cooperation covering many sectors of the economy. We look forward to the next such forum in 2017.

“In August 2016 the Embassy organised the Ukrainian cultural festival in Belgrade. With limited resources, we managed to showcase Ukraine in photographs, fine arts, music and cuisine. There was a lot of interest from people in the street and from the media. The purpose of the festival was to demonstrate that Ukraine and Serbia have preserved and developed their own distinctive culture despite hundreds of years of occupation by regional empires.

“I expect both Ukraine and Serbia to continue on their path of European integration. This is not about geography; this is about the values of human dignity, the rule of law, freedom of the media, a strong economy and cultural diversity. Paradoxically, Ukrainians are probably the best champions of the European idea in today’s Europe, because we have sacrificed many lives for this idea. It is high time for all Europeans, including those in Serbia, to wake up and fight for those values. This is our best guarantee of peace and prosperity.

“Hopefully, in 2017 Ukraine and Serbia will finalise their bilateral free trade agreement, which will facilitate business cooperation. Moreover, the resumption of a direct Belgrade-Kyiv air connection, as well as the EU visa-free regime for Ukrainian citizens, will contribute to increasing people-to-people contacts and tourism between Eastern Europe and the Balkans.”

U.S.

H.E. KYLE SCOTT

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

Our Relations Grow And Deepen Every Day

“2016 has been a whirlwind. I arrived in Serbia in February. I’ll never

forget the warm welcome I received – from my first meetings with government officials to the man on the street. I found in Serbia friendship and sincerity from my Serbian hosts, as well as a land of vibrant cultural life and incredible natural beauty.

“I will long remember the smiles, but also the tears: people who attribute their success to American programmes on community re-

vitalisation, local government and entrepreneurship; the plight of migrants, but also their boundless optimism; the commitment of the Serbian government and civil society organisations to reach out to those in need.

“Relations with my country grow and deepen every day. We are working to strengthen Serbia’s border and customs controls, develop Serbia’s peacekeeping capabilities and modernise its military, as well as renovating Serbia’s courts to strengthen the rule of law and the fight against corruption. The new law on Holocaust Heirless Property is a model for this region. Most of all, I take pride in the steps that create a brighter future for Serbia’s youth – student exchanges, the Summer Work and Travel programme, or billions of dollars in American investments creating over 16,000 quality jobs.

“This year will also be memorable for the Serbian elections, the opening of new chapters in the EU accession process, steps towards normalising relations with Kosovo, and progress in building the foundation for future growth. Serbia’s enormous leap forward of 112 places in the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” report, regarding construction permitting, is a welcome result of cooperation with the U.S. Embassy.

“Turning to 2017, I am optimistic. Serbia is poised for further growth and progress. It has become an anchor of stability in the region and, with wise leadership, can encourage reconciliation and build a more stable and prosperous Balkan Peninsula. I am confident that America will remain Serbia’s steadfast partner in this.”

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FOREIGN INVESTORS COUNCIL

FIC Presents

WHITE BOOK 2016

FIC PRESIDENT YANA MIKHAILOVA

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PRIME MINISTER ALEKSANDAR VUČIĆ

The Foreign Investors Council (FIC) presented its White Book 2016 to Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić, top officials of the Serbian Government and representatives of the stakeholder community

he White Book is the major FIC product by which, year-on year, salaries in the public sector, private consumption will represent the third pillar for even greater growth in 2017. The Government’s desire, as he stressed, for 14 years, FIC gives recommendations aimed at supporting growth of business activities and better living standard of is growth of three to four per cent in the coming years.

Serbian citizens. FIC members, who are the driving force of the The Prime Minister announced that a working group will be formed with Serbian market, have invested their knowledge and expertise in the FIC, which will have meetings on a weekly basis, while he will participate this project in order to assist Serbia in creating a more attractive and sustainin those meetings on a monthly basis. able environment and achieving swifter integration into the EU economy.

“Today we have agreed to jointly form some kind of council that will In her introductory speech, FIC President Yana Mikhailova noted that work on raising the competitiveness of the Serbian economy, while NALED, “between two White Books, the Government succeeded in executing fiscal AmCham and other partners will also be included,” said Vučić. consolidation and facilitating good economic parameters – a rise in GDP and According to the latest White Book, most progress was marked in the exports, while at the same time making some important improvements in field of real estate and four areas of the general legal framework, including various parts of the business climate, most competition and consumer protection, state notably in real estate. FIC believes that it is aid and notaries, as well as in the sectors of Between two White Books, essential for the new government to maintelecommunications, oil and gas, and private the Government succeeded in security. The least progress was marked in tain the momentum and further accelerate structural reforms, cut bureaucracy and imexecuting fiscal consolidation tax and labour regulations, and in three arprove law enforcement, as well as continuof the general legal framework, such as and facilitating good economic eas ing harmonisation with EU regulations”. forex, bankruptcy and whistle-blowers reguparameters – a rise in GDP lations, as well as in the sectors of food and “The Serbian government is open to all those who wish to participate in reforms,” and exports, while at the same agriculture, insurance, and the homecare products and cosmetic industry. said Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar time making some important At the White Book launch event the GovVučić, speaking at the presentation of the FIC improvements in various parts ernment’s highest officials and FIC Board White Book 2016. “Serbia now has sustainable growth, our economy is standing on staof the business climate, most members gathered in a panel debate to discuss ble legs and always respects the professional ways to improve the business environment notably in real estate and expert stances of the business commuin Serbia. Opinions were exchanged between nity,” continued the PM. “I think we had tanDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Congible programmes with tangible deadlines. This gave strength and credibility struction, Transport and Infrastructure Zorana Mihajlović, Finance Minister to reforms, which has also been confirmed by international organisations.”

Dušan Vujović and Economy Minister Goran Knežević, while the FIC’s views The Prime Minister announced GDP growth of between 2.7 and 2.8 per were presented by FIC President and Regional Director of Nestlé Adriatic, Yana cent by year’s end, noting that the biggest growth has been recorded by the Mikhailova, FIC BoD member and CEO of Telenor, Ingeborg Øfsthus, and FIC manufacturing industry, energy and construction.

BoD member and President of the BoD of Societe Generale Bank, Goran Pitić.

Vučić also pointed out that growth is based on investments and exports, The gathering was also attended by Chamber of Commerce & Industry adding that he believes that, after the increase in the minimum wage and of Serbia President Marko Čadež, Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali and others. ■ 18 |

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GLOBAL TRADE

GLOBAL DIARY

“Global trade already stopped growing in the last two years and will get much worse if nations close off their economies. It is fundamental that world trade grow again and that protectionism be defeated.” - Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, President of Peru

THE BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE WORLD ▶ Gubbio, one of the most ancient towns of Umbria, Italy, and Christmas are a marriage that has lasted since 1981, when on the slopes of Mount Ingino the eugubini decided to “build”, in honour of Patron Saint Ubaldo, a Christmas tree over 650 metres tall and with more than 250 green points of light, 300 multicoloured lights and a 1,000m² star on top of the tree designed by 200 lights. Such an achievement could not go unnoticed and in 1991 it entered in the Guinness Book of World Records as “The World’s Largest Christmas Tree”.

L’Albero di Natale più grande del mondo (The biggest Christmas Tree in the world) every year is switched on on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, 7th December, and remains active throughout the holiday season, until the day of Epiphany, 6th January, or slightly beyond.

FIDEL CASTRO DIES AT 90

LOCALS IN SEVNICA AWAIT TRUMP'S VISIT ▶ Melanie Trump, 46, was born

▶ Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, former

Cuban president, whose rise as a revolutionary made him the face of socialist rebellion for more than half a century, died on 25th November following a long battle with illness.

Castro rose to power as leader of a guerrilla army that overthrew Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959.

He remained in office for almost 40 years, until health problems and intestinal surgery forced him to hand over control to his younger brother, Raul, in 2006. He officially resigned as president in 2008.

Castro was born 13th August 1926 on his family’s sugar plantation. His father had come to Cuba from Spain as an immigrant labourer, but eventually became a landowner. Castro attended Catholic schools and studied law at the University of Havana.

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Melanija Knavs in the town of Sevnice in 1970, when Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. She later changed her surname to the more Germansounding Knauss, before becoming Trump’s third wife in 2005.

The tiny town in Slovenia where Melania Trump grew up is basking in the glow of her impending role as America’s First Lady and hoping fervently for a visit from the former glamour model and her husband.

“It’s a tribute just to Melania – I would not have voted for her husband,” said Srecko Ocvirk the mayor of small town on the Sava River Nena Bedek, a friend who studied with the future Mrs Trump in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, said: “She’s now the most important woman in the world. I’m happy for her, although

less so for the victory of her husband.”

Despite their misgivings about the bombastic President-elect, the 6,000 inhabitants of Sevnica are keen that the Trumps visit, though they recognize that they may have to be patient.

SCOTTISH MSP BLAMES BREXIT FOR TOBLERONE BAR CHANGE ▶ Scottish MSP Colin Beattie, 65, launched the campaign in Parliament and has sent his condolences to those affected by the Toblerone shrinkage. He called on Theresa May to “take speedy

action” over the weight reduction.

“I like Toblerone, and I like it how it is traditional, with its nice, tight triangular pieces,” said Beattie. “Now they have changed it. Clearly it is a matter of international importance that it has happened and it is obviously a byproduct of Brexit. if Toblerone could make such a dramatic change, other treats could be next. ”

ZURICH SAMICHLAUS-SCHWIMMEN ▶ “Samichlaus-Schwimmen” is a somewhat unusual Zurich tradition. Every December, hardened swimmers dressed in Santa Claus costumes brave the freezing temperatures and swim across the icy-cold River Limmat.

What began in 2000 with 65 participants, has over the years developed into the second largest winter swimming event in Switzerland, outnumbered only by the “Coupe de Noël” in Geneva.

The event in 2013 broke all records, with a total of 330 swimmers taking part. The number of participants is limited to 350.

Since 2011, part of the income from the entry fees is donated to a charity that supports people in need.

GLOBALIZATION

“We will fully involve ourselves in economic globalisation by supporting the multilateral trade regime, advancing the FTAAP and working for the early conclusion of the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.”

- Xi Jinping, Chinese President

MURRAY BEATS DJOKOVIĆ TO END YEAR NO. 1 ▶ Andy Murray beat Novak Đoković 6-3, 6-4 to earn his first title at

the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals and make sure he remained No. 1 until next season.

The O2 arena confirmed by a star-studded list of celebrities in attendance, including actors Kevin Spacey, Jude Law, Woody Harrelson, Clive Owen, singer Sam Smith and footballers Gerard Pique and Bastian Schweinsteiger. Murray takes home $2,391,000 and 1,500 Emirates ATP Rankings points, while Đoković earns $1,261,000 in prize money and 1,000 Emirates ATP Rankings points.

“I just played very poorly, made a lot of unforced errors from the backhand side. It wasn’t my day. On the other hand, credit to Andy for being mentally tough and playing the right shots. He definitely deserved to win,” said Đoković.

Mondelez International, the American confectionery giant who make the pyramid-shaped bars, sparked outrage by almost doubling the gap between triangles. The large 400g bar now weighs 260g, while the 170g candy has shrunk to 150g.

PRINCE HARRY’S GIRLFRIEND MEGHAN COULD BE ‘THE ONE’ ▶ Prince Henry of Wales, familiarly

known as Prince Harry (32) is said to be “besotted” with the US actress and human rights campaigner Meghan Markle, who he first met last summer.

lationship will last. Kensington Palace refused to comment.

QATARI OFFICIALS PERFORM PRAYER FOR RAIN Meghan (35), who is best known for her role in legal drama Suits, has enjoyed a string of discreet dates around the world with the Prince. She has an African-American mother and DutchIrish father, has charmed several members of the royal family, including Prince Charles and Prince William Prince Henry, who has watched his friends get married and have children, has revealed he is hoping his new re-

Gaulter, senior meteorologist for Al Jazeera English, told Doha News.

DONALD TRUMP RECOMMENDS NIGEL FARAGE FOR BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO THE US

▶ Qatar’s Emir and Father Emir joined

other senior officials and students across the country in performing the istisqa prayer for rain on November 10 early morning.

Sheikh Tamim and the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf) had announced plans for the prayer day before.The move follows in the tradi-

▶ In a surprising tweet, which has

tion of the Prophet Muhammad, who used to ask God for rain when it was lacking. In Qatar, these prayers are usually performed around once a year.

Prayers were held at the Al Wajbah prayer ground at 6am, and also at several independent schools around the nation. The “rainy” season in Qatar officially began in October, but Qatar has seen little precipitation since then.

“There’s only about a 5 percent chance of rain over the next few days,” Steff

raised eyebrows in the UK, Mr Trump made the recommendation to his almost 16 million followers on 22nd November. “Many people would like to see @Nigel_Farage represent Great Britain as their Ambassador to the United States. He would do a great job!”

In response, Mr Farage told the Press Association: “I’m very flattered by the comments and I have said since I met the president-elect that I would like to do anything I can to act in a positive way to help relationships between our two countries.” However, the news was greeted with a quick riposte from No 10, which insisted: “There is no vacancy. We have an excellent ambassador to the U.S.”

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INTERVIEW

New Philosophy,

NOT A NEW RECIPE BJARTE BOGSNES CHAIRMAN, BEYOND BUDGETING INSTITUTE, VICE PRESIDENT FOR PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT, STATOIL

Beyond Budgeting does not mean that cost is not important. It simply means that we need better and more effective ways than traditional management

T

raditional budgeting is a hundred-year-old management technology. It was invented for challenges that organisations had a hundred years ago, and those challenges have today changed radically, which is why we need different and better ways, including when it comes to managing costs.

■ You are advocating for more agile and humane organisa-

tions during times when we often hear that people and even companies will become obsolete if they do not perform like virtual robots. How does this apparent omnipresent “robotisation” fit into your perspective?

- I think that, when it comes to automating business and manufacturing operations, that is something different to what we are talking about here. Any company going into robotisation will still most likely operate in a dynamic and unpredictable business environment. You still need dynamic management models even if you have automated or robotised your manufacturing process. So, I see no conflict here, because I think ro22 |

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botisation is addressing different issues than those addressed

by Beyond Budgeting.

■ If we go a step further, how does your vision elaborated in Be-

yond Budgeting fit into an economy that is both stagnant and increasingly fragile, as well as being prone to a variety of risks – from terrorism to climate change and financial shenanigans?

- I think that Beyond Budgeting makes sense in any business environment, stagnant, growing, fragile or stable. However, as you are indicating here, there are various risks that mean a variety of uncertainties, and that again is an argument for having management models that makes you more flexible and agile so you can respond faster when things are happening. And, yes, that would also make you more secure.

■ How does the Statoil Group perform in comparison with its

competitors by relying on the principles for which you advocate in today’s volatile times?

- When it comes to our performance, as you might know,

we define performance in terms of how we are performing compared to others. And over time we have performed quite well, one example of which is when it comes to unit cost on production, which is the key metric in our business; we are the most cost effective oil and gas producer in the world if you look at cost per barrel.

■ What sort of change has that meant for Statoil and how keen was the management to make changes?

- First of all, we have had the full support of top management from the beginning here, so that has been very important to us.

There are a lot of big changes in our management processes and maybe those are the biggest changes, because when it comes to changes in our culture and behaviour I think we have always been a people-orientated, valuesbased company, but we have management processes that had a different message, so this has very much been about trying to change our management processes to reflect what we say about people and values and leadership, and at the same time making our management processes more robust against the uncertainty out there.

back in 2005 was no longer scary, because by then they had seen the other steps that went quite well. When it comes to daily work, it means that we have management processes that are less calendar-based and more event-driven, more business-driven. That doesn’t mean that you can get rid of the calendar year in all settings. When it comes to statutory counting, taxes and reviews, of course we need to relate to the financial year, the quarters and all that, but for the more forward looking stuff that we are talking about here, we are much less calendar dependent than we used to be, which makes us more agile and more flexible.

■ Let’s say that companies understand that they have to change. How can they let go of their old model and stay on their feet?

■ You are a finance guy, but it seems

- at least at first glance - that you are against budgeting. However, what does the philosophy behind your different approach to budgeting mean in the real life of companies?

- Yes, I am a finance guy. But I have also worked in human resources and I have also been a leader for more than twenty years, and I think both of these are also relevant because there are big doses of people and leadership in Beyond Budgeting. I am against additional management, of which budgeting is an important part, but traditional management is more than budgeting, and when it comes to real life in companies that means that we have management processes that are more agile and continuous, enabling us to respond faster and perform better.

H. E. ARNE SANNES BJØRNSTAD, NORWEGIAN AMBASSADOR and BJARTE BOGSNES

Any company going into robotisation will still most likely operate in a dynamic and unpredictable business environment. You still need dynamic management models even if you have automated or robotised your manufacturing process

■ The next thing was to get rid of the calendar. Again, what does that mean in the daily work of the company?

- We started out with all the other things back in 2005, but we actually didn’t address the calendar before 2010 – the reason being that we had considered it in 2005 but felt it would be too much to propose that on top of everything else, so we waited some years and went back to the committee in 2010 and got a big ‘yes’ to move ahead with this. What could have been scary

- One way of getting started is simply to separate; simply ask people why they budget and they will usually come up with three different reasons why they make budgets. In our case, it does not matter if the oil price is high or low, the target is just as relevant all the time.

Then you can move on to discuss how you can improve the forecasting process, how you can establish a process where you can quickly get on a table and a simple set of numbers that you know you can trust, thus you have removed the reasons for gaming on these numbers; a forecast is what we think will happen, whether we like what we see or not, brutally honest and an expected outcome, whereas a target is what we want to happen.

This should be ambitiously stretched and can’t be the same.

And, last but not least, how you can find more effective ways of managing costs than those offered by traditional detailed annual budgets. Separation is a way of getting started and moving DECEMBER

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into the bigger discussions about what our management process should look like if the world is dynamic and unpredictable and what our management processes should look like if we believe that we generally have quite good, competent and trustworthy people on board.

■ Do these changes require new people in management or a new way of thinking for existing management personnel?

- It doesn’t necessarily require new people in management, but it does require new thinking among managers, and not everybody copes.

We have seen examples of not coping with this, but fortunately that is a minority. So, this is definitely more demanding from a leadership perspective compared to traditional management. Traditional management contains big doses of command and control, which is actually quite easy from a leadership point of view.

It is much more challenging to manage without command and control.

don’t think there is one right answer to where you should be. We often say that what Beyond Budgeting should mean in your organisation depends on your organisation, your business, your culture and your history. So, Statoil has a different history and a different business… So we need to adapt the model to what suits our realities. That is why Beyond Budgeting is not a management recipe, but rather a set of twelve principles that provide guidance.

■ How do these different approaches

to control, management, micromanagement etc., impact on the ability of companies and their employees to innovate?

■ What and how does the manage-

ment manage when you have got rid of the strict control of the organisation you manage?

- If you have a general workforce, it needs no action to the organisation for which they work. You can still do a lot of sensible things in the management process dimension of Beyond Budgeting – the six principle steps that have to do with management processes – but it is more difficult to do things on the leadership side that relate to autonomy and trust and belonging and so on. If that is the situation, it would be more challenging but not impossible. There are still things you can do.

■ On the other hand, some compa-

I am convinced that in twenty years’ time we will smile a bit about how we used to think about traditional management, just as we smile today about the days before the internet

nies are experimenting heavily with cutting hierarchy. Some even see almost every employee as a kind of free agent operating in different teams, like gaming company Valve. In your opinion, where is the right trade-off in terms of management and the freedom of employees?

- There are a lot of exciting companies out there. We have great examples in Norway as well; we have a fantastic IT company in Norway called Miles. It has no budgets, no targets and simply nothing of traditional management processes, but the company performs extremely well. We are not as radical as some of these companies, for instance… And I 24 |

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- The moment you move to management innovation, it is suddenly scary.

That is why so few companies dare to embrace this, but that is good news for brave companies that dare to embrace management innovation. That’s because you can gain just as much competitive advantage from management innovation as you can from technological and product innovation. I would also argue that this kind of management model actually stimulates innovation on the technology and product side, because it is easier to have your voice heard, to challenge the status quo and accepted ways of doing things. This is a management model that takes people and their views and proposals seriously, so I will argue that this is a great model for supporting innovation.

■ You spoke about people and pro-

ductivity at the recent FT conference. In your opinion, what makes people productive?

- Yes, I was at the Financial Times Conference and I got this question and I think that in my answer I quoted management guru Peter Druckel.

He once said that most of what we call management is about making it difficult for people to do their job, and I would agree.

I think it is more interesting to mention that in a free society it is obvious that we should elect our own leaders. However, in a company that would be unthinkable. In a free society it is obvious that everyone should have a voice, in a company it is obvious for many that the boss should decide everything. In many ways, traditional management – in comparison to politics – is more similar to political dictatorships than political democracies, which I find interesting. ■

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2ND “SERBIAN VISIONS” MULTI-CONGRESS, ORGANISED BY AHK AND CCIS

Proposals For a Better Serbia Serbian Visions presented more than 60 non-governmental organisations, institutes, universities, professional associations and enterprises in order to improve things in society

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hat kind of vision of Serbia exists from the perspective of the civil sector, what the economy proposes and how these views support the idea of offering a better and more successful Serbia – this was the theme of the 2nd “Serbian Visions” twoday multi-congress, which was staged under the organisation of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK) and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (CCIS).

Various panel discussions and workshops included talks about human rights issues, problems in European integration, new ideas for dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, the economy, education, culture, health, environmental protection, strengthening the role of civil society in the country and creating a favourable economic environment. But there was also discussion about to secure employment for women aged over 50, how to improve the commercial exploitation of highways, what kind of situation we have in the textile industry, where we are in terms of the green economy, how much we offer young people and children, how the problem of loans in Swiss francs can be solved, or about the benefits of yoga, the vision of the media, killer habits of employees etc.

“For the second time we have organised this event at which we brought together dozens of organisations that employ people who are engaged in various fields. It is 26 |

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important to note that this multi-congress is not a German vision for Serbia, but rather the vision of Serbian organisations for a better future for Serbia. Around 60 nongovernmental and other organisations from the most varied industries and civil society in Serbia attempted, during two days of workshops, lectures and other formats, to find common ideas about how to do things a little better – says Martin Knapp, director of AHK Serbia, speaking to CorD Magazine.

It could be heard from participants that Serbia still lacks enough platforms via which the economy, or businesses, can communicate with all that is happening in the various sectors of civil society.

When it comes to the rule of law, the problem is that existing laws are not applied, that there is huge corruption, that our elites flee from politics, thus the best and most educated people do not influence the creation of society -The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia supports this event, which connects, in a completely innovative way, non-governmental organisations, civil society and the business sector, contributing to the creation of a favourable business environment - said

CCIS President Marko Čadež, adding that the contacts established at such events are very important because exchanging experience and knowhow, along with responsible business practices, contribute to improving the community as a whole.

It was already clear in the announcement that several topics will be in the focus of interest. There was discussion about Serbia’s EU integration, the opening of more negotiation chapters, human rights, but also dual education. It was stated during the panel debate “Education tailored to the economy – the dual system” that by mid-January 2017 the law on dual education in Serbia should be completed, while AHK’s consultant for dual education, Oliver Heerlen, explained that two-thirds of students stay on to work at the companies where they are educated.

-When it comes to the rule of law, the problem is that existing laws are not applied, that there is huge corruption, that our elites flee from politics, thus the best and most educated people do not influence the creation of society – said Marko Savković, of the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence, announcing some new ideas about the talks between Belgrade and Pristina in an effort to overcome the current impasse and eliminate obstacles to Serbia’s faster integration into the EU. The “Serbian visions” multi-congress also had a small stand for CorD Magazine, as media sponsor of the event, at which the latest editions of our publishing house, aim, were presented and immediately snapped up by visitors. ■

DECEMBER BUSINESS LEADERS’ MEETING POINT

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CSILLA IHASZ Chairwoman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bank Serbia

JELENA GALIĆ President of the Executive Board of AIK Banka

Highest Standards of Tailored Products And Services

Supporting The Financing of Agricultural Production

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VLADICA PETROVIĆ General manager and temporary representative of capital at FAM Kruševac

MEHMET ALAGÖZ General Manager for Turkish Airlines in Belgrade

People Make Successful Companies

The Passenger is Our Boss DECEMBER

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CORPORATE CSILLA IHASZ, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF UNICREDIT BANK SERBIA

Highest Standards of Tailored Products and Services UniCredit is one of Europe’s leading financial groups, with a presence in 16 countries and the largest network in the CEE region

■ Numerous funds, banking products and benefits exist in the EU that are often not recognised or utilised by our businesspeople. How can Serbian business be assisted in accepting banks as partners in matters of mutual interest? s part of a pan-European - We are aware that EU funds are not utibanking group, UniCredit Bank lised fully in Serbia. In order to facilitate is able to serve its privileged this process, UniCredit Bank has joined clients with a wide range several EU financing programmes with of tailored products, managing and the aim of easing access to these funds executing complex transactions, offering for domestic companies. unique solutions to each local market We signed an agreement on guarand providing the highest standards antees with the European Investment of services.

Fund, aimed at supporting the development of small and medium-sized en■ UniCredit Bank is the largest terprises. This cooperation provided corporate lender in the EU. To what We are aware that EU funds them with easier access to financial extent do local Serbian companies resources, lower interest rates and take advantage of this service, and are not utilised fully in less collateral requirements. which services and terms do you Serbia. In order to facilitate UniCredit Bank also joined the EIB offer most commonly? this process, UniCredit Bank Apex Credit Line, thereby providing - Our international team acts as a has joined several EU financing more favourable financing terms for Single Point of Entry for all clients, asthe development of SME investment suring 360° support in the selection programmes with the aim of projects, medium-sized companies of tailored banking products and sereasing access to these funds or public entities. In terms of utilisavices. Whether we are talking about for domestic companies tion, our bank attained the number simple cross border account openone position on the local market ing, flash payments or more complex when it comes to the implementation of the Serbian market, as well as companies structured financial solutions, UniCredit this credit line. planning to export to other countries.

Bank stands by its clients every step of Being a “Cross Border Customer” the way throughout this journey.

■ UniCredit Bank has offered more faprovides a special status, since such cliThat is why we are recognised as the vourable housing mortgages in Serbia ents enjoy preferential treatment in the Bank of Choice for a significant number than in some EU countries.

Group, benefiting from the cost savings of international companies’ subsidiaries, - The local market has become even resulting from the efficient managedomestic export-orientated companies more competitive when it comes to ment of cross border activities. and firms with a significant international presence and links.

Our strong international knowhow and extensive experience from different locations provide us with the expertise required to adequately serve all of them.

The international aspect of our Group, and the need to support our wide client base, is also reflected in the global presence of the UniCredit International Network worldwide. Our International Centre is here to offer support in discovering new development opportunities for both international & multinational corporates interested in

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housing loans, while banks target eligible clients to offer them more favourable interest rates and additional benefits.

We recently presented our Housing Loan campaign, which aimed to reward those choosing UniCredit as their partner when buying a living space. Through this campaign, an adequate response was provided to cater for clients’ needs in terms of financing, followed by one of the most favourable interest rates on the market, over a period of 15 months.

Why 15 months? Apart from the fact that the structure of the product complies with the needs of our clients, this is also because 2016 sees us celebrating our 15th anniversary of doing business successfully in Serbia.

that are agile and filled with innovation.

We took our first step into the digital world in 2003, with the introduction of online banking, while in 2011 we were the first bank on the market to introduce m-banking. Since then the number of mobile banking users has grown rapidly, to the point that there are now five million people in Serbia using mobile phones, 47 per cent of whom are using them for internet access.

Taking this trend into consideration, we believe that mobile banking services represent the banking of the future NFC payments, ATM m-Cash withdrawals, Cloud certificate signing, full “End

of these necessities and will continue to improve them further, as well as investing in educating our clients.

■ How much interest exists among Serbian businesspeople when it comes to initiating cooperation with financial institutions in the EU via UniCredit Bank?

- Although we can say that awareness of the benefits of EU sponsored programmes is increasing among local companies, we believe interest can and will rise even more as Serbia progresses on its path towards the EU.

■ UniCredit Bank is the corporate sponsor of the UEFA Champions League. Given that Serbian teams are, unfortunately, not participating in this prestigious competi■ You have a very wide tion, what kind of impact has range of products for this promotional campaign citizens and companies, had in Serbia? including mobile bank- Although Serbian teams did ing. How have your clients not participate in the UEFA accepted this product, in Champions League competiconditions under which tion last year, there are many new technologies are not Serbians who are core players yet sufficiently constructed in the teams battling for this in Serbia? most prestigious trophy. On - Based on UniCredit’s analythe other hand, football, as sis, in the next three years the second most important the number of internet bankthing for many, long since ing users could increase to surpassed state borders and 10 million, while the number became an international sport. of mobile banking users will That is why cooperation between rise as much as sevenfold. This is all the UEFA Champions League and evidence that the business environWe took our first step into UniCredit, as an international player, ment is changing rapidly, while custhe digital world in 2003, was something that imposed itself. tomers’ behaviour and demands are with the introduction of online We both understand what doing evolving continuously. Banks need to banking, while in 2011 we were battle on the pitch means to us align with the fast-changing market achieving the goals that will make us and adapt their offer to suit clients’ the first bank on the market champions. requirements. to introduce m-banking Just two months ago, as the OfDigital evolution is only one of ficial Bank of the UEFA Champions our answers on more sophisticated League, we hosted the famous “big to End” process, etc. Nevertheless, in needs of our clients. That is why we, as a eared” trophy. This event celebrated order to realise this we first need to bank, are focused on providing our confootball and our partnership, while it fulfil the preconditions necessary to tribution on the Serbian market, which is also allowed more than 14,000 footensure higher mobile banking penetrastill in the phase of adopting and adjustball fans in Niš, Subotica, Novi Sad and tion, which also include simple and fast ing to digitisation. We are engaged in Belgrade to feel the joy and moments activation and login, a user friendly accelerating the digital transformation of excitement, thereby impacting on interface with a “look and feel” adopted of customer behaviour, supporting them increasing our brand awareness. ■ to Serbia etc. We are fully aware of all in more easily adopting digital concepts DECEMBER

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LOCAL

NEWS

ATTACK “It seems that we will have an open attack on the Kosovo province by some European institutions that will be aimed at making us realise, I guess, or somehow accept, that it is a state,”— TOMISLAV NIKOLIĆ Serbian President

TURKISH AIRLINES

Tourıstanbul

ERSTE BANK

“Step by Step” Programme to Support Start-Ups

Turkish Airlines, Europe’s Best Airline for the sixth year in a row, offers a free hospitality service to its international transit passengers – Touristanbul. All passengers with connection time over six hours are welcome to join free city tour. The tour inludes transportation services by shuttle bus from/to Atatürk airport, guidance service by a professional tour guide in English, meal servings and museum fees.

Passengers will enjoy İstanbul’s historical and natural beauties rather than wasting time waiting at the airport. During the tour, they will be able to see the most significant historical sights of a city that has hosted major civilisations of the world.

Passengers will be a privileged visitor of the many magnificent traces that each of them has left in history. If the waiting time between connecting flights in Istanbul allows, you shouldn’t miss this experience.

The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Erste Bank Serbia have signed an agreement on guarantees with the aim of supporting micro enterprises in Serbia within the framework of the EU Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI). The ROGER HAVENITH, EIF Deputy Chief Executive contract will cover a loan portfolio of €4.7 million for (left) and SLAVKO CARIĆ, CEO of Erste Bank Serbia close to 850 Serbian micro enterprises that will be able to take advantage of loans at attractive terms, without the need to provide additional guarantees.

Those interested are able to apply for micro loans until 5th December this year.

This is the first step in the implementation of the “Step by Step” social banking programme in Serbia, a programme that Erste Group launched in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Austria in order to support clients who are traditionally insufficiently covered by banking services: new businesses, including those just starting in entrepreneurship, social enterprises and civil society organisations.

BANCA INTESA

Winners Of The Annual Intesa Farmer Contest Banca Intesa has declared the winners of the fourth annual Intesa Farmer selection of the most successful farmers. According to the assessment of the jury, the winners of the competition were selected as Vladimir Pavasović from Sremska Mitrovica, in the category Intesa Crop Farmer, Peter Dobrković from Bačka Topola, in the category Intesa Fruit Grower, Antal Januško from Novo Orahovo, in the category of Intesa Livestock Farmer, and Renata Nađ from Žabalj, in the category Intesa Vegetable Grower, while Milanka Trtović from Nova Varoš was the awarded participant of the competition in the category of Intesa Slow Food for small agricultural producers, which was introduced this year in partnership with the Slow Food Serbia Association.

Banca Intesa launched the Intesa Farmer project in 2013, with the aim of highlighting the role played by agriculture in the development of the Serbian economy.

MEDIGROUP

EKO SERBIA

First Private Maternity Hospital in The System Of E-Registering Babies The electronic register that forms part of the project “Baby, welcome to the world” has seen the inclusion of the first baby born in the maternity ward of the MediGroup General Hospital. The inclusion of MediGroup as the only private maternity hospital in the system of registering babies is part of the strategy of competent authorities – the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Health – to offer a unified service and maximally simplified procedures. Health Minister Dr Zlatibor Lončar expressed his satisfaction that the system of electronic registrations has also come to life in private health institutions. Currently, 46 maternity hospitals have joined the project “Baby, welcome to the world”, which enables parents to register their baby in 15 minutes, while the baby’s document are delivered to the address where the baby is registered.

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EKO Prize Winning Game Company EKO Serbia is organising a major prize winning competition for the end of the year, “1000 euros every day and an apartment at the end of the month!“. The prize game is for EKO Serbia customers who use the EKO Smile Card. Until 24th December, every EKO customer at all EKO filling stations throughout Serbia will have the chance to win €1,000 each day, with every purchase worth at least 1,500 RSD and a Smile Card. Furthermore, they will also have chance to win the main prize – a 44m2 apartment in Belgrade – the winner of which will be announced at the public prize draw on 24th December. All customers – both those who have already won a daily reward and those who have not – will be included in the final prize draw and given the chance to win the main prize. Daily prizes will be announced every day at 6pm on the EKO Serbia Facebook page. The prize game includes a total of 30 daily winners, with the amount of €1,000 to be added to the payment cards of Komercijalna Bank. Speaking about this competition, EKO Serbia CEO Goran Dejanović said: “As a company that cares for its customers, we decided to organise a prize game and bring happiness to our loyal customers. We wish you good luck!”

MEMBERSHIP “Serbia has made major steps toward its strategic goal of EU membership by opening four very significant chapters.

Strengthening the rule of law, including the fight against organised crime and corruption, remain the main challenges.”— JOHANNES HAHN, EU Enlargement Commissioner

SOCIETE GENERALE BANK

Interest Rates Reduced on Cash Credits And Housing Loans Societe Generale Bank has created a special offer of short-term dinar cash loans to clients who receive their salaries at the Bank and those who do not receive their salaries via the Bank, with a fixed interest rate. The offer also includes special interest rates for approving housing loans for the purchase, renovation and refinancing of real estate.

Placements & postings appointments@aim.rs

H.E. ANDREA ORIZIO

New Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia

Ambassador Andrea Orizio earned a law degree from the University of Milan and completed his post-graduate specialisation at the Italian Institute for International Political Studies in Milan. He arrives in Belgrade from Rome, where he served as Director for the Balkans at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IFMA) and International Cooperation. In the early 2000s, he held the post of Deputy Head of Mission at the Italian Embassy to Croatia, before serving as Head of the Western Balkans Department at the IFMA. In 2013 and 2014 he was Head of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime/G7 Unit at the IFMA, while from 2008 to 2013 Orizio was Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy to Egypt. Between 2005 and 2008 he served as First Counsellor at the Italian Permanent Delegation to NATO in Brussels. Earlier in his career he was posted to Prague in the Czech Republic, served on the Africa Desk and in the Office of the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Defence Minister.

Besides his native Italian, he is also fluent in English and French.

ŽELJKO LAZARAC

New CEO at UniCredit Leasing Serbia

Societe Generale Bank currently offers the most favourable dinar cash loans on the market, with a fixed interest rate of 4.95 per cent.

The reduction in interest rates on popular “cash” loans is both the result of listening to the needs of the bank’s clients, as well as ever increasing growth in demand for this banking product.

Apart from visiting branches throughout Serbia, users can access cash credit through the online branch of Societe Generale Bank, with the help of a qualified digital certificate and without needing to make a single visit to the bank.

Željko Lazarac has been appointed to the position of Chairman of the Executive Board of UniCredit Leasing Serbia d.o.o. He takes over this position from Emiliano Steinfl, who is now continuing his career as Director of the International Centre at UniCredit Bulbank in Bulgaria. Lazarević has a degree in economics from the University of Belgrade and is a licensed insurance agent and broker, as well as being a certified chartered accountant, or auditor. He is a member of the Union of Accountants and Auditors of Serbia. Lazarac joined UniCredit Leasing in August 2010, initially serving as a member of the Executive Board responsible for finances and supporting operative business. He began his successful career in the financial sector, which has so far lasted almost two decades, at the Tax Administration of the Republic of Serbia, after which he added to his experience in management positions within the financial sector.

VLADIMIR NOVAKOVIĆ

New Director of Apatin Brewery and Managing Director of Molson Coors for Serbia and Montenegro

Vladimir Novaković has been appointed as the Director of Apatin Brewery and Managing Director of Molson Coors for Serbia and Montenegro. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in economics, Novaković started his career in the FMCG sector at company Fresh&Co., after which he worked at Henkel, where he was responsible for sales in five SEE countries, following by a stint as CEO at company Carnex. Novaković has been in the beer business for six years.

He served as commercial director at ABI Serbia, supporting the team in attaining the company’s highest ever market share. He returned to Apatin Brewery in 2013, taking over the Sales Director position and helping the team consolidate the beer business in Serbia. He was a professional handball player and a member of the Serbian National Team. Novakovic is a married father of three children.

BEL MEDIC

Cooperation With Generali Osiguranje Srbija The Bel Medic General Hospital has established cooperation with insurance company Generali Osiguranje Srbija, enabling all clients of this insurance company to receive treatment at this renowned private medical institution.

“In this way, patients receive top medical care, while Generali Osiguranje Srbija can offer clients – both individuals and companies – an even wider and better range of healthcare institutions,” said Dr Jasmina Knežević, Director of Bel Medic General Hospital. Dragan Filipović, president of the Generali Osiguranje Srbija Executive Board, said: “We are very pleased that our customers will, in future, be able to use the services of Bel Medic General Hospital. The quality of the services provided to our clients is of the highest importance to us.”

MESSER TEHNOGAS

National Award for Business Excellence With regard to World Quality Day, the “Fund for the Culture of Quality and Excellence“, under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy and in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, awarded Messer Tehnogas with the National Award for Business Excellence, also known as the “Oscar of Quality 2016”. The independent jury, which consists of members of scientific and professional institutions, presents the award to profit and nonprofit organisations in Serbia that have been achieving excellent results in 2016 when it comes to the improvement of quality, organisational and business excellence, as well as competitiveness.

This award is given in three categories – real sector, public sector and organisations outside the territory of the Republic of Serbia. Messer Tehnogas was declared the Absolute Winner in the real sector category.

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CORPORATE JELENA GALIĆ, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF AIK BANKA

Supporting The Financing of Agricultural Production Agribusiness in Serbia displays deficiencies in certain segments, primarily due to a lack of investment. The further advancement of Serbian agriculture will depend to the greatest extent on support for financing agricultural production, as well as investments related to improving the mechanisation and merging of farms

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griculture requires constant financial and credit support, due to the specificities of the production cycle, slow capital turnover, low profitability of production and a lack of producers’ own sources of financing. Financing is the most important and most complex problem of domestic agriculture. Here we discuss this and other topics with Jelena Galić, President of the Executive Board of AIK Banka, which is recognised for its contribution to the development of agribusiness.

■ Our agriculture would develop much faster if there was more money. You are a bank that helps and invests in agriculture. What conditions are required in order for farms and agricultural companies to be able to receive loans from AIK. Can they expect lower interest rates and longer repayment periods?

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revolving credit, intended for farms for a period up to three years. The main benefit of revolving credit is actually managing the use of funds, where farmers can themselves withdraw the amounts they need, according to the limits of their revolving credit, and to later return the funds in accordance with available cash inflows, i.e. at a moment when they have surplus funds on their account. With these advantages farmers mostly receive the required flexibility, and they only part interest on the part they have used. Apart from commercial offers, there is an existing loan offer in cooperation with the Guarantee Fund of AP Vojvodina, as well as the Fund for revolving credit of the Republic of Serbia, where lending conditions in cooperation with these institutions is somewhat more favourable for farmers.

■ According to the latest statistics, in the first nine months of this year AIK Banka recorded growth in gross profit of 5.2 billion dinars. What contributed the most to this good performance of the bank?

- As a universal type bank, we are committed to doing business with all

customer segments, placing an emphasis on efficiency and innovation in providing banking services to our clients.

We are one of the leaders in mobile and electronic banking, which is a trend that all banks have turned towards, and those who head in that way earlier have a greater chance of better positioning themselves. Digital banking enables us to have a good and efficient approach to citizens and small businesses, while cooperation with the economy has remained our specificity, which we consider as being our comparative advantage.

Our goal is to form an offer that will enable every client to find a product that suits their specific needs and in that way we can continuously enlarge our customer base. In Serbia we are among the top five banks in terms of balance sheet totals. Compared with current business trends in the banking industry and results achieved in this sector in the previous period, AIK Banka has achieved better results than the industry average. In the first three quarters of this year, yield on equity of about 10 per cent has been achieved, with the return on assets exceeding three per cent. The Bank’s aim is to continue this trend, in order for us to be

able, in a relatively short period of time, to position ourselves among the top three banks on the domestic market, not only in terms of financial considerations, but also on the basis of the quality of operations.

how have clients accepted that?

- In the last few years AIK Banka has been devoted to optimising business processes and increasing the efficiency of service to customers, primarily through the development of contemporary digital channels, or our e-banking and m-banking service platforms. In the trend of decreasing interest rates, which is in the focus of every bank, including AIK Bank, services will more

of the leaders in the area of mobile and electronic banking, we will continue to invest further in the development of our digital platform, in order for us to offer new products to a wide range of clients, and all in the direction of strengthening our client base.

■ Interest on savings has been very modest in the last few years, but AIK ■ And you also have good news for Banka has nevertheless prepared sevthe oldest clients – at your bank eral attractive savings offers. What is pensions are paid seven days prior to this about and have savers their formal payment. How accepted that? much do pensioners appreciate that, and do you have - Over 600 million euros of some other enticing offers citizens’ savings is a sign for the elderly? that citizens have recognised - AIK Bank pays special atAIK Banka as a bank that can tention to pensioners, as be entrusted with their savings. The terms of savings at an important category of AIK Bank have been among clients, and strives to create the lowest available on the an environment in which market for years. As a sign this category of clients will of gratitude for the trust have a full service in one placed in us by our clients, place and under favourable in addition to attractive conditions. AIK Banka has interest rates, we also offer included in its offer active a range of other benefits. credit for pensioners with This primarily relates to the life insurance included, complete flexibility of savwhere the cost of insurance ings deposits, in which we enable customers to always AIK Banka has achieved better results than the industry have their money available. average. In the first three quarters of this year, yield on Term deposits of 14 months with interest payments in equity of about 10 per cent has been achieved, with the advance are the first innovareturn on assets exceeding three per cent. The Bank’s aim tion in the offer of AIK Bank is to continue this trend, in order for us to be able, in a when it comes to savings. relatively short period of time, to position ourselves among The benefits of this product are simplicity, flexibility the top three banks on the domestic market, not only and interest payments in in terms of financial considerations, but also on the basis advance. AIK Banka has also of the quality of operations prepared an offer of term savings at 36 months, with than ever be tailored to the client. The an attractive interest rate. In the case is covered by the bank for the entire task of banks is to be efficient and availthat a client decides to prematurely loan repayment period. There is also the able to clients at any time, while the withdraw their deposited savings, AIK well-known offer of advanced pension products offered to the clients must be Banka goes out of its way to meet the payments, which implies that funds are innovative, adapted to clients’ needs needs of customers by providing them paid onto accounts up to seven days and accessible to every individual. Ever with the payment of interest on the prior to the actual payment of pensions more clients will increasingly perform realised maturity. or pension contributions from the PIO an entire range of jobs from home, so Fund. With these and other advantages we will move towards a banking sys■ AIK Banka enables its customers to we want to retain this segment of tem that will operate 24-hours-a-day, have quick and permanent connection clients and offer them conditions that seven-days-a-week, thus banks will with the bank thanks to mobile bankwill be in accordance with their financial ing. What does your offer include and adapt their offer to this trend. As one capabilities. ■ DECEMBER

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NEWS

PROPER INFORMATION

REGIONAL

“I believe that representatives of the Republic of Croatia do not have a proper analysis and proper information, that they follow and support, in an uniformed way, what the leadership of the Croatian National Assembly (HNS) is asking of them.” — BAKIR IZETBEGOVIĆ, Chairman of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Collective Presidency BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

MONTENEGRO

Jugopetrol Net Profit Up by 27 %

Montenegrin oil company Jugopetrol finished the third quarter of this year with a net profit of €6.16 million, which is 27.2% more than in the same period in 2015.

The company’s operating revenues fell by 21.3% in the first nine months, amounting to €87.83 million, but the expenditures were 23% less than in the first nine months of 2015 and amounted to €81.6 million. The majority of the company’s operating expenditures, namely €7024 million, is accounted for the purchase costs of sold goods. Salaries, benefits and other personnel expenses amounted to €2.8 million, depreciation and provisions to €1.87 million, while other operational expenses amounted to €6.27 million in the first nine months of this year.

CROATIA

Croatia’s Mate Rimac on Europe’s 100 Changemakers List Founder and chief executive of Rimac Automobili, Mate Rimac, has made the 2016 New Europe 100. The annual list features central and eastern Europe’s brightest and best people — plus the organisations who are changing the region’s societies, politics or business environments and displaying innovation, entrepreneurialism and fresh approaches to prevailing problems.

The challengers for the 2016 list were selected by Res Publica, Google, Visegrad Fund and the Financial Times.

Rimac, who has been one of the country’s recent success stories, is the founder of Croatian car manufacturer Rimac Automobili which develops and produces high-performance electric vehicles, including the Concept One, the world’s first electric super car, drivetrains and battery systems.

FYR MACEDONIA

Brussels Lowers 2016 GDP Growth Forecast The European Commission (EC) said it has revised down its projections for Macedonia’s economic growth this year to 2.1% from 3.5% forecast in May due to the extended political crisis in the country.

The EC expects economic growth to recover to 3.2% in 2017 on the back of a renewed surge in investment and robust household spending, provided the political crisis recedes after the December 11 elections. The Commission also projects a modest rise in price pressures in 2017. Brussels also expects higher services surplus and improved trade balance in 2017 and 2018 thanks to increased production capacities by foreign companies and recovery of demand in major trade partner economies.

The Commission noted that the government’s intentions to reduce the budget deficit to 2.2% by 2019 are unrealistic considering the absence of specified consolidation measures.

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New Duty-Free Export of Meat to Turkey

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, Igor Crnadak, announced that Turkish officials confirmed that they will adopt the decision on duty-free imports of new 15 000 tons of meat from BiH in the following year.

“This is important news for BiH, because it will contribute to the expansion of existing and investing in new farms and reinforce our overall economic activity,” added Crnadak at a press conference.

Speaking about the results of his visit to Turkey, he said that Turkey has confirmed that they will fund major infrastructure project that would link BiH and Serbia, and the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Government of Serbia should agree on this project.

ROMANIA

Priority Country For Azeri Investments Romania and Azerbaijan have very good political relations at the highest level, so that Romania is a priority country for Azeri investments, Suleyman Gasimov, SOCAR Vice President on economic issues said, attending the opening ceremony of new filling station in Romania.

Azerbaijan’s energy giant SOCAR expanded the network of its filling stations in Romania, the company launching its 35th filling station in the county on November 18, according to azernews.az.

The filling station, which is located in Romania’s Ilfov County, became the second refueling station of SOCAR in the region.

The company established its first gas-filling station in Romania in 2011. At present, SOCAR operates filling stations under its brand in 17 regions of Romania.

REGULATIONS

BULGARIA

“Some regulations of the current election law disempower Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This is unacceptable, notably because Croats in B-H are willing to accept any model that will make it possible for them to elect the Croat member of the Presidency of B-H and representatives in the Parliament’s House of Peoples.” — DRAGAN ČOVIĆ, Croat member of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Collective Presidency

Foreign Investment Amounted to €1.3 billion in Jan-Sept Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Bulgaria was 21% less in the first nine months of 2016 compared to the same period of last year, central bank statistics show. According to data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), FDI for January - September 2016

amounted to €1.3 billion, which is 2.8% of Bulgaria’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The figure was lower by €339.2 million by 21.1%)

compared to January-September 2015, when FDI into the country was €1.6bln or 3.6% of GDP. Real estate investments of non-residents were €53.5mln compared to January - September last year with €46.8mln. The largest share of investment in real estate was from Switzerland (€22.7mln), followed by Russia (€6.6mln) and Norway (€6.1mln). According to the data, the direct investment abroad in the period January-September 2016 increased by €107.2mln compared to €44.7mln for the same period in 2015.

HUNGARY

Japanese SIIX invests €20.8mln in Hungary

Japanese electronic components maker SIIX Corporation has announced it will invest HUF 6.4 billion (€20.8mln) in building a plant in Nagykőrös, southeast of Budapest, with a non-refundable government grant of €4.2mln, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The plant is expected to start operations in the third quarter of next year, said Koji Yanase, CEO of SIIX Europe GmbH, adding that the plant is expected to create 300 new jobs.

The company will produce electronic parts for industrial machinery, automotive products and household machinery at the 16,800 squaremeter plant, with a special focus on fulfilling the outsourcing and logistics needs of the company's European partners.

FLUKS TRADE RV www.fluksrv.com – www.interaktivnatabla.rs EVERYTHING FOR SCHOOLS IN ONE PLACE In the fields of natural and technical sciences, Flux Trade RV has a wide range of teaching materials and laboratory equipment for all levels of education and learning, from preschool to higher education. We create our offers of teaching materials in accordance with world tendencies and the suggestions of teachers and professors active in this field, with the aim of serving to modernise teaching and learning processes. Our many years of experience gives us the right to state that our offer of didactical aids and equipment can represent one of the most important links in Serbia’s contemporary education system. With the use of our equipment, the teaching process can relatively easily become dynamic and varied for pupils.

Our stand at this year’s 47th international fair of equipment and materials for modern teaching – learning was very well visited. Some of the visitors even carried out their own demonstrations of science experiments. We will also be participating in the 2017 Fair of New Technologies in Education. Visit us!

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CORPORATE VLADICA PETROVIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER AND TEMPORARY REPRESENTATIVE OF CAPITAL AT FAM KRUŠEVAC

People Make Successful Companies Until six years ago FAM Kruševac was facing the closure of production, burdened with debts, suffering from shortages in its inventory and raw materials, and facing an uncertain future

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nlike many factories that bad privatisations had brought to the brink of collapse, FAM succeeded, with the support of the Government and through the great efforts of employees and management, in coming through the crisis to today represent the pride of the city of Kruševac.

■ You have been chosen for the third time to lead the company that is a leader in the production of oils and lubricants in Serbia.

How do you see FAM’s future as a company, especially when it comes to expanding production and new employment?

- That’s right. For the third time I was selected to lead Lubricants Factory – FAM, because during the most difficult moments of 2011 I stood at the helm of this company.

FAM was then under a blockede of 3.2 billion dinars, stores of raw materials 0 (zero), finished products almost 0 (zero), with debts of €4 million to foreign suppliers and 200 36 |

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million dinars to domestic suppliers. Moreover, new blockades were threatened and we could not even make assumptions aboot how high they could be. Under great pressure from employees, which I then led as president of the FAM Union, the state, i.e. the government, made the decision to terminate FAM’s privatisation and launch restructuring. That virtually meant that we had to start from scratch, and that we needed to find solutions for the survival of FAM in the further course of operations. We were forced to settle our obligations to suppliers ourselves, and

sometimes later also to banks, through the pre-prepared reorganisation plan.

It was only because I have excellent knowledge regarding the operations of the company, the product programme and the possibility to maximally engage all employees, that I accepted an almost impossible mission – to return FAM to its old track. In the six years that have since passed we have created and modified over 100 products, while the plan also includes expanding the product range, which will certainly lead to the creation of new jobs.

■ What was crucial to you becoming the head of the company for the third time? What kind of reaction came from employees and citizens, We export to more than ten given that FAM is one of the few countries. We are particularly companies with stable operations? proud that we export to the - What was crucial was that the employees were united in wanting Russian market, which is extremely demanding in terms me to remain at the helm of the company, because they believe that of product quality. Generally I can successfully run FAM. Thanks for export, but also for our to the results, the local government and the Economy Ministry also gave market, the crucial factors me their support. are quality and the rich FAM, as a socially responsible assortment of around 500 company, participates in all activiproducts that we offer ties related to the humanitarian and social life of the city, so the reactions customers of citizens can only be positive.

■ You export to nmerous markets and are ranked among the largest exporters in your sector. What is crucial in you retaining your customers and the markets where you sell products? How do you beat the competition and how much do you invest in innovation in production?

- We export to more than ten countries.

We are particularly proud that we export to the Russian market, which is extremely demanding in terms of product quality. Generally for export, but also

for our market, the crucial factors are quality and the rich assortment of around 500 products that we offer customers.

I am able to say with proud that FAM, thanks to the personnel it possesses, can adapt the product extremely quickly to suit the needs of each customer.

When it comes to exports, I can say that we export about 30 per cent of our production.

■ FAM is an example of how a badly privatised enterprise can be turned into a good and profitable company. Do state institutions help you to overcome difficulties that were caused by others?

- FAM is an example of how, without any help, employees can exert exceptional efforts to reach a positive solution for the factory. Just 45 days ago we received 20 million dinars for current liquidity, but we used these funds for investments that will allow us to ease operations.

■ You are among the companies that have wholeheartedly accepted proposals for the introduction of dual education in Serbia. What would you suggest to the Ministry of Education when it comes to dual education?

- When it comes to the personnel, who I consider as being the most important factor in successfully managing the company, it is extremely important to primarily retain the existing resources, and then to use careful selection to upgrade

to students and pupils, and you cooperate with the local authorities and the National Employment Service.

- FAM grants scholarships to the children of its employees, and we have exceptionally good cooperation with the local government and the National Employment Service.

FAM aims to concentrate all production facilities in one place in the next two years, which will reduce our production costs and thereby ease operations as a whole

obligations being met. Is your proposal regarding the relocating of the plant to another site evidence that FAM is heading in the right direction and that the previous difficulties have been overcome?

- FAM aims to concentrate all production facilities in one place in the next two years, which will reduce our production costs and thereby ease operations as a whole.

what we need. In that sense, we decided to be among the first to express a need for dual education, so we will train and fund 30 chemistry and mechanical engineering pupils in the coming year.

The Ministry of Education is aware of that and we expect maximum support. I would suggest that the Ministry convince as many companies as possible that investing in skills is an investment in the future and in no way a cost.

■ How do you get to the kind of young, educated and trained personnel who are essential for the successful work of the company? You award scholarships

■ After years of hardship, Factory FAM is now standing on solid ground, with production stabilised and financial

■ You recently promoted a new logo of your company. What is the main message of FAM’s new visual identity?

- Promotion of the new logo is essentially a continuation all the positive things that are happening at FAM, including positive cooperation with our business partners.

The City of Kruševac was exceptional in accepting this and I can say that FAM is the pride of Kruševac, while I also want to emphasise the extremely good cooperation with Studio Four, which managed to convert our ideas into reality. ■ DECEMBER

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DECISION

WORLD

“I have spent an unending amount of time contemplating this, as to stand as a candidate for a fourth time after 11 years in power is anything other than a trivial decision, neither for the country, for the party, nor for me.” — ANGELA MERKEL, German chancellor FINLAND

TURKEY

Digiturk Retains Turkish Super League TV rights Turkish digital television platform Digiturk is set to retain its broadcasting rights of the Turkish Super League’s for another five years with an annual fee of $600 million, after it overcame rival bids. The bidding ceremony was held at the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) Hasan Doğan Training Complex in Istanbul.

Digiturk overcame rival platform Turkcell Superonline to land all broadcasting rights for the Turkish top tier football through its bid worth $500 million per annum. With value added tax the figure is expected to reach $600 million.

Nokia Brings Drone-Control to The UAE Nokia and the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates have begun a strategic partnership to control the air traffic of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in the country.

CHINA

Kids Health and Education site Receives $441.2 Investment Investors led by Fosun Group invested $441.2 million into a maternal and infant industry website Babytree.com, in a bid to seek opportunities in kid health and education sectors.

Babytree also established an industry alliance with partners including Fosun, to offer services to Chinese families covering health, education and finance. Other investors included Nasdaqlisted Tal Education Group and venture capital firm Matrix Partners China.

GERMANY

SLOVAKIA

Deutsche Bank to Cancel Bonuses For Former Executives

Logisticians to Expand to Balkans

Deutsche Bank will go back on its promises of bonuses made earlier to six former executives, claimed German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Those set to be affected include former Chief Executive Josef Ackermann and former co-Chief Executives Anshu Jain and Jürgen Fischen. The three others involved are said to be former board members Hermann-Josef Lamberti, Michael Cohrs and Hugo Bänziger, according to the newspaper.

The cancellation refers to bonuses which have not yet been paid and in total add up to a double-digit multimillion figure.

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Nokia’s UAV Traffic Management (UTM) will be utilised in the UAE, allowing the General Civil Aviation Authority ability to track and manage all UAVs in the country’s airspace and paving the way for commercial and governmental use of automated drones.

The collaboration comes as part of the UAE’s initiative to make Dubai one of the ‘smartest cities’ in the world by 2017.

Slovak logistic company Budamar Logistics wants to expend to the Balkans, with the aim to focus on railway transport in Croatia and Serbia.

“The Balkan countries are facing the liberalisation process of railway transport,” said Peter Malec, chair of the board of directors of Budamar Logistics, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

It has already acquired a share in Croatian private company PPD Transport, which resides in Zagreb, and also in logistics company Smart Cargo SK. Budamar Logistics also wants to acquire a fleet of multisystem locomotives. In the first phase this should concern three locomotives, of which one has already been bought.

PERFORMANCE

USA

“The people listen less and less to policy and they even seem less concerned about whether the candidates are telling the truth or not. They are more interested in the performance, in the theatrical quality of what is said than whether it is true.”— BERNARD-HENRI LEVY, Leading French philosopher

Warren Buffett Buys Into Airline Industry Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is looking toward airline stocks — a surprising move given Buffett had called airlines a “deathtrap for investors” as recently as 2013 Berkshire purchased 21.8 million shares of American Airlines Group Inc., worth $800 million

by the end of the third quarter. It also bought 6.33 million shares in Delta Air Lines Inc., 4.53 million shares of United Continental Holdings Inc., and added a position in Southwest Airlines Co. Consolidation and falling jet-fuel prices pushed earnings at the six biggest U.S. air-

lines to a record $18.4 billion in 2015, the industry fourth straight year of profitability following a decade in which combined losses climbed to $53 billion.

United CEO Oscar Munoz, speaking to investors and analysts in Chicago, called Berkshire “the anchor tenant,” and said its share purchase reflected faith in United and the overall industry.

WARREN BUFFETT

Facebook: BikramYogaBelgrade Kapetan Mišina 26, Belgrade, 11000 Serbia Phone: +381 (0)60 6116363 Email: studio@bikramyoga.rs

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CORPORATE MEHMET ALAGÖZ, GENERAL MANAGER FOR TURKISH AIRLINES IN BELGRADE

The Passenger is Our Boss Turkish Airlines listens to the demands of the market, seeking to find solutions for the increasing needs of customers. This approach, which has earned this airline global recognition and financial success, has also proved to be a successful formula in Serbia, both in terms of passenger and cargo business broad flight network of Turkish Airlines currently consists of 292 destinations in 117 countries worldwide. We fly to 111 airports in Europe, 49 in Africa, 35 in the Middle East, 34 in the Far East, 11 in North America and four in South America.

Turkish Airlines began its journey in 1933 with a fleet of only five aircraft.

Now Turkish Airlines’ fleet consists of 334 n the space of a decade Turkish aircraft: 86 wide body, 237 narrow body Airlines nearly tripled its number of and 11 cargo aircrafts. We have one of destinations and more than tripled the the youngest fleets in Europe, and with size of its fleet. The company’s target upcoming aircraft orders we will further for 2023 is to expand its fleet to more than reduce the age of the fleet, while continu500 aircraft, extend the number of destinations to more than 350 and transously upgrading quality of service.

I’m very proud of the fact that in port more than 120 million passengers, Turkish Airlines has been the space of a decade Turkish Airlines says Mehmet Alagöz, General Manager chosen as “Europe’s Best has nearly tripled its number of desfor Turkish Airlines in Belgrade, in this interview for CorD. This year sees the tinations, from 103 to 292, and more Airline” for the sixth company celebrate its 10th anniversary than tripled its fleet, from 100 to 334 consecutive year in the 2016 in Belgrade, which is marked by the aircraft. Our target for the year 2023 is Skytrax World Airlines Awards. to expand our fleet to more than 500 further expansion of its services.

This award is recognised as aircraft, extend the number of destina■ This year has seen Turkish Airlines tions to more than 350 and transport “the Oscars of the aviation declared “Europe’s Best Airline” for more than 120 million passengers. industry.” the sixth consecutive year in the 2016 Skytrax World Airlines Awards.

■ All analyses indicate that a great the best possible service, because it is pasWhat criteria had the greatest impact on expansion of air transport is yet to come. you receiving such high recognition?

What are Turkish Airlines’ plans and prosengers who choose the winners of these - Turkish Airlines has been chosen as prestigious awards. So, we continue workjections when it comes to the division of “Europe’s Best Airline” for the sixth conthe world’s aviation market? ing for them and we are continuing our - The new vision of Turkish Airlines, adopted strategy regarding service improvement. secutive year in the 2016 Skytrax World for the year 2023, is still in progress, and Airlines Awards. Skytrax is the most despite the globally challenging effects of respected global airline passenger survey ■ Turkish Airlines has the world’s largest recent economic difficulties, this decade of organisation in the industry, described flight network. How many destinations investment is now yielding positive results, as “the Oscars of the aviation industry”. are covered by Turkish Airlines today in terms of both passenger numbers and Turkish Airlines also won the awards “Best and how many aircraft are in the Turkish profitability. We have established and Airline in Southern Europe”, “World’s Airlines fleet? continuing to expand the world’s most Best Business Class Airline Lounge” and - Turkish Airlines flies to more countries comprehensive route network.

“World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dinthan any other airline in the world. The ing”. These awards, based on surveys of nearly 20 million airline customers in 550 airports worldwide, evaluated the traveller experience using key performance factors, including check-ins, arrivals, transfers, security and immigration.

Our boss is the passenger. We listen to people and their needs and work day by day to improve the service, because the satisfaction of our passengers is the most important thing for us. These awards show that we invest in our services from year to year, and confirm that our passengers recognise our efforts to provide them with

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During this year we have a share of approximately two per cent of the world air market share, while we aim to take a bigger share. As long as we have continuously better service, more destinations, while we still cutting costs, we will continue to grow.

■ Istanbul is the hub of Turkish Airlines.

How is work progressing on construction of the third Istanbul airport, which is set to have an annual capacity of 200 million passengers?

- The construction of Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA), the first phase of which is planned to be active in the very near future, is a milestone not only for Turkish Airlines or Turkish Civil Aviation, but for the entire global aviation industry, since the completed IGA will be the biggest airport in the world. Upon the termination of IGA, Turkish Airlines plans to move all of its flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to IGA within a week.

IGA, which has created tremendous interest in the world aviation community, will enable us to drive the key role played in the global aviation industry.

■ What are the key benefits for passengers travelling from/to Serbia?

- This year we celebrated our 10th anniversary in Belgrade. Turkish Airlines launched regular Istanbul-Belgrade flights in 2006, with three weekly flights. We now have two flights per day – morning and evening flights – which provides our passengers, when they arrive to Belgrade or when they go to Istanbul , full day in both cities.

As the Turkish Airlines Belgrade office, we strongly believe in the significance of incoming tourism for Serbia. We invite tour operators to Belgrade and other parts of Serbia, striving to show them different historic sites in the region and compelling them to organise group tours here. We also organise press trips, which means we invite journalists from Turkey and elsewhere and show them the cultural and historic sites of Serbia, and in this way we also support the tour operators to sell tours to Serbia.

■ You recently introduced a cargo route from Niš’s Constantine the Great Airport.

What are your expectations for this second cargo route from Serbia?

- Turkish Cargo is an important sub-brand of Turkish Airlines. As one of the fastest growing air cargo companies, Turkish Cargo provides the most efficient cargo transport to the leading production and commercial centres all over the world,

of the Niš line is our response to growing cargo transport demand in this region.

With this business move, Turkish Airlines contributes to the export of Serbian products to 117 countries and 292 destinations worldwide. Turkish Cargo operates to two destinations in the Balkan region, both of which are in Serbia.

I believe that many business sectors will feel a positive effect from the launch of this line and that increased exports will provide a greater chance for Serbian products to access international destinations.

■ Turkish Airlines is the sponsor of both the football and basketball champions’ league in Europe. How has this cooperation with sport functioned to date?

- Turkish Airlines has endorsed sport all over the world for many years. We firmly believe in its ability to unite people from different nations and cultures on the playing field.

At the beginning of 2010, Euroleague Basketball and Turkish Airlines set up a revolutionary joint venture for Turkish Airlines contributes to 10 years. In 2017 the Turkish Airlines the export of Serbian products EuroLeague Final Four will be held in Istanbul. I know that Istanbul brings to 117 countries and 292 luck to Serbian basketball teams, destinations worldwide. because Partizan won the Euroleague Turkish Cargo operates to two championship when it was held in Isdestinations in the Balkan tanbul. This time I hope that Red Star will play in the EuroLeague Final Four region, both of which and win the championship. are in Serbia The partnership with UEFA’s EURO 2016 was a great opportunity to celwith 334 Turkish Airlines aircraft and its ebrate the very best of European football network, consisting of 117 countries and with fans from all over the world. Turk292 destinations. These numbers include ish Airlines is proud to be able to fly fans 59 freighter destinations operated by 11 around the world to support their favourfreighter aircraft. ite teams and players. Football has the On 4th April 2014 Turkish Cargo power to unite people from all different nationalities and EURO 2016 was the ideal launched its first regular freighter flight tournament to celebrate this. from Belgrade, and on 17th October 2016 Through its sponsorship of various freighter flight from Niš. sporting competitions, Turkish Airlines We listen to market demands and find aims to connect cultures by bridging solutions for the increasing needs of the teams, cities and people from all around market, as we wish to be a stable partner to the world. ■ the markets where we operate. The launch DECEMBER

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SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM

08 SOJUNG JUN IN BELGRADE

NOV

One of the world’s best contemporary violinists, Korean Sojung Jun, performed with her “Orion” string trio at Jovan Kolundžija’s “Guarnerius” Centre of Fine Arts.

The string Trio comprises violinist Sojung Jun (Republic of Korea), violist Veit Hertenstein (Germany) and cellist Benjamin Gregor-Smith (United Kingdom), who are holders of the world’s top awards and have enviable solo careers and numerous solo performances worldwide.

The “Orion” string trio performs regularly in Switzerland, Germany and the UK, while major tours have seen the trio perform at major concert halls throughout Korea, such as the Isang Yun Birthplace in Tongyong and Yongsan in Seoul.

This Belgrade concert was organised by the Embassy of Korea in Belgrade and “Guarnerius”.

The Hellenic Business Association of Serbia, the Nordic Business Alliance and the Slovenian Business Club co-organised a ‘Speed Business Meeting’ at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel, which also sponsored the event.

With the aim of promoting networking between foreign and local business leaders, 14 individual eight-minute one-to-one meetings were organised, with lots drawn in advance to determine the interlocutors. This Speed Business Meeting included the participation of 35 companies from different business sectors, which had the opportunity to connect with one another and expand their base of contacts, with the objective of developing their operations and acquiring potential partners.

Following the completion of the formal meetings, a networking cocktail reception was organised for all participants, during which companies held informal meetings, explored opportunities to further pursue business connections and exchanged more information with other participants.

Mrs KICHANG, PARK KICHANG, Minister-Counsellor Chargé d'Affaires, Ms KICHANG and members of the “Orion” string trio

10 NESTLÉ CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF CREATING

NOV

SHARED VALUES

To mark its 150th anniversary of doing business, Nestlé Adriatic organised its first ever panel debate in Serbia on the topic of creating shared value. Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage group, with daily sales exceeding a billion products in every corner of the globe. It also has the world food industry’s largest R&D network, with around 5,000 people involved in research and development. Investments in research and development surpassed 1.67 billion CHF in the last year alone.

“As the leading nutrition, health and wellness company, our vision is to enhance lives with science-based nutrition and health solutions for all stages of life, helping consumers care for themselves and their families,” said Yana Mikhailova, Director of Nestlé Adriatic Region.

Panellists also included Renata Matusinović, Business Executive Director of the Culinary Category at Nestlé Adriatic, Marjana Davidović, Commercial Director of Nestlé Adriatic, and Nebojša Jovanović, Factory Manager at Nestlé food and confectionary products in Surčin.

Panel debate on creating common values, marking the 150th anniversary of Nestlé's existence

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ORGAN DONATION FILM PREMIERES AT FREE ZONE FESTIVAL

The Hemofarm Foundation’s documentary film “The most important call in life” had its premiere screening at the Slobodna Zona (Free Zone) film festival. From the premiere at the Hall of the Belgrade Culture Centre could be heard the testimonies of eight people who are on the organ transplant waiting list.

The film’s author and director, Danica Vučenić and Mateja Rackova, enable the powerful testimonies of people who are waiting for transplants, with the aim of prompting amendments to the law, but also changing public awareness in Serbia to accept organ donation as a voluntary act of solidarity for every one of us.

The film “The most important call in life” was created under the auspices of the eponymous campaign of the Hemofarm Foundation and the Serbian Ministry of Health.

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FRENCH WEEK OPENS WITH BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU

The French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce organised French Week in Belgrade for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s event, devoted to the theme “Creativity and Innovation”, ran from 17th to 24th November.

The aim of French Week is to promote the historical, cultural and business links between France and Serbia, while the period selected to stage the event is linked to the popular French custom of welcoming young French wine, Beaujolais nouveau. French Week opened with the festive welcoming of Beaujolais, which included over 300 guests, among them diplomats, directors of French and Serbian companies, renowned business leaders and public figures.

Guests were welcomed on behalf of the Embassy of France by Jean Pierre Gastaud, head of the Embassy’s Economic Section, while attendees were also addressed by Dragoljub Damljanović, President of the French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, who announced the details of the French Week programme.

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TRADITIONAL MARTINOVANJE CELEBRATION IN BELGRADE

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This year, as every year, the Slovenian Business Club (SBC) organised its celebration in Belgrade marking “Martinovanje”, the Feast of St. Martin, at Velika Skadarlija Restaurant. This traditional Slovenian holiday is dedicated to young wine and is the most popular of all winerelated holidays in Slovenia.

Numerous guests attended Martinovanje in Belgrade, which included a cultural and entertainment programme and a rich gastronomic offer.

Among those in attendance were Bled Mayor Janez Fajfar, Slovenian Ambassador to Serbia Vladimir Gašparič, representatives of the tourist organisations of Serbia and Slovenia, as well as Slovenian Business Club members and business JANEZ FAJFAR, Bled Mayor (Left), DANIJELA FIŠAKOV, President of the Slovenian Business partners.

Club, and H.E. VLADIMIR GAŠPARIČ

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SANJA IVANIĆ, Director of the FrenchSerbian Chamber of Commerce, and JEAN PIERRE GASTAUD, Head of the Economic Section of the Embassy of France

U.S. AMBASSADOR UNVEILS HALYARD MISSION HISTORICAL MARKERS IN PRANJANI

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Kyle Scott unveiled seven historical markers in Pranjani, Gornji Milanovac, to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Halyard Mission, which took place in 1944 and was the largest rescue operation of downed American and Allied airmen in history. More than 500 U.S. airmen were rescued, cared for, and protected by the people of Pranjani and the Gornji Milanovac area.

Brigadier General Robert Huston, Mobilisation Assistant to the Vice Commander, Third Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, represented the U.S. Air Force at this event. He was accompanied by the United States Air Force Jazz Band, which prepared a two-hour music programme.

Ambassador Scott laid a wreath at the Galovića Field Memorial, while wreaths were also laid by the President of the Halyard Mission Foundation, John Cappello, a delegation of the Serbian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, a delegation of the British Embassy and Gornji Milanovac Mayor Dejan Kovačević.

H.E. KYLE SCOTT with residents of Pranjani and Gornji Milanovac

LESSONS FROM THE KOREAN EDUCATION SYSTEM

To support the Serbian Government in its continuing education reform efforts, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted a seminar to discuss lessons from the Korean education system and its reform. The seminar presented speakers from leading educational think-tank KEDI (Korea Education Development Institute).

Speakers from the Serbian Government and academia were invited as panelists to present the Serbian experience of education reform and development.

The seminar was chaired and moderated

by Zoran Avramović Ph.D., Director of Serbia’s Institute for the Improvement of Education (IIE).

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22 AMCHAM BUSINESS BREAKFAST

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At the Business Breakfast hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), US Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Kyle Scott spoke about the U.S. voting system, election results and their impact on Washington’s policy towards Serbia and the region; about the importance of cooperation between the two countries, as well as U.S. Embassy support to further improving the business environment in Serbia. The conversation with the Ambassador was led, on behalf of AmCham, by Zoran Petrović, Chairman of the Board of AmCham and CEO of Raiffeisen Bank; AmCham First Vice President Jelena Pavlović, CEO of Philip Morris International Services, and Second Vice President Vladan Živanović, CEO of NCR Serbia.

Ambassador Scott also welcomed the efforts of AmCham and its members on the establishing of a good regulatory framework through constant and open dialogue with the government.

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BELGRADE’S HOSTS REGION’S FIRST DIGITAL ECONOMY CONFERENCE

The region’s first ever conference on the digital economy has been held in Belgrade, under the organisation of the Centre for Technological Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ICT HUB) and the Association of Italian business leaders in Serbia “Confindustria Serbia”.

The conference gathered together representatives of more than 100 Italian and Serbian companies. Apart from numerous experts from the IT business sector, the event was also attended by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia: Nemanja Stevanović, investment and economic advisor to the Prime Minister of Serbia, and Tatjana Matić, State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, who both spoke about what the government can do to develop the digital society as a whole. The conference’s special guest speaker was former Apple COO Marco Landi, who gave a lecture on how start-ups are transforming the traditional economy.

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GTC CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF DOING BUSINESS IN SERBIA

PEĐA PETRONIJEVIĆ, SINIŠA MALI, THOMAS KURCMAN

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ZORAN PETROVIĆ, H.E. KYLE SCOTT and VERA DIMIĆ-NIKOLIĆ, AmCham Executive Director

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Globe Trade Centre S.A. (GTC), one of the leading commercial real estate companies in Central, Eastern and Southern Europe, celebrated its 15th anniversary of successful operations in Serbia at Belgrade City Hall. Belgrade Mayor Siniša Mali was the first to congratulate GTC’s representatives on their success.

GTC has built more than 80,000 square meters of Class A Office space in Belgrade’s central business district, hosting largest domestic and international companies. Four complexes have so far been opened in Belgrade – GTC House, GTC Square, 19th Avenue and FortyOne. GTC is ready to launch another new project in Belgrade – Ada Mall, which will be located in Radnička Street and is set to span an area of 34,000 square metres. The opening of this modern shopping centre is planned for autumn 2018.

ERIK KOSUTA, President of Confindustria Serbia

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ORDER OF LITERATURE AND THE ARTS AWARDED

H.E. Christine Moro, French Ambassador to Serbia, has presented medals with the rank of knight for contributions to literature, art and culture to prominent film industry professionals Boban Jevtić, playwright, screenwriter, theatre critic and director of Film Centre Serbia, and Igor Stanković, director of the Auteur Film Festival and distribution company MCF MegaCom Film, and founder of the KIDS FEST. The awards were presented at a formal reception organised to mark this occasion at the French Ambassadorial Residence.

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CONCERT OF AUSTRIAN TRIO “3:0”

Under the organisation of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade and CEBEF, Belgrade City Hall hosted a concert by Austrian trio “3:0” from Salsburg, comprising Eva Steinschaden, Detlef Mielke and Alexander Vavtar.

Alongside H.E. Austrian Ambassador Johannes Eigner and Austrian Cultural Forum Director Johannes Irschik, the concert was also attended by members of the embassy staff, representatives of the diplomatic corps and the Austrian community in Serbia, JOHANNES IRSCHIK (LEFT) AND as well as many other fans of classical music. JOHANNES EIGNER

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“NINAMEDIA” CELEBRATES 15TH BIRTHDAY

Company “Ninamedia”, one of the leaders in monitoring and distributing media content in Serbia and the region, celebrated 15 years of successful operations at Ada Ciganlija’s “Jezero” restaurant.

The celebration was organised thematically, in the mark of initial beginnings, thus the whole concept of the celebration was symbolically followed by the socalled “floppy disk”, which was ever-present during the beginnings of the internet, media and communication technologies.

“From the first day, we knew that we wanted to become a company that creates new and original solutions and that’s why we happily approach every problem that we face,” said Ninamedia Director Dragan Radić.

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BELHOSPICE CHARITY BALL “MAGIC IS IN YOUR HANDS”

The 7th consecutive BELhospice Charity Ball, entitled “Magic is in your hands”, succeeded in raising €117,000 for the provision of free of charge palliative care to cancer patients in advanced stages of the illness, as well as for building the first inpatient hospice in Serbia. The event gathered together more than 350 representatives of the diplomatic BELHOSPICE CHARITY BALL 2016 corps, corporate leaders and celebrities, who gave their contribution by participating in live and silent auctions.

“We have come a good way this past year, and we are in a solid run-up to building our shared dream, which is to open the first inpatient hospice in Serbia,” said H.E. Leo D’aes, Belgium Ambassador to Serbia and President of the Honorary Patrons Committee.

“The next important step that we need to take is to refurbish the existing building and open the Day Care centre, which is planned for the spring of 2017,” said Ivana Todorović, H.E. LEO D'AES, Belgium Ambassador to Serbia and President of the Honorary Patrons Committee head of the BELhospice fundraising team.

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GOLIN PARTNERS WITH RUSKIN & HUNT TO LAUNCH GOLIN BELGRADE

A successful launch party for Golin Belgrade was held at club Play to mark the merging of Ruskin & Hunt, one of Serbia’s leading PR agencies, with Interpublic Group agency Golin. The new company, Golin Belgrade, will bring truly integrated services to the market of Southeast European – offering PR, digital, content and advertising expertise to clients.

The event gathered together more than 500 people, including state and government representatives, partners, clients, friends and media representatives.

THE NEW FORCE OF GOLIN BELGRADE

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INTERVIEW

B y M A JA V U K A D I N OV I Ć

Promoting

DIVERSITY ENRIQUE CAMACHO GARCIA DIRECTOR OF THE CERVANTES INSTITUTE IN BELGRADE

This has been a productive year for the Cervantes Institute in Belgrade.

Many cultural events were organised during 2016 to mark the 400th anniversary of Cervantes’ death

T

he end of the year is also busy. During December recent activities, as well as announcing plans for 2017 with and January, the Cervantes Institute will – for great enthusiasm. the first time - feature the best of contemporary Camacho Garcia reminds us of Spanish language courses, Argentine cinema under the auspices of the procultural activities and the institute’s library as the main pilgramme “Contemporary Argentine” lars of the work of the Cervantes Institute. Like other foreign “Integration in cultural life in Belgrade is main mission of culture centres, the Cervantes Institute also organises lancultural programmes”, says Cervantes Institute Director Caguage courses. However, it is probably less known that, apart macho Garcia. from Spanish, those who are interested can also learn the The Cervantes Institute is the official Spanish Language Basque language, as well as Galician and Catalan - all official and Cultural centre, founded by the Government of Spain in languages in Spain. The Belgrade office also organises exams 1991. Its mission is to promote the teaching of the Spanish for Diplomas in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE), an language and Spain’s co-official lanofficial, internationally recognised cerguages throughout the world, in additificate that certifies the knowledge of In 2004, Belgrade Spanish of non-Hispanic speakers. tion to fostering knowledge of the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries.

In 2015, Spain’s Congress of Parliabecame one of 87 cities in In 2004, Belgrade became one of 87 mentarians passed an act of parliament 44 countries on five conti- according to which Spanish citizenship cities in 44 countries over five continents where the nents where the Cervantes Institute is can be granted to Sephardi Jews of Spanpresent. Here Enrique Camacho Garcia, ish origin that can prove their origins Cervantes Institute who has been the director in Belgrade and demonstrate special links to Spain. is present since 2014, talks to CorD about many Among other requirements, applicants 46 |

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must pass two tests that are designed, administered and granted by the Cervantes Institute on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. Command of the Spanish language is proved by obtaining a DELE at level A2 or higher. Furthermore, starting in 2016, the Cervantes Institute promotes the SIELE certificate of proficiency in Spanish, aimed at young people and adults who speak Spanish as a second or foreign language. This is particularly useful for students who intend to continue their studies within the Erasmus programme.

In 2017, the Cervantes Institute will mark the jubilee of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Jose Zorrilla, author of the play “Don Juan Tenorio”. Some planned events include a presentation of films dedicated to the myth of Don Juan and conferences about this literary hero.

Another activity that will mark the calendar of the Cervantes Institute in 2017 is a promotion of sport. As the institute’s director explains, “News agency EFE has already organised an exhibition in Spain to present Spanish athletes worldwide. This will be combined with an exhibition of Serbian athletes who are famous in Spain. We always try to connect Spain and Serbia.”

Camacho Garcia, who has already served as director of the Cervantes Institute in New York, Paris and Toulouse, is enjoying his time in Serbia and has found many similarities

COOPERATION WITH ACADEMIA Our interlocutor views the development of Hispanic culture in Serbia as significant. As such, the Institute has solid cooperation with the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Philology and Arts (FILUM). In addition, a teacher development programme is also available. Within cooperation with primary and secondary schools throughout Serbia, Camacho Garcia mentions two recent calls. The national competition in shooting short films on smart devices brought together talented high school students, while younger pupils engaged in a national competition in the creation of comics.

The Cervantes Institute cooperates closely with many embassies in our country as it strives to promote the culture of the Hispanic world. Cooperation with local cultural institutions, leading festivals and manifestations is equally important.

“Integration into the cultural life of Belgrade is the main mission of cultural programmes”, he adds. Partnership depends on projects. For instance, on the occasion of the 160th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, company Telekom Srbija presented a unique multimedia event on the façade of the Cer“Integration into the between the Spanish and Serbian vantes Institute in Belgrade - “Tesla’s time cultural life of Belgrade machine”. Camacho Garcia, a physics gradupeoples. “They have the same menate and ardent admirer of Tesla’s work, is tality, a Mediterranean one. I feel is the main mission of particularly proud of this event. at home in Belgrade,” he insists, cultural programmes” The Cervantes Institute is also a proud adding that he is impressed by the member of the EUNIC network. “We try to street culture and people who sotransfer European and universal values through our procialise in cafés, just like in his homeland. grammes. We promote multilingualism, but we also respect “When I had just arrived in Belgrade, the Cervantes Indiversity.” stitute participated in the “Magnificent Seven” documentary Speaking about diversity, one of main programmes in film festival. I was so delighted and surprised to see the hall of 2017 will present the integration of the Roma community the Sava Centre – full, for documentaries! One of my favourite into Spanish society. There will be lectures and conferences, pastimes is watching documentaries, and I can say that I have but also concerts presenting interrelations between flamenco never witnessed as much interest in these films as I saw in music and music created by the Roma people in Spain. The fuBelgrade.” sion between flamenco and Serbian music will be especially Belgrade has so much to offer, adds Camacho Garcia. He interesting for the audience. likes to watch performances at the National Theatre, but also enjoys various Savamala events. “I even went to Manu Chao’s ONE JUBILEE AND MANY EVENTS concert at EXIT in 2015 and it was great.”

Camacho Garcia concludes by insisting that people in SerCamacho Garcia also notes that migration will be important topic for the year ahead. A photo exhibition will be orbia value culture and that he is constantly reminded about the ganised to highlight this topic. similarities between the Spanish and Serbian people. ■ DECEMBER

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FACES & PLACES

SEE MORE: WWW.CORDMAGAZINE.COM 31.10.2016

Turkish National Day Celebrated

MRS BOZAY, Minister RASIM LJAJIĆ and H.E. Ambassador BOZAY

Turkish Ambassador in Belgrade, H.E. Mehmed Kemal Bozay, hosted a reception on the occasion of the National Day of Turkey – this year marking the 93rd anniversary of the founding of the modern, independent Turkey under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

The reception also saw the announcing of the establishment of the Turkish-Serbian Business Association, of which Ambassador Bozay will be an honourary member due to, as it was noted, his extraordinary efforts aimed at improving economic relations between the two countries.

The reception also saw the Trkish ambassador read a message of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who remained that this holiday marks the day when it was made clear that sovereignty belongs to the Turkish people.

The reception was attended by representatives of the Serbian government, the diplomatic corps, religious communities and cultural and public life.

H.E. AMBASSADOR MEHMED KEMAL BOZAY 07.11.2016

04.11.2016

Italian Armed Forces Day Commemorated This year’s celebration of the Day of the Armed Forces of Italy in Belgrade began with a commemoration ceremony for the 1,063 Italian soldiers who lost their lives in Serbia in WW1 and are buried at the military cemetery.

H.E. Ambassador Giuseppe Manzo and Defence Attaché of the Republic of Italy, Colonel Paolo Sfarra, together with Serbian officials and representatives of the diplomatic corps of allied countries, laid wreaths on the great altar. A photo exhibition was then held in the Alley of Heroes at Kalemegdan Fortress, organised by the Italian Embassy and the Italian Institute of Culture.

The theme of the exhibition, which was opened by Ambassador Manzo, was the involvement and contribution of the Italian Navy and the Italian Financial Police in operations to provide assistance and rescue migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.

Algerian National Day Marked H.E. Algerian Ambassador Abdelhamid Chebchoub and representatives of Algeria in Serbia celebrated the 62nd anniversary of the start of the War of Independence that led to the country’s liberation from colonial rule. To mark this occasion, Ambassador Chebchoub hosted a reception at Belgrade’s Crowne Plaza hotel.

Algeria celebrates Revolution Day to commemorate 1st November 1954, when the Algerian people began its multi-year struggle for independence from France, which it gained eight years later.

The reception was attended by numerous representatives of political, religious and public life in Serbia, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

H.E. ABDELHAMID CHEBCHOUB and Serbian Foreign Minister IVICA DAČIĆ (centre), with members of the diplomatic corps

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11.11.2016

Wreaths laid at the French military cemetery to mark Armistice Day

H.E. CHRISTINE MORO

Wreaths were laid at the French military cemetery in Belgrade on 11th November, WWI Armistice Day, by H.E. French Ambassador Christine Moro, H.E. German Ambassador Axel Dittmann, Belgrade City Manager Goran Vesić, and representatives of the Serbian Defence Ministry and the diplomatic corps, including EU Delegation Head, H.E. Michael Davenport, and H.E. U.S. Ambassador Kyle Scott.

“Marking 11th November in Belgrade is also a reminder of the Franco-Serbian friendship that was forged during the First World War. This brotherhood-in-arms does not belong to the past, rather it is also part of today,” said Ambassador Moro.

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN lays a wreath

11.11.2016

Armistice Day commemorated at the Commonwealth cemetery WWI Armistice Day - 11th November - was marked with the highest state and military honours. Speaking at the commemoration, held at the cemetery of Commonwealth soldiers, H.E. British Ambassador Denis Keefe said “marking the Great War, particularly here in Belgrade, has special significance. We do this together with all the countries that participated in this terrible conflict. We remember the millions who fell and who suffered during that war, with the hope that it never happen again. And we do this at a time when terrible conflicts are actually happening in some parts of the world.”

Accompanied by pipers of the Irish Royal Guards and musicians from the “Stanislav Binički” Art Ensemble, wreaths were laid at the monument to fallen soldiers of the Commonwealth by Ambassador Keefe, General Draganić, on behalf of the Serbian Defence Ministry and the Army of Serbia, representatives of the City of Belgrade, diplomats, members of veterans’ associations and descendants of those who fought in the wars from 1912 to 1918.

H.E. DENIS KEEFE 14.11.2016

National Day of Angola

H.E. JOSÉ JOÃO MANUEL, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Serbia

On the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of Angolan independence, H.E. José João Manuel, Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to Serbia, hosted a reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel.

The event was attended by government officials, as well as members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of political, cultural and public life.

Addressing guests, Ambassador José João Manuel highlighted that the spirit of solidarity and cooperation has always characterised relations between Angola and Serbia.

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FACES & PLACES 15.11.2016

Polish independence celebrated

H.E. TOMASZ NIEGODZISZ and Polish Embassy staff

H.E. DAGMAR REPČEKOVÁ, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, and H.E. TOMASZ NIEGODZISZ

The Embassy of Poland in Belgrade, led by newly accredited Ambassador H.E. Tomasz Niegodzisz, hosted a reception on the occasion of Poland’s National Independence Day on 11th November, marking the restoration of Polish statehood in 1918.

Prior to World War II, Poland’s National Independence Day was celebrated only twice, in 1937 and 1938, while the holiday was not commemorated during the communist era until it was again made an official holiday in 1989.

The reception was attended by representatives of the Government of Serbia, members of the diplomatic corps and the Polish community in Serbia, as well as business leaders, public figures and representatives of religious communities.

18.11.2016

Ambassador Feeney - Best Woman in Diplomacy in The 21st Century Australian Ambassador Julia Feeney has been recognised as the best woman in the 21st century (Najžena XXI veka) for her strong commitment and contribution to the empowerment of women in Serbia, Montenegro and FYR Macedonia, with a special focus on economic empowerment. The “Najžena XXI veka” Award was received on behalf of Ambassador Feeney by Glenn Morrison, First Secretary and Consul at the Australian Embassy, during an award ceremony event organised on 18th November by agency Airli nivo. Ambassador Feeney expressed her deep appreciation for being recognised and presented with this award. She said that it is not only a great honour for her personally, but for her entire team at the embassy, all of whom are committed to working hard to make a positive difference.

23.11.2016

Belgium Day at The CCIS

22.11.2016

Lebanese National Day The Embassy of Lebanon in Belgrade has celebrated the 73rd anniversary of Lebanese independence, with H.E. Lebanese Ambassador to Serbia Dr Toufic S. Jaber organising a formal reception at Belgrade’s Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Speaking on this occasion, Ambassador Jaber stressed that this holiday has been celebrated in his country in a positive atmosphere this year, following the elections of a new president and prime minister, and that these events provide new hope and herald the start of a new era in the rich history of Lebanon, a country that has experienced great ordeals throughout its history.

The reception was attended by numerous guests from the diplomatic corps, as well as representatives of the business community, the media and many LEBANESE FASHION SHOW others.

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“Day of Belgium” is organised in cooperation Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia, the Embassy of Belgium and the Belgian-Serbian Business Association. The concept of the event is divided into two parts. The first part of the conference, under the heading “How to do business on the Belgian market”, provided an all-encompassing picture of the Belgian market, highlighting examples of good practice and positive experiences of Belgian companies operating on the Serbian market. The second part of the gathering, “Open doors for cooperation”, provided the opportunity for individual conversations, with the Economic and Commercial Attaché of the Commercial Section of the Embassy of Belgium in Belgrade, Marijana Milošević Tufegdžić, Director of the Representative Office of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Brussels, Zdravko Ilić, and President of the Belgian-Serbian Business Association (BSBA), Hugo van Veghel, discussing the possibilities of cooperation with Belgian companies and the activities of companies on the Belgian market.

The event was followed by a cocktail reception organised at the Belgian Ambassadorial Residence in Belgrade.

HUGO VAN VEGHEL (left), MARIJANA MILOŠEVIĆ TUFEGDŽIĆ, H.E. Belgian Ambassador LEO D’AES, CCIS officials ALEKSANDAR PERIĆ, DANIJELA ČABRKAPA, and ZDRAVKO ILIĆ

Corporate Social Responsibility 2016 Take Responsibility For The Benefit of Society!

INTERVIEW

With Better Companies To a Better Community Relations towards social values – environmental protection, energy efficiency, fostering relations with employees and partners, and respect for the needs of local communities – are becoming an integral part of companies’ operations, and that is increasingly recognised by companies that operate in Serbia, regardless of their size.

The CCIS strongly supports this initiative

DUŠAN STOKIĆ,

HEAD OF THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF SERBIA (CCIS)

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arge companies, and increasingly medium-sized and smaller ones, are aware that without a well-developed corporate social responsibility segment they cannot be successful and safeguard their long-term future on the market. The Serbian Chamber of Commerce & Industry encourages and rewards the business sector’s efforts to build responsible relationships, both within organisations and with their partners and suppliers, but also in relation to the community.

• In which way does the CCIS encourage companies to adopt responsible business practices in the period between the awarding of two prizes for CSR? - The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia has for years contributed to promoting the basic principles of corporate social responsibility and I would say that it is one of the leaders in promoting these ideas in both Serbia and the region as a whole. Alongside the National Award for Corporate Social Responsibility, the CCIS also provides a significant contribution to promoting fundamental principles of international standards for social responsibility ISO 26000, such as: fair labour practices, environmental protection, ethical business practic-

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es, human rights, consumer protection issues and responsible corporate governance. The chamber is also very active in promoting the 10 principles of the Global Compact of the United Nations, both through the provision of expertise and technical support to the work of the Network in Serbia, as well as through direct involvement in working groups. The CCIS participates, institutionally and through the engagement of its own resources, in creating a climate for doing business that is harmonised with the principles of social responsibility, but also in direct campaigns, education and support to other organisations.

• How ready are foreign companies operating in Serbia to adjust their global CSR strategies to local needs and conditions?

- International companies that have established operations in Serbia, alongside developing their own business, also transfer principles, standards and corporate rules from the headquarters of their parent countries. Guided by the principle “be a good neighbour”, many companies understand the importance of good communication with the local community. Companies which, for example, have more energy intensive production and potentially a greater impact on the environment, pay special attention to the issue of the health and safety of their

workers and the environment. It is for these reasons that they try to adjust their CSR strategies to the demands, needs and circumstances of the local community in which they operate, but in no way by abandoning their predefined strategic priorities and postulates of social responsibility. Most other companies behave similarly, because good communication and cooperation with the local community is recognised as a prerequisite for gaining trust and an opportunity to meet the needs and expectations of the people who live there. There are certainly exceptions, those who do not do that and are closed and non-transparent, but that must be changed through the joint actions of relevant institutions that control the implementation of the law and all the rest of us who have to talk and act even more in accordance with the principles of social responsibility.

• How much do domestic companies recognise CSR as part of the strengthening of their brands and investing long term in building the trust of consumers?

- Modern domestic companies, which plan their operations on a longterm basis, are aware that without taking care of people – both within their organisation and in the local environment – and without consistent fulfillment of health, safety and environmental protection requirements, and without constant communication with all key stakeholders, they cannot be successful, competitive or have a good image on today’s market.

The trust of consumers is acquired gradually and lost overnight.

Today it is not enough to sell a quality product that is competitively priced. You need to convince consumers that you care about them and their neighbours, to understand the problems of the common

man, not to dump waste water in the river, and that you consider your consumer even after selling your products. That’s why there is ever more talk today about after-sale services, high quality service and maintenance networks, “green” products, 24-hour availability for consumers, an ethical approach to marketing activities – in short, an honest relationship with the consumer. That’s why adjusting to these new requirements is essential for a company’s sustainable business, image and value.

• To what extent do companies that have adopted CSR principles recognise that cultivating relationships with employees, suppliers and business partners also represents part of that?

- There are many examples of companies that have lost their market position, made significant financial losses and jeopardised their image without directly being at fault, but because of lightly handling cooperation with suppliers and partners who subsequently broke the law or did not abide by corporate standards. Today, small and medium-sized enterprises that want to become part of the value chains of large compa-

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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nies must accept and apply strict procedures, rules and standards in the same way as is done in the company that has engaged them as a partner.

Today’s successful companies know that without employee satisfaction there are no successful operations. A pleasant working environment, availability of resources for work, opportunities for advancement and taking care of employees are often more important than financial incentives when it comes to increasing the motivation of an employee and their sense of belonging and being important to the organisation where they work. And a happy, healthy and motivated worker is the most productive worker, for the enterprise and for themselves and their family.

• Are companies more willing to replicate the successful practices of others or experiment with new CSR approaches?

- The United Nations New 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development includes 17 new sustainable development goals with the aim of eradicating hunger, fighting inequality and injustice, and fighting against climate change. According to the new EU Directive, large organisations that are The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia has for years of public interest and have more than 500 employees will be obliged to make contributed to promoting the basic principles of corporate social public, through the publishing of reresponsibility and I would say that it is one of the leaders in ports, non-financial information relatpromoting these ideas in both Serbia and the region as a whole ed to environmental issues, social issues, issues related to employees, reand ensure their social inclusion in the local community. Around 20 per spect for human rights and the fight against corruption and bribery. cent of social responsibility projects that were evaluated through the Moreover, the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), for example, this year published a new standard “Management system to CCIS award addressed issues of people with disabilities, children, Rocombat bribery and corruption” – ISO 37001, which has already attractma and the unemployed. These are projects that directly assist specifed the attention of many companies, civil society organisations and the ic vulnerable target groups in society, and companies demonstrate ungeneral public. These are all new models, principles and aspects that derstanding for this important social phenomenon. At the Chamber of companies will have to pay attention to in their operations, regardless Commerce & Industry of Serbia we have also recognised the importance of addressing this issue, and so, in cooperation with German orof whether they are ready to accept them or not, because otherwise ganisation GIZ, we launched the project “National Platform for the inthey will encounter competition that has overtaken them. clusion of informal waste collectors”, which has the goal of making poor categories of the population and the Roma population “economical• How ready are companies to take on a broader social role in satisly visible” in the solid waste management system, and for them to gain fying the needs of marginalised groups? equal status in terms of social, health and other rights that belong as - According to our experiences, there is a substantial level of awareness among companies about the need to take care of marginalised groups much to them as to all other members of society. ■

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CORPORATE VOJVODJANSKA BANKA

Socially Responsible, Always & Everywhere Corporate social responsibility, as an integral part of the business strategy of Vojvodjanska banka, gains in importance on a daily basis and inevitably occupies an important place in the company's operations

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ith their corporate social responsibility policies, companies define the values and areas in which they want to offer their contribution to improving living conditions and resolving problems of the community in which they operate. Vojvodjanska banka's firm commitment to be a useful member of the community is a permanent task for employees at the bank. Endeavouring to be a leader of responsible operations, it is the driver of a series of activities and “responsible” projects.

Affairs, alongside a general donor role of Vojvodjanska banka and with the support of the Serbian Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The “Budi svoj” project helps young people without parental care to prepare for the period after they leave the social protection system, through support in the form of education, employment and self-employment.

“Vojvodjanska banka determined several years ago that young people without parental care would be in the focus of our corporate social responsibility operations and that it would make all of its resources available to them, as one of the most delicate social groups in Serbia, in order to provide them with support for starting an independent life,” says Zorica Dzida, Director of the Corporate Social Responsibility Department at Vojvodjanska banka.

This support for young people without parental care has so far resulted in a series of professional interships placements being carried out, two young people without parental care gaining employment, a gift of summer holidays in Montenegro’s Igalo and many other activities.

RESPONSIBLE IN CULTURE Vojvodjanska banka and the Matica Srpska Gallery have implemented professional cooperation that envisages the treatment of the collection of artworks owned by Vojvodjanska banka, by the expert team of the Gallery, while funds amounting to 5,200,000 dinars, which were made available through this agreement, have been directed

by Matica Srpska to cover the reconstruction of the gallery’s entrance.

SUPPORT FOR DEAF AND Supporting culture is a logical consequence HEARING-IMPAIRED PEOPLE of the fact that Vojvodjanska banka is in possession of more than 600 works of fine art, mostVojvodjanska banka is the first company in ly painted by local artists during the second half Serbia whose employees have passed the volunof the twentieth century. Through the realisation of the exhibition entitled “Responsible in culThe “Budi svoj” project helps young people without parental ture”, which officially opened at the Matica Srpscare to prepare for the period after they leave the social ka Gallery on 21st October, part of this collection protection system, through support in the form of education, was made available for the first time to art lovers, employment and self-employment who are able to enjoy this exhibition of 40 selected works owned by the Bank.

Works of Milan Konjovic, Bosko Petrovic, Nikola Graovac, Milan Kecic and tary programme for learning Serbian sign language, in order for them to be able to other artists will also be exhibited in the future, because this public-private communicate with deaf and hearing-impaired people in their daily work. The bank decided to make such a move in order to faciliate communiaction and the integrapartnership will continue and develop with the aim of preserving and promottion of deaf and hearing-impaired people in social flows, so that in the future they ing heritage and making these works available to the general public. will be able to perform basic banking transactions independently.

BUDI SVOJ Employees at Vojvodjanska banka have shown great enthusiasm during Budi Svoj is a project for the social inclusion of young people without parentraining, which additionally improved the team spirit in the company and has to tal care that the foundation Uključi se (Get Involved) is conducting in a strategic date resulted in 17 branches in 12 cities across Serbia adapting their communication to cater for deaf and hearing-impaired people. ■ partnership with the Serbian Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social

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INTERVIEW

We’re Here To Inspire Companies There are numerous ways in which companies can contribute to society. For many of them it is not as necessary to allocate major funds as it is to have initiative and a clear will to get things done in the right way. The vision of the Forum for Responsible Business is a society in which business contributes significantly to addressing social challenges NEVEN MARINOVIĆ,

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS AND DIRECTOR OF SMART KOLEKTIV

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he CSR concept is increasingly closer to the business community, and what is most important is that stable partnerships have been built to work on further development, says Neven Marinovic, Executive Director for responsible operations and director of Smart Kolektiv, which has for years been committed to introducing the values of CSR to the domestic economic system.

tal protection. When it comes to specific local communities, the largest number of companies supports education, social inclusion and environmental protection, whilst also getting involved in humanitarian actions. It is interesting that year-on-year greater importance is gained by issues such as the development of entrepreneurship and human rights.

• For years you have been conducting the Questionnaire on the CSR Forum for Responsible Business. To what extent does the publishing of its results serve as inspiration for companies that might not have previously considered being active in this field?

- Through the publishing of this kind of data, we strive to bring the business sector, but also the public, closer to everything that is implied with CSR. In this regard, we believe that these statistics are also intended to inspire, and to contribute to many companies becoming aware that some of the activities that they already implement may be included in corporate social responsibility activities, and that they only they need to devote themselves to such activities in a compre-

• What do your statistics show when it comes to the determination of companies to invest money in corporate social responsibility?

- The data shows that corporate social responsibility is increasingly integrated into everyday business activities, and that it is becoming part of the strategic orientation of an ever-increasing number of companies. Companies, depending on their current priorities, opt to a lesser or greater extent to improve all areas of corporate social responInvestments in 2015 were mostly focused on the local community, sibility – support and development of 52%, then on improving the work environment beyond legal local communities, improving conditions in the working environment and obligations, 33%, and, finally, on environmental protection, 15% on the market, as well as environmen-

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When it comes to investments in 2015, they were mostly focused hensive and structured manner. Through the results we see that there on the local community, 52%, then on improving the work environment are many ways in which companies can contribute to society, and that beyond legal obligations, 33%, and, finally, on environmental protecfor many of them it is not as necessary to allocate major funds as it tion, 15%. Total investments in environmental protection vary the is to have initiative and a clear will to get things done in the right way.

This is particularly important for small companies, which can certainly practice Our companies implement a number of programmes directed this concept.

towards young people, and this resulted in 123 young people gaining employment last year following practical placements

• What do your results show when it comes to key areas in which CSR is most prevalent? Does it boil down to corporate philanthropy, investment in cultural work within companies themselves, incentives for volunteering or something else?

- Corporate philanthropy is perhaps the most visible form of corporate social responsibility for the public, and it is certainly important, but none of these areas can be considered in isolation when it comes to corporate responsibility. It is very important for a company to operate harmoniously and to “live” the values for which it stands, be that through the introduction of procedures, the fostering of a business culture or investments that are required for the direct improvement of some of these areas.

most from year to year, because this usually relates to investment cycles that are realised over the course of several years and are aimed at improving energy efficiency, manufacturing processes and so on.

When it comes to support that was focused on the local community, there are a few encouraging things - investments are increasingly strategic, focusing on topics that emerge as the most important topics in society – unemployment, poverty etc. There are ever more longterm projects in which work is undertaken on systemic improvements in certain areas, and the key to that is cooperation with civil society organisations and state institutions.

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• What is the role of the Forum for Responsible Business when it comes to encouraging CSR? - The vision of the Forum for Responsible Business is a society in which businesses contribute significantly to solving social challenges and where responsible operations are embedded in the work of every company, from the smallest to the largest. In accordance with that, we are here to inspire, but also to support and challenge companies to join us on this road. The Forum brings together companies which believe that with better business we can also have a better society. We are proud that, compared to the situation at the beginning of our work, we can see certain progress - the CSR concept is increasingly closer to the business community, individual practices and activities have become stable and, most importantly, stable partnerships have been built to work on further development.

• There are many new introductions in this area, so companies also receive legal obligations, or are required to introduce certain standards in order to be able to operate. To what extent are these trends introduced to the daily functioning of companies in our society?

- Most of the data collected via questionnaires relates to activities that are beyond legal obligations. Trends in this area are usually first introduced by large-leading companies, but they then quite quickly expand to the others, throughout supply chains, cooperation with foreign companies etc. Important guidelines for our market come from

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European regulations. Although they are not binding for our country, the directions that are imposed very quickly develop into an informal standard that is adopted by the market leaders. For example, reporting on the non-financial aspects of operations became mandatory for all large companies with headquarters in the EU following the adoption of the directive on non-financial reporting in October 2014. Although this form of reporting is not yet mandatory in Serbia, many of our companies already issue reports on sustainability in which they inform the public about the impact their operations have on society, the environment, etc., thereby confirming their commitment to transparent and sustainable operations.

• To what extent do companies direct their activities towards responding to the greatest needs of society, such as improving the position of young people?

- This is an issue that is very important for economic development and business must and should have a major role in stimulating employability. Indeed, we are witnessing high rates of youth unemployment, on the one hand, and inadequate skills and experience of these young people in the process of seeking jobs, on the other hand. And that is not only the case in our country, but rather also in Europe. It is for this reason that the European Commission, in cooperation with companies, launched the initiative of the Youth Pact, which aims to improve the employability of young people in order for young people to have a better chance of gaining employment and for companies to gain the opportunity to acquire high quality employees. As the national partner of the CSR Europe network, the Forum for Responsible Business joined this initiative. Our companies implement a number of programmes directed towards young people, and this resulted in 123 young people gaining employment last year following practical placements. ■

CORPORATE ŽELJKA ĆIRIĆ JAKOVLJEVIĆ, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Eurobank

CSR Goes Far Beyond Donations And Sponsorships Since its establishment in Serbia in 2003, Eurobank has constantly combined a strategy of dynamic and successful growth with contributions to the community, which it implements through numerous activities and events

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urobank is the first company from the financial sector in Serbia to have been awarded by the National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED) with a certificate for corporate social responsibility, which represents confirmation of international standards in the implementation of CSR activities.

• In your opinion, which criteria were crucial to you obtaining a NALED certificate?

- For us, this award represents confirmation that Eurobank operates in accordance with the highest standards of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in five certified areas: corporate governance, the market, local communities, the environment and working environments. The certification of companies that operate according to principles of responsibility is very important in Serbia today, because it allows the measurement of the actual contributions of enterprises to the local community for the first time. The CSR certificate represents a guarantee for customers and business partners that the company operates fully in accordance with the law, national and international standards, and principles of social responsibility.

who are disadvantaged gaining the status of equal members of society. The aim of this project is to use association through socially useful initiatives for employees to make the world better, strengthening community spirit and empathy.

• How much do these and other similar humanitarian endeavours encourage similar activities at the global level in Serbia?

- The media have always been extremely important for communication regarding the activities of our bank. Back in 2006, when we defined our CSR strategy, the media were not sufficiently interested in reporting on and supporting all the activities that we undertook at that time, because CSR was then still a novelty on the market in Serbia.

However, times change and the media today really support and monitor our efforts, and I hope it will remain that way.

Integrated communications are definitely still necessary, in order for campaigns to be visible and for the message being communicated through the campaign to be able to cover all the target groups, and that will not change anytime soon.

• How much have Eurobank’s CSR activities • Eurobank has so far invested more than €3.5 developed within the company and how do million in various CSR programmes and donations. Which campaigns and projects had the employees respond to CSR projects? biggest social impact?

- All stakeholders in society – the state, busi- In March 2006, when Eurobank positioned itness organisations/companies, local commuself among the leading banks on the Serbian nities, citizens and non-governmental organimarket, a comprehensive corporate social resations – have some responsibility towards sosponsibility programme was established, enciety. Corporate social responsibility primarily titled “We invest in European values”. Over €4 realises the needs of all directly and indirectly million has so far been invested in this programme, and it has been spent on the continuIntegrated communications are definitely still necessary, in order for ous support of pillars: education, environment, campaigns to be visible and for the message being communicated equality, culture and health.

This year we are particularly proud of the through the campaign to be able to cover all the target groups project for contributing to the social community “Eurobank – Year of good deeds”, which is deactive stakeholders in companies/banks (shareholders, employees, clients, comsigned with the aim of actively engaging employees in a year-long series of CSR acpetitors, influential groups, local communities) and implies placing all aspects of tivities to help marginalised groups and promote humanity and charity. In this way, a company’s activities (economic, environmental and social) in the function of the Eurobank sends a message to the community that good work does not necessarily require huge material investments, but rather that each individual can allocate a litcommon good. For this reason, CSR is a much broader concept than occasional dotle of their time and resources to those who need it most, which will result in those nations and sponsorships. ■

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CORPORATE HEINEKEN

Promoting Moderate And Responsible Enjoyment of Beer

HEINEKEN is the world’s most international brewer, with brands available in more than 170 countries around the world, and sustainability is one of its core business priorities

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EINEKEN’s “Brewing a Better World” approach is designed to create genuine economic opportunities for both our business and our stakeholders.

The sustainability strategy “Brewing a Better World” emerged in 2010 and includes the company's most important projects in the field of corporate social responsibility, with a focus on specific goals when it comes to six key areas: protecting sources of drinking water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, sustainable procurement, promoting health and safety at work, cooperation with the local community and promoting responsible consumption of alcohol.

As one of the world's leading brewers, HEINEKEN actively conducts activities aimed at promoting moderate and responsible enjoyment of beer, as well as raising public awareness about the consequences of inappropriate consumption of alcohol. Through each activity and each business move, HEINEKEN strives to draw the attention of consumers and the general public to the

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importance of responsible consumption of alcohol and the harmful effects of its abuse. That is why all of HEINEKEN’s communication activities promote responsible consumption, while setting highest standards of ethical conduct and corporate responsibility.

In accordance with this, the campaign “Guys, who drives home?” is an excellent platform for the company to move closer to its customers and highlight the importance of responsible consumption in a simple and appropriate way. The campaign organised for the fourth consecutive year by HEINEKEN Serbia, in cooperation with GSP (Public Transport Company), the Road Traffic Safety Agency and the “Srbijatransport” Association of Road Traffic, aims to raise awareness of the importance of responsible drinking and responsible behaviour.

The campaign was first implemented during the Belgrade Beer Fest, one of the largest beer festivals in this part of Europe, and enabled the safe transporting of all visitors to four key points in Belgrade. During this year's Belgrade Beer Fest, activities were extended beyond Belgrade and several thousand people from

Kragujevac, Niš and Novi Sad had the opportunity to utilise free and secure transport to the Belgrade Beer Fest and back to their home cities. For HEINEKEN safety comes first and, as in previous years, not a single incident occurred.

Company HEINEKEN Serbia also created a special smart phone app that enabled visitors to access all the necessary information to easily navigate and use free bus transport, as well as other important information, such as emergency contact details and the festival’s music programme. More than a million visits to applications, web pages and social networks show the interest of citizens and the need for such a campaign.

This year also included the implementing of the campaign during the EXIT Festival in Novi Sad, one of the world's most renowned music festivals, as well as during the Lovefest in Vrnjačka Banja. Free bus and taxi transportation to and from the EXIT Festival was at the disposal of festivalgoers. Free trips along the Belgrade-Novi Sad and Novi Sad-Belgrade route were organised during the festival. The activities were managed by the Road Traffic Safety Agency, the EXIT Foundation and company HEINEKEN Serbia, with the aim of all participants understanding the key message that there is no excuse for inappropriate behaviour in traffic. The campaign was supported by the Serbian Interior Ministry, with the intention of promoting responsible behaviour in traffic.

The fact that more than 150,000 visitors were transported during all four years testifies to the great success of the campaign.

Thousands of flyers for the campaign “Guys, who drives home?” were given to visitors, in order to inform them about the possibilities of accessing free organised transport and returning home safely.

This year HEINEKEN Serbia also organised the Safe Zone at all three festivals, in cooperation with the Road Traffic Safety Agency. Visitors to the Safe Zone had the opportunity to participate in interesting educational activities related to the

responsible consumption of alcohol. Festivalgoers took part in fun activities, such as trying goggles that simulate vision under the influence of alcohol, trying temporary tatoos with messages about responsible behavior, quizzes and much more.

The campaign “Guys, who drives home?” is growing every year and HEINEKEN Serbia is trying to develop it in accordance with the feedback received from consumers, the general public and other stakeholders.

The campaign has been awarded several times. The company received an award from the Belgrade Cultural Network as the best CSR campaign at the Belgrade Beer Fest, while it also received two awards from UEPS (The Association for Market Communication of Serbia) for its socially responsible campaign and socially responsible campaign in the profit sector. It was also awarded twice by international auto magazine “Auto Bild” for the best CSR campaign and was included in a publication of the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad as an example of best practice in public relations. ■

About HEINEKEN Serbia HEINEKEN Serbia represents the brewer in Serbia, which actively operates from two breweries, one in Zaječar and the other in Novi Sad. While the brewery in Zaječar is proud of its long tradition and brewing expertise dating back to 1895, the brewery in Novi Sad is one of the region’s most technologically advanced and modern breweries. The company’s core business is production, distribution and sales of beer. The brand portfolio comprises the following brands: Heineken, Amstel Premium Pilsener, Kapuziner Weissbier, Krušovice Imperial, Newcastle Brown Ale, Sol, Strongbow, Zaječarsko, Zaječarsko Crno, Laško Zlatorog, PilsPlus and Master Beer.

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CORPORATE NELT

Distribution With Care Nelt has published its first Sustainability Report - „Distribution with care“in accordance with the internationally recognised GRI methodology. The Report uses measurable indicators to show important aspects of business and objectives that Nelt achieved over the last two years, acting responsibly towards market, employees, environment, and local community

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n the context of ever increasing demands for transparency, more reporting means a continued dialogue with stakeholders, and the intensive reporting on sustainability and corporate social responmethodology we used is the one that enables transparency in busisibility has become an unavoidable practice and one of the most ness and allow us to compare our results with those of other comeffective methods of communication. panies in this industry, both globally and locally.” Nelt's CEO Boris “With an organic, stable growth of business, we have done a lot Mačak said, regarding the company’s first report done according to the GRI methodology. ■ in the field of sustainability itself. We have introduced systemic improvement of knowledge and skills of our employees through hundred Nelt, founded in Belgrade in 1992, is the leading regional distribution hours of training, we have increased and logistics company. It is a part of the Nelt Group, an organisational efficiency through new technolosystem headquartered in Serbia, with more than 3,800 employees at gies, we are using natural resources more rationally, and we continue 12 companies in 7 countries - Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, to help local communities through Macedonia , Angola, Zambia and Mozambique our years-long CSR strategy. To us,

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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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INTERVIEW

CSR – Carlsberg’s Basic Business Strategy The corporate social responsibility of all companies that operate within the framework of the Carlsberg Group is defined by the policies of the company that are incorporated into every internal and external activity JOVANA MLADENOVIĆ,

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CARLSBERG SRBIJA AND MANAGER OF THE CARLSBERG AND DUNĐERSKI FOUNDATION

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he Danish business management system has long been recognised around the world for its effectiveness, and the Carlsberg Group, which emerged nearly 170 years ago, with its experience, development strategy and care about preserving social values, including CSR, represents a model that is admired by many.

• What are the most important criteria which form the basis of decisions on the planning and implementation of Carlsberg Srbija’s corporate social responsibility projects?

- When it comes to investments in facilities for environmental protection and energy efficiency, the criteria are defined at the corporate level and I am pleased to say that Carlsberg Srbija is one of the companies that was among the first in the Group to implement some major investments, such as the Waste Water System plant and CO2 stations. Various projects in the field of sustainable development are continuously ongoing at the brewery

• Carlsberg is known around the world as a company that attaches great importance to CSR activities. To what extent does Carlsberg Serbia follow the corporate activities of the Carlsberg Group, considering the differences between Serbian and Danish business habits?

We cannot say that CSR at the company is dealt with by one team, - The Carlsberg Group, and thus also but rather every employee is obliged, within the framework of their Carlsberg Srbija, does not view social responsibility as a single segment of operresponsibilities, to respect corporate guidelines ations within which the company helps the local community with the support of in Čelarevo, because there is always room for the improvement and develCSR projects; for us, social responsibility is the way we define and impleopment of systems for the more efficient use of resources. ment our internal processes, communicate and collaborate with all stakeOn the other side, the company realises the majority of its investments holders, how we relate to our employees, the environment and, of course, the way in which we help the community in which we operate. Therefore, we in support of the local community through the Carlsberg and Dunđerski Foundation. The scope of the foundation encompasses five fields of action, cannot say that CSR at the company is dealt with by one team, but rather which are: preservation of the cultural heritage of Vojvodina, sustainable every employee is obliged, within the framework of their responsibilities, development, investment in science and education, responsible consumpto respect corporate guidelines.

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tion of alcohol and raising awareness of current social issues in society. The number of projects we receive annually is large, but we are mainly focused on support for our home region, Čelarevo and Bačka Palanka.

• A large number of your CSR projects are connected to local government, the environment and the region in which you do business. How do the company’s employees consider such activities, given that CSR is a relatively new phenomenon in the Serbian business environment?

- CSR activities have been part of Carlsberg’s operations since the company entered the Serbian market, although they have developed and expanded over the years. Carlsberg is the guardian of Dunđerski Park in Čelarevo and in 2007 we organised the first landscaping of the park, when all employees participated in the campaign and personally contributed to the beautification of this cultural good. Since then, although a decade has passed, our employees continue to participate every autumn in similar voluntary campaigns with equal enthusiasm. Awareness of social responsibility within the company is very high. It is part of our culture that we have built, and of which we are proud.

water in the brewery. Additionally, with great effort, the company was able to register one of the by-products of this plant as a high quality land fertiliser, under the name Super Compost, which is now used successfully in agriculture.

At the end of 2014, a new CO2 station was put into operation at the Carlsberg Serbia brewery, becoming, after Denmark and Finland, the third facility of this type in the Carlsberg system. The facility is characterised by its high energy efficiency (unlike conventional CO2 stations, this facility consumes no water or heating energy, while electricity consumption is reduced to a minimum).

Some projects are of a larger scale and some are smaller, but it is important that we are constantly advancing and that we are working to reduce energy consumption.

• Some of the most important CSR content that Carlsberg considers actually relates to employees, their health, safety, human rights etc. How does that function at Carlsberg Serbia?

- Good work and motivation starts from very basic fundamentals – a healthy and safe working environment. Everything that follows is an upgrading of that.

The safety of our employees is above all other priorities of the company and in On the one hand, we are constantly searching for the perfect that there is no compromise. Thus, in adpilsner, while on the other we strive to make the society in which we dition to binding laws, we also follow our live better and more beautiful internal guidelines that deal with this issue in more detail. Apart from that, we strive to provide employees the most comfortable possible, and above all • Your two foundations, Dunđerski and Carlsberg, base their work on the human and business values of a Dane and a Serb. How much are today’s healthy, working conditions, and we often also organise additional checks, day-to-day operations of Carlsberg harmonised with the business menas well as activities aimed at raising awareness about the diseases of modtality and ethics of their successors? ern times.

- The company values of Carlsberg, which our founder defined back in the nineteenth century, are that, on the one hand, we are constantly searching • Carlsberg comes from a country that is the world champion in the use for the perfect pilsner, while on the other we strive to make the society in of renewable energy sources, while CSR priorities also include the preswhich we live better and more beautiful. Translated to present times, this ervation of the environment, alongside efficient operations, reduced enmeans that, on the one hand, we constantly improve the quality of our prodergy consumption etc. How possible it it to pursue such high goals in the business environment in Serbia? ucts, which must be inviolable, while on the other side we invest in the wel- It is true that the standards of the corporation relating to energy efficiency fare of the community from which we take our resources.

And while the Carlsberg Foundation invests in the development of sciand environmental protection are higher than the existing legislation in Serence and education in Denmark, our Dunđerski Foundation operates in Serbia and we, as part of the Group, are obliged to respect these standards. The bia and very successfully supports students and young scientists. If you Corporation recognises our needs, so it constantly invests in new projects. deeply believe in the intention that you have set for yourself, it is timeless I already mentioned the Waste Water System, an investment worth five million euros that permanently resolved the issue problem of waste and without limits. ■

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CORPORATE MARIJA BOŠKOVIĆ, DIRECTOR OF THE TELEKOM SRBIJA PR DEPARTMENT

Telekom Srbija Topping The List of CSR Companies Telekom Srbija has a tradition of social responsibility dating back two decades that is one of the corporate principles of our company. What represents a problem in communication, as confirmed by research, is that the concept of corporate social responsibility is known to only a narrow circle of people, primarily from the business community

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ractice shows that challenges lead to success, while innovation in combination with a clear message leads to the desired results. Just as you share the joys of your private life with your friends, so you share with your colleagues the joys of business success,” says Marija Bošković, Director of the PR Department at Telekom Srbija, speaking to CorD. • Telekom Srbija is currently the most profitable company in Serbia.

What does it mean to the company to be socially responsible, and how are these types of operations rated both within and outside the company?

- The effects of corporate social responsibility should be understood and felt by all citizens. Everyone should know about what it is that you’re doing and the kind of benefits they gain from that. Lately, the media have also taken on an important role in promoting CSR, which is of paramount importance...

Corporate social responsibility is when you invest in the reconstruc-

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tion of hospitals, schools, health centres, when you give children interactive whiteboards or donate books to libraries. We do all those things. On the other side of that work are the projects that we implement, and which aim to have a positive impact on people’s awareness. The projects “Park your phone, when you drive!”, “Choose how to communicate”, “Tesla’s Time Machine”, “City Talking”, as well as activities aimed at promoting the figure and work of Mihajlo Pupin, are recognised as good examples of CSR. • How much does this segment of operations impact on the image of your company?

- The latest research shows that Telekom Srbija is at the top of the lists of socially responsible companies. This gives us particular significance, because the competition is tough. Companies operating on our market are really active in this field, and everyone is trying to give their own contribution to the community and society in which they operate, and primarily live. CSR certainly impacts on the image of a company.

Of course, let's be clear from the start, it is not crucial when it comes to how your users see you, but it is important.

• You say that the participation of employees from various organisational units contributes to creating a broader picture and achieving better results...

- Just like in every company, at Telekom Srbija there are clearly divided organisational units and everyone knows his/her job. However, without

clip for the campaign “Park your phone, when you drive!” to be includteamwork there is no individual victory. In the PR Department, we come up with many ideas on our own, but we also get many ideas from colleagues ed in an exhibition showing various forms of prevention. A few days in the technical and IT departments, Marketing, HR etc. It is important ago “Tesla’s Time Machine” was declared among the five best preto understand one another, after that success is at your fingertips... You sented projects in the field of science and education in the Europeknow, the employees of Telekom Srbija really love their company and that an PR Excellence awards. For the employees of Telekom Srbija this is is a huge benefit. When you do something good in such conditions, then a great success and I would like to express many thanks to everyone people feel proud and that drives creative energy... Practice shows that who contributed to the implementation of this project, from young challenges lead to success, while innovation in combination with a clear message leads to the desired results. Just as you share the We strive to be leaders in every area of operations, taking into joys of your private life with your friends, so account the strength of our competitors. However, the final you share with your colleagues the joys of judgement belongs to the users business success...

• Your company’s campaigns have even been recognised beyond the borders of our country...

- The projects “Park your phone, when you drive!” and “Tesla’s Time Machine” both drew attention beyond the borders of our country. It is implied that here you give your best to present the work of your company in the best possible way and of course you expect positive critiques. However, when praise comes from those from whom you do not expect it, you are at first caught off guard, and only after that does joy follow. This is further confirmation that you are on the right track. This happened to us in 2014, when we received an offer from the Museum of Science and Technology in Paris for our video

artist Dušan Jovović, to scientist Aleksandar Protić and our PR agency Red Communication...

• You respect the competition and say that you are led by the idea that only healthy and high quality competition can lead to good results for customers...

- We certainly respect the competition. We strive to be leaders in every area of operations, taking into account the strength of our competitors. However, the final judgement belongs to the users. Everything that I have told you in the name of Telekom Srbija obliges us to be even better and to push back the boundaries. We are working on that every day! ■

Corporate Social Responsibility www.cordmagazine.com CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

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CORPORATE APATINSKA BREWERY

260 Years of Successful Business Apatinska Brewery (Apatinska pivara) is a leading producer of beer in Serbia and one of the country’s most important exporters, with a brewing tradition dating back more than two and a half centuries. Founded in the town of Apatin in 1756 as the “Carska pivara” (Imperial Brewery), it is today a member of Molson Coors, one of the world’s largest brewing companies. Apatinska Brewery celebrates 260 years of operations this year and this occasion was marked by the opening of a wastewater treatment plant in Apatin

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his investment, worth more than €11 million, also encompasses importance of responsible consumption of alcohol and the risks of drivsupporting infrastructure for the needs of the municipal treating under the influence of alcohol. ment facility and will contribute to resolving the issue of wasteWith the campaign “You Recycle Too”, which has been implemented since 2008, Apatinska Brewery strives to raise public awareness about the imporwater from the brewery over the long term. Apatinska Brewery, as tance of recycling through interesting and educational activities. Moreover, a socially responsible company, is extremely dedicated to preserving the through cooperation with the Association “Cap for handicapped”, it endeavenvironment. It has now achieved great success in this regard by reaching ours to motivate employees, and as many other people of good will as posthe point at which it is able to return completely clean water to nature after it has been used in production processes, while simultaneously receivsible, to collect plastic bottle caps. Money collected from their recycling is ing and using a renewable source of energy - biogas, with which the brewused for purchasing orthopedic devices for people with disabilities in Serbia. ery’s dependence on natural gas has been reduced by as much as seven per cent.

One of the most outstanding campaigns, “When I drink, I don’t drive”, The brewery has always been an Apwhich Apatinska Brewery has been implementing for nine years with atin landmark and an inseparable part the support of the Serbian Interior Ministry and the Traffic Police of the community in which it operates.

In the period from 1996 to the present, Administration, raises awareness among drivers and other road users the brewery has invested more than €10 about the importance of responsible consumption of alcohol and the million in various projects in the Municrisks of driving under the influence of alcohol ipality of Apatin, while the brewery also continuously conducts campaigns Apatinska Brewery is not only committed to social responsibility as a aimed at drawing public attention to key issues related to the environcompany, but rather every brand also devotes great attention to the commument, responsible consumption of alcohol and the local community. nity in which it operates. One of the projects that the Brewery is particularly One of the most outstanding campaigns, “When I drink, I don’t drive”, proud of is "Champions every day" through which Jelen brand will be providwhich Apatinska Brewery has been implementing for nine years with the ing active support to the Paralympic Committee of Serbia during the entire support of the Serbian Interior Ministry and the Traffic Police AdminisOlympic cycle, until the next Games in Tokyo. ■ tration, raises awareness among drivers and other road users about the

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CORPORATE HENKEL SERBIA

LEED Gold Certificate Award For Sustainability Leadership Henkel’s factory in Kruševac was this year awarded with the international “LEED Gold” certificate for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, once again becoming the first production site in Serbia to gain this certificate

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to receive the ISO 50.001 certificate for energy efficiency in May s a world leader in brands and technologies, Henkel 2012. This year also saw Henkel’s factory in Kruševac awarded has operated for 140 years in three business units with the international “LEED Gold” Certificate for Leadership - Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhein Energy and Environmental Design, once again becoming the sive Technologies. Founded in 1876 in Düsseldorf, first production facility in Serbia to receive this certificate. where its headquarters are still located today, Henkel operLEED represents confirmation of internationally acceptates in more than 125 countries.

One of the countries where Henkel operates is Serbia, ed benchmarks for the design, construction and operation of which has an excellent geographic location and highly profeshigh performance green buildings. Its rating and certification system is the industry’s gold standard for environmentally sustainsional staff. Henkel Serbia’s administrative headquarters are in Belgrade, while its production plants are located in Kruševac and Inđija. able construction and is highly recognised industry-wide by architects, engiHenkel arrived in Serbia in 2002, with the privatisation of company neers, developers and other construction professionals. LEED Certification confirms reductions made in energy and water usage, reductions of mainteMerima, which was considered one of the most successful detergent pronance and operation costs, as well as reductions in generating construction ducers in Serbia. waste during the building process. Furthermore, LEED recommendations enHenkel Serbia’s production plant in Kruševac now includes powder detergent production, liquid detergent production and Bref production, with a daily hance indoor air quality and recycled material usage, whilst also increasing production capacity of 1.2 million toilet fresheners, as well as a regional wareemployees’ performance, satisfaction and retention. house. Henkel also has two Ceresit production sites in Inđija for the production of powWith a strong commitment to successfully balancing economic, der building adhesives and liquid plasters, ecological and social goals, Henkel is one of the world’s leading which were opened as the company’s first companies in sustainable development greenfield investment in Serbia. Henkel Serbia today exports products and brands from all of these plants to 32 markets in Europe and worldwide, supplying more than Henkel Serbia implemented these green building recommendations in response to the most important challenges of our time - global climate 55 million consumers. change, dependence on non-sustainable and expensive sources of energy, Over the past 14 years, Henkel has implemented numerous projects and threats to human health. By thinking ahead and planning thoroughly, the aimed at modernising production by improving production processes and new Bref factory in Kruševac was designed and built in accordance with stratimplementing the latest technologies for sustainable development, investing around €160 million. With a strong commitment to successfully balancegies aimed at reducing energy and water usage, promoting better indoor air ing economic, ecological and social goals, Henkel is one of the world’s leading quality and improving quality of life. companies when it comes to sustainable development.

Constructed and operating according to the world’s best practices in sustainability, the Bref production facility was awarded the LEED Gold Following its Sustainability Strategy, Henkel Serbia does business in a susCertificate, which confirms Henkel’s strategic approach to sustainable tainable way and is achieving excellent results in reducing water and electriciperformance in Serbia, as well as providing a good example for other comty consumption, as well as waste generation. The company’s full dedication and efforts resulted in Henkel’s factory in Kruševac being the first factory in Serbia panies to follow. ■

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CORPORATE UNICEF

Children’s Rights and Business Principles in the Serbian CSR Practice The business sector inevitably has a big direct and indirect influence on children – as members of their employees’ families, the local community, future employees, consumers and business leaders. Hence, consciously or unconsciously, companies have great power to contribute to the welfare and respect, or violation of children’s rights

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ack in 2012, organisations UNICEF, Save the Children and UN Global Compact developed Children’s Rights and Business Principles to observe the comprehensive influence of the business sector on children and give more attention to the correlation between business and children’s rights. Each of the offered ten principles suggests activities that companies can undertake in order to ensure full respect of child rights and propose ways how the business sector can realise children's rights in the workplace, marketplace and community.

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Serbia is an established business practice, the business impact on the range of children's rights has not been investigated until the end of 2015, when UNICEF conducted a research with large Serbian companies with a developed and recognised CSR practice, aimed at mapping good CSR practices focused on children. “The future of every country depends on the abilities and talent of

its citizens. Investing in children and young people is crucial for every community and economy, especially for Serbia which only has 17.6% of children under the age of 18. That is why every child is precious and it is of the utmost importance to invest in them from their birth. Protection of children’s rights helps develop strong, well-educated communities which are vital for a stable and productive business environment,” – stated Michel SaintLot, UNICEF Representative in Serbia. The results of the research showed that the business sector highly values activities focused on children, they are aware that children are the future of the Serbian society, and that supporting them best promotes values advocated by individual companies. At the same time there is room for improvement. Notably, the business sector should systematise their individual activities and develop a comprehensive and integrated approach to children’s rights by adopting strategic documents and business policies which support and regulate this area. ■

CSR in Serbia Aimed at Children: Good Practice Examples Telenor: In addition to having adopted a strategy, policies and statutes in which the rights of children are represented, Telenor developed manuals for specific CSR segments and established a team dealing with human rights, which monitors the legal framework and aligns business operations (Principle 1: respect children’s rights and commit to supporting the human rights of children) Metalac: Every new-born baby of Metalac employees receives a cash donation as a part of the programme “We grow together for the future”,

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which aims to contribute to the efforts of the community in the fight against population decline (Principle 3: provide decent work for young workers and parents) Nordeus: While developing the application Top Eleven Football Manager, Nordeus has ensured that there are no signs of aggression, violence or use of offensive words in the application, which provides children with positive and stimulating learning models (Principle 5: ensure that products and services are safe)

EPS: The company’s CSR strategy is primarily focused on children and includes various types of activities that help children (improvement of the conditions for children in different communities, educational campaigns, support to the employees who need assistance related to their children, provision of financial support to the institutions that provide health and education (Principle 10: reinforce community and government efforts to protect and fulfil children’s rights)

PORTRAIT

B y R A D M I L A S TA N KO V I Ć

The Man Who Changed

INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL BORISLAV STANKOVIĆ FIBA SECRETARY GENERAL EMERITUS

The Olympic Games in Rio were, among other things, a testament to the incredible impact that Bora Stanković has left on basketball, as he and the former commissioner of the NBA, David Stern, unified the game a quarter of a century ago. In his autobiography ‘The Game of My Life’, he talks candidly about himself, great men, women and events DECEMBER

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former President of FIBA, Bob Elphinston, and the NBA Commissioner Emeritus, David Stern, have said about me.

At my retirement farewell banquet, organised by FIBA in 2002, Jacques Rogge said that “the Olympic movement wouldn’t have been what it is today were it not for people like Stanković”. On the occasion of my induction to the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2007, Bob Elphinston said: “Basketball and FIBA have had three men in their history who are most responsible for basketball as we know it: James Naismith, who invented it, William Jones, the first Secretary General of FIBA, and his successor, Borislav Stanković.” While I was writing this book I was very touched when I received the foreword from my friend David Stern, who wrote this among other things: “No one has contributed to the globalisation of basketball more than my friend Bora Stanković”. Of course, I’m very pleased to be brought into the two greatest halls of fame. I was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991, when we celebrated two centuries since the birth of basketball, and in the FIBA Hall of Fame when it was founded in Unifiers of the basketball world, BORA and DAVID STERN, London 2012 2007.”

Stanković, now 91, is were very hostile. They said: why He believes that his greatest not as active as he used do this in the first place when the contribution to basketball and to be, but he occasionally rest of the world is never going to sport in general, is the abolition attends important events be as good as the States? However, of Olympic amateurism rules and in FIBA. In his book ‘The Bora’s philosophy that only by playing against the best can you one day opening the Olympic movement to Game of My Life’, he took the opportunity to give a achieve the best proved to be right. all athletes throughout the world personal account of his life So we had 54 former and current and work (until now this NBA players competing in the 2016 has been done by others) and of many important moments Rio Olympics. If we count the players who have decided to that have become part of basketball and sports history. He continue their careers in Europe or in South America, we get believes that his greatest contribution to basketball and 61 in total. This best illustrates how the world of basketball sport in general, is the abolition of Olympic amateurism has changed”, said Stern in Geneva. rules and opening the Olympic movement to all athletes The former NBA Commissioner wrote the foreword to throughout the world: Stanković’s autobiography ‘The Game of My Life’, which “There were these athletes who were nominally profeswas published by the Serbian Basketball Association earlier this year. In the same book Stanković says that he considers sionals (firefighters, police officers, students), who were getStern’s words one of the greatest acknowledgements in his ting big scholarships ‒ not to study but to be top athletes. On career: the other hand, we had proper amateurs. The competitions “I’ve received great recognitions all over the world, were unfair because real amateurs and these semi-profesfrom America to Senegal to Ivory Coast, but to me perhaps sionals and professionals worked under completely differthe most valuable of all is what the former President of ent conditions. The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona were the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, the definitely a milestone in the history of our sport. After the

ecently in Geneva, on the occasion of his induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame, former NBA Commissioner Emeritus, David Stern, dedicated half of his speech to the FIBA Secretary General Emeritus, Borislav Stanković. Stern, probably the greatest living official in U.S. sports, said that one of the things he was most proud of was that he had helped basketball become ‘a global game’, and that the foundations for this historic project had been laid by Stanković.

“In 1984, when Bora Stanković and I started talking about unifying the NBA with the rest of the world, the U.S. media

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followed a typical William Jones recipe: two men from the Olympics, millions of children all over the world watching all Eastern countries, two men from the West, and one neutral. that basketball talent on the court were inspired to bounce From the East, the two men were Miroslav Kříž, from Czechthe ball on the floor rather than kick it. We saw the direct impact of the Barcelona Olympics on the NBA in the growing oslovakia, and Nikolai Semashko, a Russian. From the West: number of foreign players in our league. In 1992, there were Busnel, from France, and Raimundo Saporta, from Spain.

26 players outside the States, and today there are more than And the neutral one was a Yugoslav – me. Jones was the head 100. Many of them are star calibre.” of the committee. The first three titles were won by Riga’s In his book he tells us how his father Vasilije, a respected ASK, led by the coach Alexander Gomelsky and the first giant lawyer before World War II, was executed in the last days of of European basketball, Jānis Krūmiņš ...” the war (December 1944) as ‘an enemy of the people’.

Speaking about the secrets of successful leadership, “There were a few people who gave me directions, who were Stanković points out that “being a good leader, being acin a sense my mentors. First, it was my father, but the war snatched him away from my arms too soon. My spiritual father William Jones later took over from him in a way.

As for those from Serbia, I’d like to mention Professor Bora Jovanović, Head of the Basketball Department at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Stevan Čolović, the first coach of our national team in a big competition, the 1947 European Championship in Prague. Jovanović was in a way a Serbian version of William Jones: he knew everything about something The moment when he became secretary general of FIBA, 1976 and something about everything, he was an expert cepted by people, making them folToday, as a basketball war rages in basketball and a hedonist between FIBA and Euroleague, few low you ‒ it comes naturally and is like Jones. Čolović, on the impossible to learn”. And he was this people know that the foundations in seven languages ... other hand, was your typiof the tournament they are “The first foreign language I cal teacher, a sort of a big learnt was French, in Novi Sad, with brother whom I got to know fighting for were laid by none other a tutor in my first school years. My during the war in Belgrade than Bora Stanković and a few of his parents sent me to private lessons – and who taught me about associates in FIBA... this was ‘in’ at the time among the sports and life in general in gentry ... The second language was a different way than Jones German, just before the war, while I was at grammar school, and Jovanović did.” and the third one was Italian, which I had to learn to work in Today, as a basketball war rages between FIBA and EuroOransoda Cantù. I picked up Spanish on my travels ‒ I used to league, few people know that the foundations of the tournaspend a lot of time with Raimundo Saporto. I travelled a lot ment they are fighting for were laid by none other than Bora to South America and brushed up my Spanish there. I didn’t Stanković ‒ and a few of his associates in FIBA ... start learning English until late 1970s, when Jones sent me “As a Secretary General of the Basketball Association of to the States to mitigate the situation in American basketYugoslavia, I used to go to the FIBA meetings and to the socalled Standing Conference of European Countries, which ball. The Slavic languages I don’t count because I’ve always was held once a year in the autumn. In one of those, in 1957, thought that any educated Slav should be able to understand it was decided that basketball, following the example of any Slavic language. However, I do count Russian as my sevfootball, should introduce a European championship. The enth language (if I count my mother tongue) ... To Jones, I constitution of the committee tasked with organising the used to speak in French. To Partick Baumann, in Italian and tournament, managing it, selecting referees and all the rest, French, depending on how we started. For a while, Italian DECEMBER

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saw it and played it during WWII, in 1942) and why he has took centre stage while Aldo Vitale worked at FIBA. To Ursudedicated his whole life to it, he explains in detail: la Frank I spoke in German, to Robert Bisnelle in French, to “First, it’s a team sport. Team sports have the benefit David Stern in English, to Juan Antonio and Jacques Rogge, of sociability and camaraderie that individual sports don’t of course, in the Olympic language, French. I spoke Russian have. Then, it’s the entire philosophy of the sport and its rarely: sometimes in the FIBA meetings, when some technitwo main characteristics. The goal is placed horizontally cal stuff that the official translators struggled with needed rather than vertically as in other sports (football, handball, explaining. On those occasions I would attempt to translate water polo, hockey...), which requires a completely different from Russian to French ...” way of achieving that goal. Unlike football, where the goal He influenced basketball by changing the rules of the is often scored by the power of game too, in collaboration the kick or penetration, here with his best friend, Radomir one needs a special placement Šaper: skill, no strength required.

“I learned a lot during my This is why I’ve never been a stay in the USA in the early fan of slam dunks in basketball, 1970s, when I got the ideas which the viewers sadly find so that were later implemented thrilling. Considering that two in our rules. The most importeams of five players play each tant one – the three-point line other in a relatively confined distance. Our rules followed court, basketball was initially the American ones most of conceived as a game with no the time. I insisted on the physical contact. Since it’s imteam foul system, on new time rules (not two twenty-minute possible to avoid it, the rules halves but four eight-minute have reduced the body contact quarters, and later four tento the minimum. It was later minute quarters). We fought incorrectly classified as ‘a nonagainst the domination of tall contact game’, as an antithesis players by introducing the to American football, where three-second rule and changthere is a lot of body contact.

In addition, the goal in basketing the lane. After a threepointer was introduced in the ball is placed very high. The States, an idea emerged that height (3.05m) was dictated the rest of the world should by circumstances, as this was adopt the rule. Some wanted the height of the gallery in the With MICHAEL JORDAN, 1997 the distance to be the same gym in Springfield, where the for the NBA, NCAA and FIBA. inventor of basketball, James “It’s hard for me to say what When we in FIBA adopted the Naismith, hung his first peach I would like to see in the future. three-pointer at 6.25 m, this baskets...”

Basketball is so widespread; it has was the third line. My critStanković emphasises that achieved its goals and reached its he has no regrets regarding basics wanted the distance to be the same as in the NBA, 7.25 targets and it is difficult to identify ketball and that he remembers m. I was fervently against it. a goal today that you would like to with nostalgia some events that I thought that it was too far, at the time may have been sad achieve in the near future. that it would require too high but that are, in retrospect, actuIt was one of the first sports in a jump ... At first, the NCAA ally beautiful: didn’t want a three-point line “It’s hard for me to say what the Olympics at all. They thought that basI would like to see in the future.

Basketball is so widespread; it has achieved its goals and ketball would lose its creativity, combinations, learning the reached its targets and it is difficult to identify a goal today game. Others, however, wanted us to get as close as possithat you would like to achieve in the near future. It was one ble to the NBA, to the spectacle of it, to attract viewers. In of the first sports in the Olympics. The new concept of the the end, as usual, a compromise was found: a little further World Cup has created great possibilities for the realisation from the original line, a little closer than in the NBA. I think of material benefits. It’s hugely popular: the motto that we that with the development of the game the distance will once created, to play basketball in every nook and cranny of become the same as in the NBA.” the world, has been achieved. We have great mutual respect What attracted him to basketball in the first place (he first 74 |

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beaches that I’ve heard about from other people. Of the and exceptional collaboration with television and other meplaces on our planet that I’ve been attracted to but haven’t dia. What is yet to be improved is the strength of national seen, I’d mention Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. I haven’t been federations. It’s a fact that there are 215 federations in FIBA, to that part of East Asia, which was affected by war for so but we can’t say that all national federations are well organmany years. I’ve been to Saudi Arabia twice, in Ryiadh, and ised or that their national tournaments or basketball itself I’ve visited Bahrain and Qatar. In Europe, I’ve been everyare developed as we would like them to be. Even the Cayman Islands are a FIBA member, and basketball there is not a parwhere but to the Republic of Ireland. In South America, there isn’t a country I haven’t been to. In Central America, ticularly organised sport.”

I haven’t been to Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, Jamaica, In the book, he also reveals that he was named after the author Bora Stanković (18761927): “My parents had progressive views. Bora Stanković was a famous realist and my parents loved his work very much. Also, the entire literary movement was flourishing when they were young. In fact, they named me after him.

Today I can say that I’m an optimistic realist. I try to look at the sunny side of things but when I make decisions I add a large doze of realism as I assess the reality of great expectations. My guiding principles have been pretty stable throughout my life. My old belief that a once adopted attitude stays for life now seems wrong to me, especially in retrospect. However, BORA STANKOVIĆ and ALEKSANDAR ĐORĐEVIĆ it has given me self-respect and certainty in life. but I have been to Cuba, “I think that I’m both modern and “I think that I’m both modern Puerto Rico, Guatemala... Afconservative. Not everything that’s rica... I’ve been to all counand conservative. Not everything modern and new brings progress, that’s modern and new brings tries in North Africa. As for progress, nor is everything that’s nor is everything that’s conservative the rest of the continent I’ve conservative and historically true and historically true an obstacle to been to Angola, Senegal, an obstacle to further developIvory Coast, Kenya, Guineafurther development.”

Bissau (where I held a trainment. What bothers me most in a modern man is without a doubt ing course for coaches in the ‘history begins with me’ attitude ... Everything that once the 1980s). I’ve been to Fiji, Hawaii, the Philipines... but I was, is backward, everything that’s new is modern and prohaven’t been to the Seychelles or Indonesia...

“I’ve seen all the big cities in Australia and New Zealand. gressive. I’ve never been an advocate of such beliefs. This is Of all the beautiful things I’ve seen, I particularly rememoften characteristic of the young people of today, who have no respect for the past and don’t care about the experience ber the big blue butterflies that I saw at the Iguazu Falls. and achievements of the past times.

They just kept flying around me ‒ I’ve never seen anything “I’m neither sensitive nor phlegmatic. When I realise that like it before or since. I’ve been to the Vatican, at the recepI’ve been defeated, I accept it as a fact rather than a tragtion by Pope John Paul II as a member of the delegation of the International Association of Athletics Federations, edy. And when my sensitivity takes over, I’m ready for any which was then presided by Primo Nebiolo... I’ve flown sacrifice. Over the past years I’ve had plenty of time for selfthousands of times, crossed the Atlantic at least a dozen searching. What would I change about myself? Only that I times. I once travelled around the world too, as part of FImay have been too sentimental in my life ...”

He has been a true globetrotter too. Rare are the counBA’s visits to some countries that invited us. So I started in Munich, flew to Australia, then to Fiji, Hawaii, Los Angeles, tries he hasn’t visited: Taiwan, and then back to Europe. The city I liked best was “One of my unfulfilled wishes is to visit Bora Bora.

Rio De Janeiro.” ■ Partly because of its name, partly because of its fantastic DECEMBER

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IN MEMORY OF OLEG POPOV

The Sunshine CLOWN

Russians are paying tribute to Oleg Popov, a Soviet-era clown who became a cultural icon. Popov died suddenly of a heart attack on Wednesday, 2nd November, while on tour in Rostov-on-Don in southwest Russia

A

To the sound of loud applause, a small man with a shock of t the age of 86, Oleg Popov was dubbed the world’s straw-coloured hair shuffled into the ring under a black-andoldest performing clown. His circus career started white chequered cap – just as he did for almost seven decades. almost 70 years ago. Popov was one of the most Alone in the spotlight, Popov – who in 1981 won the Golden popular clowns in the Soviet Union during the secClown award, the “Oscar” of the circus world – chanted softly ond half of the 20th century and for the last thirty in Russian, clutching an old umbrella handle sprouting a bunch years of his life he lived in Germany with his second wife, Gabriof multi-coloured balloons. elle Lehmann His black jacket was always too “The Sun Clown”, as he was also short, while his red, blue and blackknown, never failed to enthral young Born Oleg Konstantinovich striped pants stopped at his calves. and old alike with his oddball charPopov into a poor family in a His bow tie, like his nose, was red, acter based on a figure from Russian while his face was lightly made up. folklore – one who appears stupid, small town near Moscow, he Between performances of hoopbut really isn’t. joined the Russian State Circus jumping poodles, flying acrobats “I also love to make people laugh School in Moscow at the age and a trained elephant, Popov enterin private,” the Russian said while of 14, spending 10-hour days on a recent tour, laughter sparkling tained with a trick that sent soup lain his lively blue eyes. dles flying into ice buckets. learning the arts of juggling, “I am very happy. If I could live To the crowd’s delight, he would tightrope walking, trapeze work my life over, I would become a clown then use a bicycle pump to “inflate” and acrobatics all over again.” a fellow clown, who rose up centime76 |

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circus performer after their wedding in 1991, raised horses, tre-by-centimetre from a collapsed pose on the floor. dogs, rabbits and white rats that were used in their shows.

Accompanied by a circus orchestra, Popov and his 55-yearPopov toured each year for six months, offering more than old German wife Gabriela would also juggle and do magic tricks 200 performances, mainly in Germany but also in Belgium, – no vocabulary was required, with the couple communicating Luxembourg and the Netherlands. with their audience in the universal language of laughter.

“For the rest of the time I watch birds flying in the sky,” he said.

“The work of a clown is interesting, because it is art, and art Ringmaster Thierry Dourain said that Popov never let his is like an endless ocean,” said the octogenarian between shows, fame go to his head. “He does not assume any airs, not even taking a break in his circus trailer that was always filled with when (Russian Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin phones him on costumes, balloons and old-fashioned suitcases. his birthday.”

“What Charlie Chaplin was for the movies, Oleg Popov was In the early 1990s, as the Soviet Union collapsed, Popov for the circus,” states a tribute to Popov on the Great Russian began touring for a few years with a unit of the Moscow CirState Circus website, referring to one of the clown’s own idols.

The tribute likens his reprises to “poetry”, saying that he cus in Germany, where he eventually resettled. He went on to “bathes the circus ring in sunshine”, hence the nickname.

Born Oleg Konstantinovich Popov into a poor family in a small town near Moscow, he joined the Russian State Circus School in Moscow at the age of 14, spending 10hour days learning the arts of juggling, tightrope walking, trapeze work and acrobatics.

After a sickly childhood often spent hungry, Popov’s gift for hilarity soon earned him payment in the form of food coupons for performances at Russian collective farms or sports clubs.

At 19, the clown, whose clockmaker father disappeared under the Stalin regime, was given a fulltime job at the government-run Russian State Circus. His big break came in 1954, when he stepped in to replace the head clown, who had His last residence was a farm broken his arm. perform extensively in Germany, in Popov took over as head clown circus shows, on television, or with about 30 kilometres from two years later, the same year he left his own touring show. He married Nuremberg, Germany, where Russian soil for the first time on a Gabriela Lehmann, a German cirhe and Gabriela, who became cus performer 32 years his junior, tour to Western Europe. It was the a circus performer after their first ever foreign tour by a Soviet in 1991. In 2006, Popov was invited circus, arranged by the Kremlin to wedding in 1991, raised horses, to perform at the 30th anniversary of bolster its image abroad. the International Circus Festival of dogs, rabbits and white rats “I was not allowed to leave the Monte-Carlo. Even though he was 75 that were used in their shows circus. We were watched permanentyears of age at the time, he still manly by KGB agents” tasked with preaged to inspire a standing ovation.

Oleg returned to Russia in 2015 for the first time after 28 venting defections, he once recounted in a rare serious moment. years of self-imposed exile in Germany. There he attended the Popov went on to perform all around the world, including First “Master” gala event (the Russian circus equivalent of the France, Australia, the United States, Japan, Israel and Cuba.

Oscars ceremony) at the State Circus of Sochi, where he was His last employer, the Great Russian State Circus, credits greeted with a long standing ovation. The Russian Minister of him with helping “bring about a rapprochement between East Culture, Vladimir Medinsky, read a welcome message from Presand West through the language of the heart”.

His last residence was a farm about 30 kilometres from ident Vladimir Putin, which proved to be a very emotional moNuremberg, Germany, where he and Gabriela, who became a ment for Oleg and for the Russian audience. ■ DECEMBER

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CULTURE CALENDAR

Exhibition ‘El Periquillo Sarniento’ Throughout December – Cervantes Institute This year marks the bicentennial anniversary of the publication of the first Latin American novel “El Periquillo Sarniento”, by Mexican author José Joaquín Fernández de Lizardi (1776-1827).

This significant fact for Mexican literature and the general culture of Mexico and Latin America

since the death of this famous composer (1791), the Great Hall of Kolarac will see the “Makris” New Symphony Orchestra and the “Orfelin” choir from Novi Sad perform Mozart’s magnificent “Requiem” in D minor, with the most famous Süssmayr finale. The soloists of the New Belgrade Opera are Ana-Marija Brkić (Bosnia/ Austria), Dragana Popović (Serbia), Roberto Jachini Virgili (Italy) and Sreten Manojlović (Serbia/Austria), while the conductor is Predrag Gosta (USA/Serbia). The first part of the programme, marking the 260th anniversary of Mozart’s birth (1756), will include the performing of compositions that celebrate the life of this composer: Overture from the opera “Lucio Silla”, the motet “Exsultate, jubilate” and the Overture from the opera “The Marriage of Figaro”.

Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis 5 & 6 –Bitef Art Cafe – 21:00 Under the auspices of the concert series Musicology Barcaffé Sessions, Slobodan Trkulja

inspired the literary-art project “The Mangy Parrot: picaresque novel from Mexico to the world of the arts”, which aims to promote the relationship between art and literature, with an emphasis on different ways of addressing the same themes. The project’s participants are professors and students from the University of Kragujevac’s Faculty of Philology and Arts.

Requiem - Anniversary of W.A. Mozart 5 - Kolarac Foundation - 20:00 On 5th December at 8pm, precisely 225 years

and Balkanopolis will hold two exclusive club concerts on 5th and 6th December, at which you will be able to hear the musical magic and feel the energy carried by these musicians in the intimate, close and warm atmosphere of club Bitefartcafe.

This world-renowned Serbian artist, who

and public funding” 1 - EU Info Centre - 13:00

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10 &14 – Belgrade Philharmonic/Canadian Embassy The International Belgrade Singers (IBS) are proud to announce two Christmas Concerts in Belgrade: on 10th December at 8pm at the Belgrade Philharmonic Hall; and on 14th December at 7pm at the Canadian Embassy.

IBS is a non-profit choir that was formed in February 2012.

Its motto is “give back to the community in which we live”. It performs concerts twice a year to raise funds for local charities. IBS’s members come from the diplomatic and expatriate communities, as well as other Serbian choirs – currently representing 14 countries! Under conductor Katarina Milošević, the IBS Choir specialises in performing an international repertoire, attesting to the international love of choral singing. fascinates the audience with both his performing skills and his extremely powerful voice, is the founder and frontman of Balkanopolis. The music of Balkanopolis, which is composed

by Trkulja, is based on jazz, pop music and traditional Balkan melodies and rhythms. By merging these genres, Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis have created a unique sound that relates to “modern tradition”, which has become a separate musical genre with ever more followers, among both musicians and audiences.

The Choir is very grateful for the continuing support of the Canadian Embassy in Serbia, which not only kindly hosts the choir for rehearsals, but also traditionally provides the venue for the annual Christmas Concert. Special thanks also goes to the EU Info Centre, where the Choir has lately also held rehearsals, and the Belgrade Philharmonic, for hosting this year’s first Christmas concert on 10th December. opening of new chapters. “Hamlet comes to say that injustice has been done, to illuminate, to stir the spirits and, together with those spirits, shake things up. That is why he constantly returns,” says the director.

The Yugoslav Drama Theatre has enabled subtitles in English.

Amira Medunjanin 8 – Sava Centre – 20:00

Hamlet

Debate: “Culture between market

The European Movement in Serbia invites you to attend a debate on models and instruments for funding culture and art in Serbia, which will be held at 1pm on Thursday 1st December at the EU Info Centre, 7 Kralja Milana Street.

The debate, entitled “Culture between market and public funding”, is being organised by the European Movement in Serbia, a culture forum, in cooperation with the EU Info Centre. It aims to encourage dialogue on the ways and means of financing the entire cultural production in Serbia - and the field of limited cultural productions (public institutions, independent scene) and mass culture productions (creative initiatives with economic potential). From different perspectives, the organisers are seeking to highlight models and instruments of financial support for this sector, which is marginalised and

The International Belgrade Singers Christmas Concerts

insufficiently recognised and supported in terms of its educational and social potential.

Planned speakers include: • Đurđijana Jovanović, Serbian Ministry of Culture and Information • Igor Stanković, MegaCom Film • Vesna Marjanović, MP • Gojko Božović, Member of the Forum for Culture • Dajana Đedović, Member of the Forum for Culture Moderator: Milena Stefanović, VicePresident of the Forum for Culture, the European Movement in Serbia

8, 9 – Yugoslav Drama Theatre, JDP – 20:00 The premiere of the latest interpretation of “Hamlet” at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre marks four centuries since the death of William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in theatre history.

The author of this adaptation, Goran Stefanovski, says that “Hamlet” seriously questions war fever, paranoia and the foreign policy situation. Hamlet is a tragedy, but crisis brings resolution. Hamlet is something that is born every few years, which is why he returns and leaves the grave. Hamlet is a process, the

World-renowned Sevdah music singer Amira Medunjanin will perform on 8th December at Belgrade’s Sava Centre, promoting her new album “Damar”, which was released on CD in Serbia in late October by promotion house Long Play.

Amira’s concert to promote “Damar” will be her third encounter with the audience from this prestigious Belgrade stage – having filled the Sava Centre in 2014 and 2015. Two years after the release of her internationally acclaimed album “Silk and Stone”, Medunjanin presents “Damar”, for the creation of which she again reached for the life blood of Bosnian music - Sevdah and other valuable ancestral songs from this land, using new arrangements to give them some new contours and colours. She also included several new, original compositions in her musical palette for the first time.

So this is the strong sex – Women in

Paris, Stuttgart, Milan, Belfast etc.

Programme: Mozart - Andante KV 616 Schuman - Fantazija op.17 Chopin - Three Mazurkas op. 59, Sonata No. 3, op.58

psychoanalysis 9 -27 - Kolarac Foundation This project is being implemented with the wholehearted support and partnership of the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna, the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade, the Psychoanalytic Society in Serbia and the Kolarac Foundation.

The exhibition “So this is the strong sex – Women in Psychoanalysis”, which was first shown at the Sigmund Freud Museum in Vienna, is dedicated to women from the early history of psychoanalysis. Marie Bonaparte, Helene Deutsch, Emma Eckstein, Anna Freud, Lou Andreas-Salomé and Sabina Spielrein all had a major influence on the work of Sigmund Freud and the development of psychoanalysis.

Festival of Science studies, the most outstanding of which include the Yamaha Scholarship, first prize in the “Summit Music Festival” International Competition in Spain (2013), winner of the award for the best achievement in the string class (2011-2012) from the Miodrag Macić-Mišo Foundation.

Aleksandar Madžar 14 – Kolarac Foundation – 20:00 One of Serbia’s most successful contemporary pianists, Aleksandar Madžar has developed an enviable career abroad. This favourite of the Belgrade audience will again perform a solo concert at Kolarac Foundation.

Aleksandar holds professorships at the Royal Flemish

Dušan Panajotovic 10 – Guarnerius – 20:00 One of Serbia’s best young violinists will perform on Saturday 10th December at 8pm GUARNERIUS Fine Arts Centre, as part of the concert series “FMU & GUARNERIUS AWARD”. Visitors can expect an attractive programme comprising works by Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Isaiah, Debussy, Wieniawski and Mihajlović. Panajotović won numerous awards and accolades during his

Conservatoire in Brussels and Bern’s Hochschule für Musik und Theatre.

Madžar maintains a schedule of diverse performances that takes him around the world: Tokyo,

15th Night of Books 16 - Laguna readers’ clubs and Delfi bookshops – 17:00 - 00:00 Laguna readers’ clubs and Delfi bookshops will host the 15th regional Night of Books event, sponsored by Eurobank Serbia, on Friday 16th December from 5pm to midnight.

This event will provide another opportunity to buy the latest world hits, books by local authors, children's books and other publications at the best prices.

The Night of Books will be held simultaneously at 52 locations in 26 cities in Serbia and the region. The regional character of the event is provided by Laguna readers’ club centres in Banja Luka, Tuzla, Sarajevo, Podgorica and Nikšić. And this time around the Nights of Books has also been joined by numerous libraries. Readers will have the opportunity to socialise with their favourite writers, while friends of the event have prepared numerous different gifts for all those participating in the Night of Books.

15-18 - Belgrade Fairgrounds – 10:00-18:00 For the tenth year in succession, the sciences

JAMIE OLIVER'S CHRISTMAS COOKBOOK Jamie Oliver 4290.00 rsd

Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook is packed with all the classics you need for the big day and beyond, as well as loads of delicious recipes for edible gifts, party food and new ways to love those leftovers. It’s everything you need for the best Christmas ever.

FIFTH SEASON: THE BROKEN EARTH, BOOK 1 will again mark December in Serbia. Thousands of experiments, workshops, lectures and science show programmes will put Belgrade on the scientific map of the world. This year the Festival of Science is being given more space, with the aim of offering a more diverse programme that will be interesting to different age groups of visitors, both those with and without a scientific background. Thus, in addition to last year’s halls 3 and 3A, the scientific fun this year spreads to also encompass Hall 11 of the Belgrade Fair. Hall 3 is reserved for interactive exhibits, 30 of them, which visitors will be led through by more than 650 young science communicators.

To end of the year that has marked the 160th anniversary of the birth of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest human minds of all time, the Belgrade Festival of Science also forms part of the programme devoted to this scientist, with the symbolic “EPS Tesla Zone” located in Hall 3A. Hall 11 will be reserved for scientific show programmes at the 10th Science Festival. Guests from France, Estonia, Sweden and Slovenia are set to dazzle visitors with their unusual performances on the festival’s sci-fi stage.

Beatles Tribute Discounts have been prepared for all Laguna publications: 25% discount on purchases of a single book, 30% for two books, 35% for three books and 40% for four or more books. A 20% discount will apply for foreign editions, while the titles of other publishers will also be reduced by 20%. Prices on varied gift assortments will be reduced by 10%.

All discounts will also be available via the delfi.rs website. During the Night of Books, Laguna readers’ club membership discounts and bulk purchase reductions will not apply to the Night of Books discounts.

The Night of Books, launched in 2009, has become the most visited event promoting the written word after the Belgrade Book Fair, attracting more than 40,000 fans of good books in just seven hours.

RECOMMENDS

23 – Belgrade Youth Centre – 21:00 On Friday 23rd December Belgrade’s Beatles tribute band, The Bestbeat, will hold its traditional Pre-New Year’s concert in the Great Hall of the Belgrade Youth Centre. This year’s programme is dedicated to the anniversary of the release of the album “Revolver”, which first saw the light of day in August 1966.

N. K. Jemisin 1499.00 rsd

The first in a multi-postapocalyptic Fantasy trilogy, The Fifth Season is a triumphant, layered novel of broken worlds, ever changing geology, shifting power and people’s evolution (and revolution) and of revenge. The ending of one story is just the beginning of another. It was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel at the 74th World Science Fiction Convention in August 2016.

STREET ART BELGRADE Aleksandar Đorđević 1776.50 rsd

Street Art Belgrade is a book that presents a comprehensive overview of the Belgrade street art scene, both stylistically and in terms of going back through time. With over 500 photographs, shot by author Aleksandar Đorđević over the past six years, this book provides comprehensive insight into the unique world of Belgrade graffiti.

THE SECRET FOOTBALLER’S GUIDE TO THE MODERN GAME: TIPS AND TACTICS FROM THE ULTIMATE INSIDER Anon 1318.35 rsd

Bestbeat’s programme consists of songs that were once performed by the Fab Four, while the band promises that it will not leave even the most hardened Beatles fans feeling indifferent. This quartet resonates with the message of John, Paul, George and Ringo that was heard by millions five decades ago; a message of love, peace and understanding.

This outspoken anonymous author is back with the ultimate book to challenge conventional footballing wisdom. With his trademark wit, intelligence and candour, the Secret Footballer will guide you through formations, tactics, mind games and everything else you need to know about what it takes to be a pro.

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CHILL OUT JAPAN

UNESCO TO ADD JAPANESE FESTIVALS TO HERITAGE LIST ▶ A set of Japanese traditional festivals featuring parades and floats is to be added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. An evaluation body set up by UNESCO made the announcement early last month.

The Hakata Gion Yamagasa Festival of Fukuoka Prefecture and Takayama Matsuri no Yatai Gyoji of Gifu Prefecture are among the 33 festivals to be included.

All of the festivals have been registered in Japan as important national intangible folk cultural assets. The new listing includes the Kyoto Gion festival’s Yamahoko float ceremony and the Hitachi Furyumono parade in Ibaraki Prefecture, which are already recognized individually. So far 22 items from Japan have been registered as intangible cultural heritage list.

GERMANY

MAN FINDS CARROT WEARING HIS LOST WEDDING RING ▶ The odds were not in the favor

CHINA

CHINESE MALL OPENS “HUSBAND NURSERY” ▶ There are few things that men hate more than going on long shopping sprees with their wives or girlfriends, so one Chinese mall has come up with the “husband nursery”, a special place where guys can relax while their better halves shop till they drop.

Just as mothers drop their young kids at the nursery to be

looked after while they tend to their daily business, so to can wives and girlfriends leave their male partners at the husband nursery located on the third floor of the newly-opened Vanke Mall in the Minhang district of Shanghai.

Instead of having to put up with their miserable-looking faces as they follow them around through dozens of shops, women can leave guys in this special room to kill time by watching TV, reading magazines or taking a nap in of the comfortable armchairs.

of an 82 year old German man who loved to garden. He had recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary to his wife when the unthinkable happened, he lost his wedding ring. Devastated, the man was at a loss

for words as to where it could be. His wife reassured him that he would eventually find it and three years later he did. As he was harvesting his latest crop of carrots, something shiny was on one of them. He couldn’t believe his eyes, the wedding ring he lost three years previously was wrapped around a freshly picked carrot. Unfortunately, his wife died six months prior, so she will never get to know that she was right all along.

MEXICO

DAY OF THE DEAD IN MEXICO CITY ▶ Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday observed throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico where the day is a bank holiday. The celebration takes place from 31st October until 2nd November. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.

The Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico can be traced back to a pre-Columbian past. Rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors had been observed by these civilisations perhaps for as long as 2,500–3,000 years.

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SWEDEN

ST. LUCIA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS ▶ One of Andersonville’s many traditional Swedish events, St. Lucia, begins each year on St. Lucia’s Day, 13th December, with a torch-lit procession highlighting the appearance of the specially chosen “Lucia Girls,” who will lead the crowd, wearing long white robes and beautiful crowns of candles and singing “The Lucia Song.”

Lucia was an Italian saint, born in about 284 A.D. in Sicily. Known for her generosity in feeding the poor and homeless, St. Lucia was executed at the age of 20 during the Romans’ persecution of Christians. The first public Lucia celebration was held in Stockholm in 1927. The Swedes’ affection for the Lucia festival is due partially to the timing; Lucia festivals provide a ray of light during the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year in Sweden.

USA

WOMAN WINS $43MLN, CASINO OFFERS STEAK DINNER INSTEAD ▶ Katrina Bookman was stunned

as she took a selfie with the screen of a slot machine at New York Casino announcing she had won a $42,949,642.76 prize.

Her disbelief turned to anger

the next day when representatives from the New York State Gaming Commission informed her she was not entitled to her payout, as the machine had malfunctioned, and offered

UK

her a free steak dinner instead.

Bookman argued she should at least receive the machine’s maximum payout of $6,500. But, the gaming commission said it can only legally refund Bookman her the $2.25 winning printed on her ticket.

Bookman plans to sue the casino, as her lawyer Alan Ripka believes she and other casino patrons are entitled to compensation for money taken by the broken machine.

SIBERIA

GIANT SNOWBALLS ON SIBERIAN BEACH ▶ An 18-kilometre stretch of beach in the frosty depths of Russia has been covered by thousands of giant snowballs. The smooth icy spheres range in size, with some larger than a basketball. The strange event occurred along the coast of Nyda, a Siberian

INDIA

BOSS REWARDS 1,600 EMPLOYEES WITH CARS AND APARTMENTS

A GREAT BARBER ▶ Someone says hairdressing for animals is the most difficult for a barber. But there is still more difficult. Mason Lewis, a four-year-old UK boy, has suffered from autism for a long time. So a haircut for him can be a very difficult problem for his parents. Luckily, they found James Williams, who is so kind hearted that he would like to spare his kind heart to cut his hair.

Though he failed many time at first, he finally succeeded and received a hug from Mason.

▶ It’s not entirely unusual for bosses of successful companies to give out bonuses to employees on major holidays, but how many can claim that they are as generous as India’s boss Savji Dholakia, CEO of Hari Krishna Exports, who recently gifted some 1,200 cars and 400 apartments to over 1,600 of his most loyal and hardworking staffers.

“If we keep our employees happy, God will keep us happy,” Dholakia says. He started a long streak of generous bonuses 20 years ago, when he gave three of his top employees their own cars, and he has been upping his game every year since then. In 2014, he distributed Rs 500m ($7.5m) as performance incentives and last years he gave away 491 cars and 200 apartments, but this year seems to be the most special yet.

town just above the Arctic Circle.

It’s been a particularly chilly and snowy past month for the area – and in Siberia, that’s saying something. This could perhaps explain the freak goingson, although no one is actually certain.

Sergei Lisenkov, press secretary of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, says it’s possible that the slushy ice formed when the water began to leave the beach. The strong winds then rolled this slush over the wet sand, which allowed new layers of ice to form on top of each other.

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ALEXANDER CLINIC - PARTNERS IN PEDIATRICS AND GUARDIAN OF CONFIDENCE

Dedicated to

EXCELLENCE IN HEALING The tradition of pediatricians who took care about the children from the neighborhood or, at least, the particular community does not longer exist.

Today, pediatricians are more likely to take care of different children and various families. We offer you service of being your personal doctor who will take care of your child from his birth through his growing

Birčaninova 7, 11000 Belgrade Phone: +381 11 367 16 21 +381 64 641 54 58 E-mail: info@klinikaaleksander.rs zakazivanje@ klinikaaleksander.rs www.klinikaaleksander.rs

A

lexander Clinic is a new private clinic based in central Belgrade district in a famous diplomatic street, Bircaninova 7, right next to the Italian Embassy. The stylish building on two floors with two separate enters, offers medical treatment for both adults and children. In our new premises on the ground floor with street entrance we are offering high class children medical service, physicists, ENT, cardiology, neurology, urology, and gastroenterology, as well as orthopedic child treatment. On the first floor with separate VIP entrance from the building, we are offering two main adults’ services: complete day office surgery and anti-age medical treatments.

The clinic was proudly open by few highly skilled doctors with the idea of offering superb medical service after years of studding and practical healing of thousands children and adults.

The medical expertise, experience and special knowledge gained by our doctors in years of studying and healing of our patients in 82 |

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tertian specialized medical institutions in Serbia, as well as striving to excellence idea, guided us to open a private clinic. From now you can come to us directly, not by the special referral letter from your doctor, and we will do our best to resolve your problem in fastest and most convenient manner, following high world class healing procedures.

Children are our patients, but parents are our partners. The primary care pediatricians at our clinics involve parents in the decision-making process every step of the way because only you can decide what is best for your child. And when kids are old enough, we involve them too, so they can get a head start on making smart choices about their health. We take a complete approach to your child’s health. That’s why we like to call ourselves Partners in Pediatrics. Our staff members focus on your child’s growth and development, injury and illness prevention, behavior concerns and nutrition.

Children come to us with different social and emotional con-

cerns, and as we care about and care for their physical and mental health, our concern also extends to their families. And we care about how children are doing in all environments: at home, at school, and in their communities.

You can rely on personalised kid-friendly care. All pediatricians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants at Clinic are the experts in caring for children, from birth to age 18. Our clinic is designed to be convenient, easy to access and responsive to your needs. We know that children’s illnesses and injuries do not make appointments and you do not need either. Our walk-in Ready Care means we will see your child for simple illnesses or injuries at our location anytime when the office is open, without the need to call ahead or make an appointment.

We believe that every child deserves the very best possible health care. Alexander Clinic is affiliated with the leading-edge Children are our patients, but parents are our resources and healing knowledge. We are partners.

The primary care pediatricians at our proud to provide you with the most curclinics involve parents in the decision-making rent, up-to-date care for your children. We continuously try to improve the health of process every step of the way because only you our patients by keeping up with the newest can decide what is best for your child treatment and diagnostic techniques for the children we serve.

And why we are Guardian of Confidence you ask yourself, as dustry and cosmetics achievements. Our medical care orientation in Partners we take care of parents too. In our Clinic we are offering this field is based on believe that this sort of treatment is necessity day office surgery and anti-age medical treatments. Daily surgery for women for stress elimination and confidence. is performed, by far the best surgical experts in Serbia, offering At Alexander Clinic we commit ourselves as a medical home for all skin change elimination surgery, medical and esthetical treatyour kids and adults too strive to ensure that each patient receives care at the appropriate time in the appropriate setting. We strive ments with high proficiency and excellence. to provide the best possible quality care to any child and their famAnti–age medical treatments are specially designed for females having in mind new products and services in the field of beauty inily with compassion and kindness. â–

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FASHION

The One And Only New Year’s Eve

Regardless of whether you will spend New Year’s Eve at an exclusive gathering, at home in the company of your family, with a loved one, candles and a glass of wine, or surrounded by snow in a mountain shack, you need to try – through your clothing or at least some detail – to mark the importance of this night; this one and only night that is unique in many ways, and that introduces you to another new year.

Alexander McQueen, Leather Waist Belt

Alexander McQueen's leather belt is perfect for accentuating your waist when wearing sharp tailoring or billowy maxi dresses.

This classic black style is backed in soft suede and finished with a polished gold buckle. We like how the cutout-effect front creates the illusion of a slimmer frame Price: €287

Alexander McQueen, Draped Silk-Chiffon Gown Seemingly simple, yet exquisitely crafted, this piece will welcome the addition of a statement necklace or earrings.

Price: €2,241

Balmain Brocade Double-Breasted Blazer Balmain’s signature silhouette is updated with exquisite brocade embroidery. Designed with peak lapels, flap pockets and iconic lion head embossed buttons, this essential blazer lends a fiercely feminine finish to cigarette trousers and distressed denim alike.

Price: €2,379

Gianvito Rossi, Portofino metallic embroidered suede sandals This soft suede pair is expertly hand-finished and rests on a vertiginous stiletto heel supported by an adjustable ankle strap. Wear yours with everything from cropped denim to midi skirts.

Price: €573

Gucci, Dionysus Suede Clutch With its clean, defined silhouette, this elongated clutch has butter-soft leather lining while the tiger head clasp is adorned with Swarovski crystals for a glamorous finish.

Price: €1,000

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Tom Ford, Shelton Velvet Tuxedo Jacket Perfect for pairing with pressed tailored separates and polished shoes this season.

Price: €2,248

Omega Prestige Co-Axial Watch Attracting a large following for its classic and elegant designs, the OMEGA De Ville Prestige collection is characterised with timeless design and luxury finishes.

Price: €6,450

Burberry, Kensington Rabbit Fur Trench Coat Reimagined entirely in incredibly soft rabbit fur, this exceptional Burberry Kensington trench coat redefines standards of luxury. A truly spectacular outerwear investment.

Price: €6,185

Pantherella Stockwell The Stockwell classic stripe with a contrast heel & toe design Merino Wool socks are part of Pantherella’s Modern Collection that sees bold designs and modern colour palettes take the stage.

Price: €20 Availability: Kobbler Belgrade

Alexander McQueen, Lace Trimmed Cotton Poplin Shirt Cut in pure cotton, this classic buttoned shirt is detailed by black lace trims at the cuffs and under the collar, which will provide a fashion-forward upgrade to sharp tailoring and leather shoes.

Price: €376

CheaneyShadwellchukkaboots The Shadwell plain front gentleman's chukka boot in supple black calf leather is hand crafted in the Cheaney Northamptonshire factory.

Classic three eyelet lace up with pull tab for easy wear. As classic and elegant as it gets.

Price: €390 Availability: Kobbler Belgrade

Church’s Caldecott boots The Caldecott is an ankle boot that features exquisite brogueing, Derby facings with hooks and a heel tab that makes it easier to put on the shoe and take it off. This variant comes in black rois calf, adding a layer of elegance to this rugged yet refined style. Each shoe is finished and polished with the utmost care and its details are written by hand inside the upper in a special calligraphy, rendering each pair truly one of a kind.

Made in England.

Price: €485 Availability: Kobbler Belgrade

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PROFILE

Every Day Has a New Lesson MILICA MILANOVIĆ Head of PR at the Royal Palace, Belgrade

I

graduated in journalism and communications at the Belgrade University Faculty of Political Sciences and gained my master’s degree in cultural studies at the same institution. I gained my first public relations experience at PR agency “Pristop”, while my next job, working for “Represent Communications”, helped me extend the area of my work, both in terms of different communication channels and the diversity of the companies that were my clients. Due to the opportunity to become familiar with many industries, to develop strategic communications and collaborate with a large number of media representatives, I would say that working at a PR agency is an exceptional school for every public relations expert.

In my opinion, crisis communications is one of the biggest challenges in the PR industry, while primary satisfaction comes when strategic and well-planned work preserves a client’s reputation and a crisis becomes a successful communications project.

Running the London School of Public Relations in Belgrade gave me the opportunity to share my professional experience with others, while dealing 86 |

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When someone grows up in a “journalists’ family”, they learn about the world from such surroundings. Just as the apple does not fall far from the tree, so, by the nature of things, journalism became my “first love”. However, during my studies I realised that public relations, an even more dynamic profession, was what I wanted to do for living, and to this day one I consider the opportunity to do a job that I love as one of the greatest gifts I have received with PR at “Banca Intesa” gave me the chance to direct my knowledge towards the banking and finance industry, and to become better acquainted with working in the corporate sector.

However, the biggest challenge and honour for the opportunity I received was in the position I now hold. The Royal Palace is a truly unique work environment with exceptional advantages. Being professionally engaged by the Royal Family is not just a job; it is a unique position with strong symbolism. Although very demanding and complex, my job gives

In my opinion, believing in the idea of your vocation, continuously developing and balancing your professional and private life would be the formula for building a successful career in this industry me the opportunity to be in contact with important people, to take care of communications and protocol of Their Royal Highnesses and to be part of the numerous humanitarian activities of the Crown Princess Katherine Foundation.

Every day is very dynamic; including all types of PR activities, setting up and developing projects, numerous meetings, emails and phone calls.

These activities are practically the same as they are at every company, but when it comes to the Royal Family the content is completely different.

This is very inspiring and motivating, demanding high responsibility and good organisational skills, while giving me the opportunity to develop knowledge and be in contact with a large number of people.

Speaking of people, I believe it is very important to be a people person in order to do this job successfully, and also to be able to find the best way to communicate with different types of personalities. I trust my intuition and it leads me when it comes to relationships and working with people.

In my opinion, believing in the idea of your vocation, continuously developing and balancing your professional and private life would be the formula for building a successful career in this industry. The importance of communications is reflected in all spheres of life, and being a PR professional offers you the privilege to use your communication skills and dedication to improve yourself and your work, as well as to be an important part of major projects. 

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