ZAGREB, September 8, 2020 - Over the past 24 hours, 204 new coronavirus cases have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID response team said on Tuesday.

The number of active cases today stands at 2,529, as against 2,614 on Monday.

Currently, 303 COVID patients are being treated in hospitals, including 23 placed on ventilators.

Two patients succumbed to the infection with this novel virus, and Croatia's COVID-related death toll is now 203.

Since February 25, when the first case was registered in Croatia, 12,285 persons have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 9,553 have recovered to date.

Currently 8,608 persons are self-isolating. To date 196,966 tests have been conducted, including 3,813 in the past 24 hours.

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ZAGREB, September 8, 2020 - The Croatian Employment Service (HZZ) has stated that businesses hit hard by the corona crisis can apply for job-keeping grants for September in the period from 15 September to 15 October.

The job retention scheme will be in place until the end of this year, according to a press release issued after the HZZ steering board's meeting on Monday afternoon.

As for businesses that are particularly at risk, support in the amount of HRK 4,000 per employee per month will continue until December 31.

This refers to the transport of passengers, hospitality, travel agencies and recreation-related businesses, as well as cultural, business and sports events, if their drop in revenues exceeds 60%.

The aid in the amount of HRK 4,000 per employee will also be given to businesses and activities which will have to be closed down in line with decisions by local or national COVID-19 response teams, according to the announcement made by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic last week.

Micro businesses that employ up to 10 workers and have a revenue drop for a claim period of at least 50% are entitled to the monthly job retention grant of 2,000 kuna per worker.

This scheme and similar measures for furloughed workers will cost by the end of the year around HRK 800 million and will be financed from the state budget, but some of the funding will be obtained from EU funds, both from the current financial perspective and from future loans to be granted under the SURE programme, as well as from future programmes such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Plenkovic also announced that COVID-19 loans would continue to be issued through the HAMAG-BICRO agency and the Croatian Reconstruction and Development Bank.

(€ 1 = HRK 7.5)

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September 8, 2020 - The demand for a quality and reliable fitness tracking app is real and trending. FitTrakker is a revolutionary new app, which answered the call.

Experts in fitness and exercise science agree that having access to a fitness tracker can be an important resource when it comes to following a fitness program and getting optimal performance results. However, not all devices or apps on the market today are top-tier choices. The exciting news is the fitness tracking industry is changing for the better. ZoneMaster Inc. launched their company’s new release FitTrakker, an app on the App Store last weekend. FitTrakker is integrated with Apple’s Health Kit and has already earned the title “The Best Fitness Tracking App in the World.” It delivers a wide range of features and benefits unmatched by its competitors. With a free 30-day trial, users can see a big difference first-hand. FitTrakker has been well noticed in the first few days, and it was ranked at a fantastic #60 on the App Store under Health & Fitness Apps on the second day. 

“Only you are your body master! That’s why we created the FitTrakker!,” one of the FitTrakker team’s motoes, reflects their principle of individualized personal fitness and training parameters. Their initial idea was to invent a reliable tool to determine individual physiology zones and provide accurate information to users. Architects of the app are internationally recognized professionals in their respective fields: Miro Zeravica, CEO, Milica Okicic, MD, VP of Research & Development, and Srecko Mavrek, VP of Marketing & Business Development. “We look forward to hear impressions about our app. We believe that users and especially fitness enthusiasts will love it. Now is a critical time to take care of physical health, which greatly contributes to overall health and strengthening immune system that can help fight off infections and viruses such as COVID-19,” they said.

Currently, there is no other app that customizes training and monitors workload per individual based on specific individual data such as their physiology zones. This is combined with the details of their personalized profile and several training parameters including training start time, medium, conditions, and medium temperature. A powerful Energymeter gives accurate details on calories burned through exercise, something that can be a huge benefit when it comes to planning an effective weight loss or dieting program. Charts covering energy and training details are easily accessed, along with powerful GPS/HR features and stunning graphics. With all its features and benefits, FitTrakker is the most advanced fitness app on the App Store today.

Finally live ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️- "Simply the Best Fitness Tracking App in the World" https://t.co/l0WmqEcWsThttps://t.co/SiXdHvwPjt#FitTrakker #fitness #workout #gym #fit #healthylifestyle #health #exercise #sports #runners #running #marathon #marathontraining #walking #jogging pic.twitter.com/rCqDW7BgLM

— Srecko Mavrek (@MavrekNY) September 6, 2020

For more information and to download the new app be sure to visit www.fittrakker.com. You can download it at https://apps.apple.com/hr/app/fittrakker/id1525447726 

Media Contact

Srecko Mavrek 

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September 8, 2020 - The second Poduzetnik Mindset (Entrepreneurial Mindset) conference takes place online on September 10. Continuing our look at the speakers, meet Ana Hanzekovic from Hanza Media.  

With just two days to go until Poduzetnicki Mindset (Entrepreneurial Mindset) 2020, our focus on the strong line-up of speakers continues with Ana Hanzekovic, board member of Hanza Media, whose numerous media titles include Jutarnji List and Slobodna Dalmacija. 

1. It is great to see leading Croatian media supporting this conference. Tell us first how you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and are you seeing changes?

We all know that in the important rankings such as the World Bank’s Doing Business and World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Index Croatia lags behind its neighbors and most former Eastern Block countries. The general public usually does not view these rankings as anything more than a billboard chart, but for us who have to operate a company they are an illustration of real-life problems. We have the responsibility of developing a successful business in order to provide salaries, maintain employment and pay taxes in an environment that more often produces obstacles to business than it stimulates its growth.

2. Why is the entrepreneurial mindset so important in Croatia, and how can we improve it?

Entrepreneurship is the engine of growth and job creation, it develops and generates new values in and for the whole community. We have positive examples of similar countries registering much higher growth rates by unleashing their entrepreneurial potential. We also have action plans from the EU focused on creating new businesses and a more supportive environment for existing ones. And also EU money earmarked for that. The COVID-19 crisis has provided us with a new opportunity to reset. And we as media have also a role to play in that.

3. Running Hanza Media is a huge challenge. Tell us about your own entrepreneurial mindset and the challenges of running such an influential media in these challenging times. 

It is a huge challenge for several reasons. We acquired Hanza Media in a pre-bankruptcy settlement process. It was a heavily indebted organization with structural problems. We have restructured it, paid-off the debts, taking on a heavy personal financial burden. Besides that, before Hanza Media, I ran a pharmaceutical company. I knew how the business side works, but publishing is a rapidly changing environment, with an eroding legacy business model and a need to quickly adapt to new ones. It is a transformation that we had to go through in parallel to restructuring the company and servicing the debts. And finally, there is the question of the influence of our publications. At the beginning I was surprised at the number of reactions to our writing. And not only in Jutarnji list or Slobodna Dalmacija, but also in the lifestyle segments or in Sportske novosti. There is always someone thinking she or he should have been treated differently, but that is not the publishers job and I leave it to our editors.

4. Entrepreneurs have a different reputation in Croatia than in countries such as the UK or USA. Why is that, do you think?

In Croatia people who take personal risk to contribute to the wealth of the country are still often viewed with hostility, and it’s challenging, sometimes even hard, to work in that kind of environment. In every day we must have the knowledge and courage, the commitment to work and to have confidence in our team. This is how we in Hanza media use this crisis as an opportunity, by working together, creating new innovative solutions for both our clients and readers.

5. The process of digitalisation is slowly taking a hold in Croatia. What are your views on the process so far, and what needs to be done to accelerate this process?

It would be pretentious of me to offer recommendations on the processes of digitalisation and digital transformation in general. But as a publisher I have given a clear guidance to all in the company: we are a digital publishing company. We are reaching our audiences mainly through digital channels and we are using digital tools to manage our audiences. And we employ more and more people with new skills in order to carry on our transformation.

6. There has been much talk in the media about the introduction of a digital nomad visa for Croatia. What are your views on this, and how much could it benefit the Croatian economy? 

I think that visa models that enable the exchange of knowledge and increase mobility can attract top individuals, talents, gain new values and growth possibilities.

7. How important are conferences such as Poduzetnicki Mindset, and what are you hoping to get from the conference?

I welcome every opportunity to expand our knowledge, exchange experiences, support each other or get new ideas and inspire ourselves. We live in a time when it is important to keep faith in our own values and opportunities. In a crisis, we discover our possibilities, connect, meet leaders and managers who have the same problems, and share experiences.  

Read also interviews with Ognjen Bagatin of Bagatin Clinic and Jan de Jong of Webpower Adria.

To learn more about the virtual Poduzetnik Mindset 2020 conference on September 10 - and to register - visit the official website. 

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes on the 7th of September, 2020, among the countries that have assessed that they don't need to maintain a jet air force are Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and others. But what of the seemingly endless saga surrounding Croatia's fighter jet purchase?

Although only ten days ago it seemed that Croatia had officially given up on the fighter jet purchase, it has become a top political and media topic over recent days yet again. Namely, after the failure of the deal to procure the somewhat infamous F-16 Barak from Israel earlier this year, the plan was to select the best bidder in May, and then sign a contract with the best bidder until the planned parliamentary elections in late autumn, at least in theory. However, the coronavirus crisis and the consequent economic issues which are still developing initially extinguished such plans, and in April, due to the intervention budget revision, the Government announced that it was giving up on continuing the VBA procurement process ''for now''.

The situation with the fighter jet purchase and the saga which goes with it hasn't disappeared entirely, especially not after former and current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic took an unexpectedly high victory in the early parliamentary elections. The position of Minister of Defense was taken up by the relatively unknown Mario Banozic, instead of retired General Damir Krsticevic, who went into political isolation. Namely, in his inaugural speech at the end of July, Banozic pointed out that he expects that by the end of the mandate of this government, ie in mid-2024, a decision will be made on the best fighter aircraft bidder.

An agreement has already been signed with neighbouring Hungary, which protects the Croatian skies at night with its Gripen, because Croatia's MiG-21s allegedly cannot fly at night. In the event that Croatia can no longer have this performed, this more or less formal task at the request of NATO, the Hungarians, and perhaps some other allies, primarily the Italians, would take over the daily surveillance of Croatian airspace.

This principle of Allied assistance for air policing, free of charge based on the principle of solidarity, is applied by about 10 smaller, not necessarily poorer, NATO members who have assessed that it is too expensive or unnecessary for them to maintain a jet air force - Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

In August, news arrived that the National Assembly in France was discussing aid to its military industry Dassault and where, among other things, it was mentioned that France would deliver a number of its used Rafale fighters to Croatia. The news was received globally with astonishment because the French hadn't sold a used Rafale to anyone so far, and the aircraft has been operational since back in 2000. The fact that France is serious about the expansion of its faltering aviation industry was shown last week when, due to the latest Greek-Turkish crisis, an offer came from Paris to deliver 18 Rafales, 10 of them newly produced, as well as eight used ones would come as a donation. Knowing about the pro-European orientation and ambitions of Croatian Prime Minister Plenkovic, to many this option with the French didn't seem like mission impossible at all.

An unimaginable investment

However, last week, the Croatian public was further agitated by the news that an unknown American company had offered Croatia used American F-16s at a "reasonable" price of about 10 million dollars per piece and the possibility of an advanced upgrade, for which they allegedly have all US government approvals.

These are relatively old 1990s Block 20 aircraft that were certainly made for Taiwan, 150 of them, because no one else used the Block 20, but which are supposedly in solid condition and could be upgraded to the Block 50 standard. / 52. The offer provides the possibility of purchasing 12 to 30 aircraft. It isn't entirely clear whether this offer really arrived in such a form, but the fact that things are indeed happening here has been confirmed by the nervous appearance of Minister Banozic, who didn't deny the news but attacked its source, the Obris portal and its owner Igor Tabak, whom he described as " a self-proclaimed military analyst'', among other things.

In addition to the above, Vecernji list failed to get specific information from the US Embassy in Zagreb on the topic of the fighter jet purchase. It is certain that something serious is being prepared in regard to the aircraft and it is possible that sme decisions may have already been made, although they have of course not publicly disclosed. In true Croatian fashion, we have once again come full circle and returned more or less back to the very beginning of the fighter jet purchase saga which seems to just keep getting more and more chapters to it.

Just who will pay for all of it and with what money in a situation like this? Croatia is preparing for a major or minor economic collapse that will mean a 15-20 percent drop in GDP per quarter, tens and maybe hundreds of thousands of laid off workers, a health care system that is bursting at the seams because of the pandemic and debts measured in billions of kuna, not to mention the earthquake which has forced many Zagreb residents to live in demolished or dilapidated apartments waiting for help and reconstruction.

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September 8, 2020 - The European Commission has announced the finalists of the European Natura 2000 Award for 2020.

The Natura 2000 network is formed of 27,800 sites and ensures the survival of Europe's invaluable and threatened species and habitats. The Natura 2000 Award thus rewards excellence in the management of these sites and highlights the value of the network for local economies. 

Among the 27 finalists this year are two projects with Croatian partners, which will compete in five categories.

Namely, LENA - Local Economy and Nature Conservation in the Danube region, received 295 votes to become a finalist. 

"WWF Bulgaria, in partnership with 12 other organisations, led this initiative aimed at addressing the economic difficulties and depopulation linked to unemployment in the lower reaches of the Danube region as part of the Interreg project LENA.

The overall objective was to find ways of creating new nature-based business initiatives and to share know-how and experience on sustainable economic development in 15 Natura 2000 sites in six EU countries and one neighbouring country: Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia. Over 1 100 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were involved in the initiative. Wild plant collectors, fishermen and farmers were trained and given assistance in adding value to their businesses.

A refrigeration showcase was purchased to support the local trade in fresh products in Bulgaria. 169 participants engaged in capacity-building workshops on sustainable wild plant collection in four countries according to the FairWild certification. Links between harvesters, traders and processors were established and a business plan for a wild plant purchasing point was made in Ivanovo, Bulgaria.

Certificates for products from three protected areas were introduced (for Slavonian pigs in the Dunav-Vukovar Natura 2000 Site in Croatia, non-GMO products in future Natura 2000 sites in Serbia, and local agricultural products in the Comana Natura 2000 site, Romania). 225 local and national authorities were involved in policy workshops, and four guidance documents and recommendations for better policy support of green jobs were distributed to stakeholders. Around 280 000 tourists and locals from Natura 2000 sites were made aware of the importance of the sites and nature-based jobs.

Sustainable forms of tourism, such as rural, cultural and culinary tourism, were supported through the establishment of a network of Danube guides represented by each country (Germany, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria). Currently, the network has 100 trained guides in six countries, a protected logo and a website (https://danube-guides.net/). Building on the success of the project, an additional network has been launched on E-mobility– with E-stations, E-bikes and E-managers. A policy framework for green jobs was also supported," reads the description on the EU Natura 2000 website.

ECO KARST - For Nature and For People, received 566 votes.

"Led by the Slovenia Forest Service in partnership with 11 organisations from nine countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina), the Interreg-funded ECO KARST project aimed to address one of the main challenges in nature conservation, namely bridging the gap between the needs of biodiversity preservation and the improvement of the livelihoods of local populations.

To do this, the project brought together seven protected areas – so-called karst bio-regions - from across the Danube Region to find ways of generating and supporting new socio-economic opportunities that are in keeping with the extremely fragile karstic Natura 2000 habitats (e.g., intermittent lakes, beech forests, wet and dry meadows) and that are based on their valued ecosystem services.

The first step was to map all the ecosystem services generated by the karst habitats in these seven Natura 2000 sites. 57 maps (eight per pilot area) were produced in total and then analysed, in close collaboration with local stakeholders, to identify areas that could become Biodiversity Investment Opportunities (BIO). The 23 BIO maps were used in turn to prepare Local Action Plans, in which each protected area aimed to combine the necessary conservation guidelines with the potential for local, sustainable, and nature-friendly economic development.

These Action Plans have since been integrated into official park management plans and other relevant documents in each of the parks, to ensure that locals and nature are brought closer together and where possible are mutually supportive. The Action Plans include some 146 new measures (21 per protected area) that are of common interest to both park authorities and local stakeholders, with shared responsibilities.

The project also sought to actively encourage new socio-economic activities in the sites and therefore launched a call for Pro-Biodiversity Businesses (PBBs). In total, 70 entrepreneurs responded to the PBB award calls, and 23 were awarded support. These are businesses that create profits, without harming nature or even by actively conserving it. PBBs represent a concrete and viable option for achieving sustainable development within European protected areas and the entire Natura 2000 network.

Together, the Action Plans and PBBs have been a vital step in bridging the gap between the needs of biodiversity preservation and the improvement of the livelihoods of local populations," says EU Natura 2000 on its website.

You can read more about the Natura 2000 finalists HERE.

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September 8, 2020 - The Istria County Tourist Board director Denis Ivosevic said that there are mostly German tourists in Istria, and revealed what needs to happen to save the season. 

Glas Istre reports that sixty-seven thousand guests stayed in Istria during the first weekend of September, most of them Germans - 40 thousand of them - which, according to the director of the Istrian Tourist Board, Denis Ivosevic, is quite expected considering that Germany is the only country in the region that did not put Istria on the red list of epidemiologically uncertain areas.

The Istrian police said that from Friday to Sunday at 12 pm, 33,536 passengers entered, and 35,678 passengers exited Croatia through the three largest road border crossings in Istria - Kaštela, Plovanija, and Požana. Foreign citizens account for 80 percent, and among them, Ivosevic confirms, most are Germans.

There are guests from other countries, which, under normal circumstances, represent a larger part of tourist traffic, such as Austria and Slovenia, but much less, says Ivosevic. Altogether, last weekend, he reveals, there were one hundred thousand fewer guests than at the same time last year. As before, due to epidemiological recommendations, tourists mostly opted for overnight stays in camps and private accommodation.

"The main part of the season is over. Now we are left with the hope that Slovenia could regionally select us as a safe area. That way, we would save the coming weekends," says Ivosevic about saving September and what's left of the tourist season.

Asked if the Istria County Tourism Commission, an expert and advisory body established in April to help coordinate activities to save the tourist season, has a plan and program for the postseason, Ivosevic said that the Commission acted when the repertoire was a different topic. Now, he says, the situation is a completely new story.

The main part of the season, the peak in August, is over. Ivosevic confirmed that they recorded more than good results.

"I look at the results of August from two different aspects. The first is the positive one, and that is that despite all the predictions about the weak season, we still managed to achieve more than a good result. Tourism peaked in the first half of August, and that’s great. Unfortunately, this is followed by the second, negative aspect. It refers to the fact that we managed to score an own goal and miss the opportunity to become true champions of this year's tourism by the end of August and September," says Ivosevic and continues:

"Instead, we ended up on the red list in many countries, which is very bad for the reputation and the end of the year, and can be a serious handicap in promoting the destination for next season," said the director of the regional tourist board after August.

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September 8, 2020 - Zlatko Dalic and Ivan Perisic addressed the press ahead of the Nations League rematch against France on Tuesday evening in Paris.

Ivan Perisic has fond memories of the Stade de France. Perisic played for the first time for the Croatia A national team at Saint-Denis on March 29, 2011, in a friendly match that ended without goals in front of seventy thousand spectators. Tonight, he and the Vatreni will replay the World Cup final in Russia, unfortunately without spectators. The Nations League meeting between France and Croatia begins at 8:45 pm.

Slobodan Kadic

"When you play for Croatia, it doesn't matter who is on the other side, this match is special because it is the first against France after the Moscow final during which we dominated in the first half, but we, unfortunately, received two goals. We tried to change things in the second half, but it didn’t work. There is no rematch; this is a new game for me. There are a lot of new players on both sides, France will play in the new system, so this is a completely different story. I hope that we will be ready; we have to give our best," says Ivan, who is just getting in the right shape after a hard but successful season and a few days off until the start of new obligations.

"After the Champions League final, I only had seven days off, in general, neither of us is one hundred percent, but that should not be a reason not to get something positive out of these two games. We didn't get into the game against Portugal well; we didn't stand well on the pitch, there wasn't enough aggression, we didn't even try to play, which is one of our best traits, we just kicked the ball… There are many things we need to fix and do better because it won't end well if we continue like that. We spoke, we know where we went wrong, tomorrow is a new day, a new game, and we will get something positive. Not even France is one hundred percent, because most of the players, almost no one has played games. However, we have to give the maximum be it 45, 60, or 90 minutes. We are playing for Croatia against the World Cup finalists, every game must be like the last one for us," points out Ivan and points out the strength of the next opponent.

Slobodan Kadic

"France is a football force and, regardless of the character of the match, they have a player staff of about forty or fifty top players. Simply, whoever they put you don't know where the greater danger will come from, and they also have a great coach, and we will really have to be at a high level if we want to get a positive result."

Coach Zlatko Dalic spoke in selected words about Perisic's contribution to Croatia's game.

"Ivan is one of our most important players, the holder of the game, this year he had a great season with Bayern, which he crowned by winning the Champions League. When there are not a few main players, Modric, Rakitic, and Vrsaljko, he is the one who, as captain, will be the main one on the pitch on our side. He said that he is not very well prepared, which is normal considering that he recently played in the Champions League final. Still, I expect him to be the team leader, get a new impetus with him, and raise the level of our game compared to the game against Portugal," says Zlatko Dalic, who is aware of the fact that the team failed in Porto.

Slobodan Kadic

"We suffered a very difficult and painful defeat that we absolutely deserved. There were many bad things, it was not a game at the level of the Croatia national team, but we must understand that it is the beginning of the season, that there are a lot of new players in the national team. After all, our goal is the European Championship; we have to make a selection of players through these matches and try to find what is best. This is not the same team that played in the World Cup in Russia, which is normal; we had to make a slight change of generations. I repeat, we were not good in Porto. The players' physical condition is not at the level; there was not enough energy and aggression, we simply overslept in the game. We will make some team changes because some players who played first cannot run in another strong game in three days. We will have to change the way we play and approach; we have to be much more responsible; there has to be a lot more discipline in our game. Anyway, I expect a better match than in Portugal. I have tremendous respect for the French world champions who have great players. We have to set ourselves up much better, helping each other in the defense phase. Against Portugal, we lacked that compactness and homogeneity; we were not together; we were not close; there was no support. We stayed in situations where the opponent had a surplus; it looked like Portugal was playing with 15, and we with 10 players. Even harder work awaits us against France."

Of course, everyone misses the fans.

"We all miss the fans, and football doesn't make sense without them. We are all handicapped, but, given the overall situation, we need to adapt to the new measures. It is not easy for us; football is played because of the fans. I hope they will return to the stands soon," concluded Dalic.

Source: HNS

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