Focus on Slovenia 2022

8,000 CAVES

This country is home to 8,000 caves. However, only 20 of them are open to visitors. That’s because most of the caves are unsafe and difficult to explore.

Slovenia

FOCUS ON

SLOVENIAN BABY DRAGON

The olm, also known as baby dragon, lives in Postojna Cave in Slovenia. This creature can live up to 100 years and only breeds once or twice a decade.

MORE THAN 46 DIALECTS

Slovene is spoken by the entire country which is only 2.3 million people, but this language is very diverse and has more than 46 dialects.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE COUNTRY IS PROTECTED

Forest covers more than 54% of Slovenia’s surface. This country is one of the greenest countries in Europe.

MANY MOVIES SETS

Slovenia has been the location of many films. Just to name a few: Red Tails, Captain America and Armour of God.

It is Very Important that Serbia be Part of the European Family

DAMJAN BERGANT H.E. Slovenian Ambassador to

We spoke with the Slovenian Ambassador to Serbia, H.E. Damjan Bergant, about the strong political and economic relations between Slovenia and Serbia. In the interview, His Excellency reiterated Slovenia’s big support to Serbia’s EU accession efforts but also talks about difficult subjects like the approach to Kosovo’s issue.

Serbia’s accession to the EU has been quite slow. What is your view of this process?

The accession of candidate countries to the EU is a complex and long process. On the EU side, the interests of 27 member states, the European Commission and the European Parliament have to be aligned, which creates a long political process. On the other side, there are the tasks of the candidate countries which have to adapt and harmonize their legislation, and in some cases even their Constitution, which also slows down the accession process. Some things that are required of candidates may not be at the forefront of their interests, and that is why candidates often postpone these changes or procrastinate making them. However, if you want to be part of a family, you need to behave following the values, politics and interests of that family. And that, as we see in the case of certain candidate countries, is very difficult. That’s why I agree with you that the process of EU accession of Serbia and other Western Balkan countries is slow. It could and should be faster. As far as Serbia is concerned, it would be a positive thing if it carried out the given tasks in all segments faster, especially concerning

harmonizing foreign and security policy with the EU’s, so that the EU Member States could see that Serbia wants to be in the EU and that the EU is its only alternative. This would be a great indicator for European institutions and EU Member States so that they could more easily and more strongly support Serbia on its way to EU membership.

How important is it for Slovenia that Serbia becomes an EU member? How will this contribute to the development of bilateral relations between the two countries?

It is certainly in Slovenia’s interest that the EU expands to include the Western Balkans. We are economically, traditionally and culturally connected to that region. If Serbia and Western Balkan countries were EU members, Slovenia would have even greater opportunities for cooperation in various fields. Serbia’s membership in the EU would certainly contribute to boosting our bilateral relations because both countries would be part-

THE FEWER BORDERS THERE ARE IN EUROPE, THE BETTER FOR ALL OF US INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY

ners in the EU on all issues. Also, Serbia’s membership in the EU is important for Slovenia from the point of view of security and the development of cooperation in dealing with new and daily global challenges.

Our countries are divided by two land borders. Croatia will soon join the Schengen Area. What will that mean to our two countries?

One of the EU’s objectives is the free flow of people and goods, which means that there should be no physical barriers and borders between EU members. The fewer borders there are in Europe, the better for all of us individually and collectively. The inclusion of Croatia in the Schengen Area means that Slovenia’s last direct border will be eliminated and we will have no external borders of the EU. The smallest result of that is that there will be no more traffic con-

gestion at the border with Croatia, especially in the summer, i.e. tourists will now be able to cross the border freely and reach their destination without any major delays. Secondly, it is very important for the people who live in the border area and for their daily life, which largely depends on both countries, because they will be able to move freely from one country to another and this is quite important, especially for those who live in one and they work in another country.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has been constantly developing. What level is it at now and what would you highlight as Serbia’s comparative advantage for foreign investors compared to other countries in the neighbourhood?

The economic cooperation between Slovenia and Serbia has been constantly recording double-digit growth in recent years.

We hope that Serbia, and especially the Serbian people, will understand that Serbia’s only alternative is to move closer to the EU

Serbia

In the first six months of this year, the value of Slovenia’s external trade with the world reached 53.3 bn. euros, and of that, 1.09 bn. euros is the value of trade with Serbia, which is a 22% increase relative to the same period last year. Serbia remains the second most important destination for Slovenian investments abroad, which additionally validates the depth and great importance of our relations. Companies with a majority Slovenian capital in Serbia are one of the largest companies in banking, insurance, industrial production of metals and automotive parts, production of top-quality bakery products, production of transformers, logistics and transport, pharmaceutical products, renewable energy sources, energy solutions and engineering. Serbia is the regional leader, the largest country in the area, it has the biggest population and the highest GDP. If you are talking about large investments, size is the most important thing. For an increasing number of international companies, Serbia is a central point for their business development in other countries of the region. In addition to size, we need to take into account the spending power, well-developed infrastructure that is constantly being modernized and substantial state support for foreign investors.

Is there reciprocity of economic activities, that is, do Serbian companies have the interest to do business in the Slovenian market, as is the case the other way around?

About 1,500 companies with the majority Slovenian capital are registered with the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR). It is interesting to note that the statistics are similar for companies in Slovenia which have the majority Serbian capital. Reciprocity does exist; it’s just that it’s developed to varying degrees. Serbian capital in Slovenia is not engaged in industrial production but is increasingly present in the financial sector, real estate, tourism, computer software development, beverage production and commerce. The investment exchange between Slovenia and Serbia is growing, but there is still a pronounced imbalance - Slovenian invest-

ments in Serbia have amounted to around 1.4 bn. euros, and Serbian investments in Slovenia are around 500 million euros. As the Slovenian ambassador, I would like to see even more Serbian investments in Slovenia. Last year, about 20,000 foreign citizens moved to Slovenia, including 2,000 from Serbia, who applied for a work and residence permit. Many of them are digital

cannot exist as an independent state and has its arguments for this. Our positions on the Kosovo issues have differed for over 10 years and that’s why every one-sided statement causes a reaction. I am very sorry that the president made such a statement. The fact that we have different views on the Kosovo issue does not have to affect our excellent bilateral relations.

Slovenia supports the decision to seek a solution to this issue within the framework of the Belgrade-Priština dialogue, under the auspices of the EU, and the final solution should be a compromise that will be acceptable to both sides. When a compromise is reached, it will be acceptable for other EU countries too, including Slovenia. If Slovenia can in any way bilaterally help both parties find an agreement, we have always been willing to help.

nomads, and they chose Slovenia because of the high quality of life, as well as the clean and healthy environment.

Recently, Slovenia reacted strongly to the statement made by President Vučić, who asked why Serbia should impose sanctions on Russia, a country which did not recognize Kosovo’s independence, and not on Slovenia, which was one of the first countries to do so. Why did that statement cause such strong reactions?

Every country, even an EU member, is a sovereign country and has the right to exercise its own policy. Slovenia recognized Kosovo’s independence and continues to adhere to that position. Serbia believes that Kosovo

Why is it a problem for Slovenia if Serbia asserts its right over Kosovo and Metohija, but it was not a problem when the Albanians from Kosovo asserted their right to a state independent of Serbia? Isn’t such an attitude extremely hostile towards Serbia and how much does it affect the relations between Slovenia and Serbia?

Slovenia has the right to think for itself and make its decisions within the framework of international law. International law, among other things, talks about the right to independence and sovereignty of individual nations, and also about territorial integrity. In the Western Balkans, these principles are quite intertwined and each of them can have its own arguments.

What are the goals of the Serbian-Slovenian bilateral cooperation in the coming year? What will you be working on as an ambassador?

During my diplomatic mandate, we have been working very hard on improving our bilateral relations, especially in politics. The coronavirus has stopped us a bit as far as our bilateral contacts are concerned. We are currently in the catch-up phase. The Serbian Interior Minister will have visited Slovenia by the end of the year. We are also organizing a visit of the Slovenian Foreign Minister to Belgrade. In January, we are counting on the visit of the Speaker of the Slovenian National Assembly. Next year, we will work on organizing a joint session of both governments. The newly elected president of Slovenia has already announced that the Western Balkans and cooperation with the countries in that area will be a priority, so we expect that the two presidents could meet next year. The strong cooperation in politics continues. I am not worried about the economy, because the contacts between the partners on both sides are outstanding and we are developing that cooperation too. The same goes for other areas such as culture, science and sports, where we can further enhance our cooperation. Last but not least, Serbia continues to support Serbia on its way to EU membership. We hope that Serbia, and especially the Serbian people, will understand that Serbia’s only alternative is to move closer to the EU. Slovenia is willing to help Serbia at all levels but it doesn’t want to impose its assistance on Serbia. We are always here and we will always respond if you need advice or help.

SERBIA REMAINS THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT DESTINATION FOR SLOVENIAN INVESTMENTS ABROAD, WHICH ADDITIONALLY VALIDATES THE DEPTH AND GREAT IMPORTANCE OF OUR RELATIONS

I Believe that the Economy Can Overcome All Crises

The Slovenian Business Club has been constantly boosting its activities related to monitoring the needs of its members and providing support to them

FIŠAKOV

The Slovenian Business Club has been operating in Serbia for almost twenty years and gathers one of the largest foreign business communities in our country. We talked with Danijela Fišakov, the Club’s president in Belgrade, about contemporary challenges for companies and cooperation between the two countries.

The Slovenian Business Club in Serbia is one of the most active business clubs in the country. You have organized numerous events and conferences and gathered a large number of business people. Does this indicate strong business ties between the Slovenian and Serbian economies?

The Slovenian Business Club has been active in Serbia for almost two decades, which are marked by an impeccable reputation and quality work. Thanks

to its members (we have 145 this year), it has managed to establish high standards that send a clear message to everyone that the Club is a reliable organiza-

no doubt that active and strong cooperation between the two economies has significantly contributed to this success. Developed and well-branched-out

tion that can be trusted. Being a reliable partner to its members and the two countries all these years is certainly a success worthy of respect. There is

business connections as well as extensive external trade, which is constantly growing, require the Slovenian Business Club to constantly boost its activities

THE EU DOESN’T HAVE A SINGLE COMPLAINT ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE IN SERBIA AND THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS IN THE SERBIAN MARKET

DANIJELA

President of the Slovenian Business Club (SPK)

© SPK

in monitoring the needs of its members and providing support to them.

How important is cooperation with state institutions in Serbia - the Government, ministries, and the Chamber of Commerce - for your work?

Cooperating with state institutions is of crucial importance for an organization of this type. Since its inception, the Slovenian Business Club has cooperated with Serbian state institutions and organizations to the greatest extent possible. In the beginning, this cooperation was of more modest scope and, on the one hand, was strongly voluntaristic. Over time, the activities of the Serbian government and supporting organizations became increasingly transparent, and the state bodies themselves became significantly more accessible to the business community. Today, the Slovenian Business Club and Serbian state institutions have a healthy partnership that is deepening and strengthening every day. We implement and organize many joint activities for the benefit of the business people from both countries.

What problems do Slovenian companies in Serbia face? Can SPK help them solve those problems?

Just as the fields of business activity of Slovenian companies in Serbia are diverse, so are the problems they face. Abundant life and economic activities come across a wide array of obstacles that need to be eliminated. In these processes, the members of the Slovenian Business Club very often turn to their organization for help, and we do everything in our power to help them overcome those obstacles. We are in daily contact with both Slovenian companies in Serbia and Serbian companies operating in the Slovenian market. Some of the problems these companies face are general. However, many are specific and require an individual and focused approach to each of them. The activity that makes us stand out

attention, so it gives me great pleasure to say that we are successful in solving the majority of these problems.

What is your view of the business climate in Serbia lately, especially taking into account the pandemic, the global crisis, and the slow EU accession negotiations?

History teaches us that, in this part of the world, not a single period in the past was perfect for a long period for small countries and nations. There have always been wars and crises, epidemics and pandemics, economic, political and even military pressures. The economy has somehow always managed to overcome and survive all those crises and situations.

SLOVENIAN-SERBIAN RELATIONS, BOTH ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL, ARE TRADITIONALLY GOOD AND ARE CONSTANTLY DEVELOPING AND DEEPENING

is having one-on-one contacts, i.e. in our work with individual companies to find solutions for specific problems that our members face and which SPK can help them with overcoming, as well as providing support to companies in finding potential partners for cooperation. The Slovenian Business Club approaches every problem with dedication and full

I want to believe that the same will happen now. It is an indisputable fact that both global and political circumstances in the immediate environment have led Serbia to situations where it has to make very serious and balanced political decisions. On the other hand, it is encouraging to see that the EU doesn’t have a single complaint about the business climate in

Serbia and the prevailing conditions in the Serbian market.

In which economic segments do Serbia and Slovenia cooperate the most? Which of the segments causes the greatest interest and what niche could soon become popular?

The volume of trade between the economies of Slovenia and Serbia has been showing a continuous and significant upward trend for many years. The official Slovenian statistical data show that, in 2021, the value of this trade amounted to almost 1.9 billion euros. In the first eight months of this year alone, it has already reached the amount of 1.4 billion euros, which is the highest value of commodity trade between the two countries in the last five to six years. This value could be much higher and more significant in the future because there are great opportunities for increasing it. Still, the sectors like information technology, agriculture, environmental protection and infrastructure are far from reaching their cooperative maximum.

What is your opinion about the Open Balkans Initiative? How can it contribute to the development of economic relations between Serbia and Slovenia?

Slovenian-Serbian relations, both economic and political, are traditionally good and are constantly developing and deepening. Slovenia is doing its best to contribute to and expedite Serbia’s accession to the EU. Given that the EU’s practical experience concerning the free flow of goods, people and capital speaks in favour of any common economic space, the Slovenian Business Club has welcomed the launch of the Open Balkans initiative from its very beginning. The Slovenian economy already cooperates a lot with the economies of individual Balkan countries, which are included in this Initiative, but its full implementation will contribute to the development of both existing and overall economic cooperation in this part of the world and the prosperity of the economies of each country that has joined the Initiative.

Success as an Answer to All Challenges

The Slovenian Business Club (SPK) works actively throughout the year to improve economic cooperation between Serbia and Slovenia

The Slovenian Business Club (SPK) works on the continuous development of cooperation between the Serbian and Slovenian economies and regional integration, with a focus on its members and their needs. The Club successfully copes with all challenges and continues to be a place for connecting, exchanging experiences and disseminating knowledge and information. It creates opportunities for future business cooperation, but also for finding solutions for specific problems faced by companies, thus setting high standards that send a clear message that

it is a trustworthy organization. In addition to numerous events, the Club continuously gives its members the latest relevant information from the business environment, as well as facilitates opportunities to make direct contacts.

February 2022

WORKING MEETING WITH THE SERBIAN MINISTRY OF MINING AND ENERGY

The SPK members had a very successful meeting with the Republic of Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy. Company representatives had the hon-

our of being addressed by H.E. Damjan Bergant, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Serbia, State Secretary of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, Jovanka Atanacković and State Secretary Zoran Lakićević. Following quite specific questions from Serbian and Slovenian business people, the club members enjoyed and participated in an interactive discussion.

March 2022

INTERNATIONAL COFFEE BREAK

In cooperation with 8 bilateral organizations in Serbia, the SPK hosted an INTERNATIONAL COFFEE BREAK, a special networking event held during the Kopaonik Business Forum, at the Casa Hotel Grand restaurant. The Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Hellenic-Serbian Business Association, Croatian Business Club, CANSEE - Canadian-Serbian Business Association, Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Nordic Business Alliance and Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce all took

part in the SPK’s event. They met with the representatives of other bilateral organizations in Serbia to learn more about the opportunities for cooperation, their activities and plans, but also to exchange experiences and ideas.

March 2022

SPK ASSEMBLY

SPK held a regular Assembly session, at which new management was appointed too, at the Hyatt Regency Belgrade Hotel. Danijela Fišakov, M.Sc., was unanimously re-elected as the President of SPK, while Dr Dragan Marković, Chairman of the Executive Board of Triglav Insurance, Miodrag Stojković, Director of Eti B Serbia, Ninko Tešić, Director General of Impol Seval Sevojno, Vlastimir Vuković, M.Sc. Chairman of the Executive Board of NLB Komercijalna Banka, Zoran Lazukić, M.Sc., Director of Profil Group Belgrade and Zoran Popović from the Zoran Popović Translation Agency were all appointed members of the SPK Board of Directors. In her speech, the SPK President pointed out that,

SPK Assembly © SPK

Working meeting with MRE © SPK

despite the very challenging last year, the Slovenian Business Club has managed to maintain its stability, and added that the new Board of Directors will continue with the Club’s activities while focusing on what is in the best interest of its members.

June 2022

‘ELECTRICITY PROSUMERS IN SERBIA: STATUS AND PROSPECTS’ PANEL DISCUSSION

At the IN Hotel in Belgrade, under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, SPK organized an interesting panel discussion titled “Electricity Prosumers in Serbia: Status and Prospects”. Mrs Jovanka Atanacković, State Secretary in the Serbian Ministry of Mining and Energy, Mr. Predrag Matić, Director of the Directorate for Planning and Investments of Elektrodistribucija Srbije, Mr Danijel Stojanović, Director of the Corporate Sector at NLB Komercijalna Banka and Mr Draško Maksimović, Head of Network Construction at A1 Serbia were panel participants, while Mr Djordje Popović, Director of Resalta d.o.o. Belgrade, was the panel moderator.

September 2022

INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING COCKTAIL

In cooperation with the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, French-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Japanese Business Alliance in Serbia, Hellenic Business Association, Croatian Business Club, the United Arab Emirates and Serbia Business Club, the Italian-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Swiss-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Belgian-Serbian Business Association, Dutch-Serbian Business Association, Nordic Business Alliance and CANSEE Canadian-Serbian Business Association, SPK hosted a very successful International Networking Cocktail at Metropol Hotel in Belgrade. The event gathered around 400 representatives of companies that are members of 13 bilateral chambers of commerce and business associations to improve cooperation.

September 2022

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY: THE FUTURE OF THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CONFERENCE

The Slovenian Business Club, Confindustria Serbia and the

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia jointly held the Road to Recovery: The Future of the Global Supply Chain Conference to improve economic relations between the three countries and boost the transport, industrial and logistics sectors.

The top management of the Slovenian Business Club, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, Confindustria Serbia, the ambassadors of Italy and Slovenia and the director of the Corridors of Serbia Company officially opened the conference.

A total of four panel discussions were held during this logistics conference at which renowned international experts from various fields had the opportunity to exchange opinions in an open conversation on the topic of the overall impact of the pandemic and current geopolitical events on global logistics, as well as the possibility of further economic development.

They also focused on issues concerning new rules in business, infrastructure, the current approach in human resource management, new technologies and industry-specific situations.

October 2022 CONNECT 2022 CONFERENCE

The CONNECT 2022 regional conference, organized by the Slovenian Business Club, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia (its Entrepreneurship Division) and the international network of entrepreneurs BNI (Business Network International), with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Serbia, was held in the large hall of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia in Belgrade. Branislava Simanić, Director of the Entrepreneurship Division at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Danijela Fišakov, President of the Slovenian Business Club, Vladimir Cerović, Director of BNI Serbia and Jernej Pirc, Director of BNI Adria, addressed the participants with short introductory presentations. On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, its economic adviser, Dejan Vladić, addressed the audience. At the event, which brought together over 130 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises from Serbia, Slovenia and the region, the participants discussed topics that are important for the development and sustainability of micro and small enterprises.

The Land Where Babies can Ski Before They can Walk

It is safe to say that skiing is regarded as a national sport in Slovenia. Although most ski areas are family-friendly, there are some excellent runs for expert skiers as well

Skiing is a lifestyle in Slovenia, as shown by the statistic that almost a quarter of the population is active on the trails. Sunny Kanin is not the only ski area boasting perfectly groomed runs. The magical Vogel, overlooking the Julian Alps and Triglav, is to be included in the list, as well as Maribor Pohorje with Rogla ski resort. The ski centres in Slovenia are equipped with snow-making machines, which make it possible for ski season to start in December and last throughout May. Slovenia has more than 10 resorts open for skiing. The highest one is at an altitude of 2,292 m. Skiers travelling to Slovenia can expect to enjoy a wellgroomed ski area with a total slope length of 272 km, served by 198 cable cars.

MARIBOR POHORJE

This is the largest Slovenian ski resort. It represents the perfect combination of wellness and spa facilities and ski slopes. It is right here that the longest European night skiing run stretches up to 10 km. The ski area is suited for both beginners and experts, as well as free-riders looking for adventure. Pohorje is the famous venue of the Golden Fox Competition - World Alpine Ski Cup for women.

The ski area comprises three resorts: Snežni stadion with elevation span from 325 to 1.050 m (served by gondola as well as chair lifts with four, two and six seats), Bolfenk with elevation span from 937 to 1.150 (served by two-seat chair lifts and three ski lifts), area with elevation span from 927 m to 1,327 m (six-seat chair lift and seven ski-lifts).

In addition to the Maribor Pohorje ski centre, there are Rogla resort, Kope, Tri Kralja and Ribniško Pohorje.

KOPE

A ski resort which is 13 kilometres from Slovenj Gradec, well

suited for beginners. It is located on the highest elevation of Pohorje, spanning from 1,010 to 1,542 m. It offers about 6 km of traced ski routes.

KRANJSKA GORA

In the northwest of Slovenia, near the border with Austria and Italy, stretching across the peaks of the Julian Alps, there is one of the most famous ski centres in this country - Kranjska Gora. It is nearly 80 km from the capital of Slovenia. Kranjska Gora is best known for hosting the World Ski Cup and Ski Jumping World Cup. Another thing it boasts off is Planica – a famous ski jumping ramp.

The ski centre, with a total slope length of 20 km, is served by 23 cable cars. It also offers over 40 kilometres of wellgroomed cross-country tracks. Podkoren resort, the venue of the World Giant Slalom Cup, features challenging slopes for expert skiers. Less experienced skiers should head to Planica, Mojstrani, Planina pod Golica for more intermediate trails. The highest elevation is 1,600 m above sea level.

VOGEL

In the heart of the Julian Alps, at an altitude span from 1,535 to 1,800 m, there is the Vogel resort. It is surrounded by the Triglav National Park with one of the most beautiful lakes in Slovenia - Bohinj lake, situated at the foot of it. The ski resort stands at an altitude of 1,537 m, and it is accessed by a gondola lift. It gives a breathtaking view of Triglav, the highest Slovenian summit The total length of the not-so-challenging runs is 22 km. The area is the perfect choice for families.

KRVAVEC

This ski resort offers runs marked as difficult. It is the second-highest ski resort in Slovenia.

The total length of the ski area is 30 km. The ski slopes are located at an altitude of 1,480 to 1,971 m. Krvavec is frequently rated as the best weekend ski resort. It offers a large variety of services, including expert, intermediate and recreational ski runs. The ski resort is located 32 km from Ljubljana. Skiers are transported by gondola, sixseat, four-seat, two-seat and single-seat chair lifts.

BOVEC - KANIN

Kanin ski resort is the highest ski centre in Slovenia and the only ski resort with slopes lifted at an elevation of 2,000 m. Kanin is located in the northwestern part of this alpine country. It towers over the town of Bovec and the river Soča. The spectacular landscape provides a view of Triglav and Julian Alps, but also of the Adriatic sea, which makes it unique in the country and region. However, the Italians installed a circular gondola, “Prevala”, in order to connect two neighbouring ski centres, and this is how the unique Kanin-Sella, the first international ski resort in the region, was born. The cross-border resort of Kanin-Sella Nevea offers 30 km of the ski area. The ski season begins in December and lasts throughout May.

ROGLA RESORT

It is said that the largest European snowboard training ground is right here at Rogla resort. The resort stretches up to an elevation spanning from 1,050 to 1,517 m. It features about 15 kilometres of well-groomed ski trails - two of them are suited for night skiing. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts are provided with 28 km of trails. Rogla resort is a family-friendly resort located at a 45-min drive from Celje.

A New Mountain Life Concept

Grand Residences reflects a new mountain concept that combines real estate and tourism. How did this synergy come about?

STOJANOVIĆ Investment Director and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

The past year was marked by numerous investments made by the MK Group. Certainly, one of the most significant in financial, but also strategic terms was the investment of almost 50 million euros in Kopaonik Mountain. After the completed reconstruction of the Grand Hotel, worth 17 million euros, this company allocated an additional 15 million euros and started the construction of a new residential block in the very centre of the mountain. The aforementioned projects were good enough reasons to interview the person who oversaw this investment cycle.

It is a well-known fact that MK Group has been present in tourism for twelve years. By 2022, we have invested more than 500 million euros in this economical branch, thereby proving that we see it as strategically important. Everything started with Kopanik, i.e. when the company entered the tourism and hotel management segment by purchasing the Grand Hotel. Today, our portfolio includes 15 hotels in Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro, as well as Portorož airport and a golf course in Istria. I would also like to mention that, in the past period, we have had successful cooperation with renowned hotel chains such as Kempinski and Marriott, which additionally validated the high standards that the MK Group adheres to in its operations. With that in mind, real estate was the next logical step in our business and an extension of our previous business and investment segments.

In regard to the amenities at Grand Residences, I would like to underline that the facility has 40 fully equipped apartments. The apartment sizes

range from cosy 31m2 to spacious 250m2. The superb ambience and impeccable mountain interior are interlaced in these spaces to give a unique stamp to the entire residential block, which is based on the Grand Hotel both in terms of architecture and concept. We were aware that modern tourists want a “home away from home” with all the amenities they would get in a highclass hotel. Grand Residences is the answer to their needs since it offers a first-class concierge service, luxury spa treatments, an indoor pool, a fitness area, a top gastronomic experience and entertainers for children. Plus, there is an experienced hotel team to organize personalized activities as well as care for the apartments that are owned by our residents.

In which way does this investment differ from other similar concepts in our country?

Historically speaking, there have been different waves of so-called hybridization in the hotel sector - from hotel accommodation combined with hotel activities, and later, the emergence of lifestyle hotels which completely blurred the lines between accommodation and workspace. This sector is undergoing constant transformation. Thanks to the MK Group’s expertise in tourism combined with real estate investment management, the Group helms this trend in Serbia and the region. What further sets Grand Residences apart from all other accommodation concepts is complete privacy, since this is a closed facility, with the new apartments owners having the same services like in Grand Hotel. There is a separate reception desk, a spa centre, a ski room on the slopes and an à la carte restaurant. By providing all this, we offer a completely new concept of mountain life.

Modern tourists want a second home in a leisure destination, and Grand Residences is the answer to their needs

ALEKSANDRA

We give shape to the future!

Zero Waste

Slovenia is one of the cleanest and most environment-friendly countries, both in Europe and globally. As of today, it is the only European country with zero waste capital, whilst ‘green’ tourism is also on the rise within Slovenia.