CorD Special Edition: Germany - Partners

OCTOBER 2017

GERMANY

Partners

No 3 ISSN 2560-4465

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA: EU WON’T IMPORT UNSOLVED CONFLICTS ● ZORAN ĐORĐEVIĆ, MINISTER OF LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT, VETERAN AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS: WINNING COMBINATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS ● DR RONALD SEELIGER, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE GERMAN-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: FRIEND, PROMOTER AND ADVOCATE OF THE GERMAN AND SERBIAN ECONOMIES ● MARTIN KNAPP, MANAGING BOARD MEMBER OF AHK SERBIA: CREATING ‘REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS’ ● HEINZ-DIETER HARBERS, COORDINATOR OF THE GIZ SECTOR PROGRAMME “SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT” IN SERBIA: JOINT EFFORTS YIELD SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION ● FRANK BAUMANN, DIRECTOR OF THE GOETHE-INSTITUT IN SERBIA (GOETHE-INSTITUT SERBIEN): CULTURE LIBERATES EMOTIONS ● SVETISLAV PEŠIĆ, ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP BASKETBALL COACHES: BASKETBALL VET ● IGOR ANTIĆ, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT PROCREDIT BANK: DIRECT BANK, BANK THAT EDUCATES ● ZORAN ĐURIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, MIELE SRBIJA: PRODUCTS FOR THE FUTURE ● JIŘÍ SÍLA, DIRECTOR OF TEBODIN SERBIA: DUTCH SPIRIT, GERMAN PRECISION ● DRAGAN LAZIĆ, CEO SOUTH EAST EUROPE XELLA, XELLA SRBIJA: BUILDERS AND EDUCATORS

Strong, Enduring Support Of Serbia’s Political And Economic Reforms

CONTENTS

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FRIEND, PROMOTER AND ADVOCATE OF THE GERMAN AND SERBIAN ECONOMIES

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NO STRONG ECONOMY WITHOUT STRONG INSTITUTIONS

COMMENT

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DR RONALD SEELIGER, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE GERMANSERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

EU WON’T IMPORT UNRESOLVED CONFLICTS

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36 PRODUCTS FOR THE FUTURE

ZORAN ĐURIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, MIELE SRBIJA

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN, GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

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PROCREDIT BANK DIRECT – BANKING MADE SIMPLE

IGOR ANIĆ, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT PROCREDIT BANK

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SERBIA IS STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT FOR LEONI

CLEMENS SACHS, DIRECTOR, LEONI WIRING SYSTEMS SOUTHEAST D.O.O.

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CREATING ‘REGIONAL VALUE CHAINS’

MARTIN KNAPP, MANAGING BOARD MEMBER OF THE GERMAN-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

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JOINT EFFORTS YIELD SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION

SERBIA IS PREPARING SERIOUSLY FOR VET

SIEMENS: DUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

EDUCATION

EDITORIAL MANAGER Neda Lukić n.lukic@aim.rs

GENERAL MANAGER Ivan Novčić i.novcic@aim.rs

PHOTOS Zoran Petrović

PROJECT MANAGERS Biljana Dević b.devic@aim.rs Nataša Trifunović n.trifunovic@aim.rs Nevena Đurković n.djurkovic@aim.rs Vesna Vukajlović v.vukajlovic@aim.rs

FINANCIAL MANAGER Dragana Skrobonja d.skrobonja@aim.rs

PRINTING Rotografika d.o.o.

Segedinski put 72, Subotica, Serbia

COPY EDITOR Mark Pullen mrpeditorial@mail.com

OFFICE MANAGER Svetlana Petrović s.petrovic@aim.rs

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Maja Vidaković m.vidakovic@aim.rs

BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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JIŘÍ SÍLA, DIRECTOR OF TEBODIN SERBIA

MULTI-CONGRESS SERBIAN VISIONS

BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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BASKETBALL VET

58 62 66

NEW LEIPZIG SCHOOL

SVETISLAV PEŠIĆ, ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP BASKETBALL COACHES

BUILDERS AND EDUCATORS

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CULTURELIBERATES EMOTIONS

FRANK BAUMANN, DIRECTOR OF THE GOETHE-INSTITUT IN SERBIA (GOETHE-INSTITUT SERBIEN)

BEPS INTERNATIONAL TAX REFORM

SECONDARYSCHOOLERS FROM DUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMMESTART WORKING

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DESIGNER Jasmina Laković j.lakovic@aim.rs

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DUTCH SPIRIT, GERMAN PRECISION

LEITNER LEITNER

ZORAN ĐORĐEVIĆ, MINISTER OF LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT, VETERAN AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

EDITOR Ana Novčić a.novcic@aim.rs

MIGRANT CRISIS

DRAGAN LAZIĆ, CEO SOUTHEAST EUROPE XELLA, XELLA SRBIJA

HEINZ-DIETER HARBERS, COORDINATOR OF THE GIZ SECTOR PROGRAMME “SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT” IN SERBIA

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WINNING COMBINATION FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS

MOST POPULAR EUROPEAN MIGRATION DESTINATION

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TACHOGRAPH AS A PREVENTATIVE EVENTS & ACTIVITIES OF AHK SERBIA

Published by: alliance international media Makenzijeva 67, 11111 Belgrade 17, PAK 126909, Serbia Phone: +(381 11) 2450 508 Fascimile: +(381 11) 2450 122 E-mail: office@aim.rs www.aim.rs

No 3 ISSN: 2560-4465 All rights reserved alliance international media 2017 THIS PUBLICATION IS FREE OF CHARGE

CONTEMPORARY ART

FAIRY TALE CASTLES OF GERMANY TOURISM

COMPANY REGISTER

BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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COMMENT

No Strong Economy Without Strong Institutions Serbia can undoubtedly be satisfied with the fact that German investors are committed to the country, but strengthening its institutions and their commitment to the rule of law could provide significant stimulation to build stronger links between the two economies

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ccording to the available statistics, the share of net foreign investments

by German residents in total net investments in Serbia over the last ten years has constantly been high. Regardless of the fact that this here we are talking about relative and not always absolute amounts, this data provides the same signal as regular annual surveys among German businessmen operating in Serbia. Most of them would invest in Serbia again.

“Voting with your feet” – or rather in this case with your own capital – says much more about the strengthening of Serbian-German economic relations than political news on the same topic, although both are unequivocally positive.

In the last three years, activities aimed at finding Serbian partner companies for German companies has, according to the organiser, yielded good results, and a new phase should soon follow to connect companies in the region to production chains that would also cooperate with German partners.

As in politics, here cooperation between the region and Germany is like cooperation between David and Goliath, and that is a reality not only for this region, but also for many other countries and regions with which the German economy cooperates. However, even these “Davids” have opportunities, or at least they could have the opportunity to be better partners in their field and to grow faster together with their partners.

The recipe for this could be so simple, and repeatable countless times, that it has become almost dated and uncomfortable

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to mention. “We need the simple rule of law”, says Martin Knapp, managing board member of AHK Serbia, in this interview.

Although European rules have been adopted in almost every functioning segment in

functioning. That is praiseworthy effort, but it does not answer the questions which all businesses, both domestic and foreign, face in practise in Serbia. Even when the laws are good, they are not applied, or are applied selectively, and companies that try to protect their rights in court processes encounter major obstacles, due both to the length of the process and to improvisation in the interpretation of the law. Striving to act in accordance with law should be a matter for every individual, both in the judiciary and in the administration, says Knapp.

How to achieve that?

In the book “Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty”, authors Daron Acemoglu, professor of economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and James A. Robinson, a British political scientist and economist from Harvard, provide a simple answer to the question of why nations fail and why countries are rich or poor – it’s about institutions, both political and economic.

Digitisation and the reform and professionalisation of public administration are good but insufficient responses to the problem of businesses exerting huge amounts of energy on overcoming obstacles set for them by the state Serbia, the quality of legislative solutions is not always good. It often happens that bylaws are overdue, that they contradict legal solutions, or that solutions in one law contradict solutions from another law. Numerous working groups, including those formed jointly by representatives of the business sector and the state, are working on correcting such illogical factors that hinder companies’ daily

Although geography, historical circumstances and natural resources have a definite impact on the economic success of every country, countries advance, according to Acemoglu and Robinson, (i) either most of all when they “build up political and economic institutions that ‘liberate’, empower and protect the full potential of each citizen to provide something new, to invest and to develop...” 

INTERVIEW

EU Won’t Import

Unresolved Conflicts Comprehensive normalisation (between Serbia and Kosovo) implies that both sides will not undertake actions which might stop or seriously hinder the development of the other. For the development of Kosovo and the region it will be important for it to gradually join international organisations – Axel Dittmann

H.E. AXEL DITTMANN,

GERMAN AMBASSADOR TO SERBIA

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he new strategy for strengthening the EU also implies its expansion to encompass the countries of the Western Balkans, insisted German Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Axel Dittmann. Serbia is awaited on this road by the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, as one of the processes that EU membership negotiations are substantially dependent upon. Ambassador Dittmann stresses that the EU negotiating framework stipulates that Serbia and Kosovo should comprehensively normalise their relations and conclude their dialogue with a legally-binding agreement on this normalisation. That’s

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why he supports the Serbian President’s idea of leading the broadest social dialogue in Serbia on this issue.

In this interview for CorD Magazine, Ambassador Dittmann notes that relations with Kosovo are not Serbia’s only obligation, adding that establishing an independent and well-functioning judiciary, successfully preventing and fighting corruption, as well as ensuring a high level of media freedom, are also crucial to the functioning of a modern democracy, and thus represent a decisive benchmark for successful EU accession. Looking ahead to elections in Germany, for which the Serbian Government has voiced its open support for current Chancellor Angela Merkel, Ambassador Dittmann believes that the elections will not impact negatively on existing good relations between Serbia and Germany.

• In a recent interview for the Serbian media, you were quoted as saying that relations between Serbia and Germany are excellent! Do you expect them to remain so even after the elections?

- Indeed, relations between Serbia and Germany are excellent.

Politically, we strongly support Serbia’s strategic goal of becoming a member of the EU. Economically, more German companies than ever are active here, which creates employment – to date more

SUPPORT

PROCESS

COMMITMENT

Politically, we strongly support Serbia’s strategic goal of becoming a member of the EU

The speed of accession negotiations is essentially set by the reform process in Serbia

Through the Berlin process, we show our commitment to this region and this goal

than 350 German companies have already hired more than 35,000 people. We work closely with Prime Minister Brnabić’s government to support important reforms. Serbia has started, for example in the field of vocational training, public administration reform and digitisation. Culturally, the exchange is broad and deep; we are now looking forward to the German theatre performance of Orhan Pamuk’s “Snow” at Bitef in October. Germany, together with Austria and Switzerland, will be the official guest of honour at the Belgrade Book Fair. I am convinced that our excellent relations will continue in the same way after our election day, because all relevant German political parties share an interest in close relations with Serbia and the region.

the establishment of the agreed Community of Serb Municipalities has not been forthcoming after three years?

- The EU High Representative is doing a very important job by facilitating the dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo. Both sides have been able to reach important agreements, improving citizens’ lives. For example, it is now much easier than it was five years ago to travel from Belgrade to Pristina; we have seen progress on the

• You have assessed the Serbian President’s call for an internal dialogue on Kosovo as a “serious and responsible move”. What do you expect to result from that process?

- Important issues that concern the whole society of a country require a broad discussion, particularly when it comes to tough topics. I therefore find embarking on such an open dialogue, to find solutions in the national and regional interest, commendable.

• How would Germany react in the case that this internal dialogue results in Belgrade’s stance remaining that recognition of Kosovo’s independence is still unacceptable?

- The key word for the EU is not recognition, but normalisation. As it has been agreed within the EU negotiating framework, Serbia and Kosovo should comprehenThe key word for the EU is not recognition, but normalisation. As it has sively normalise their relations been agreed within the EU negotiating framework, Serbia and Kosovo and conclude a legally-binding should comprehensively normalise their relations and conclude a agreement on this normalisation. legally-binding agreement on this normalisation This is a precondition for Serbia’s EU membership, as we cannot import an unsolved conflict into the EU. police, diplomas, telecommunications, and now hopefully on the integration of the judiciary. However, the process is far from complete and a huge challenge remains to fully implement what has been • Germany insisted on Serbia’s European integration path beagreed. An important part on the Pristina side is the establishment ing linked to the signing of a “comprehensive agreement on the of the Association/Community of Serb Municipalities. There are normalisation of relations between Serbia and Kosovo”. Does also other open issues, like implementing the agreement on energy. this agreement actually mean that you expect Serbia to consent to Kosovo becoming a member of the UN, UNESCO and • President Aleksandar Vučić stated recently that the key isother international organisations?

- Comprehensive normalisation implies that neither side will undersues in relations between Serbia and the EU are Kosovo and the relationship with Russia, and not the rule of law. How did take actions that might halt or seriously hinder the development you interpret that statement? of the other. For the development of Kosovo and the region, it will - In order to become a member of the EU, Serbia will have to sucbe important for it to gradually join international organisations. cessfully apply the whole EU legislation, or “Acquis”, which is divided into 35 chapters. However, the challenges this poses differ. The • Considering that Germany insists on implementing the BrusEU negotiation framework identifies the areas of Rule of Law in sels Dialogue, to which it links the continuation of Serbia’s EuChapter 23 and 24 and the normalisation of relations with Kosovo ropean integration, how would you comment on the fact that BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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as horizontal topics of particular importance. I very much agree with this. An independent and well-functioning judiciary, successfully preventing and fighting corruption, as well as a high level of media freedom, are key for the functioning of a modern democracy and thus a decisive benchmark for successful EU accession.

• How is the future of the European Union influenced by Germany’s election results?

- Germany will continue to be dedicated to the idea of a united, secure, economically successful and politically strong European Union that protects its citizens’ values and interests. I am

by Commission President Jean Claude Junker, part of the EU’s agenda is to support the Western Balkans countries’ goal of joining the European Union according to clearly established criteria. So, clearly, yes, I believe we have seats for new members.

• You assessed negotiations between the EU and Serbia as being “increasingly dynamic”. Is there reason to be satisfied if we consider that Serbia has opened 10 of 35 negotiating chapters in two years?

- I believe it is positive that we have managed to increase the pace of negotiations, and I hope we will continue in this direction. The speed of accession negotiations is essentially set by the reform process in Serbia. But, of course, progress on the EU integration process cannot be measured in terms of the number of chapters opened and closed, but by the substance of the reforms undertaken. At the centre of Serbia’s reform process is the Rule of Law, i.e. chapters 23 and 24. This is where a big part of the substance of transformation and modernisation has to happen, and where we hope that an even more dynamic pace of reform will develop.

• You insist that regional cooperation and the Berlin Process are crucial to the European integration process. Many analysts wonder if the Berlin Process can be considered a European initiative if it is only supported by six of the EU’s 28 member states?

- The Berlin process is an important mechanism to deepen regional cooperation. The EU Commission has been part of the Berlin Process from the very beginning and it has also been closely coordinated with EU Member States. Some of the initiatives, like funding infrastructure projects by The EU negotiation framework identifies the areas of Rule of Law in the Western Balkans Investment Chapter 23 and 24 and the normalisation of relations with Kosovo as Framework, would not have been horizontal topics of particular importance. I very much agree with this possible without EU support. The creation of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office also enjoys the th support of EU funds.

I therefore believe that the Berlin Process September you will again absolutely convinced that after 24 is an important component of EU-Western Balkans relations. see a very pro-European German government working together with its partners in the EU on further strengthening the Union.

• Serbia’s foreign minister has expressed concern on sever• Will Germany remain committed to the idea of comprehenal occasions that the Berlin Process must not become a resive reforms within the EU, and does a “Multi-speed Europe” placement for genuine progress towards the membership of even make seats available for new members? the Western Balkan countries in the EU? - Germany is engaged in further developing the EU. We all benefit - The Berlin Process was never meant to replace the EU integrafrom the strength of our common market. But the EU is much more tion process. By fostering regional cooperation, it will rather help than that: it is a Union that protects our values in a constantly all participants from the Western Balkans on their way towards changing global order. Right now, we are working intensively the European Union. We have stated bilaterally, but also within with our EU partners to strengthen the future EU-27 on various the framework of the European Union, our strong commitment levels, e.g. regarding our internal and external security or with to supporting Serbia and the other countries of the Western respect to the euro currency and our economic governance. There Balkans in their strategic goal of joining the European Union. is definitely room for new members in the EU: as confirmed by Through the Berlin process, we show our commitment to this EU Heads of State and Government in March, and just recently region and this goal. ■

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CORPORATE CLEMENS SACHS, DIRECTOR, LEONI WIRING SYSTEMS SOUTHEAST D.O.O.

Serbia Is Strategically Important For Leoni

“We can say that Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast d.o.o. is one of the highest performing companies within the Leoni world,” says Clemens Sachs, director of Leoni Wiring Systems Southeast, in this interview for CorD

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all envisaged people that are required to run the activities. We expect to have a fully loaded factory in the second half of 2018.

Based on all of these positive impacts, Serbia was chosen as a strategic country within the Leoni footprint.

his global producer of wires, optic • Leoni is this year marking the centenary • Leoni has been in Serbia since 2009. fibres, cables, cable systems and of its global existence. You are today preEven without the Niš facility, you already similar components for the automosent in more than 30 countries worldwide. top the lists of the biggest employers and tive and other related industries has How do you measure the success of each investors. What are the key reasons for become the largest employer in Serbia. Leoni, individual factory; and where do your facthe constant expansion of your production whose business is spread all around the world tories in Serbia rank on Leoni’s list of sucoperations in Serbia? and which generates annual sales revenues in cessful operations?

- As noted, Leoni started its activities in Serbia the billions of euros, employs almost 6,000 - Leoni ranks 4th worldwide in its business in 2009. So far, Leoni Serbia has grown continupeople in Serbia, with a serious projection ously to become one of the biggest employers that this figure will increase significantly and number one in Europe. More than 82,000 in the country. For Leoni, it is more important in the next year. In this interview for CorD, people work under Leoni’s roofs worldwide. to be the best employer than to be the biggest.

Clemens Sachs emphasises that it is “an even Almost 100 plants in more than 30 countries In order to achieve that, Leoni is doing a lot for more important task of the company is to on four continents shows Leoni’s global reach. become the best employer in Serbia”.

Remarking that Leoni is building What makes us additionally successful in Serbia is the support we its third factory in Niš, the section receive from the Government of Serbia and all other institutions for which opened this year, which will that are significant to our operations deal with the production of parts for BMW, Sachs announces that it will be its employees, and provides them with the best operating at full capacity by as early as 2018.

For such a large enterprise, actually a holdworking conditions and surroundings.

- The new plant is seen as an extension ing company, it is important to have global The key reasons for the continuing growth of our already existing business with BMW standards. With global standards, Leoni is are based on several topics in Serbia. in Prokuplje. At the Niš plant we will produce also able to compare performances globally.

First, Leoni has the required pool of the a new business with our customer BMW. As I already mentioned, Serbia has been available labour market that is necessary for As a standard in the automotive business, chosen as a strategic country, and one of the business, which requires a huge part of sample and pre-serial products must first the reasons for that is the very good perthe available workforce. Another point enabe produced, with original equipment and on formance being achieved by Leoni Serbia bling us to be successful is the continuous original location. That is why Leoni completed month after month. support Leoni gets in the country, starting around 6,000 sqm of production area first, by So, we can say that Leoni Wiring Systems from the Serbian Government, the Serbian the end of July, and we will complete most of Southeast d.o.o. is one of the highest performDevelopment Agency (RAS), the National the construction by the end of the year. Step ing legal entities within the Leoni world, and it Employment Service and all municipalities by step, Leoni will install equipment accordis for this reason that the future looks good where Leoni plants are located. ing to customer requirements and employ and trends also look positive. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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INTERVIEW

Winning Combination For Employees And Employers The economy and education have finally come together and now education profiles in schools are created systematically so that they suit the needs of the labour market and the country’s economy

ZORAN ĐORĐEVIĆ,

MINISTER OF LABOUR, EMPLOYMENT, VETERAN AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

We also can’t fail to mention that German companies have contributed to the development of the labour market in Serbia, as well as assessments that it has had a positive impact on the productivity and motivation of employees, raising the level of qualifications and academic education.

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n this interview with Serbian Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Minister Zoran Đorđević we discussed his ministry’s contribution to strengthening the attractiveness of the Serbian economy, as well as cooperation between the government of Serbia and the ministry with German institutions.

• What kinds of qualities have German companies brought to Serbia when it comes to employee-employer relations?

- Germany is one of the biggest investors in Serbia and is becoming our biggest foreign trade partner. In the period ahead, we expect even more companies from this country to seek to invest in Serbia. German investors are also known for adhering to the law and having a responsible attitude towards employees and their obligations towards the state.

Serbia has a very high-quality workforce, but also domestic companies that are good, high-quality and available suppliers, and which - together with German companies - can conquer new markets and have secure sales.

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• Which benefits does the Ministry offer new investors, and how does it ensure compliance with contractual obligations?

- Through teamwork within the government that was led by Aleksandar Vučić and the current government that is led by Ana Brnabić, Serbia has become one of the most attractive investment destinations in the Western Balkans. This will inevitably imply increased demand for a high-quality and educated workforce.

Serbia supports investors in creating new jobs. The overall regulatory framework for business is stimulating for investments in the economy. The most stimulating measures are for investors intending to launch or expand their operations in underdeveloped parts of Serbia.

The National Employment Service, which comes under the jurisdiction of our ministry, conducts an entire array of different measures and programmes on an annual level for the active employment policy intended for employers, and therefore new investors, primarily those belonging to the private sector. Contracts are concluded with all employers interested in participating in support programmes for investors who satisfy

PARTNER

INVESTORS

DIGITISATION

Germany is one of the biggest investors in Serbia and is becoming our biggest foreign trade partner. In the period ahead, we expect even more companies from this country to seek to invest in Serbia

The most stimulating measures are for investors intending to launch or expand their operations in underdeveloped parts of Serbia

The digitisation of society in all segments represents the basis for providing equal opportunities for all citizens, and thus eliminating the reasons for young people to relocate abroad

the conditions, with implementation regularly monitored. If problems or unforeseen situations arise in the implementation of the contract, NES representatives, together with employers, identify more adequate solutions.

advantages of digitisation, which will benefit our citizens the most, because we will service the needs of citizens faster and more efficiently, offering them the service they have paid for through taxes.

In our sector it will mean the creation of new jobs, raising people’s capacities and their competitiveness on the labour market, easing the availability of services, increasing the efficiency of the administration and lastly, not least importantly, providing a clearer overview and more efficient functioning of the entire system. Digitisation will also bring new values in the work of the National Employment Service, as well as in all segments of society.

When it comes to the work of the National Employment Service, its operations have not been possible for many years without IT support. For example, the NES’s Unique Information System is very complex and process orientated, with hundreds of applications and thousands of programmes, with IT sup-

• What does the government and your ministry intend to do when it comes to combatting the brain drain?

- The Serbian government is already taking measures, which include adapting education programmes and curricula to the needs of the labour market, particularly through the introduction of education profiles in the field of information and communication technologies, and education profiles for expert workers that are needed and in demand on in the labour market.

On the other hand, activities are continuing and intensifying on the creation of a stable and predictable business environment, as the foundation for economic and investment activity growth, which represent a prerequisite for creating new, high-quality jobs, especially for young people with higher levels of education, starting from the fact that quality human capital represents the capital for the future of every society.

The last good example from practise – to answer your question more German companies have contributed to the development of specifically – is the enrolling of the first the labour market in Serbia and had a positive impact on the group of final-year basic postgraduproductivity and motivation of employees ate students who are studying law and political sciences at the University of Belgrade into the programme of three-month volunteering port for around 80 per cent of business processes at over within our ministry, in positions and sectors that they are 190 locations across the entire territory of the Republic of actually studying for. We have also invited other universities Serbia, and is developing continuously and intensively. to join this protocol agreement.

In addition to a web service that enables connection with the Interior Ministry, Tax Administration and Central Registry, in accordance with the Decree on the Acquisition and Transfer of • What is brought to the work of your ministry, and particuData on Facts for Which Official Records are Kept, data has been larly the work of the National Employment Service, by digmade available electronically and via the eGovernment portal. itisation?

- The digitisation of society in all segments represents the • How do you view dual education from the aspect of improvbasis for providing equal opportunities for all citizens, and thus eliminating the reasons for young people to relocate ing the readiness of the workforce? abroad. Reducing labour costs, resolving citizens’ problems - There are exiting government working groups that develop faster and more efficiently, reducing conditions for the strategies and projects which are important for the state, grey economy to function, clearly recognising social needs, and one of these groups, Group 3, of which I am a member, is eliminating waiting at counters … these are only a few of the working precisely on harmonising education with the market.

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As is known in the contemporary context of life, needs for services and products change rapidly, which demands a different approach to education. Competencies must be developed constantly, with knowledge acquired in school having to be used in an unpredictable and complex environment, and this has become an imperative for contemporary teaching. This concept of lifelong learning is applied in all developed countries worldwide, and entrepreneurship represents the basis for the realisation of this concept. As such, the combining of theory and practical experience is an indispensable factor of dual education, which will significantly improve the readiness of the workforce.

There turned out to be huge interest among young people who want to be educated in this way and then work, while on the other hand the economy has a need for such a trained and specially educated workforce.

• How do you see the current sharp debate about targeting the educating of children specifically for the economy? What are the advantages and possible pitfalls?

- The economy and education have finally come together and now education profiles in schools are created systematically so that they suit

facing similar demographic challenges. Responses to these challenges include measures aimed at increasing employment, extending the age of retirement or securing a state guarantee, which covers shortfalls in funds for pension payments from the budget, and in individual cases reserve funds are created for the same purpose. Our country is taking measures in several phases to reform the pension system, in order to gradually create conditions for its longterm economic sustainability, which would ensure that the pension system is continuously adjusted to changes in society, the economy and demography.

Changes in the pension system must be implemented carefully. This process will also continue in the future.

There is significant room for employment growth, which would also mean improving the observed relations, and thereby improving pension system sustainability. By continuing the fight against the grey economy, even better results are expected, and therefore a reduced need for additional intervention from the budget.

• How can the government encourage Through teamwork within the government of Aleksandar Vučić allocations for private pension funds? and the current government led by Ana Brnabić, Serbia has - The state encourages employers to pay voluntary pension insurance for become one of the most attractive investment destinations in employees by freeing them of the oblithe Western Balkans gation to pay a certain amount of taxes.

The system of voluntary pension the needs of the labour market and the country’s economy. funds and pension plans is significant from the aspect of the The advantages are numerous. This method should solve the possibility of providing additional income in old age, which problem of unemployment that is faced by a large number adheres to European trends to encouraging additional savings of young people, due, among other things, to them being for old age at individual and collective levels. insufficiently familiar with work in their field of professional Unlike the state fund (the first pillar of pension insurance), education after completing their studies. And a challenge is which functions on the principle of intergenerational solidarity, for such an organisation and this cooperation to be embedded voluntary pension funds (the third pillar of insurance) function even more systemically within the legal framework. under the personal account system and represent a type of Dual education will improve future personnel who will investment fund that collects voluntary pension contribucomplete their education in the coming period, and I’m sure tions and invests them in order to provide additional, private these young people will be much better trained and able to pensions that will be supplemented by a state pension. That, do their jobs. in practise, is long-term saving for old age.

The state is not a guarantor for the payment of pensions • To what extent is the functioning of the pension fund susfrom the third pillar, with the risk carried by members, but these funds operate under the strict control of the National tainable today, and how sustainable is it in the long term, Bank of Serbia, and the law has precisely defined the rules considering demographic circumstances and the small perfor investing funds – a conservative policy of investing in centage of the population that’s actively working? low-risk securities, real estate etc. ■ - Most European pension systems, including our own, are

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INTERVIEW

Friend, Promoter And Advocate Of The German And Serbian Economies Working on creating a better business environment for attracting the arrival of new German companies to the Serbian market is one of our priorities. Without false modesty, I think we are certainly one of the reasons why they continue to recognise Serbia as a reliable and good business partner

DR RONALD SEELIGER, PRESIDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE GERMAN-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

W

e spoke with Dr Ronald Seeliger, President of the Executive Board of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, about the further prospects of Germen investments in Serbia and the role of the Chamber of Commerce that he leads in that process.

• How much have economic reforms made Serbia attractive to German investors?

- Germany is undoubtedly one of Serbia’s leading economic partners: one of the main foreign trade partners, the second export market for Serbian goods, one of the five leading foreign investors and the greatest bilateral donor. Investors from Germany were among the first to arrive in Serbia, literally immediately upon the opening of this market. To date, about 400 German companies that operate here have invested almost two billion euros and employed more than 30,000 people since 2000. I think these statistics illustrate clearly the trust that German investors have in this region.

Recently, even my colleague, who heads the German-Greek Chamber of Commerce, openly asked why German investors are more inclined

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to come to Serbia and Romania than to Greece. He explained to the local businesspeople and media there that the reason for that was that those two countries were considered “investor-friendly” areas with favourable conditions for business operations, lower taxes and fees and other incentives. In this segment, without false modesty, I also see the important role of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, since we are certainly one of the reasons why German companies continue to recognise Serbia as a reliable and good business partner. Working on creating a better business environment for attracting the arrival of new German companies to the Serbian market is certainly one of our priorities.

• Which of Serbia’s qualities as an investment destination are recognised as the most attractive by German companies, and what discourages them?

- The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce conducts regular surveys on business conditions among its member companies. The results of this year’s survey have shown optimism among the companies and a positive evaluation of the business climate in Serbia. German companies are satisfied with the productivity and motivation of employees, with their qualifications, academic education and labour costs. On the other hand, our members have indicated the need for a more intensive fight against corruption, as well as the importance of further strengthening legal safety and transparency in public procurement, improving the tax system and the work of the tax administration, as well as the need for higher efficiency of the public administration.

One more thing I would like to point out is that predictability of business is very important for businesspeople; the possibility for them to do business within a clear, very precise and predictable framework. In this segment Serbia must still make progress, while the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce is ready to support the Serbian authori-

SURVEYS

INTEREST

EDUCATION

The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce conducts regular surveys on business conditions among its member companies

According to the information we have in the Chamber, there is great interest, for example, in the car industry and the segment which is its support

The education system needs to be modernised, yet it is a fact that it still produces quality future workers for companies

ties with its considerable knowledge and experience. I do not mind if our knowledge and goodwill are used to the maximum for the benefit of current invesotrs and for bringing new ones.

• In which branches of industry does the greatest interest in investing in Serbia exist?

- According to the information we have in the Chamber, there is great interest, for example, in the car industry and the segment which is its support. I will take German company Draexlmaier as an example. It is one of the greatest manufacturers of parts and systems for the auto industry. This company has been operating in Serbia since 2007. It manufactures cable sets.

In the meantime, it has expanded its production in Zrenjanin and created 506 new jobs. Today, that Draexlmaier factory is the top exporter in that part of Banat and has been recognised in the long-term plans of the Draexlmaier Group.

We wish for as many examples like this as possible, and are happy when such important investors come from Germany.

employ about 500 engineers. This is the greatest and most important German investment project so far, which clearly illustrates that Serbia is no longer a place for lowest cost manufacturing, rather that it is becoming an attractive place for development, science and research.

The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce wishes to see more examples like this, to demonstrate what this market is capable of offering.

When German STADA bought Hemofarm, we said that German practise and technology was going to be merged with Serbian knowhow, and that it was going to be a winning combination. We still believe so, more than 10 years after Hemofarm joined the STADA family.This is one of the key reasons why Hemofarm is still so successful. As in everyday life – one can make a good and tasty meal only with good ingredients.

• What would make Serbia attractive for investments of higher added value and with a higher • After years of working to bring together technological level?

German and Serbian companies, how would - Serbia has people who are smart and educated. It is true that the education system needs to be German companies here have so far invested almost two billion euros modernised, yet it is a fact that it and employed more than 30,000 people since 2000. These statistics still produces quality future workillustrate clearly the trust German investors have in this region ers for companies. In this sense, we often talk about dual education, which was “patented” in Geryou rate the possibility of Serbia becoming a supply base for Germany and which requires a special bond between school and busiman industry? nesses, as it stands for learning on-the-job and in vocational schools, - Interestingly enough, a new factor appeared in the results of our surwhile pupils have special educational-labour relations with their “emvey this year: the quality and affordability of local suppliers. We assume ployers”. The dual education system contributes to higher employproudly that the recognition of this factor has to do with the successment, and therefore to the growth and development of the econoful supplier initiatives performed by none other than the German-Sermy, since every form of stability is important for investors, both for those already here and for those with long-term plans. bian Chamber of Commerce. I believe that the real resource wealth of Naturally, changes to the education system alone are not enough.

Serbia lies in this segment and that it should become one of its princiMoreover, we also have to work on further harmonisation between the pal assets in further attracting new investments.

European and Serbian legislation, on reforming public companies, implementing laws in the field of taxes etc.

• According to the data available to the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, does the greatest interest exist among German investors with labour-intensive, low-level production, or are there • While we’re on this subject, how satisfied are you with progress to also other examples? date in the process of introducing dual education to Serbian schools?

- We are witnessing that German Continental, a company specialised - The introduction of dual education to a school system is a lengthy proin technology, is opening its research and development centre in Nocess. Do not try to do it overnight. I have been delighted with the enthuvi Sad, into which it has invested several million euros and which will siasm and resolve of the people here to introduce such a novelty into BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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the education system in Serbia. Both the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia enthusiastically support these efforts and try to offer a helping hand to the education authorities in this mission.

Nevertheless, I would like to add that at Hemofarm, the company I have been steering for five years, we have long been working to establish ties with Serbian educational institutions. For example, we have a joint project with the Belgrade University Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, which was initiated by former students of the FTM who are currently employed as engineers at Hemofarm. This is about the enhancement of the pharmaceutical engineering department at this Faculty and collaboration between professors and our engineers in enhancing 10 professional subjects that we have enriched with practical knowledge. In this manner, we help current students to become immediately trained for work upon the completion of their studies.

This is also an invitation to other companies, especially large ones, which operate in Serbia to invest their knowledge in young people, through collaboration with the faculties that educate appropriate profiles of students. We often tend to forget how many good things we can achieve as individuals or as companies. We do not have to wait for systemic solutions for everything.

seminars and counselling, business gatherings and professional conferences, German Days in Serbia and the Belgrade Oktoberfest, the Serbian Visions multi-congress, which brings together civil society organisations, associations, the business community, institutions and others. We also have new ideas “in the pipeline”.

We wish for our members to see this Chamber as a real advocate of their interests and a good platform for their further development. It is our goal to make the Chamber a modern and proactive organisation that’s always at the disposal of its members. We also wish to be recognised by the state and other relevant partners as the right address they should turn to if they want to discuss German investments in Serbia.

• Many companies complain about large fees for different chambers in Serbia. How do you see the future of the country’s chamber system?

- I think that chamber organisation is very important for companies, since it brings them the possibility of networking, transfer of knowledge and good practises, and also combining forces to achieve certain business objectives that none of the companies could easily achieve alone.

No matter what industry you op• In this context, how do you see the priorities of cooperation between the German-Serbian Chamerate in or what kind of business you run, support is the key. And ber of Commerce, German development agena chamber is often a company’s cies and Serbian institutions when it comes to first and main pillar of support. improving the business environment?

Furthermore, there is a differ- Cooperation with Serbian institutions is undoubtence between the national Chamber When it comes to the predictability of the business environment, with a clear, of Commerce and bilateral chambers, such as the German-Serbian very precise and predictable framework, Serbia must still make progress Chamber of Commerce. National chambers of commerce speak on behalf of the entire business community. Therefore, the state can give edly one of our priorities, since we cooperate with the national politthe national chamber certain privileges, such as, for example, the right to ical and economic institutions here on the development of economic be involved in the decision-making processes of the government, which relations between the two countries, on bringing new investors, and certainly benefits all companies. In future, other areas, such as dual vocaalso on the further improvement of business conditions in Serbia. The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce contributes to the developtional training, will also be organised by the Chamber, as the official selfadministration body of the business community. This, of course, has its ment of new ideas on improving bilateral relations between the two price. Bilateral chambers are for those who maintain or are striving for countries, exactly through focusing on the improvement of the busibusiness relations with the respective country. I think no company is a ness climate, investments, and trade in both countries. In short, this member of all bilateral chambers. Moreover, their membership fees are Chamber is a friend, promoter, and advocate of the German and Servery moderate compared to the services they provide to their members. bian economies, and when it comes to cooperation with the instituThe system of chambers has existed since the 15th century and I tions here, we have been a devoted, benevolent and valuable partner. believe it will not disappear soon, though it certainly has to be adjusted to the current times and the businesses it supports. By establish• What are the most sought-after services that the German-Serbian ing the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Serbia has become a Chamber of Commerce offers its members? part of the network of German foreign trade chambers of commerce, - We have been exerting really huge efforts to improve our network which have been established in over 90 countries worldwide. With our through a large number of activities and to secure our members’ quality efforts, now at a higher level, German companies have a chance to recpresentation on this market. The array of services we offer and events we organise has been expanding constantly. We organise workshops, ognise Serbia as a good and reliable business partner. ■

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CORPORATE IGOR ANIĆ, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER AT PROCREDIT BANK

ProCredit Bank Direct – Banking Made Simple “Our stance has always been to not promote spending, rather actually savings, as a way for citizens to achieve and realise many things in their life,” says Igor Anić, member of the Executive Board of ProCredit Bank, speaking to CorD

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applicable is such an idea on the Serbian market, bearing in mind that we are largely “traditional”?

- Lifestyle habits and the ways in which we do many things have changed a lot in recent times. In that sense, Serbia isn’t lagging behind other countries of the world at all.

More than half of Serbia’s citizens use smartphones and numerous applications on them. Almost three million of our citizens have made at least one online purchase in the last six months, and it is estimated that by 2021 our country will have about four million regular online buyers.

tion” are something that is decreasingly valid for our financial market and users of banking services in Serbia.

• Another thing that makes ProCredit different from most other banks is the policy roCredit Bank, which has a repuof promoting the culture of a relationship tation and tradition in Serbia, towards money as not being an end in itself, has devised a completely new but rather something that is directed towards concept of cooperation with its improving quality of life in the broadest clients. As Igor Anić explains, sense. Why have you opted for this “edu“direct” banking is a way for all users to have cational” role, considering that profit is the available additional comfort and freedom sole aim of the majority of banks? in managing their financial resources and - Our attitude has always been to not proin using banking services. mote spending, rather actually - We created a completely new saving. This is not always the environment and offered clients the simplest way, but is usually the possibility of managing their savings, most correct and most responsicards and funds on all their accounts ble. When you try to provide your independently, at any time and from clients with new and innovative any place. Likewise, thanks to our solutions, such as “direct” bank24/7 Zones, all clients of ProCredit ing, it is always essential to pay Bank can now withdraw money from a lot of attention to education their Dinars and Euro accounts at and patiently familiarising users any time, and thanks to our modern with different values and the internet and mobile banking services, numerous benefits that these all clients can independently manage their savings accounts, or rather add funds to their savings account The concept of “direct” banking is a concept that responds fully and withdraw money whenever they to the juncture in which we are living and an ever-increasing need it. This great flexibility is acnumber of clients recognise its values and advantages in relation companied by our new price list, to traditional “counter service” banking which we have made simple and extremely clear for all clients. We new solutions bring them. Educating the At the same time, in the domestic bankare the only bank in Serbia to have presented market is always the most expensive oping world, electronic transactions have its rich offer of services to the population tion, but that’s not a reason for us to stop outstripped the number of monetary transon just two sheets of paper. innovating and attempting to provide our actions made by citizens via paper slips. All clients with solutions and approaches that of this together best illustrates to us the • “Direct banking” has come to life in many are not only modern, but which add value to extent to which our market is “digital” and Western countries, including Germany, where our cooperation in the best way. ■ modern. Simultaneously, notions of “tradiyour group’s headquarters are located. How BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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INTERVIEW

Creating ‘Regional Value Chains’ After the great success of the German ‘Initiative for Finding Suppliers in the Western Balkans’, AHK is now focused on finding a way to create ‘regional value chains’, creating cooperation between companies across the entire region. Serbian companies selected as suppliers are among the best in the country, able to supply the German market with everything it needs in their line of business

do appreciate it as a location for investment. I would like to recall the fact that each year the vast majority of these people say that they would invest in Serbia again if they had to make the decision again.

MARTIN KNAPP,

MANAGING BOARD MEMBER OF THE GERMAN-SERBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, AHK

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e spoke with Martin Knapp, Managing Board Member of AHK Serbia, about the importance of different country rankings for attracting investors, disputes regarding the dual education system in Serbian society and the future plans of AHK to bring together German buyers and Serbian suppliers.

• The traditional survey of German companies on Eastern European countries as economic locations saw Serbia this year ranked 11th among a total of 19 countries.

What should Serbia prioritise in order to advance to a better position on this list?

- Most respondents do not know Serbia well enough to make a real assessment. Those who really know Serbia

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• The Government of Serbia has two working groups dedicated to improving the country’s position on the Doing Business list and meeting the recommendations of the FIC White Book. Has the AHK considered initiating a working group to deal with improving Serbia’s position on this ranking list of German companies?

- Please, no more working groups! In the German Chambers we don’t have a country ranking system based on specific criteria like the Doing Business Index of the World Bank.

That system has so far tempted the government of a neighbouring country to focus its reforms only on the nine criteria of this particular index, leaving almost everything else in the country as it was. This may be a proper way to improve the position of your country in the Doing Business index, but investors could be disappointed in the end. For us, it is more a question of principles, such as the famous Rule of Law, which cannot be measured in figures.

Nevertheless, behind rule of law you can find an attitude of mind, which must prevail in the entire judicial system, as well as in the administration of a country. Here every single player is asked, not even so much the legislator.

• Considering that German companies already operating in Serbia are better able to assess the business environment than those only considering possibly investing,

INVESTMENT

CRITERIA

VET

Those who really know Serbia do appreciate it as a location for investment. The fact is that each year the vast majority of these people say that they would invest in Serbia again if they had to make the decision again

The Doing Business Index of the World Bank has so far tempted the government of a neighbouring country to focus its reforms only on the nine criteria of this particular index, leaving almost everything else in the country as it was

The traditional vocational training system is in no way sufficient to attract investors to the country who can introduce more technologically sophisticated production processes

could it be said that there are some prejudices among potential investors and, if so, how can they be assuaged?

- We have investors with rich experience in investing in many countries all over the world. This group is quite well-managed, particularly because the situation is quite similar in many countries that are taking part in the worldwide competition for industrial investment, especially when it comes to the kind of investment that is based mainly on relatively low labour costs. On the other hand, we have those investors who are venturing abroad for the first time, due to costs in Germany being too high. This group needs much more advice from our side, but it is our job to make sure that there are no surprises for these companies.

the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce and German development agencies with the Serbian government?

- On the part of the business community, many institutions are concerned with how the environment can be improved for investors. The Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (Privredna Komora Srbije - PKS) has, by law, the privilege of speaking on behalf of the entire economy. The government must even consult the chamber before taking any decision relevant to the economy. For this reason, we are cooperating very closely with the PKS. The field where German input is most visible is dual vocational training. This is not surprising, especially since the system of dual VET originated in German-speaking countries.

• Where do you see the greatest shift in improving the business climate that was achieved thanks to the work of

• You have amassed three years of experience organising three events of the “German Initiative for Finding

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Suppliers in the Region of the Western Balkans”. How would you rate the results of this project?

- Quite excellent. This project is among the best things we’ve ever done. We find strong and long-term buyers for medium-sized and smaller Serbian companies, which are among the country’s most advanced enterprises in technological terms. The same situation occurs in the neighbouring countries. We are now looking to create so-called ‘regional value chains’, compelling companies in the entire region to cooperate to produce more added value in the Western Balkan region.

• Do Serbian enterprises have sufficient capacities to respond to the needs of the German market, considering their production capacities?

- This cannot be answered in a general way. There are companies able to supply the German market with everything what it needs in their line of business. Other companies first need to expand their capacities. In the field of consumer goods, it is sometimes difficult to cooperate with large supermarket and consumer market chains, because the German market is very large, with over 80 million inhabitants, and therefore requires huge quantities.

bour for foreign investors. How would you react to such an assessment?

- Only people who don’t really know the system can see it that way. Only unskilled and uneducated workers are really cheap. The more educated a person is, the higher their potential earnings. And what would the alternative to dual vocational training be? The traditional vocational training system is in no way sufficient to attract investors to the country who can introduce more technologically sophisticated production processes. Any potential investor who wants to create more ‘added value’ in Serbia first enquires about the availability of skilled workers.

• You are among the most familiar with the regional and Serbian markets. What is the Serbian market still lacking when it comes to approaching European standards?

-This is one more question that cannot be answered in a general way. There are some companies that meet all modern standards, but there should be more of them. In order to create greater capacities, investment is required – and it doesn’t matter whether it’s domestic or foreign. A very AHK firmly supports Serbia's EU accession. This is the case for the important topic is the availpurchasing initiative, as well as for vocational training or for ‘Serbian ability of a skilled labour force, Visions’, our large event with 60 organisations, each of which has a as I already mentioned. Another vision for a better future in Serbia question is the certification of standards. Today it is not enough to meet standards, you • The recent arrival of IKEA has caused concern among also need a lot of different certificates, most of which manufacturers from the domestic wood industry, due are quite expensive. to expected competition that will disturb the Serbian market in this sector. Negotiations are underway with • Germany firmly supports Serbia’s EU accession. some German companies that could elicit similar reWhere is the place of AHK in that process? actions in other sectors. In your opinion, how can we - Whatever we do is aimed towards European integrareconcile the need for large investors with the negation. This is the case for the purchasing initiative, as tive viewpoint of local producers? well as for vocational training or for ‘Serbian Visions’, - If you look at the countries where companies like IKEA our large event with 60 organisations, each of which produce their goods, you can see that these are countries has a vision for a better future in Serbia, partly related with economies that are very similar to Serbia’s. To this to the economy and partly to society. This is a kind of extent, the presence of such chains in the country is an festival of civil society that we will organise again for the opportunity for manufacturers rather than a threat. third time this November. Every one of the 60 partner organisations has the opportunity to present its activi• Dual education has been met with contradictory ties to the ‘Serbian Visions’ community. I would ask you: comments in Serbian society, but among critics it please notice that we are talking about Serbian visions, is primarily seen as a model for producing cheap lanot German visions for Serbia… ■

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Euro Support Group is today a leader in the construction of industrial and commercial property with the complementary service of facility management. This has made it a long term and reliable partner to a range of well known foreign and local companies that work in Serbia.

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BUDUĆNOST PET DOO in Jagodina is a company for professional rehabilitation and employment of persons with disabilities. It was founded to provide help to the disabled through employment, training to provide services in our area of work and a better standard of living. On the other hand, the satisfaction of the users of our services is a constant drive of improvement at all levels, and a high level of social responsibility and service quality are our way of working.

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EDUCATION

B y O L I V E R H E R R L E N , VET counsellor, AHK Serbia

Serbia Is Preparing Seriously For VET A top-notch dual VET system requires high investments and the positive awareness of the society, to be a source of sustainability and act as a strong factor of economic growth and prosperity. Every implementation of a dual VET system is a unique and individual process that requires patience, as results cannot come instantly

T

he “Dual Vocational Education and Training” (VET) system embodies one pillar that can support a prosperous and competitive economy. Moreover, a company-based education system ensures the availability of skilled professionals on the labour market, which is considered an important location factor for national and international enterprises. A permeable and efficient VET system is a key factor in keeping youth unemployment rates at a low level. It additionally offers, apart from first career steps, several promotion opportunities for youngsters in their preferred profession. A company-based vocational education system guarantees a high match between supply and demand when it comes to a skilled workforce.

Dual vocational education is work-based learning at a company, with additional lectures and courses being conducted on the basis of a regular curriculum at VET-schools. These institutions provide general subjects as well as job-related subjects to

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top up and enrich the skills and competences that youngsters obtain at companies.

Many countries have shown great interest in the German dual VET system, and countries like Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Slovakia and Latvia are even considering adapting their vocational training systems to more closely follow Germany’s model. However, how can such a transfer happen? Is it simply a matter of copying the right structures and processes from one country to another?

Every implementation of a dual VET system is a unique and individual process, taking into consideration the country-specific work environment and intercultural conditions. Although VET experts see mostly positive outcomes of a successfully implemented dual vocational education system, patience is needed to give the system enough time to develop following initial implementation.

Responsible institutions should be aware that a top-notch dual

VET system requires high investments and the positive Dual vocational education is work-based learning at a company, with awareness of the society, to additional lectures and courses being conducted on the basis of a provide sustainability and act regular curriculum at VET-schools. These institutions provide general as a strong factor of economic subjects as well as job-related subjects to top up and enrich the skills growth and prosperity. and competences that youngsters obtain at companies The extent to which a society values vocational training can be a key factor in reformensure legal certainty and a reliable framework for all particiing such a VET system. Vocational training suffers from a poor image pants in the soon-to-be-established dual vocational education in many countries. For parents and the youth alike, a traditional system. In most countries that have implemented a state of the school or academic education is valued more highly than practical art VET-system successfully we can find strong and distinct on-the-job training. Changing such views, which are often subject chambers of commerce and industry. Such an institution plays to prejudice and stereotypes, requires a long-term strategy and a key role throughout the entire VET system, acting as a hub to steady effort. According to recent findings, programmes aimed link governmental authorities and VET-schools with companies at raising the acceptance of vocational training within society and industry as a whole. Moreover, Serbia already has a wellwill be successful when they are able to show positive results functioning and structured chamber of commerce representing and positive social impacts. Raising false career expectations the interests of different industries, which is well-prepared to that cannot be fulfilled will prove counter-productive and could take over this noted key role in future. lead to increased youth unemployment.

Serbia is exerting strong efforts to update the existing VET The Serbian VET act is currently under review and will hopefully

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be taught, these trained skilled employees can be sure to meet their own requirements and needs. As it is increasingly difficult for companies to recruit skilled employees with the desired profile on the external job market, securing a base of skilled employees is a major reason for companies to train.

Furthermore, companies can improve their personnel selection through vocational education and training. Over the course Serbia is exerting strong efforts to update the existing VET system of three years of training, companies get to know their towards a more practically-orientated vocational education trainees very well and can betsystem. The country is additionally working closely with several ter evaluate whether they will experienced institutions from Austria, Switzerland and Germany to be suitable for the company benefit from their positive experience and the team. This reduces the risk of poor appointments. At the same time, they can save on the costs of personnel recruitment and time-intensive processconnected with the whole training system, a higher qualification ing if they employ their trainees after the completion of training. can be gained after the vocational qualification and some years Good company training also has a significant binding force. of work experience: depending on the training career, e. g. master Young people feel like they are part of the company and most craftsman, technician, business administrator or marketing expert. would like to be employed there. This not only has a positive impact This qualification allows graduates to run their own business and on their working motivation as subsequent employees, but also train apprentices themselves. Vocational education and training increases their loyalty to the company. They often stay longer in is an alternative to university, while at the same time it offers a company with good training, reducing staff fluctuations, which access to university programmes. in turn impacts positively on productivity.

For companies, there are good reasons to invest in the vocaVocational education and training systems increase the tional education and training system, despite the costs. A major benefits to companies, and thus also their willingness to provide advantage is their opinion on the content of the training. As they sufficient training positions. â– can participate in decisions on the exact skills and knowledge to system towards a more practically-orientated vocational education system. The country is additionally working closely with several experienced institutions from Austria, Switzerland and Germany to benefit from their positive experience.

The vocational education system offers young people various further development possibilities after graduation. By being closely

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CORPORATE ZORAN ĐURIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER, MIELE SRBIJA

Products For The Future

“Miele is a company that always keeps pace with, technological advances in the area of domestic appliances, and which develop projects that are orientated towards the future,” says Zoran Đurić, general manager of MIELE Srbija, speaking to CorD

M

tion can, without a major “backlash”, make strategic long-term plans?

- MIELE has also achieved excellent sales results on the Serbian market, just like on the global market, even when compared to much larger regions and countries, which is our confirmation that this is a market that needs a brand and devices that guarantee quality, and in our country it is respectfully recognised, certainly not without reason, that German quality is a guarantee of longevity and technological innovation. Likewise,

• It is also not unknown that Miele deals with innovations in order to provide an opportunity for people just starting a business to implement the results of their creative work. Is this kind of support for new ideas also applied in Serbia?

- As I have already noted, Miele is a company that always keeps pace with, technological advances in the area of domestic appliances, and which develop projects that are orientated towards the future, such as Miele@Home or Industry 4.0. The same goes for innovative business models in the field of electrical appliances for the home, business or medical sector. It is precisely for this reason that the company founded the Miele Venture Capital GmbH branch, via which the Miele Group has the opportunity to concentrate its projects and cooperate with start-up companies, while forms of cooperation range from joint development projects or management support to direct investment. When it comes to Serbia, it seems that the culture of establishing new

iele, which manufactures products that are not only present on almost 100 world markets, but are also highly valued, has been operating in Serbia since 2009. Miele Srbija’s general manager, Zoran Đurić, explains that since there have been two showroom in Belgrade, customers have a different experience of shopping.

- With this, opportunities on the Serbian market have also been enhanced, and customers have been provided with the opportunity to be sure of the performance of appliances on the spot, before buying. Now customers can seek advice in our specialised showrooms about which appliances will most closely match their lifestyle and needs, and the advantage of that is that they become acquainted with the Miele brand and we have the ability to provide customers with relevant When it comes to long-term plans, our team in Serbia is working information and assure them that on the intensive development of distribution and service they its always pay to invest in quality. networks, in order to provide our customers with even better Although we are still a relatively new service and to show them that we are here for them brand on the Serbian market, we can say that our customers recognise and as this year, Miele incorporates the latest value quality, which is our business goal that businesses is still in development, thus we cantechnological solutions in its new series of our expectations are also linked to, and we not say that we have received inquiries related devices, i.e. Miele@home system, which have been realising them in Serbia for a long to this model. We are, however, pleased to see uses modern technology that “collects” all time, which we are very proud of. that our country’s innovators and novices in information from appliances and displays business are increasingly courageous, so we them in one place, and it is planned for this • To what extent is the Serbian market for are hopeful that in the future some innovative system to be fully available on our market, domestic appliances an environment in which solutions for Miele devices will come from with all of its functions, from 2018. a German company with a century-long tradiour country. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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INTERVIEW

Joint Efforts Yield Successful Implementation I am very happy to see that industry and education build trust once they know that the government stands behind the dual education process. In the next step, it is important to further develop the main pillars of employment promotion: education and the economy, as well as employment facilitation services

HEINZ-DIETER HARBERS,

COORDINATOR OF THE GIZ SECTOR PROGRAMME “SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT” IN SERBIA

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e spoke with Heinz-Dieter Harbers, coordinator of the GIZ sector programme “Sustainable economic development and employment” in Serbia, about the implementation of dual education in Serbia, cooperation between various partners coming from the government and the business sector, and progress so far achieved.

• Serbia’s two greatest challenges are reforming the labour market and education policies. Through the programme that you lead, GIZ has addressed a significant part of these challenges. What would you single out as the greatest successes so far?

- Along the mentioned challenges, it seems that continuous improvement and innovation of active labour market policy measures is needed in order to respond to the needs of both

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employers and young unemployed people. Through our projects, we have been able to recognise the efforts of the government, ministries, national and local institutions, employers and the youth themselves to find the best response and improve the position of youth on the labour market. Our greatest success within youth employment promotion is that we shape skills training courses based on close cooperation with employers.

Another example is the development of the project “Reform of vocational education in Serbia”, which has introduced elements of dual education to the Serbian system of vocational education and training. As a result of this successful introduction, the Serbian government decided to draft a law on dual education, a process that GIZ, as an implementer of German development cooperation, has actively supported.

• What are the key challenges you have identified that result in Serbia having an inadequate supply of well-trained workers?

- On the one hand, schools are dealing with outdated educational profiles and ill-equipped school workshops. On the other hand, young people lack practical experience.

However, the good news is that educational profiles are now slowly being modernised and based on standardised qualifications. This is a process that goes together with an increase in practical training days of students in companies,

instead of being in school workshops that are not equipped in a way that would enable teachers to follow the latest trends in terms of equipment. Furthermore, German development cooperation through GIZ has also supported schools with some basic equipment. Developing skills in a real working environment is very important for school pupils and gives them a better opportunity to position themselves on the labour market following graduation.

work jointly on different Business to Business (B2B) events i.e. purchasing initiative; implementation of occupational training i.e. export management training.

• How satisfied are you with your cooperation with the Serbian Government and Serbia’s education institutions?

- Very satisfied. The Serbian Government recognised the importance of reforming three-year vocational education.

The development of a dual education model that is suitable for Serbian conditions is a process in which we enjoy great cooperation with Serbian education institutions, while the Government is supporting the entire process. Everyone – from schools to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development – plays a very important role. I am very happy to see that industry and education build trust once they know that the government stands behind the whole process. We also

• You have been in Serbia for a long time and have had the opportunity to get to know our country very well. In your opinion, what attracts German investors to Serbia and what causes them to be cautious when it comes to the capacity of the labour force?

- As a country, Serbia has a good industrial heritage, meaning people are willing and accustomed to working in this type of environment. The labour force in Serbia is well educated, very motivated and proficient in foreign languages. German companies are especially satisfied with the productivity of domestic workers. On the other hand, when we look at specific sectors and regions, the dissemination of a highly qualified workforce can present a challenge. We also can’t ignore the fact that theoretical knowledge is not The Serbian Government is very open to cooperation and is always in line with practical skills, and working continuously to improve the business climate in Serbia this has been recognised in many fields.

However, we actively support technical cooperate very successfully with the Ministry of Youth and schools, in order to produce profiles needed on the market.

Sports by supporting them in the implementation of the National Strategy for Youth and the associated Action Plan, • You are cooperating with the German-Serbian Chamber while in addition to this we also cooperate with the Ministry of of Commerce in implementing your programme. In which Labour, Employment, Social and Veteran Affairs and the Ministry areas do you rely on them the most? of Education, as well as the National Employment Service.

- Cooperation with the German-Serbian Chamber of ComAlongside that, there is also a strong commitment among merce is mostly focused on promoting dual education among governmental institutions throughout the implementation. member companies of the Chamber. With the support of The Serbian Government is very open to cooperate and is German Development Cooperation, an expert with longworking continuously to improve the business climate in standing practical experience in vocational education and Serbia. It is also very encouraging to see that cooperation training was deployed at the German-Serbian Chamber of with the Serbian Development Agency has been improved Commerce. Apart from focusing on the promotion of dual and a lot of activities are financed jointly. education, he is also actively cooperating and supporting the capacity development of the Education Centre of the • A particular problem in Serbia is posed by unemployment Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia. The German among young people. Are you satisfied with the results so far Development Cooperation “Private sector development achieved in promoting dual education and youth employment? project” is cooperating with AHK mostly in the sectors of - A first pre-generation of students graduated last year. metal and mechanical engineering. We have strong supThey enrolled in the profile of industrial mechanic at the port from them in terms of receiving feedback from the technical school in Pećinci. The cooperation in Pećinci German industry regarding their needs and requests; we BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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was formed as a public-private partnership with company Bosch. Pupils went to Bosch’s production plant for practical training in the second and third years of their vocational education. Upon graduation, all 10 gained employment.

This year we are happy to hear that again all students trained at Bosch were employed. This gives us reason to be satisfied with the results of this initiative.

We also have positive feedback from other cities and companies. More and more companies are joining and are willing to support schools and their pupils. We based our approach to existing potentials along these lines, and potentials where youth and employers are the actual driving force. From our experience, it seems that this approach enabled us to generate good results, but also to shape a new culture in Serbian youth entrepreneurship, skills trainings, agricultural cooperatives etc.

are their dedication and willingness to work. This is what we promote and link: young people willing and ready to step up and learn, and employers willing to invest in their development.

• The introduction of dual education simultaneously creates anxiety in Serbia that such educated personnel will leave the country and head to Germany. How would you respond to such fears?

- Youth mobility in this global context is something that cannot be forbidden or prevented. Serbia will very soon be part of EU and mobility will be even higher.

This also relates to labour force mobility.

It is up to Serbia to create conditions and build on its own advantages to let young people leave and motivate them to return and start their lives, professionally and personally, here in Serbia.

Along these lines, it is also necessary to create a positive business environment, so educated personnel have good opportunities to work and develop.

• GIZ’s long-term goals in implementing this project include strengthening the international competitiveness of enterprises in Serbia, establishing high-quality vocational eduGIZ supports the Serbian Government in the finalisation and cation for young people, more jobs, employment and growth of the econimplementation of the Law on Dual Education omy. What do you see as the most important steps in the period ahead?

- It is important to further develop the main pillars of em• Serbia is also currently reforming its education system, ployment promotion: education and the economy, as well as and one of the topics is additional training for teachers. employment facilitation services. At GIZ we define that as an Last year, in cooperation with domestic institutes, you orintegrated approach that enables bonding between sectors ganised training for teaching personnel. How was this proand institutions, and which demands close cross-sector coopgramme received among teachers? eration and understanding of mutual interdependence. One - Teachers are always happy when they have an opportunity particular example is our support to the Serbian Government to learn and upgrade their knowledge. They are very pleased in the finalisation and implementation of the Law on Dual once they learn that the training courses we provide are a Education. Moreover, we will certainly continue supporting mixture of theory and practical experience. For mechanical schools and companies, for example when it comes to training and electrical engineering, that means that training has for teachers or offering training for in-company instructors. to be organised and conducted using modern equipment.

In addition to that two important steps. One is the introducOf course, we discuss with teachers and we listen to their tion of a new Industrial Policy of the Republic of Serbia that needs, so I could say that training modules are tailormade. will be aligned with the needs and capacities of the existing In this regard, we are very grateful to the expertise of economy. Another the fostering the start-up ecosystem and domestic institutes, such as welding institutes, who can ITentrepreneurship in Serbia. And it is crucial that this policy serve as excellent training providers. results in the emergence of new development projects. It is We have also engaged existing resources in companies also important to work on the harmonisation of standards and among training providers in order to shape the training with EU legislation. In parallel to this, it is important to programmes in such a way that enables youth skills to start to strengthen the capacities of SMEs in terms of soft skills. ■ work. The employer’s key criteria for selecting future workers

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CORPORATE LEITNER LEITNER

BEPS - International Tax Reform Tax Treaty Related Measures, the Multilateral Convention presented last November by the OECD, is now supported by 70 Ministers and high-level representatives who participated in the signing ceremony on 7th June. The Treaty itself will influence the legislations of the states involved, including Serbia

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that certificates of residence are sufficient for using DTT protection. In practise, the tax administration rarely requires the provision of proof of beneficial ownership. If necessary, such proof can be provided by way of proper agreement or an excerpt from the register.

BEPS proposes implementing an additional condition whereby the beneficial owner must prove that, in a certain period of time prior to dividend payment (365 days), they possess the proprietary rights on the basis of which dividends are paid.

Another proposed far-reaching change is preventing artificial avoidance of the status of a permanent establishment (PE) through commission arrangements. DTTs prescribe that no PE will be established when a foreign company conducts business through an intermediary or

BEPS prescribes that there is PE when the commissioner regularly concludes agreements on behalf of a company, for providing services by that company or for transfer of ownership. It is considered that this proposition has economic justification and should therefore be accepted

by Serbia. However, the process of identifying such entities and PE remains as-yet-unknown and, if adopted, will represent a huge challenge in terms of practical application.

BEPS constitutes an unprecedented change in international taxation and will have a significant impact on the taxation of multinational companies, given the expectation that it may amend at least 2000 tax treaties.

It is anticipated that the proposal will have an impact on a broad range of multinational companies in the coming years. The question

he main goal of the Treaty is to Prevent Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), based on three core principles: coherence, substance and transparency. The intention of the project is to prevent tax planning that exploits gaps and non-compliance of tax regulations, in order to reduce the tax base or “artificially” shift profits to countries with more favourable tax jurisdictions, where economic activity either does not take place or takes place on a small scale.

It is clear that existing rules give businesses too much opportunity to arbitrage tax rates and regimes. Existing international taxation law fails to keep up with the global nature of modern business models.

The question that remains is not only how global companies will The BEPS will be applied alongbe influenced, but also how the domestic tax administration will side existing tax treaties, modifying prepare itself for these major changes their application in order to implement additional measures. that remains is not only how global companies general commission agent. Sometimes these There is no doubt that all measures will will be influenced, but also how the domestic provisions are used fraudulently i.e. the parties impact greatly on Serbian legislation, but at tax administration will prepare itself for these involved negotiate in the source country, while this moment two significant changes might major changes... Developments in this area the agreement is formally concluded in the impact on foreign companies planning an should be monitored and existing arrangements foreign country. This modus operandi is used investment in Serbia. should be carefully evaluated with a view to to erode the base in the source country – where One of the changes is to taxation on the potential treaty changes across the world. ■ the sale actually occurs. In order to prevent this, transfer of dividends. Applicable DTTs stipulate BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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CORPORATE SIEMENS: DUAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Secondary-Schoolers From Dual Education Programme Start Working Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology leader that has been recognised for over 170 years for technical advancements and innovations, and for the quality and reliability of its products and services worldwide

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for them to later have a greater possibility plant in Subotica. The Siemens factory is he first generation of secondary of gaining employment at Siemens, which also one of Serbia’s biggest exporters. school pupils who opted for the eduis happening now,” said Udo Eichlinger, Siemens AG is active in more than 190 cational profile locksmith-welder, Siemens d.o.o. CEO. countries, with a focus on the areas of electrilaunched as part of the dual educaSiemens immediately supported the tion project, have completed their three-year fication, automation and digitisation. One of implementation of the project to introduce education. Eight of them participated in the the world’s biggest manufacturers of energydual education to secondary schools, with programme and are now in the process of efficient technologies and technologies that pupils who had then started the practical gaining employment at Siemens’ wind turbine preserve resources, Siemens is No. 1 in the training beginning at the Siemens plant and plant in Subotica. production of offshore turbines, a leading Based on the initiative of company Siemens, prompted by the Siemens immediately supported the implementation of the increased volume of production at project to introduce dual education to secondary schools, with its wind turbine generator factory, the Ivan Sarić Technical School in pupils who had then started the practical training beginning at Subotica introduced the new eduthe Siemens plant and the factories of other companies that cation profile of locksmith-welder supported the programme in 2014, as part of the project to introduce new education profiles to the factories of other companies that supsupplier of combined cyclic turbines for the school system. The project was launched electricity generation, a leading provider of

by German development agency GIZ, with ported the programme. Secondary school power transmission solutions and a pioneer the support of the German Government and pupils had practical training at the Siemens in infrastructure solutions and solutions in the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science plant twice a week, where they were familthe area of automation and software for and Technological Development. iarised with the specific production method the needs of industry. Siemens has been “Siemens invests in young people, pupils and the factory’s production process. present in Serbia since 1887, while Siemens and students, in their education in areas In the previous year, Siemens introduced d.o.o. Belgrade was founded in 1996 with the that interest them and for which they can 12 innovative models of generators at the aim of acting to contribute directly to the be schooled, and we are extremely proud factory for the production of wind turbine faster recovery and development of Serbia’s that young qualified people will come to join generators, while 20,000 GD wind turbines economy and infrastructure systems. The our team. The long-term goal of this colwere manufactured. Also testifying to the local company currently employs around success of the factory is the fact is that laboration was for pupils going through the 2,000 workers, active in all areas covered every third wind turbine in Europe is runlocksmith-welder educational programme by the parent company. ■ to also go through practical training, and ning a generator produced at the Siemens

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MIGRANT CRISIS

Most Popular European Migration Destination

The migrant crisis has added hundreds of thousands of people to European countries’ populations in under two years. Germany alone had 1.2 million asylum applications from the beginning of 2015 until the end of May 2017, equivalent to 1.5% of the German population

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efore the 2015 refugee crisis, which was classed as worse than the one following World War II, Germany’s population was predicted to drop consistently for decades. That would pose a problem because fewer people would be joining the workforce, paying taxes, and helping pay for pensions.

The route through the Western Balkans is not a new one, and has long been a pathway for those coming from the Middle East or Eastern Africa. Hundreds of thousands from within the Balkans also used this route to flee violence during the 1990s, when the region was primarily one of origin, not transit. In fact, an influx of Yugoslav refugees in the early part of the decade led to the development of

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the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which today finds itself under significant pressure, after the European Union opened up visa-free travel for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia in 2009-10.

All those people still need to be integrated into the workforce. The headline figures aren’t promising: Only 9% of migrants who arrived in 2015 have found a job so far, according to a German Institute for Employment Research (IAB) survey.

Analysts argue that most of these migrants are currently in training programs and Germany’s education system is well-equipped to train people on both academic and vocational paths. For the latter it has

apprenticeship systems that train people in bulk for jobs the economy needs. So there should soon be a glut of workers ready to help Germany.

“The litmus test” will be whether those people are ready to get to work when the training programs come to an end. However, German unemployment is so low, at 3.9%, that the country can withstand a rise in unemployment if not all the new trainees can immediately find work.

Migrant, refugee, asylum seeker, and immigrant: these varied terms have got even experts confused.

A migrant is basically anyone who moves to a different place, within his country or outside its borders. Migrants are people who leave their country of their own will. They may not be facing any danger but they move, for example, to improve their quality of life.

status of a refugee or whether he is denied both. Until a decision is made, the applicants can live only in refugee shelters and are not allowed to work initially.

IMMIGRANT Immigrants (“Zuwanderer” in German) are all persons who come to Germany, independent of how long they come for and the purpose of their travel. They could immigrate for different reasons: professional, for seeking asylum or for higher education.

“Einwanderer” in German are also immigrants, but officially those who travel to Germany to and plan to stay here for a long time. Both terms, “Zuwanderer” and “Einwanderer” are interchangeably used, but they mean different things. That is why people in Germany are discussing whether

REFUGEE Legally, a refugee - as opposed Analysts argue that most of these migrants are currently in training to a migrant - is a person who falls programs and Germany’s education system is well-equipped to under the category of the Geneva Refugee Convention. According to train people on both academic and vocational paths this, a refugee is someone who has been forced to leave his country their country is a “Zuwanderungsland” - a travel destination for many because of reasons related to race, religion, nationality, political people - or an “Einwanderungsland” - a country where people immigrate to. conventions or membership of a social group. The term “climate According to the Basic Law, Germany’s constitution, porefugee” has come up in the last years to describe people fleeing litically persecuted people get asylum. A politically persecuted because of climate change, for example, because they cannot live off person is someone who is strongly marginalized in his country the agricultural produce in their home country. This is not included because of his political convictions that his worth as a human in the Geneva Convention. being is destroyed. Emergencies like economic hardships do not qualify a person for asylum. After the collapse of the Eastern ASYLUM APPLICANT bloc and the movement of migrants from the former Yugoslavia People, who have applied for asylum, but whose fate has not yet in the early 1990s, the basic right to asylum was restricted. Acbeen decided, are known as asylum applicants or asylum seekers. The cordingly, political asylum is granted to only those persons not German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) decides coming from a safe country of origin. whether a person has the right to asylum, whether he receives the BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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According to paragraph 23 of the German residence act, all A safe country of origin does not persecute its citizens for refugees coming from a certain country or belonging to a certain political reasons and does not implement inhuman or degrading group will get a residence permit. Quota refugees therefore punishment. However, citizens from safe countries cannot be enjoy - because of the residence permit issued by the state - an simply deported. Every asylum seeker in Germany must legally exceptional rule. Quota refugees need not go through the asylum get the chance to prove that he is politically threatened in his process, but initially cannot choose freely where they wish to live home country. An asylum request from a person belonging to in Germany. Quota refugees are distributed among federal states a safe country is usually rejected unless there are exceptional according to the so-called “Königsteiner key.” reasons. In 2017, a debate flared up in Germany with regards to deportation to Afghanistan.

What has changed after the “The litmus test” will be whether those people are ready to get asylum law modifications of 2016? to work when the training programs come to an end. However, The asylum process has been accelerated after the introduction German unemployment is so low, at 3.9%, that the country can of the new laws. Officials have to withstand a rise in unemployment if not all the new trainees decide on an asylum application can immediately find work within one week. Upon rejection, deportation takes place within The prerequisite for qualifying as a quota refugee could be three weeks from the asylum shelter. The governing coalition, includhumanitarian reasons or the “safeguarding of the Federal Republic ing Chancellor Angela Merkel’s party, the CDU, and her allies the CSU of Germany’s political interests.” The federal states or the federal and the SPD had been clamoring for the laws for a long time. government can decide on such exceptions. Potential candidates An important point is that family reunification for families of can for example, register with the UNHCR or German consulates persons receiving “subsidiary protection” has been completely and receive a residence permit to live and work in Germany. forbidden for two years. Individuals with subsidiary protection are those who are not recognized as refugees according to the WHAT DOES THE DUBLIN PROCESS MEAN? Geneva Convention, but who face a serious threat in their counEvery asylum application is not decided in Germany. According to try of origin. And although they cannot bring their families, they the Dublin regulation the EU country where the asylum seeker first themselves cannot be deported. entered the EU is responsible for the asylum process. If this country is If an asylum request is rejected in Germany and if the person is not known and considered safe, refugees are deported there immediately recognized as a refugee, he or she must leave Germany. There is the without further examination and can apply for asylum. The so-called threat of deportation. An asylum seeker can plead against that. Until “Dublin-II regulation of 2003” has been attracting more and more critthe deportation or in case travelling out of Germany is not possible, ics since 2015, especially since thousands off refugees are waiting in these individuals receive “a tolerated right to stay.” These reasons Greece to travel further. They complain that many EU countries use include sickness, missing documents or the situation in a country. It is Dublin II to justify not taking in any refugees from Greece. ■ also valid for underage adults who have fled unaccompanied by adults.

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CORPORATE JIŘÍ SÍLA, DIRECTOR OF TEBODIN SERBIA

Dutch Spirit, German Precision “Our focus on the private sector is an organic evolution,” says Jiří Síla, Director of Tebodin Serbia, speaking to CorD

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y combining Dutch creativity and which is a tougher way of earning money on • Tebodin originated as a Dutch company this market, and that you are not present and became part of the German Bilfinger German precision, engineering and in public tenders or in jobs with the state. Group SE. How does the Serbian business consulting company Tebodin has spirit fit into the renowned Dutch and fit into the Serbian market and the Why is that? local business “fluttering” for more than ten - For the most part, our focus on the private German cultures? years. Explaining where he sees Serbia’s sector is an organic evolution. We serve - Tebodin became part of Bilfinger Group development potential, Jiří Síla says that, many multinational clients with our interna- SE in 2012, but maintained its headquarters considering Tebodin’s regional position, the tional network of offices, on occasion even in The Hague, the Netherlands. You could Serbian market has great potential for the development of Greenfield investments.

- On the other hand, the focus for the rest of Central Europe is on extensions to existing buildings and reconstructions.

Paradoxically, it seems that Serbia’s symptoms of economic weakness, namely the availability and price of labour, coupled with the availability of land, are currently its greatest assets when it comes to kickstarting economic growth by attracting investors from the manufacturing sector.

Our name, TEBODIN (Dutch abbreviation for Technical Bureau for the Development of Industries), describes the company’s original objectives: to contribute actively to the technical and economic development of post-WWII Netherlands. Although over the years we have branched out into the commercial real estate sector, we are geared to being an engineering partner to mainly industrial clients, with a special focus on the automotive, Paradoxically, it seems that Serbia’s symptoms of economic weakness are currently its greatest assets for kick-starting economic growth by manufacturing and food & beverattracting investors from the manufacturing sector age industries. In that regard, I do believe that our growth prospects forming multi-national project teams. We say that Tebodin leverages the best of both are aligned with those of the country, given that all the noted sectors are currently do have broad expertise in public tenders worlds: drawing on German discipline and precision, while at the same time building within our network, which will serve us well experiencing booms. in the case that we do participate in Serbian on the Dutch entrepreneurial and pioneer• Those who are familiar with the situation public tenders. We can definitely bring our ing spirit. We have a great company culture in business know that Tebodin has mainly focus on service and project team quality, that manages to overcome some of the ‘hurdles’ in the Serbian business culture. ■ operated in Serbia with private companies, raising the bar in public tendering.

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CORPORATE

Multi-Congress Serbian Visions The only multi-congress in our region, organised by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia) in parnership with the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Serbia (CCIS), Serbian Visions will be held for the third time on 25th and 26th November at Belgrade's Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel

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erbian Visions gathers NGOs, professional and other associations, institutes, institutions and companies in one place with the aim of strengthening the role of civil society in the country and creating a positive business climate. In a two-day multi-congress the hotel’s auditoriums will see a total of 60 events changing on a two-hourly rhythm.

They will cover many important subjects such as human rights, economics, European integration, innovation, eductaion, culture, protection of the environment and wildlife and other fields that make up a vision of a better future for Serbia. Organisations will present their own programmes and ideas through discussions, presentations, workshops, lectures and other means. By educating a broader public and with their support they will try to provide their contribution to improving the whole community.

This kind of happening is organised in other European countries, often on the initiative of buisnesses, and with time they grow into an event that contributes to networking, discovering new, innovative solutions and faster realisation of individual projects.

At the closing of last year’s second Serbian Visions multi-

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congress, director of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce Martin Knapp expressed satisfaction with the fact that civil society in Serbia is ever better organised.

He said that in all possible fields there are dedicated people who spontaneously organise themselves without expecting payment, and that there is a great professionalism in Serbia that should be supported and reinforced with the aim of creating a better future for Serbia.

AHK Serbia calls on all NGOs, professional and other associations, institutes, universities and faculties and other non-profit organisations to apply to take part. They will receive one of the hotel’s conference rooms free of charge for their two-hour event – lecture, workshop, film projection, presentation, discussion or whatever they choose. Companies are also called to join in with innovative ideas or products, socially responsible employment, creative projects or a message for the public.

Entry to every event is free and 4,000 visitors are expected.

You can find more information abput the congress, applications to take part and up-to-date news on the Serbian Visions site www.serbian-visions.rs and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/serbianvisions.

SERBIAN VISIONS IN NUMBERS: • 60 two-hour events throughout the weekend • 60 participants: NGOs, institutes, assoctiations, universities, faculties, professional associations, companies etc.

• 60 interesting subjects in the fields of: economics, education, culture, health, environmental protection, human rights • 60 different ways of presenting: discussions, forums, presentations, workshops, seminars, film projections etc.

• 60 plus reasons to come to Serbian Visions – the only multi-congress in Serbia. ■

60 events in one weekend!

25th & 26th November 2017 10am – 8pm Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel Belgrade

CORPORATE DRAGAN LAZIĆ, CEO SOUTHEAST EUROPE XELLA, XELLA SRBIJA

Builders And Educators

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“In Serbia, interest in new technologies and the use of natural materials in the construction industry is changing, as is awareness of the speed of construction and modern static, fire-prevention, insulation and acoustic solutions,” says the CEO of Xella for Serbia and Southeast Europe, Dragan Lazić

• If you were to draw a parallel with the you assess the extent to which Serbia folhen Xella Group came to Serbia start of your operations in Serbia, have you more than a decade ago, with lows the latest trends in the area you deal noticed differences in the circumstances its palette of products, ideas, with and how much is awareness of the under which you operate, in the market you materials and way of building that need to adopt new technologies changing? are directed towards, and in the relationship fit into the philosophy of sustainable develop- Increased interest in new technoloof state institutions towards investors? ment and “green construction”, viewed from the gies, and our experience working with - The evolution of conditions for doing busiperspective of the then domestic approach in investors, architects and contractors, this domain, it was equivalent to an unheard-of confirms that changing awareness is a ness is evident. What we would like to see, miracle. In the meantime, this renowned German process that is greatly underway, espeas domestic producers, is the even faster company, which has also become a member of adopting of regulations and norms that recially in terms of faster and more efficient the Green Building Council, educates the local construction market with What we would like to see, as domestic producers, is the the example of its latest business even faster adopting of regulations and norms that relate to solutions and by offering the latest standards in the applying of building materials and standards of solutions and materials that are at certification in accordance with EU standards the same level of quality as anywhere in the West. “In the past 12 years, we have been devoted to creating a system to be late to standards in the applying of building construction, as well as better static, able to offer our clients on the domestic market materials and standards of certification in fire-prevention, insulation and acoustic products that adhere to the highest European accordance with EU standards. This primarsolutions, which we offer. Thanks to the standards of modern building technologies,” use of 100 per cent natural raw materials ily relates to performance that impacts on explains CEO Lazić. that are transformed, through our innovathe safety and quality of buildings, such as - The German technology we utilise in thermal characteristics, fire resistance and tive technological process, into products production processes in our factory in Serbia noise protection levels. As exporters of with superior qualities, we provide the is actually a guarantee of top quality. Moreobuilding materials, we would be helped by end-user with ultimate comfort and conthe complete elimination of all obstacles ver, our expert engineering team provides venience in their apartment. For example, to free trade with the surrounding markets, clients with complete systemic solutions our YTONG Thermo-block PLUS 30 is the given that we have the CE mark for products in the planning and building of facilities, only building material on the market that produced in Serbia. We believe that the which represents an additional value that in only one layer, of just 30cm, without competent state institutions will accelerate is well accepted. additional thermal insulation, satisfies the development of production branches of the prescribed values of the coefficient the economy that generate economic growth of heat transfer in walls, as defined by • Given that you have been present on this and create high quality jobs. ■ the Energy Efficiency Rulebook. market for more than a decade, how would BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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CORPORATE

CORPORATE PREDRAG LUČIĆ, ACTING DIRECTOR, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY OF SERBIA – REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE ŠUMADIJA AND POMORAVA ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS

HELP

Make Opportunity Work

Photo: Help Photo Archive

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ight there, at the entrance of the former electronic industry in Niš, once a giant among the drivers of the country’s economy, but now an area hosting 160 Serbian companies, including some educational facilities, there has been a canteen since the end of 2015.

One of the Help-supported beneficiaries within the German-funded project recognised the opportunity to launch a business.

“No matter whether they’re blue collar workers or CEOs, students or pupils people need food or coffee, or both, during their long working day. The key is to recognise an opportunity and make it work.” said Dragana T.

The German-funded project “Support to socioeconomic stability in the Western Balkans region” aims to increase the capacities of economically vulnerable groups in order for them to participate more fully in society and produce much-needed jobs for the people of the region, thus ensuring overall economic development Dragana is a young woman from Niš. A baker by profession, this 32-year-old “baked” her experience for over half a decade in Niš’s bakeries. Underpaid and unregistered, she aimed higher, never tired and never ashamed of any type of job. She even worked as a cleaning lady to provide sufficient income and save funds for her own small business.

Willingness, ability and persistence to undertake entrepreneurial activities are obviously the key ingredients in achieving one’s goals and dreams. Dragana displayed it all and made it work, with a little help from Help.

German NGO “Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe” has been providing assistance in the Balkans since 1996. The focus of late has been on regional cooperation and assistance aimed at achieving socio-economic stability in the Western Balkans, which is a policy priority for the European Union and the Western Balkan countries as they head towards the EU. ■

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Good Hosts And Good Neighbours T

hose of us who work at the Regional Chamber of Commerce of the Šumadija and Pomoravlje Districts are proud of the fact that a large number of members of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce operate successfully in our area. In that sense, our excellent cooperation with colleagues from the GermanSerbian Chamber is also in some way transferred to the relations we have with companies in the Šumadija and Pomoravlje districts.

That’s why, within the framework of our activities, we don’t only have intensive cooperation with members of the German-Serbian Chamber, rather we also try to help them achieve their established goals. We want to be good hosts and good neighbours.

A good example is EURO SUPPORT GROUP. That’s a successful company that deals in construction works and facility management.

EURO SUPPORT GROUP has significantly increased the volume of its business activities. This was particularly noticeable in the 2014-2016 period. The company simultaneously conducted and diversified its activities. I would emphasise, as a particularly important fact, the business activities launched by the EURO SUPPORT GROUP on the German market. Our expectations are that this company, with which we have intensive and good cooperation, and which we also support tangibly within the framework of our activities, will have even more successful business development in the period ahead. ■

AWA HUMAN RESOURCES 2015 D.O.O. was founded on 19th March 2015, with headquartes at Žrtava Fašizma 60 in the town of Bezdan. We offer services in care for the aged, the sick and those unable to take care of themselves in Germany. From the very start, our business has seen continuous growth, and from our beginnings, with just a few clients, our firm has grown to serve over 100 families throughout Germany. The positive experience of our clients is an indicator of the professionalism and quality of the services offered by our geronto-housekeepers. At the beginning of 2017, we broadened our business to cover property trade mostly in the West Bač District (and for clients further afield, as required).

4M SPECIAL TOOLS D.O.O. • Balkan leader in the production of special automechanical tools • Mechanical production using CNC technology

E-mail: info@awa.rs sloboda.hajnalka@awa.rs Tel: +381 (0) 25 810 567 Mob: +381 (0) 60 389 61 55 Reference list: Ball packaging, Grundfos, Froneri, Swarovski, Konelek, Streit…

www.awa.rs

4M Specijalni Alati doo Aleksandra Milenkovica bb 22304 Novi Banovci Tel/Fax: +381 (0) 22 342 939 E-mail: office@4m.rs www.4m.rs

INTERVIEW

By SONJA ĆIRIĆ

Culture Liberates Emotions

Although he has only been the director of the Goethe-Institut in Belgrade since March, Frank Baumann notes that the Serbian language, Serbia and our culture have been close to him for 12 years, because his wife is a Serb and their three children know our language

FRANK BAUMANN,

DIRECTOR OF THE GOETHE-INSTITUT IN SERBIA (GOETHE-INSTITUT SERBIEN)

B

aumann was appointed to head Germany’s cultural centre, the Goethe-Institut, in Serbia after having served the same function in Belarus, and prior to that Russia. We spoke in the Knez Mihailova Street premises of the Goethe-Institut, which were renovated last year.

• Like in any other country, the mission of the Goethe-Institut in Serbia is to relay the cultural, social and political image of the Federal Republic of Germany. How in particular do you accomplish this task?

- The Goethe-Institut, as you say, everywhere in the world, realises its mission in two directions: language and international cultural cooperation. Language is the base from which everything starts, and international cultural cooperation is carried out through projects that we jointly design and implement.

• Apart from Serbia, the Goethe-Institut in Belgrade is also responsible for Montenegro. Why?

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- The easiest way for me to explain it to you is with the help of history. On the territory of the former Yugoslavia Goethe institutes were established in Belgrade and Zagreb, with Belgrade being founded earlier, so that in three years we will celebrate half a century of the Goethe-Institut in Belgrade. After the collapse of the country, a need arose for institutes in the new countries, so they were opened in Ljubljana, Sarajevo and Skopje. That’s also why we cooperate with Montenegro. As an administrative chief interlocutor, we usually have the embassy of Germany in Podgorica, with which we implement various programmes, but we also have contacts with institutions with which we have established cooperation, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cetinje, or with the associates with whom we implement the German Days event in Podgorica.

• How much does the Goethe-Institut mission depend on international relations between Serbia and Germany?

- We are simultaneously dependent on and independent of interstate relations. We are dependent to the extent to which that is imposed by bilateral relations, but we are not because we are not part of the composition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, even though it finances us, nor do we operate within the framework of the German Embassy in Belgrade. In Serbia, we also have a German embassy, and a Representative Office

for foreign affairs, and we consider ourselves as an open house for all people who want to work with us.

There are countries where that is not the case. With you, in Serbia, we don’t have any reason whatsoever to protect ourselves with fences or to build walls. In countries where such needs exist, the Goethe-Institut becomes a kind of interlocutor and has the role of an embassy or a representative office for foreign affairs.

huge. We are assisted by the Austrian Culture Forum, the Crocodile Association, the Traduki translation agency, the Bertelsmann Foundation etc. For me, the most important thing is that the authors we bring to your Book Fair will spend a few days in Belgrade, taking back to their areas impressions of Belgrade and Serbia. They are important multipliers. Belgrade will become positive sounding for Germans. For the Goethe-Institut it is very important for the voice that they convey to continue to live and to expand. And everything I’ve told you regarding writers also applies to German performers in Bitef and the jazz

• The success of our cultural cooperation also depends on the overcoming, or at least the reduction, of stereotypical opinions that we both have about each other. How would you comment on this?

- In my opinion, stereotypes are not accurate assessments. Germans are considered precise, hardworking, disciplined, and on the negative side – let’s say we’re not humorous. Prejudice creates tension. It is necessary to establish a dialogue with which you can smash prejudices. Once upon a time, when there was no internet, the Goethe-Institut was a window into Germany, while today we are an engine that drives topics and inspires them. It used to be different: we, for example, find a string quartet, bring them to Belgrade, they hold a concert, we show them Kalemegdan the next day and wave to them as they board the plane. But today we use performative approaches to encircle and enrich them, for example, with podium discussions, to involve young people in them, organising master classes, to be a binder for all those artists and those who receive their art.

The most important thing is for that not We work with young people and for young people. Young people to be a one-way street.

and their interests are an important part of our activity. The young people we gather around our projects are mostly of student age

• The Belgrade International Theatre Festival, BITEF, has just finished, while the beginning of October will see the staging of the Belgrade Jazz Festival and the month ends with the Belgrade International Book Fair, which this year has four countries where German is spoken as guests of honour, namely Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Is it too early to talk about, for example, the programme for the Book Fair?

- No, it’s not too early. We have been dealing with this topic fundamentally for a long time. We would like the Fair to be a fireworks’ display for German language literature.

We will try to secure authors, but that won’t be our only activity related to the fair. I am well acquainted with the Belgrade Book Fair, and I know that those who talk about it as a good opportunity to trade are mistaken. During the Book Fair we will have programmes also running outside the fair halls. The main umbrella under which our activities are implemented are the embassies of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, which also represents Liechtenstein.

The main guest will be Nobel laureate Herta Müller.

The organisation of our appearance at the Book Fair is

festival. The Goethe-Institut and Bitef have traditionally cooperated for years without interruption, while with the Jazz Festival, or rather with the Belgrade Youth Centre which organises this festival, we have cooperated for six years, and for the same number of years we have been organising the Goethe-fest, a film festival of new German productions that this year sees us bring 11 films … not to list more.

• Is that a way for culture to help Serbia become part of the European Union?

- Culture frees emotions. Here’s an example of how we do it: right now we are organising a series of jazz concerts with artists who perform with your artists – “Dorćol Session”. Music doesn’t require translation, as we feel it. Film, although it does require translation, can be understood purely on the basis of its images, which fortunately most often express love, hate, fear, betrayal, joy, and other things that we all understand without translation. But cultural categories are not categories considered when it comes BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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to European Union accession processes. Culture is not the one that will decide on that in any way.

• You just mentioned translation. Are you satisfied with the number of German books translated into Serbian?

- There are never enough translated books, and it is never sufficiently consistent and consequential. This has nothing to do with the quality of literature, but rather the market.

In Germany they read your classics, Andrić, Selimović, Crnjanski, Đilas. A new translation recently emerged of Andrić’s novel The Bridge on the Drina, which is known

people and their interests are an important part of our activity. The young people we gather around our projects are mostly of student age. We adapt to their topics, not suggesting them, and in these projects we are accompanying assistance. The topics that interest young people in Belgrade primarily concern city planning and impacting on the city’s appearance. Here I primarily mean the Belgrade Waterfront, and the changes happening in Dorćol.

• How is your cooperation with the Ministry of Culture and Information?

- I am satisfied with cooperation, and for me personally the transparency in the work of the Ministry is particularly important, here I mean in particular the availability of the results of all funding contests initiated by the Ministry. It is also important that the Ministry of Culture supports the same events that the Goethe-Institut considers as being important, for example Bitef, the Book Fair and the like. It is also important that in this respect there exists significant cooperation with the City Secretariat for Culture, so your cultural events and institutions often have two sources of material support.

• What do you think of our contemporary creative forces; could you highlight some titles that appeal to you?

- While I drive my car to work, I often find myself in traffic jams.Then I like to listen to Rambo Amadeus. I love listening to Serbian pop music, which has interested me for a long time, because listening to songs is a good way to learn a language. For example, the songs of Goran Bregović helped me in that – probably beI was struck by your great awareness of German culture, its cause, as Bregović himself says, there is some secret artists. Working in such conditions is a real pleasure connection. I would mention your writer Aleksandar Tišma, who shed light in a good way on the dark chapters as an historical canon. There is market interest in new of our two countries’ common history. When it comes to translations of your classics. I recently spoke with the representative of an important publishing house in Germany, films, I would highlight Srđan Dragojević’s The Parade, who said that Borislav Pekić should be rediscovered. Of Goran Radovanović’s Enclave ... and I don’t even need to contemporary authors, Velikić is primarily read. Germans mention the films of Emir Kusturica, as they are implied. hardly notice the differences between writers from the former Yugoslavia, not understanding that Miljenko • And Belgrade; how do you like it in Belgrade?

Jergović is not a Serbian writer, but in a way that doesn’t - I am delighted with the place where the building of the matter, because it is a common cultural space. A few years Goethe-Institut is located, and seemingly many others ago, when there was a focus on Serbian literature at the are too, as we are often called by people who ask us if book fair in Leipzig, there was an increase in translations they can take pictures of Knez Mihailova Street from of your books into German, but that also drew attention our balcony. The view is truly wonderful. You can see the to other parts of the common cultural space. You know, corner with Kralja Petra Street; you can see the Cathedral Handke isn’t even a German writer, but we don’t protest Church and Branko’s Bridge. This is a great place to work. because everyone thinks he is.

I am also unceasingly surprised by how informed you are.

Immediately at the start of my residence in Belgrade I had • The “Goethe-Guerrilla” and “First Film First” are a series of conversations with representatives of culture among your programmes for young people ... and I was struck by your great awareness of German culture, - We work with young people and for young people. Young its artists. Working in such conditions is a real pleasure. ■

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CORPORATE

Tachograph As A Preventative The problems of road haulage and traffic safety, unfortunately, usually only come to the fore with the general public after serious traffic accidents. Then the media launches debate, but that quickly ends, leaves many unanswered questions. One of those is compliance with regulations and implementing a system for recording the working times, behaviour and habits of drivers

“T

each haulier individually. With that our partners receive concrete solutions for their individual needs,” explains Jovićević.

It’s no secret that records of drivers’ working time is an issue that bubbles to the surface as a problematic factor for many transport companies, as it requires precision, thoroughness and pedantry in an administrative sense, which represents a burden for hauliers. Tachograph BG also

says Jovićević, adding that to date this they use technologically advanced systems, which reduces costs for the haulier.

Today it’s not enough to insert the key in the ignition, check the trailer and head onto the motorway. Professional freight and bus drivers have increasingly more responsibilities and procedures that they must adhered to meticulously.

Modern rules of behaviour require, besides reading the “instructions for use”, serious education that is not a “cure”, but is, among other things, some kind of preventative for avoiding potentially dangerous situations.

The digital tachograph began being applied in EU countries in mid-2006 and has many advantages, from ease of handling and security, to the reduction of paperwork and administration.

raffic accidents that involve haulage vehicles or buses, and their consequences primarily in terms of impact on human life, motivate employers to constantly improve their work and their compliance with regulations or supervisory bodies tasked with controlling the transport company,” says Tachograph BG Director Stevan Jovićević, speaking to CorD. He notes in particular that the Serbian transport industry is increasingly following the latest international trends, that a lot of attention is paid to driver education, alongside regulations, which also includes a more efficient approach to tachographs.

Company Tachograph BG is a representative of German manufacturer Continental and its VDO Tachograph BG’s strategic plan implies creative and proactive work member for Serbia and Montenegro. It provides hauliers with on the specific requirements of each partner, but also even more professional and technical supimportant work on basic preparations for working with the new port, products and services in the generation of digital tachographs that will appear on the market field of tachographs. It devotes special attention to training for Tachograph BG’s strategic plan implies transport companies on the correct use deals with the complete maintaining of creative and proactive work on the speof tachographs and obligatory recording records of drivers’ working times.

“We compile reports and analyses cific requirements of each partner, but of drivers’ time behind the wheel.

“By following the development of the related to violations, collective activities also even more important work on basic market and the specific way of doing of drivers, but also the daily activities of preparations for working with the new business that is a feature of this region, drivers that enable the monitoring of the generation of digital tachographs that services and products are tailored to individual working methods of everyone,” will appear on the market in two years. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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ACTIVITIES

Events & Activities Of AHK Serbia

Representing The Interests Of The Network Of Member Companies Cooperation between Serbia and Germany makes steady progress every year, both in political and economic relations. There are some 400 active companies in Serbia with German capital, which have created around 35,000 jobs, with â‚Ź1.8 billion worth of investments since 2000, making a continuous contibution to modernisation and the introduction of European norms and international standards.

Ever since the establishment of the then German Business Delegation to Serbia and the German-Serbian Business Association in 2001, until the official establishment of the Chamber on 14th April 2016, AHK Serbia has represented the interests of member companies, providing information support for their operations and advocating the development and promotion of German-Serbian commerce and cooperation in all business aspects. One of the tasks of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia is to provide advisory support to German businesses on their entry onto the Serbian market, and to Serbian businessmen entering the German market.

According to data from a survey taken by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia) of the business environment

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in Serbia, which is conducted every year among member companies, almost 90 per cent of members said theywould opt to re-invest in Serbia. That is why AHK Serbia is a strong partner in creating the business environment and is the leader in connecting foreign and local businesspeople and investors.

AHK Serbia has organised nearly 40 events since the beginning of 2017, which is an absolute record so far.

Professional Conferences And Supplier Initiatives The German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia) has been organising professional conferences for years, involving the participation of a delegation of German enterprises. The intention is for Serbian enterprises and institutions to be provided with information about the latest technologies by German experts and enterprises, about the conditions on the local market by renowned experts from Serbia, but also about establishing cooperation between German businesspeople and potential business partners in Serbia. In the post-conference period, AHK Serbia organises numerous B2B meetings between the delegation of German busi-

nesspeople and Serbian state institutions and local companies, for the purpose of becoming familiar with the Serbian market, establishing cooperation and sharing experience and knowhow. On 16th May 2017, the Chamber organised a trip of delegates from German companies and a professional conference on the topic “Technology and Equipment for Small Hydroelectric Power Plants in Serbia and Montenegro in 2017”, under the auspices of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

In cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of the City of Dortmund and the German Association for Materials Management, Purchase and Logistics (BME e.V.), supported by NRW International GmbH and the European Entrepreneurship Network, AHK Serbia organised the 3-day “Supplier Initiative of German Companies from the West Rhine-Westphalia Province” in Belgrade, in late March 2017. In direct talks with the managers of 10 German companies, nearly 70 local businesses from the metal-processing sector and plastic material production presented their manufacturing and export potential, with the goal of taking part in German industry supply chains.

It was as early as 31st May when the “German Initiative for Finding

Serbian Visions – The Only Multi-Congress In Serbia – Visions For Our Better Future The Serbian Visions multi-congress embraces 60 NGOs and professional associations, organisations, institutions and companies advocating a better future for the citizens and the country itself, for

SERBIAN VISIONS

a better business environment. The second multi-congress, held during the weekend of 26th-27th November 2016, featured presentations, panel debates, discussions and film screenings every two hours, in all conference halls of the Radisson Blu Old Mill Hotel in Belgrade.

More than 3,000 people had the opportunity to choose and visit any of the total of 60 events that covered a wide range of current topics – from education and human rights, via European integration to current economic topics. The third Serbian Visions will take place on 25th and 26th November 2017. This year will see the Serbian Visions awards presented – the best vision award and the best social engagement award.

TRADE FAIR IN COLOGNE

Suppliers in the Western Balkans Region’’ was organised in Serbia, the first time - after events in Dortmund and Munich - that it took place outside Germany. The representatives of 142 companies in the region conversed with 24 German companies about partnership and opportunities for entering supply chains. The project was developed in cooperation with BME (the German Association for Materials Management, Purchase and Logistics), under the auspices of BMWi (German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy), also supported by the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Some 400 B2B meetings were staged at the event. On this occasion, German companies were most interested in suppliers from the metal-processing sector, electric industry, automotive parts production, plastic processing and plastic parts production.

AHK Members Dinner Business dinners for representatives of member companies are very popular events among the members.

A guest of honour from the local business and political arena opens the event, with a brief keynote address covering a current topic, followed by a discussion and a reception in a relaxed atmosphere, to ensuring the sharing of experiences and

VLADIMIR VUČKOVIĆ, Members Dinner

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views among members is as intensive as possible. As of 2017, AHK Serbia has had the honour of hosting, as keynote speakers, Vladimir Vučković, member of the Fiscal Council, who delivered a speech on the current conditions and prospects of the Serbian economy; and Ana Brnabić, now PM, but then Minister of State Administration and Local Self-government, who delivered a speech on the topic “State Administration Reform and Plans for 2017 “.

Representation At Trade Fairs In Germany German trade fairs enjoy a worldwide reputation, attracting a large number of visitors and exhibitors from all over the world. They are one of the major instruments of international commerce, a venue for establishing and nurturing contacts and sharing experience. A large number of fairs, coupled with knowhow and long-term experience in commerce, guarantee the targeted success. The Chamber offers a number of consulting services that help Serbian companies present their business at the largest German fairs, while it is a representative of international trade fairs in Munich, Cologne and Nuremberg (Toy Fair).

The Chamber’s support to Serbian companies starts from providing detailed information on trade fairs, registration and reservation of stands, stand design and setup, through logistics, customs and travel organisation, all the way to organising B2B meetings with potential business partners at the fair itself.

Export Initiative Projects Within the export initiative projects related to the topic of renewable energy sources, AHK Serbia is organising a study tour to Berlin/Brandenburg from 16th to 18th October 2017, focused on biomass and biogas, during which five German companies will present their knowhow and services to Serbian companies. A productive and interesting programme awaits Serbian companies in Bavaria from 6th to 10th November 2017, within the framework of the “Bayern - Fit for Partnership” programme, under the topic “Wood Processing and Furniture Manufacturing Machinery and Plants“. This study tour’s goal is knowledge sharing, professional development of the participants and reinforcement of cooperation between Bavarian and Serbian enterprises and institutions. Participants will be provided with information on EU standards in the wood and furniture industries, as well as establishing valuable contacts in their respective industries.

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Dual Education As one of the leading economic powers, German industry has resisted numerous challenges over time, due precisely to its welltrained workforce and the dual education system implemented in Germany for the past 100 years. That is why AHK Serbia exerts efforts to inform and educate businesspeople about their responsibilities in the process of introducing dual education to Serbia.

In line with its objective, the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ), within the “develoPPP” project of the German Ministry of Economy and Development, organised an informative event on 25th May 2017 on the topic “Dual Education – Prospects and Incentives”.

Martin Knapp, director of the Chamber, considers that the dual education system represents not only a perspective for young people and their secure employment after completing secondary education, but also security for companies that can thus source a competent workforce. Chambers of commerce play an extremely important role in implementing the dual edu-

cation system, since they operate as links between industry and the education system.

Oliver Heerlen, AHK Serbia’s dual education consultant, has announced that a working group for dual education will be set up in the Chamber to provide information and share ideas and experience.

GIZ representative Ivan Stojanović, said that high youth unemployment and over-thoretical technical vocation profiles in schools are the key problems in secondary vocational education in Serbia. By introducing dual education, conditions are met for cooperative education in crafts and technical profiles that are oriented towards serving the needs of industry.

Axel Binder (GIZ Germany), a lecturer from Germany, presented the opportunities for receiving incentive funds within the “develoPPP” project for which Serbian businesses with parent companies in the EU can apply.

The representatives of Robert Bosch - Borka Mršić and Marko Radović – presented the success story of introducing the dual education model in their company, highlighting the example of technical school “Milenko Verkić Neša” in Pećinci, where the first generation of the industrial mechanic profile completed their education in the 2015/2016 school year. After finishing school, all students started working in the windshield wiper factory “Robert Bosch” d.o.o. in Šimanovci, where they attended practical classes over a period of two school years.

Seminars And Education

AHK Serbia regularly organises a wide array of workshops, seminars, education courses and training for its member companies’ staff in the fields of finance, law, management, human resources and energy efficiency, with the aim of enabling members to gather knowledge, meet each other, share experiences and discuss new topics and current issues at numerous educational meetings. Current topics in the economy or useful topics related to business improvement are usually selected. A co-organising member thus acquires an audience, potential clients and promotion by AHK Serbia, while participants learn new and useful information.

AHK WORKING GROUPS

New Working Group For Communication Established

This event drew particular interest of PR, marketing managers and communications personnel, given that the key objective of setting-up this working group is networking and sharing experience, as well as organising education on new marketing and PR trends involving reputable lecturers and media representatives. The first AHK working group for communications was organised by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with its member company ProCredit Bank. The educational section of the working group was devoted to establishing relations with online influencers and building corporate reputations. A lecture was held on creating a strategy for successful relations with influencers, on recognising bloggers who share the same values as the company, on top trends in managing an online reputation and the difference between influencer relations and influencer marketing. The second meeting of this AHK working group will be held in late October.

The HR working group, as the first established working group, is by all means the favourite event with HR managers of member companies and is organised four times a year. The group deals with interesting, interactive lectures in the field of human resources, starting from legal regulations like the Labour Act and labour rights, to talent development and HR management in general. Apart from lectures, participants discuss all issues that covered in lectures, sharing experience in an informal atmosphere, which largely facilitates and enhances their day-today work processes. This year, outstanding hosts and co-organisers of HR meetings were AHK member companies Hemofarm, HR Centre and the Mokra Gora School of Management.

In addition to working groups for HR and communications, the group for energy efficiency is also active and is currently convened semi-annually.

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AHK Oktoberfest – The Most Famous

German Festival In Belgrade Members of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce don’t have to travel to Munich to experience the atmosphere of the greatest German national festival. AHK Oktoberfest was held on 14th and 15th October 2016, with the support of last year’s partner – the STIHL company – and numerous AHK Serbia member companies as sponsors, at the Belgrade Fair, gathering numerous partners and guests from Serbian business and the public arena, who enjoyed this two-day event. The event had a humanitarian character, and handing out AHK beer mugs was used to raise over RSD 130,000 that was donated to the “SOS Children‘s Village” in Kraljevo. This year’s AHK Oktoberfest in Belgrade is supported by its partner, AHK Serbia member company Messer Tehnogas AD Beograd, which is marking the 20th anniversary of its operations in Serbia this year. It will be held on 13th and 14th October in an original Bavarian atmosphere, with German beer, versatile Bavarian cuisine, famous dirndl costumes and stein-holding and beer-drinking contests. Dejan Petrović‘s Big Band, a well-known local brass orchestra, will ensure a fantastic atmosphere.

This interesting event is staged by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commere for its members in cooperation with other chambers and business associations in Serbia. A concept of several 10-minute speed meetings between representatives of companies from various sectors is a specific innovation in the method of expanding the network of contacts to include other chambers and associations, as well as initiating future cooperation between member companies. At a Speed Business Meeting, each participant is given a chance to get acquainted with representatives of up to ten companies, mostly from other chambers, at individual B2B meetings, to present themselves to potential business partners, share information and establish the first communication that’s important for prospective cooperation.

This year’s Speed Business Meeting gathered more than 40 member companies of the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (AHK Serbia), the Chamber of Italian-Serbian Businessmen (KISP) and the Hellenic Business Association (HBA) for the purpose of direct introduction and enhancement of cooperation between the member companies of these three associations.

AHK Welcome

Speed Business Meeting For all newly admitted members, AHK Serbia organises a welcome breakfast aimed at familiarising them more closely with the instution itself, its activities, events, services, promotion options and business support.

Following a presentation on the chamber’s work and the wide range of possibilities offered by membership, representatives of new member companies have the opportunity to present their companies, whereafter an informal breakfast ensues and is coupled with mutual introductions in a relaxed atmosphere. This year, some thirty new member representatives were welcomed.

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AHK Football Tournament – Fair Play Above All

AHK Sommerfest And Christmas Reception AHK Serbia organises its Sommerfest every June and its Christmas Reception in December. At the Sommerfest, a networking event with light summer tunes, members are gathered in a relaxed atmosphere before the brief summer break. Dinner, music, prize games and cocktails comprise integral parts of this popular event among members. The Christmas reception, which is also a very popular event, gathers members prior to Christmas and New Year holidays, where the yearly work process is wrapped up in a festive atmosphere, in the presence of a guest of honour – a high representative of the political and economic life in Serbia. The Christmas reception is marked by a get-together of members in an elegant holiday atmosphere, always accompanied with a humanitarian campaign.

The second AHK football tournament, an entertainment and sporting event that attracts football teams of member companies for a day-long competition in football and cheering, was held on 10th June this year, with 28 teams participating. The winner of the 2nd AHK football tournament was the Sixt company team. This is also a nice occasion for staff to bring their families, as a children’s programme is also organised, and also for team building, making acquaintances among staff of member companies and spending a friendly time with AHK in a slightly different manner.

Senior Expert Service (SES)

AHK Serbia is a SES programme representative – the programme of support to small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia. Senior Expert Service (SES) is a non-profit organisation with more than 9,000 senior experts. It is subsidised by the German State and its main task is mediation in assigning senior experts and engaging them in SMEs and institutions in Serbia. Based on their needs, Serbian enterprises seek a senior expert from a specific area and are given the option of selecting the relevant one who will share their knowledge and experience in the desired field, with travel and accommodation expenses covered, and merely a €5 daily allowance, spanning up to three weeks, as agreed with the host company. This type of service is used by five Serbian companies per year.

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PROFILE

By ALEKSANDAR MILETIĆ

SVETISLAV PEŠIĆ, ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP BASKETBALL COACHES

Basketball VET

Svetislav Pešić, one of the world’s best basketball coaches, driven by the challenge of making Germany a European and world power in basketball, arrived at the German Basketball Federation precisely 30 years ago, and as early as the first press conference he stated that Germany would become European champions in basketball. Not knowing Pešić, many interpreted this claim as a joke, but it was only a few years later, at the European Championships, EuroBasket 1993, led by Pešić, that Germany became European champion. In order to reach gold, the Germans had to change their entire system of playing basketball, utilising the Yugoslav model the most

“I

consider that one Svetislav Pešić and one Dirk Nowitzki can be placed in the same basket, although in different roles.

Dirk Nowitzki is, of course, a world-class player, who, due to his playing method and sparkling success, has become a beacon for German basketball. He’s a great athlete, who has done everything in an extraordinary way. On the other hand, you have a different man and profession. Pešić is our coaching beacon, who in principle did the same thing for German basketball as Nowitzki, only in a different role. I’m sure that German basketball will always cite these two greats of men,” said Ingo Weiss, President of the German Basketball Federation This statement perhaps best testifies to that which Serbian coach Svetislav Pešić has done for German basketball. Not only

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did he lead the team to its greatest success – gold medal at “Eurobasket 1993” in Munich – he also fundamentally changed the way of thinking of both players and people in the management of the Federation.

-I remember clearly when Sveti – as we call him – first came to Germany three decades ago. At that time, at a meeting in Hagen, speaking bad German and using just a few words, he sought to explain what was needed to make basketball better, to revive basketball in Germany – says Weiss. – Sveti gave us a vision of what we wanted to achieve in basketball and how to achieve it.

Pešić arrived in Germany immediately after the 1987 Youth World Championships in Bormio, Italy, when he won gold with the most talented generation in the history of European basketball.

Playing for Yugoslavia back then were Vlade Divac, Aleksandar Đorđević (today coach of Bayern Munich), Toni Kukoč, Dino Rađa, Teoman Alibegović (later one of the key players for Pešić’s Albi from Berlin) ... Pešić also led them to be cadet (1985) and junior (1986) champions of Europe, and behind him he also had the title of champion of Yugoslavia, conquered with Bosna from Sarajevo, in one of the most controversial finals of that league (1983). During that championships in Bormio (August 1987) he already had an unexpected visit from Germany...

- We met for the first time that summer in Bormio. The German Basketball Federation gave me the task of talking to Pešić about coming to take on the role of selector – says one of the fathers of Croatian basketball, Branimir Volfer, German national selector of 1961-62. - When I saw the kind of group of guys Pešić was leading, it was clear to me that he was a special coach, because why would such a generation, in a basketball force like Yugoslavia, be entrusted to someone average. After the championships, we agreed to meet again. That was two or three weeks later, in Munich.

As he had reached agreement with the people from the Federation, he moved with his whole family to Hagen. He got a German teacher and slowly started getting used to the German way of life.

In Serbia they say that Serbs are lazy and Germans are diligent; that Serbs have no organisational sense, while Germans are disciplined and responsible. However, Ingo Weiss says that Pešić IN FRONT OF FIBA'S HEAD OFFICE has introduced to German basketball precisely those virtues that “Serbs dream of”: - What he brought us from Serbia Svetislav Pešić, alongside Spaniard Manuel Sainz, is the only person was a message for us to work hard. And in the history of basketball to win the Euroleague (champion’s cup) he actually made it clear to us what hard as both a player and a coach. Pešić won his first title with Sarajevo’s work means. Sveti marked German Bosna in 1979 (beating Emerson Varese 96:93 in Grenoble) and his basketball with his successes, while second with Barcelona in 2003 (beating Benetton 76:65 in Barcelona) the title of 1993 European champions, his great successes that he later had Germany. With a smile, he recalls that on the first day, in “Tarzan in German basketball. If that was to be described in fairy-tale English”, he said that the goal was to win the title of European terms, we would say that he actually woke us from a deep sleep. champions. They all laughed out loud, believing that he didn’t Basketball received such zest among the youth, who listened to know what he was talking about. However, it all became clear to the coach carefully. But not only what he says, rather also what he them a few years later... teaches them, how to live basketball and prolong its life in Germany.

- I recall that I got an “Opel Omega”, as Opel was the sponsor of Weiss adds that Pešić was “someone in Germany who took the Federation, which I drove all over Germany. There is no place care of the education and training of German coaches, who folI didn’t visit. In small towns, big cities ... What greeted me everylowed him closely”, but also “took care to enable many people where was doubt that German basketball could ever represent from Serbia to come and bring their expert knowledge, and thus something significant in European or world basketball. It was German basketball owes him a lot”. Pešić agrees that his misfirst necessary to shake up the players, to show them the goal sion was perhaps the most important thing; that he was ready and give them a vision of what they can do with hard work. That’s to awaken a love and passion for basketball in every corner of BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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With former Coach of Bayern Munich PEP GUARDIOLA

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER and SVETISLAV PEŠIĆ

leagues didn’t come to join a team destined to failure, and so Schrempf also doubted that anything could be changed in that.

However, Pešić wanted Schrempf at any price for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic (qualifying for this tournament was Pešić’s first great success with Germany). At one seminar of Bundes trainers, he met his countryman Nikola Pilić, creator of Germany’s tennis boom and then selector of Germany’s Davis Cup team.

Complaining to him about how he could not get Schrempf, he instantly received a complete plan of how to coax him to come.

- I told Pešić that I thought I could help him with Schrempf – says Pilić, who moved his tennis academy from Munich to Croatia’s Opatija three years ago. – I knew that Boris Becker and Detlef Schrempf are friends, and since Becker practically lived in my academy at the time, I told Pešić to come to me in Munich and that we would then come up with “tactics” for Schrempf. And so one day Becker, in the presence of myself and Pešić, called

because players are a coach’s greatest ambassadors. When I had won over one group of players, everything was later much easier.

They saw that these were not like the training sessions they’d had before, that they could learn a lot; that they could advance. Then the first victory came, then the second... Something happened. Of course, there were also defeats that the players – as mattered to me – experienced very emotionally. They simply saw that defeat could also push them forward. That’s how that 1993 European Championships also started with defeat. When we finally beat Russia in the final, no one believed it was really happening. I watch journalists, players, all those faces ...

People celebrating and not believing.

Pešić is the only coach to have won all FIBA competitions. Those It was like that was all happening to are the European Championships for Cadets (Ruse, Bulgaria, 1985), someone else, not to us... the European Junior Championships (Gmunden, Austria, 1986), the Creating a cult national team World Youth Championships (Bormio, Italy, 1987), the European lasted a full six years, all the way Senior Championships (Munich 1993, Istanbul 2001) and the World to “Eurobasket 1993”. Pešić was the Senior Championships (Indianapolis, U.S., 2002) basketball enlightener who propagated his “faith” 24 hours a day. At Schrempf. He told him, more or less, that he would like them to every opportunity, at every moment. He was also worried appear together at the 1992 Barcelona Games, that this would about things that others didn’t care about, that others thought be a great opportunity for both of them ... And so Schrempf apwere beyond resolving. Thus, for example, in an unusual way peared in the national team. he convinced Detlef Schrempf – then undoubtedly the greatAfter “Eurobasket 1993”, Pešić received a great offer from est star of German basketball (then a member of the Indiana Caserta. He had an oral agreement with the president of that Pacers and three-time member of the NBA All-Stars team) – to Italian club, Giancarlo Sarti, but one call from Berlin changed his come and play for his national team. Players from the biggest

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PEŠIĆ with his grandson

plans. President of basketball club Alba, Dieter Hauert, wanted to bring a coach to Berlin who can realise great dreams, and his club was then only celebrating its second birthday (it was established 1991). He called Pešić and shared his vision of the European Alba with him. Pešić immediately called Sarti and told him he would be staying in Germany after all, but not in Hagen (headquarters of the German Basketball Federation), rather in Berlin.

Alba’s golden age followed. With Peščić, the club won the European Korać Cup (1995), which is still the only European trophy won by a German basketball club, then four national league titles (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000) and two national cups (1997, 1999). After all of that, he was declared an honorary citizen of Berlin.

- When you describe Svetislav Pešić, you can’t just describe him as a great coach. For me, he has always been a special man who played a special role in my career, as a man who led me in different spheres of life. In a way he is like a father, like a figure in many things. It wasn’t always easy to be under his control or to be with him, but I always had the impression and feeling that he was interested in that not only for the team to win, but also for me to develop as an individual, both in sport and in life.

He taught me how to become a professional in my sport, what it means to suffer martyrdom for success in this sport – said former German national team and Albe player Henrik Rödl, today assistant coach of the German national team.

Pešić framed his mission in Germany with Bayern, with which he won the 2014 Bundesliga title. He came to this club, which was practically amateur until 2011, at the invitation of his son, Marko, the club’s general manager, and Bayern Munich FC president

Basketball family The Pešićs are a real basketball family. The first trophy was won by his wife, Vera, who became a champion of Yugoslavia in 1971 with basketball club Željezničara from Sarajevo. Their two children, son Marko and daughter Ivana, also played basketball. After an international career, Marko is today general manager at Bayern.

Ulrich Hoeneß. Under Pešić, Bayern won its first title after six decades (since 1955), and the “Audi Dome” became a temple of basketball. Many well-known names were supporting in the first row. Among them was great footballer and basketball fan Bastian Schweinsteiger, for whom Pešić was great inspiration for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. A few weeks after the final of the basketball Bundesliga, Bayern FC’s German national football players appeared in Brazil earing t-shirts displaying Pešić’s face.

- Mr Pešić is always there for us, from morning to night.

Not only during matches, but also at training. He always drags everything around him to advance. And when you lose, then a new match follows, which can be won. He is a man who thinks positively. We footballers from Munich wore t-shirts showing his face and we went well in Brazil. We became champions - said Serbian Son-in-Law Schweinsteiger (husband of former ladies tennis world No.1 Ana Ivanović).

The story of Pešić’s three-decade-long mission in Germany is summarised by Branislav Volfer: - Someone once said that football is a game in which two teams play and Germany always wins. I would say that in basketball this is a game in which Pešić always wins! ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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CONTEMPORARY ART

New Leipzig School

KITTY KRAUS

After the embrace of figuration exemplified at the turn of the new century by international interest in the Leipzig School, a decade later, abstraction is a growing concern for many young German artists, with particular emphasis on its modernist roots. The term New Leipzig School refers to a movement in modern German art

T

hese interests aren’t just localised. Abstract painting is very much on the ascent throughout Europe and in the U.S., while the influence of modernism is also widespread and occasionally surprising, identifying its fundamental importance to a newly emerging trend of art as narration, for example.

Yet for Germans in particular, adoption of early 20th century forms has a special significance.

Leipzig’s glory was at least in part a kind of lamentation; the vestiges of the former DDR revivified through a style exemplifying the figurative precision of socialist realism.

At a time when many Germans were still struggling with the impact of their country’s reunification, such work represented the

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living relic of an era in German history lost forever.

Today’s accent on modernism represents an entirely different form of nostalgia, a more confident, optimistic reflection of the artistic vitality of Germany at the dawn of the last century and its enormous contribution to the progressive avant garde.

This interest, of course, is offset by pluralism and idiosyncrasy, with a wealth of young artists attempting to forge individual idioms in ways that often incorporate specifically current concerns, such as the proliferation of technology, or commercial status of art, or even an apparent rejection of both.

Whatever the reading, the dynamism of German practice again looks set to exert its influence on a second decade of 21st century art.

KITTY KRAUS

KITTY KRAUS Kitty Kraus’s works add up to far more than the sum of their straightforward parts. Apparently understated, Kraus masterfully imbues humble materials with high degrees of unsettling drama.

Panes of glass, for example, are arranged into simple geometric structures that merge almost imperceptibly with the space in which they are installed.

Held together with nothing more substantial than sticking tape, the edges of each pane are left treacherously ragged.

This precarious equilibrium takes on sinister overtones: three panes of glass approximate an arch, the sheet placed above two outer ‘walls’ bending ominously under its own weight.

In other works, lightbulbs on cables are frozen inside large blocks of black ink. Once plugged in, melting ink flows across the floor as an unmediated drawing. Yet this liquid river’s connection to a power supply also makes it potentially deadly (the bulbs, too, have a tendency to explode).

By comparison, Kraus’ series of mirror lamps appear less innately threatening. Consisting of roughly constructed mirrored cubes illuminated from within, small gaps emit entrancing patterns of kaleidoscopic light.

Yet even here there’s an inbuilt booby-trap. Although some lamps function normally, others contain 500-watt bulbs that overheat the mirrored interior and cause the cube to explode.

Kraus’ apparent minimalism is primed for maximum impact - and a troublingly dark, unsanitised undercurrent that belies its insubstantial form.

Kraus’ apparent minimalism is primed for maximum impact - and a troublingly dark, unsanitised undercurrent that belies its insubstantial form

CLAUDIA WIESER

CLAUDIA WIESER Working with various types of ceramics, wall murals and sculpture as well as works on paper, Berlin-based Wieser investigates architectural space and the ways it has been - and can be - defined, adorned and filled.

Her most obvious visual references are to early modernist movements: expressionism, geometric abstraction, and the aesthetic ideals of the Bauhaus, the inclusive concerns of which are reflected through her own fusion of applied and fine arts.

Yet despite such evident homage to early 20th century practises, Wieser’s art and design influences are highly varied, encompassing objects or themes as diverse as Renaissance lace, Expressionist film, Art Deco or 18th century stairways.

Such interests are explored not only in the production of tangi-

Her most obvious visual references are to early modernist movements: expressionism, geometric abstraction, and the aesthetic ideals of the Bauhaus ble artworks, but through the complex connections Wieser weaves between them - a highly personal system of reference often made evident through her works on paper.

These include pages taken from vintage books on architecture, texts, or her own drawings, all of which mediate the evolution and installation of her work.

Transforming gallery space into architectonic interiors, Wieser interrogates modernist ideals regarding design as art precisely by making art that is about design: its histories, influences and possibilities.

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HANSJÖRG DOBLIAR

BENJAMIN SAURER

BENJAMIN SAURER Alternating between near-empty canvases framing detailed vignettes, or richly decorative work in which exotic fabrics become part of the composition, Saurer’s paintings inhabit an unusual space reminiscent of Persian or Mughal miniatures - an impression that’s reinforced by the constant depiction of diminutive figures and objects.

The most obvious - and most powerful - of Saurer’s oppositional strategies, however, is his deceptively ornate style From another viewpoint, Saurer’s works resemble theatrical sets peopled with casts of tiny characters - a reading that accords with his own interest in the satirical operettas of 19th century composer Offenbach.

Subjects as well as titles for paintings are taken from sources ranging from newspapers to religious tracts, materials from which Saurer teases subtly nuanced narratives.

Das Wasser wird immer saurer (The water is getting increasingly sour) depicts a beached whale gaped at by a crowd of onlookers in 17th century garb.

The scene reminds us of the present ecological threat to marine life, as well as hinting at a time when the whale may once again become a curiosity, a seldom seen, almost mythical creature.

The most obvious - and most powerful - of Saurer’s oppositional strategies, however, is his deceptively ornate style, a picture book, exoticised surface that reflects our own tendency to gloss over life’s harsher realities.

It’s an approach which, just like Offenbach’s musical protests, couches hard-hitting comment in entrancing, lyrical form.

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HANSJÖRG DOBLIAR Another young German artist gleaning inspiration from various modernist movements, Dobliar’s practice encompasses painting, collage and sculpture.

While engaging most obviously with systems of geometry and colour aligned to Bauhaus and suprematist sentiment, Dobliar’s work is infused, too, with expressionist traits; many of his apparently abstract paintings, for example, hover close to figuration, assuming the appearance of emotionally charged landscapes.

This apparent focus on specific historical precedent is, however, complicated by Dobliar’s collages and works on paper, which introduce imagery appropriated from wide-ranging areas and epochs of cultural production.

Newspapers, period magazines, prints and photographs provide a platform for interventions which, unlike Dobliar’s paintings and sculptures, vary considerably in form. Although often re-worked with his characteristic geometries, other examples approximate the Dada compositions of, say, Hannah Höch, or (increasingly) are as minimal

Dobliar’s work is infused with expressionist traits; many of his apparently abstract paintings hover close to figuration, assuming the appearance of emotionally charged landscapes as the application of a strip of tape or a few painted lines.

The results, rather like the paintings of Michael Bauer emphasise a body of work in which particular historical associations are made manifest only to be revoked and confounded.

While Dobliar clearly looks backwards in time, his adoption of past idioms is motivated by a desire to harness art’s most dynamic movements in order to complicate and invigorate the valency of his own, very contemporary work.

CHRISTOF MASCHER

CHRISTOF MASCHER

CHRISTOF MASCHER Mascher’s vision of surreal fantasy - “a dreamworld which I myself have created or discovered” - makes for intoxicating viewing.

Beautifully composed and rendered, Mascher’s expressive canvases merge apparent naivety with darker, more ominous forces.

Of particular interest are his references, which, apart from heavyweights such as Paul Klee or Bosch, include, rather curiously, the arcade games he played as a child.

Beautifully composed and rendered, Mascher’s expressive canvases merge apparent naivety with darker, more ominous forces MICHAEL BAUER

This influence makes itself increasingly evident, with the panoramas he evokes primed for sword-and-sorcery-style confrontation, the illustrative rendering of his other-worlds owing as much to digital technology as to that other, more old-fashioned childhood stalwart, the fantasy picture book.

MICHAEL BAUER Abstraction? Figuration? Portraiture? In the work of Michael Bauer, all these possibilities are yoked together to create paintings that revel in a wayward fusion of incongruities.

Earlier in his career, Bauer’s hybrid approach was used to create creepily anthropomorphic forms: eyes peer from soupy smudges; limb or tentacle-like protuberances extend from masses oddly punctuated with carefully rendered pattern or pseudo-insignia.

More recently, Bauer has adopted stylistic tropes reminiscent of modernism, besmirching their clarity with murky puddles of colour

More recently, Bauer has adopted stylistic tropes reminiscent of modernism, besmirching their clarity with murky puddles of colour or thickly crusted paint or thickly crusted paint.

Rendered on grounds of stained sepia-greys, there’s an artful sense of age about these works.

It’s an appearance which echoes a device often used to surround his images, a daubed border reminiscent of ancient, torn paper.

Both evoke the notion of a long-lived palimpsest; a document whose multiple authors, layers, meanings and moods forlornly negate each other, yet somehow, in combination, achieve a grim beauty. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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TOURISM

Fairy Tale Castles Of Germany

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE

European castles are undeniably magical. Out of all of Europe, Germany boasts the most impressive selection of castles, these magnificent structures widely considered to be the nation’s crown jewels. Germany is home to 2,000+ castles, according to some sources

G

erman castles originate from 9th to 19th centuries, the time when the Great Age of Castles began. Castles embrace the necessity of nations to gain protection against other nations’ invasions, but also served as residences of royal families. These amazing buildings typify tactical and solid rocky constructions, built by kings and emperors to guard nations’ territories in times of war and to impose rule over populaces in peacetime.

German Castles evolved in the “Medieval Ages”, the fall of Ancient Rome and the beginning of the Renaissance Area in the 14th Century, considered as an era of art and architecture.

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The architecture grabs a mixture of towers and fortified walls, with amazingly decorated interiors and exteriors, situated in the high peaks of mountains and valleys, nearby waterways, enabling a full overview of the surrounding territory.

Today Germany enjoys a brilliant heritage of Castles, counting around 2,100 castles distributed nationwide. Behind the doorways of these impressive castles, a very bright and amusing history is to be exposed. Around 100 years ago, not so long ago in relative terms, kings, emperors and their families were there, lived there and operated there. Historical resolutions were agreed there, while many soldiers lost their lives

HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE

SCHLOSS STOLZENFELS

there, protecting their nation from invaders’ attacks.

In our day, these spectacular ancient buildings serve as cultural objects, museums, guesthouses and antiquity references.

NEUSCHWANSTEIN CASTLE Neuschwanstein was the dream castle of King Ludwig II. Built during the late 19th century, the Romanesque style makes it look like a romantic fairy tale castle. It has been an inspiration to many, including Disney’s Magic Kingdom Castle.

Ludwig was thought to be living in his fantasy world. He was a very shy dreamer, with a sense for the artistic. He dedicated Neuschwanstein to Richard Wagner, a German composer. Ludwig was very interested in Wagner’s work, and his operas seem to have served as an inspiration for the castle. Unfortunately, King Ludwig never got to see his dream castle completed, having died while construction was still underway.

CASTLE ELTZ

HOHENSCHWANGAU CASTLE The yellow Hohenschwangau castle was built in the 19th century just before Neuschwanstein and was supposed to resemble the medieval castle that used to stand on the same location. This is a castle where Bavarian kings had actually spent time; it used to be their summer residence and Ludwig probably spent some happy childhood years there.

What we found very interesting about Hohenschwangau was that the family had actually lived there for certain periods of the year and that it was therefore a working castle.

SCHLOSS STOLZENFELS The Rhine Valley is gorgeous region that’s only a short drive from Frankfurt. One of the most attractive castles in the Rhine Valley is Schloss Stolzenfels, which was the Gothic-Revival renovation of a medieval castle by the King of Prussia. It may BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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HEIDELBERG CASTLE

not be the most famous castle in Germany, but it is a castle straight from a fairy tale. Stolzenfels’ view over the valley, as well as its ornate gardens, make it one of Germany’s most spectacular castles.

CASTLE ELTZ Castle Eltz is slightly further away from the Rhine Valley than other castles. Eltz originally had separate buildings belonging to a few families, though one of the original families now owns all the buildings. The family still keeps one of the towers private, as part of their private apartment, which makes this castle quite different from others. In particular, it feels less medieval, and more like someone’s really luxurious apartment that happens to date back hundreds of years.

HEIDELBERG CASTLE Heidelberg Castle, located within walking distance of Heidelberg’s downtown area, is a beautiful partially reconstructed castle that sits on the side of a hill overlooking the beautiful old town. It isn’t the best preserved and its walls aren’t covered with paintings, but its gorgeous pink stone and partial demo-

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HOHENZELLERN CASTLE

lition gives it the feeling of wandering into a forgotten land.

Heidelberg contains the world’s largest wine barrel, holding 57,853 gallons! It’s so massive that you can climb stairs and wander around the barrel on a surrounding deck .

HOHENZELLERN CASTLE Burg Hohenzollern was built somewhere between 1846 and 1867. This site is the ancestral seat of the imperial House of Hohenzollern, and the present day structure is actually the third castle built on the spot. The castle, set alone atop an impressive hill, is one of the most visited castles in Germany.

Highlights include St Michel’s chapel and the famous Hohenzollern Crown, a decadently bejeweled piece adorned with, among other gems, a diamond cross,142 rose-cut diamonds and a massive sapphire.

DORNRÖSCHENSCHLOSS SABABURG (SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE) Located very close to Munden and Gottingen, this isolated

DORNRÖSCHENSCHLOSS SABABURG

SCHLOSS MARIENBURG

600+-year-old castle is situated deep in a forest, off the main road. Also known as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, it was turned into a hunting lodge in 1765 and was frequently visited by the Brothers Grimm. Like many castle hotels, it has rooms in both the original section (in this case a romantic tower) and a newer wing. The modern rooms have been skillfully added to part of the castle ruins. An animal park below is populated with beasts boasting very old lineages, extending as far as the eye can see.

It is Europe’s oldest animal park/zoo.

SCHLOSS MARIENBURG Schloss Marienburg was built by King George V of Hannover for his wife, Queen Marie, as a birthday present. One of the few remaining castles in Germany unaffected by war, it still holds all of its original interior furniture. The pieces are immaculate, and the secrets they hold are incredible. Much of the exterior architecture is reminiscent of Disney princess castles.

EBERBACH MONASTERY

EBERBACH CASTLE / EBERBACH MONASTERY Eberbach Monastery was one of the first places to start producing Pinot Noir in Germany. There is a sense of going back in history as you stroll through the monastery’s timeless Roman arches. The Cistercians had a very simple lifestyle, which is evident from the strong wooden arches with bare furnishings.

A church is central to the workings of the monastery and the Roman architecture will make you fall in love with its simplicity. The dining hall of the Lay Brothers is where all the action used to take place. The wooden wine presses of the 17-19 th centuries are still visible. Although the monks were known for their austerity, the Baroque period saw them showcase their worldly wealth. The Baroque residence was one of the most elegantly decorated rooms in all of medieval Europe. ■ BUSINESS PARTNER GERMANY

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BINVEX STANDARD D.O.O. www.binvex.com

BB ELEKTRONIK D.O.O. www.bbelektronik.co.rs

BIOTEC INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. www.biotec.rs

BDO D.O.O. www.bdo.co.rs

BLOCK&ROLL D.O.O. www.block.rs

AWA HUMAN RESOURCES 2015 D.O.O. BEZDAN www.awa.rs

BEO-LAB LABORATORIJE www.beo-lab.rs BERLITZ CENTAR ZA STRANE JEZIKE www.berlitz.co.rs BG REKLAM www.bgreklam.rs

BODRI D.O.O. www.bodri.co.rs

BUCK D.O.O. www.buck.lighting

BOXINVEST GMBH www.boxinvest.de

BWC GROUP www.bwc-bg.com

BOŽIĆ I SINOVI D.O.O. www.bisreciklaza.rs BSH KUĆNI APARATI D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.bosch-home.rs www.siemens-home. bsh-group.com/rs BT - PEGROTOUR D.O.O. www.hrgworldwide. com

CALIX D.O.O. www.paulaner.rs CARBO CONCEPT D.O.O. www.carboconcept. com CARL KUEHNE D.O.O. www.kuehne -international.com CASH BACK IMO www.refundacijapdv.com

CATERING PLUS D.O.O. www.catering.rs CBS INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. BEOGRAD (PART OF THE CBRE AFFILIATE NETWORK) www.cbre.rs CENTAR ZA NOVE TEHNOLOGIJE ‘’VIMINACIJUM’’ D.O.O. CENTAR ZA RECIKLAŽU D.O.O. www.czr.rs

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CG FOODS EUROPE D.O.O. www.waiwai.rs COFACE SRBIJA D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.coface.rs COLOR MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS www.diplomacyandcomerce.rs

DEG DEUTSCHE INVESTITIONS - UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT www.deginvest.de DEGUSTA D.O.O. BEOGRAD, PRIVREDNO DRUŠTVO ZA PROIZVODNJU, PROMET I USLUGE, EXPORT-IMPORT www.degusta.rs

ECOLOGICA URBO D.O.O. www.ecourbo.com ECOVIS SEE D.O.O. www.ecovis.com/belgrade EKAPIJA.COM BEOGRAD www.ekapija.com

DEILMANN-HANIEL GMBH www.deilmann -haniel.com

ELEKTROMONTAŽA D.O.O KRALJEVO www.elektromontaza. com ELNOS BL D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.elnosgroup.com

DELOITTE D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.deloitte.com/rs

EN STORAGE D.O.O. www.en-storage.com

DELTA MOTORS D.O.O. www.bmw.rs

ENEL PS D.O.O. www.enelps.com

CONTITECH FLUID SERBIA D.O.O. www.contitech.rs

DEUTSCHE BANK AG REPRÄSENTANZ BELGRAD www.db.com

EONTEK D.O.O. www.eontek. coeontek.co

CORDEEL D.O.O. www.cordeel.rs

DEUTSCHE LUFTHANSA AG www.lufthansa.com

COMDATA D.O.O. www.comdata.rs COMMERZBANK AG REPRÄSENTANZ BELGRAD www.commerzbank. com CONFIDA CONSULTING D.O.O. www.confida.rs CONFLUENCE ADVISORY D.O.O. (MARINA BOŠNJOVIĆ)

CREDITREFORM D.O.O. www.creditreform.rs CROWE HORWATH BDM D.O.O. www.crowehorwath.rs CROWNE PLAZA / NBGP PROPERTIES D.O.O. www.ihg.com/ crowneplaza DAD DRÄXLMAIER AUTOMOTIVE D.O.O. www.draexlmaier.rs DAF CENTAR, CENTAR ZA NEMAČKI JEZIK www.dafcentar.co.rs DAUN & CIE AG DDOR NOVI SAD A.D.O. NOVI SAD www.ddor.rs

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DHL INTERNATIONAL BEOGRAD D.O.O. www.dhl.rs

EOS MATRIX D.O.O. www.eos-matrix.rs ERNST&YOUNG D.O.O. (EY) www.ey.com/rs

DIGITAL WORX GMBH www.digital-worx.de

EURO SUPPORT GROUP - MILAN STAMENKOVIĆ PR www.eurosupportgroup.com

DOBA FAKULTET www.doba.rs

EUROCONS GROUP D.O.O. www.eurocons.rs

DOM ZDRAVLJA VIZIM www.vizim.co.rs

EUROFAST GLOBAL D.O.O. www.eurofast.eu

DR. OETKER D.O.O. www.oetker.rs DRÄGER TEHNIKA TRGOVINA I SERVISIRANJE D.O.O. www.draeger.com DSD KONSTRUKTION D.O.O. www.dsd-serbia.co.rs DUNKERMOTOREN D.O.O. www.dunkermotoren.com

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EVOLVEA D.O.O. www.evolvea.com FAIROX GMBH www.fairox.de FALKE SERBIA D.O.O. www.falke.com FALKENSTEINER HOTEL BELGRADE / ALBA INVEST D.O.O. www.belgrade.falkensteiner.com

FARMALOGIST D.O.O. BEOGRAD PALILULA www.farmalogist.rs FERDINAND BILSTEIN SEE D.O.O. www.bilsteingroup.com FERMAT VENTURES GMBH www.fermatventures. com FESTO GMBH OGRANAK BEOGRAD www.festo.rs FINVEST D.O.O. www.finvest.rs

GI GROUP HR SOLUTIONS D.O.O. www.gigroup.rs

HOFFSCHMIDT FLAGPRINTER D.O.O. www.flagprinter.rs

GIZ - DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT GMBH www.giz.de

HOLLEMAN TRANSPORT D.O.O. www.holleman.rs

GLOB METORPOLITEN TOURS www.metropoliten. com GMP JARMENOVCI D.O.O. www.gmpjarmenovci. com

HÖRMANN SERBIA D.O.O. www.hormann.rs HOTEL CONSTANTINE THE GREAT www.constantinethegreatbelgrade. com HTS SOLUTIONS D.O.O. www.hts.rs

GRADING D.O.O. www.grading.rs

I&D COM D.O.O. www.idcom.rs

FLUX PRO D.O.O. www.flux.rs

GRAH AUTOMOTIVE D.O.O.

FLY FLY TRAVEL D.O.O. www.flyflycorporate.com www.flyflytravel.com

GRAMMER SYSTEM D.O.O. www.grammer.com

IB INTERBILANZ CONSULTING & AUDIT D.O.O. www.ibgroup.at

FIRST FACILITY D.O.O. www.firstfacility.rs

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE SERBIA D.O.O. G.P. GRAĐEVINAR D.O.O. www.gradjevinar.rs GEA EEC SERBIA D.O.O. www.gea.com GEBRÜDER WEISS D.O.O. www.gw-world.com GENERALI OSIGURANJE SRBIJA A.D.O. www.generali.rs GEOURB GROUP D.O.O. www.geourbgroup.com GEZE D.O.O. www.geze.com

GRAND MOTORS D.O.O. www.grandmotors.rs GRUNER SERBIAN D.O.O. www.gruner.de GUSTAV KÄSER TRAINING INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. www.gustav -kaeser.com HELGE ZIEHE BERGBAUBERATUNG GMBH www.helgeziehe.com HEMOFARM www.hemofarm.com HENKEL SRBIJA D.O.O. www.henkel.rs

GFA SOUTH EAST EUROPE D.O.O. www.gfa-see.com

HILL INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. www.hill.rs

GFK D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.gfk.com

HÖDLMAYR ZASTAVA D.O.O. www.hoedlmayr.com

IHK CHEMNITZ www.chemnitz.ihk24. de IHK OSTWÜRTTEMBERG www.ostwuerttemberg.ihk.de IHK ULM www.ulm.ihk24.de IMMORENT SINGIDUNUM D.O.O. www.siriusoffices.com INDUSTRIE UND HANDELSKAMMER KOBLENZ www.ihk-koblenz.de INDUSTIRE-UND HANDELSKAMMER NORD WESTFALEN www.ihk-nordwestfalen.de INDUSTRIE- UND HANDELSKAMMER (IHK) RHEIN-NECKAR www.rhein -neckar.ihk24.de INDUSTRIE- UND HANDELSKAMMER ZU KÖLN www.ihk-koeln.de

INFOTERM D.O.O. NIŠ www.infoterm.rs INTEGRALTEHNIC www.itcbg.co.rs INTELLEX D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.intellex.rs INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS PARTNERS D.O.O. www.icp-co.com ISKRATEL PROINTER D.O.O.

KNAUF ZEMUN D.O.O. www.knauf.rs

D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.man.rs

KOMERCIJALNA BANKA A.D. BEOGRAD www.kombank.com

MANPOWER GROUP www.manpower.rs

MIJIĆ ARCHITECTS S.R.L. OGRANAK BEOGRAD-STARI GRAD www.mijicarchitects.com

MARSH D.O.O. serbia.marsh.com

MILSPED www.milsped.com

MAŠINOPROJEKT KOPRING A.D. www.masinoprojekt. co.rs

MING D.O.O. www.mingbgd.com

KOMNENOVIĆ D.O.O. www.psc-komnenovic. com KPMG D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.kpmg.rs

www.iskratel-prointer.rs

LAYHER D.O.O. www.layher.rs

IVA 28 D.O.O. www.iva28.rs

LEGI-SGS D.O.O. www.legi.rs

JIE ENGINEERING D.O.O. www.jie -engineering.com

LEITNERLEITNER CONSULTING D.O.O./ LEITNERLEITNER AUDIT D.O.O. www.leitnerleitner.rs

JOKEY BG D.O.O. www.jokey.com JUGO-IMPEX E.E.R D.O.O. www.ereciklaza.com

LEONI WIRING SYSTEMS SOUTHEAST D.O.O. PROKUPLJE www.leoni-serbia.com

K.E.SZ. INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. www.kesz.rs

LIDL SRBIJA KD BEOGRAD www.lidl.rs karijera.lidl.rs

KAIROS BIROOPREMA D.O.O. www.mojakancelarija. com

LINDE GAS SRBIJA INDUSTRIJA GASOVA A.D. BEČEJ www.linde.rs

KARANOVIĆ & NIKOLIĆ OAD www.karanovic-nikolic. com KFW KANCELARIJA BEOGRAD www.kfw.de KLASTER MODNE I ODEVNE INDUSTRIJE SRBIJE (FACTS) www.clusterfacts. org.rs KLETT IZDAVAČKA KUĆA D.O.O. www.klett.rs KNAUF INSULATION D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.knaufinsulation.rs

LINDNER D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.lindner -beograd.com LMB SOFT D.O.O. www.lmbsoft.rs LOSBERGER GMBH www.losberger.com LTC D.O.O. www.still.rs

MBK MEDIA www.mbkproduction. com MEDINIC EXSPORT-IMPORT D.O.O. www.medinic.co.rs MEHLER PROTECTIVE SYSTEM D.O.O. MENADŽMENT CENTAR BEOGRAD www.mcb.rs MERCK D.O.O. www.merck.rs MERKUR GAMES D.O.O. www.merkurautomatklub.rs MESSER TEHNOGAS A.D. www.messer.rs www.moj.messer.rs METECH D.O.O. www.metech -srbija.com METRO CASH & CARRY D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.metro.rs METROPOL PALACE D.O.O. www.metropolpalace. com

M-INOX CONSTRUKT D.O.O. www.m-inox-construkt.com MIRAX AGRAR D.O.O. www.miraxagrar.rs MMM MÜNCHENER MEDIZIN MECHANIK GMBH www.mmmgroup.com MOJ KIOSK GROUP D.O.O. www.mojkioskgroup.rs MOKROGORSKA ŠKOLA MENADŽMENTA www.msm.edu.rs MUEHLBAUER TECHNOLOGIES D.O.O. www.muehlbauer.de NDP AUDIT & CONSULTING D.O.O. www.ndp-audit.rs NEIMAR PROJEKT D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.neimarprojekt.com NELT CO D.O.O. www.nelt.rs NEW COMPANY D.O.O. OGRANAK IN HOTEL www.inhotel -belgrade.rs

EVROPA D.O.O. www.normagroup.com NOVOS D.O.O. www.novos.co.rs OAZA ETHERNA www.oaza-etherna. com OBRAZOVNI CENTAR EQUILIBRIO www.stranijezici.com OFFICECOM D.O.O. www.officecom.rs OGRANAK DB ENGINEERING & CONSULTING BEOGRAD www.db-engineeringconsulting.de OPEL SOUTHEAST EUROPE LLC, PREDSTAVNIŠTVO BEOGRAD www.opel.rs

BEOGRAD www.pedersenandpartners.com PERI OPLATE D.O.O. www.peri.rs PERTINI TOYS D.O.O. www.pertinitoys.com PETROL D.O.O. www.petrol.co.rs PFB PROPERTIES D.O.O – COURTYARD BELGRADE CITY CENTER www.courtyardbelgrade.com PFEIFFER D.O.O. www.ludwigpfeiffer. com PHIWA D.O.O. SUBOTICA www.galleria-center. com

OPŠTA BOLNICA BEL MEDIC www.belmedic.com

PHOENIX PHARMA D.O.O. www.phoenixpharma.rs

OSTEUROPAVEREIN DER DEUTSCHEN WIRTSCHAFT E.V. www.osteuropaverein. org

PIP D.O.O. NOVI SAD www.pip-ns.com www.tortilja.rs

OVATION BBDO www.ovationbbdo.rs P&P EXECUTIVE SEARCH D.O.O. www.pendlpiswanger.at P3 COMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERING D.O.O. www.p3-group.com PALCO D.O.O. www.palco.de PANASONIC LIGHTING DEVICES SERBIA D.O.O. www.vossloh-schwabe. com

MACS ENERGY & WATER D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.macsonline.de

MICHAEL SCHMIDT, INEAST CONSULTING, DEUTSCHLAND www.ineast-consulting.com

NINAMEDIA KLIPING D.O.O. www.ninamedia.rs NITEA D.O.O. www.nitea.rs

PARIVODIC ADVOKATI/LAWYERS www.parivodic.com

MAN IMPORTER SRBIJA DEWACO

MIELE D.O.O. www.miele.rs

NORMA GRUPA JUGOISTOČNA

PEDERSEN & PARTNERS D.O.O.

POLY-VERBUNDPREMIX D.O.O. TITEL www.premix.rs PORSCHE SCG D.O.O. www.porschescg.rs PREDSTAVNIŠTVO BIG DUTCHMAN INTERNATIONAL GMBH – NOVI SAD www.bigdutchman.de PREDSTAVNIŠTVO PAUL HARTMANN AG BEOGRADNOVI BEOGRAD PREDUZEĆE ZA PROIZVODNJU I PROMET JUGO KAOLIN D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.jugokaolin.rs PREDUZEĆE ZA TRGOVINU I USLUGE RILEX CO D.O.O. www.rilex.co.rs

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PRE -PRINT D.O.O. www.pre-print.rs PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS D.O.O. www.pwc.rs PRIMERO RENT A CAR – EUROPCAR SERBIA & MONTENEGRO www.europcar.rs PROCREDIT BANK A.D. BEOGRAD www.procreditbank.rs PRODRES D.O.O. www.prodres.rs

RADISSON BLU OLD MILL HOTEL, BELGRADE www.radissonblu.com/ en/hotel-belgrade

SCIRENT CLINICAL RESEARCH AND SCIENCE D.O.O. www.scirent.org

REHAU D.O.O. www.rehau.rs

SECURITAS SE D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.securitas.co.rs

REISSWOLF SERBIA D.O.O. www.reisswolf.rs REPRO MARKET D.O.O. www.repromarket.rs RHEIN SOLUTIONS D.O.O. www.rheinsolutions. com

SENZAL CAPITAL D.O.O. www.senzalcapital.com SGS BEOGRAD D.O.O. www.sgs.rs SIEMENS D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.siemens.rs

TAKOVO A.D. www.takovo.rs TAPE NS GROUP D.O.O. NOVI SAD www.globalpack.hu TATJANA ŠOKČIĆ PR, KONSALTING I MENADŽMENT POSLOVI - HR CENTAR www.hrcentar.rs TDS DICHTUNGEN INTERNATIONAL D.O.O. www.tds-dichtungeninternational.rs

ROBERT BOSCH D.O.O. www.bosch.rs

SIXSENTIX D.O.O. www.sixsentix.rs SLOVAS D.O.O. www.slovas.rs

TEHNOVAR D.O.O. www.tehnovar.rs

SOPREX D.O.O. www.soprex.com

TEHPRO D.O.O. www.tehpro.rs

PROTEKTORWERK FLORENZ MAISCH GMBH & CO. KG www.protektor.com PRVO PLINARSKO DRUŠTVO D.O.O. www.ppd.rs www.ppd.hr PST BOHR D.O.O. www.pst-nord.de QUADRA GRAPHIC D.O.O. www.quadra.rs R UND R PERSONALAGENTUR D.O.O. www.rragentur.rs

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SAUTER BUILDING CONTROL SERBIA D.O.O. www.sauter.rs SCHENKER D.O.O. www.dbschenker. com/rs SCHMITZ CARGOBULL D.O.O. www.cargobull.com/rs SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SRBIJA D.O.O. www.schneider -electric.com SCHOLZ&FRIENDS BELGRADE S&FRIENDS D.O.O. www.s-and -friends.com www.s-f.com

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SOS DEČIJA SELA SRBIJA www.sos-decijasela.rs SPECIJALNA GINEKOLOŠKA BOLNICA BEOGRAD www.bolnicabeograd. co.rs STAR IMPORT D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.mercedes-benz.rs STIHL D.O.O. www.stihl.rs

TRANSFERA D.O.O. www.transfera.com

TURISTIČKA ORGANIZACIJA NEMAČKE (DZT) www.germany.travel

PROFINE D.O.O. www.profine-group. com

TEHNO-COOP D.O.O. SUBOTICA www.tehnocoop.co.rs

PROMINENT PREDSTAVNIŠTVO BEOGRAD www.prominent.co.rs

TPA POREZI I RAČUNOVODSTVO D.O.O. www.tpa-group.rs

TRUCK - LITE EUROPE D.O.O. www.truck-lite.eu.com

SINGI INŽENJERING D.O.O. www.singi.rs

SAP WEST BALKANS D.O.O. www.go.sap.com/ westbalkans

TÖNNIES INVEST D.O.O.

TRCPRO D.O.O. ZA INŽENJERING I USLUGE PETROVARADIN www.trcpro.rs

ROAMING SOLUTIONS D.O.O. www.roamingsolutions.rs

PROJEKT-UND INTEGRATIONSMANAGEMENT PAOLA GERR www.paolagerr -personal.de

TMS CEE D.O.O. www.tms.rs

TECON SISTEM D.O.O. www.tecon.rs

PRODYNA D.O.O. www.prodyna.com

SALESIANER MIETTEX BOGSIM D.O.O. www.salesianer.rs

TMF SERVICES D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.tmf-group.com

TELEGROUP D.O.O. www.telegroup.rs TELEKOM SRBIJA A.D. www.mts.rs TELENOR D.O.O. www.telenor.rs TELEOPTIK - GASNA OPREMA D.O.O. www.teleoptik.co.rs

STIM IMPORT D.O.O. www.stimimport.co.rs

TELESIGN BEOGRAD D.O.O. www.telesign.com

SUPERIOR D.O.O. www.superior -seeds.com

TERMOINŽENJERING D.O.O. www.termoinzenjering. com

TAHOGRAF BG D.O.O. www.tahografvdo.rs

TERMOMED D.O.O. www.dezinfekcija.com

TÜV RHEINLAND INTERCERT D.O.O. www.tuvrheinland.rs

VIESSMANN D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.viessmann.rs VIP MOBILE D.O.O. www.vipmobile.rs VISPERO GMBH www.vispero-gmbh.de VPC EAST D.O.O. www.vpc-group.biz WACKER NEUSON KRAGUJEVAC www.wackerneuson. com WEISHAUPT D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.weishaupt.rs WELTEX D.O.O. www.weltex.net WEST PROPERTIES D.O.O. BEOGRAD www.westproperties.rs WILO BEOGRAD D.O.O. www.wilo.rs WINTERHALTER GASTRONOM YU D.O.O. www.winterhalter.rs

UDRUŽENJE ZAPOŠLJAVANJE I POSREDOVANJE ZIP www.zip.org.rs

WOLF GMBH www.wolf -heiztechnik.de

UNICREDIT BANK SRBIJA A.D. BEOGRAD www.unicreditbank.rs URBAN -TECHNICS D.O.O. www.urban -technics.com

XELLA SRBIJA D.O.O. www.ytong.rs

VAILLANT D.O.O. www.vaillant.rs VALMAN D.O.O. BEOGRAD (A MEMBER OF HAWLE GERMANY GROUP) www.valman.rs VIA OCEL D.O.O. www.viaocel.rs

ZAJEDNIČKA ADVOKATSKA KANCELARIJA ALEKSIĆ SA SARADNICIMA www.lawofficealeksic.rs ZAJEDNIČKA ADVOKATSKA KANCELARIJA DOKLESTIĆ & PARTNERI www.doklestic.law ZOP INŽENJERING D.O.O. www.zopinzenjering. com

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