Work and prisons Prisoners would like to work but have few opportunities 30% of the wage for in-prison work is set aside as savings
Tomislav Popović, Board President, Atlas New wings for Atlas I hope better times for tourism will come
Hidden croatian transylvania Vampire Jura flies again Istria can be proud to be the region with the oldest vampire documented
PRISON SERVICE
INTERVIEW
HIDDEN CROATIA
PAGE 2-3
PAGE 4
PAGE 8
Croatian Business & Finance Weekly Established in 1953 Monday / 28th June / 2010 Year III / No 0114 www.privredni.hr
S U P P O R T E D
B Y
T H E
pvinternational pv international C R O A T I A N
C H A M B E R
O F
E C O N O M Y
CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY OFFICE OPENED IN MOSCOW
VENTURING INTO QUALITY BUSINESS FROM A QUALITY ADDRESS The CCE office will be a place where company representatives from both countries will meet, advise and negotiate Igor Vukić cynical joke from Komskomolska Pravda, the best selling Russian newspaper says “what do you get when you fold a 5,000 rouble note (€130)? The exact surface of the business space in Moscow which you can afford with this note.” This is also something that President of the CCE, Nadan Vidošević, faced when he decided on the location of the CCE Office in Moscow with his associates. Despite the fact that the crisis has reduced the price of renting office space, they remain relatively high. It was decided that good business in Russia needs to happen from a good address. If optimistic announcements come true, the price of the lease ($1,000 per year per square metre, for 700 m2 of office space) will be justified. It also includes residential space for the office staff. The CCE is convinced that this approach will send a message to Russian entrepreneurs about the respect and serious intentions of expanding business co-operation. The $700,000 a year will be spent on the lease of a building in a prestigious location. The Russian Central Bank in Neglinaja Street is next door, and the Inland Revenue is across the street. The investment is somewhat large,
A
but so is the potential profit. It is also a good message that the office was opened by the Prime Minister, Jadranka Kosor, who then met with the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, with her ministers, Ivan Šuker and Đuro Popijač. Contribute, lobby and create opportunity Vidošević noted that the CCE is experienced in opening offices in circumstance which at first do not seem favourable. “People criticised us when offices were opened in the countries of ex-Yugoslavia. Today, with Serbia we have over 20, and with B&H over 40 times larger trade volumes than 15 years ago. This is now the most dynamic trading area in
South Eastern Europe, and many jobs have been both created and preserved for this reason,” noted Vidošević. A similar effect was caused by the office in Brussels, but we approached Moscow with enthusiasm, added the CCE President. The main task of the Office Director, Ivica Budanec, will be to create and maintain contacts. As Georgi Petrov, Vice-President of the Russian Trade-Industrial Chamber, which welcomed the CCE pointed out, there is always good and bad new for foreign entrepreneurs. Petrov said to Davor Mrljić, sales manager of the Altpro company, which produces high-tech railway systems; it is good news that there will be huge investment for the renovation of railways. The bad news is that
there is only one contractor. It needs to be reached, lobbied and the opportunity for representing an offer needs to be created. Representatives of the Croatian state will play an important role here, as well as other state offices in Croatia. In addition to opening towards Croatian investment and companies in Russia, friendlier relations towards investment into Croatia may be expected from Russia. The CCE Office will be a place where company representatives from both countries will meet, advise and negotiate, and this was exhibited not only at the opening. The effect of its creation will largely depend on the engagement of individual and companies.
2 VIEWPOINT
Privredni vjesnik Year III No 0114
ANTE MANDIĆ, BOARD PRESIDENT, IN2
Information technology is the best way to export knowledge For such exports there are no imported parts or raw materials, customs barriers, freight forwarding, transport costs and everything else included in the export of “classic” products
I
T is a global industry, making it almost impossible to lag behind the rest of the world. In this industry you are either up-to-date with global trends or you simply do not exist. In a technological sense we do not need to keep up with the industry. We have arrived, but only in the technological sense. We lag behind in all other aspects and we do nothing to speed up the pace. Information technology is the best way to export knowledge, primarily software solutions, the easiest way to package know-how, ideas, innovation and creativity. For such exports there are no imported parts or raw materials, customs barriers, freight forwarding, transport costs and everything else included in the export of “classic” products. We have no need for classical mediums, such as discs, tapes or books. Everything goes through wires, and everything is in the mind of the people who will create and implement the software. A strong IT industry is required to raise awareness. IT has been recognised as an industry in Croatia only during the past couple of years, and it cannot be said even today that it is seen as having significant potential. The Croatian IT industry was created and developed together with the state. Not one company in the sector was created during transformation, and they all started from the beginning. The entire process was chaotic, without any plan or strategy nor institutional help. The state had no understanding IMPRESSUM: Privredni vjesnik Kačićeva 9 10000 Zagreb +385 1 5600020 uprava@privredni.hr www.privredni-vjesnik.hr/ subscription
WORK AND PRISONS
Prisoners wo have few op Jasminka Filipas
A
of the concept, treating companies, from their beginnings, as developed businesses, exposing them immediately to fiscal and parafiscal duties. The banks also showed no understanding for something that cannot be measured in square metres, and which does not qualify as collateral. Therefore, there was no discussion about the American model of ‘garage development’ of IT companies, which created most of the giants of today, such as Microsoft, Google or Facebook The result of such a condition is that we have a few thousand (the exact number is not even known) IT companies, where more than 90% employ fewer than 10 staff. I believe the crisis has reduced this number, and that we are witnessing today a thinning of the numbers. Companies exporting IT are rare, whether it relates to software, services or hardware.
FOR PUBLISHER Nikola Baučić +385 1 4846661 uprava@privredni.hr
IMC MANAGER Dea Olup +385 1 5600028 olup@privredni.hr
EDITOR IN CHIEF Darko Buković +385 1 5600003 bukovic@privredni.hr
TRANSLATION Tr@duco traduco@zg.t-com.hr
EXECUTIVE EDITORS Andrea Marić maric@privredni.hr Vesna Antonić antonic@privredni.hr
COUNSELLOR, INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS, LANGUAGE EDITOR Ray Fletcher fletcher@privredni.hr
ll prison facilities face similar problems. The most significant are lack of work for hiring any able-bodied inmates who wish to work, outdated plant and equipment due to scarce financial resources, noted the Board Director of the Prison System, Branko Peran. He explained the work and products of seven Croatian penal institutions as well as their benefits to the wider community. Work in prisons is regulated by the Act on Prison Sentence Serving. Prisoners can work according to their health capabilities, expertise, skills and the possibilities available to the prison. “The organisation and work need to be as similar as possible to those in the outside world,” opines Peran. An inmate may be hired within the facility or with another employer outside, on the basis of a contract which the employer signs with the institution, with the approval of the Central Office of the Prison System Board. A prisoner serving a one year sentence can continue his work with the same employer with the employer’s consent, and if the sentence does not include a ban on performing his profes-
30% of the wage for in-prison w prisoners due to low labour cost sion, work or duty. A prisoner who independently performs an economic or other activity might be given the right of continuing that same activity. The individuals work within the jail is allocated in accordance with the Regulation on labour and education, list and description of job, as well as work charge and reward. Without taxes and contributions Safety measures at work are defined by general regulations, as well as working hours, breaks, daily and weekly rest. A work leave period might last between 18 and 30 days, depending on the length of work during the serving of the sentence. During his leave, the prisoner receives a payment, the amount of his average earnings over the last three months, and 70% of the payment received in the previous month during sick leave. The fee is paid into a deposit account in the name of the prisoner (he does not receive cash) once a month. Inmates receive a balance sheet, according to regulations in force. They do not pay tax or contributions, and can earn between €70 and €98.
Lepoglava In an agricultural workshop in Lepoglava, firewood and specialist woods are produced (they have their own forest) as well as brandy and wine from their own plum orchards and vineyard. The metal and wood-processing workshop produces metal and solid wooden furniture, cabinets for hydrants and fire extinguishers, springs and joints. They also make a wide variety of custom-made steel constructions. There is also a restaurant ‘workshop’ where they organise weddings, overnight stays, business lunches, celebrations, prepare hot meals and bake and sell bread. In addition, crates, chess figures, plates, jewellery boxes, paintings and souvenirs, wicker-work products are also produced.
www.privredni.hr Business & Finance Weekly
3
ould like to work but pportunities
work is set aside as mandatory savings with the rest at their disposal. Certain employers could have an interest in hiring ts PoĹžega In conjunction with the agricultural workshop, the facility in PoĹžega grows vegetables, breeds pigs and eggs. They also produce metal beds, gas cabinets, stove parts, grape grinding mills, mixers, and trailers for motorised cultivators. They sew sheets, pillow cases, cloths, working suits in the tailoring workshop. They also maintain and rent houses (they have holiday houses in Velika). They also perform therapeutic work (making pens, souvenirs from clay and wicker-work) Valtura
Mandatory saving Some 30% of the individuals work payment is set aside in mandatory savings, with the rest at their personal disposal in accordance with the provisions of the rules of the institution. The funds earned through work are used as additional funding towards the needs of the programme for performing the sentence. Income of the prisoner is kept on their accounts, and is mainly used for covering work Turopolje There are two gravel plants in Turopolje, where they produce gravel and concrete units. In their agricultural workshop, they breed lambs, carp, grass carp and silver carp for the market.
expenses and work payments. The remainder is used for improving the living and working standards of prisoners, technological work development, for covering any shortfall from the state budget and for supplying equipment. How the funds are used is decided by the director with the prior consent of the Minister of Justice. A percentage of income can also be allocated to other prisons at the discretion of the Ministry of Justice.
The prison in Valtura has organised herb production on 370 hectares. They also have 34 hectares of pasture where they cultivate clover, ryegrass, wheat and corn for their cattle. Cattle production consists of breeding cows for milk, with 480 Holstein cows. Since 2008, they have also been raising 30 specific Istrian cattle, in co-operation with the Agency for the Rural Development of Istria. They have 180 cows for milk production, and produce 1.3 million litres of milk each year. They have planted olives on three hectares. They also excavate and process construction stone, used in the production of concrete units.
Glina Glina produces vegetables for internal needs. There is a graphics workshop where they print and make forms, registers, notepads, cards, newspapers and books. There are also metal workshops where they cut and bend sheet metal profiles and pipes. They produce and install locks, fences, various metal constructions and equipment for children’s playgrounds. In the maintenance workshop they perform simple mechanical repairs to motor vehicles, paint, provide plumbing and electricity services, make custom made furniture, as well as offer other carpentry services.
4 INTERVIEW INTE
(
Privredni vjesnik Year III No 0114
% of tourism turnover in Istria
is through tourists from Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and the Netherlands
TOMISLAV POPOVIĆ, BOARD PRESIDENT, ATLAS
New wings for Atlas I hope better times for tourism will come, and for the moment when the state finally realises that there is no other alternative for this economic branch would stimulate the construction of such capacities.
Sanja Plješa he former director of the Tourist Association of Istria, Tomislav Popović, will soon take over the position of the Board President of the Atlas tourist agency, which operates in conjunction with the group Adriatica.net. Privredni vjesnik spoke with him about his previous mandate and new business challenges he is facing in the Agency.
T
What are the estimates of bookings and prices for this season in Istria? Regarding Istria, I do not expect any great turbulence, and we are planning on achieving the same overall tourism results as last year. When the crisis started in Croatia last year, we were one of rare regions which did not register deficits. Moreover, we ended the year with 2% more overnight stays than 2008. We are still orientated towards traditional markets (Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia and the Netherlands), since tourists from these countries make up 74% of total tourism turnover in Istria. Even though we had been registering a deficit until mid July, we managed to end the year with positive results. However, I must stress that we still encounter problems with the markets of Scandinavia and Great Britain, and I am afraid these markets might continue to stagnate. On the other hand, an increase in the number of arrivals of Russian tourists is expected. In the sense of a lifestyle destination, where is Istria as a region in relation to the rest of Croatia? A question is posed about what is lifestyle. Is it wine, nauticalia,
What about the prices in hotels? Are we too expensive? We cannot compare ourselves with Turkey and Bulgaria. Our hotel owners know their threshold of profitability. Reducing prices might only go to a certain level since it would be counterproductive otherwise. It often occurs that hotel owners lower prices, and that any extra profit remains in the pockets of one of the tour operators. You will soon take the lead position in the Atlas tourist agency. What are your plans? I have finished a mandate already, and the second one started, but I have started in a new direction. My predecessors made a solid foundation and I simply continued the work. The Association had exceptionally positive co-operation with the system of tourist associations, local administrations and hoteliers. I hope this co-operation will continue. The revision of the master plan is being prepared. It should define directions for the development for the mid period, which should relieve the position of the team which will manage the tourist association of Istria. gastronomy or ‘Robinson Crusoe’ tourism? Personally, I feel the context of lifestyle is not overly serious. Regarding wine, we cannot compete with Tuscany and Bordeaux. However, we can talk about attracting tourists from Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, but we are inferior to Italy, whose wines are better organised. In my opinion, nauticalia is definitely a lifestyle. Golfing in Istria remained only an idea, since there are in
reality no golf courses. There is currently a half-course on Brijuni and one in Savudria. I do not agree that there should be 20 golf courses in Istria, but 10 would certainly be useful for expanding the season. The number of golfers who would arrive would improve the state of Istrian tourism. We had a good start in agro-tourism, but due to the general crisis, investment stopped and this form of tourism will not be able to develop without state aid which
Does this mean Atlas will get new ‘wings’? I hope it will get new wings, since new people have arrived - board members - which should bring better times to Atlas. The Agency has had a tough period, but it is our job to move it to the right path. I hope better times for tourism will come, and for the moment when the state finally realises that there is no other alternative for this economic branch.
www.privredni.hr Business & Finance Weekly
5 CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION OF THE EXCURSION FLEET
A FURTHER €1.65 MILLION The construction of boat hulls or the renovation of vessels will be co-financed by 15%
Lemešić, president of the Tourist Boat Owners Association in the Croatian Chamber of Economy welcomes the continuance of the programme, but warns of big problems the owners of such vessels encounter in certain ports, due to the lack of infrastructure.
Jozo Vrdoljak n June, the Croatian government introduced a programme for the construction and renovation of the passenger and day-trip fleet for 2010-2012 for the needs of Croatian private boat owners and small entrepreneurs. During the three year period a total of €1.65 million will be allocated to this programme from the state budget. The funds will co-finance 15% of work on the construction of hulls or the renovation of existing vessels. The present passenger fleet covers some 400 passenger boats, yachts and small vessels with over 2,000 beds. These boats can transport, in one loading, over 5,000 visitors, which is 11% up. The number of boats has increased by 14%, in relation to 2005, when the programme was introduced. The goal of the programme is to strengthen Croatian
I
boat owners so they can be prepared to compete with the foreign lines in the Adriatic, when Croatia becomes a full member of the EU, and when the transition periods expire for opening markets of national maritime traffic. Furthermore, application of cabotage for small boat owners
was rescheduled for 31st December 2014. As the Minister of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Božidar Kalmeta, pointed out, during the past five years, 44 vessels have been constructed under to this programme, with total aid of €1.78 million, whilst 18 vessels were renovated with some €0.27 million. Leo
Infrastructure problems “All help from the government is welcomed, especially during the crisis which did not bypass the tourist sector. However, we need much more at this moment. We need financial and creative investment in order to become recognisable,” says Lemešić. The programme should improve the safety of navigation and environmental protection, enable more cost-effective services for passengers and improve tourist programmes in the Adriatic, as well as create the conditions for encouraging small and medium sized private enterprises.
INVESTMENT BY PETROL
Beer Industry
CODE OF RESPONSIBLE €75 MILLION IN MARKETING SIGNED CROATIA epresentatives of the Group of Beer, Malt and Hop Producers, active in conjunction with the Sector for Agronomy, Food Industry and Forestry in the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE), have signed a new code for responsible marketing communication. The goal of the new code is to raise awareness of the socially responsible behaviour of Group members. Thus, all signatories to the code are obliged to work in compliance with high ethical standards of marketing communication, abiding by the Croatian laws in force and guidelines for alcohol beverage advertising. The code also aims to prevent the promotion of the irresponsible use of alcohol, as well as creating an efficient and attractive marketing communication. In relation to the previous code, the decisions of the Appeal Board
R
are final, excluding all possibility to appeal. In the case of alleged irregularities in marketing communication, the appeal can be filed by individuals and companies on the web site of the CCE. Members of the Group include BUP-Buzet, Carlsberg Croatia, Daruvarska pivovara, Jadranska pivovara, Karlovačka pivovara, Pivovara Osijek, the Faculty of Food and Biotechnology Zagreb, Slavonija slad, the College of Economy in Križevci and Zagrebačka pivovara. (B.O.)
he Slovenian energy company Petrol will invest a total of €428 million by 2014 in order to be one of the top three in six markets. Petrol will invest €75 million in Croatia. It will open over 20 new petrol stations and hire some 300 people, according to an announcement from the Board President, Aleksander Svetelšek. From 1 July, Petrol will start selling its premium brand of petrol in Croatia and by taking over the company Jadranplin it will enter the crude oil market. Additionally, Petrol will offer to buy Crobenz, sister company of Mol and Ina, which are obliged to sell according to an order from the Agency for the Protection Of Market Competition. Petrol achieved €2.3 billion in sales last year, with operating profit totalling €50.8 million and nett profit €10.4 million.
T
During the first three months of 2010, nett turnover of the Group amounted to €607.1 million, exceeding expectations by 6%. In the same period, nett profit totalled €9 million, 2% more than planned. Petrol has been active on the Croatian market since 1996 through companies Petrol Hrvatska and Euro-Petrol, which together own 75 petrol stations.
6
Privredni vjesnik Year III No 0114
CROATIAN FOREIGN CURRENCY MARKET Currency
Kuna exchange mid-rate
AUD CAD JPY CHF GBP USD EUR
5,098863 5,63279 6,53635 5,298715 8,777088 5,854250 7,191946
Source: HNB
EUR
Ina and Mol discover large quantities of gas Ina and Mol have stated that they have jointly found significant amounts of gas in the area of Podravska Slatina-Zalata. The joint project of researching the Croatian and Hungarian border area resulted in the discovery of the gas-condensate potential fields Zalata-Dravica on the Croatian side of the contracted area of Podravska Slatina-Zalata, according to an Ina statement. Testing was performed at a depth of 3,170 metres and showed that the flow of gas is 370,000 metres3 per day, with a low level of condensates. It has been confirmed that these are commercial gas quantities in the researched site. Registered unemployment rate continues to fall In May 2010, the registered unemployment rate in Croatia stood at 17.2%, according to data provided by the Central Bureau for Statistics. This is a drop by 0.7% in relation to April (17.9%). May is the second consecutive month where the registered unemployment rate dropped on a monthly level, considering the March rate was 18.4%, the highest registered rate in more than four years. Average salary in April €719 In April 2010, the average nett monthly salary per employee in Croatian companies stood at €719, according to the initial data provided by the Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS). On a monthly basis when compared w i t h March 2010, the average nett salary for April 2 0 1 0 declined by 2.1%.
USD
5.88
23.6.
24.6.
CHF
5.32
7.22
5.86
5.30
7.21
5.84
5.28
7.20
5.82
5.26
7.19
5.80
5.24
7.18 21.6.
WEEK JUNE 24, 2010
::: news
7.23
5.78 21.6.
23.6.
24.6.
5.22 21.6.
23.6.
24.6.
LIQUID ASSETS
€30.41 billion in April At the end of April, money supply stood at €6.7 billion, a rise of 2.6% over late March
ccording to the last data provided by the CNB, at the end of April money supply amounted to €6.7 billion, a rise of 2.6% over late March. The growth in money supply contributed to the growth in deposits and money in circulation. Deposits totalled €4.63 billion at the end of April, a 2.7% increase in relation to late March. Slightly lower growth rates were registered by money in circulation (2.5%), which reached €2.07 billion at the end of April. Yearon-year data shows that money in circulation increased for the third consecutive month. In April, the increase was slightly higher than during the previous months, amounting to 5.5% per year. As April 2009 registered a significant fall of money in circulation,
A
the relatively high growth rate during April is partly the result of the effects over the base period. Additional boost to the growth of money in circulation was given by the intense growth in deposits (12.4% per year). This has simultaneously eliminated any negative effects of money circulating, which registered a 7.1% drop year-on-year. Growth for the fourth consecutive month The monetary measure M4, total liquid assets including money supply, savings and time kuna and foreign currency deposits as well as bonds and money market instruments, amounted to over €30.41 billion at the end of April. When compared with March, it is visible that total liquid as-
sets have only slightly increased (€1.63 million). Considering the simultaneous fall in savings and time kuna as well as foreign currency deposits (1%), and bonds as well as money market instruments (2.4% per month), the relatively strong increase in money supply removed any negative effects, resulting in total liquid assets without any considerable monthly change. Year-on-year, this measure increased for the fourth consecutive month. Considering a still strong increase in foreign currency deposits, which enable the transfer of kuna deposits into foreign currency, (comprising almost 62% of total liquid assets), the negative effect of the slump in kuna deposits to the rate of total liquid assets, was completely eliminated. (V.A./RBA)
www.privredni.hr Business & Finance Weekly
WE PRESENT 7
PZ DARĐANKA, DARDA
KNEŽEVIĆ TRADE, VINKOVCI
Singing in the rain, vending with a difference Vending machines are tourist attractions since many visitors have their picture taken next to one
Easier through a co-operative The plum orchards owned by the War Veterans Organisation gave their first yield of five tonnes of high quality plums last year ive tonnes of blue plums of excellent quality was the first yield of the plum orchards in Baranja, planted by the Agricultural Veteran Co-operative Darđanka. With a desire to start fruit production within an Area of Special State Concern, seven founders ventured into a business enterprise, six of them with the status of Croatian war veterans. A high quality yield brings the hope that in the forthcoming season the orchards will bring the first anticipated profit and stability to the co-operative, which has dealt successfully with the economic crisis, says Arleta Kovač, manager of Darđanka. They expect to obtain 20 to 25 tonnes of plums per hectare in the near future. They are currently cultivating an area of 17 hectares, and planted their first orchards after being given a financial boost of some €20,000 by the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs. The co-operative recognised in time that the state was giving aid to co-operatives, and that they could achieve profit and optimal results with little investment, as well as approach state funds and act jointly on the market. Moreover, within this Area of Special State Concern, aid for fruit farming exceeds that
F
for wheat. They were encouraged by the Ministry of Agriculture and Osijek County and Baranja. They bought an office building in Darda, where they opened an agricultural chemist dispensary and bought machinery for processing the plantations. They used €6,800 donated by the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs last year as an advance for the purchase of a container drier which should start operating this season. Goal is a line of cooperative products “The main goal of our co-operative, in addition to the production of raw materials, is to create a line of products having a high trade value (dried fruit, fruit brandies, jam, medicinal oils, vegetables, and apple crisps). Thus any further investment will be directed towards organising a processing plant. In the final analysis, this will create new jobs and a successful business for the cooperative,” assures Arleta Kovač. Plums which remain unsold will be processed into brandy, and they plan to purchase a modern distillery for this, which will be produced according to European standards. However, a distillery is priced at €13,700 and they currently do no know how they will be able to finance it. (E.D.)
hat do you do when you find yourself without an umbrella during a rainy spring or summer evening? Shops may be closed and there is nowhere to buy an umbrella. How to avoid that was something Rajko Knežević, from Vinkovci, overcame. This spring in Opatija he presented around 20 vending machines for umbrellas. Over time they have become tourist attractions since many visitors, especially foreigners, often take pictures besides them. Up to 50 umbrellas each costing €2.75 can fit in each vending machine, and they can be bought by inserting coins (HRK20). “The start point,” explains Knežević, “was several years ago in London, where I saw these vending machines were just right for local people and tourists. I felt the idea to be good, and started to develop it, bringing it to a successful conclusion. I placed vending machines in Opatija, where it often rains, next to hotels of the tourist company Liburnia Riviera Hotel.,” He added that Croatia is now the second country in Europe which offers such vending machines.
W
Also a parasol A total of €1,500 has been invested in each vending machine.
In addition to Opatija, they can also be found in Novi Vinodolski in conjunction with the tourist resort Novi Spa Hotels&Resort. The plan is to put these machines next to the Bonavia Hotel in Rijeka, and Knežević is currently in the process of negotiating with hoteliers from Poreč and Rovinj. “I have signed a one year lease with all hoteliers, and they are satisfied, since now they do not have to rent umbrellas at reception,” pointed out Knežević. He also supplies umbrellas in Zagreb. They come in various colours and often ladies use them as parasols when it is too sunny. If larger quantities are required, he is prepared to import them. Although the main activity of the company is laser engraving and making seals, he was forced to start a new business due to the extremely poor economic situation in Vinkovci. “The problem is that I mainly to all the work myself, and for now I have no future plans. I must admit I could do with funding from the Ministry of Tourism, or some other ministry. However, wherever I knock, I encounter closed doors. Everyone told me that no specific tenders exist for obtaining funds for such projects,” sadly concluded Knežević. (S.P.)
8
Privredni vjesnik Year II No 0114
HIDDEN CROATIAN TRANSYLVANIA
Vampire Jura flies again Istria can be proud to be the region with the oldest vampire documented by name and surname
Vlado Tepeš and Transylvania. The recently founded Agricultural Tourist cluster Draga plans to contribute to the better promotion of the Croatian vampire. It intends to attract more visitors and boost the economy of the area.
Eleonora Dukovac stria that can be proud to be the region with the oldest vampire documented by name and surname. However, it does so with restraint. It is believed that Jure Grando from the village of Kringe rose from his grave on the first night he was buried. He haunted the villagers and his widow, forcing her to perform her “marital duties”. After 16 years of vampire terror, mysterious activity and fear, the villagers opened Grando’s grave and found a completely preserved body with rosy cheeks, facts which were documented by Janez Vajkard Valvasor, his contemporary. Since the staking operation with a hawthorn pole failed, the bravest decapitated him. The Istrian vampire from the 17th century has, since then, been the inspiration for literature, cultural and tourist programmes in this area. Jure has a museum and café in Kringe, and horror literature evenings are organised within a gastronomic setting, exhibitions and lectures. However, the potential which the brand of the Istrian vampire might develop in the area of Tinjan are far from exploited, especially in when compared with Transylvania. Moreover, much historical research of this genre claims that Istria and Jure Grando is the cradle of the vampire genre, and not
I
Formula: prosciutto – billhook - vampire “We wished to link the unique elements of the story of this area in the theme ‘prosciutto – billhook – vampire’, promoting high quality local products and exceptional service. All this could be done in a way to preserve the authenticity of the region,” explains Jasmina Cvitan Lakača, manager of the Draga cluster. The basic purpose of the cluster is to unite all agricultural and tourist offers from the area in a unique jointly organised rural-tourism programme. Currently, 35 members in agriculture and tourism have combined. They also include fruit and vegetables producers, producers of Istrian prosciutto, cheese, wine, grape products, olive oil, souvenirs, caterers and transporters.
::: news Agrokor signs syndicated loan contract Agrokor has signed a syndicated loan contract for €352 million with the world’s major banks. The syndicated loan was a repayment deadline of five years, with guarantees from several associated companies within the Consortium. The funds will be exclusively used for refinancing the financial obligations of Agrokor, which will result in a further improvement of its overall
financial position, by maintaining the current level of indebtedness. By signing this contract, Agrokor has finished the restructuring of its balance sheet. Reduced income for Varteks Group In 2009, the Varteks Group achieved a total income of €58.71 million, some 9.1% less in relation to 2008. During the first half of 2009, the Varteks Group saw its income reduced by 6.7% over
2008 and in the second half registered an income drop of 11.1%. Croatian wines and oils shown in Copenhagen In the Nimb wine shop, in the centre of Copenhagen, an exhibition was held of Croatian wines, olive and pumpkin oils. It was the first expert exhibition of Croatian wines and oils in Denmark, coorganised by the Croatian company and association Mediterra, the Danish-Croatian company
Relink, and supported by the Croatian Chamber of Economy with the office in Stockholm, as well as the Croatian Embassy in Denmark. A total of 18 Croatian wine producers, 29 wine samples and oil from two oil producers were shown to 50 participants.