ZAGREB, 13 March 2021 - The average wage earned in December in the City of Zagreb totalled HRK 8,162, rising 6.9% in nominal terms in comparison to December 2019, according to data recently provided by the city's office for the development of Zagreb.

Thus, December's average take-home pay in the capital city was 1,163 kuna or 14.25% higher than the Croatian average wage of HRK 6,999 for the last month of 2020.

Broken down by type of activity, Zagreb's highest average net pay for December was in the exploitation of crude oil and natural gas sector, amounting to HRK 20,283.

The average gross salary for December in Croatia's capital city was HRK 11,305, up 5.2% on the year.

(€1= HRK 7.5)

March 13, 2020 - Dubrovnik's Life According to KAWA is organizing their first pop-up food shop "8th Continent Trading", showcasing authentic ingredients, spices, snacks, & ready to eat meals from China, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Mexico, Singapore, Thailand, USA, UK, and Vietnam. 

The winter seems to have lasted at least 1.5 years. The weather is getting nicer but we still feel trapped. Groundhog day. We miss movement. We miss travelling. We miss eating new things and going out to restaurants. It's getting tougher and tougher to create a weekly meal plan that doesn't sound like the previous week... But KAWA is here to bring cooking inspiration back into your life by bringing the food of the world directly to Dubrovnik. 

After researching various food and ingredients from different countries and regions, the team at KAWA individually sourced and selected favourite brands and ingredients that locals use on an everyday basis. They have gathered up all the staple ingredients they could get their hands on to create the best authentic recipes and bring diversity to your kitchen! From ingredients for butter chicken, Thai green curry, sushi, tacos and so much more, Life According to KAWA has you covered.

The past year seems to have put us all in a boring routine so why not take a well-deserved break from the kitchen, relax, and still enjoy deliciously prepared homemade meals? KAWA also offers frozen pre-made products from around the world, so why not try out the famous Japanese gyoza from the number 1 producer in Japan? Or if you're feeling adventurous, why not try out the famous Chinese wontons, delicious spring rolls, or simply enjoy their meal prep kits without all the hard work! 

Whatever your heart desires, no doubt that Life According to KAWA has got it for you. Visit their first pop-up food shop and stock up on your favourites or be adventurous and try out some new global delicacies. 

"Our hope is that this pop-up shop will give other expats the joy that we feel when we come across the comforts of home.  And we're really excited to introduce these authentic ingredients, spices, and food, to the locals of Dubrovnik". 

The team at KAWA has travelled and lived all over the world, so you know you're getting the real deal when it comes to authentic brands and spices. 

As the past year has been an interesting one, if there is any specific food or ingredients you're missing out on while in Croatia, ask and you shall receive or the more realistic option, the team at KAWA will do their best to source it! 

Located just outside Ploce Gate, KAWA is a short two-minute walk from Stradun. Customers can also choose to order for in-store pickup or curb-side delivery (there are two 10 minute parking spots just below the shop). The pop-up food shop ends 26.03.2021 so make sure to get some new ingredients and spice up your life!

To find out more about Life According to KAWA and the pop-up event, visit their Facebook page. 

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

March 13, 2021 - Croatia narrowly defeats Portugal 25:24 in a dramatic finish to stay alive in the Olympic qualifiers! 

The Croatia handball national team met Portugal in the second round of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Montpellier, France on Saturday. 

As France defeated Croatia yesterday (30:26) and Portugal defeated Tunisia (34:27), Croatia's victory in this match was imperative.

However, even with a victory in the remaining two games (Portugal and Tunisia), Croatia was not guaranteed Tokyo. If Croatia beats Portugal and Tunisia, and Portugal beats France tomorrow (and if France celebrates tonight against Tunisia), a round of three national teams with the same number of points can be created, in which case the one with the worst goal difference in the mutual matches of these three teams would be eliminated.

If Croatia does not want to depend on the outcome of the France and Portugal match (Sunday, 9 pm), they would have to go for the best possible goal difference. A win of at least five goals against Portugal, along with any win against Tunisia on Sunday, would have taken Croatia to Tokyo no matter how the clash between France and Portugal ends.

If Croatia drew against Portugal, they would have to win against Tunisia by more than seven points and wait for France's victory against Portugal.

Croatia v. Portugal Recap

Maric scored the opening goal of the game for 1:0 Croatia. Martinovic scored a rocket from the outside for 2:2 in the 7th minute and again for 3:4. 

Portugal led by 3 goals in the 10th minute. Cupic scored for 4:6 two minutes later. Croatia had only scored 4 goals in the first 15 minutes of the match. 

Cupic scored his second goal for 5:6. Cindric scored for 6:7 in the 16th.

Cupic scored again, this time from a 7-meter throw, for 7:8. Mandic made it 8:9 in the 19th minute. 

Portugal led by 3 goals in the 23rd minute (8:11).

Cupic scored from 7 meters for 9:12 with two minutes to go in the first half. 

Duvnjak scored Croatia's first goal of the second half for 10:13. Croatia was down by 4 goals in the 34th minute. 

Cupic scored his gift goal of the game in the 36th minute from 7 metes (11:16).  

Mandic made it -4 moments later for 12:16.  Cupic was 6/6 in the 40th minute for -3 (13:16). 

Mandic made it 14:16 one minute later. Musa scored for 15:17 in the 42nd. Cupic scored for -1 in the 43rd (16:17)!

Mandic scored for 17:18 with 15 minutes to go. It was 18:19 thanks to Maric with just over 10 to go, and 19:20 thanks to Cindric a minute later. 

Strlek scored for 20:21 in the 52nd minute. The brilliant Cupic scored yet again, this time for the critical equalizer for 21:21! 

Cindric scored for 22:22 with five minutes to go and Cupic for 23:23 with three minutes left. 

Croatia finally retook the lead at 24:23 thanks to captain Duvnjak! A dramatic ending it would be. 

Portugal equalized at 24:24 in the final minute. Cindric made it 25:24 with 15 seconds left, which was the final score of the game! 

Croatia plays Tunisia on Sunday at 18:30. 

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

ZAGREB, 13 March 2021 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Saturday that it was good that his cabinet made it possible for cultural institutions to keep open their doors during the COVID pandemic.

While visiting the exhibition about Croatian comic strips in the Museum of Contemporary Art (MSU) in Zagreb, Plenković said that in the circumstances marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Croatian government had on purpose kept cultural institutions open.

This was beneficial to visitor numbers and eventually to the financial operations of this museum, said Plenković during his visit to the Zagreb-based MSU.

This has been also a contribution to having as normal life as possible despite the circumstances, he said and added that museums and cultural institutions across Europe have been or are still closed.

During the tour of the exhibition, Plenković recalled that some of Croatian comic strip authors gained international reputation.

The MSU says on its web site that the exhibition To Be Continued… Comics and visual culture in Croatia "sets the so-called Ninth Art of comic strips, cartoons and graphic storytelling in its European and international context, bringing together its history, evolution, and canonical authors."

"The exhibition examines the way in which perceptions of comics have changed over time, the role of comics in shaping popular and mass culture, and the professional and personal networks within which comics are created and find their way to the audience."

The exhibition, opened in mid-December, closes on Sunday, 14 March.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

ZAGREB, 13 March 2021 - The leader of the Civic Liberal Alliance (GLAS) party, Anka Mrak Taritaš, on Saturday announced her intention to run for the mayor of Zagreb.

The slogan of her campaign is "Change I am not Afraid of".

Presenting her programme, Mrak-Taritaš, said that there had been too many flippant projects and "we should seriously get to work."

Mrak-Taritaš said that her party had initially negotiated with the We Can party about a coalition for the Zagreb mayoral race and later with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and admitted that the negotiations with both parties had failed.

The GLAS chief dismissed remarks from the press that her election platform resembled that of the We Can political group. Mrak Taritaš answered that she had had that platform and pursued the same policy four years ago when she was defeated by a small margin by Mayor Milan Bandić, who was re-elected to the post.

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

March 13, 2021 - Football legends of Croatia and Slovenia played a charity match in Petrinja on Saturday, initiated by the president of the Croatian Football Federation and a member of the UEFA Executive Board, Davor Suker, and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, to help the areas affected by the devastating earthquake late last year.

HNS reports that on behalf of the umbrella European Football Federation, Aleksander Čeferin presented a donation to the Croatian Red Cross for 50 thousand euros. HNS President Davor Šuker handed over the donation to the Sisak-Moslavina County Football Federation, intended to reconstruct football infrastructure in earthquake-affected areas, for 200 thousand kuna, while the Football Federation of Slovenia donated 5 thousand euros to the Football Club Mladost.

Drago Sopta/HNS

"When I found out about the tragic earthquake in Petrinja and its surroundings, I talked to Davor Šuker, and we started thinking about how we could help. Football is solidarity, football is friendship, and we agreed to organize this match and for UEFA to donate. We were joined by the Croatian Football Federation and the Slovenian Football Federation led by Radenko Mijatović. I am glad that this humanitarian event was a success," said UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.

Drago Sopta/HNS

"At the moment when the tragedy happened, the president of UEFA, Alexander Čeferin, and I got in touch, and in the first second we agreed on the match in Petrinja, we were only looking for the most suitable date. I want to thank President Čeferin and the UEFA Executive Board, who voted for this donation. As the Croatian Football Federation president, I am glad that we were able to help the Sisak-Moslavina County Federation. The ball will always roll, the most important thing is that people in this area get a roof over their heads as soon as possible, and everyone who can help is welcome. The least important thing is who won on the field, all of us who were in the service of humanity won," said the president of the Croatian Football Federation, Davor Šuker.

Drago Sopota/HNS

"It is nice that we are all together in Petrinja, and that time has served us. We gladly accepted the joint idea of Aleksandar Čeferin and Davor Šuker, the Football Federation of Slovenia responded to this initiative, I believe that we will make life at least a little easier for people in this area and the local football club in this difficult period," said the president of the Football Federation of Slovenia, Radenko Mijatović.

"I thank all the participants, the players of both national teams, the president of UEFA, Aleksandar Čeferin, and the president of HNS, Davor Šuker, this was a top football spectacle, but, unfortunately, in the earthquake-stricken area. However, this is the day when the history of Petrinja will begin to be written again. The atmosphere was fantastic; I'm sorry that the spectators could not watch this match live, but, in any case, thank you all for helping the City of Petrinja and Sisak-Moslavina County," said the President of the Sisak-Moslavina County Football Federation and a member of the Executive of the HNS Committee, Davor Ivić.

Drago Sopta/HNS

"Sport, and especially football, has a special power to unite us. All athletes have been with us since day one, helping the affected population in various ways. We thank UEFA, HNS, and SNS for deciding to organize such a magnificent sports event and increase it by donating financial aid that will be sent through the Croatian Red Cross to the earthquake-stricken population. We are proud that the Croatian Red Cross is part of this sports humanitarian action," said the executive president of the Croatian Red Cross, Robert Markt.

Drago Sopta/HNS

The meeting of Croatia and Slovenia football legends is a continuation of fostering good neighborly relations between the two national federations, which also organized a friendly match in Brdo near Kranj in September last year when the hosts celebrated (3:2). Slovenia celebrated a "close" victory on this occasion, even though Croatia took the lead with a penalty kick by Davor Šukerr. Still, Slovenia reversed the result thanks to the goals of Milivoj Novaković and Milenko Aćimović. The role of the Croatia coach was taken over by the senior advisor to the HNS president, Zorislav Srebrić, and the Croatia team was led by the current coach of the Vatreni, Zlatko Dalić, former coach Miroslav Blažević, and Dinamo legend Marijan Vlak.

CROATIA LEGENDS: Marijan Mrmić, Stipe Pletikosa, Davor Šuker, Zvonimir Boban, Aljoša Asanović, Ivica Olić, Petar Krpan, Dario Šimić, Darijo Srna, Daniel Šarić, Niko Kranjčar, Igor Bišćan, Boris Živković, Silvio Marić, Mihael Mikić, Nenad Pralija, Tomislav Dujmović, Robert Špehar, Marko Babić, Željko Pavlović.
SLOVENIA LEGENDS: Robert Volk, Aleksander Čeferin, Primož Gliha, Miran Pavlin, Milivoje Novaković, Milenko Aćimović, Boštjan Cesar, Mišo Brečko, Radenko Mijatović, Aleksandar Radosavljević, Goran Barišić, Tomaž Vesel, Silvo Vrhovec, Andrej Vrhovec, Robert Beguš, Tomislav Čizmić, Mladen Džanan, Branko Ilić, Mitja Sojer, Jože Prelogar, Robert Beguš.

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

ZAGREB, 13 March 2021 - Labour Minister Josip Aladrović and deputy director of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development Luka Bogdan presented eight contracts in Zadar on Friday worth nearly HRK 10 million for projects to strengthen the capacities of old and new social enterprises and entrepreneurs.

"Today, we signed contracts with entities that are just starting and that are developing their business in accordance with principles of social entrepreneurship," said Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Minister Josip Aladrović, noting that the ministry has provided over HRK 112 million to encourage social entrepreneurship.

The pandemic and crisis have created an opportunity for doing some things better and fairer, he said.

I believe that we can find a way in our business to regain a positive social impact. There are four counties among the co-signers: Zadar, Šibenik-Knin, Split-Dalmatia and Lika-Senj counties. All forms of entrepreneurship in these areas are more important than ever before, mostly due to the impact the pandemic has had on the tourism sector and all related activities, Minister Aladrović said, adding that by signing the projects they want to strengthen the capacities of old and new social enterprises through additional employment and education.

Deputy director of the National Foundation for Civil Society Development Luka Bogdan said that social entrepreneurship was one of the models connecting solidarity and entrepreneurship that could be seen every day, not just in a crisis.

The purpose of the projects is to employ members of vulnerable groups -- women, Croatian war veterans and victims of the Homeland War, people with disabilities and others, and this will include creating new jobs and improving the knowledge and skills of employees through specialised forms of training and employment.

Before presenting the contracts co-financed by the European Social Fund, Minister Aladrović and his associates had a working meeting with representatives of the City of Zadar on increasing capacities of retirement homes.

According to state secretary Marija Pletikosa, it is estimated that about 5% of the population aged over 65 needs accommodation in a retirement home, and Zadar has not yet reached the capacity to accommodate 3%, so it is necessary to build new retirement homes.

Aladrović said that he supported the idea because increasing the number of accommodation units for the elderly population across Croatia was one the priorities of his ministry.

For more business news in Croatia, follow our dedicated section. 

ZAGREB, 13 March 2021 - Croatia has ordered "more than enough" COVID-19 vaccines via the European Commission's centralised system but is faced with late deliveries because manufacturers are not honouring what has been signed, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has told France 24.

He was speaking for "Talking Europe", a programme on French national television, while visiting Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

"We ordered more than enough, but the vaccines are distributed pro rata, that is how much vaccine you ordered from which company."

He said he came to Brussels because Croatia was faced with late deliveries. "That's the main reason I'm here... I insist that what we signed, what we ordered, be delivered."

"I talked about it with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her team. We ordered the vaccine via the centralised system set up by the Commission."

Regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, Plenković agreed with Rome's decision to block a delivery of 250,000 doses to Australia. He said he supported the Italian authorities' move to send "a concrete signal" to AstraZeneca that "it must honour what has been signed."

That is in no way against Australia, but it's necessary to remind companies that they must adhere to signed agreements, he added.

Since Croatia has vaccinated only 5% of its population and has, alongside France, one of the lowest vaccination rates in the EU, he was asked if he was willing, like Hungary, to buy the Russian vaccine without the approval of the European Medicines Agency.

"Every government must approach with the utmost caution matters concerning public health, people's safety and vaccination. The EMA and the Croatian medicines agency are filters, and experts must help governments make wise decisions. To me as prime minister, public health and the safety and protection of our citizens will always come first."

Regarding the suspension of vaccination with AstraZeneca in a number of European countries due to allegedly serious side effects, including blood clots, Plenković said no such cases had been registered in Croatia.

"We haven't noticed any of the side effects after the administration of AstraZeneca/Oxford that may have occurred in other countries. On the contrary, we believed from the start that this vaccine is good also for our citizens older than 65," he said.

"At this moment, according to the information we have, we have neither reason nor grounds to apply that measure and will continue to use the AstraZeneca vaccine," he added.

Speaking of the Commission's proposal to introduce so-called COVID passports, whereby travellers would certify that they are vaccinated or have a negative PCR test, Plenković said it could be part of a strategy to bring tourists back to Croatia.

He said "it could serve as an aid to enable free travel. That's something we should consider."

To read more about Covid-19 in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.