Croatian Genox Products Gain Huge Interest, Company Building New Plant
April the 30th, 2021 - Croatian Genox products have gained a lot of attention both on the domestic and the international scene over the last year or so despite their 20 years of business, with a particular emphasis being placed on their importance as the coronavirus pandemic emerged.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, after two years of effort and testing, Croatian Genox, a company which deals with the development of environmentally friendly disinfectants and cleaners, has gained recognition in the form of a halal certificate.
On Wednesday, a certificate ceremony was held at the company's headquarters in Velika Gorica near Zagreb, and as their business during the pandemic increased dramatically, did demand, Genox will soon start working on a new plant in Pleternica, the hometown of the company's founder - Marijana Cisko.
Genox is otherwise the largest Croatian manufacturer of ecological disinfectants and cleaners, they have been producing them for almost 20 years, and their users are households, shops, factories, farms, hospitals, the police, and those workig in civil protection. As previously mentioned, the disinfectant business has exploded ever since the coronavirus pandemic struck, and now the Croatian Genox company is hoping for more exports to countries where halal certification is required.
“Genox meets all the rigorous criteria for being declared a halal product, starting with the fact that it doesn't contain a single molecule of alcohol. We simply don't use it and that's our biggest advantage. There are many benefits, our products are safe, they aren't explosive, nor are they flammable, they don't evaporate so they don't need special protection measures in handling,'' pointed out molecular biology engineer Marijana Cisko who runs this family business in Velika Gorica.
Genox disinfectant is produced with a special, protected Aquagen technology and undertakes thirteen steps of physico-chemical procedures based on activated water ions, and the founder and director are responsible for this entirely Croatian piece of innovation.
Croatian Genox disinfectant successfully destroys microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, algae, spores and biofilm, and due to its harmlessness and efficiency it was used by divers during the tragic floods in Slavonia back in 2014, with many taking showers in Genox after emerging from flood water which likely contained harmful pathogens.
Earlier on, all these benefits were noticed by buyers from Muslim countries, and their interest rose sharply during the coronavirus pandemic.
"I believe that this certificate will open many doors for us that will remain inaccessible to the vast majority whose disinfectants are mostly alcoholic. We expect increased exports to the markets of the region, primarily Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also to some more remote one,'' stated the director of the company.
The certificate was handed over to the company by Aldin Dugonjic, who heads the Centre for Halal Quality Certification at the Islamic Community in Croatia, and the chief supervisor of halal quality, Muhamed Mandzic.
"According to the latest research, companies in Croatia increase the export of their products by up to 50 percent after obtaining a halal certificate. Taking into account the rapid growth and development of the halal market, our expectations for Croatian Genox products are high, but they clearly depend on sales and marketing activities in the market,'' said Aldin Dugonjic.
He stated that in the decade of the Centres existence, they have issued more than 150 certificates, and in the database of companies with a halal certificate, the food industry is the most represented, followed by caterers and then the chemical industry.
It's also worth mentioning that the TLK Group, which also includes Genox as a company, has started building a new factory in the Pleternica Business Zone, in which they plan to invest around 40 million kuna. The factory will be built in two to three years and will employ about 30 people. In the first phase, the factory itself will be built, which is an investment worth 25 million kuna, then a research laboratory and finally an administrative building will follow.
For more, follow Made in Croatia.
Health Minister Vili Beros Announces Changes in Croatian Vaccine Rollout
April the 30th, 2021 - Health Minister Vili Beros has announced changes in the Croatian vaccine rollout following the embarrassing situation surrounding the Cijepi se vaccination portal and issues with turnout and vaccine arrivals.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the health minister has stated that so far, more than a million doses of vaccine have arrived in Croatia, with around 825,000 doses having been administered.
''Vaccination coverage greater than an average of 16 percent was achieved in the 65 and older age group. The highest coverage with the first dose is in Zagreb, standing at 18 percent, followed by Sisak-Moslavina County. The Croatian Institute of Public Health has issued recommendations to prevent the spread of the infection during election rallies. A revised list of countries for which special entry measures should be applied upon arrival in Croatia has also been published. India has now added to the special entry measure list,'' said Vili Beros.
"As part of the intensification of the Croatian vaccine rollout and its campaign, we sent a letter to the Ministry of Defense and the Red Cross for their active involvement. We've been asked if we can allow people to visit patients who are in critical conditions in hospital. The pressure on the hospital system isn't subsiding, but we're still managing to take care of the sick.
The arrival of a larger amount of vaccines makes it possible to intensify the Croatian vaccine rollout at mass vaccination points. By registering with a family doctor, by phone or by registering on the Cijepi se platform, I'd like to invite people to please register for vaccination,'' he added.
He emphasised that a sufficient number of vaccine doses has now been been provided.
“The Croatian Government has provided sufficient quantities of the coronavirus vaccine. The establishment of a clear chain of command is also crucial. The main coordinator is the director of the Croatian Institute of Public Health. This is being achieved on the basis of new legal decisions such as the decision on the mandatory participation of public and private healthcare workers in the implementation of the Croatian vaccine rollout. Three new coordinators have been appointed - the first for the organisation of vaccination sites, the second for distribution and the third for IT support.
“The new operational plan for the vaccination of the working population is clearly elaborated in detail. Family physicians are required to take out a list of persons who haven't yet been vaccinated from their files and they'll be vaccinated through the use of call centres. Mobile teams have also been formed. Additional locations are being determined throughout Croatia,'' Beros said.
"Sufficient quantities of various vaccines will be provided at all of the locations. The precondition for issuing a vaccination certificate is the enrollment in a digital platform. It's clear that this is a preparation to dynamise the Croatian vaccine rollout, to make it an effort we stick to seven days a week," PM Andrej Plenkovic added.
On Thursday, Plenkovic pointed out that the number of newly infected people had begun to fall in recent days compared to the previous two weeks, but also said that there was still no relaxation in terms of the need to fully adhere to all current epidemiological measures.
"It's encouraging that our numbers have started to fall in recent days compared to the past two weeks, but we should continue to be maximally responsible because this is the best way to accelerate the decline in the number of infected and dead people,'' Plenkovic said during a government session.
''Each of us has an active role in this process and our behaviour can contribute to the protection of life and health, but also to the economy and jobs,'' he stressed.
This, he added, especially refers to the tourist season and he expressed satisfaction that the process of vaccinating tourist workers has already begun down in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, which should continue.
He also mentioned that last weekend, he asked the Minister of Health to prepare a concrete, updated action plan to intensify the Croatian vaccine rollout and reiterated that Croatia will have a total of at least 3.2 million doses of coronavirus vaccine available from the end of December to the end of June.
"All those who want to receive the vaccine will be able to get it," he assured, reiterating his appeal to residents, especially those with chronic diseases and the elderly, to get vaccinated at checkpoints that will be established or which already exist throughout Croatia.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border and quarantine rules to the locations of vaccination points and testing centres throughout the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section.
Croatian MEP Valter Flego Advocates Free Coronavirus Testing
April the 30th, 2021 - Croatian MEP Valter Flego has spoken out in favour of securing free coronavirus tests in order to better facilitate the upcoming summer tourist season and to avoid discriminating against those who aren't vaccinated yet.
As Novac/Ljubica Vuko writes, Croatian MEP Valter Flego (IDS) spoke at a plenary session in Brussels this week and sought free coronavirus testing, which in Croatia currently costs from 500 to 750 kuna per PCR test, and about 150 kuna for an antigen test.
''If we want to travel without restrictions this summer, we'll need an EU certificate. So that this confirmation doesn't lead to inequality and discrimination against citizens who aren't vaccinated - coronavirus testing - just like the coronavirus vaccine - must be free of charge. Otherwise, many families simply won't be able to afford a holiday this summer. In the current situation, testing costs up to 600 euros on top of what they've paid for a holiday for a family of four,'' Croatian MEP Valter Flego stressed, adding that "whoever decides to introduce a certificate must take care that all citizens are equally allowed to have a certificate as coronavirus vaccination isn't mandatory, and not everyone has the opportunity to be vaccinated at the same time."
As reported by Croatian MEP Valter Flego's office, this is exactly what the Resolution on the availability and affordability of coronavirus testing discusses, over which the European Parliament called on the European Commission and the national authorities of individual EU member states to provide free testing to citizens and increase their testing capacities, especially in the main traffic hubs and in tourist destinations.
''The resolution calls for EU member states to ensure universal, affordable, timely and free coronavirus testing in order to avoid discrimination against those who haven't yet been vaccinated and for economic reasons. Otherwise, we're divided into citizens of the first and second order, and that's unacceptable,'' Croatian MEP Valter Flego believes.
A statement from his office also said that the European Parliament had reaffirmed its negotiating position on a proposal for an EU certification for coronavirus, which would allow EU citizens to move freely within the bloc from June.
MEPs believe that the EU certificate should be valid for one year and that it shouldn't be a prerequisite for travel, but only a relief with which citizens don't have to be quarantined or self-isolated upon arrival or return to a country.
The next step is to negotiate between Parliament and the Council, in order to reach a final agreement before the start of the tourist season.
''Tourism is important, but let's not forget to talk about all types of travel. People travel for work, for school, to see family. Now follows a trialogue, and I really hope for a final solution by the beginning of June, because everything coming later means losing part of the tourist season,'' said Croatian MEP Valter Flego, before concluding that "the cost of tests and a more detailed presentation of the epidemiological risk of tourist destinations on the ECDC map are two priorities which we must resolve as soon as possible.''
For more on coronavirus in Croatia, including travel, quarantine and border rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centres up and down the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section.
Delta Air Lines to Announce 4 Weekly Flights New York JFK to Dubrovnik
April 30, 2021 - As tourism chiefs gather in Dubrovnik, several sources indicate that direct flights from New York JFK to Dubrovnik with Delta Air Lines will be announced today.
Apparently the Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, Kristjan Stancic, is in town, flying into Dubrovnik from Zagreb last night.
And a press conference has been announced.
Perhaps he is going to issue me with another pointless lawsuit, or perhaps he is going to make a public apology to me and the Croatian taxpayer for wasting my time and their money. (Read more in Croatian Media Compares Paul Bradbury Lawsuit to Kafka's 'The Trial')
But I think there is another reason for the press conference, for there are other things afoot.
Ina Rodin, New York Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board, is also in town, along with a group of American travel agents on a fam trip around Croatia.
It is just over two weeks until the elections.
Hmmm. Put all the above together, and I am guessing there is some big announcement coming. A lot bigger than another pointless lawsuit in any case.
The New York connection can mean only one thing - a new direct flight announcement. I did some digging with some New York and aviation contacts, and it appears that we have some big news on the way.
I don't normally report on flight speculation until things are officially confirmed, but my contacts in the States are pretty sure on this one, and I will be offline in a workshop all day at the Dubrovnik Digital Nomads in Residence programme.
From the information I have sourced, I would expect the following announcement:
Delta Air Lines will initiation a direct connection between New York JFK to Dubrovnik this summer. It will be a seasonal line beginning in July and flying four times a week.
Add this to the recent announcement of United Airlines also flying from Newark to Dubrovnik, and this is yet more excellent news for Dubrovnik, which is the most flight-dependent destination in Croatia, as well as the preferred choice for American tourists.
Interest in Dubrovnik has always been strong from the American market, and the city got some great free promo last year via our Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community (which won the 2021 International PR Grand PRix for Crisis Management), as Kresimir Macan, the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik Tourist Board hosted the ABC crew for several days, resulting in 6 features on ABC News, including this one above on Good Morning America, which was watched by 12.5 million people.
One of the first places that could share the news to an American audience once confirmed is the KB and Marlee radio show, which normally broadcasts from Fort Worth in Texas. Marlee is currently in Dubrovnik, however, one of the 10 winners of the inaugural Dubrovnik Digital Nomads-in-Residence programme. Here she is in the old quarantine station of Lazareti, close to the city walls, currently a co-working space for digital nomads.
We will provide an update to the story after the press conference with confirmed details, assuming it is the flight announcement. Or perhaps another lawsuit. Or public apology.
For more flight announcement news, follow the dedicated TCN section.
Croatian National Bank: Banks Still Do Not See Climate Change As Serious Threat to Business
ZAGREB, 29 April, 2021 - Most banks in Croatia still do not see climate change as a serious threat to their business, a survey carried out by the Croatian National Bank (HNB) showed on Thursday.
The survey was presented as part of an online conference called "The Role of Banks in Greening Our Economies", organised by the HNB and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
The survey, carried out among 20 Croatian banks, showed that the banks did not see climate change as an immediate and serious threat to their business.
Only one bank said that climate change would have a generally significant impact on the Croatian banking system, 11 banks said that the impact would be moderate, while eight said that it would be insignificant.
Only two banks have a climate change-related strategy included in their overall business strategy, expressing concern about risks and anticipating possible changes to the regulatory framework. On the other hand, 15 banks said they were waiting for the regulators to take the initial steps in this regard.
Responding to the question about risk materialisation, 10 banks said that climate risks would not materialise in the near future, while 11 said they were not attaching major importance to exposure to climate change and environmental risks to their portfolio.
Physical risk includes the financial impact of climate change, and five sectors in Croatia are particularly vulnerable to it - tourism, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and energy distribution. More than a quarter of Croatian banks' exposures to non-financial institutions concern these sectors, mostly tourism, the survey showed.
However, none of the banks has so far assessed its exposure to climate and environmental risks, citing lack of reliable data and methodology as well as lack of qualified staff.
The sectors facing the biggest transition risk from climate change are transport and traffic, agriculture, motor vehicles, energy and oil products, and construction.
Only 9 banks offer green product to their customers
Most banks recognise opportunities brought by the transition to a low-carbon economy, with three-quarters of them saying they could benefit from this transition by financing green projects. However, only nine banks said they were offering a green product to their customers, such as loans for the energy renovation of buildings or the purchase of electric vehicles.
HNB Governor Boris Vujčić said in his opening remarks that both the HNB and EBRD had acknowledged their responsibility for highlighting the role of banks in the climate transition. He recalled the Paris climate change agreement of 2015, which has been ratified by 189 countries, saying that it set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent further global warming.
For more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
INA's Q1 Net Profit HRK 50 Million
ZAGREB, 29 April, 2021 - INA posted the net profit of HRK 50 million in the first three months of 2021, according to the latest quarterly financial report released by this leading Croatian oil group on Thursday.
For the sake of comparison, in the Q1 2020, INA registered a loss of HRK 178 million.
In the first three months of 2021, the group's revenues totalled HRK 4.17 billion, rising by 0.6% on the year, whereas the expenditures contracted 19.7% to 4.11 billion kuna.
The statement reads that "the beginning of 2021 was marked by a more favorable external environment compared to 2020, which was one of the most challenging years for oil & gas industry."
"Although world economy is still far from recovery and demand is limited, impact of gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions is visible," it says.
"EBITDA reached HRK 467 million and Profit for the period amounted to HRK 50 million, in contrast with the losses in 2020 caused by a large drop in hydrocarbon prices and consequent negative inventory revaluation," INA reported in its financial statement.
"Exploration and production benefited from the increased hydrocarbon prices but natural decline continued with production level below 28 th boe/d, 12% lower compared to Q1 2020. This drove the segment’s EBITDA to HRK 401 million, 5% lower compared to Q1 2020."
In Q1 2021, INA entered a new concession in Egypt, following efforts to partly compensate for the natural decline of production on domestic fields.
For more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Save the Date: Zagreb Digital Nomad Week Announced for June 21-27
April 29, 2021 - The Zagreb Tourist Board has announced a 'Save the Date' for Zagreb Digital Nomad Week 2021 for June 21-27.
The digital nomad buzz is getting louder in Croatia. The arrival of the Croatian digital nomad permit earlier this year, enabling non-EU/EEA citizens to work remotely in Croatia for 12 months, has opened up a new dimension to Croatia as a tourist destination. Where once the beach was the main attraction, today lifestyle - and longer-term living - is attracting a new breed of tourist, the digital nomad.
With three unexploited tourism treasures of safety, authentic experiences and lifestyle, the remote work opportunity seems to be a fantastic opportunity for Croatia as it looks to reset its tourism strategy in the wake of pandemic realities.
The Zagreb Tourist Board is now putting the digital nomad opportunity in the spotlight in the Croatian capital.
Zagreb Digital Nomad Week will take place from June 21-27, offering an innovative programme exploring the current topics of interest and burning issues for the digital nomad lifestyle in Croatia and beyond.
A combination of workshops, presentations, social and tourism activities focusing on the key themes will provide a comprehensive and stimulating week for anyone engaged in the digital nomad lifestyle.
Full details of the programme will be officially announced in early May, but if you are planning your summer holidays and the digital nomad life is part of the mix, save the dates of June 21-27 for Zagreb.
Full details will be published on TCN next week. In the meantime, follow the TCN dedicated digital nomads section for the latest news.
Croatia Will Get More Money For Agriculture Than Before, State Secretary Says
ZAGREB, 29 April, 2021 - Opposition MPs were not impressed by the announcement by the state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture that more funds have been allocated for Croatian agriculture in the next EU budget period than in the previous one, saying on Thursday that the situation in this sector was catastrophic.
"The situation in agriculture is catastrophic. The number of producers, milk suppliers, is falling, and there are fewer and fewer products made by our own producers that meet our needs," MP Marina Grman Kizivat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) said, asking about the veracity of the information that Croatia would receive less money from EU funds for agriculture than before.
State Secretary Tugomir Majdak said that there would be more money for Croatian farmers in the period until 2027 than there had been in the period until 2020, adding that in the next budget period €2.6 billion would be available for direct payments, compared to €1.57 billion in the previous period.
The opposition used the proposed amendments to the Agriculture Act to draw attention to key problems in the sector, such as aid.
Željko Pavić (SDP) said that the problem was that aid was granted per hectare. "Some farmers have been granted the lease of thousands of hectares of karst pasture. They earn huge amounts of money without having livestock of their own," he said.
Majdak responded by saying that the state aid scheme was transparent, based on tenders and criteria in accordance with EU rules.
Responding to a question put by independent MP Marijana Petir, Majdak said that work was under way to improve the aid system and gear it towards small farmers.
Small farmers will be the priority of future measures, both the Agricultural Strategy until 2030 and the Strategic Plan until 2027, and other vulnerable groups, such as women in rural areas, will also be included, Majdak said, adding that the strategy is expected to be sent to the government in the second quarter of this year.
"In the next programme period we will ensure that young farmers get 100% support for investments of up to €100,000," he said in response to a question from Ankica Zmajić of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ).
Petir recalled that Croatia should prepare the National Strategic Plan by November, adding that the European Commission had made 13 recommendations for this plan, detected its good points and found that 20% of agricultural holdings owned 75% of farmland and received 77% of aid.
For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page
Zagreb Stock Exchange Indices Rebound
ZAGREB, 29 April, 2021 - The main Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) indices rebounded on Thursday, with the Crobex rising by 0.38% to 1,894.08 points and the Crobex10 by 0.35% to 1,177.76 points.
Turnover at the close of the trading session was HRK 10.6 million, nearly seven million higher than on Wednesday.
The highest turnover, of HRK 1.5 million, was generated by the stock of the Atlantic retail group, which closed at HRK 1,490 per share, down by 0.67%.
The Končar Elektroindustrija stock turned over HRK 1.42 million, ending the day at HRK 715 per share, up 5.15%.
The HT telecommunications company saw its share price rise by 0.79% to HRK 192, turning over HRK 1.4 million.
The only other stock to pass the turnover mark of one million kuna was that of the Valamar Riviera hotel company, turning over HRK 1.2 million. Its price fell by 0.69% to HRK 28.90 per share.
A total of 41 stocks traded today, with 23 of them registering share price decreases, 12 recording price increases and six remaining stable in price.
(€1 = HRK 7.558778)
For more about business in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Government Establishes National Council for Development of Social Policies
ZAGREB, 29 April, 2021- At its meeting on Thursday, the government adopted a decision to establish the National Council for the Development of Social Policies and launched a procedure for the preparation of a Strategy for the Demographic Revitalisation of Croatia by 2031.
"Social security and welfare for our socially vulnerable citizens is one of the primary objectives of this government's activities. That is an area for which we foresee significant investments in the coming period, partly from the budget and partly from EU funds amounting to more than HRK 5.5 billion," Minister Josip Aladrović said.
At the same time, in an effort to improve the quality and efficiency of social policies, the National Council for the Development of Social Policies will be established as an advisory and expert government body, he added.
"It will contribute to the development of the government's social policies through proposals and expert opinions from which our citizens will have the most benefit," Aladrović said.
Council members will be appointed by the government at the ministry's recommendation. The Council will comprise representatives of state administration, professional chambers, the academic community, civil society organisations and other organisations that can contribute with their knowledge and experience, he added.
The Council will in particular be responsible for monitoring and improving the social security system. It will monitor the implementation of international agreements and existing regulations relating to social security, as well as the needs and standards of social services and other issues. It will also make recommendations for measures and development and monitor activities in social planning and development of the social welfare system.
The Council will convene as necessary, at least once a month. Council members will not be paid for their work, and the Council's work will be transparent and public.
Funds for the Council's activities will be ensured from the ministry's allocation in the state budget.
Demographic revitalisation a key national issue
The government also adopted a decision to launch a procedure for the preparation of a Strategy for Demographic Revitalisation until 2031. The government commissioned the Central State Office for Demography and Youth to prepare a strategy and to appoint a task force.
"The issue of demographic revitalisation is a key national issue for the survival and development of Croatia," state-secretary in the Central Office for Demography Željka Josić said.
Demographic revitalisation is one of the priority areas of the National Development Strategy until 2030 which sets out guidelines for demographic revitalisation and priorities that will contribute to resolving negative demographic trends.
The strategy deals with areas such as material and non-material support, housing, tax reliefs, public health, education, life-long learning, labour market and mobility, said Josić.
This decision aligns the document with the Strategic Planning and Development Management Act as the key strategic document for national strategic development.
For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
