Croatian Company Podravka Gets EU Cash, Sees Potential in Certain Area
December the 30th, 2020 - Podravka is as well known to every Croat as the dangers of propuh and arguments over what real burek are. Thanks to EU cash, the much loved Croatian company Podravka has its sights on one area in particular.
As Marija Crnjak/Poslovni Dnevnik writes, for the project of developing innovative by-products during vegetable processing, worth a little less than seven million kuna, the Croatian compan Podravka was approved three million euros in non-refundable funds from the European Regional Development Fund. This is the first research project of the Koprivnica-based food company that will be financed from European Union funds.
As the Croatian company Podravka explains, during the two years of its implementation, an innovative, technologically efficient process of separating nutritionally valuable biowaste from the industrial vegetable processing of Podravka's Kalnik Factory in Varazdin will be looked into for the development of new and innovative food products.
The potential for biogas production from all waste production streams will also be further investigated, and the expected results of this project are the creation of new knowledge and the increase of Podravka's intangible assets through patents and yet more new brands, increasing the efficiency of the production process through the commercialisation of innovative products.
A few years ago, Podravka started analysing the condition and potential of by-products that arise during production in its factories, especially in the Kalnik and Umag plants.
As explained from the company, the research and development sector of Podravka in that period in cooperation with the academic community set hypotheses based on previously published scientific papers, and preliminary tests determined the existence of the nutritional potential of vegetable by-products that could focus on the development of completely new products and added value.
Since additional larger-scale research was needed for stronger evidence to back that up, back in February 2020, the Croatian company Podravka applied for EU funds through this project.
"I believe that the comprehensiveness of the project's goals, which touch on as many as three thematic priority areas of the Smart Specialisation Strategy of the Republic of Croatia (Food and Bioeconomy, Energy and Sustainable Environment and Health and Quality of Life), has greatly contributed to this rapid positive result.
We're extremely proud of this project, which is the result of cooperation between different sectors within the company, management, associates and consultants,'' said Jasmina Ranilovic, the project manager and the director of Research and Development at Podravka.
The recently presented project for the development of innovative products from the category of food for special medical needs is being co-financed from EU funds, which together included the Rudjer Boskovic Institute (RBI) and the pharmaceutical company Belupo. The value of the joint research and development project stands at an impressive nine million kuna, of which 6.1 million kuna was co-financed with European Union money.
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Macedonia, Serbia, BiH and Slovenia Offer Help After Croatian Earthquake
December the 30th, 2020 - Following the most recent devastating Croatian earthquake which struck the continental towns of Petrinja and Sisak the hardest, neighbouring countries such as Serbia, Macedonia and Slovenia have shown their support and offers of help.
As Index writes, a strong show of support for Croatia was sent out by the Prime Minister of Northern Macedonia, Zoran Zaev. Today, the Macedonian Government decided to send six million Macedonian denars (about 734,000 kuna) in financial aid to the Republic of Croatia, as he announced on Facebook.
"At a recent session, the government decided on sending financial assistance of six million denars to Croatia after the strong earthquake struck Petrinja. Solidarity is our first impulse at the moment and we're going to provide assistance in accordance with what is needed.
I'm providing my strong support to Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and all the people of Croatia affected by the earthquake. On behalf of all the citizens of Northern Macedonia, I'm expressing my condolences to the victims,'' he wrote in his post.
Slovenia has offered tents, beds and heaters for Croatian earthquake victims
Slovenian leaders were also quick to offer aid to neighbouring Croatia, including tents, beds and heaters for the victims. Prime Minister Janez Jansa said on Twitter that he spoke with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic immediately after the Croatian earthquake struck and offered Slovenia's help.
"Our protection and rescue administration is on standby and in direct contact with those responsible in Croatia," Jansa wrote.
President Borut Pahor said that he too had talked with his Croatian counterpart, Zoran Milanovic, and expressed Slovenia's solidarity and readiness to help its neighbour. Minister of Defense Matej Tonin stated that he had put the army's main logistics centre in Roje on standby so that everything would be ready if it was necessary to send aid into Croatia, such as tents, beds, heating devices and the like.
Slovenia is also ready to offer experts for damage assessment, Tonin added.
Serbia is offering help
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that Serbia was ready to provide any kind of assistance Croatia might need after the earthquake struck the town of Petrinja.
"I hope that it passed with minimal casualties, we'll provide every help we can. I want them to recover and quickly rebuild all of their facilities," Vucic said during a visit to Zajecar, where he learned about the Croatian earthquake striking Petrinja, Sisak and the surrounding areas.
"If we can help in any way as a country - then we will help. I'm very sorry for what has happened and Serbia is ready to provide any kind of help, financial, technical, whatever it may be,'' Vucic repeated.
Today's earthquake, the epicentre of which was right in the area of Petrinja, was also felt in the Serbian capital of Belgrade, especially on the higher floors of skyscrapers in New Belgrade (Novi Beograd).
Rescuers from Bosnia and Herzegovina are ready to go to Croatia
Neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina has offered Croatia its own rescue teams to search for more victims of this devastating Croatian earthquake, and top Bosnian officials have expressed their condolences for the victims.
The security ministry said it had offered specialised search and rescue teams to help rescue those still trapped from the rubble. Two specialist teams from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina with 42 members and a team from Republika Srpska with 18 rescuers are on standby and awaiting the consent of the Croatian Government to head into the affected areas.
All three members of the collective presidency have sent their condolences to President Zoran Milanovic, and Denis Zvizdic expressed his condolences to Prime Minister Andrej Plenovic and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic for the situation.
Presidency Chairman Milorad Dodik said he regretted the scenes he saw coming from Petrinja and other Croatian cities, expressing his country's readiness to offer any kind of assistance. The Bosniak member of the state leadership, Sefik Dzaferovic, said that he received the news with deep sadness.
The Croatian earthquake that has almost totally destroyed Petrinja was also strongly felt in Bosnia and Herzegocina as well, causing material damage to buildings in Bihac, Cazin, Velika Kladusa and Bosanska Dubica.
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Village outside Glina Worst Hit by Petrinja Earthquake
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 - Majske Poljane, a village outside Glina, about 70 kilometres south of Zagreb, was worst hit by the 6.2-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, the deputy mayor of Glina, Branka Baksic Mitic, said.
"There are hardly 10 percent of houses here that have been left intact. People are still being pulled out from under the rubble. Glinsko Novo Selo was also hit severely, but there are no casualties there. The largest number of casualties are here," Baksic Mitic told the Index.hr news website.
She said that tents were being set up on a football field in Glina for people who have been left homeless by the earthquake. She appealed for shipping containers to use them for accommodation. "It's winter and these people have nowhere to stay," she said.
Baksic Mitic confirmed that four people had been found dead buried underneath the rubble.
Glina Primary School said it had opened the doors of its gym to people without shelter.
You can follow live updates here.
How You Can Donate to Victims of Sisak, Petrinja Earthquake
December the 29th, 2020 - You can donate money and goods including food, items for personal hygiene, anti-epidemic equipment and more to help people affected by the Petrinja earthquake in both Petrinja and Sisak in several ways. Poslovni Dnevnik provides the details.
Cash donations
You can donate funds to help people affected by the Petrinja earthquake in both Petrinja and Sisak to the following account:
Bank: Privredna banka Zagreb d.d.
IBAN: HR6923400091511555516
Number: 770
For payments from abroad, here is the appropriate swift code: PBZGHR2X
Donations of material humanitarian aid
Legal entities can contact the Croatian Red Cross at the following e-mail address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Citizens can contact their nearest Red Cross/Crveni kriz society.
The list of items needed urgently by Petrinja earthquake victims are listed below:
Food packages
Flour
Vegetable or sunflower oil
Rice
Sugar
Kitchen salt (small)
Pasta or spaghetti
Soup in bags
Canned fish
Canned meat
Sweet spread marmalade, chocolate, etc.
Milk (long lasting)
Bread
Water
Fruit and dried fruits
Nuts such as walnuts almonds, hazelnuts, etc.
Hygiene packages
Hand soap
Hair shampoo
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Disposable razors for shaving
Dry wipes
Wet wipes
Toilet paper In rolls
Sanitary pads and tampons
Children's ear products (to clean out the ears)
PPE
Medical/surgical masks
Protective suits
Gloves
Glasses or eye protection
Aprons
Alcohol-based hand sanitiser (antiseptic, antibacterial)
Alcohol-based wipes
Disinfectant
For more on the Petrinja earthquake, follow our live updates.
Croatians Rally, Offer Free Accommodation For Earthquake Affected
December 29, 2020 – As buildings toppled in Petrinja and Sisak today, Croatian emergency services were quick to respond. They weren't the only ones - the Croatian public has quickly rallied round to offer free accommodation for earthquake affected
The sound of sirens was heard for the second day running in in Sisak-Moslavina County today. Some emergency responders were still on the scene, in Petrinja and Sisak, dealing with the aftermath of yesterday's sizeable earthquake. Though today's was much larger, more sustained and much more devastating, Croatian firemen, police and ambulance services did not blink and occupied themselves with helping wherever it was needed. They weren't the only ones.
Željko and Ružica Marinic of Villa Marinic (pictured) and Apartmani Marinic in Primosten were quick to offer free accommodation for earthquake affected at four free apartments. Their son-in-law David posted the offer - which also includes food and support for families with children - across social media
Less than an hour after today's earthquake, help from private individuals flooded social media pages as Croatia rallied round to offer free accommodation for earthquake affected. Holiday homes across Dalmatia and Istria were readily given up as free accommodation for earthquake affected, many of them making their way to a dedicated Facebook group set up specifically for the purpose.
But, it wasn't just empty holiday villas by the coast that were made available. People across Croatia have offered to open up their own homes to offer free accommodation for earthquake affected. Apartments and sub-apartments in cities across the country have been made available. To offer free accommodation for earthquake affected for tonight and for however long necessary is a timely and generous move by these private citizens – at just after 4.30pm this evening, rain started to pour down on the affected area and those still stuck outside. Support and offers of accommodation came not only from Croatians at home in the country - Croatian National Team footballer Dejan Lovren opened up the doors to the hotel he owns in Novalja, Pag island for those affected by the earthquake in Petrinja.
Recognising the gravity of the situation, Croatian authorities revoked travel restrictions between the country's counties in order to facilitate volunteers and family members travelling to Sisak-Moslavina County today to help out, and to allow residents of the county to take up the offer of free accommodation for earthquake affected.
Buildings in Zagreb Damaged by Latest Quake, No Casualties Reported
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 - A devastating earthquake that struck the town of Petrinja some 60 kilometres southeast of Zagreb has caused damage to several buildings in the capital, the head of emergency services in the City of Zagreb, Pavle Kalinic told Hina on Tuesday.
Kalinic said that services were immediately being deployed to Petrinja and its environs which were the hardest hit by the earthquake.
A devastating earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale and VII-IX degrees on the EMS scale, with its epicentre 5 kilometres southwest of Petrinja, struck at 12.19 on Tuesday, the Seismology Service reported on Tuesday.
The earthquake could be felt throughout Croatia and in neighbouring countries.
You can follow the latest live updates and videos here.
Krsko Nuclear Power Plant Preventatively Shut Down Following Petrinja Quake
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 - The Krsko nuclear power plant, co-owned by Slovenia and Croatia, has preventatively shut down its operation following a strong earthquake that struck Croatia on Tuesday and was felt across the region.
The nuclear power plant stopped operating following the standard procedure in the event of major natural disasters.
The plant was built to resist a 7.9-magnitude earthquake as the strongest earthquake to hit Slovenia to date was of that magnitude, recorded at Idrija in 1511. Another strong earthquake that rocked the Krsko area occurred at Brezice in 1917, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake safety of the Krsko plant was additionally improved following the nuclear disaster at Fukushima, Japan in 2011.
You can follow live updates on the situation after the earthquakes here.
HANFA to Remove over 800 Regulated Businesses from Registers due to Brexit
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 - The Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency (HANFA) said on Tuesday that it would remove fmore than 800 registered regulated businesses from the UK and Gibraltar rom its registers due to Brexit.
According to a statement from HANFA, as of 1 January 2021 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is considered to be a third country in relation to the EU, which is why changes will occur in HANFA's registers regarding providers of financial services from the UK and Gibraltar.
"On 1 January 2021 HANFA will remove more than 800 registered regulated entities based in the UK and Gibraltar from its registers, which until then were authorised to provide services and/or perform activities in Croatia based on the EU passport, as well as 57 notified alternative investment funds," HANFA said.
The businesses in question provide investment services and perform investment activities, manage funds, provide (re)insurance services and distribute insurance products.
A complete list of these companies is available at HANFA's web site.
There are no businesses from the UK or Gibraltar that provide services in Croatia through a branch office so HANFA will not need to update those registers.
HANFA recalls that on December 24 the European Commission and the UK reached an agreement regulating their future cooperation.
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement covers three areas - an agreement on free trade, partnership in protection of citizens' rights, and an agreement on governance.
Plenkovic: 20 Million Kuna for Sisak and Petrinja, 1st Installment Tomorrow
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday that in agreement with the Finance Ministry, HRK 20 million would be sent to help Sisak and Petrinja and that a first installment could be expected tomorrow already, following a destructive earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale that struck Sisak-Moslavina County at 12.20 pm Tuesday.
The prime minister made the statement after a meeting of an inter-agency task force monitoring the implementation of financial contributions from the EU solidarity fund for the reconstruction of Zagreb, Krapina-Zagorje and Zagreb counties following the March earthquake.
In the meantime, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Petrinja at 12.20 pm and Prime Minister Plenkovic confirmed that he had spoken to Petrinja Mayor Darinko Dumbovic and that he was heading for Petrinja immediately and that all available services had been deployed there.
Govt to prepare special decision related to Sisak-Moslavina County quake
Plenkovic underscored that the Construction Ministry would prepare a special decision regarding the earthquake that struck Sisak-Moslavina County.
"In agreement with the Finance Ministry we will intervene with HRK 20 million so that the county and cities can have funds available for emergency intervention measures. That is similar to the decision of HRK 100 million that we made available in Zagreb to repair roofs, gable walls and anything to prevent rain leaking during the winter. We will react immediately in that regard," said Plenkovic.
He underscored that the first installment could be expected tomorrow already.
The funds will come from reserves and re-allocation so that they can be released to the county tomorrow already. Additional funds will be found through 'combined' - national and solidarity funds.
"What we are doing now is an intervention measure to provide immediate help," said Plenkovic.
The prime minister underscored that he had spoken with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who said that the Commission was willing to help with regard to the latest quake.
It is necessary to evaluate the damage first. Experts from the Faculty of Civil Enginering had already yesterday been to Sisak and Petrinja and the surrounding area.
Asked whether amendments to the reconstruction law would incorporate Sisak and Petrinja, Plenkovic said that a legal framework would be found for that.
He also recalled that €683 million for 2021 and 2022 would be earmarked for public needs while the reconstruction fund headed by Damir Vandjelic would deal with private properties which has been resolved with the Reconstruction Act.
"We will find a similar model. Unfortunately, we have a lot of experience in that regard," he added.
Zagreb Reconstruction: Majority of fund for education infrastructure
Plenkovic recalled that Croatia had received €683 million from the EU solidarity fund for reconstruction in Zagreb and its environs following the March earthquake.
The major part of those funds relates to education so €285 million will be used for education infrastructure.
An amount of €140 million has been allocated for the health sector and health institutions.
An additional €109 million will be earmarked for transport infrastructure and €116 million for cultural heritage which includes many institutions, ministries, the parliament, government, theatres and so on.
Asked how much the €683 million will help, Plenkovic recalled that that amount is a lot however because the damage is much higher, institutions themselves will have to participate with their own finances.
Horvat: 80 applications for damages received
Construction Minister Darko Horvat reported that the ministry had received about 80 applications for damages following the Zagreb earthquake.
All the necessary information and application forms are on the ministry's web site, he added.
Zagreb Pride Condemns Most Appalling Attack on LGBTIQ Community in Last 20 Years
ZAGREB, Dec 29, 2020 (Hina) - The Zagreb Pride association issued a statement on Tuesday saying they were appalled by a brutal attack on a 50-year-old gay man.
Citing media reports, the association said that the man was attacked by two persons in Maksimir Park who set him on fire using inflammable liquid. It said that the attack occurred "out of pure homophobic hatred".
Police said they were investigating and confirmed that the assaulted man had been hospitalised.
Zagreb Pride urged the police to identify the perpetrators and bring criminal charges against them, stressing that they did not want such homophobic violence to go unprosecuted.
The association said they wanted the law enforcement authorities to consistently apply the EU victims of crime directive to reduce secondary victimisation.
It also demanded an urgent and strong response from the police to protect the city's parks, squares and streets from attacks by "rightwing gangs".
"Rightwing violence in the public and online space is targeting not just the LGBTIQ community, but also the Serb, African and Roma communities in Croatia, as well as refugees and migrants," Zagreb Pride said.
TCN reported on the incident earlier today. You can read more in Horrific Hate Crime Reported in Zagreb Against a Gay Man.
