End of illegal building in sight Legalisation illegal buildings costs 20 times less than demolition
Omer Pita, Director of Croatian Civil Aviation Agency Croatian civil aviation facing serious problems after EU accession
Supra Net The company has fitted over 2,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable and finalised over 500 projects
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Croatian Business & Finance Weekly Established in 1953 Monday / 24th September / 2012 Year V / No 0214 www.privredni.hr
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ILLIQUIDITY
“The non-settlement of liabilities is an offence which needs to be addressed” Igor Vukić uring the initial sixmonth period of the enforcement of the Law on Pre-Bankruptcy Financial Transactions and Pre-Bankruptcy Agreement, Croatia will have addressed most issues concerning the current illiquidity levels which has been a heavy burden on the economy, as has been optimistically announced by the Finance Minister Slavko Linić, during the recent government session. According to latest data, 3,700 companies, with debts totalling €94.6 million, have not settled their liabilities during the last 60 days. In addition, 16,580 companies have overdue debts up to 360 days totalling €1.04 billion. Overdue debts in excess of 360 days have been identified in 56,778 companies and total €4.86 billion. The law will be enforced from 1st October and the minister pointed out that its implementation has been rigorously prepared. There will be 60 Councils in Zagreb dealing with Pre-Bankruptcy Foreclosure Agreement and Settlement between creditors and debtors. Additionally, there will be 8 Foreclosure Agreement Councils in Osijek, 13 in Rijeka and 14 in Split. These will be re-
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sponsible for stabilising the business activities of 23,000 Zagreb indebted companies, as well as 14, 000 companies throughout Croatia. According to Linić, only 12 Foreclosure Agreement Councils will be sufficient following the initial period of addressing the issue of overdue liabilities. Stronger creditor protection 600 employees in Fina and the Ministry of Finance will participate in Foreclosure Agreement proceedings, assisted by a large number of staff in Tax Administration and in local branches of the Ministry of Finance, as well as by bankruptcy estate managers. Foreclosure agreement fiduciaries, who can also be attorneys,
will be appointed from their list. In addition, there will be certified auditors who will be in charge of the assessment of financial justifiability of the agreement. Discussions in parliamentary committees and the presentation of the law to employers, trade unions and banks resulted in several amendments, resulting in companies become insolvent in cases where their liabilities have not been settled for 60 days, as opposed to the previously established 30 days. Creditor protection has been strengthened and consequently restructuring plans will be affirmed if voted for by creditors whose claims exceed two thirds of reported claims. New deadlines have been set, as previously announced, since the government is striving to emphasise the fact that the settlement of liabilities is the primary responsibility of management boards and company owners. The state and local government are to settle their liabilities within a 30-day deadline, with the exception of the health sector where the deadline will be extended to 60 days, stressed Linić adding that the state will no longer be accused of generating illiquidity. Entrepreneurs will have to adhere to the same fiscal discipline of a 30-day deadline. Nevertheless, there will
be room for agreement on a 60day deadline, which could be further extended to up to 360 days, in which case the debtor will have to submit their enforcement document to the creditor to guarantee rapid settlement of receivables. Sufficient funds for sustainable programmes Linić expects management boards and company owners to seriously address the issue of the settlement of liabilities towards employees, suppliers and banks in order to comply strictly with the law. “This might appear slightly insolent, yet I believe non-settlement of liabilities is an offence which needs to be addressed“, stated Prime Minister Zoran Milanović. Nevertheless, as has been stated by the government, stabilised debtors will be entitled to initiate new business cycles. The government has prepared an injection by granting its guarantee to Croatian motorways for an additional investment programme worth €54 million. The funds will be obtained through banks and will be used in 364 projects to reconstruct 725 county and local roads. The implementation of these projects will start in October and will provide ample possibilities for small construction and sub-contracting companies.
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Privredni vjesnik Year V No 214
Tomo Antičić, Director, Ruđer Bošković Institute
Science is perceived as a luxury Science and related technologies are the foundation of the economic recovery for which we all hope
During this crisis period, science has been perceived as a luxury, an unnecessary waste of money at the expense of the relevant institutions from which the public does not benefit. However, top science and a quality scientific community make it possible for top scientists and the most competent of young people to stay in Croatia after graduating. They allow efficient management of state-of-the-art devices and co-operation with top world scientists. Without this foundation, countries like Croatia do not have a long-term perspective. It is actually science and related technologies that are the foundation of the economic recovery for which we all hope. Let us not forget about the discovery of Sumamed made by scientists at this Institute. IMPRESSUM: Privredni vjesnik Kačićeva 9 10000 Zagreb +385 1 5600020 uprava@privredni.hr www.privredni-vjesnik.hr/ subscription
There are many reasons why science has not been used for economic development. Among other things, the aggravating economic situation makes it difficult to secure financing for projects and recruit new experts. In order to change the existing situation, Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) will introduce a new system that will provide scientists with maximum support. They will create a positive climate for new companies and patents with concrete incentives and regulations. One of the priorities will be science popularisation. One part of IRB will be open to the public, with permanent scientific exhibits, Ruđer Bošković Centre, and possibly even Nikola Tesla Centre, which would create a unique tourist destination. IRB also intends to start a summer science workshop for children. Structural funds are one of the key new solutions. IRB plans to draw funds which they would use exclusively for departments with the greatest commercial potential and verified efficiency in obtaining European projects and industrial co-operation. There are two initiatives involved: OZIP – headquarter project – Open Science Innovative Platforms and Nanocentre in co-operation with the University of Zagreb and Physics Institute. A series of new procedures will be adopted, making the existing equipment and expertise fully available to the general Croatian academic and industrial community. If these projects are approved, they will represent a turnover for Croatian science and industry.
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 Lučana Banek lucanab@gmail.com Mirjana Cibulka mirjana.cibulka@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE EDITORS Andrea Marić maric@privredni.hr Vesna Antonić antonic@privredni.hr
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS Ray Fletcher fletcher@privredni.hr
( June, 30, 2013
deadline for legalisation applications
End of illegal building in sight
Legalisation less than d
Removing illegal buildings costs between €20,000 and €27 that 150 buildings were demolished at a cost of only €27,0 Drago Živković emolition of illegal buildings is a multi-decade process still awaiting its final result. However, it has never been more certain, mainly due to the obligations set by the EU. For this reason, the final deadline for applying for legalisation has been set to June 30, 2013, except for those buildings that already have a decision provided by the construction inspectorate. Their deadline is December 31, 2012. According to data provided by the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning, there are 31,000 such buildings. Letters have already been sent to the owners to remind them to apply for legalisation by the end of the year. If they fail to do so, they are faced with demolition or an alternative solution. Deputy Minister, Ana Mrak Taritaš, for the moment does not want to reveal what the state will decide. She emphasised that those who decide to ignore the state offer for legalisation under more favourable conditions prescribed by the law in force, will certainly not profit. In other words, the state will either demolish their illegal buildings or charge the legalisation at a much greater cost than the current offer.
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Personal demolition Demolition cannot be avoided by those who started to illegally build after June 21, 2011 since in such cases their buildings
are not visible in the referential ‘ortophoto map’ of Croatia. The Ministry has already started to demolish 30 buildings in question, whose owners had received the executive decision. These buildings are mainly in their initial construction phase, located along the coast, more precisely in Istria (Marčana and Medulin) and the island of Brač (Milna and Bol). As so often happens, the investors demolished the buildings themselves since the costs are much less than a construction company hired by the state, would charge. Removing illegal buildings costs between €20,000 and €27,000 on average, and the management of the construction
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( 150 illegal buildings demolished in 2011
n costs 20 times demolition
7,000 on average, and the construction material management costs roughly the same. Therefore, it is no wonder 00 last year to demolish their buildings personally, therefore, this sum might not even be spent. Demolition work will not appeal to construction companies. For this reason, only one company (TGT Adriatik from Pula) remained out of a total of six companies selected in 2005. At the end of this year, the Ministry will invite for a new tender for demolition companies, Oršanić announced.
material costs roughly the same, Ana Mrak Taritaš says. Therefore, it is no wonder that 150 buildings were demolished at a cost of only €27,000 last year. Expensive stubbornness In the past, illegal builders were much more stubborn. As a result, the state is still in the process of collecting a total debt of €6.8 million for demolition. As Deputy Minister for Inspection Affairs, Davorin Oršanić says, the State Attorney Office is in charge of the distrait orders and they are not pleasant at all since the debt will be collected from salaries, pensions and assets of illegal builders. The Ministry will ask for €2.7 million from the state budget for
next year to cover the expenses of illegal building. Even though this will be enough for 50 to 100
buildings, based on average demolition costs, the Ministry is convinced the majority will continue
Real effects in two months The new Act on Illegal Building entered into force on August 4. By August 15, 15,000 applications for legalisation were received, of which only 1,500 were solved according to the old act. Since the old act proved to be too complex, the new one will simplify the procedure. For example, now the cost of legalising a house of 100 m2, utility and water contributions excluded, would total between €1,080 and €1,215, payable in instalments. The only problem that remains concerns the level of these two contributions, which is why the Ministry will recommend the local administration to reduce them to a minimum or allow repayment by instalments. The real effects of the new act will be visible in two months, since 15,000 people, who submitted their requests under the old act, can ask for their request to be solved under the new act which is simpler and more costefficient for them.
Falsified certificates Local administrations play an important role in the fight against illegal builders, especially county branches of the state administration, with which the Ministry has different experiences. The state gave them 20% of income from the legalisation compensation to stimulate them. The state will take this 20% from those who failed to solve the applications in time and transfer them to more efficient counties, together with the unsolved applications. According to the Ministry, much worse things happen in practice than the slow process of solving applications. In some cases the investor, whose illegal building is not in the ortophoto map (meaning it was built after June 21, 2011), after the decision on the demolition, brings a certificate from the state administration office which confirms the building had been built before 1968 and, therefore, does not require a construction licence. The Ministry will hand over these falsified certificates to the State Attorney Office.
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Privredni vjesnik Year V No 214
( €14.5 million for air traffic
OMER PITA, DIRECTOR OF CROATIAN CIVIL AVIATION AGENCY
Croatian civil aviation facing serious problems after EU accession National airline needs to rapidly implement restructuring and privatisation to prepare for successful operation in the EU operation in the EU. Until those aspects have been completed successfully, it could be terminal.
Drago Živković roatian EU accession will significantly impact several sectors of the economy specifically the state-supported national airline, which has been stagnating. Both Croatian airports and the national carrier are in need of thorough overhaul in order to secure their survival
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How will Croatian airports be affected by changes? As far as airports are concerned, unless structural reforms have been implemented in their organisation and management, the implementation of EU regulations will result in degradation or closure of 50% of the currently operating international airports in Croatia that will not be able to survive without abolished state support. Moreover, they will not be able to comply with all the required and increasingly demanding technical and technological standards.
What is the current state of Croatian civil aviation? Over 50% of international airports in Croatia, as well as the national carrier, have seen serious losses. The share of Croatian airports in the EU air traffic is minimal, which is also due to the fact that state budget for air traffic for 2012 stands at around €14.5 million or one sixteenth of the total budget for rail traffic. All major Croatian civil aviation companies are in majority state ownership and were fully protected by the state until the mid2010’s through state support and restrictions on flights imposed on international carriers. How will Croatian EU accession affect the business activity of Croatian companies? Most Croatian airports, as well as flight control in the long-term, will be severely affected, whereas the national carrier is likely to see fatal consequences following EU accession. By joining the EU, the state has renounced some of its sovereignty concerning business conditions in civil aviation companies, whilst simultaneously retaining its ownership role in those companies. If we consider the situation amongst national carriers in the EU from the
start of deregulation in the early 1990’s to date, we can see several patterns of change. The privatisation of a large number of national carriers was implemented alongside deregulation. Companies which were not privatised are now mainly non-existent or are facing severe difficulties. Large privatised companies that mainly form global alliances, as well as large companies operating a lowcost model, are extremely influential and control the major share of the EU market. Against the backdrop of the current situation
where higher productivity and high influence of large European companies is evident, small and medium-sized state-owned companies which have not carefully selected their business model and have not prepared for a changed market do not stand a high chance of either survival or success. What are the implications for Croatia Airlines? The Croatian national carrier needs to rapidly implement both restructuring and privatisation to prepare for successful future
What other measures need to be implemented by the state in this sector? It is of fundamental importance to initiate and implement significant changes throughout the system in order to prepare for business conditions in the EU. These changes need to be strategically planned, primarily considering EU strategy on traffic and focused on the advantages of EU membership. It is in the interest of the state to generate the maximum revenue by local companies that are very well prepared for successful business activity under EU market conditions. The restructuring of the entire airport system and consistent compliance with the EU economic regulations throughout the system are imperative. In addition, EU structural funds need to be thoroughly considered regarding any possibility of infrastructural upgrading.
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Innovative green technologies
Baden-Württenberg close to co-operation Energy efficiency policy implementation at a national level Boris Odorčić enewable energy sources and various technologies used to enhance energy efficiency are currently arousing considerable interest amongst European and Croatian companies. The European Union and Croatia are to increase the share of renewable energy sources in total consumption to 20% by 2020. Moreover, energy efficiency is to be increased by 20%, whilst greenhouse gas emissions are to be lowered by 20%. The estimated project value is around several million euro. As a result, a large number of companies are striving to participate in the project, which is a competition of technology, as well as in experience in construction and development of environmentally-friendly and energy efficient projects. The latest example is that from the German
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Federal State of Baden-Württenberg with its considerable experience in the development of environmentally-friendly technologies and energy efficiency. The Heinrich Böll Foundation organised a workshop entitled Innovative green technologies – co-operation perspectives between Baden-Württenberg and Croatia intended to enhance the partnership between Croatia and
that state in Southwest Germany. It is important to highlight that Baden-Württenberg and Croatia have been brought together with a highly active commission comprising mixed membership and are also partners in the EU Strategy for the Danube Region whose goals encompass environmental protection, water management, protection of biodiversity and flood protection.
New jobs Hans Peter Annen, the German Ambassador to Croatia, pointed out that Baden-Württenberg is initiating co-operation with Croatia in green technologies that have been considerably well developed. “We all need modern environmentally-friendly technologies which are fundamental to our future”, stated Annen. Ana Pavičić Kaselj, Assistant Minister for Energy Efficiency, emphasised the energy efficiency policy implementation on a national level, primarily in building construction. She stressed that buildings constructed prior to 1987 are huge energy consumers and consequently substantial energy savings need to be implemented here. “The goals of energy efficiency and green technologies include more effective use of natural resources, as well as the creation of new jobs”, concluded Ana Pavičić Kaselj.
Supra Net
Networks are the backbone of business The company has fitted over 2,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable in Croatia and successfully finalised over 500 projects elecommunications are one of the most dynamic and fastest growing markets, and the infrastructure of the telecommunication sector is becoming more complex. This is why it is vitally important to use additional tools so that companies could be even more successful, make faster decisions and expand the capacities of their telecommunication infrastructure. The Zagreb company Supra Net has developed two products for this field - Timgis and Supracon-
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trol. Timgis is a global application for telecommunication network management (LAN, MAN, WAN) and telecommunication infrastructure monitoring. Supracontrol is a specialised device with accompanying software for advanced access control and environment supervision in communication cabinets. Chief Executive, Damir Špirelja, points out Supra Net constantly invests in new expertise since there is no end to technological development.
Since our beginning, we have invested millions into training, complete software and hardware tools, equipment and specialised tools for service provision. Furthermore, since 2006, we have invested over €1 million in research and development projects, which resulted in these two products we can proudly present on the world market, Špirelja says. The company started operating in 2004, and now we are one
of top IT performers, fearlessly venturing further, determined to maintain this position, Špirelja explains. He also added the company has fitted over 2,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable in Croatia and successfully finalised over 500 projects. It is important to highlight the present products have been developed for the global market on which the company has made important contacts, for example, in the UAE, Qatar, Austria, Germany and Russia. (B.O.)
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Privredni vjesnik Year V No 214
CROATIAN FOREIGN CURRENCY MARKET Currency
AUD CAD JPY CHF GBP USD EUR Source: HNB
EUR
Kuna exchange mid-rate
7.415
5,966188 5,829781 7,260181 6,106106 9,240807 5,678027 7,394494
USD
5.720
18.9.
19.9.
20.9.
6.120
7.410
5.705
6.115
7.405
5.690
6.110
7.400
5.675
6.105
7.395
5.660
6.100
7.390 17.9.
WEEK SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
CHF
21.9.
5.645 17.9.
18.9.
19.9.
20.9.
21.9.
6.095 17.9.
18.9.
19.9.
::: news
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK
Triple protection with Riziko Plus Croatia osiguranje’s new product Riziko Plus in one of its policies offers protection against three risks – insurance in case of death, additional insurance against accident, and serious illnesses. The classic type of Riziko insurance was used only as insurance on bank loans against the risk of death by the lender.
€100 million loan for HBOR
20.9.
21.9.
Loans for better quality housing Zagrebačka banka has started to approve housing loans in kuna for various interventions in housing facilities and the legalisation of property. The loan approved value will be up to €27,000 and can run up to 15 years. It is intended for the completion, additional building and reconstruction, interior design or adaptation works as well as utility work on construction sites, improvement of energy efficiency and legalisation of housing facilities. Support for competitiveness The Chief Executive Board of the World Bank approved a loan of €50 million for additional financing of the Croatia Export Finance Intermediation Loan (CEFIL) Programme. The loan was granted to the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) to expand private sector access to funds, where financing is limited in the Eurozone due to the crisis, and to boost competitiveness, especially among exporters, in the period to forthcoming EU accession. Additional financing will secure new funds for the CEFIL Project (original amount was €100 million), which is already in the process of implementation. To date, 58 exporting companies have utilised funds for mid-term and long-term financing.
At least 70% of the loan will go to SME’s and mid-cap projects ecently, Board President of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development Anton Kovačev and President of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer, signed a loan agreement worth €100 million for financing small and medium sized enterprises and mid-cap companies in Croatia. The loan agreement was signed in Dubrovnik following the meeting of the EIB Board of Directors, held in Croatia for the first time. Croatia has observer status on the Board, and will become one of its shareholders when it
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joins the EU. The loan is intended for financing SME’s and, projects of medium-sized companies (including tourism related projects), small and medium-sized infrastructural projects in the public sector and investment projects in energy, environmental protection, health and education in Croatia. At least 70% of the loan will go to SME’s and mid-cap projects. Successful co-operation President of HBOR, Anton Kovačev, pointed out that over 1,200 projects, financed from
EIB funds, have led to thousands of new jobs, and even more importantly, the fact that even more jobs have been preserved as a result of these loans. Considering the needs of the Croatian companies and increased HBOR lending activity as well as rapid used of the funds approved to date, we hope a new agreement to be signed very soon. This loan represents a continuation of very successful co-operation between EIB and HBOR. EIB has previously provided six credit lines for HBOR, totalling over €760 million.
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WE PRESENT
RELAXINO.COM, ZAGREB
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APIPHARMA, ZAGREB
New factory and jobs The pharmaceutical company from Zagreb has relocated production to Slavonia to be near source of raw materials
Plenty of potential The portal shows destinations providing tourism and wellness programmes in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia ndreja Milas, the founder of the portal Relaxino. com, always had a passion to launch her own portal on tourism, wellness, sport and entertainment. She decided to start her own business following dismissal from work. She was aware of the importance of market research and forming a cohesive team for the implementation of
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Presenting programmes for young people, pensioners, managers and single people her project. “My former business partners recognised the project as an innovation and we had already established a strong business relationship. Hence, Relaxino was launched and intended for the general public, covering programmes for young people, couples, pensioners, managers, families, singles, mountaineers, as well as enthusiasts of cycling, golf, sea, mountains, baths and massage”, she stated. The portal currently shows destinations providing tourism and wellness programmes in Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. Nevertheless, she emphasised her intention to expand by covering the entire region. In addition to Croatian and English, she plans
to provide information in Italian and German. Andreja Milas is currently working on content creation on her own; she has first hand experience of all tourism programmes presented and can consequently provide recommendations and personal opinions on various tourist destinations. No commission “The portal has plenty of potential for the tourism industry. Future generations are independent and their life is highly influenced by technological innovation. In my opinion, the concept of traditional tourism agencies has become obsolete. The Relaxino. com portal provides wholly reliable services on par with those provided by a traditional tourism agency, yet at lower rates, as there is no commission”, she explained. She believes this is the principal competitive advantage for the portal. A holiday package booked through Relaxino is paid later when the service has been fully provided. The portal currently has visitors throughout Europe, as well as from Japan, New Zealand and the US. She also pointed out her plans to advise colleagues in tourism on the importance of a portal, visited by their own prospective clients, and providing an overall presentation of programmes. (S.P.)
pipharma is a private pharmaceutical company founded 38 years ago in Zagreb. It has recently opened a state-of-the-art production area in Našice. As they produce strictly organic pharmaceutical products, food additives, food and beauty products, mainly based on bee products, this new factory was built close to the source of raw materials. The newly built production floor covering 1,500 m2, will employ around 50 mainly locals workers, has all the required documentation. It will be mainly oriented towards export. Apipharma exports around €2 million of goods every year to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Romania, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Iran, owner and Board President Tomislav Lalić says. He also added the entire investment is worth around €3.5 million. The new factory, which now officially makes Apipharma a part of the pharmaceutical industry, was built on the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMPP). The new factory follows a personal principle accordingly – a natural way to health – reassuring their customers they will use healthy and quality products. The first A energy class industrial facility The new facility in Našice is presently the only industrial facility in Croatia that owns a Class ‘A’ energy certificate. The entire
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lightning system is LED based, which saves energy significantly. From a series of applied technological innovations, Apipharma is currently the first pharmaceutical company in the wider region that has introduced antibacterial panels. They also installed spe-
Apipharma is currently the first pharmaceutical company in the wider region to introduce antibacterial panels
cial plants for thermal processing and the production of syrup based on a special method according to which the syrup is prepared at a temperature of 45°C. This guarantees all highly valuable natural ingredients will be preserved. The entire procedure is supervised by the Industrial Process Control (IPC) laboratory which analyses every phase of the production process. (S.S.)
8 ::: news Croatian hotel industry and tourism The tourism company Valamar hoteli i ljetovališta will host the Fourth Symposium of Croatian Hotel Industry and Tourism to be held on 4th and 5th October in Poreč, covering the topic of OffSeason Tourism Development Priorities. The Symposium will be organised by AHIC (Austrian Hotel Investors in Croatia), the Croatian-Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Croatian Employers’ Association and Valamar. The participants will include representatives of investors in Croatian tourism, tourism and hotel companies, tourist boards, consulting companies, agencies and tour operators. The Symposium will be supported by the Ministry of Tourism, and Privredni vjesnik is one of the several media sponsors. 1 million overnight stays in Pelješac Pelješac has recently seen its 1 million overnight stays for the first time in its history. Orebić municipality exceeded 700,000 overnight stays last year. According to these results, the Pelješacbased tourist destinations rank a close second, followed by Dubrovnik.
Privredni vjesnik Year V No 214
New Fairs at the Zagreb Fair
A step closer to increasing visitor numbers The traditionally held Zagreb Autumn Fair has ceased to exist and replaced by Consumer Goods Fair, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources Fair, Mystic – Zagreb Yoga Fest and Group Exhibitions of Countries Krešimir Sočković he Consumer Goods Fair, a new Zagreb Fair project, is aimed at attracting a larger number of visitors. The Zagreb Autumn Fair, a general fair presenting a wide range of products, has ceased to exist and replaced by two specialist fairs presenting economic, tourism and cultural potential throughout Croatia. The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Sources Fair covered efficient energy use and energy systems and sustainability, as well as technical and technological local production potential from renewable sources, use of infrastructure capacity in enhancing energy potential and a continuous reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Mystic, a specialised fair and the 3rd International Fair of Alternative & Healthy Lifestyle and Border Areas of Science, encompassed unconventional medicine, healthy food and natural lifestyle.
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Buy Croatian in Dubrovnik and Opatija The Croatian National Tourist Board is organising a business workshop Buy Croatia in co-operation with the Tourist Boards in Dubrovačko-Neretvanska County and Kvarner. The Society of Polish American Travel Agents (SPATA) is organising its 54th convention between 18th and 25th September in Dubrovnik and the business workshop Buy Croatia will be held in two cities – Dubrovnik and Opatija.
Small-sized companies proliferating 607 exhibitors, mainly small-sized companies and craftspeople with local products and tourist board representatives presenting traditional events covered the largest exhibition area (out of a total of 20,000 m2). The events presented included Picokijada (Legend of the Rooster), Kaj su jeli naši stari (Traditional Food Exhibition) from Vrbovec, Bučijada (Pumpkin festival) from Ivanić Grad, Sretno Selce (Traditional Food and Local Customs) from the Crikvenica area, Zvončar i karneval (Bell Ringers and Carnival Festival) from Rijeka, Plodovi gorja (Food from the mountains), Saljske užance (Local traditions) and Renesansni Festival (Renaissance Festival) from Koprivnica. These events have attracted a considerably larger number of visitors compared with those at the Zagreb Autumn Fair over the past several years. There were over 2,000 participants, and many craftspeople and
small-sized companies had their first opportunity to present their products to Zagreb market and visitors. “We aimed at encompassing the entire potential of Croatian counties
and presenting the total economic and business potential, as well as Croatian cultural heritage”, stated Milan Trbojević, Director of the Zagreb Fair. “The fair is traditionally held in September, since we perceive it as the beginning of the new business year. We believe the fair will provide a solid incentive against the backdrop of the current recession”, stated Trbojević.