Attack on HEP Workers in Pakrac Strongly Condemned
ZAGREB, 28 January 2021 - Economy Minister Tomislav Ćorić has strongly condemned an attack on workers of the state-owned HEP electricity company in the eastern town of Pakrac on Wednesday morning, wishing the injured workers a speedy recovery.
"I was horrified by the news of this morning's attack on HEP workers. I condemn this incident in the strongest terms and wish the injured workers a speedy and successful recovery. Also, there are those who find justification for this act in their comments on social networks, which is outrageous, insane and intolerable," Ćorić wrote on Twitter.
A 71-year-old man threw an explosive device at three HEP workers after they came to disconnect him from power supply on the company's orders. Two of the workers were injured and the attacker was arrested.
Speaking on behalf of the Serb Minority Council in Požega-Slavonia County and as Deputy Mayor of Pakrac, Nikola Ivanović also condemned the attack. "We don't want this insane act by an individual, who is a member of the Serb community, to jeopardise the good interethnic relations in Pakrac," considering the town's devastation during the 1991-1995 war, he said, adding that the Serb community cannot be held responsible for this incident.
Ivanović highlighted good cooperation with HEP with regard to the re-electrification of the remaining villages in the area still without electricity, saying that this made the attack "all the more regrettable."
Croatian Projects and Filmmakers at 2021 Berlin International Film Festival
January 28, 2021 - Croatian projects and filmmakers will have a place at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.
HRT reports that two Croatian film projects, by the production company Antitalent and author Dora Šustić, have been selected for this year's Berlin International Film Festival, the Croatian Audiovisual Center reported on Wednesday.
This year's 71st edition of the Berlinale is divided into two parts: one held online, from March 1 to 5, and a physical edition planned for June, as part of which the selected films will be shown in cinemas and open-air cinemas.
The drama TV series ‘Maličke’ (Afterparty) is one of ten series presented at the Berlinale co-production fair in the Co-Pro Series section. The author of the series and screenwriter is Dora Šustić, and the producer is Maja Pek-Brünjes from Antitalent.
Maličke
The story takes place in modern Zagreb, where best friends in their late twenties go through hopeless jobs, unbridled parties, tumultuous relationships, and unconventional relationships, at a time when the Croatian ultra-conservative movement is strengthening.
The protagonist works as a cleaner for a prominent proponent of banning abortion, but when one of her friends gets pregnant and decides to have an abortion, they question their values and change their attitudes.
"Soon the intimate and personal issue becomes a political and ideological issue, and Lucija and her friends must revise their beliefs, friendship, and way of life to fight against shame, chauvinism, and violence," the project announcement said.
The project won the HBO Europe Award for Best Project late last year, after a pitch at the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn and participation in the Midpoint TV Launch 2020 training program.
Producer Pek-Brünjes said that the selection of the project in the Co-Pro Series is definitely a confirmation of the quality of the scripts, characters, and concepts written by the author, as well as the international potential of the series.
At the Berlinale co-production fair, their task is to find an international presenter, co-producers, and key creative collaborators.
"We want to gather a mostly female team, not only because of the theme of the series but to increase the contribution and raise awareness of the quality of women's creativity in the Croatian and European audiovisual sector," they added.
Dora Šustić is also participating in the platform for networking and training young film professionals, Berlinale Talents, where screenwriter and cinematographer Filip Romac and film critic Dina Pokrajac will present themselves. About 3,000 professionals applied to participate in the platform, and 200 were selected.
As part of the Berlinale Talents, a Short Form Station workshop will take place, where Dora Šustić will participate in the short feature film ‘Bananaribe’ (Bananafishes), where she will be able to work on the script. The project will be presented at the pitch as part of the European Film Market.
According to the author, such workshops are a wonderful opportunity to learn, but also to network and get to know other people's stories and preoccupations:
"You learn everything, and you meet a lot of people. I am most looking forward to that. We’ll see how that works in virtual space this year," she argued.
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Novska Baby Boom? Families From Across Country Moving to Town
January the 28th, 2021 - 2020 might have been a terrible year for a multitude of reasons, but for Croatia's future gaming centre, Novska, there has been some good news if we're looking at a previously unfavourable demographic picture. The Novska baby boom took place in 2020.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, finally some good news has come out of earthquake-stricken Sisak-Moslavina County. The highest number of children were born in Novska last year in comparison to the last six years. A total of 138 babies were born during the so-called Novska baby boom, as many as twenty more than were born in 2019. While Novska, where many families are arriving has done exceptionally well, they’re not the only ones to have recorded a baby boom in Croatia in 2020.
Kindergartens are full, RTL news reports. In the last three years, two such facilities have been expanded and two more have been built, but even that will not be enough. In the autumn of 2020, 278 children were enrolled, which is the highest in the last 45 years! There are now 350 of them.
Preliminary data shows that in as many as thirteen counties across the whole of Croatia, the pandemic-dominated 2020 was actually a very fruitful year in terms of births.
Novska has become the centre of the blooming Croatian gaming industry, offices are being opened there, and in addition to children, new games are also being made. Young people and families from all over Croatia are coming to live here, and yes, that’s why Novska managed to see the arrival of twenty more babies in 2020 than it did the year before, a total of 138. In six or seven years, they will have one whole class of children more.
As previously touched on, according to initial data, another thirteen Croatian counties can boast of having more babies born in 2020 than one year earlier. According to county-level data, Croatia is now richer by 800 children.
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Vets Researching Impact of Coronavirus Infected Owners on Croatian Pets
January the 28th, 2021 - Just how has the ongoing coronavirus pandemic affected Croatian pets? Croatian vets from one Zagreb faculty are seeking to find out more about precisely that, offering Croatian residents a chance to describe how Croatian pets dealt with their owners being infected with the novel coronavirus.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Crnjak writes, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zagreb has invited interested Croatian residents who own pets to participate in the research on the impact of the stay of pets in households with COVID-19 positive owners on their health.
As they explained, the daily increase in the number of new coronavirus cases is also accompanied by a greater possibility of infection of pets with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Although it has been proven that pets are not a source of infection for their owners, the impact of coronavirus infection on the health of our pets is almost completely unknown. At the same time, insufficient scientific knowledge remains a valid concern to both animal owners and the general public.
“We want to offer owners the possibility of a clinical examination of Croatian pets in order to establish signs of respiratory infection and test pets for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. At the Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, we'll perform a clinical examination of such pets, take some blood samples, swabs of mucous membranes and X-rays,'' they explained.
In order for pet owners to apply to participate in the study, it is necessary to have a COVID-19 positive test result from the owner or another household member (PCR or rapid antigen test), proof of ownership of the animal and a completed attached questionnaire.
The questionnaire is somewhat more extensive and consists of two parts: data on the animal and data on the owner and members of the household who were infected.
“The data from this questionnaire is extremely important to us so that we can give guidance to owners in the future on how best to protect their pets from infection. We emphasise that all data from the completed questionnaire will be confidential and will be collected and stored in accordance with the General Regulation on Personal Data Protection,'' they stated, noting that the examination and testing of Croatian pets who have owners who are currently positive and as such in isolation will be carried out only after the expiration of the prescribed period of isolation.
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Final Draft Being Honed: Some Easing of Croatian Measures Coming
January the 28th, 2021 - The very gradual easing up of Croatian measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is set to begin. The final draft of what we can expect after the expiration of the current measures, due on the 31st of this month, is now being polished up.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the brushing up of the package of the slight easing of Croatian measures that are set to replace the current ones on February the 1st isn't over yet. Discussions are still going on, two days ago the matter was discussed at a coalition meeting in the Government, and epidemiologists held meetings with various ministers who represent domains of currently banned economic activity on Monday, reports Jutarnji list.
The government will most likely present the package at a session on Thursday, explaining how those whose operations have been suspended or restricted due to epidemiological measures will continue to be financially supported.
Meetings of epidemiologists of the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) with representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Tourism and Sport, Science and Education and the Interior were held on Monday, and epidemiologists gave their final suggestions on the easing of Croatian measures.
Some interlocutors of Jutarnji list claim that in this new wave of concessions, caterers would be exempt, ie that cafes will not be allowed to sell coffee outside or to go because that would mean the partial opening of cafes, which increases the overall epidemiological risk, while others say that this matter hasn't yet been agreed upon.
The president of the National Association of Caterers, Jelena Tabak, says that they have no information about a possible concession, and they have the impression that cafes will be allowed to at least issue coffee outside/coffee to go, but they ask that support measures remain in place for restaurants.
When it comes to re-opening schools, at the coalition meeting, everyone agreed that the decision to open them back up again should be left to individual counties, depending on the epidemiological situation, Jutarnji list writes.
"There will certainly be some concessions. At the national level, children from the 5th to the 8th grade will be allowed to return to school, talks are being held intensively to allow sport and outdoor recreation to take place. For everything else, we'll just have to see, at this moment we don't have any definitive information on what will be allowed and what won't,'' said the head of the CNIPH, Krunoslav Capak, on Tuesday.
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EU Money for Modernisation of 95 Croatian Level Crossings Coming
January the 28th, 2021 - EU funds have proven an excellent resource for Croatia, with numerous previously planned projects being given the proper means of financing to get them from documentation stage to fruition. Over 90 Croatian level crossings are next in line to receive an EU cash injection.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes, HZ Infrastruktura (Infrastructure) (HZI) is embarking on a major project involving the reconstruction and modernisation of 94 Croatian level crossings (railway) and one pedestrian crossing across he country, the total value of the work stands at 208.7 million kuna.
Most of it will be provided through European Union funds, on which an agreement was signed a couple of days ago between the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport and Infrastructure, HZ Infrastruktura and the Central Agency for Financing and Contracting. As much as 142.6 million kuna is coming directly from EU funds, and the rest will be provided from the Croatian state budget.
As has since been explained by HZI, this project aims to increase safety at Croatian level crossings and consequently reduce the overall number of potential traffic accidents.
Most of the Croatian level crossings that will be modernised are located in Bjelovar-Bilogora, Pozega-Slavonia, Osijek-Baranja, Virovitica-Podravina and Varazdin counties.
Activities on the project include works and equipping all Croatian level crossings with automatic electronic signalling and safety devices that use light signals which boast LED technology and loud bells for safe traffic, while 79 crossings will be additionally equipped with half fenders.
As part of the project, the previously designed railway-road and pedestrian crossings along the railways will be further secured and equipped.
The relevant ministry has noted that this is the 68th project in the Croatian transport sector contracted through the Competitiveness and Cohesion Operational Programme, which brought the total value of all of the projects contracted through this programme up to an impressive eighteen billion kuna, most of which, twelve billion kuna, comes from EU funds.
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HOK Calls for Measures to Bail Out Hospitality and Tourism Sectors
ZAGREB, 27 January 2021 - The Catering and Tourism Guild within the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK) on Wednesday urged the authorities to specify short-term and long-term measures to bail out the hospitality sector against the background of the epidemiological situation and poor conditions in that sector.
HOK recalls in its press release on Wednesday that the hospitality and tourism sectors along with other related businesses, have been worst affected by the pandemic and most businesses in that sector have not worked for more than two months as a result of the COVID response team's decisions.
"The hospitality sector is more than aware of the importance to secure the best possible epidemiological image for Croatia on the global tourism map if we are to take the 2021 tourism season seriously," HOK said.
"In that regard we understand why the government is still hesitant in relaxing restrictions in hospitality despite the relatively good epidemiological trends. However, it is also quite clear that currently the hospitality sector is on its knees and it is calling for firmly defined short-term and long-term measures and their implementation to bail out the hospitality and tourism sectors" the head of HOK'sCatering and Tourism Guild, Joso Smolić said.
The guild calls for short-term measures to be implemented as of 1 February so that the work of cafes and restaurants are treated equally and be allowed to provide "services to go" and retain the right for a reimbursement of fixed costs and jobkeeping measures.
HOK demands that as far as fixed costs are concerned that owners of hospitality premises should be allowed to send their bills to the competent body for payment and that jobkeeping measures continue until the end of the year.
With the continued programme of fast and cheap credit lines, VAT should be reduced to 13% for the preparation and serving non-alcoholic beverages as well as warm drinks, wine and beer, the HOK's guild says. It asks that the consumption tax be abolished which is imposed exclusively on the hospitality sector, Smolić underscored.
EC Okays 12 Members' State Aid for Electric Vehicle Batteries Plan, Rimac Recipient
ZAGREB, 27 January 2021 - The European Union has approved a plan that includes giving state aid in 12 EU member-states to support the production of electric vehicle batteries, the Reuters news agency has reported.
The funding or the project called "European Battery Innovation" will come from France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden. It also aims to attract 9 billion euros from private investors, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
The European Commission’s approval of the 2.9 billion euro ($3.5 billion) European Battery Innovation project, follows the launch in 2017 of the European Battery Alliance that aims to support the industry during the shift away from fossil fuels.
"For those massive innovation challenges for the European economy, the risks can be too big for just one member state or one company to take alone" European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager was quoted by Reuters as telling a news conference.
The European Battery Innovation project covers everything from extraction of raw materials to design and production of cells, to recycling and disposal.
One of the 42 recipients of the state aid will be Croatia's Rimac Automobili company. Other recipients that have signed up and could receive state aid include Tesla, BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Arkema, Borealis, Solvay, Sunlight Systems and Enel X.
Following the news of the state aid approval, Rimac Automobili company's director, Mate Rimac said on Wednesday that electric cars and battery systems were an industry of the future with great impact on the economies.
Croatia's Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Nataša Tramišak said in a press release that the EU has recognised the industry of electric cars and battery systems for electric vehicles as one of the crucial and strategic branches for future economic development.
The effects of the above-mentioned project will be felt on the whole Croatian economy, the minister said in the press release.
This project could result in improvements in the car industry and in mobility as well as in creating 1,400 new jobs until 2029. This will also boost cooperation between the industry and the institutions of tertiary education, the minister said.
Croatian Counties have Donated €670,000 to Quake-Hit Areas
ZAGREB, 27 January 2021 - Croatian counties have donated about HRK 5 million to earthquake-hit areas, and the City of Zagreb has allocated HRK 300,000 each for Petrinja, Glina, Sisak, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Lekenik, Sunja, Donji Kukuruzari, Majur, Dvor, Topusko and Gvozd, the association of Croatian counties has said.
"In addition to money, housing containers, firefighting trucks, search dogs, food, clothing have also been donated and accommodation has been offered for people who lost their homes. We will not cease giving aid. We will analyse the needs in the field and continue to do what we have been doing since the March earthquake and that is prompt response and help in the field," the association said in a press release following an online meeting on Wednesday.
It was underscored that last year was marked with the COVID pandemic and earthquakes that caused the loss of lives and material damage but also resulted in solidarity that Croatian citizens showed when it was the hardest, particularly for Sisak-Moslavina County and the City of Zagreb.
Aladrović: HRK 433m Paid for Job-keeping Measures in November
ZAGREB, 27 January 2021 - Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Josip Aladrović said on Wednesday that so far HRK 433 million had been paid for job-keeping measures in November and about HRK 350 million in December, disagreeing with claims that payments were late.
Asked by reporters ahead of an inner cabinet meeting to comment on the statement by Varaždin County Prefect Radimir Čačić that job-keeping payments to entrepreneurs were late, Aladrović said that he could not agree with Čačić because practically everything that needed to be done for November had been done, and that payments were being made according to schedule.
All the other measures for January and February will be paid upon receipt of documentation and applications, Aladrović said, underscoring that funds have been secured. He added that HRK 2.2 billion has been secured for job-keeping measures for this year, and that enterprises and their employees will be paid as much as needed, that is, until such time that they can continue doing business normally.
With regard to covering fixed costs, he reiterated that entrepreneurs are required to settle these dues and then to apply to the Tax Administration to be reimbursed. According to Aladrović's knowledge from talks with Finance Minister Zdravko Marić, about 1,000 applications for reimbursement were received a few days ago. They are being processed by the Tax Administration and, according to the information at hand, the national employment bureau will reimburse businesses for fixed costs.
"We will be of service to Croatian entrepreneurs," said Aladrović, adding that this has bailed out jobs and the labour market. The number of insurers is just 8,900 lower than at the end of 2019 and compared with other countries, we can be absolutely satisfied," claimed Aladrović.
Another positive trend, he underscored, is that regardless of GDP falling, wages are growing in almost all sectors except in hospitality and the hotel sector.
"We could say that at the moment we are fighting the crisis adequately. Naturally, we are monitoring what is happening on the labour market and in the enterprise sector on a daily basis, and in line with epidemiological requirements we will respond properly, adequately and in a timely manner, as we have until now," he said.
Asked about the possibility of the present epidemiological measures remaining in force until March, Aladrović said that shorter working hours would last for the entire year while the job-keeping measure was envisaged to remain in force for two months. "The epidemiological situation will be monitored and measures will be adopted accordingly. In the coming months, if need be, we will certainly find a model in line with fiscal possibilities that will satisfy both employers and workers," concluded Aladrović.
