October the 6th, 2021 - This year's Best Croatian Cities awards will take place on the 21st of October in the coastal town of Novi Vinodolski. This will be the fourth such contest in which the best Croatian cities in various different segments will be chosen.

As Vedran Marjanovic/Novac writes, this year's selection of the best Croatian cities, organised by Jutarnji list, the Gradonacelnik.hr (Mayor.hr) portal and the Ipsos agency, started out with the determining of the list of cities that were shortlisted for the awards which will be presented later on this month.

Currently, well-known cities are candidates for winners in four of a total of seven categories of selection of the best Croatian cities. These are the categories of education and youth, economy, quality of life and the greatest progress made. Recognition to the city that, according to the criteria of the organisers, has made the greatest progress in ensuring the quality of life of its inhabitants, is being awarded for the first time.

''The award for the greatest progress in the quality of life is calculated by comparing their ranking in the category of quality of life for 2020 in relation to their ranking for the same category as part of the first selection of the best Croatian cities back in 2018,'' they explained from Gradonacelnik.hr.

Six indicators

The first ''Best Croatian Cities'' candidates for the recognition of the best city in their achieved progress in terms of quality of life are Klanjec (Krapina-Zagorje County), Krizevci, Metkovic, Sinj and Sisak. They made the most progress in at least six observed indicators.

While there will be only one winner in the new category of selection of the best Croatian cities, in the other three aforementioned categories, three winners will be announced this year as well. This will be the competition of large cities (more than 35,000 inhabitants), medium-sized cities (10,000 to 35,000 inhabitants) and small cities, ie a city with no more than 10,000 inhabitants.

The shortlist of the best Croatian cities in the category of education and youth includes fifteen cities that have the best indicators, ie the highest shares in the total index of the six observed criteria. The criteria are, among other things, the budget allocation for education, youth and social policy, the number of children per kindergarten teacher and the average budget allocation for scholarships and tuition fees.

''An index was calculated for each indicator according to the methodology explained in detail in formulas in the Government Decree on the Development Index. Prior to their ranking, all variables were standardised. Cities which have an index greater than 100 are above average, and cities that have a value index less than 100 are below average,'' pointed out Gradonacelnik.hr.

When it comes to the list of cities in the shortlist for the best city in terms of education, among the candidates are last year's winners in that category, Sibenik, Labin and Cres, which triumphed in the competition of small towns.

One of the most prestigious categories of choosing the best Croatian cities is certainly economic factors, the winners of which (for 2020) were Samobor, Sveta Nedelja and Hvar, also in 2021's shortlist as it stands. Some of the indicators of cities that are ranked in this category are the number of craft (obrt) owners per 1000 inhabitants, the average original income of cities per capita and the level of indebtedness, and it's also important to know whether a surtax has been introduced in the city.

In support of the assessment that the economic category is one of the categories in this selection with the fiercest competition is the fact that the opponents of Samobor are Pula, Varazdin, Koprivnica and Krapina, which, according to public discussion, are considered the most dynamic environments when it comes to economic development.

Fierce competition

Equally fierce competition in relation to the economic category of this year's selection of the best Croatian cities reigns in the quality of life. Last year's winner was Cakovec, for example, and in the competition of big cities, Zagreb, Samobor, Velika Gorica and Varazdin are the opponents. In the category of quality of life, the cities are ranked, among other things, according to indicators of average income per capita, average number of employees per 1000 inhabitants, budget allocations for culture and the efficiency index of the city administration.

In this year's selection of the best Croatian cities, three special awards will be given - Smart city, Eco city and the best city for withdrawing money from EU funds, and the choice there will be between Beli Manastir, Petrinja, Rijeka, Virovitica and Zagreb.

For more, make sure to check out our lifestyle section.

October the 6th, 2021 - The Croatian company Infinum is set to open an office down in neighbouring Montenegro, more precisely in the capital city of Podgorica, in which it plans to invest a hefty amount.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, the Croatian company Infinum, a leading software design and development enterprise, is opening an office in Podgorica, the Montenegrin capital, where they have already assembled a team of fifteen people. The plan is to increase that number to about 60 people within a couple of years and invest as much as three million euros.

Nikola Kapraljevic, the operating director of Infinum, revealed this to Hina, adding that the company currently employs more than 350 people. This year alone, the company became richer for 70 new employees, and Infinum expects to round that number up to 100 by the end of the year.

Last year, they earned around 100 million kuna, which is 22 percent more than the year before last, and in 2021 they expect a continuation of their growth trend of as much as 25 percent. It's worth noting the fact that a year ago, with Porsche Digital, the Croatian company Infinum founded the Porsche Digital Croatia development centre, and they believe that with their sister company, Productive, joint revenues for this year could reach up to 160 million kuna. At Porsche Digital Croatia, according to Kapraljevic, they're working on products that enhance the experience of Porsche users and that help optimise Porsche's production process.

"We've continued to work with most of our clients, and our teams have the opportunity to work on interesting and innovative solutions in healthcare, education, renewable energy, finance, and even music," said Kapraljevic.

In addition to the latest office in Podgorica, Infinum has offices in Zagreb and Varazdin, neighbouring Slovenia and even across the pond in New York. They announced further expansion elsewhere in Europe such as the British market, brand development in other Western European countries, and continued expansion in the US where they are increasing the number of people on their team in New York.

In an interview with Hina, Kapraljevic revealed that they're currently developing a mobile application (app) for controlling the functionality and monitoring of cars, and a platform through which Porsche can be rented for either short or longer periods of time.

For more, check out our dedicated business section.

October the 6th, 2021 - The Austrian company SeneCura is continuing its Croatian market expansion by making business moves in continental Croatia, more precisely in Bjelovar.

As Novac/Jozo Vrdoljak writes, the international group SeneCura, specialising in care for the elderly and infirm, is continuing with its Croatian market expansion with the acquisition of the Vita Nova care home located in Bjelovar. SeneCura, based in Vienna, has been operating in Austria, the Czech Republic and neighbouring Slovenia for more than twenty years, and has been operating in Croatia since 2020. After taking over the Severovic care home in Novaki Bistranski, this year saw further acquisitions.

The latest acquisition is, as stated, the Vita Nova care home in Bjelovar, which has been operating since 2012. Vita Nova has 180 beds in 118 rooms, and the users of this care home are cared for by a professional team consisting of a head nurse, a social worker, an occupational therapist and a physiotherapist, and in addition to providing care, Vita Nova offers its users laundry services and the use of a hair salon. The property also has a restaurant and a park with a lake for residents to enjoy some fresh air.

The SeneCura Group announced that, as always, the high quality of business and customer care at Vita Nova was crucial in making the decision to purchase and integrate the home into the SeneCura Group. The CEO of the SeneCura Group, Anton Kellner, pointed out that the continuation of their Croatian market expansion is in line with the desire to offer the highest quality of care across Croatia according to the standards of excellence of the SeneCura Group.

"We know from experience that each new home we integrate into our Group is special and for that reason each one requires an individual approach to that integration. As before, we'll first get better acquainted with internal work processes, and then adjust the business to SeneCura standards as well as prescribed national norms,'' said Jasna Krijan, Regional Director of SeneCura Homes for the Elderly in Carinthia, Austria and Chief Operating Officer in Croatia.

The SeneCura Group notes that all homes within the SeneCura Group are characterised by the highest standards in the quality of customer care. They're complemented by a variety of programmes, such as scientific pain management, palliative care, occupational therapy, remobilisation, and physiotherapy. They explain that the various activities offered to customers are the most important part of SeneCure's offer, so that the Central Quality Management Department sets and harmonises standards for all markets in which this group is present, so that each institution is an example of best practice in nursing, social care, as well as across wide range of many other services according to customer needs.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated business section.

October the 6th, 2021 - The name Pfizer might now be well and truly synonymous with the coronavirus vaccine, but the company is long standing and produces many medications. One of them is about to be withdrawn from the Croatian market, and as such, Croatian patients who usually take it need to contact their GPs.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, a very well-known drug is being withdrawn from the market, the Croatian Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices reported on Monday.

Two batches of the drug Champix, produced by the American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, are being withdrawn. The drug is used to help adults stop smoking, and given the size of the smoking issue here, Croatian patients who are using the drug should give their family doctors a call to be made aware of what they need to do to continue with their therapies.

"In the Republic of Croatia, there are no other batches of these drugs that aren't affected by this, it's the same situation with other drugs which contain the active substance varenicline. Therefore, we instruct all users of this medicine to contact their doctor sregarding the continuation of their therapy,'' the Agency stated.

As the marketing authorisation holder for Champix, Pfizer, in cooperation with the Agency, is withdrawing from the Croatian market, the following batches of the following pharmaceutical forms of this medicine are set to be no more:

- batch 00023401 of Champix 1 mg film-coated tablets

- batch 00022025 of Champix 0.5 mg and 1 mg film-coated tablets (the pack to start with this therapy).

“The withdrawal is being carried out to the wholesale level. The withdrawal procedure is being carried out due to the increased level of nitrosamine contaminants in the medicinal product compared to the acceptable levels of intake prescribed in the European Union (EU). Based on the available data, there is currently no risk for patients taking this medicine,'' the Agency concluded.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.

October 5, 2021 - An important milestone in developing the regional digital nomad eco-system, as a strong Croatian contingent took part in Day 1 of the Budva Cross Border Coworking Conference (CBCC 2021) in Montenegro. 

"The Croatian digital nomad permit is a great thing," said Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador for September, Dean Kuchel, "but the next thing I want to see is a digital nomad passport for the region. I want to be able to travel around the Balkans with my digital nomad passort." 

That passport may not be here just yet, but Kuchel grabbed his usual one and headed to the airport after an action-packed month in Zagreb. Destination Montenegro and the inaugural CBCC 2021, which kicked off in glorious sunshine in Budva today. He was one of a sizable contingent from Croatia making the journey to Montenegro to share his expertise at the conference.

CBCC 2021, which is part of the EU-funded 2CODE project, an extension of the original CODE project, with 5 partners in 4 cities (Tuzla, Mostar, Budva and Zadar) and 3 countries, was introduced as follows on the official webite:

From Monday, 4th October, until Wednesday, 6th October 2021, regional and global experts will gather on the Montenegrin coast, and in a series of lectures and panel discussions will deal with current topics and with their experience contribute to a better understanding of this popular trend. Participants in the conference will discuss the concept and perspectives of digital nomads, the potential of the Western Balkans, the experience of digital nomads who have stayed in the region, as well as the packages the coworking spaces that make up the Code Hub network in Mostar, Nikšić, Tuzla, and Zadar will provide to this target group in the coming period. The two-day conference will also discuss the regional coworking scene, the impact of the global pandemic on the sector, the challenges faced by coworking managers over the past 18 months, but also the benefits of distance working, and the prospects for developing new coworking communities.

While I could not make the event personally due to work commitments, it was encouraging to see so many stakeholders and early movers from the Croatian digital nomad scene contributing to what sounded like a very absorbing day. Having been involved in three of the more prominent DN events in the last 12 months - the first-ever DN conference in Croatia (Dubrovnik for Digital Nomads), the Dubrovnik Digital Nomads-in-Residence program, and Zagreb Digital Nomad Week & Zagreb Digital Nomad Ambassador program. 

No less than four of those Dubrovnik DNs in residence were there - they came for a month in April for the Dubrovnik programme, but is seems they can't keep away - or telling the wider DN community about how great Croatia is. 

Jan de Jong, the godfather of the Croatian digital nomad permit and co-founder of the Croatian Digital Nomad Association, was also present. Viewed as an inspirational leader in a DN region growing in strength, de Jong talked of the great interest in Croatia, as well the importance of collaboration within the region. De Jong is actively helping digital nomad initiatives - including visas - in neighbouring countries.  

Tanja Polegubic of Saltwater Nomads and architect of the Zagreb and Dubrovnik events (as well as also a co-founder of Digital Nomad Association Croatia, opened her presentation with this article from The Times a month ago. A photo of Dubrovnik chosen to lead on an article on digital nomad visas. This shows that this region is in the spotlight, with Dubrovnik only a short distance from all the other hubs. This creates an opportunity to make a 'nomad trail.'

Polegubic presented Zadar and thee coastal regions in general, on the issues and potential solutions, stressing the need to amplify. As the Croatian city taking part in 2CODE, Zadar has made some great progress and is leading the way with many initiatives. It was one of the early movers in the region, opening COIN in 2015. It has since gone on to deliver this know-how to these other hubs. All the coworking spaces are public. Plus there is more to come, including a fab lab.

It has hosted smart city conferences, hackathons and bootcamps. The hotel sector moving into this, with Falkensteiner part of Digital Nomad Valley Zadar, the first so-called digtal nomad village in Croatia. 

Recently, Croatia's first unicorn, infobip, moved its acquired SHIFT conference to Zadar. It is a rising star.

It has been fantastic to see how enthusiastically the city and tourist board of Dubrovnik have grasped and embraced the digital nomad opportunity, and how willing they were to contribute their knowledge and experiences to the region after the two projects with Saltwater Nomads and TCN. Deputy Mayor Jelka Tepsic and Dubrovnik Tourist Board director Ana Hrnic presented their journey so far, including thee roadmap and implementation phase, and a best practice example.

It was very encouraging to learn that some of the quick win recommendations have already been implemented, including three co-working spaces in different parts of the city -  Lazareti (Center), Red History Museum (Gruz) and Sunset Beach (Lapad).

No regional digital nomad event would be complete, it seems, without the presence of Zagreb-based Steve Tsentserenky. Mr. T. was the seventh recipient of the Croatian digital nomad permit, and has become one of its most effective ambassadors. His article about the digital nomad lifestyle in Split on CNBC News was the top story of the day, and the accompanying video above has racked up over 275,000 views.  

Not all the heroes making big contributions in the Croatian digital nomad story were in front of the camera. A big thank you also to Nick Hathaway, whose heroics at Zagreb Digital Nomad Week delivered live streaming in 7 locations all over the city in 7 days, despite several logistical challenges, was immense. Nick has already uploaded a vlog on Day 1, which you can see above. 

There is plenty in store on Day 2 - and you can see the full programme here. 

For more news and features on digital nomads in Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

October 5, 2021 - CircuitMess Batmobile is the new DIY product made by a Croatian company which has made a name for itself by making products that promote STEM technology.

From ''do it yourself'' (DIY) videogame consoles, to DIY mobile phones, DIY DJ sets and much more, the Croatian company CircuitMess has well and truly made name for itself internationally.

Led by 22-year old entrepreneur Albert Gajšak, this company creates products which don't just provide fun, but also education about electronics and programming with hopes to popularise the STEM area (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) for younger generations. With the need on the market growing ever larger, but with the lack of interest for the field, CircuitMess want to both entertain and direct kids to STEM and show that it isn't dull, nor does it have to be tough.

As with previous products which were supported by Kickstarter, a web platform where people can propose their ideas and get financial support their projects (through crowdfunding campaigns), and this is the case with their next big product: The Circuitmess Batmobile.

© CircuitMess

This new edition, a small robotic car that drives around autonomously using AI and machine learning was presented by Gajšak himself at a press conference at CircuitMess on October 5, just as the kickstarter campaign was officialy launched. The campaign will last until December 4, and at the time of writing this article, the very same day it started, the campaign had received am amazing 70,178 US dollars. This result with 476 backers in just a few hours is even more fantastic when you see that the initial goal was a mere 15,000 dollars. With 59 more days of the campaign still to go, things seem to be going in the right direction.

''The Circuitmess Batmobile has one camera, and a processor that will allow for machine learning so it can memorise visual cards or a ball (part of the package) and much more. Batman is a superhero who has no superpowers, instead, he has technology with which he saves Gotham. This is line with what we try to promote and show children. You can be like Batman, if you use your hands and learn,'' explained Gajšak at the press conference.

The work on the CircuitMess Batmobile lasted for around two years, and the project was pitched to and approved by none other than the globally famous and respected Warner Bros company. When asked about the design (black with a distinctive bat-head on the front), Gajšak mysteriously said they had various ideas for the design which will be recognised by Batman fans. A little later, he confirmed for TCN that their inspirations included the 1992 animated series and a ''Batman Rebirth'' comicbook from 2016.  

''By landing this cooperation with Warner Bros, we hope to show that CircuitMess is no longer a small company,'' said Gajšak The company indeed grew with around 50 partners that distribute CircuitMess products worldwide either through webshops or in physical stores. Over 52,000 of their products have so far been sold globally, mostly in the USA, UK, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia.

Whether the Batmobile will be the coolest product made by CircuitMess is yet to be seen (although the kickstarter results look promising), but it's definitely the easiest product for the user to assemble so far. Suitable for kids over six years of age, this product has magnetic connectors and requires no soldering.

''People sometimes get scared when they need to solder our products because they worry that it could be dangerous or just for professionals. So, here we have magnetic connectors. We'll see how they will do and perhaps open up some room for more creativity in the future. So far, when a CircuitMess Product, for example, gives you instructions to build a game console, you have to end up building a game console. But when I was a kid and I played with Lego, I followed the instructions to some point, then I ended up building something completely different. With magnetic connectors, there's a chance for that, too,'' explained Gajšak.

However, the success of the Circuitmess Batmobile will determine whether or not magnetic connectors will be used in next products made by the company.

Even though the easiest DIY product (estimated to take 60 minutes to be built and then you're onto programming and playing), Gajšak pointed out it will not be boring for those who want more. An additional ''Inventor pack'' has more components and even more possibiliters are presented in the ''Ultimate pack'' for the pros.

Along with the excitment of presenting the CircuitMess Batmobile, Gajšak also used the press conference to point out the problem of crowdfunding in Croatia.

''We're using a mediator in the US for our kickstarter campaigns becuase we have no access to kickstarter in Croatia. Croatia is part of the EU so there's no reason for it to be that way,'' complained Gajšak, hoping to see change and the allowance for both CircuitMess and other entrepreneurs in the country to propose and get support for their projects with more ease.

Learn more about Croatian inventions and discoveries from Tesla to Rimac on our dedicated TC page.

For more about STEM technology in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page

ZAGREB, 5 Oct, 2021 - The main Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) indices closed mixed on Tuesday, with the Crobex gaining 0.26% to reach 2,032 points and the Crobex10 shedding 0.23% to end the day at 1,245 points.

Turnover at the close of the trading session was HRK 14.7 million, which is 10.9 million higher than on Monday, and as many as six stocks passed the turnover mark of one million kuna.

The stock of the Valamar Riviera hotel company turned over HRK 2.2 million, closing at HRK 31.5 per share, up 3.3%.

The Podravka food company followed with a turnover of HRK 1.9 million. The price of its share fell by 3.27% to HRK 650.

The Koka poultry processing company saw the price of its share jump by 6.72% to HRK 470, turning over HRK 1.82 million.

The Atlantska Plovidba shipping company turned over HRK 1.77 million, with the price of its share increasing by 3.0% to HRK 550.

Telecommunications equipment manufacturer Ericsson Nikola Tesla saw the price of its share drop by 0.29% to HRK 1,710, turning over HRK 1.5 million, while the HT telecommunications company turned over HRK 1.4 million, with the price of its share remaining unchanged at HRK 190.

A total of 41 stocks traded today, with 21 of them recording price increases, 11 registering price decreases and 9 stagnating in price.

(€1 = HRK 7.490910)

For more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 5 Oct, 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Tuesday the ruling coalition would back the candidacies of Radovan Dobronić and Marin Mrčela at tomorrow's meeting of the parliamentary judiciary committee on the selection of the president of the Supreme Court.

Speaking to the press after a meeting of the parliamentary majority, the prime minister said Dobronić presented a good programme and that Supreme Court judge Mrčela's programme was good too, so both deserved a positive assessment.

Dobronić meets the terms of the public call for applications, he delivered an important decision in the case of loans pegged to the Swiss franc, and submitted his candidacy as stipulated by law.

He is a man of integrity who is not inclined to corruption, so it is unlikely that someone better might apply in the future, Plenković said.

In this way, the parliamentary majority wants to bring to an end the saga of the selection of the Supreme Court president, and it is good for the Croatian judiciary for this process to be finished.

The parliamentary committee will vote on the five candidates, the president of the republic will be informed of the outcome and recommend one candidate to parliament. If President Zoran Milanović recommends Dobronić, the parliamentary majority will vote for him, Plenković said.

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.