Croatian Chamber of Commerce: Croatia Must Rely Less on Imports
As Novac writes on the 26th of April, 2020, one of the lessons during this pandemic that Croatia needs to learn is certainly that it needs to rely more on indigenous resources and reduce its dependence on imports, and this includes the production of energy from renewable energy sources, which is constantly and strongly growing, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) has stated.
The coronavirus pandemic, on the one hand, has shown what the planet can look like with reduced pollution, and on the other, it has shed light on all of the vulnerabilities of the system and the need to change our behaviour.
"Most EU member states support the initiative to put the European Green Plan at the very heart of the post-pandemic economic recovery, because the world can only make economic, environmental and social progress if we clearly and firmly commit to clean and renewable energy. We need to strategically make sure that we're developing the resources we already have, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the economy,'' said Ivo Covic, President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce's Renewable Energy Community, which has been advocating for the development of this energy sector for fifteen years now, with its main focus on establishing a regulatory framework for renewable energy.
April the 26th marked World Renewable Energy Day, it commemorated the tragic Chernobyl nuclear catastrophe and the necessity to continue research and apply renewable energy as much as possible.
Croatian legislation is awaiting significant changes this year in regard to the energy sector. In addition to the European Green Plan, which brings with it major changes and the implementation of new technological and systematic solutions throughout the entire European Union, a law on amendments to the Energy Efficiency Act is expected in Croatia by the end of the year, which will further strengthen efforts to reduce dependence on energy imports.
The Law on the electricity market is planned for the end of this year, and the Croatian Government is planning to submit a new law in September to Parliament on renewable energy sources and high efficiency cogeneration.
"With regard to the new energy development strategy, as well as the objectives of the European Green Plan, Croatia has a great challenge ahead of it to achieve the set goals by the end of 2030, so the adoption of regulations and laws is of enormous importance. Now is an opportunity to prepare the local economy, but also citizens, to be involved as much as possible in the preparation and construction of new projects,'' said the Croatian Chamber of Commerce's Energy and Environmental Sector Director, Marija Šćulac Domac, noting that by increasing the use of renewable energy sources, not only will Croatia contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment, but it will also help the local economy and job creation within the sector.
The International Renewable Energy Agency predicts that the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector will increase to 42 million over the next thirty years.
Follow our business and Total Eco Croatia pages for more.
MUO Could Reopen to Public This Autumn
ZAGREB, April 27, 2020 - The Museum of Arts and Crafts (MUO) in Zagreb is one of the museums most affected by the March 22 earthquake, but despite that the museum will not cancel its anniversary plans for 2020, and if all goes well, it will reopen this autumn, says the museum's director, Miroslav Gašparović.
A little over two months ago, the MUO presented its new visual identity and opened parts of the new permanent exhibition on the occasion of its 140th anniversary, but all planned activities were soon put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic and then made uncertain by the earthquake that damaged both the building and the collections.
Speaking in an interview with Hina, Gašparović said that these days were a confirmation of the old saying that history repeats itself - a month after the museum was opened in Praška Street in 1880 there was an earthquake, and it happened again a month and five days after the new parts of the permanent exhibition were opened in 2020.
"Despite the shocking start of the museum's history, eight years after the first earthquake a palace was built for it and the museum is still housed in it. That was the first building in Zagreb that was purposefully built as a museum space, and I hope that in eight years a full reconstruction of the museum will have been done, and that it will shine with new splendour," Gašparović noted.
The anniversary is not forgotten, and Gašparović believes that some projects planned for this year will still be carried out. One of those projects is publishing the first monograph dedicated to the museum's history.
Gašparović said that they have gained considerable insight into the damage to the building itself, and part of it is available for everyone to see via impressive aerial footage the museum published on its Facebook page.
Structural engineers and various expert committees have inspected the building multiple times, the roof has been filmed by a drone, and 3D scanning of the whole building is in progress, which will be extremely important when further steps are taken.
More museum news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
Croatians Less Worried About Climate Change Than Other Nations
ZAGREB, April 27, 2020 - A survey of attitudes and beliefs about climate change, conducted among nearly 30,000 people, has shown that Croatians are less worried about the human impact on the climate than most respondents in 40 countries in the world.
The results of the survey, conducted by the WIN International association for market research in cooperation with Mediana Fides, showed a global consensus on the claim that climate change is happening and is leading to global warming, as more than 85% of respondents in 40 countries agreed with it.
Croatian respondents' answers placed the country among the most optimistic ones, which can significantly slow any efforts and actions to reduce the impact of climate change on our country, Mediana Fides warned.
The survey showed that only 70.4% of Croatians think that climate change is a result of human activity, which places Croatia in 39th spot, the last but one. In Slovenia, the number in question was 86.8%, and in Italy 83%.
As for the question of climate change presenting a serious threat to humankind, only 67% of Croatians think it is true, putting the country in third place from the bottom, ahead of Pakistan (62%) and China (56.8%).
With regard to the claim that it is already too late to reduce the effects of climate change, Slovenians expressed a more positive opinion than Croatians. In Croatia, 57.4% of respondents disagreed with the claim, compared to 63.1% of Slovenians and 35.4% of Italians.
When all the claims are observed together, 30% of Croatian respondents agreed with the claim that global warming is a serious threat, that it is a result of human activity, that climate change leading towards global warming is taking place, and that it is already too late to reduce the effects of climate change.
A large percentage of respondents from all countries included in the survey agree with the claim that global warming is a consequence of human activity (84.4%) and that it poses a great threat to humankind (84.5%).
However, opinions differ on the question of whether or not there is time for change, as 45.9% of respondents stated that it was already too late to reduce the effects of climate change.
Although all regions showed the same level of consciousness, the Asian-Pacific region showed the most pessimistic outlook on the future: 54.9% of respondents think that it is too late to take action to reduce the effects of climate change.
On the opposite end of the scale is the USA with the most optimistic outlook: 54.6% think that there is still time to take action, most probably due to American policies which refuse to take climate change seriously.
Although grave anxiety about climate change predominates in the world in general, there are some differences among countries when it comes to the question of whether or not climate change is a result of human activity.
Agreement with that claim is highest in Thailand (97.1%), followed by Ecuador (94.8%), and India (93.2%), and the lowest in Pakistan (59.8%).
More environment news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
Mediterranean Film Festival in Split Postponed: "We Will Start as Soon as We Can!"
April 27, 2020 - Summer in Split this year will not traditionally begin with the Mediterranean Film Festival, as the 13th edition is officially postponed.
While we should have announced that there are just 40 days left until the beginning of the Mediterranean Film Festival Split, unfortunately, this summer will not traditionally begin at the Bacvice Summer Cinema.
However, the happy news is that the festival has not been canceled, like many other festivals around the country. Instead, one of the most valuable Croatian cultural summer events has been postponed.
"We should have written to you today that there are still 40 days left until the 13th Mediterranean Film Festival Split and we would certainly publish part of the program on this occasion. Instead, we must confirm what you have already assumed: The 13th FMFS will not take place on the scheduled date of June 4-13. However, it will not be canceled - this summer will not begin with FMFS, but the FMFS will start as soon as possible. The selection is almost done, and we are organizationally more than ready and waiting for a license to operate the cinema. Have a little patience and soon we will be hanging out at the Bacvice Summer Cinema and the Golden Gate Cinema with the best Mediterranean film creations of the past year," the organizers announced on their page.
The organizers told film lovers that they could enjoy their films at VOD and the new Kino Mediteran live option starting Monday, April 27.
"In our virtual cinema, you will have the opportunity to socialize with music before and after the film, and chatting is possible for those who want it during the screening - the 'chatbots' from the cinema can finally comment without disturbing anyone!
In the film Who You Think I Am, Juliette Binoche stars as Claire, a 48-year-old college professor who is 24-year-old Clara on the Internet, an intern at a fashion events company. She created a fake Facebook profile for Claire to spy on her ex-lover, but soon starts dating the young Alex," writes FMFS on its Facebook page.
In addition to the announcement, this year's festival visual of Karlo Kazinoti was also published, with the FMFS logo on the playing card of the king.
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Beware the Croatian Inspector: 2. Worker, Not Employee!
April 27, 2020 - Beware the Croatian inspector - a new series courtesy of Glas Poduzetnika (Voice of Entrepreneurs), highlighting a Croatian business reality that helps kill growth, profit, and entrepreneurship.
I have seen them operating all over the country over the last 18 years, the most feared visitors to Croatia's cafes, restaurants, and other businesses - the Croatian inspector.
As with many corrupt countries, the role of the inspector should be to make sure that the rules are being adhered to in the particular area they specialise in - sanitary, fiscal, etc - but in reality, the prime motivation is to find ways to fill the State coffers and their own. Allegedly.
I heard SO many stories of inspections where perfectly run businesses end up paying thousands in fines, some of it justified, much of it grossly unfair. And there is an old truism here:
If the Croatian inspector comes to visit, he will find something, even if there is nothing there.
It is a subject that I have wanted to cover for years, but I never had quite the right material. Until now.
Huge thanks to those very proactive chaps at Glas Poduzetnika, who are really becoming a force for change to be reckoned with. A really great initiative. In one of their latest moves, they have been collecting some of their members' experiences with the Croatian inspector, to highlight the issue and the realities of doing business in Beautiful Croatia.
Story #2: Worker, Not Employee!
So, the story goes back to 2008. The labor inspector came to the company, and after full few-week supervision, she found no irregularities. However, she searched for illegal workers, working hours records, overtime payments, registrations, sign-offs, payslips, etc. After she found nothing, because we are working 100% per the law, she nevertheless got hooked to one thing. In particular, the employment contract stated that it was concluded with "an employee" Pero Peric (a fictional name).
We received a misdemeanor charge because, in the employment contract, we wrote that the contract was concluded with an employee, while it should have been "with a worker." She also told us that according to the labor law, the employment contract must be written in Croatian, and the word employee is not a Croatian word (?!?) but Russian. And that was why she was going to take us to court.
Imagine, we went to court because of some unintentional mistake that is so benign, harmless, and insignificant. Wasting time, resources, and nerves. We had to correct all the employment contracts and write the term "employee" correctly, i.e., replace it with the word "worker." This is just one example! We have more.
Beware the Croatian Inspector is a new daily series (yes, there really is that much material) which you can follow here.
If you have a Croatian inspector story you would like to share with the Glas Poduzetnika team (in English or Croatian), you can do so via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject TCN inspector.
You can follow the 55,000+ others on the Glas Poduzetnika Facebook page.
Supetar Mayor Wants to Keep Winter Ferry Fares for Threatened Summer Season
April 27, 2020 - As the 2020 tourism season is in question, the Mayor of Supetar is looking to keep ferry prices fair for locals and potential tourists traveling between Split and Brac this year.
Dalmacija Danas reports:
"Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the still questionable 2020 tourist season, on Friday, I sent a letter to the Ministry of Sea, Transport and Infrastructure and the Coastal Shipping Agency to delay the adoption of the seasonal price list for coastal shipping and to keep winter ferry fares throughout the 2020 business year, intending to create a more favorable framework for the arrival of tourists to the Croatian islands after the eventual cessation of the virus," Supetar Mayor Ivana Markovic said Sunday morning.
Tourism, along with agriculture, fisheries, and crafts, is the most important economic branch on the Croatian islands, and every contribution we make to facilitating the arrival of tourists to the island is of crucial importance to us at this time, she noted.
"I believe that the islands, as beautiful and geographically isolated units, have always been an essential asset of Croatian tourism and that it will be even more this year if the epidemiological situation soon improves.
We ask the competent Ministry and the Agency to consider what has been requested seriously and to take all the necessary actions that could put this proposal into effect by May 29, 2020, when the winter tariffs for ferry fares expire.
The ticket price for a single individual to Brac by car ferry now costs 28,00 kn plus 124,00 kn if you're traveling with a vehicle (152,00 kn for one way), and after May 29, the summer prices should begin. This would mean that one ticket would cost 33,00 kn plus 154,00 kn to travel with a vehicle, i.e., 187,00 kn for one direction," says Marković.
To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Austrian Media: Croatia is Our Best Chance for Summer Holiday
April 27, 2020 - The proximity to Croatia by car could be the driving force for Austrian tourists this summer, should the borders open.
As the summer quickly approaches, Vecernji List reports that Austrian media has been increasingly seeking a concrete response from the Austrian political leadership as to whether and when the borders will open to regain their much-appreciated freedom of travel after the global coronavirus pandemic brought tourism to a halt.
Austrian citizens are receiving their answers gradually, just as the epidemiological situation improves and Austria opens step by step. However, impatient Austrians are still waiting to see if they can book their holidays abroad.
While Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Tourism Minister Elisabeth Köstinger see summer holidays as a solution to signing bilateral treaties and opening borders with countries as serious aboout the coronavirus pandemic as Austria, citing Germany and the Czech Republic as an example, the Austrian media is much more gallant and is continually expanding the list of possible tourist destinations for holidaying Austrians during the corona era.
Titled "Croatia is the hottest for travel" with the headline "Korona: Where we can holiday this year", the Österreich daily said on Sunday that Croatia "intends to open its borders" for returning foreign tourists and for that, given its competitors, “has the best chance."
The same source states that Chancellor Kurz has already discussed the issue with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and relays news from Kurz's Twitter that he discussed with his colleague Plenkovic "a coordinated approach to reopening the tourism sector in these two countries, and seasonal workers and border controls". He also added Plenkovic's statement:
"Everyone I spoke with wants to find one model that opens borders and people can come to Croatia in the summer."
Österreich particularly emphasizes the great advantage of Croatia as this year's most desirable holiday destination for Austrians in the corona era - its proximity to Austria - which enables them to travel by car. For Austrians - this is a crucial security aspect.
At the same time, the daily states that Italy has "almost" no chance as a destination for this year's holidays and is a “no-go zone" for foreign tourists. Not only the media, but politicians also warn that "it is advisable to avoid traveling to Italy". Greece's chances of attracting tourists, according to the same source, are bad because of the distance and the necessary air travel. Travel bans are still in force in France, Spain and Turkey and are therefore unrealistic. Germany and the Czech Republic are mentioned as serious candidates for a holiday, which has already been mentioned several times by Chancellor Kurz, stating:
"I believe that our goal must be to re-establish freedom of travel step by step. Above all, we will be able to do this with our neighbors, who are also on the right track."
Austrian media reported on Sunday that German Foreign Minister Heiko Mass had warned Kurz about the danger of "opening borders too soon to bring back tourists". As a negative example, he cited the events at the famous Tyrol ski resort Ischgl, the epicenter of the coronavirus infection, not only for Austrians but also by many foreign and German tourists, saying that "Ischgl should never be repeated".
Mass argued for common measures and criteria for reopening borders, at the European Union level. Repeating Austrian Chancellor Kurz, he said that "the hard-fought successes of recent weeks should not be allowed to be destroyed in this way."
In this European game of which country will open its borders to foreign tourists faster, interesting data from one of the many Austrian surveys show that as many as 71 percent of Austrians intend to spend their holidays in Austria because of the coronavirus and the crisis caused by its spread. In connection with this, the Government plans to open hotels at the end of May, and in mid-May restaurants, cafes and other establishments.
To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
IKEA Zagreb Opening Tomorrow, One Part to Remain Closed
IKEA Zagreb, which is never lacking in its popularity, has announced that it will re-open its doors tomorrow, but certain areas of the store are going to remain closed for the time being...
As the Croatian Government and the National Civil Protection Headquarters slowly begin to loosen some of the stringent anti-epidemic measures the country has had in place for more than one month now, many people are eagerly awaiting a return to semi-normalcy, which will be reinstated slowly, and in three separate phases.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 26th of April, 2020, a statement from IKEA on their official website reads that these are challenging times for all of us, but rest assured, as the health and safety of our employees, our customers and the community are our top priorities.
The IKEA Zagreb department store, as stated, is set to finally re-open its doors on April the 27th, 2020. The huge store's working hours will be Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 19:00, remaining closed on Sundays.
For safety reasons, the large IKEA Zagreb store have done the following:
Set up the possibility of safe distance communication throughout the IKEA department store,
Increased their focus on the cleaning and disinfection of the IKEA department store's space,
Employees will all wear protective equipment,
For now, the popular IKEA restaurant, bistro and cafe will remain temporarily closed,
The have temporarily closed the Kakvo je, takvo je (That's how it is) department,
They have temporarily closed the Småland children's playroom,
For online shopping, IKEA.hr is available at any time of the day.
For live updates, the transmission of official information and more on coronavirus in Croatia, follow our dedicated section.
SDP Proposes Reduction of Para-Fiscal Levies
ZAGREB, April 26 2020 - The opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Sunday presented measures designed to reduce para-fiscal levies from the register of non-tax contributions.
Presenting the new measures, Social Democrat MP Boris Lalovac and the head of the party's board of advisors on finances and the state budget, Danijel Ferić, said that the most frequent problems encountered by entrepreneurs and citizens were the amount of para-fiscal levies, the fact that they do not get anything in return, the way para-fiscal levies are collected, and the constant changes in the amount of para-fiscal levies.
Ferić said that the government had not done anything since 2016 to update the register of non-tax levies, which was why the SDP proposed, in order to help make savings, that the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts reduce their membership fees by 50%.
The party also proposes, among other things, that local tourist boards lower their membership fees by 50% and that the water management contribution be lowered by 40%.
These measures, the two SDP officials said, would help reduce the non-tax burden in the amount of 0.2% of GDP.
More SDP news can be found in the Politics section.
Earthquake and Pandemic Disrupt Office Rental Market in Zagreb
ZAGREB, April 26, 2020 - Uncertainties caused by the coronavirus crisis and the March 22 earthquake have affected the office rental market in Zagreb and the present situation is very bad, the president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce real estate agents' association, Dubravko Ranilović, told Hina earlier this week.
Ranilović said that numerous downtown buildings that had been rented out as offices, were now damaged and owners and lease holders were now looking for alternatives until the buildings, damaged in the quake, are repaired, which can take time. On the other hand, office building owners are not inclined to rent out their property for a period shorter than two years.
"Demand for office rentals, notably those top class (Class A), is high," Ranilović said.
Office buildings are generally classified into one of three categories: Class A, Class B, or Class C. Standards for Class A offices are the highest. These buildings represent the newest and highest quality buildings on the market. They are generally buildings with the best curb appeal, the best construction, and high-quality building infrastructure. Class A buildings are also well located.
Rents for Class A offices range between €13 and €16 per square metre while those at less attractive locations go for between €10 and €11 per square metre.
Ranilović also said he doubted rents would go down, at least not any time soon, but that the situation would depend on the duration of the pandemic and that in the long run, all options were possible.
Demand for warehouse rentals with an area of between 2,000 and 5,000 square metres is also high.
More business news can be found in the dedicated section.
