As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes on the 14th of October, 2020, three years ago, Karlo Starcevic and his team in Zagreb presented the innovative WePark application - a smart digital solution designed to deal with the chronic lack of parking spaces in urban areas - which finds a free space for the driver and immediately reserves it, while the driver navigates their way to the location.

Since back in 2017, WePark's smart parking has added options for parking users and owners and developed a completely new application, background system, administrative interface, additional hardware for car parks and the ability to raise ramps from any remote location.

"We're striving for a larger number of users and parking locations," WePark's director told Poslovni dnevnik.

The current version of the WePark application is expanded and more stable, allowing for the purchase of parking vouchers and monthly tickets via a bank card in the application itself, entry to the car park by recognising the vehicle registration number without using the application, the digital grouping of users at each parking location and control of individual parking barriers.

In addition, for car park owners, WePark now offers the installation of parking equipment completely independent of the availability of electrical connection, since, says Starcevic, the plant runs exclusively on solar energy.

The company has more than 1000 registered users, and in the system they have more than 100 parking spaces at six locations across Zagreb, of which five are open car parks and one is located in a garage. The most frequent locations are those near large office buildings, hospitals and other public institutions, such as Prisavlje, Heinzlova and Ilica.

''Our car parks are marked with a blue WePark sign, and in certain locations, individual parking spaces are marked with smaller WePark signs. Users have the ability to navigate to the car park through our application. At the moment, we offer several options for purchasing parking tickets and there are several different types of tickets. Users can purchase monthly parking tickets or parking vouchers that have no time limit but function as mobile phone vouchers; you can use the service until you spend the amount the voucher is worth. Users can buy tickets through the application itself via a bank card or by payment to the company's giro account, after which they're issued the desired parking ticket. We're currently working on implementing other ways of buying tickets, too,'' WePark's main man explained.

They also have competition - car parks that aren't currently listed in the WePark system. "It's great that our potential business partners are also competitive, and our system doesn't exclude the use of other parking systems, but

“They're offered various options in terms of installing various hardware options and accompanying software. All owners who are interested in our services can register their parking availability through our website without obligation and completely free of charge, so that we can contact them and answer all their questions,'' explained the young director.

The WePark service prices haven't risen; initially the parking reservation was free for the first half an hour, but according to the change of complete software and increased demand they had to scrap that. "Still, every new user can request and receive a free voucher in the equivalent of 10 kuna through our website, for the purpose of testing the service," he pointed out.

At the moment, the company has three full-time employees and is also collaborating with several external partners.

"By the end of 2020, our goal is to open additional parking facilities in Zagreb, and in the first half of 2021 we intend to open parking facilities in several cities on the Adriatic coast and employ additional staff," explained WePark's boss. They also plan to enter the international market in the middle of next year, and the target countries are Slovenia, Austria and Germany.

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As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marta Duic writes on the 13th of October, 2020, the Zagreb service Jedem doma (I'm eating at home) recently opened its first point of sale in Ilica 76 near Britanski trg (British square). As the owner Zeljka Maras explained, the idea of ​​opening a store has existed for two years, more precisely since they transformed their business model from a household help service in the field of cooking to the production of premium ready meals, and the search for the ideal space has borne fruit this year.

"The Ilica area located between Britanski trg and Meduliceva has spontaneously profiled itself as a neighbourhood of fine and quality food over recent years. A lot of our clients live in this part of the city or gravitate to it, so Britanski trg is undoubtedly our first location choice for opening a store,'' said Maras. As she claimed, Jedem doma have focused all their efforts on making their webshop have delivery available to the whole of Croatia, which brings them about 70 percent of their business, and the Britanski square-based store has since come to life in full, and if this formula proves successful, Jedem doma will open even more stores in Zagreb and other cities.

The best-selling dishes are those that are complex to prepare. They are one of the few companies to offer meals for people on a low carb diet, so their zucchini and cauliflower a la rice spaghetti regularly sells out as soon as they arrive. In addition to this store, part of the Jedem doma range can be purchased in several stores with local and delicatessen products throughout Zagreb.

“When we started a new concept in our new kitchen a year ago, we developed two segments in parallel: the delivery of office meals to business customers, as well as the segment of premium semi-finished dishes intended for home cooking. In the beginning, the share of these two segments was approximately 50-50. With the onset of the pandemic, the office meal segment stopped overnight. Luckily, we had an ‘ace up our sleeve’ that proved to be perfect for the coronavirus crisis. Already prepared high-quality dishes, without additives and preservatives, vacuumed in sterilised jars, were an ideal product for many people who had gone into self-isolation. We spontaneously focused our efforts on it and now the segment of the production of premium semi-finished dishes intended for home use makes up about 90 percent of our business,'' added Maras.

Losses in the office lunch segment for Jedem doma's business users were compensated by the innovative product 7-day and 14-day detox programme, in which customers receive three nutritionally designed and prepared meals. Detox programmes have become very popular during the summer, and the demand for them continues. Although the coronavirus crisis hit this company as well, they didn't fire anyone but instead quickly switched to the production of premium semi-finished dishes. In the last month, they have even hired people and they currently have eight employees.

''The start of business was five years ago for us when we brought the cooking service in the homes of our clients to the Zagreb market. Today we have our production plant and store in a premium location, the number of employees and our revenues have grown by 500 percent compared to the beginning, and Jedem doma has become a well-known and recognisable brand with great growth potential in the meantime. One of the long-term plans is certainly to franchise the business model for potential business partners from abroad,'' Maras revealed.

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October 14, 2020 - France was better than Croatia in Zagreb in the 4th round match of the UEFA Nations League. 

The Croatia national team met France in the 4th round of the Nations League on Wednesday at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb. Seven thousand fans (30% of the stadium) were there to cheer on Croatia.

Croatia beat Sweden 2:1 at the same stadium on Sunday and took third place in the group. With a victory against France, they would join the fight to win the group. 

Coach Zlatko Dalic changed the starting formation a bit from Sunday's match against Sweden. While Livakovic stayed in goal, the backline included Borna Barisic, Domagoj Vida, Dejan Lovren, and Filip Uremovic. The midfield featured Luka Modric and Milan Badelj, with Nikola Vlasic as the attacking midfielder. Ivan Perisic and Mario Pasalic were on the wings, with Bruno Petkovic up top. Marcelo Brozovic had to sit this game out due to cards. 

France coach Didier Deschamps, on the other hand, sent his strongest players in the attack, and decided to rotate the midfield - Lloris; Mendy, Varane, Lenglet, Digne; Tolisso, N'Zonzi, Rabiot; Mbappé, Griezmann, Martial.

The first five minutes of the match was even, and Croatia even had a chance to attack thanks to a quick run by Bruno Petkovic. However, it was France to find the back of the net first after Griezmann nailed the upper corner of the goal in the 8th minute for 0:1. 

Slobodan Kadic

France danced around Croatia's defense and had what seemed like another sure chance in the 15th minute though Mbappe luckily hit wide. 

Five minutes later, Lovren had a chance with a header off a Croatia corner kick which went over the goal. 

A foul on Petkovic awarded Croatia a free-kick just outside the box in the 24th minute. Perisic hit just over the crossbar.

Vlasic took the France midfield in a quick counter-attack that found Barisic in the box, though Croatia was unable to capitalize. They certainly picked their momentum. 

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia spent the better part of the next ten minutes in France's half. Perisic and Petkovic called for a handball in the box in the 35th minute after a brilliant play by Vlasic and Pasalic, but the ref let them play on.

Petkovic capitalized on a Mendy mistake in the 42nd minute and proceeded to get fouled again outside of the box, though there was no whistle to be heard. 

A header from a France free-kick in the 44th minute made it close to being 0:2 but the match ended 0:1 at the half.  

The second half began with some changes by Dalic. Kovacic and Brekalo were subbed on for Badelj and Pasalic.

Within the first two minutes, Perisic had a great attack on goal, though no one was in the box in time to receive his cross. Nikola Vlasic hit a rocket in the 52nd minute which just missed the goal. 

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia was aggressive at the start of the second half and gave France little chance of moving their attacking game. Modric and Petkovic worked their way into the box often but the France defense held their backline. 

Petkovic came out for Ante Budimir in the 60th minute.

After continued pressing from Croatia, it finally happened. Split wunderkind Nikola Vlasic did it again and scored the equalizer for 1:1 in the 64th minute! 

The Croatia crowd found new energy to cheer and chant in the minutes that followed, which gave Croatia the strength to carry on. 

France was awarded a corner that shouldn't have been which resulted in a crowd in front of Croatia's goal and quick reaction from the defense to clear the ball. Croatia was lucky France didn't retake the lead. 

Bradaric came on for Perisic in the 78th minute.

Unfortunately, a long ball from Pogba found Mbappe who caught the Croatian defense off guard to score for 1:2 in the 79th minute. Dalic subbed Kramaric on for Vlasic one minute later. 

Brekalo hit a rocket from just outside the box in the 85th minute which gave Lloris a tough time to save. Croatia was not giving up hope. 

Modric found Kramaric for a chance in the 89th minute which Lloris saved again. More chances for Croatia in the final minutes of added time also proved unsuccessful. The match ended 1:2 for France.

Slobodan Kadic

Croatia's Nations League campaign continues next month against Sweden away and Portugal at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

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October 14, 2020 – Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met with Mate Rimac, founder and CEO of Rimac Automobili company. At the meeting, the potential of the electric vehicles industry in Croatia was discussed.

As stated in the announcement of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the investments planned by Rimac Automobili have a broader context for the development of local and national transport, as well as educational and research and development infrastructure.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković expressed his support for the development initiatives and investments of the company Rimac Automobili and announced institutional support to all investors who develop and apply the latest technologies in Croatia.

They also discussed projects that could be included in the list of projects for funding from upcoming assistance programs, including the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund and the new EU Multiannual Financial Framework.

Mate Rimac also presented the planned construction of the Campus, which will include the company's headquarters, modern research and development facilities, a smart factory of high-tech components and electric cars, and additional accompanying facilities. The investment in the Campus project will enable the realization of an increasing number of projects that the company is engaged in, as well as the serial production, and it is planned to create a total of 2,300 workplaces for highly educated professionals.

Furthermore, the company plans to build a Center for Testing Technology and Components for Electric Vehicles, which is necessary to meet the growing demand for the company's services and expand services to test battery systems, propulsion systems, and environmental friendliness of such systems.

Along with Plenković and Rimac, the Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Tomislav Ćorić, Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property Darko Horvat, and Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Tramišak were also present at the meeting.

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ZAGREB, Oct 14, 2020 - Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman said in Kidricevo, Slovenia on Wednesday that the construction of the Cirkovce-Pince transmission line would encourage the further development of the electricity market, thereby helping the EU's economic recovery.

Grlic Radman, Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa and Hungarian PM Viktor Orban attended the laying of the cornerstone for the transmission line which will connect the three countries' power systems.

"Strengthening infrastructure links in central Europe is beyond question, notably between Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia, three neighboring, friendly states," said Grlic Radman.

The Cirkovce-Pince project includes the construction of an 80-kilometer-long 400 kV transmission line and it should be completed in 2022.

The construction of this transmission line "will facilitate better integration of the electricity market, ensuring supply and access to those markets in this part of Europe and encouraging the further development of that market," said Grlic Radman.

Besides cooperation at the political level, he welcomed "the excellent cooperation at an economic level" between the relevant companies, including Croatia's Dalekovod. 

He said the energy sector would be highly important for the EU's economic development, adding that Croatia "will focus even more on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, energy storage and the completion of key infrastructure projects."

One of those projects is an LNG terminal off Krk island which should be put in operation next year. Grlic Radman also underlined the Three Seas Initiative.

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ZAGREB, Oct 14, 2020 - Sixteen small border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina that have been closed since April in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus will be reopened on Thursday, Bosnia and Herzegovina's border police said on Wednesday.

After an agreement was reached between the two countries, small border crossings will be reopened to facilitate crossings for children who attend schools in Croatia and business and agricultural activities in cross-border regions.

"Border crossings will be opened to traffic as of 15 October 2020. Crossing the border will be conducted in accordance with the agreement and valid legislative regulations," Bosnia's border police informed.

Residents in the area around Tomislavgrad, Capljina and Ljubuski have protested on several occasions over the past month and called for small border crossings to be reopened so that their children attending schools in Croatia can cross the border more easily.

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ZAGREB, Oct 14, 2020 - Labour and Pension System Minister Josip Aladrovic said on Wednesday that the government, together with restaurant and bar owners, employers and trade unions, was expected to redesign job-keeping measures by Friday, after which they would be activated next week.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a government session, Aladrovic said that the government would do what was necessary to help retain jobs.

He said that there were currently no mass-scale layoffs due to the coronavirus crisis in relation to the most critical months of the pandemic, which he said was a good indicator.

However, the government must act considering the epidemiological and economic situation that changes quickly, he noted.

The reason for redefining government measures is that in past months, the revenue of restaurant and bar owners had improved and some of them did not have to use government aid, said Aladrovic.

"We have been in touch with employers and trade unions on a daily basis. If different measures prove possible, to enhance the possibility to prevent layoffs, we will adopt them," he said.

Asked whether he believed, in the context of Monday's shooting in St. Mark's Square, that young person in Croatia were neglected, Aladrovic said he could not agree with that impression.

"... as regards youth employment policies, in the last term we reduced the youth unemployment rate from 50 to 18%," he said, adding, in response to a reporter's question, that he did not know the exact amount of the average wage of a young person but that a general wage increase had been recorded and that it must have had an effect on young people's wages.

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ZAGREB, Oct 14, 2020  - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday that Monday's Zagreb Square shooting, when a 22-year-old man opened fire at policemen protecting Government House, hinted at radicalization, which should make institutions and the society think about the motives and reasons for that act.

"This is a serious situation that should make institutions and all of us as a society think why this happened," Plenkovic told a news conference at the government in reference to Monday morning's shooting in St Mark's Square when a police officer sustained serious injuries and the 22-year-old gunman later committed suicide.

This is something that crossed the line and brought us into a situation in which we are supposed to change the security frameworks for the work of the government and media coverage in St. Mark's Square, said the premier.

The whole society needs to ask itself what has led to this radicalization and why, and this is an act of radicalization, Plenkovic said.

The behavior of that 22-year-old man was definitely impacted by the information to which he was exposed, and he was also under the influence of somebody, sources which prompted him to try to kill (policemen). We will see who is responsible for that, Plenkovic said.

He underscored that at this moment he could not point an accusing finger at anyone. However, he said, society should ask who incites hatred in the political life of Croatia.

Even after this shooting, "persons like (Vukovar Mayor) Ivan Penava and Mrs. Karolina Vidovic Kristo (a Homeland Movement parliamentarian) are capable of making statements which deserve full condemnation, which are unacceptable, and unbelievable in the political sense, and which do not contribute to the culture of tolerance and normal behavior in a law-based society," Plenkovic said.

He called on media actors that incite hatred to start behaving responsibly, referring to "those that incite hatred between Croatians and the Serb minority in their broadcasts."

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