Food Expensive Also Due to High Trade Margins
ZAGREB, 28 Jan 2022 - Food prices in Croatia in December 2021 continued their growth that had started in July, and year-on-year they were as much as 8.1% higher, while the inflation rate was 5.5%, the highest since October 2008, when it stood at 5.9%, Večernji List says, noting that food is also expensive due to high trade margins.
At the EU level, the price of food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco was only 3.2% higher in December and inflation was 5%, which some analysts justify with a slower first wave of price growth in Croatia while in the wealthier countries, they say, prices grew at a faster rate initially.
Prices started soaring in Croatia only in the past few months, and for some products, such as cooking oil, they went up by more than 20%, which is now also happening in other EU markets with lower living standards such as the Czech Republic and Hungary, the daily says.
Croatia has never been a cheap country, notably when it comes to food, telecommunications services, various technical goods and the like, and this can also be attributed to high trade margins, says the daily.
Tax expert Vlado Brkanić has calculated that since 2010 four retail chains in Croatia have almost doubled their trade margins. In 2010 most trade margins were around 17% and in 2015 they were above 30%.
Some sector stakeholders say that high trade margins are also due to high logistic costs considering the high seasonality of some Croatian regions during several months of the tourism season. However, Martin Evačić, CEO of the NTL retail chain, who heads the retail sector of the Croatian Employers Association, claims the average trade margin in the EU is above 32% while in Croatia it is below 25%.
As for food prices, Evačić says that they are still not following producer prices that are changing on a daily basis, noting that he expects state assistance in that regard, whether through VAT reduction or abolishment, freezing prices of basic foodstuffs or vouchers, which is what some poorer EU countries are already doing, says the daily.
For more, check out our politics section.
Croatian President Ends Up on Ukrainian Online Blacklist
ZAGREB, 28 Jan 2022 - Spies, priests, prosecutors and journalists; the innocent and the guilty alike are denounced as pro-Russian collaborators on Ukraine's online blacklist.
"Some of those on the 'Myrotvorets' database may have been involved in acts of propaganda or heinous war crimes in the country's east, but others have done nothing more than offend political or popular sensitivity, or simply use the 'wrong' vernacular'," the London-based The Times reports.
"It matters not: one and all are judged by a hidden panel, accused of 'deliberate acts against the national security of Ukraine' and have their personal data published alongside their supposed crimes for all to see."
"As the threat of Russian invasion mounts, antagonising political schisms and stoking invective within Ukraine, neither rank nor reputation exempts individuals from accusation by Myrotvorets," the Ukrainian nationalist website, says The Times.
(Screenshot)
The newspaper published its article on the Ukrainian name-and-shame list two days before Croatian President Zoran Milanović ended up on it.
He is accused of humanitarian aggression against Ukraine, of aiding the Russian aggression, disseminating Russian propaganda and supporting and justifying the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Milanović ended up on the list for saying that Croatia will not in any way get involved in the Ukraine crisis in case of its escalation and that it will not deploy its troops there.
He has also said that Ukraine does not belong in NATO and that the European Union triggered a coup d'etat in Ukraine in 2014 when the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday summoned Croatian Ambassador Anica Džamić to protest against Milanović's statements, which, conversely, were applauded in Russia.
Milanović's inclusion on the Myrotvorets database blacklist was confirmed also by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexei Zaitsev at a regular press conference on Thursday.
The list contains as many as 187,000 names, including not only war criminals and Russian FSB secret service agents but also Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters, who three years ago said Russia had more rights to Crimea than Ukraine.
Belarusian writer, Nobel Prize winner and Kremlin critic Svetlana Alexievich has ended up on the list just for mentioning that some ethnic Ukrainians helped Nazis in the persecution of Jews.
The list also includes 500 Ukrainian civil servants, ethnic Hungarians, who have obtained Hungarian passports. The reason - Ukraine prohibits dual citizenship, and Myrotvorets considers such an act of treason.
The database was established in 2014 after a meeting of Ukrainian politician George Tuka and a former member of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), known only by his pseudonym Roman Zaitsev, The Times says.
Tuka told The Times that former police officers, former soldiers and some political figures continued to have pro-Russian views and that lack of an official database with their names was the reason why Myrotvorets was created.
Several people were killed after their names and addresses ended up on the database. Tuka claims there is no connection between that and the database but notes that those were enemies of Ukraine and that he does not miss them.
The list also includes data on around 4,500 Western, Ukrainian and Russian reporters who had accreditations of the separatist authorities of Donbas, which was a condition for them to work in the area controlled by pro-Russian forces. Many of them later received threats.
The list is very dangerous and should be removed immediately. The tension is already high and it only adds fuel to the fire, former Human Rights Watch official in Ukraine Yulia Gorbunova said.
The removal of the list has been requested a number of times by the UN, G7 and EU ambassadors and human rights groups, but to no avail.
For more, check out our politics section.
How Safe Is Croatia For a Solo Female Traveller?
January 28, 2022 - As COVID restrictions get lifted and things are slowly getting back to normal, the excitement of travel is returning for many. But how safe is Croatia for a solo female traveller?
Of course, this still means travel plans will involve precautions such as testing. And for women, in particular, there is always the factor of safety to consider - especially for women who travel alone, or in a small group with other women. Given the statistics of women’s safety being taken advantage of on holidays abroad, this is enough reason for many women to be hesitant or fully set back off the idea of travelling. But they shouldn’t have to miss out on travel, especially not after these challenging past couple of years, from which we could all use an exciting holiday abroad as a celebration of near-normalcy.
However, for any solo female traveller planning to visit Croatia, you’ll be happy to know it is the perfect destination regarding both safety and attractions. Aside from its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and economic value for travel, Croatia consistently features high on global rankings for being one of the safest countries in the world. Last year, it was ranked the 2nd country in Europe for people feeling safe walking the streets at night alone. And having lived in Croatia for most of my life, I can say from personal experience that I’ve never felt as safe on a night out anywhere else as I have there. Especially as a young woman currently based in London, UK. With the rising issue of misogynistic crimes, particularly on the streets and on the nightlife scene happening here, there are definitely times when I miss how carefree I got to be in Zagreb or Hvar. And Croatia is home to beautiful scenery, historic and cultural monuments, including the set of Game of Thrones, and nightlife including music festivals such as Ultra and INMusic. The 2022 summer season should see many flying over to Croatia to experience these places and events, and it is important that everyone should not only enjoy themselves but not at the cost of their health or personal safety.
If you travel to Croatia, you’ll generally be in safe conditions, whether you choose to go to the Dalmatian coast or the capital Zagreb. I would advise any tourist to be wary of pickpockets or scammers, as these tend to be a common issue during tourist season. Otherwise, if you’re travelling on the coast, you can enjoy long hikes, trips to the beach, or a late-night roaming the streets without fear. In old towns like Split and Dubrovnik, however, be careful not to get lost in narrow streets and alleyways, which are not always well-lit. But in a country known for its low violent crime rates, you shouldn’t be too paranoid about having to walk a few dark streets.
A thing to know about Croatian culture is the value placed on helping others, especially in a vulnerable position (for instance, if the person has had a lot to drink). It’s a small country, so you get more of a sense of community you wouldn’t get in countries such as the UK or the US. And Croatian people are known for being friendly and hospitable and welcoming towards any tourist.
Uber drivers are reliable and not as likely to take advantage of passengers as in other countries, and public transport is safe. If visiting Zagreb, you’ll mainly be using the buses and trams to navigate the town, which are well-connected and not too expensive. Make the most of visiting the main square or upper town, one of the parks such as Jarun or Bundek, or the eclectic range of clubs and bars in Zagreb.
Especially the latter - Croatians enjoy a drink. Obviously, it should go without saying to drink responsibly. It’s always important to stay in control especially when in a foreign country. And of course, be careful not to fall victim to spiking. But in general, Zagreb nightlife isn’t met with many unsafe conditions. And, if your nights out tend to go into the early hours of the morning, the streets are usually quiet at that time, so you should have little to no worry about running into any danger. Speaking from many personal experiences, I have never experienced a night out in Zagreb in which neither my friends nor I felt truly threatened. We have always looked out for our safety, as a group of young people should when out and about, but were still able to enjoy ourselves and return home safe the next morning, whether it was by public transport, Uber, or walking home.
It’s totally fine to worry about safety wherever you travel, especially following a pandemic. As fun as it is to travel, it’s always important to have your wits about you and to be prepared for any situation. And speaking on behalf of women: shouldn’t we be entitled to enjoy ourselves on an exciting journey without having our personal safety at risk? Especially in Croatia, a must-visit destination with plenty to offer.
For more, check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Deputy Mayor Says Solution to High Corporate Gas Bills to Be Sought with State
ZAGREB, 28 Jan 2022 - Deputy Mayor Danijela Dolenec on Thursday evening commented on Economy Minister Tomislav Ćorić's accusing the City of Zagreb and Mayor Tomislav Tomašević of being responsible for markedly higher corporate gas bills in Zagreb, noting that a solution would have to be sought in cooperation with the state.
Ćorić said earlier in the day that Tomašević and his team were responsible for the markedly higher corporate gas bills in Zagreb, and not HDZ personnel, because they failed to procure it at better prices.
Tomašević said the former director of the City Gasworks' Supply division, Igor Pirija, who ran the division until last October, was responsible and that he was HDZ personnel, claiming that he did not buy gas at cheaper prices on time and that Zagreb businesses were in trouble because of him.
"The former management of the City Gasworks' Supply division made a number of bad business decisions that resulted in losses for that company and higher bills for corporate users. In the spring (of 2021) it signed contracts under which already then it sold gas at prices that were below market prices while buying it at variable prices. It created a huge risk and we see the consequences now," the deputy mayor said.
She put this in the context of the global energy crisis, saying that not only Zagreb but other local government units as well were having problems with gas prices and that a solution would have to be sought in cooperation with the state.
Talks are underway and the public will be informed of the results, she said.
Dolenec also noted that one should establish if the unfavourable contracts on gas prices were only bad business moves by the former management of the City Gasworks' Supply division or were harmful contracts for which one should be held criminally liable.
She also said that the city would cover the difference in the gas bill of the soup kitchen in Zagreb's Sveti Duh neighbourhood, which from the earlier monthly amount of HRK 6,000 has risen to 25,000.
"The St Anthony of Padua soup kitchen... provides around 400 meals a day. The city has financed soup kitchens since 2004, and in the budget for this year HRK 700,000 has been earmarked for soup kitchens," Dolenec said, noting that the city would make sure the operation of the soup kitchen was not jeopardised.
For more, check out our politics section.
Croatia Logs 65 COVID-19 Deaths, 15,629 New Infections
ZAGREB, 28 Jan 2022 - In the past 24 hours, 65 people have died as a consequence of the coronavirus infection and 15,629 new cases of infection have been identified in Croatia, the national COVID-19 response team said on Friday.
There are currently 66,751 active cases in the country, including 1,943 hospitalized COVID patients, of whom 187 are on ventilators.
A total of 43,268 people are self-isolating.
Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 4,195,015 people have been tested, including 19,161 in the past 24 hours.
By 27 January 2022, a total of 5,080,835 doses of a vaccine were administered, with 56.49% of the total population or 67.23% of the adult population having been vaccinated.
A total of 2,292,446 people have received at least one dose of a vaccine while 2,202,555 have been fully vaccinated, which is 64.75% of the adult population.
The death toll now stands at 13,690.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section and select your preferred language if it isn't English.
Typeqast and Valcon Group Merge, Plans to Grow to 500 Employees
January 28, 2022 - The software company Typeqast, which has been operating in Croatia since 2017 and employs about 200 people in offices in Split, Zagreb, and Osijek, has become part of the Dutch consulting company Valcon Group.
Antonija Bilić Arar of Netokracija reports that with this merger, the Dutch Valcon strengthens its technological expertise and business data and, through Typeqast, gains a company with extensive experience and knowledge in software development for Western European and American customers and enters the IT segment. Typeqast, on the other hand, is becoming part of a large consulting firm with more than 1,200 employees, offices in the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany offering clients business, organizational, technological, strategic, and analytical advice.
Typeqast is officially a Dutch software company, but one of the co-founders and directors of the Croatian company is Marko Barić from Split. From the first day, the company also operated from Croatia and, in five years, has grown into a respectable software company. Barić says the partnership with Valcon will give Typeqast additional strength and speed up the path to the next stage of development.
The partnership with Valcon is a great professional and personal success for him, Barić told Netokracija.
"For me, this is a big moment, as I am one of the co-founders of Typeqast; I have been with the company since day one and have lived with it for the last five years through the dynamic ups and downs of a fast-growing technology company."
Typeqast has been thinking for half a year about joining a more prominent partner that would open the door to new, even bigger clients, so Barić reveals why they chose Valcon:
"We have been in intensive negotiations with several potential partners. After several months of talks with Valcon, we decided to move into a shared future, as we had known each other from before. Namely, the Valcon Group is one of the existing clients of Typeqast, and together we develop low-code solutions.
And we must share the way we think about the direction in which we want to develop Typeqast. It was essential for us that the future partner be someone who deeply understands the issue of outsourcing IT services and has a no-nonsense mindset," said Barić.
Barić adds that they did not want to be "swallowed" by a significant corporate player who would become just one in a series of companies in the portfolio. That is why the desire to maintain autonomy around business and running a business was crucial to partner with Valcon. Therefore, he emphasizes that Valcon operates in Croatia in the same way and through the same offices as before. The only thing that will change is that it will grow even faster:
"I am proud that we have reached 200 employees and five offices in 3 countries relatively quickly, and with this partnership with Valcon, we have secured a bright future for the coming years. Our ambitions are very high, and we plan to exceed 500 people in our development offices over the next two to three years."
For more, check out our dedicated business section.
Petra Marčinko Books Australian Open Juniors Final!
January 28, 2022 - The current best junior tennis player in the world, 16-year-old Petra Marčinko from Zagreb, booked a spot in the Australian Open Juniors final after beating American Liv Hovde 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the semifinal.
On Saturday, Marčinko will fight for the title against 8th seed, 16-year-old Belgian Sofia Costoulas, who beat Australian Charlotte Kempenaers-Pocz 6-4, 6-1.
With the victory over 16-year-old American Hovde, Marčinko became the first Croatian tennis player to make it to the final of a junior Grand Slam tournament since Jana Fett was defeated in the Australian Open final in 2014. Tomorrow she can become the fourth Croatian to win the Australian Open Juniors singles competition, in which Mirjana Lučić (1997), Jelena Kostanić (1998), and Ana Konjuh (2013) have celebrated so far.
The semi-final duel had several plots, the first of which was created by the weather in Melbourne. Namely, after Marčinko managed to equalize at 3-3 in the first set, storm clouds loomed over Melbourne which brought the match to a close. As the players could not continue on court number 5, the match was moved to Margaret Court Arena.
In the beginning, Petra adjusted better to the indoor conditions, broke for 5-4, and served to win the first set.
In the second set, Hovde started better and took a 4-1 lead with a break advantage. However, Marčinko fought back and equalized with a series of three games. But when she served in the tenth game to stay in the set, Petra missed 40-15 and made two double faults. Hovde took advantage and carried the match to the third set.
In the beginning, Marčinko twice created an advantage by taking away the serve in the first and third games. However, in the seventh game, for the third time in the deciding set, she managed to break the opponent and took the 5-3 lead.
Petra ultimately served for a spot in the final and after a total of 102 minutes of play, nailed her first match point to qualify for her first Grand Slam final.
Source: HRT
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
27 Ryanair Zagreb Summer Routes Announced in 2022, 13 More than Last Year!
January 28, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as 27 Ryanair Zagreb summer routes will run this year, which is 13 more than in 2021.
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, announced the largest summer flight schedule in Zagreb to date, including 27 routes and more than 70 weekly flights to exciting European destinations such as London, Paris, Milan, Vienna, Frankfurt, and Dublin.
Namely, Putoholicari.hr reports that last summer, Ryanair opened its base with the first aircraft in Zagreb to support strong demand for flights to/from Croatia. This increased connectivity will support tourist arrivals and also provide international tourists and business travelers with plenty of travel choices to leading European markets like Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, and Austria.
While other airlines are reducing the number of routes, Ryanair is increasing capacity to a significant extent in Croatia. With an additional 13 lines compared to the 2021 summer season, including the recently announced for Bratislava, Corfu, and Lviv, travelers from Croatia now have 27 routes available for their next summer trip. This growth was driven by the delivery of 67 new so-called Gamechanger aircraft (which emit 40% less noise, 16% less fuel, and have 4% more seats available) before the start of the 2022 summer season.
A list of the flight destinations:
Baden - Baden
Basel
Bratislava
Brussels Charleroi
Corfu
Dortmund
Dublin
Eindhoven
Frankfurt - Hahn
Gothenburg
London Stansted
Lviv
Malaga
Malmo
Malta
Manchester
Memmingen
Milan - Bergamo
Naples
Paphos
Paris Beauvais
Podgorica
Rome Fiumicino
Sofia
Thessaloniki
Oslo - Torp
Dusseldorf - Weeze
*Note: 13 new lines during the summer of 2022 compared to the summer of 2021.
A statement was made by Lauda Europe CEO David O’Brien, on behalf of the Ryanair Group:
"We are pleased to announce our largest summer flight schedule ever in Zagreb, where Ryanair will operate more than 70 weekly flights to 27 destinations, giving incoming tourism a much-needed boost, and Croatian consumers the widest choice of great destinations, both for leisure and for business travel. Ryanair is investing in Croatia to help the tourism industry recover from the coronavirus pandemic and strengthen ties with the rest of Europe, while Ryanair itself continues to grow and air traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels.
To celebrate these 27 summer lines, we are launching a seat sale with ticket prices of just 152 kn (€19.99) for a one-way trip until the end of April 2022. Take advantage of promotional prices until Saturday, January 29, at midnight. As these incredibly low ticket prices will sell out quickly, we advise you to book your seat at www.ryanair.com today."
For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.
PHOTOS: Snowy Riversides and Magical Mountains of Croatia in January 2022
January 28, 2022 – The snowy riversides and magical mountains of Croatia in January 2022 show a spectacular and all-natural winter wonderland.
Snow finally stuck to the streets of central Zagreb for a couple of days this week. Early morning temperatures dropped to the lowest yet of this winter. Despite the chill, clear skies and sunshine days were enough to see the snow soon melt away.
But, far from the city, the snowy riversides and magical mountains of Croatia in January 2022 have kept their white blanket for longer. These all-natural landscapes look epic after the snowfall. For winter walkers and climbers – or even just lovers of photography – these images are way more spectacular than the bright lights and theatre of the Advent season.
Let's take a closer look at the winter wonderland of snowy riversides and magical mountains of Croatia in January 2022.
Gorski Kotar
Delnice, Lokve, Fužine, Stara Sušica, Ravna Gora
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
From above, Dvorac Stara Sušica © Vladimir Franolić
© Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
Jezero Bajer near Fužine © Marino Kirinčić
© Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
© Turistička zajednica Gorskog kotara
Another view of Dvorac Stara Sušica © Branko Lautar & Višnja Bolf
Risnjak National Park and Snježnik Hrvatski
© Risnjak National Park
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Snježnik hrvatski © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
For more about Risnjak National Park, look here
Velebit
Northern Velebit National Park
© Dejan Delač
© Dejan Delač
© Vedran Katalinić
For more about Northern Velebit National Park, look here
Velebit Nature Park
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Ljubičko Brdo © Ivan Ćuća-Žentil
Paklenica National Park
© Mario Jurina
Bojinac © Ivan Coric Photography
Bojinac © Ivan Coric Photography
For more about Paklenica National Park, look here
Kloštar Podravski, Podravina and Koprivnica-Križevci County
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
© Ivan Nemet
For more about the Drava river in Koprivnica-Križevci County look here. For more about the area of Podravina containing Kloštar Podravski and Đurđevac, look here
Slavonski Brod
© Mirna Šikić
The wetlands and ponds in Oriovac near Slavonski Brod are not only home to fish - over 50 species of birds visit these waters © Antun Lukšić
For more about Slavonski Brod, look here
Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park
The high peak of Sveti Gera, on the western edge of Žumberak-Samoborsko gorje Nature Park © Domagoj Novosel
The author would like to thank each of the photographers who kindly loaned their work to him for this article
Ivan Dodig and Kristina Mladenovic Win 2022 Australian Open Mixed Doubles Title
January 28, 2022 - Croatian tennis player Ivan Dodig and French partner Kristina Mladenovic won the 2022 Australian Open mixed doubles title on Friday, defeating the Australian side of Jaimee Fourlis - Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-4 after 77 minutes of play!
This is the sixth Grand Slam title for the 37-year-old from Medjugorje, the fourth in the mixed doubles competition, and the second in Melbourne Park, where he celebrated last year in men's doubles with partner Filip Polašek.
Dodig won the first three mixed doubles titles with Taiwanese partner Latisha Chan, with whom he was a two-time champion at Roland Garros (2018 and 2019) and once at Wimbledon (2019).
Mladenovic triumphed in mixed doubles for the third time and has five more Grand Slam trophies in women's doubles. She became the champion at the Australian Open for the fourth time after celebrating in mixed doubles with Canadian partner Daniel Nestor in 2014. In 2018 and 2020, she won the women's doubles tournament with Hungarian partner Time Babos.
It took Dodig and Mladenović 35 minutes and a small turnaround to win the first set after Mladenovic lost the serve in the third game. Immediately in the next game, the Croatian-French side broke the serve of 22-year-old Jaimee Fourlis and tied it at 2-2. Dodig and Mladenovic were precise with their returns and volleys, and the Croatian player served for 6-3 in the first set.
The scenario of the second set was similar, in which the Croatian-French side was the first to break in the third game. Fourlis was the victim again, but the Australian side retaliated in the next game when Mladenovic served.
Dodig and Mladenovic gained a new advantage in the seventh game. After losing the deciding point, Fourlis fell into a fit of rage and launched the ball under the closed roof of the Rod Laver Arena.
When Mladenovic held the 5-3 lead in the next game, only one game separated them from the trophy. Jason Kubler forced Ivan Dodig to serve for his second title and fourth for Mladenovic at Melbourne Park.
After one hour and 16 minutes of play, Dodig and Mladenović reached the first match point. Mladenovic played an excellent volley for the eighth Grand Slam trophy in her career. The Australian side entered the tournament by invitation.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.
