Pandakon 2019, the Asian culture convention will be held again this year in Zagreb, on the weekend of September 14, 2019, at Zagreb's Močvara club. 

The theme of this year's conference is based exclusively on the Japanese culture, and it's inspired by the Edo period of Japanese history. This period of Japanese history is mostly identified by samurai in the general public, and it lasted from 1603 until 1868. The most famous ruler (shogun) of the period was Tokugawa Ieyasu. The strong economic growth of Japan, strict social order, isolation from foreign influences as well as the stable population growth, no wars periods and enjoyment of arts and culture characterize the period. Tokugawa shogunate is also famous for the rulers, their soldiers (samurais), the tales that arose in that period of Japanese history and the Bushido way of life. 

Makoto and Ichidan Associations will participate in this year's convention, and they will help guide the public through certain aspects of the Edo period. They will give lectures on samurai, Edo period origami, and overview of the Japanese anime that deals with the topic of the samurai. Talus association will hold a board-game room, Crouch Guard will provide a multimedia game room, and KCE Events with very popular dance workshops will also participate. 

The organizers of SKON from Sisak will throw a pub quiz on the Japanese topics. On Sunday two separate presentations of martial arts will take place: KIAI Japanese Swordplay Society, one of the sponsors of the convention this year, and Kyokushinaki Karate Masoyama Zagreb-Gajnice will promote their skills. In addition to two panel discussions and several interactive activities, the unavoidable cosplay competition will take place (which always attracts the biggest crowds), where the winners will be given prizes by the sponsors: "Here be Dragons", "Evergreen Sushi", "Time Restaurant and Bar", as well as "Exit Games - Escape Rooms". 

The evenings will see karaoke and Just Dance workshops, followed by a dance party. The entrance fee for the Pandakon 2019 convention is symbolic 15 kuna (around 2 euro) per day, and you can find more info on the program and schedule at the convention website: http://pandakon.wordpress.com

September 9, 2019 - Continuing our look at the speakers for this week's inaugural Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb on September 12. Next up, EY supremo, Berislav Horvat.

It quickly sold out and there is a waiting list of hundreds should tickets become available. Next week's Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb is the first of its kind in Croatia, and it includes a top draw list of speakers, several of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.  TCN will be covering the event and we continue our series interviewing some of the key speakers. Our latest guest is co-organiser and EY boss, Berislav Horvat. 

Berislav Horvat, Country Managing Partner in EY Croatia and experienced business leader, focused on building a better working world in Croatia. Responsible for launching the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program in Croatia, the only worldwide entrepreneurial business award held across more than 60 countries.

1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel working in the entrepreneurial world here, and how did you decide to embark on this road less travelled? 

Entrepreneurs in Croatia still don’t have the status in the society they deserve and are often looked upon with skepticism. But things are slowly turning around. Initiatives such as the upcoming Entrepreneurial mindset conference and the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program which we launched five years ago, promote entrepreneurship and contribute to a positive change in perception. We witness success stories of our entrepreneurs all the time, and I notice firsthand that things in Croatia are not so negative. The focus of the public is changing, but it might not be as fast as we would like it to be.

2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?

Unfortunately, we are well behind developed countries such as Germany and USA, but also behind other countries that are still in transition. Countries that have a long tradition of entrepreneurship have a different perception of success which often comes after a few failures. The idea of failure and the fear of ‘what will neighbors say’ is still something Croatians are burdened with. There is a huge cultural difference between Croatia and developed countries where entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial way of thinking are taught from an early age. I believe it’s important for young entrepreneurs to understand that every attempt is a success, and that a failure is not the end of the entrepreneurial path, but an experience that will contribute to future business success.

3. A conference on the entrepreneurial mindset is very innovative for this part of the world. How did it come about?

It’s true that there aren’t many events dedicated solely to entrepreneurship and to entrepreneurial topics. It rarely happens that so many successful entrepreneurs come together with a simple goal to share ideas and experiences and to motivate others. We joined efforts with the organizer, ‘Poduzetnik' magazine and Ognjen Bagatin who shares EY’s views and enthusiasm, and created a conference with a focus on an entrepreneurial mindset as the key driver of business success and economic growth. In addition, the conference is a great complement to our EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program and provides us with the opportunity to continue to raise awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship. 

4. What are your hopes for the conference and what do you hope to achieve?

We hope to encourage cooperation among entrepreneurs, provide a platform for sharing experiences and ideas, and the opportunity to work together and join efforts towards expanding businesses and winning large and complex jobs.

5. I assume that this is not just a one-off conference, but part of a longer-term strategy. Can you tell us a little more?

We believe that the conference will be a great success and grow to become a significant forum of entrepreneurs and an important business conference dealing with entrepreneurial topics.

6. As conference program partner, I must congratulate you on such a great list of speakers, the real cream of Croatia's entrepreneurial class. Was it easy to persuade them?

Entrepreneurs recognize that this initiative is worth contributing to. They are all aware that promoting success, bringing entrepreneurship closer to young people and focusing more on the positive is essential for Croatia’s future.

7. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?

Society plays a key role in fostering entrepreneurial mindset, innovation and creativity from an early age. Education reform with its change of the old-fashioned approach towards learning, as well as creating a positive perception about entrepreneurship and developing financial literacy are all elements that can contribute to developing entrepreneurial culture and to a new generation of successful entrepreneurs. This requires joint efforts from all stakeholders – entrepreneurs and business community, government representatives, media and the general public – as we need to work together to make Croatia a place where entrepreneurship is truly supported and where the entrepreneurial spirit and mindset are nurtured from an early age.

8. Andrija Colak once told me that the best thing about doing business in Croatia is that if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world. Do you agree, and why is it so hard to do business in Croatia?

I believe entrepreneurs encounter barriers and difficulties anywhere in the world. Here it might be a bit more complicated because entrepreneurship in Croatia and Croatia as a country are still young and there are quite a lot of challenges entrepreneurs come across when starting a business. We recently conducted a survey among candidates from five editions of the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program and the results show that the biggest challenge facing Croatian entrepreneurs in the initial business phase is the market expansion challenge, followed by the challenge of finding and hiring good quality employees, raising funds and establishing the organizational structure within the company. Surprisingly, slow and overcomplicated administrative procedures that often cause a headache for entrepreneurs are listed as the sixth challenge. Lately, Croatia has been facing a workforce shortage, especially due to the increasing emigration to other EU countries. Results show that 85 percent of entrepreneurs find this to be the greatest challenge for the development of their business in the future. This is followed by high taxes and frequent tax legislation changes, which is considered to be a significant challenge by 54 percent of entrepreneurs.

9. How do you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and what changes have you noticed in the last five years?

The entrepreneurial scene in Croatia has changed quite a bit in the past five years. In the past, there was hardly any talk about startups, funding and similar entrepreneurial topics. Today the situation is different: the entrepreneurial scene has come to life. Who started which business, who invested how much, which entrepreneurial incubators are active and similar topics are often discussed. We believe the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year program also contributed to this change of focus and we salute all future initiatives promoting success.

10. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.

Firstly, the predictability of the business environment. Secondly, the judiciary that ensures business security and promptness of resolving any possible issues. And thirdly, further tax reductions, especially on income, to ensure competitiveness and workforce retention. I believe that there is a consensus that structural reforms need to be carried out, and we only need a stronger political will to drive them. Big changes are difficult to carry out in a short time, but it's important to get things started because even the smallest change can lead to great results.

More info on the conference can be found at www.poduzetnickimindset.biz and FB Casopis poduzetnik.

To learn more about Berislav Horvat and EY services in Croatia, check out the official website.

September 8, 2019 - Continuing our look at the speakers for next week's inaugural Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb next week Next up, corporate consigliere, Fran Mikulicic.

It quickly sold out and there is a waiting list of hundreds should tickets become available. Next week's Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb is the first of its kind in Croatia, and it includes a top draw list of speakers, several of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.  TCN will be covering the event and we continue our series interviewing some of the key speakers. Our latest guest is corporate consigliere, Fran Mikulicic. 

1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel being an entrepreneur here, and how did you decide to embark on this road less travelled?

Haters gonna hate, and dumbasses will behave like their name suggests. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. It is our job to enlighten them. How does it feel? It feels great. Just take your focus from what you can’t change and do put it on what you can. Very liberating and empowering. In my case, the decision just presented itself. When I was a young lad, I worked in a well-known Croatian company. I had my share of poor management, illogical business decision making, bullying and corruption for two lives. Quoth the Raven “Nevermore”. So, when I got back from the U.S. with my MBA degree, I indeed found two roads diverging in front of me. To get a management job in some big company or to take the one less travelled by. And it made all the difference. 

2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?

I’ll stick with the U.S. For starters, in the U.S. one is innocent until proven guilty. In Croatia, being an entrepreneur can mean just the opposite. Second, would you even emphasize the word entrepreneur in the U.S. or would it be the most normal thing that someone founds his own or her own business? Just the normal approach to make a living. My mom still wonders whether I will get a proper job. Third, the different perspective about the failure of your entrepreneurial endeavor. In the U.S. you fail, take the beating, get up, and start again. Here, the shame can be unbearable. The village will talk. Therefore, it is better not to try than to try and not succeed. What shame, you may ask. Precisely. Lastly, the concept of security, or better to say false security, risk-taking, getting out of your comfort zone and looking over the horizon in understanding what is possible.    

3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial experience so far in Croatia - the highlights, the lows, the successes and the failures.

There are no failures, just more lessons to be learned. My successes and highlights are always connected to my clients. When they succeed, I did my thing.     

4. What are your hopes for the conference and why did you decide to accept the invitation to speak?

The conference will be great by itself. All my hopes are directed to what will and may be happening after the conference. Decided to accept to speak?! A good one. I am honored to be a part of this conference and thankful that the organizers offered me this opportunity. The name of the conference is actually the name of my column in Poduzetnik magazine for last year and a half. That makes me something like a godfather, doesn’t it?! Haha. 

5. Tell us a little about your own entrepreneurial mindset.  

A little eccentric, I must admit. It is a constant inner struggle between being a business-oriented CEO and learning determined R&D master. For the better or for the worse, it has always been the learning opportunity that drives me. I’ve made at least dozens of financially unsound decisions just to be able to work on challenging projects or with clients who ‘couldn’t be helped’. And don’t even get me started with my voluntary work with young people. As a CEO I should take a stick and give myself a good spanking. But as a mentor, I feel blessed and grateful. The only growth I am really interested in would be the growth in the mindsets of my client. As an entrepreneur, I live with all the consequences of my decisions and action. And at the end of the day, to be able to support people in the improvement of their business and lives is a reward by itself.

6. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?

I can’t believe these questions. You actually said “some time and effort”?! My dear Brit friend, it will take a lifetime of time and effort and even that does not guarantee the success. Regarding the roadmap, I would bet that it was the same question Hannibal was asked by his men before crossing the Alps. ‘The path, we will either find or create.’ But, what we can’t do will not stop us from doing what we can. And we will continue to give lectures, organize conferences, write articles, support entrepreneurs and mentor students and young people. If we share our vision with enough entrepreneurs and are able to persuade them to start doing some of the things we are doing, then we would be one step closer to the finish line. Entrepreneurship can’t be taught in the classroom. Some management knowledge and skills can be presented and explained. But that’s about it. Imagine experienced and successful entrepreneurs holding mastermind groups in different parts of Croatia influencing future entrepreneurs and helping them get started, staying motivated, and learning the ropes.  

7. What advice would you have for someone in Croatia thinking about taking the entrepreneurial route?

OK, I would need a whole book for this. To oversimplify it, whatever people do they do it either out of love or out of need. Both reasons are good for the entrepreneurial route. Some sound advice would go as follows. First, what is your true objection? To make money, to gain freedom, to follow your passion? Be clear about it because there will be trade-offs. Second, you will have your doubts, fears, and insecurities. That’s normal. It would be more alarming if you would not have them. Just set them aside and go to the next point. Third, work more. You will burn the midnight oil and you will see the dawns. People around you will be having coffee and complaining about everything and you will be working. The good thing is that if it is something that you like, you will love every minute of it. Fourth, work smarter. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the more you understand how little you know. Fifth, surround yourself with likeminded people. People who have been through what you will go through. People who will provide you with the right type of support when you will need it.   

8. Andrija Colak once told me that the best thing about doing business in Croatia is that if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world. Do you agree, and why is it so hard to do business in Croatia?

Haha. This is a very insightful observation. Mostly true. But there are two potential trade-offs here. First, you develop the skills essential to your survival in this Kafkian novel that are totally unnecessary in normal countries. And their entrepreneurs, in the mean time, developed some more meaningful skills that you will have to learn twice as fast. Of course, you maybe want to do business in some other third world country and, in that case, you will be suitably prepared. Second, success here does not prepare most of us to dream big enough and to have that certainty that you can conquer the world. Is it hard? Well, it is not too hard. Yes, small market and low disposable income. Yes, red tape, taxes, and legal complexity. Yes, 90% of the country can’t even grasp the concept of creating and adding value. Hm, maybe you are right. How did JFK put it? We choose to, not because it is easy, but because it is hard?”   

9. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.

First, I would love to see financial responsibility from the political caste. So far, so many of them are like a little boy who asks his mother to give him some money. “I don’t have any. We spend it all.”, she replies. “There is an ATM over there. Go and get some”. However, I don’t see this happening any time soon. Like a story about a frog and a scorpion. Second, I would love to see law obeying behavior of the political caste. Have you, Paul, ever seen the inconsistencies in the analysis of the number of citizens over 18 and the number of voters in Croatian towns? More voters than citizens. So, math is also relative, after all. No, I don’t see this happening either. But, if I did I would then like to see the joint, laser-focused, effort of the entrepreneurs and all budget beneficiaries in making Croatia technologically advanced, easy to do business in, fantastic to live here, and full of globally competitive companies. The weirdest part is that it should be the most normal thing. But it isn’t.

More info on the conference can be found at www.poduzetnickimindset.biz and FB Casopis poduzetnik.

To learn more about Fran Mikulicic's services, check out his official website.

ZAGREB, September 9, 2019 - The 20th edition of the Terry Fox Run charity event, which seeks to raise funds for cancer research, will take place at Lake Jarun in Zagreb on September 29, the organisers announced earlier this week.

In the last 20 years, the Terry Fox Run has become the longest-running humanitarian drive in Croatia, substantially contributing to cancer diagnostics, treatment and research in the country.

This non-competitive event takes place every year in honour of young Canadian athlete Terry Fox, who lost a leg to cancer. In an effort to raise money for cancer treatment, in 1980 he embarked on a run across Canada, which he called the Marathon of Hope. He ran 143 days, covering 42 km a day, but failed to finish the run because the disease came back, claiming his life at 22. In his memory, the Fox family launched a drive to raise money for the fight against cancer, which is held every year in Canada and over 60 countries across the world, including Croatia.

The Marathon of Hope is organised by the Canadian Embassy and the MPG agency in cooperation with the Croatian Cancer Society, Zagreb Holding, the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb and the XOXO agency.

More Zagreb news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

September 8, 2019 - Continuing our look at the speakers for next week's inaugural Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb next week Next up, Biovega CEO, Jadranka Boban Pejic.

It quickly sold out and there is a waiting list of hundreds should tickets become available. Next week's Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb is the first of its kind in Croatia, and it includes a top draw list of speakers, several of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.  TCN will be covering the event and we continue our series interviewing some of the key speakers. Our latest guest is Jadranka Boban Pejic, CEO of Biovega. 

1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel being an entrepreneur here, and how did you decide to embark on this road less travelled?

Lack of support is a challenge but through the years of experience we have learned how to lean on each other (partners) and how to be flexible and how to adjust to constant changes in structure, laws etc. A strong desire to have a positive impact and to make a difference was the main driving factor when we started our organic food company.

2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?

We have to learn to accept business and life here as a process and to look into the future with more patience and positive approach.

3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial experience so far in Croatia - the highlights, the lows, the successes and the failures.

It is not easy to put almost 30 years of experience into one or two sentences but I learned a lot through all my experiences. The fact that we are existing on the market is a success in itself and that we have a lot of loyal customers and a fantastic team of employees is a highlight. All so-called failures are part of the education and evolution along the way, and no one can avoid them. Of course, there is a lot of frustration coming from slow and ineffective administration, as well as pressure from high taxes.

4. What are your hopes for the conference and why did you decide to accept the invitation to speak?

My personal mission is to inspire others so if I can inspire someone with my experience and energy that would be great. Some of the participants have been a huge inspiration to me too.

5. Tell us a little about your own entrepreneurial mindset. 

I like to think that we are here with a purpose and that our responsibility is to work with integrity, commitment and empathy so that we can improve the quality of life of everyone included in our business adventure.

6. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?

Education from an early age.

7. What advice would you have for someone in Croatia thinking about taking the entrepreneurial route?

Believe in yourself because that is the most important thing that you have.

8. Andrija Colak once told me that the best thing about doing business in Croatia is that if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world. Do you agree, and why is it so hard to do business in Croatia?

Yes, I do agree. The perception of business and business people is very negative and there are not enough efforts to change that perception from the ruling structures.

9. How do you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and what changes have you noticed in the last ten years? 

Lots of new young, brave, smart and creative people are taking the lead in some industries and that is a huge hope for the future.

10. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.

a) As we are here to serve society so is the government structure should be to serve us.

b) Education has to be adjusted to modern times and needs.

c) Transparency in institutions and less bureaucracy.

More info on the conference can be found at www.poduzetnickimindset.biz and FB Casopis poduzetnik.

For more information about the healthy world of Biovega, visit the official Biovega website. 

After numerous recent successes around the Sava river, the City of Zagreb has new plans on how to make it more attractive and invest a lot of money into that.

We've already written about the reconstruction project of one of major bridges over the Sava river in the centre of Zagreb, the so-called Most slobode (Freedom bridge). Now, as those works are nearing their completion, we find out that once it's done, it will include brand new lighting, additional illumination for the pedestrians, and new, decorative illumination along the the entire length of the bridge.

The plan is to install the lighting with highly-efficient LED technology, in line with what the other modern cities across the world are doing. One thing that probably differentiates Zagreb from those other modern cities is the price tag for this project. As Croatian media has reported, the lighting of the bridge (just the lighting!) will cost around 22 million kuna (almost 3 million euros!). Many experts and members of the public have been saying that the price tag for the project is way too high.

Head of the Office for Planning, Dinko Bilić, explains that the price is what it is because the building is specific and the lighting needs to be bespoke and the price is therefore higher than the usual price for a similar project.

He highlights that the proposed LED lights will reduce electricity consumption, reduce the expenses for the maintenance and at the same time be as per regulations for all participants in the traffic system - cars, pedestrians and bicycles.

The important details, he adds, are that the individual light fixtures will be able to be removed, they will be mechanically protected and a modern system for the management of the system will be implemented. For 22 million kuna, they'd better be the best there is out there.

September 8, 2019 - Burger lovers, rejoice! Croatia’s favorite street food festival is coming back to Croatia’s capital this month - and after last season’s 170,000 visitors, we can only expect the best from the next Zagreb Burger Festival.

Namely, Jutarnji List reports that the Zagreb Burger Festival powered by TABASCO® opens its doors at Strossmayer Square for the fourth time, from September 12 to 22, to the delight of many foodies and followers of the increasingly popular burger fad. 

Visitors to the festival will have the chance to treat their taste buds to a bevy of burgers, discover what's new in the Croatian gastronomic scene, and indulge in the impossible combinations turned delightful delicacies. 

Twenty excellent burger masters from Zagreb, Ljubljana, Osijek and Rijeka will show their creativity and skill. The TABASCO® Burger Bar will run under the baton of renowned chef Mate Jankovic, The Garden Bar&Kitchen, Good Food, Lars&Sven, Rougemarin, Raclette Burgers&Fries, Bistro Grill Deno, Burger bar, Maredo Grill, El Toro, Submarine Burger, Kascheta, BarBaQ, Reshetka by Đurina Hiža, Barcode Mitra, Brewbites, Torpedo burger, American bar Dollar, Špiro and Bread Club

The plant-based popular BEYOND burgers, which many world-class chefs are grilling thanks to the hype, will premiere at the Zagreb Burger Festival, and visitors will also be able to taste colorful creations from unusual vegetable and protein pairings to slightly "alcoholic” burgers and ones that make you sweat. But that's not all - the burgers on show will also be accompanied by juicy steaks enriched with Kikkoman soy sauces, which are made by natural fermentation according to the traditional Japanese recipe.

The ‘b’ theme continues at the Burger festival with a craft cocktail bar and craft beers. Namely, the Garden Brewery, G3 Spirits Whiskey bar, and other craft beers will be on offer, while cocktail lovers will find it hard to leave the Cocktail Bar Rakijarnica & Mangosta or Jamnica Bar & Marina Nekić. The wine-os in the group won’t be forgotten about either thanks to Jerusalem Ormož wines. Those who enjoy a side of sweetness with their salty kick can enjoy Le Kolač and Robert Hromalić, who can hardly wait to present their sumptuous pastries at the festival for the first time. 

An excellent music program and a playroom for the smallest attendees can also be expected. 

Food competitions, craft beer brews, specialty burgers, imaginative cocktails, desserts and children's activities - we think that’s enough to visit the Zagreb Burger Festival, right?

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

September 7, 2019 - Continuing our look at the speakers for next week's inaugural Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb next week Next up, conference organiser and entrepreneurial driving force, Ognjen Bagatin.

It quickly sold out and there is a waiting list of hundreds should tickets become available. Next week's Entrepreneurial Mindset conference in Zagreb is the first of its kind in Croatia, and it includes a top draw list of speakers, several of the most successful entrepreneurs in the country.  

One of the co-founders of the conference is Ognjen Bagatin, one of the most energetic proponents of change and positivity in Croatia today. In addition to running the award-winning and rapidly-expanding Bagatin Clinic in Zagreb and Split, Bagatin is at the heart of efforts to establish Croatia as a top medical tourism destination on the global map, as well as to strengthen ties between the business community in the diaspora and the homeland. His magazine, Casopis Poduzetnik is rapidly becoming a focal point for the business community in Croatia. TCN caught up with Bagatin to learn more about the conference on September 12, which will also be live-streamed.

1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel being an entrepreneur here?

You are right in the sense of support, but that just means there are huge opportunities for entrepreneurship in Croatia. At the moment the biggest issue is our mindset, there is a lack of an entrepreneurial mindset and understanding among the general public. If there are more successful entrepreneurs there will be more chances for everybody, but like I said it is an opportunity.

2.  How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?

The perception of an entrepreneur in the USA and Germany is much better and more motivating to get into new business opportunities. There they see failures as an opportunity and a bump on the road to success. In those countries, the entrepreneur is considered to be a driving force of the economy, which they really are.

In Croatia, we still have a long way to go to get a perception like that, and that is the reason why we need to put focus on the thousands and thousands of successful entrepreneurs who are doing an amazing job to create an environment where you can succeed, as opposed to the current "you can`t succeed" environment. Entrepreneurs are those who create jobs, create value for the economy and a better environment for new entrepreneurs.
 
3.  A conference on the entrepreneurial mindset is very innovative for this part of the world. How did it come about?

Our goal was to create an environment of success and creativity, and to give hope to all those who are thinking of leaving the country. We are doing the conference so that both new and more experienced entrepreneurs get inspiration from those who are doing an amazing job and from whom we can learn. Our goal is to celebrate others' success, to focus on future growth and to learn from the best of us. We want Croatia to be the most creative, the most innovative and most entrepreneurial country in the new Europe.
 
4. What are your hopes for the conference and what do you hope to achieve?

Our goal is to inspire entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs and encourage them to continue with their efforts to succeed in Croatia. That is why we choose EY Croatia to be program partners and together with them we gathered entrepreneurs from their project EY Entrepreneur of the Year which has been running for 5 years in Croatia. We are very grateful to have them at our conference as speakers, but also as attendees. We hope to show that the entrepreneurial community is focused on the future, and that we celebrate each other's success. The next goal for us is to do these kinds of event but focused on students, because they are our greatest strength.

5. I assume that this is not just a one-off conference, but part of a longer-term strategy. Can you tell us a little more?

You are right, this is the start of a long term platform for the promotion of entrepreneurship, and we have plans to organize this every year and to have a smaller conferences for promotion of entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurship with university students and high school students, but also to have a series of podcast, articles and videos on this topic through www.poduzetnik.biz and our Entrepreneur Magazine. Our goal is to create a new army of entrepreneurs who we all are going to be proud of.
 
6. As conference organiser, I must congratulate you on such a great list of speakers, the real cream of Croatia's entrepreneurial class. Was it easy to persuade them?

The great thing is that we all have similar goals and want to give back to society, so in that sense it was easy, but it is also easier when you have EY Croatia by your side as a Program Partner?

7. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?

It will take some effort to install an entrepreneurial mindset, but with the strengthening of entrepreneurial community and successful entrepreneurial role models such as Mate Rimac (Rimac Automobili), Silvije Kutic (Infobip), Nenad Bakic (Varteks and Croatian Makers) , Alan Sumina (Nanobit), Ivan Mrvos (Include), Matia Zulj (Agrivi), Aleksandra Dojcinovic (Lei lou) and many, many others, and the new generation will embrace this opportunity and find the way to succeed, and the more of them who succeed will make it easier for everybody else. That is why the culture of success is our greatest chance.

The road map is simple, feed the public with positive news from the business sector, and do it more often than with negative news. We have so many of successful Croatians in Croatia and abroad, and we need to share more of their success to the others, it is our responsibility if we want our children to grow up in a healthier environment and to make Croatia a great place to live and work. I think that is something we all want.  
 
More info at www.poduzetnickimindset.biz and FB Casopis poduzetnik

September 7, 2019 - It was a busy August at Croatia’s airports, which saw records and growth from the three most active in the country - Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb. 

Namely, Ex Yu Aviation reports that Split Airport recorded 672,261 passengers in August, which is an increase of 7% compared to 2018. Split Airport also welcomed its two-millionth passenger of the year in August. 

From January to August, Split handled 2,497,427 passengers, which is up 6.5% on last year, or an additional 153,266 passengers. The airport is also on schedule to reach its projected 3.3 million passengers this year. 

Ex Yu Aviation reports that Dubrovnik Airport also saw its busiest month on record after handling 524,615 passengers in August, which is up 8.9% on last year. Dubrovnik also welcomed its two-millionth passenger in August, nineteen days earlier than 2018. Furthermore, the airport handled over 24,000 passengers on August 3, which was a 24-hour record. 

From January to August, Dubrovnik welcomed  2,099,022 travelers, which is up 12.9%, or an additional. 240,016 passengers. Dubrovnik Airport was also the fastest-growing airport in the Ex-Yu region in the first sixth months of 2019, adding 157,184 passengers during this period. 

Recall, the first six months of the year, Dubrovnik Airport welcomed the most passengers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Croatia. The airport expressed that this rise in passengers should continue until the end of the year, and especially going into the end of the holiday season. 

"This winter we expect to see British Airways, Aegean Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Trade Air, Turkish Airlines, Vueling and Croatia Airlines maintain flights to Dubrovnik,” Dubrovnik Airport said. 

Ex Yu Aviation concluded that Zagreb Airport even saw a good August, well, a better August than July. Namely, in August, Zagreb saw 376,026 passengers, which is the slightest increase of 0.9%. From January to August, Zagreb handled 2,276,373 passengers, which is up 2.4% on 2018, or an additional 52,847 passengers. 

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

September 6, 2019 - And getting to your destination in Croatia has never been easier thanks to Solo Transfers. 

Croatia has proven to be one of the most popular destinations for a summer holiday, though it’s not hard to see why. While the sweltering sun and sparkling sea are shoo-ins for the summer, Croatia’s capital and continental region offer year-round tourism and an exciting alternative for adventure tourists and cyclists. 

Croatia’s popularity doesn’t look like its going anywhere anytime soon, so it’s no surprise that it didn’t take long for some of the world’s top airlines to catch onto the Croatia buzz and ensure their passengers can get to the destination comfortably, without too many connections, and, perhaps most importantly, with ease. 

Some of Croatia’s biggest markets, like the USA, Canada, and Australia, are luckier than ever to have connections carrying them to Croatia with convenience. 

Recall, travelers in America can be thankful that American Airlines connected the United States and Croatia for the first time in almost 30 years with their seasonal service between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik this summer. The Oneworld member began operations between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik from June 7, which will run until September 27, 2019. The airline will add a fourth weekly flight on Sundays in September and already announced that there is no slowing down next year. Thus, American Airlines will operate the Philadelphia-Dubrovnik route daily in 2020, which will commence on June 4, 2020! 

Copyright Romulic & Stojcic 

Furthermore, back in 2018, Air Canada Rouge commenced its seasonal service from Toronto to Zagreb, which saw the return of the Air Canada brand to Croatia after 27 years. Air Canada operates four times a week between Toronto and Zagreb and runs until October. Air Transat also operates between the two cities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays during the peak season.

And our friends from Australia haven’t been left out, either. Since many Australians fly over Dubai onwards to Croatia, the daily Emirates connection between Zagreb and Dubai has been a lifesaver. However, FlyDubai will operate the Zagreb-Dubai line instead of Emirates this winter, just as they did last winter. Namely, FlyDubai will replace Emirates for the entire winter flight schedule, and take over operations from October 27, 2019, to March 28, 2020. Thus, after November 11, no flights will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while some weeks will have no flights on Mondays. The daily frequency returns around the Christmas and New Year holidays, i.e., from December 13, 2019, to January 13, 2020.  

Because getting to Croatia is now easier than ever, wouldn’t it make sense that getting to your Croatian destination should follow suit? Thanks to Solo Transfers, you can count on a reliable and friendly transfer service to get you where you need to go. Whether you’re flying in from the States to Dubrovnik, or trekking from Canada or Australia to Zagreb, Solo Transfers promises door-to-door service any time of the year. 

You can read more about Solo Transfers here. 

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.