February the 26th, 2022 - The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) has announced that Croatian inflation is resulting in the highest price increases in thirteen years, with no improvement on the horizon to speak of as the Eurozone experiences the same, energy prices continue to soar and Russia invades Ukraine.

As Novac/Jutarnji/Gojko Drljaca writes, the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) finally released Croatian inflation data for the month of January 2022 on Thursday, which went unnoticed due to the horrendous and unjustified Russian attack on Ukraine, although prices did continue to rise significantly. In January 2022, prices were 5.7 percent higher than in the same month back in 2021.

However, despite the somewhat longer wait for Croatian inflation data compared to more advanced countries, new CBS statistics confirmed what we already suspected in January: the key cause of rising prices across Croatia is now not only the sky high global energy prices but also transport prices (growth in January +10.8 percent), food and non-alcoholic beverages (+9.4 percent), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (+6.2 percent), furniture, household equipment and household maintenance costs (+5.0 percent) and at restaurants and hotels (+ 4.7 percent).

Of particular concern is the data on rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices and transport, as these are costs that the poorest of the country's families and households cannot avoid at all. The same is a growing concern in regard to housing, water and electricity costs, which rose by a significant 2.7 percent in January alone. It is now obvious that an inflationary spiral is being created here in Croatia, as it is in other European Union (EU) member states.

On a monthly basis, the highest growth of 2.9 percent was recorded in food and non-alcoholic beverages. The only significant drop in prices as Croatian inflation causes more and more worry was recorded in the group of clothing and footwear (-12.9 percent), which indicates possible problems being experienced by that business. Namely, it seems that some consumers with lower purchasing power must already be planning to give up.

Although the data being released by official bodies on Croatian inflation is beginning to sound a bit dramatic, the Croatian economy is still right in the middle of the EU inflation average, which offers a certain degree of comfort. In January in the EU, the highest inflation was recorded in the Czech Republic (+8.8 percent), Estonia (+11 percent) and Lithuania (+12.3 percent). The most stable prices could be found in Sweden (+3.9 percent), Portugal (+3.4 percent) and France (+3.3 percent).

Given that the Republic of Croatia is one of the poorest member states of the EU, even average European Union inflation will be a significantly bigger economic and social problem for it, because both theoretical and empirical price increases hit the poorest the hardest. Of particular concern is the fact that the war in Ukraine will certainly have a pro-inflationary effect across all EU member states.

Eurostat officially released Croatian inflation data on February the 17th, with projections released in the first week of February. It is unclear whether, after entering the Eurozone, the CBS will adjust to the speed of other statistical institutions across the European Union.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

February the 26th, 2022 - In some former military barracks in the quaint and charming continental Croatian town of Samobor, not far from Zagreb, innovation is being born. From games and smart devices to drones, Mali Tehnopolis Samobor is putting itself firmly on the tech map.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, in addition to always being a favourite place for dessert lovers, Samobor is increasingly attracting entrepreneurs who are developing successful companies in the blossoming Croatian ICT and gaming industry, as well as those in the air conditioning, automotive, construction, metal and manufacturing industries.

It was in Samobor, on the site of the former Taborec barracks, that Mali Tehnopolis Samobor was completed just two years ago, conceived as a regional centre for the management and dissemination of 3D technologies and innovations within Zagreb County.

The project, worth 21.6 million kuna, of which 90 percent is being co-financed by the European Union (EU), offers start-up owners in the development and growth phase continuous support in business through workshops, seminars and conferences, with additional spaces such as meeting rooms and conference rooms.

Although it was officially completed at the end of August 2020, it actually started operating in mid-June of the same year. At that time, equipment for 3D printing and 3D scanning was put into operation, and on July the 1st, they got their first "tenants".

The capacity of Mali Tehnopolis Samobor, managed by the Samobor Entrepreneurship Centre, is 19 spatial units, of which 16 are currently being used. A total of 1431 square metres of space houses 14 incubated companies whose range of activities is wide, but with the common denominator among them all being modern technology and innovation.

“Samobor has always followed the craft and entrepreneurial tradition, so it isn't surprising that the first business incubator in the town in a very short time was almost completely filled. In addition to the activities represented in the incubator, there's a clear path to modern, technologically advanced and innovative products and services that are or will be found in the near future on both the Croatian and global markets. The key goal is to fully fill the incubator infrastructure and increase the existing portfolio of the clients who use its accompanying content, more specifically 3D technologies and meeting rooms, conferences and coworking rooms. Given the extremely favourable entrepreneurial climate in Samobor itself, we believe that such goals are achievable.

In addition to the subsidised rent of office spaces within the incubator - the first year being subsidised at 70%, the second year at 50% and the third year at 30% - at the request of the market, a virtual incubation service was introduced that allows entrepreneurs to register their company at Mali Tehnopolis Samobor without the need for physical residence incubators, and to use the mailbox, if necessary, a meeting room, and participate in seminars and workshops organised by Mali Tehnopolis Samobor and all this at, I would dare say, currently the best price on the market,'' explained Mali Tehnopolis Samobor's main man, Karlo Kupres.

The Laboratory for 3D Technologies is equipped with modern devices for 3D printing in Multi Jet Fusion and stereolithographic technology, as well as optical 3D scanning, which are available through services to all incubator users, as well as to external companies and individuals. Meeting room spaces, conference rooms and coworking spaces are also available through rental services to outside companies and individuals, Kupres added.

They also conduct seminars and workshops 2-3 times a month, and the topics are related to digital advertising, branding, EU funds and Hamagp-Bicro tenders. Kupres said that attendance levels at seminars and workshops is high if pandemic measures are taken into account. In addition, once a year they organise the Technology Forum, whose main task is the promotion of 3D technologies and the networking of entrepreneurs.

"As an incubator, we cooperate with the Zagreb incubator Zicer, and with the help of 3D technology laboratories we've established cooperation with about 15 companies across Croatia from various industries such as the metal, automotive, medical, construction and entertainment industries," added Kupres.

All those interested who want to move into the incubator can check the public invitations published on the website of the Entrepreneurial Centre Samobor, and with them is the complete documentation required for application, and the rules. Public invitations are published several times a year and last 30 calendar days after their publication.

However, as Kupres pointed out, at any time, those interested can apply for the lease of office space within Mali Tehnopolis Samobor by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more, make sure to check out Made in Croatia.

February the 26th, 2022 - Croatian Sberbank clients have begun withdrawing cash from their accounts held with the well known Russian bank following sanctions placed on the country as a result of its unjustified invasion of Ukraine.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Ana Blaskovic writes, growing anxiety over sanctions against Russia and as such Russian banks, imposed by the West over the illegal invasion of Ukraine, sparked queues in front of Sberbank branches in the cities of Zagreb and Split on Friday as Croatian Sbernank clients waited to remove their money.

Fearing for their cash held in that bank, Croatian Sberbank clients began lining up to withdraw their money. The State Deposit Insurance Agency, under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance, convened an emergency press conference, telling people that their savings are safe regardless of the current tragic events in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.

"I'd like to remind people about the deposit insurance system that has existed for more than 20 years now and that there's no reason to panic about deposits in any bank in that system, including those in Sberbank. Sberbank RH currently has slightly more than 69,952 clients, of which 69,858 clients are insured and protected,'' said the director of the Agency Marija Hrebac, noting that all deposits up to 100,000 euros are insured in case of a bank failure.

"Even if there were serious problems, theoretically, if all other systems failed, the Croatian deposit insurance system wouldn't fail and would certainly protect Croatia's financial stability. If the worst-case scenario occurs, we can pay off all Croatian Sberbank clients who have deposits of up to 100,000 held with Sberbank,'' said Hrebac, saying that there is approximately 3.8 billion kuna of insured savings in that Russian bank. She added that only about 80 clients are currently not protected, and they're primarily financial institutions.

"We have the funds at our disposal, if the worst-case scenario happens by chance, those who have saved with Sberbank will be able to access their funds, which they keep there," Hrebac emphasised. According to the Croatian National Bank (CNB/HNB), as of June the 30th, 2021, total deposits entrusted to Sberbank RH amounted to 9.5 billion kuna.

Sberbank itself previously said that they would continue to operate as usual. “Sberbank Croatia (RH) will be operating as usual, providing all products and services to all its clients. Sberbank Croatia is part of the Sberbank Europe Group - a European financial institution with a European banking license. We operate here on the local market, primarily at the service of Croatian Sberbank clients, under the regulation and supervision of the European Central Bank and the local Croatian National Bank,'' reads the statement on the website.

To briefly recall, back in November, the Russian Sberbank announced that it was withdrawing from the markets of Central and Eastern Europe. The bank's operations here in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Hungary were sold to Miodrag Kostic's group, known and often referred to be regional media as the "Serbian sugar king". The sale was agreed between Sberbank Europe on the one hand, and Belgrade's AIK Bank, Gorenjska Bank from Kranj and AEC Ltd. on the other.

The value of the transaction is unofficially estimated at 500m euros, and its completion and formal completion is expected later this year, provided regulators give the green light for it.

"Sberbank Europe AG has decided to reduce its geographical presence in the CEE region in order to focus on key markets," said the then-largest Russian bank, which has been under sanctions since 2014 over the Russian annexation of Crimea.

For more, check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

February 26, 2022 - Zlatko Dalić and the Croatia coaching staff are preparing for the upcoming national team gathering in March, when Croatia will play a friendly tournament in Doha against Slovenia and Bulgaria. 

Croatia national team coach Zlatko Dalić held a meeting with members of his professional staff on Thursday at the HNS headquarters, reports HNS.

In addition to coach Dalić, the meeting was attended by technical director Stipe Pletikosa, assistants Ivica Olić, Mario Mandžukić, and Dražen Ladić, goalkeeper coach Marjan Mrmić, fitness coach Luka Milanović and team manager Iva Olivari, while Vedran Ćorluka and Marc Rochon were justifiably absent.

Dalić spoke with his associates about the upcoming national team gathering in March, the first after November 2021 when Croatia successfully qualified for the World Cup in Qatar. In March, Croatia will travel to Doha to play friendly matches against Slovenia and Bulgaria.

"Although we are in constant contact, it is good when we manage to gather live and talk about what awaits us. I am glad to see all staff members full of energy, enthusiasm, and optimism ahead of the March gathering, which everyone is very excited about. We are following our players in detail, we are thinking about how to make the most of this gathering in Doha both on and off the pitch, and I believe that we will lay a good foundation there for everything that awaits us later in the year," said coach Dalić.

Recall, the Croatian Football Federation management agreed that the Croatia national team would play a friendly tournament in Qatar in March, with two matches in Doha.

Croatia will face Slovenia on March 26 and play Bulgaria three days later. The national team of Qatar will also play in the tournament against Bulgaria (March 26) and Slovenia (March 29). The matches will be played at the stadiums in Doha, where the FIFA World Cup matches will be played. The exact timetables and stadiums will be defined later, and HNS will inform fans promptly about the possibilities of buying tickets.

The Croatia coach and the staff members also watched the Europa League match between Dinamo and Sevilla. The Croatian champion was eliminated after a 3:2 aggregate for the Spanish side.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 26, 2022 - Four Croatian Paralympians will represent Croatia at the 2022 Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing starting March 4. 

The Croatian delegation arrived in Beijing, where the XIII Winter Paralympic Games will be held from March 4 to 13. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in condemning Russia's violation of the Olympic truce, reports HRT.

More than 650 Paralympians from 51 countries will participate in the Winter Paralympics in Beijing, and Croatia's colors will be defended by alpinists Damir Mizdrak and Lucija Smetiško, snowboarder Bruno Bošnjak and Nordic skier Josip Zima.

The Croatian flag at the opening ceremony will be carried by Bošnjak, winner of the first Croatian medal in the history of the Winter Paralympic Games. At the last Games in Pyeongchang in 2018, Bošnjak won bronze in snowboarding in the banked slalom discipline. Croatia also has Dino Sokolović's gold in the sitting slalom from the Pyeongchang Winter Games. 

"I am proud, and it is a great honor to carry the flag of my homeland at the opening of the Winter Paralympic Games, and I am looking forward to it," said Bošnjak.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for March 4 at the National Stadium, popularly called the Bird's Nest, where the opening and closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics were recently held.

Like the Olympic Games, the Winter Paralympic Games were strongly marked by a pandemic and, in terms of epidemiological measures, are stricter than those in Tokyo.

All participants, athletes, and officials will remain in a 'balloon' that will keep them separate from the outside world for the duration of the Games. Athletes had a choice - either to be fully vaccinated or undergo a 21-day quarantine upon arrival, while at the Tokyo Olympics, there was no obligation regarding vaccination. Everyone in the balloon will have to test every day, and as in Tokyo, athletes will have to wear a mask most of the time, except when attending events or on the podium.

The Winter Paralympics in Beijing will be the first major international sports competition since Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the escalating crisis, which arose after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military offensive in Ukraine, will affect the participation of Russian Paralympians in Beijing. On the other hand, Ukrainian athletes would like to perform in Beijing, but the question is whether they can make their way to China.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in condemning Russia's violation of the Olympic Truce ahead of the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.

The Olympic Truce began before the start of the Winter Olympics on February 4 and ends on March 20, seven days after the closing of the Winter Paralympic Games. The practice of world leaders adopting an Olympic truce has a long history. The current resolution "calls on all Member States to cooperate with the IOC and the IPC in their efforts to use sport as a tool to promote peace, dialogue, and reconciliation in conflict areas during and after the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

The Croatian delegation set off for Beijing on the day Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

"I do not like the whole situation, but I do not believe that the Games will be postponed or canceled. On the contrary, I hope that this whole situation will calm down," Bošnjak added.

Shortly after the Winter Olympics ended, Beijing began changing its facilities to accommodate the arrival of more than 650 athletes with disabilities. Chinese authorities, administrative staff, and volunteers in three competition zones - Beijing, Yanqing, and Zhangjiakou, have prepared facilities and venues equipped with several barrier-free technologies to facilitate the stay and competition of Paralympians.

The Paralympians will be housed in the same facilities and compete in the same arenas as the recently best Olympians in the world. So far, the Chinese hosts have conducted more than 100 different village tests, from wheelchair access, bed height, door width, bathrooms, and all the details are published in the "Accessibility Guide."

For example, the Yanqing Winter Paralympic Village is scattered with a significant height difference, but the village is designed without obstacles with numerous ramps in an environmentally friendly way. Furthermore, everything is optimized for people with disabilities.

Alpinists Damir Mizdrak and Lucija Smetiško will be housed in Yanqing, while snowboarders Bruno Bošnjak and Nordic skier Josip Zima will stay in the Zhangjiakou Cluster.

Croatian athletes with disabilities performed for the first time at the Winter Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City in 2002. They also competed in Turin (2006), Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), and Pyeongchang (2018).

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 26, 2022 - After Zagreb, Pula, Varaždin, and several other Croatian cities, a Split urban garden is finally coming to fruition.

The initiative launched by the Pametno for Split and Dalmatia party in 2020 is being implemented at the location they proposed from the beginning, at the Turkish Tower, reports Slobodna Dalmacija.

According to this party, Mayor Ivica Puljak recently issued a Conclusion which will turn a part of the land owned by the City, with an area of 4,325 m2, into an urban garden, all within the Pilot Project RU: RBAN, URBACT III Second wave which the City of Split is implementing with the Association for Permaculture.

"We have found a city plot of land around the Turkish Tower which will be used for an urban garden within this project. Our fellow citizens will be able to plant fruits, vegetables, and other desired crops without the need to go out of town. This is how you can live in an apartment, and at the same time cultivate a part of the land and in that way contribute to the household budget and joy at home, which is indispensable when you pick your own salad, chard, and other things. While we are waiting to plant the first vegetables at Turkish Tower, we will continue to push for urban gardens in other parts of the city, for which we are looking for ways and locations," said Branimir Urlić from the Pametno for Split and Dalmatia party.

"We are proud that our long-advocated idea is finally being realized. Just like we announced in the election program, Split is a green and wooded city in which our fellow citizens spend their free time in the open air. This urban garden is another step closer to realization," concluded Kristina Vidan, president of the Pametno for Split and Dalmatia party.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

February 26, 2022 - The popular international rally racing event returns to the Zagreb area from April 21 to 24 this year. The Croatia Rally organizers expect 350,000 spectators during the race.

Daniel Šaškin, President of the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee, which will be held from April 21 to 24, and which is on the World Championship calendar for the second time this year, announced at a press conference on Friday that 350,000 spectators are expected during the April race, reports HRT.

The Swedish Rally is currently underway, ending on Sunday, and the next race will take place in Croatia.

Given that this year is not like last year, in which the pandemic significantly limited travel, competitions, and gatherings, the organizers hope that the number of registered crews will be around 100. A special feature of this year's competition will be the organized arrival of the audience.

In addition to free viewing along the tracks of speed tests, as is customary, the organizers this time invite viewers to specially designed Fan Zones, where they expect a complete entertainment and catering offer.

"We are thrilled and proud that with the support and help of the Croatian Government, the City of Zagreb, counties, sponsors, and all other partners, we are bringing this spectacle to Croatia again. This is one of the greatest victories and recognitions for Croatian motorsport ever. Getting the WRC is a huge success in itself, and keeping it and signing a three-year contract is proof that we know the 'job' and that last year's edition of the Croatia Rally was organized at a very high level. It is a very demanding organization of events that will take place in front of the audience for the first time. We expect a staggering number of about 350,000 spectators, so we invite visitors to take care of the environment and reduce traffic jams, to group in cars and come to locations together," said Šaškin.

"This year, we are preparing numerous surprises and rich content for fans of octane excitement, both along the track and in the Fan Zones. Tickets for the Platak Fan Zone are already on pre-sale. Fan zones provide a full experience because, besides watching the most attractive passages of the world's rally stars, they offer visitors food and all-day entertainment. The largest Fan Zone will be located at the Zagreb Fair and will be the first to start operating on Tuesday, April 19. There, visitors will be able to see the service areas of top competitors, buy Croatia Rally souvenirs, top teams, and the WRC, try their skills on one of the simulators, enjoy the catering offer and performances of famous rock performers," announced Šaškin.

The Faculty of Transport Sciences will also provide logistical support to the organizers.

"As this is a logistically and organizationally extremely demanding sporting event, we are very pleased, but also an opportunity and a challenge for our experts that we are partners of the WRC Croatia Rally for the second year in a row. The Faculty of Transport Sciences will provide professional assistance in traffic regulation planning activities and logistical support for the WRC Croatia Rally, and by setting up a safe driving simulator in the Drivers' Park at the Fair, we will raise awareness of the importance of responsible traffic behavior," said Dean Tomislav Josip Mlinarić.

President of the Croatian Auto and Karting Association, Davorin Štetner, emphasized the economic importance of the Croatia Rally.

"The WRC Croatia Rally is extremely economically important to Croatia. This is one of the largest sports competitions in the history of our country, and we expect to fill almost all accommodation capacities with guests of high spending power. With such events, we are taking the steps we need, and the international promotion that Croatia is receiving is measured in millions of euros. At the same time, we are popularizing motorsports, and we expect positive effects and attracting new people to our sport. The first year went great, but now we have yet to confirm the great grades. I am proud to point out that this race is also a Croatian product because Croatian sports workers and enthusiasts are responsible for almost the entire organization," said Štetner.

The race was also supported by the City of Zagreb and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, which co-finance the costs of organizing the competition.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

February 25th, 2022 - The black and white footage shows tourists lounging around on Opatija’s beaches in the 30s

Today in our ‘old footage of the Adriatic’ section, we bring you a short video filmed in Opatija… in 1932!

Second only to Hvar, the Northern Adriatic town is one of the pioneers of organised tourism in Croatia. And while it would certainly be incredible to see what Opatija looked like in the late 19th century when it saw its first guests, footage from the 30s doesn’t come around every day either.

The video is titled 'Abbazia (Opatija): The Istrian riviera takes on its summer look'. At the time of filming, Opatija was part of Italy. 

Watch the holidaymakers splash around on Opatija’s beaches, followed by a special treat: footage of the summer carnival, featuring elaborate allegorical floats and creative costumes.

Video by Istituto Luce Cinecittà.