Austria 2021 by Diplomacy&Commerce magazine

Austria - 2021 -

AUSTRIA & SERBIA

EXCELLENT BILATERAL RELATIONS H.E. NIKOLAUS LUTTEROTTI

ERIKA TEOMANBRENNER

Austrian Ambassador to Serbia

Austrian Commercial Counselor

NADA KNEŽEVIĆ

Director of Vienna’s office of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE

Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the German sports car company ‘Porsche’, was from actually from Austria!

SNAPSHOT OF AUSTRIA Postcards were first born in Austria in 1869, created by economic professor Emanuel Hermann of Vienna.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Vienna is the capital of Classical Music. It’s where the famous New Year’s concert takes place every year on the first of January.

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SHINE BRIGHT

Visitors can find the world’s largest emerald in Austria, a 2,860-carat sparkling green gem. It is located in the Imperial Palace in Vienna.

GIVES YOU WINGS

In 1987, the single highestselling energy drink on the planet “Red Bull” was created in Austria. Now, the company sells around 7.6 billion cans a year.

EUROPEAN POWER

19th century Austrian Empire was one of the most powerful countries in Europe. The total area of this hegemon was almost 8 times more than the size of Austria today.

THE LAND OF FAME

Austria is a birth place to many famous individuals including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigmund Freud, Adolf Hitler, Amadous Mozart, Franz Kafka and many more!

THE FULL PACKAGE

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Vienna Is Considered one of the world’s best cities to live in! This rank comes with great socioeconomic factors as well as safety and health considerations.

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INTERVIEW

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OUR BILATERAL RELATIONS ARE EXCELLENT H.E. NIKOLAUS LUTTEROTTI Austrian Ambassador to Serbia

Austria remains committed to Serbia's accession to the EU The pandemic is a challenge for all our countries, societies and citizens and has caused immense suffering. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a new wave of infections, both in Austria and Serbia, putting our health care institutions under a lot of strain. Overall, my impression was that Serbia reacted promptly and in a very efficient and flexible manner to the pandemic. Serbia's health system, though vulnerable, has shown resilience, partly also thanks to the immediate support of the EU of more than 93 Mio € for necessary medical equipment. I want to congratulate Serbia for conducting a very efficient and successful vaccination campaign, a key tool to exit from the crisis and return to normalcy again. At the same time, the support for Serbia's economy has been swift and large enough to alleviate adverse effects.

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I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE JUST OPENED OUR SECOND HONORARY CONSULATE IN SERBIA IN NOVI SAD

erbia and Austria are friendly countries, culturally and economically closely connected. They are also united by the aspiration for a common future in a truly united Europe. We talked about the bilateral cooperation between Austria and Serbia, the current coronary virus pandemic, vaccination and Serbia's path to the

European Union with the Austrian Ambassador, M.Sc. Nikolaus Lutterotti. Both Austria and Serbia are still fighting against the coronavirus pandemic and each country has measures to counteract the virus. What do you think about the way we are fighting COVID-18 in Serbia and what do you think of our government's measures?

Serbia is one of the leading countries in terms of vaccination. What do you expect to happen this year in the European Union and the Western Balkans region? Do you think that the pandemic will subside in 2021? Serbia is indeed conducting a very well-organized and effective vaccina-

tion campaign and if she continues at this pace, I am confident it will have its positive effects soon. After a rough start, the speed of vaccinations in the EU Member States is increasing. The goal within the EU is to have 70% of adults fully vaccinated by the end of the summer. Austria supports this objective fully, and we are working hard to provide an effective and efficient vaccination campaign in Austria. Regarding predictions, we should be cautious as the pandemic has surprised us several times. Still, I remain optimistic that vaccines will lead us out of the pandemic and towards economic recovery by the end of the year, both for the EU and the Western Balkans. Austria has ordered over 36.5 million doses of anti-COVID vaccine. Recently, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed potential deliveries of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine to Austria. What is the Austrian government's strategy in the fight against the pandemic?

SERBIA REACTED PROMPTLY AND IN A VERY EFFICIENT AND FLEXIBLE MANNER TO THE PANDEMIC The Covid pandemic has negatively affected our bilateral trade in 2020. But I am confident that trade will pick up again this year and that our economic relations will continue to flourish in the coming years. I am happy to say that we just opened our second honorary consulate in Serbia in Novi Sad, the first one being in Nis. I am confident that this will help us to intensify our network for cooperation in the field of trade, investments, education, and culture with the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and beyond. As a federal State, we feel that our cooperation is also important on the local and regional level. The Secretary-General of the Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, just paid a visit to Serbia, his first trip outside of Austria for 13 months. He deliberately chose to come to Serbia to underline the importance we attach to our bilateral partnership and our support for Serbia’s path to full membership in the European Union. We discussed the possibilities for increasing our economic relations and our mutual support and sol-

Austria strongly supports Serbia on its path to EU membership. What lies ahead for Serbia in the coming period regarding the opening of negotiation chapters in accordance with the new enlargement methodology? Austria remains committed to Serbia's accession process to the EU. So does the EU. We hope that adopting a new methodology for Serbia will inject a new dynamic into the process. The EU and EU Member States have invested massively in Serbia's development over the past years, from health, infrastructure, education to the Rule of law. And Serbia has invested her efforts in many reforms that we duly recognize, particularly if you look at the economic reforms. As Rule of law is fundamental to enlargement policy and in order for significant progress in the accession process, it is paramount to see real progress in reforms on the ground regarding chapters 23 & 24, especially when it comes to the independence of the judiciary, the fight against corruption and organized crime as well as ensuring a democratic environment with strong independent institutions that allows for the free and safe exercise of fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression. Media and civil society representatives must be able to do their work without threats or any kind of intimidation. As for the Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, continuous engagement in good faith to negotiate and achieve a comprehensive legally binding normalization agreement is crucial to advance on the European path. Austria is the current WBIF Co-Chair, which supports the introduction of high-speed broadband Internet in rural areas in Serbia. What does the digital infrastructure expansion project mean for Serbia?

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Our two countries have had tradi-

Our bilateral relations are indeed excellent. This can be seen particularly in times of crisis as Austria and Serbia have shown great mutual support and solidarity. During the pandemic, the Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Minister for European Affairs Karoline Edtstadler visited Serbia in May 2020 to deliver substantial assistance and reassure Austria's and the EU's focus on Serbia and the Western Balkans.

idarity to tackle Covid-19 and opportunities to improve our cooperation in higher education, dual education, and in the field of culture, not least in Novi Sad as the European capital of culture in 2022. Our focus on supporting Serbia concerning her EU accession process will remain steadfast.

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Vaccinations are a key component of our fight against the pandemic. We have made sure to speed up the process of our vaccination strategy by starting earlier than initially planned, expanding the target groups of the first phase and inoculating vaccines as soon as possible after their delivery. Austria has participated in the European mechanism to order large quantities of vaccines from several producers and the government is working hard to speed up the delivery of vaccines and study possibilities for vaccine production in Austria with European and international partners. We want to be in the lead when it comes to rolling out vaccines against future mutations. However, given the current epidemiological situation, we are also tackling the spread of the virus to save lives and preserve health care capacities. Austria is relying on large scale testing, regional measures of lockdowns depending on the numbers of new infections, and a mandatory wearing of FFP2-masks.

tionally excellent bilateral relations. How can we improve the existing cooperation?

This digital infrastructure project is a crucial endeavor of the Serbian government that promises socio-economic gains in rural areas and facilitates a range of new opportunities, not least in quality education, civil society engagement, and healthcare. It is undisputed that digital connectivity is also crucial in strengthening the industry and SMEs' competitiveness and creating jobs in targeted regions. It is vital for broadening the perspective of regions lagging behind, and it can also open possibilities to tackle the impact of climate change. Through this specific project, around 90,000 households and 600 schools and public institutions in rural areas in Serbia will gain access to fast broadband which will contribute to improving the quality of life in the countryside. As one of the major donors and current co-chair of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), Austria attaches great importance to this project.

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Austria is an important partner of Serbia also in terms of numerous donations and investments in education and culture. What important projects would you like to highlight?

The Austrian Cultural Forum celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Although COVID-19 does constrain the program, there are many highlights planned, both digitally and in hybrid formats. The main goal now is to stay engaged with the Serbian public and Serbian artists in these difficult times. The digital platform "At Second Glance / Na drugi pogled" went online in March and gives 20 visuals artists from Austria and Serbia, who were selected from over 300 submissions, the floor to artistically challenge stereotypes that exist between our countries. Talks and discussions will accompany the online exhibition throughout the year and foster personal connections and artistic dialogue. Another flagship project is the Austrian Film Festival that will highlight excellent movies by female Austrian filmmakers. Scheduled for September, it will tour throughout Serbia if the epidemiological situation permits. The Austrian cultural networks also

SERBIA IS A GREAT COUNTRY TO LIVE IN, MAINLY BECAUSE OF ITS PEOPLE include the Austrian libraries and Austrian lecturers in Belgrade and Novi Sad. There are many stipends and artist-in-residence programs for artists from the Balkans offered not only by the Foreign Ministry but also by Austrian provinces such as Styria, Lower Austria, and Vienna. Austrian and Serbian universities cooperate at the highest scientific level on dozens of research projects through the CEEPUS network. The Austrian Agency for Education and the Austrian Trade Chamber are deeply involved in accompanying Serbia's efforts in developing its dual education framework, which will be one of the critical elements in ensuring that

Serbia moves up in the value chain in the next decade. After living in Belgrade for almost three years, what are your general impressions of Serbia and what do you like the most about Belgrade? Serbia is a great country to live in, mainly because of her people. I have made many friends in Serbia, particularly in Belgrade, and I believe this is what I value the most. But Serbia also offers a unique cultural heritage, and I am very happy that Austria was involved in the reconstruction and protection of the Fortress of Golubac, for example. During the covid-19 crisis, I used the opportunity to discover the beauty of Serbia's national parks and mountains as well as some of her beautiful monasteries. Living in Belgrade is great! It is a city with a lot of energy and good vibes that offers a vibrant gastronomic and cultural scene, from street art to the many contemporary art galleries and the great variety of festivals. I hope we will be able to enjoy the city in full swing again soon! 

INTERVIEW

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ERIKA TEOMAN-BRENNER

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Austrian Commercial Counselor

IMPRESSIVE GROWTH OF TRADE BETWEEN OUR TWO COUNTRIES

The fact, that Austrian engagement in Serbia has remained very stable over the years, proves that it is based on long-term objectives and commitments

or annual edition of InFocus Austria, we spoke with Mrs. Erika Teoman-Brenner – Austrian Commercial Counselor: “The crisis last year slowed down trade between Austria and Serbia. Preliminary data for 2020 show that imports from Serbia to Austria have declined by almost 17% and Austrian exports to Serbia by 13%. At the same time, we are pleased to see that Austria has managed over many years to hold its position as one of the most important investors in the country”, she pointed out.

Economic relations between Austria and Serbia have long been exceptionally good. What else can we do to improve them and the cooperation between the two countries? We have indeed witnessed an impressive growth of trade between our two countries in the past years. Our trade gap has narrowed and the structure has improved. At the same time, we are pleased to see that Austria has managed over many years to hold its position as one of the most important investors in the country. The fact, that Austrian engagement in Serbia has remained very stable over the years, proves that it is based on long-term objectives and commitments. There are many different factors that determine the investment activities and trade between our two countries. Hence, it is not easy to single out individual measures that could lead to intensify them further, also because international developments have a considerable impact on how companies shape their business strategies. What we at ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA can and will do is to continuously explore opportunities to bring together interest-

ed business partners from both countries by identifying new areas of cooperation. For example, we get more and more involved in matching promising start-up companies from Serbia with their counterparts in Austria. By using more virtual networking and business matching events we hope that we can not only overcome some of the restrictions imposed by the current pandemic, but also create new channels for establishing contacts between interested parties. We also think that more Serbian investments in Austria could lead to stronger ties between our countries and we will intensify our efforts to present Austria´s unique features as an interesting location for international business.

WHAT WE AT ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA CAN AND WILL DO IS TO CONTINUOUSLY EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING TOGETHER INTERESTED BUSINESS PARTNERS FROM BOTH COUNTRIES On the other hand, there is also a great potential for new investments in Serbia by the Serbian diaspora in Austria. We therefore welcome very much new initiatives that aim at strengthening and encouraging entrepreneurship with and through the Serbian diaspora, like the Link Up ! Serbia project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency. In late 2020, ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA Bel-

grade surveyed Austrian companies in Serbia, which showed that Serbia is still an attractive location for Austrian companies. What else can Serbia do to attract more Austrian investors? The results of our survey are indeed encouraging, both in terms of the current status and in view of the future. Nevertheless, Austrian companies have identified several areas, which continue to pose considerable challenges and need to be improved. As in previous years, shortcomings in the judiciary, lack of transparency and bureaucratic hurdles are seen as major reasons for concern. At the same time there are also market-related factors that impact their business, mainly underdeveloped infrastructure and, more generally, a lower level of quality awareness . Our companies also consider matters regarding the labour force as crucial for their success, especially the availability of skilled staff. It is worth noting, that despite the outfall of the crisis, the vast majority of our companies in Serbia have kept their workforce at pre-crisis level. How do you think the pandemic and the continuation of the crisis will affect the economy this year, and what challenges await both Austria and Serbia? Thanks to the Serbian government´s rapid and comprehensive response to the first wave of the pandemic, the country did not have such a deep decline in GDP, employment and wages as other similar countries in Europe. It is yet to be seen to what extent this will affect the government´s ability to fund important projects and reforms this year. These are challenges that practically all countries face

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The Western Balkans countries have many problems in common that can only be addressed and solved through joint action.

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JOINT ACTION

these days. The Austrian government is particularly concerned with rising unemployment, hence, considerable funds are invested in labour market measures geared at maintaining employment, while at the same time offering incentives for upgrading the qualification of the workforce. On a more general level, we will see fundamental changes in the world of work and the rapid adoption of new digital technologies.

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The Western Balkans region has several good initiatives, from so-called Mini-Schengen to a common supplier database. How important is it to develop innovation, sustainable development in the region and joint action?

Regional cooperation is a key factor for political stability and economic development . The Western Balkans countries have many problems in common that can only be addressed and solved through joint action. One of them is the relatively low level of innovation, while at the same time the region suffers from a massive brain drain. By pooling resources, both in terms of human and financial capacity, the region will be able to tap into its innovative potential which will lead

to more competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. Austrian companies have an exceptional influence on work habits, as well as on the development of dual education in our country. How important is the exchange of experiences and knowledge? Introducing a dual vocational training systematically is a highly demanding task. Given the excellent and close relations between Serbia and Austria, we have been very pleased to share our knowledge and experience with the institutions involved here in Serbia. At the same time we encourage Austrian companies in Serbia to active-

ON A MORE GENERAL LEVEL, WE WILL SEE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE WORLD OF WORK AND THE RAPID ADOPTION OF NEW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

ly engage in the new dual vocational training programme, so that we could get valuable feedback from the business sector. All this is part of our cooperation with the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the leading force in strengthening the role of practice-based learning and training in Serbia. You have been living in Serbia for almost 6 years. What do you like the most about the country? Living and working in Serbia has been a tremendously positive experience for me. People are very welcoming and open-minded here and it is not difficult at all to communicate with them, partly also because so many of them are fluent either in English or German. It is also nice to experience how much affection people have here for Austria, especially for Vienna. What I also like very much is exploring Serbias regions. Having lived in Vienna, Budapest and Istanbul, I see aspects of all these cultures reflected in the cultural diversity of the country. And finally, it goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoy the tasty food in this country and the impressive variety of restaurants and cafés in Belgrade that make up so much of its vibrant charm. 

INTERVIEW

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WE ARE PROVIDING DIRECT SUPPORT TO SERBIAN BUSINESSES NADA KNEŽEVIĆ

Director of Vienna’s office of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia

The turning point was 2018 was when the value of the trade between the two countries exceeded 1 billion euro

ienna is an important political and business centre, as well as the place of residence for many Serbian citizens so, in that sense, is also a space for improving cooperation with the help of the representatives of the Serbian economy. The role of the representative office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (CCIS) in Vienna is to facilitate and improve the economic activities and operations of Serbian companies in Austria. The representative office works on boosting political and economic cooperation, providing direct support to Serbian businesses and disseminating information that is important for Serbian companies. We talked with the director of the CCIS representative office in Vienna, Nada Knežević, about the Office’s activities, results and plans.

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How does the representation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Vienna contribute to the development of the Serbian economy? The representative office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Vienna was established in 2005

THE AUSTRIAN MARKET IS FINANCIALLY STRONG BUT AT THE SAME TIME, VERY DEMANDING, SO THE COMPETITION IS QUITE STIFF

to provide additional support to Serbian companies that are interested in establishing business cooperation with Austrian companies. Serbian companies are usually interested in possibilities and ways of marketing their own products, looking for partners to establish cooperation or joint business presence in the Austrian or other markets, as well as searching for investors to expand their own business capacities in Serbia. In recent years, Serbian companies have been particularly interested in opening their own representative offices or companies in Austria with the primary goal of increasing their business activities in this market, but also to expand their business to other EU countries, primarily those of the German-speaking area in the EU. Almost all Serbian companies that have been successful in Austria, as a result, have

been developing in Serbia in terms of increasing their capacity and number of workers, modernizing production and production equipment, but also in terms of final product quality and appearance, especially in design. The Austrian market is financially strong but at the same time, very demanding, so the competition is quite stiff. On the other hand, we should also note that many business people in Austria are of Serbian origin and own very successful and renowned companies. A large number of these companies have gained a comparative advantage in the Austrian market based on cooperation with Serbian companies, or hiring a Serbian workforce. The cooperation is also based on the interest of Austrian companies in doing business on the Serbian market, regardless of whether it is an opportunity to invest, place products or look for partners for some other type of cooperation. When we take all of this into account, it is clear to see that there is a lot of work to be done. Every successfully implemented project or cooperation is a reason for satisfaction, but when you are involved in helping a Serbian company launch its business in Austria when it achieves success over time, starts to grow, employs Austrian workers and becomes a recognized brand in the community in which it operates, you really do feel special. Could you tell us about the overall trade between Serbia and Austria? Trade between the two countries has been constantly growing, and although, over a few years, that growth was modest, the year 2018 marked a turning point when the trade value exceeded 1 billion euro for the first time. After that, the growth was quite rapid,

so in 2019, the value of the trade was a little over 1.25 billion. According to all forecasts, as well as the realized indicators in the first quarter of 2020, it was almost certain that the value of the 2020 trade would exceed 1.45 billion euro. Unfortunately, the coronavirus epidemic happened and this projected value was not achieved solely for this reason. It is difficult to predict

THE BIGGEST TRADE TAKES PLACE IN THE METALPROCESSING INDUSTRY AND THE PRODUCTION OF MACHINES AND DEVICES, AS WELL AS VEHICLE ASSEMBLIES when the situation will return to normal, but it is encouraging to see that despite the incredible difficulties that accompanied and hindered business between the two countries, the high trade level was sustained last year. To what extent did the pandemic affect the trade between Serbia and Austria in 2020, but also the activities of the CCIS representative office in Vienna? Since late February 2020, when the first case of coronavirus infection was registered in Austria and the first extremely restrictive measures were introduced in mid-March, business and trade are also experiencing an emergency. Even though during the past year there were short periods in Aus-

tria when restrictions on movement and work were eased, the situation is far from normal this year as well. The very beginning of the pandemic was marked by restrictions on movement and a major problem in terms of the road transport of goods. We all remember the restrictions on the movement of workers, the abolition of business travel opportunities, the introduction of special notice regimes and trips taken because of urgent business obligations. Although the problems have varied over time, all economic actors in both countries have made a great effort to eliminate the problems and barriers as soon as possible and establish certain normalcy in business. The representative office faced many challenges. We monitored regulations and laws that were passed, especially in the first months after the outbreak of the pandemic, almost 24 hours a day, so we had to update the reports on the changes at least twice a day. The changed business regimes also included new procedures, obtaining various approvals and additional formalities. Despite all the additional work caused by the new situation, the representative office still performs all other regular activities in terms of support to Serbian companies, aside from assistance with participation in trade fairs, which have been mostly cancelled or postponed in Austria. Although a transitional solution has been found in the meantime, and there are currently a large number of events that are being held virtually, the interest shown by the business community has been incomparably weaker. In which economic sectors is the trade the most developed, and which have the potential for a bigger trade?

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We should also note that many business people in Austria are of Serbian origin and own very successful and renowned companies.

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The biggest trade takes place in the metal-processing industry and the production of machines and devices, as well as vehicle assemblies. Serbia mostly exports to Austria coiled sheets and strips, washing and cleaning detergents, chandeliers, jewellery and similar glass-made products, sets of ignition wires, and various sets for motor vehicles. We can say with a high degree of certainty that, in the following period, these products will have a large share in Serbian exports. There is great potential in exporting agricultural and food products, as well as in the services sector. In terms of services, it is interesting to note that we are mainly talking about IT services, as well as designing factories and various other facilities. Although Serbia has been exporting substantial quantities of raw materials and semi-finished products to Austria in recent years, this is gradually changing, namely, Serbia has recorded an increase in exports of highly processed goods. This is, among other things, the reason why in recent years there has been a significant decline in the trade deficit, which, unfortunately, has always been on the Serbian side. The Austrian government has been

THE BIGGEST TRADE TAKES PLACE IN THE METALPROCESSING INDUSTRY AND THE PRODUCTION OF MACHINES AND DEVICES, AS WELL AS VEHICLE ASSEMBLIES considering changing the country's industrial policy. How can this affect cooperation with Serbia? Regarding these changes, the greatest chance lies in the considerations related to returning certain production capacities to Austria or neighbouring countries, which are currently located in faraway destinations. If such plans are implemented, there is a great chance that one, perhaps larger, part of such capacities will be allocated to Serbia. Although Serbia is not a neighbouring country to Austria, it is often viewed as such due to its proximity. This proximity, which affects both

the speed of deliveries and low transport costs, along with other business advantages and conveniences, which sets Serbia apart from other countries in the region, can be a decisive factor for Serbia to attract such production plants, which would ensure the influx of new Austrian investments. Austria is a developed country. What can we learn from the Austrians about improving our economy? Although the Serbian economy is progressing and growing, there is still a lot of room for improvement, whether it is improving production, products, business culture, presentation and marketing or better organizing the work of our institutions and better defining legal frameworks. Communication, direct contact, exchange of experiences through cooperation, trade fairs and conferences are necessary prerequisites for knowledge transfer in every respect and both directions. In that sense, it would be very important for all business factors in both countries to jointly work more to overcome the pandemic and create conditions for rapid recovery and further economic growth. 

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GROSSGLOCKNER HIGH ALPINE ROAD t an impressive 3,798 meters, the Großglockner is the highest mountain in Austria and, thanks to its characteristic peak, is also very easy to recognize. The daring can climb the summit with an adrenaline rush, but

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the mountain experience can also be approached more comfortably and less dangerous. The Großglockner High Alpine Road leads in a spectacular way to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe - with fantastic views along the way! 

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AUSTRIAN CONSULATE OPENED IN NOVI SAD

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Mr. Zoran Tadić, the general manager of the well-known Novi Sad company Neofyton, was appointed as Honorary Consul of Austria in Novi Sad. He has been successfully cooperating with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia and Nigeria for many years and he is also a member of the Council for Cooperation of Science and Economy at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce

he Austrian consulate, responsible for the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina region, commenced service on March 24th 2021. The new Consulate will play a very important role in the advancement of economic, cultural and social relations between Austria and A.P. Vojvodina. Mr. Zoran Tadić, the general manager of the well-known Novi Sad company Neofyton, was appointed as Honorary Consul of Austria in Novi Sad. Neofyton, whose most important partner is the Austrian company Engel- the world's leading manufacturer of plastic injection machines, is a representative of the world's leading companies in plastic industry. In addition, Mr. Tadić has been successfully cooperating with the Austrian Chamber of Commerce in Serbia and Nigeria for many years and he is also a member of the Council for Cooperation of Science and Economy at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce. At the opening ceremony, in a welcome speech, Mr. Tadić thanked, first of

all, the Ambassador of Austria to the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Nikolaus Lutterotti, for the distinctive honor during the process of candidacy and final appointment to the position of Honorary Consul. Furthemore, Mr. Tadić pointed out that Serbia and Austria and Vojvodina and Austria have always been closely connected throughout history. ’Serbia and Austria have a lot in common, they are similar in size, they have a similar number of citizens, and throughout history the roads of these two countries have often intertwined. However, the most important natural link between these

IMPORTANT ROLE

The new Consulate will play a very important role in the advancement of economic, cultural and social relations between Austria and A.P. Vojvodina

two countries is certainly the Danube. It was the strategically good position on the Danube that contributed to the Austrian court in 1692, starting the construction of the second largest fortress in Europe - the Petrovaradin Fortress. The soon-to-follow construction of the city of Novi Sad, the immigration of Serbs from Kosovo to Vojvodina, as well as the subsequent flourishing and development of Serbian culture, science and trade in Vojvodina in the 18th and 19th centuries, took place with the support of the Vienna court’, cited Mr. Tadić. The event was also attended by Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs in the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Mr. Peter Launsky-Tieffental, Austrian Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Nikolaus Lutterotti, Novi Sad Mayor Mr. Miloš Vučević and the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, Mr. Nemanja Starović. In his address, Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs in the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Peter Launsky-Tieffental, stated that Austria is a stable partner of Serbia on its path to the European Union. "The European Union is not only based on cooperation between countries, but also on cooperation between regions and, more specifically, between cities. We

are pleased with the partnership that already exists between Vojvodina and the Austrian regions, or the connections that the city of Novi Sad already has with several cities in Austria. An important part of this cooperation is that Novi Sad will assume the title of European Capital of Culture next year, where the Austrian city of Linz (former European Capital of Culture) can certainly

COMMON

Serbia and Austria have a lot in common, and throughout history the roads of these two countries have often intertwined help. " The importance of this Consulate is also shown by the fact that the arrival of Mr. Launsky-Tieffental at the opening of the Consulate, is his first visit outside Austria after 13 months since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the visit to Serbia has not been chosen by chance. The Ambassador of Austria to Serbia, H.E. Nikolaus Lutterotti, said that consulates make an excellent contribution to closer connection of two nations,

opening of new opportunities and foster better mutual understanding. In his address at the solemn ceremony, the Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Miloš Vučević pointed out: "Congratulations to the Honorary Consul Mr. Zoran Tadić at the appointment and I am convinced that he will represent the country in the best way and be a solid, unbreakable link between the two countries." The State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Serbia Mr. Nemanja Starović emphasized that ’The opening of another Austrian consulate in Serbia is a clear signal that bilateral relations between Austria and Serbia are on an upward trajectory, and it is very important that the new honorary consul, Mr. Tadić is a person with great experience in the field of economy who will be able to use his knowledge, experience, as well as business contacts for the further development of relations between the two countries.’ Apart from helping the residents of Austria who are at work or traveling in Vojvodina, the role of the Consulate will be to revive the economic, business and cultural connections between Vojvodina and Austria. The consulate will also contribute to better networking in the field of culture, art and education, said Mr. Tadić, at the end of the solemn ceremony. 

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The seat of the Consulate is located at 27b Partizanska Street in Novi Sad. Opening hours: Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ∙ Contact: Tel: +381 21 662 00 10 ∙ office@austrianconsulatenovisad.rs

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VIP MOBILE NOW BECOME A1 SERBIA We are going to be stronger and better thanks to the international experience and support we get from A1 Telekom Austria Group

DEJAN TURK CEO of A1 Serbia and A1 Slovenia

“T

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he new brand, A1 Serbia, is an opportunity to upgrade ourselves as employees and take the company to an even higher level, whilst improving the telecommunications market and creating the best user experience for living in the modern digital age.” says Dejan Turk, CEO of A1 Serbia and A1 Slovenia.

Vip mobile changed its name to A1 Serbia after almost a decade of business in Serbia. What benefits did that bring, first and foremost, to your customers and the business world in Serbia? — Since the launch of our business in Serbia 14 years ago, we have set ourselves high goals and managed to exceed them, thanks to our employees' commitment of our employees and our approach to our customers. As a result of that, today we have almost 1,500 employees and over 2.3 million users. Customers can count on us to keep all the good practices that have made us stand out all this time, as well as that we are going to be stronger and better thanks to the international experience and support we get from A1 Telekom Austria Group. In that sense, the new brand is an opportunity to upgrade ourselves as employees and take the company to an

even higher level, whilst improving the telecommunications market and creating the best user experience for living in the modern digital age. There weren't many examples of businesses rebranding in Serbia, especially not such a large company, in an important industry, which already had a very recognizable image. What did the whole process entail? — Rebranding is one of the rarest pro-

MESSAGES

One of the main messages that we, as A1, want to send out is that we are committed to people and society as a whole

jects that company employees can experience in business life. It is actually once-in-a-lifetime occurence. The whole process was really challenging, and even more so for us because we planned it and were ready to proceed with it last year. Of course, the epidemiological circumstances that emerged at that time meant that we must first take care of the safety of our employees and the needs of the users. The rebranding process is very complex. So many things need to be changed and adjusted while you have to maintain continuity of business, both in the eyes of customers and employees. The key difference is that it wasn't that difficult for us, because we did not change our core. One of the main messages that we, as A1, want to send out is that we are committed to people and society as a whole, that we believe in the pow-

er of the individual and that we want to contribute to the overall development of local communities. All this is an upgrade, because our business behaviour has not changed. The name change happened while the global health and, consequently, economic crisis was still going on. How challenging is this situation for A1 Serbia? — The need for social distancing has highlighted the importance of telecommunications for everyday life. People need to be in constant contact with their friends and family, and be informed about events. Businesses need to have efficient and modern technological solutions. Our main focus is to increase capacity and maintain quality service. We have invested more than 120 million euro in the last five years in the development of our network, which today consists of more than 2,150 base stations and covers 98% of Serbia's territory. In the first year of operation under the name A1 Serbia, we will made significant improvements in the network infrastructure, expand the capacity of the 4G network and raise the data service to a higher level. Additional infrastructural expansions are planned in across the country, and especially in the area of Belgrade and Vojvodina. We will improve user experience in as much as 70 percent of our network.

To what extent are new technologies in Europe changing the range of services offered by telecommunications companies and what are the plans in this segment?

CONTRIBUTION

We are trying to leave a strong mark and contribute to a better and healthier environment for everyone

The companies you helm are known for their lively CSR activity. Lately, there has been a lot of talk about possibilities that technology can provide in this segment. What do you see as the greatest potential in this matter? — In our environment, the focus is on three areas where the greatest progress is expected in the coming period. These are education, medicine and environmental protection. We can play a big role in that - we have already opened some segments and we are the first operator to engage in telemedicine in Serbia. Environmental protection has been part of Vip's DNA for years from Ecomotivation through cleaning rivers and implementing internal environmentally efficient practices. We are trying to leave a strong mark and contribute to a better and healthier environment for everyone. What will the future of A1 Serbia and the telecommunications industry look like? — Telecommunications operators have largely gone beyond traditional business frameworks that were previously considered the only choice. We no longer connect only people, but also devices. The gradual introduction of the fifth generation of mobile networks is expected and accordingly we want to develop new ICT solutions, which will facilitate and improve the life and business of our customers, providing end-to-end services tailor-made to their needs. 

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— The Internet of Things (IoT) is a good example of the future technologies and the device market, based on the IoT, has been growing rapidly. A1 Serbia is among only 15 percent of operators in the world that offer the world's most reliable data transfer technology for devices that connect to the Internet - Narrow Band Internet of Things. Furthermore, there is a great challenge to preserve the quality, reliability and security of service, as well as to protect the confidentiality of the data that are exchanged. In this sense, private LTE, the so-called campus networks, are very important. I am proud to say that we are leaders in this field as well and that we are currently implementing an important project.

What changes and results relating to the telecommunications market in Serbia are you most proud of? — I am perhaps the proudest of the society that is increasingly following and more openly adopting digitalisation trends. This is seen in the speed with which our Virtual Store came to life, which recorded 14,000 visits in the first months of its launch. As a result of the digital transformation, new opportunities are undoubtedly being created. Some business models will undergo major changes or even disappear but new disruptive business models will be created also. All this benefits us in Serbia - new technologies and tools are easily available and we have a very smart and active startup community that has great potential for global scaling of its business models.

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Despite many challenges, 2020 was another successful year for the company. How did you manage to adjust to the new situation and maintain market share growth? — Our business results have always been a reflection of the trust of our employees and clients, that is, the support they give us. Therefore, our main focus was on preserving their health. In record time, over 80% of our employees started working from home, including our colleagues from customer support. Practically, in the same amount of time, we have managed to reorganize our business and adjust our services to our clients' lives in the new circumstances. Our branches adhered to all protection measures, and the safety of our colleagues and clients was and still is an absolute priority. In addition to a stable network, we

have provided online access to all our services, free chat applications and online meeting platforms.

FOCUS

by Mina Vučić AUSTRIA AUSTRIA2021 2021

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BEAUTY REQUIRES HARD WORK Behind the Scenes of the Austrian Landscape

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AGRICULTURE PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE FOR AUSTRIA'S ECONOMY GOING FAR BEYOND THE PRODUCTION OF FOOD

er holds the responsibility of providing services to the environment, managing and caring for the landscapes as well as contributing over 30% to renewable energy shares. Furthermore, Austria has emerged as the second biggest soybean producer in the EU and contributes 1% to the world wine production. Their ideal climate and geographical positioning works in the nation’s favour when it comes to the benefits the economy receives from the agricultural sectors. 

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griculture plays an important role for Austria's economy going far beyond the production of food. While producing dairy products and beef, the Austrian mountain farmers also take over the task of maintaining and preserving the pastures of the Alps. To maintain the lush land in the summer and attract tourists to the ski slopes in the winter, farming in mountainous areas is highly significant for the country. An Austria farm-

COOPERATION

AUSTRIA IS 2 BIGGEST FOREIGN INVESTOR IN SERBIA nd

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In 10 years, Austria has invested about 2.5 billion euro in Serbia

ustria is one of the most important economic partners of Serbia and one of the largest investors in Serbia. Currently, there are about 400 companies from Austria operating in Serbia, which employ 21,000 workers. Austrian companies are increasingly looking for opportunities for employment, cooperation and hiring of external associates, and the IT sector is a promising area for more intensive cooperation.

TRADE Export According to the data collated by the State Bureau of Statistics, the total value of goods exported from Serbia to Austria in 2020 was 477.8 million euro, which is a 15.7 percent decrease compared to the same period last year when goods worth 566.5 mil-

IN 2020, AUSTRIA RANKED 14TH WITH A 2.8 PERCENT SHARE IN TOTAL EXPORTS lion euro were exported to Austria, a 28.3 percent growth relative to 2018. In 2019, Austria ranked 13th on the list of countries that the Republic of Serbia exports the most to with the 3.2 percent share in total export. In 2020, it ranked 14th with a 2.8 percent share in total exports. Import The value of imported goods from Austria in 2020 stood at 587.9 million euro, which is 12.8 percent less compared to the same period in 2019, when imports from Austria amount-

ed to 674.4 million euro, a 10.5 percent increase relative to 2018. In 2019, Austria ranked 10th on the list of countries that the Republic of Serbia imported the most from with the 2.8 percent share in total import. In 2020, it ranked 11th with a 2.6 percent share in total imports.

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA’S INVESTMENTS IN SERBIA Since 2014, and in accordance with IMF guidelines the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) changed the methodology for calculating foreign direct investments. According to the new methodology, net foreign direct investments is calculated as the difference between net assets (inflows and outflows based on residents' investments abroad) and net liabilities (inflows and outflows based on non-residents' investments in Serbia) and includes investments

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Starting from 2010 and ending in June 2020, inflows based on investments of Austrian residents in the Republic of Serbia amounted to about 2.5 billion euro.

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INFLOWS

in money, goods, debt to capital conversion, intercompany loans and reinvested earnings. It is important to note that data on foreign direct investments in money are obtained by the National Bank of Serbia from commercial banks, which means that these data are generated by country of payment and not by country of investment and largely depend on the country in which a company has a bank account through which it makes payments, i.e. investments. The NBS data are the only official data on foreign direct investments in Serbia, with the National Bank of Serbia publishing aggregate data on FDI by country of payment and industry, while official data on investments by individual companies are not available.

THE TOTAL VALUE OF GOODS EXPORTED FROM SERBIA TO AUSTRIA IN 2020 WAS 477.8 MILLION EURO Starting from 2010 and ending in June 2020, inflows based on investments of Austrian residents in the Republic of Serbia amounted to about 2.5 billion euro, which ranks Austria 2nd on the list of countries that made the largest investments in Serbia in that period.

THE LARGEST INVESTMENTS OF AUSTRIAN COMPANIES IN SERBIA The records of the Development Agency of Serbia (RAS) are generated according to the country of origin of the company that invested, based on the RAS research on foreign direct investments by companies and the reports of the companies themselves on the amount of investments they made. Due to the lack of legislation on companies reporting on the amount of investments they made, the following data can only be taken as indicative values. In this regard, and for the reasons stated, RAS records do not include investments of all companies, as well as all investments by individual companies. The top 10 companies that have made some of the largest investments in Serbia include Telekom Austria Group, VIP Mobile, Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG, OMV, Bank Austria Creditanstalt UniCredit Bank Srbija a.d. Belgrade, Kronospan, CA Immo International AG, Addiko Bank, Erste Bank Oesterreich, Cerfin and Wienerberger. The largest planned investments were made by Telekom Austria Group / VIP Mobile with EUR 950 million, Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG with EUR 500 million, OMV and Bank Austria Creditanstalt UniCredit Bank Srbija a.d. Belgrade, and Kronospan with 135 million EUR. 

OVERVIEW OF IMPORT AND EXPORT FROM 2012 TO 2020

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Austria – External trade

Export (in mill. EUR)

Import (in mill. EUR)

Trade balance (in mill. EUR) Source: RAS

CORPORATE

STEEL IMPEX IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE SERBIAN RECYCLING SCENE Steel Impex DOO can annually collect and export about 100,000 tons of waste

controls different waste streams in Serbia. Waste shipments can be organized by truck, railways or barge, which means that Steel Impex can meet all kinds of needs of its customers who have put their trust in the company years ago. Steel Impex buys waste from all over Serbia. Steel Impex's recycling center (Kraljevo branch) spans nearly 6 hectares and collects waste from the central and western part of the country, mainly scrap iron, but also non-ferrous metals, waste rubber and plastic. The 4,800 m² waste management plant in Novi Sad collects and sorts steel waste from Vojvodina, northern Serbia and Belgrade. Thanks to its strategic decisions, Steel

teel Impex DOO operates under the renowned Austrian investor, Black Gold Holding GmbH, based in Vienna, whose focus is on recycling and creating value for future generations. Black Gold Holding GmbH's goal is to manage waste and CO2 emissions and thus provide people with a clean environment.

Steel Impex DOO operates under the renowned Austrian investor, Black Gold Holding GmbH

BUSINESS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DURING THE PANDEMIC Although the demand for steel products has declined during the pandemic, the Serbian leader in metal waste recycling, Steel Impex DOO did not stop working, nor participating in charity campaigns. The safety of employees and suppliers always came first. The company also donated 2 million dinars to UNICEF in Serbia in the fight against COVID-19. The Republic of Serbia has a huge waste management potential because the country has a good geographical position and excellent road, rail and river transport connections to all parts of Europe and the world. Taking into account all these advantages, Steel Impex DOO supports new companies in this industry. In line with the company's vision, they are inviting more companies to join the sector with the view of boosting the country’s industry and economy. Small and strong companies are the backbone of the entire economy. 

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Impex has been continuously progressing. From 2010 to 2020, the company invested over 7 million euro in recycling equipment, warehouse renovations and the opening of a transfer station in the Novi Sad Port. Apart from recycling metal and non-metal waste, Steel Impex also provides services in dismantling and reconstruction of facilities, i.e. cutting of metal structures in factories that precede the demolition or reconstruction of existing locations. With strict adherence to the current institutional, regulatory, and environmental frame-

SUCCESS ABROAD Steel Impex operates in the EU, Republic of Turkey, and Republic of Albania. The company is a member of the most important waste management organizations in the world such as the ISRI and BIR, the EURIC in Europe, and in the Republic of Serbia, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and NALED.

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STEEL IMPEX DOO Steel Impex is a leader in the Serbian recycling industry. The company has been exceptionally successful both here and abroad in the segment of collecting and processing metal and non-metal waste. The company can annually collect, dispose of and export about 100,000 tons of waste to a wide range of consumers from plastic waste smelters and smaller foundries to steel mills. Steel Impex

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works related to the recycling industry, the company has obtained ISO 9001 & 14001 certificates.

ECONOMY

by Mina Vučić

AUSTRIA’S ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT Focus Focus

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The nation is in search of Economic Antidotes to Covid-19

he Austrian economy is counted one of the most stable in Europe as the nation relies on a strong network of exports which bring them revenues, significant investments in their research and development programs, as well as excellent academic standards providing them a skilled and productive work force. Their population benefits from high wages and a tight

labor market which additionally bring satisfaction to the market. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has hit every part of the world and affected even the strongest economies, bringing Austria to experience a dramatic setback and a negative growth of -6.7% already in 2020 and an increased public debt. Austria has implemented policies for innovation and business diversifi-

cation in the green and digital economy. The government took significant measures to stabilize its economy and preserve their production potential and in June last year announced a new fiscal stimulus package in the order of 19 billion euros. This way, Austria is preventing a further downside risk of labor shortages and limitations to its economic growth.

Out of its 8.86 million population, Austria has a labor force of about 4.4 million people, of whom many are highly educated and skilled. 3.5% of the working population is employed in the agricultural sectors, cattle farming and viticulture being the country’s main agricultural activities. It’s no secret that Austria benefits from significant subsidies from the European Union provided by the Common Agricultural Policy as agricultural exports are increasing due to the pandemic to an extent that food companies are experiencing labor shortages. Additionally, border closures resulted in many foreign workers being prevented from entering the country. Another sector which plays a vital part in the Austrian economy is the industrial division, employing 25% of the active population. Main sections include the metal industry, electrochemistry, engineering, as well as the renewable energy sector. Due to the pandemic, an unfortunate turn of events took place as construction fell to -9.7%, the Austrians hope it will increase slightly in 2021. The unemployment rates in the main division of the nation’s economy, being the service and industrial sectors, rose drastically- the number of unem-

ployed increased, the number of employed decreased, and there was a massive inflow into short-time work. Austria faced the largest unemployment rate since the early 1950s. In September, unemployment was around 22% higher compared to the same month in the previous year. The number of employees which registered for shorttime working schemes declined by 70%

AUSTRIA FACED THE LARGEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE SINCE THE EARLY 1950S from its peak in spring. Although Austria has managed to create certain aiding strategies, the governments re-imposed restrictions negatively impacted the employment recovery once again. The services sector dominates the economy, contributing 62.8% of the GDP and employing 71.5% of the country's active population. Every sixth job is provided by tourism, which has a major impact in the country’s economy

and unfortunately suffered the strongest impact following the Covid-19 Crisis. An increase in overnight stays from German residents and domestic tourism helped compensate for the strong decrease in international tourists. However, rising infection rates and a tightening of containment measures in October dampen the growth outlook for the rest of the year and early next year, reducing the growth carry-over for 2021. A main downward risk to the projections is the performance of the winter tourism season, as related sectors are likely to suffer most from further tightening of containment measures and travel restrictions. The general government balance, which took a strong hit in 2020, is set to improve in 2021 on the back of the expected economic recovery, though risks remain from the fiscal response taken to mitigate the socio-economic effects of the crisis. The GDP is estimated to hopefully recover by 4% this year however the level is only expected to return to pre-crisis levels towards the end of 2022. While not all details of the fiscal stimulas package are known, the current projections assume a positive impact on private consumption and investment in 2021. 

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CORPORATE

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WE CONTINUOUSLY INVEST IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Gebrüder Weiss is the oldest logistics company and one of the most successful

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MARIJA DIMITRIJEVIĆ Controlling, HSEQ, Branch Management

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ebrüder Weiss has a history stretching half a millennium. This heritage obliges the company to exercise foresight, caution and ability and to further develop in step with the world. Starting from domestic markets, the Alpine-Danube region, as well as Eastern Europe, today Gebrüder Weiss transports all types of goods by land, sea or air, from each and every continent.

In late 2020, Gebrüder Weiss obtained the ISO:14001 certification, which guarantees that the company’s business complies with domestic environmental regulations. — Obtaining the ISO:14001 certificate is very important for the ecosystem, our company, our employees and our customers. This certificate is proof that we

are a socially responsible company that cares about, but also continuously invests in environmental protection. Having this certificate, the company has the trust of the clients who are actively interested in environmental performance as it shows that we are an organization that promotes common environmental awareness, and at the same time, boosts employees' awareness not to pollute the natural environment by performing their business-related activities and contribute to creating better living and working conditions. Commitment to preserving the environment while investing in environmentally friendly drive technologies in everyday logistics demonstrate why our company occupies the leading position in terms of innovative solutions for sustainable development. In the previous period, Gebrüder Weiss presented innovative solutions in terms of environmental protection, by finding alternative ways to start its vehicles, and use more hydrogen and gas-pow-

ered trucks. What alternative fuels are currently used in Serbia, and what are the company's plans in this matter in the future? — Gebrüder Weiss pursues clear goals in its long-term sustainability strategy, one of which is to reduce CO2 emissions by 10 percent each year, which we plan to achieve, among other things, by increasing the use of alternative truck drive technologies, such as electric, gas or hydrogen. Our company already uses several gas trucks in Austria, Germany and Serbia, as well as a truck with fully electric drive in the wider area of Vi-

GOALS

One of our goals is to reduce CO2 emissions by 10 percent each year enna and Graz. Early this year, we were among the first logistics companies to introduce a green hydrogen fuel truck to our fleet. The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell saves as much as 80 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is why we see these trucks as a sustainable alternative to other propulsion technologies that exist today. The truck manufacturer will produce as many as 2,000 trucks with hydrogen fuel by the end of 2021, and with the appropriate infrastructure, we plan to use some of these trucks in Austria and southern Germany, but also in other countries in the near future.

Another novelty is that you also possess the ISO:45001 certificate, which defines the requirements for the occupational health and safety management system. — Obtaining the ISO:45001 certificate at the beginning of 2021, which is awarded to companies that guarantee safe working conditions to their employees, is the result of many years of work and commitment of our company to preserve the health and safety of our employees. The goal of this standard is to reduce and completely eliminate staff injuries. In that regard, Gebrüder Weiss strives to continuously improve and maintain the level of physical, mental and social safety of workers of all occupations and hierarchical levels, as well as to prevent all potential injuries. We have to anticipate, identify and adopt measures to reduce and eliminate all danger and harm to the workers’ safety, as well as adopt measures to reduce and eliminate risks. Prevention is better than cure, so activities on preventing possible risks in work health and safety are invaluable.

How did the company's employees contribute to the company obtaining the ISO:14001 and ISO: 45001 certificates? — With a history that spans over 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss is the oldest logistics company and one of the most successful. Our employees are at the core of that success and their development,

KEY

Consistency in preserving the environment and continuous investment in employees is key to achieving positive results education and safety is something we are mindful of every day. These certificates are a validation that we are on the right track and that the coordination and cooperation between all employees in the company, as one of the main prerequisites for obtaining the certificates, is at a very high level. Our company is aware that joint work and com-

mitment are the main factors for growth and development, whether we are talking about improving our business, creating a safe workplace or a better living environment. How important are the above-mentioned certificates for the company as a competitor in the transport and logistics market? — The ISO:14001 and ISO:45001 standards are, above all, a validation of the company's serious commitment to social responsibility - both towards all its employees and the environment in which we operate. Consistency in preserving the environment and continuous investment in employees is key to achieving positive results, which is confirmed by the fact that we ended the previous business year with great business success, despite the situation that befell the whole world. In line with the current trend of continuous growth, we will continue to successfully overcome all challenges with great responsibility and with the help of our employees, and thus remain leaders in sustainable business. 

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FOCUS

by Mina Vučić

ALPINE FLORA AND FAUNA Austrian rich plant and animal life hanks to the nations geographical positioning, two-thirds of the total area of Austria is covered by woods and meadows. Forests occupy two-fifths of the country, and take the title of the most densely forested areas in central Europe. Their fauna is strongly diversified, from rabbits, deers, stags, pheasants, foxes, martens, and numerous other animals living in the forest depths. Additionally, the country has gained a bear population which can be found

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in the heavily wooded southern and central mountainous regions. Furthermore, the crystal Austrian rivers nurture rainbow trouts, graylings, pikes, perches, and carps. Being one of Europe’s most wooded countries, with a diversity of topographical and climatic conditions, Austria provides the nation with rich plant-life as well. The alpine flora includes the beautiful edelweiss, gentian, alpine carnation, arnica, and alpine roses as well as numerous other species which decorate the heights of the alps. 

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LIFE

by Mina Vučić

THE LIFE OF AN AUSTRIAN IN THE PANDEMIC A sneak-peak into the daily routines of the alpine population during Covid-19

ave you ever imagined what the everyday life of an Austrian individual looks like during the pandemic? Due to the unfortunate series of events created by Covid-19, numerous European countries have introduced highly restrictive measures inside of their borders, Austria, being one of the most cautious and harsh due to bordering 8 other nations. Austrians were kept within the country lockdowns for months since the start of the pandemic, with a little ease of restrictions which took place in the summer, and now, let’s discuss, what is it that they’ve been amusing themselves with as lives of many have twisted upside down.

The COVID-19 crisis has fundamentally changed everyday activities as numerous people have been seriously ill, and others have experienced income or job losses. Individuals who were fortunate enough to work from home often struggled with combining housework and childcare as many were not used to this unifying event. Students and their families have faced the various challenges related to online education. Overall, the Austrian population has experienced a period of rapid change. Due to social distancing and various restrictions, closures implemented to help stop the spread of the virus, daily life routines changed for many. Based on a survey conducted in Austria in March 2020, almost half of the Austrian population was decluttering and cleaning out their homes more actively during the pandemic. 45% of the population spend time cooking together with their families, and on average, most stated that they have been cooking much more thanks to all the free time they had. Another 45% stated that they used the online web in big amounts, surfing through social media and educating themselves through different portals. 30% of the population spend their free time pursuing their hobbies, 18% did sports, fitness and other exercise, 26% played family games and cards, and 28% spend time in their back garden, preparing it for the spring and summer to come. A big chunk of the population has to be outlined which fall into the young generations, who according to many experts, have suffered the most in the pandemic when mental health is questioned. Strong impact on the teens well-being has took a hit in Austria as the psychological reactions of children and young people during a pandemic

45% OF THE POPULATION SPEND TIME COOKING TOGETHER WITH THEIR FAMILIES are quite similar to those of adults, but the young age, level of understanding being weaker, and less coping skills of teens played a crucial role for their mental state. A sample was taken of the young nation’s population, 31.1% of native Austrians and 27.7% of migrants in Austria stated they noticed a decrease in their mental state unfortunately, the ages of the survey takers varying from 15-25, majority of the volunteers being females. Social life was heavily impacted by the measures imposed to control it:

The restrictions on movement entailed that many could not see their families and friends. One of the assessed emotions was the feeling of loneliness. 31% of adult Austrians who took the survey reported a low mental well-being and only 30% of those with a history of mental health treatment received treatment during lockdown. With culture and leisure facilities being closed, including theatres, cinemas, gyms, pools, and amusement parks, as well as events and concerts which are all cancelled, the social life in Austria has been reduced to a minimum. Nevertheless, the Covid19 journey wasn’t an easy one for anyone, Austrians will have to hold on just a little bit more as mass vaccinations are coming up, which will not only save the country from further illness cases but the world from a large economic crisis. 

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The COVID-19 crisis has fundamentally changed everyday activities as numerous people have been seriously ill, and others have experienced income or job losses.

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EFFECTS

INTERVIEW

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185th ANNIVERSARY OF BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND SERBIA ADRIEN FEIX

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Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade

e talked with Mr. Adrien Feix, Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade, about two important anniversaries that Serbia and Austria are celebrating this year, about the programs of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade in the field of culture and education, about Serbia, but also about future plans.

SERBIA IS SMALL, BUT VERY DIVERSE GEOGRAPHICALLY, CULTURALLY AND IN TERMS OF MENTALITY

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Austrian Cultural Forum in Belgrade. How did that journey transpire from 2001 to date? What were your key projects that have made a difference? It was a successful and diverse journey, which I am currently retracing with partners and former directors of the

Cultural Forum. We will highlight 20 outstanding projects that left a mark in Serbia in a publication later this year, and I can mention only a few of them here to illustrate our work: the regional educational youth programme developed in the mid-2000s, the “Street car Performance/ “Peške kroz Beograd” on Europe Day 2009, the exhibition of Gottfried Helnwein at the Museum of Contemporary Art in 2015, or the guest performance from the Klagenfurt Theatre with a play by Peter Handke in the National Theatre in February 2020, just before the pandemic broke out.

Our “Ode to Beethoven” was born of necessity, and sometimes necessity creates the most amazing projects. We worked together with the FDU Interactive Arts Laboratory to organize the student “hackathon” and the (fully virtual) mentoring of the best two teams. The inclusion of students and the open-air format were essential, because they led to immense public interest. Building upon this experience, we are working on a similar project this year.

Also, this year marks the 185th anniversary of bilateral relations between Austria and Serbia. In what way has cultural exchange contributed to the improvement of our relations? Will there be any special programmes to celebrate this jubilee?

OUR “ODE TO BEETHOVEN” WAS BORN OF NECESSITY, AND SOMETIMES NECESSITY CREATES THE MOST AMAZING PROJECTS

The Austrian Consulate opened in September 1836 – as the very first foreign mission in Belgrade. It is fascinating to read the reports of the time, to realize that the Consul paid his first visit to Miloš Obrenović and not to the representative of the Sultan Yusuf Pasa, which demonstrates that Austria already then considered Serbia to be a fully independent state. The bilateral relations are excellent also today and much of it is due to the sustained cultural exchange of the past centuries. The knowledge that we share the heritage of Vuk Karadžić and Paja Jovanović, of Nikola Tesla and Milutin Milanković helps to bring our nations together, even today. Regarding celebrations, we hope to organize events in September, but it is still too early to predict what format will be appropriate in the light of the pandemic.

Science and education have gained in importance of Austrian diplomacy worldwide as Austria has progressed as a nation of excellence in research and development; since my background is scientific, I have an added personal affection for the topic. The Cultural Forum has a longstanding cooperation with the Center for the Promotion of Science and we recently developed two traveling exhibitions, one about Geology, the other about Nikola Tesla. We also have an excellent mobility and research cooperation through bilateral project and the regional CEEPUS network and I am delighted to note that the recently established Science Fund actively seeks to connect with Serbian researchers in Austria, with our support.

We have just opened a digital visual arts platform “At Second Glance // Na drugi pogled // Auf den zweiten Blick” (secondglance.rs) which hosts a curated online exhibition of ten Austrian and ten Serbian art works (selected among over 300 submissions!) dealing with clichés that exist on both sides. The topic really resonates with artists and the public, and I am very pleased to see that the selected art works have something substantial to say on the topic and will promote the dialogue between Austria and Serbia. Another highlight of this year is the Austrian Film Festival “Great Expectations” which will feature films with a female perspective and tour the country from end of September. Since film is maybe the most straightforward medium to connect two cultures, we put a lot of effort into a selection that that showcases the quality and energy of contemporary Austrian cinema, besides giants like Michael Haneke and Ulrich Seidl. 

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You have been living in Serbia for about a year now. What are your impressions of our country, people and culture?

We know that it is difficult to plan anything in the current conditions, but can you give us at least a hint of some of the planned activities for this year?

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During the pandemic, and in order to mark important anniversaries of the past year, you have implemented a unique project called ‘Ode to Beethoven’. This is a 3D installation mounted on the building of the Austrian Embassy in Belgrade. Tell us a bit more about this project, how the coronavirus has affected your work and how did you adapt your operations to the ongoing situation?

In addition to culture, the Austrian Cultural Forum also facilitates science and education cooperation. What is the cooperation with Serbia like in these segments?

In the six months before the pandemic I tried to meet with as many people as possible, visit galleries, museums, and concerts, travel throughout Serbia. This has all come to a halt and unfortunately also slowed down my getting acquainted with the country and the people, but I tried my best to continue this process through literature, films and music. A few points struck me as a relative newcomer. First, Serbia is small, but very diverse geographically, culturally and in terms of mentality and it takes some adjustment when traveling from Pirot to Subotica. Second, Serbian culture is – with a little effort – actually quite accessible from a central European perspective, because we share very similar references and the same intellectual history. Third, and on a more personal note, the work mentality in Serbia is an unsettling mixture of being very open and relaxed but also highly demanding – with extended lunch and coffee breaks, but work also blending into private life, into evenings and weekends.

CULTURE

by Mina Vučić

TASTE OF AUSTRIA Drink your way through Austrian wine

ne may not associate Austria with wine when so many cultural icons vie for attention, from musical to philosophical, but it’s central to the culture of this tiny Alpine republic. Dating back to the Celts who planted the first vines approximately 3000 years ago, Austria has a wine growing history that is rich in tradition. During the Middle Ages, monasteries which were situated along the Danube River, introduced Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes to the territory, their vineyards covering ten times the territory they do now. Austria geographical positioning with many peaks and valleys allowed it to overcome plenty of obstacles which made them the most prestigious producers of premium wine, playing a significant part of the nation’s culture.

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ienna is one of the only capital cities in the world to produce vast quantities of wine. The hills surrounding the city have around 700 hectares of vineyards, 85% of which are dedicated to white-wine grape trees and its own DAC for Wiener Gemischter Satz, or Viennese Field Blend. These are mixed white grapes like Grüner and Roter Veltliner, Riesling, Traminer and others. Here they are grown, harvested and fermented together to create refreshing, aromatic styles. Varietal Riesling, Grüner and Pi-

THE SMALL ALPINE REPUBLIC WILL CERTAINLY BE A PLACE TO FOLLOW IN THE FUTURE FOR FINE BUBBLES! not Noir bottlings are also made here. Although the Covid lockdowns have caused numerous industries to suffer, the sales of Austrian wine for home

consumption rose by 17.3% in terms of volume and increased by 18.1% in terms of revenue. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the proportion of households that exclusively bought Austrian wine grew to 47.3% – the highest rate since 1997. According to Austrian wine law, the country has 35 regulated grape varieties, 22 of which are used within the white wine category. Most of the country’s vineyards are located in the eastern part of the nation, away from the alps. The four main regions are lower Austria, Burgenland, Vienna, and Styria.

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Austria is a great resource to introduce people to something new, something they wouldn’t normally choose for themselves, with great bang for your buck.

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RESOURCE

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One of the most famous wine growing valleys in Austria is Wachau, which is believe it or not a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located west of Vienna on the Danube River which helps moderate the climate, resulting in excellent Riesling. Yet another delicious type of wine which comes from the Neusiedlersee area of Burgenland, is the Austrian sweet wine. The location holds a shallow lake which separates the country from Hungary and benefits from the outbreaks of noble rot, which is an essential component for the production of complex sweet wines. Ausbruch is a famous sweet delicacy made from the botrytized grapes. At a resent Austrian Wine’s online wine debate and master class, critic Wieteke Teppema stated “Austria is a great resource to introduce people to something new, something they wouldn’t normally choose for themselves, with great bang for your buck,” The second most planted wine

grape in Austria is the light-hearted Zweigelt, which creates a light bodied red wine with loads of tart red fruit flavors as well as the rosé. These wines have higher acidity and lower tannins which offer a raspberry and cherry flavor. Because of Zweigelt’s low tannin, wines don’t typically age well but do pair excellently with lighter meats. Another type of famous red wine which is more medium bodied is the Blaufränkisch. It is counted one of the nation’s finest red wines. It has a deeper plum, blueberry and blackberry flavors with a peppery spiciness and a subtle forest-like earthiness. There is no doubt

THE SALES OF AUSTRIAN WINE FOR HOME CONSUMPTION ROSE BY 17.3

that the best wines tend to come from regions within Burgenland bordering Hungary where temperatures are warm enough for high-quality cool climate red wine varieties. Sekt is the Austrian word for sparkling wine, and started getting serious in 2015. The three types of sparkling wines are the Klassik, which is the basic style method with a minimum 9 months lees aging. The Reserve is the next one, where hand-harvested grapes are used with a minimum 18 months lees aging. Lastly comes the Große Reserve, which is the finest Austrian Sekt, hand harvested, bottle fermented, and can be vintage dated, with a less aging of more than 30 months. The newly formed Austrian Sekt Committee released a rigorous set of quality restrictions and tiers for sparkling wines and it mimics the Champagne characteristics. The small Alpine republic will certainly be a place to follow in the future for fine bubbles! 

magine crisp winter air, the light beams of a thousand candles, steaming cups of punch, laughter, smiles, roasted chestnuts, the tinkle of glass baubles and the delicate crafts of a hundred artisans. Austria is world-famous for its magical Christmas markets where locals get to sell their most notably fine hand-crafted items, customized jewellery, ceramics, and

by Mina Vučić

Feel the Christmas Spirit

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WINTER WONDERLAND glassware. The nation is blessed with a close relationship to nature and informal, yet valuing tradition and etiquette. Visitors will most often find a rich variety of potential gift items such as carved flowers made of soap, Victorian-style candy, sculpted candles, handcrafted decorations, wooden sculpted mini mannequins, accompanied by spicy mulled wine, used to warm up everyone’s heart on the market. 

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CULTURE

by Svetlana Nenadović Glušac, Diplomacy&Commerce Austria

JEWISH MUSEUM VIENNA ACQUIRES HEDY LAMARR ARCHIVE

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The Jewish Museum Vienna has successfully acquired the estate of Vienna-born Hollywood actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. The archive includes photographs, personal letters, documents and particularly valuable hand drawings of torpedo defense, which are considered as precursor to Bluetooth. The archive will be exhibited in a separate location in Vienna in the future

Hedy Lamarr in “The Heavenly Body”. by MGM (1944)

Jewish Museum Vienna

he U.S. Friends of the Jewish Museum Vienna has made possible the purchase of the estate of Vienna-born Hollywood actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr. In addition to photographs, personal letters, documents and clothing, Anthony Loder, Hedy Lamarr's son, is also donating the particularly valuable hand drawings of torpedo defense, which is considered a precursor to Bluetooth. The Hedy Lamarr Museum, which is to be newly built, offers the chance not only to bring this important Viennese Jewish protagonist closer to people who may not be familiar with the history of the city and for whom a museum is not a natural place in their everyday lives. With her inventions, Lamarr tried to make the world a better place. Hedy Lamarr's exciting life story can also serve as an example for young people to keep reinventing themselves and taking on challenges. Hedy Lamarr was one of the biggest Hollywood stars of the 1930s and 1940s. For a long time, however, it remained unknown that she was the in-

FOR A LONG TIME, HOWEVER, IT REMAINED UNKNOWN THAT SHE WAS THE INVENTOR OF FREQUENCY HOPPING SPREAD SPECTRUM, AN EARLY PRECURSOR OF BLUETOOTH AND WIFI ventor of frequency hopping spread spectrum, an early precursor of Bluetooth and WIFI. Her life unfolded like a movie. Born Hedwig Kiesler in Vienna in 1914, the daughter of a Jewish banker from Vienna's upscale Döbling district was discovered for the theater by Max Reinhardt. In 1933, a nude scene in the film "Ecstasy" made her an international star. After a brief marriage to the influential munitions manufacturer Fritz Mandl, she fled to Hollywood in 1937 to

escape his jealousy. On the advice of film mogul Louis B. Mayer, her name was changed to Hedy Lamarr. Her very first feature film "Algiers" made her world famous. After the U.S. entered the war, she became passionately involved in the fight against the Nazis, to which her idea for a secret communication system for torpedoes, which she developed to patent maturity together with the composer George Antheil, was to contribute. She also managed to get her mother out of Vienna to the safety of the United States, saving her from deportation to a concentration camp. In the course of her film career, she tried her hand as a producer and hotel owner. She was considered the most beautiful woman in the world and was married six times. She experienced her (re)discovery as an inventor while still very old. Hedy Lamarr died in the USA in 2000 and is buried in a grave of honor at the Vienna Central Cemetery. Since 2018, the City of Vienna has awarded the Hedy Lamarr Prize to innovative female scientists. 

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Anthony Loder, the son of Hedy Lamarr, with Danielle Spera, director of the Jewish Museum Vienna / JMW / Spera

Hedy Lamarr, Copyrights: Anthony Loder Archive

TRADITION

by Mina Vučić AUSTRIA AUSTRIA2021 2021

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THE GASOLINE OF LIFE The Viennese Coffee House Tradition

f the numerous beautiful things to do and visit in Vienna, taking a sip of coffee in a Viennese coffeehouse tends to be one of the most popular. With a long sense of tradition, the manner of drinking coffee and visiting a coffee house is a highly formal occasion. Austria has elevated the beverage to an art form and its consumption to a lifestyle, as by buying coffee customers can spend the entire day in the charming ambience of the café and merge into the city’s social experience.

The history of the Viennese coffee house culture is closely linked to the end of the Siege of Vienna in 1683. The beans left behind by the Turks were the basis of the success, however prior, they were mistaken for camel food, the army originally wanted to burn the bags, but instead passed them to a young officer under the name of Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki. He then began to experiment with the beans, adding milk and sugar and shortly after opening Vienna’s first coffee house. Additionally, legend has it that a famous Viennese citizen Georg Granz Kolschitzky was yet another to obtain a license to work with these coffee beans and serve the beverage in the city. Thanks to his delicious inventions, he has his own street name in Vienna. As the tradition evolves, the first coffee houses already had several characteristic, typical for the Viennese-style. Waiters dressed in a waistcoat white blouse, and bow tie, as well as chandeliers and vaulted ceilings, marble tab-

letops, wooden floors and walls often embellished with artwork, definitely a particular atmosphere which result a shock for many visitors. Perhaps, the truly defining element is the complete absence of any pressure to drink up or move on. In 1720, the “Kramersches Kaffeehaus” coffee house in Vienna’s city center was the first to put out newspapers for its guests to read. It was another big step in Vienna’s coffee house history when warm meals and alcohol were first allowed to be served. Even today, somewhere inside each

AUSTRIA HAS ELEVATED THE BEVERAGE TO AN ART FORM AND ITS CONSUMPTION TO A LIFESTYLE

cafe there is a table or stand covered in newspapers for guests to borrow. The formality of the setting goes back to the early 18th and 19th century where it was counted the meeting points of numerous well-known philosophers, writers, and musicians. The world’s famous names, Beethoven, Klimt, Freud, and Trotsky, to name but a few, relaxed, worked, and exchanged news and ideas in the depths of Vienna’s coffee houses. These artistic and intellectual traditions find an echo even today, with many coffee houses hosting author readings or piano-led musical performances. Austrian’s have a special name for their regular guests called “stamgast”, and such loyal customers are given special treatment. An example of a particular custom would be providing a couple of bites of a cake rather than the whole piece for the guests to try for free, additionally, their preferred table, and regular drink will always be saved and ready for them even without a reservation.

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For the new-bees, one cannot simply order a coffee, as the list of the beverages crafts is extensive. From black coffee, otherwise known as a Scharzer, to a Viennese classical Cappuccino, extra delicacies such as whipped cream and orange liquor are added to the coffee bases. Each cup is served on a silver tray and accompanied by a glass of cold water. One of the most famous Viennese Coffee shop is the Café Central. Opened in 1876, it has the most impressive ambient. From polished stone columns to high decorated ceilings, as well a grand piano in the center of the room, it is one of the most beautiful in the region. Grand figures like Sigmund Freud,

IN THIS MAGICAL SPOT IN THE AUSTRIAN CAPITAL, TIME AND SPACE IS CONSUMED, AND ONE AWAKENS BY THE COFFEE FOUND ON THE BILL Leon Trotsky and Vladimir Lenin were at one time frequent patrons. Then, like today, Cafe Central was a popular destination for customers of all ages, serving the finest homemade

pastries and coffee amongst its dazzling surroundings. The city’s public living rooms, as they call them, exhibit an elegant establishment, and were recently listed by UNESCO under the “National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage.” In this magical spot in the Austrian capital, time and space is consumed, and one awakens by the coffee found on the bill. This leisurely approach to the day turned Vienna’s cafés into legendary meeting places for artists and actors, poets and politicians, writers, intellectuals, revolutionaries, and is definitely a must see setting and must try spot for the coffee and elegance lovers. 

COFFEE HOUSES The world’s famous names, Beethoven, Klimt, Freud, and Trotsky, relaxed, worked, and exchanged ideas in the depths of Vienna’s coffee houses.

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TOURISM

VIENNA’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

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The Austrian destination has a lot more to offer than exotic animals

eing the oldest working Zoo in the world, the Vienna animal kingdom traces back a long and interesting history. The husband of Empress Maria Theresa named Emperor Franz I, established a private menagerie at Schönbrunn in 1752. He was a very open minded and curious individual particularly in the areas of nature and science. Believe it or not, his natural history collection provided the foun-

dation for Vienna’s Natural History Museum. At the summer residence of his majesty, he wanted to bring his collection of exotic animals with him, so using his private funds he filled it with exotic birds, monkeys, and other creatures. At the time, collections of wild animals were common in royal courts throughout Europe. They were stocked with animals brought back from exploratory missions financed by ruling families and provided an opportunity

to show off their acquisitions as the Enlightenment brought the natural sciences into focus. The Zoo was constructed around a pavilion meant for imperial breakfasts. Therefore, thirteen animal enclosures in the form of cut cake pieces were established around this central pavilion, and was passed on throughout the family after Franz’s death. This institution later survived three challenging periods. Around the First

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THE VIENNA ZOO IS INDEED AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE AS NOT ONLY IS IT THE WORLDS OLDEST ZOO BUT ALSO A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

imal welfare and modern zoo-keeping criticism was yet another punch the institution had to deal with as it went through a severe financial crisis. The turnaround began in the early 1990s with the appointment of Helmut Pechlaner as the new zoo director, who is also the head of WWF Austria. His charisma and drive led to an invention and implementation of a programme of investment and rebuilding that still continues today.

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World War the zoo was home to 712 species and 3,5000 specimens. Due to diminishing food supplies during the war, the number of specimen unfortunately sank to 900, additionally many experienced animal keepers were drafted into military service, resulting the zoo to suffer. The World War 2 bombing had an even bigger impact on the zoo as numerous buildings were destroyed, specimen killed and reduced to 400. The late 1980’s an-

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The Vienna Zoo is indeed an unforgettable experience as not only is it the worlds oldest zoo but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its beauty lies in the unique setting as culture and nature blend. Visitors get to see over 700 animal species and a magical ambient. Numerous endangered species have found their home here and increased their chances of survival. From giant pandas, Siberian tigers, orangutans, and elephants, the visitors immerse themselves in the Amazon and experience the tropical rain forest. Apart form being a beautiful sight-seeing spot that interests numerous members of the younger generations, it is also an educational center as the Zoo showcases its research and teaches its visitors about its new conservation projects. Furthermore, it is one of the few zoos worldwide to house giant pandas. The zoo's pandas are named Yang Yang, Long Hui, Fu Long, and Fu Hu. Yet another fact, is that in 1906, it was the birthplace of the first

elephant sired in a European zoo as well as later in 2013, the first elephant sired using frozen sperm and artificial insemination. The Vienna Zoo has numerous guided tours and sectors which makes it a dream for its visitors. One of the most

IT FORMS A BRIDGE BETWEEN AN IMPERIAL PAST AND A TECHNOLOGICALLY CONNECTED PRESENT popular tours is the Guided Night Visit. The visitors get to observe exotic animals at night with special infrared binoculars. Additionally, there is the Desert Adventure, a highly educational sector of the zoo, where families, cou-

ples, and other tourists get to observe strategies that desert plants and animals get to develop to survive in extreme living conditions. Other zoo attractions include a rainforest house, in which the spectator is led through a simulation of the Amazon rainforest, as well as an aquarium, which enables spectators to walk through a simulation of the Amazon in a flood! Some of the greatest titles awarded were the 2018 “Trip Advisors Travelers’ Choice Awards” where the Vienna Zoo ranked 8th in the world, as well as the same year the “Best European Zoo Award” for category A Zoos, having over 1 million visitors a year for the fifth time in succession. On its 250th anniversary, the zoo was the topic of one of the most famous silver coin collectors. Although the zoo’s fortunes have risen and fallen over such a long history, it forms a bridge between an imperial past and a technologically connected present, being a must visit for everyone entering Vienna’s borders. 