Connecting The Region 2023 no. 1
Articles
By Professor Milica Uvalić, European University Institute, Florence, Italy
From ‘Ifs’ To Rational Choices
Regional cooperation has been an important condition for evaluating the progress of the Western Balkan countries in their EU accession process for several decades,...
Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner For Neighbourhood And Enlargement
Growth plan
We believe that, with this new model, we can integrate the Western Balkans into our Single Market faster, even prior to full EU membership....
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Digital Nomads Needed
BiH is a republic, though it doesn’t function as such. Instead of a single president, it has a Presidency consisting of three members representing...
Croatia
Outstanding Potential Of Geothermal Sources
The Republic of Croatia is headed by President Zoran Milanović, a former leader of the Social Democratic Party, while its government is led by...
Albania
Windfarms Would Bring Advances
The Republic of Albania is headed by President Bajram Begaj, a retired army major general and former Chief of the General Staff of the...
Kosovo*
Rural Ecotourism Development Opportunity
Kosovo’s independence has to date been recognised by 98 UN member states, though it has not been recognised by 97 countries, including five EU...
Montenegro
Health Tourism Boosts Visitor Numbers
The country’s president is Jakov Milatović, a member of the ‘Europe Now!’ party, while since October 2023 the prime minister has been Milojko Spajić,...
North Macedonia
Preserved Nature Could Entice Tourists
Its road to EU membership was initially blocked by Greece due to a dispute over the country’s name, while it is now being obstructed...
Slovenia
Never Enough Tourism Capacities
Slovenia’s president is lawyer Nataša Pirc Musar, who ran as an independent candidate and a representative of the left-liberal camp, while the country’s government...
Serbia
Strong Returns From Investing In Both Agriculture And It
The state is headed by President Aleksandar Vučić, who led the Serbian Progressive Party until recently and is currently in the second year of...
Geri Kolgega, Journalist
Fostering Regional Cooperation
Albania has been following and maintaining a standard when it comes to regional cooperation, as a country that’s always among the first to adopt...
Nermin Nikšić, Prime Minister Of The Federation Of Bosnia And Herzegovina
No Alternative To Regional Cooperation
Let’s put our differences aside and work together to recover, raise economic parameters and utilise our comparative advantages - Nermin Nikšić
The legacy of the...
Zdravko Marinković, President Of The Foreign Trade Chamber Of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Stronger Strides Needed
Despite Bosnia-Herzegovina having to date achieved only modest results in terms of attracting foreign investments and transfers of new technology, space is opening up...
Armin Zeba, Journalist and Editor
Potential Awaiting Realisation
The issue of regional economic cooperation has been discussed in Bosnia-Herzegovina for decades. In declarative terms, everyone favours the strengthening of this kind of...
Michela Telatin Ph.D., UNOPS Representative In Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro
Focused On Regional Cooperation
UNOPS is a project-based and outcome-oriented United Nations organisation. The UNOPS office headquartered in Serbia covers the organisation’s operations across four Western Balkan countries
With...
Luka Burilović, President Of The Croatian Chamber Of Commerce
Knowledge Sharing Is Our Goal
In aspiring EU member states, the transfer of knowledge is key to integration, creating substantial potential for regional cooperation between chambers of commerce
Implementing the...
Adriano Milovan, Journalist
Interests Form The Basis Of Cooperation
The term “Western Balkans” was coined in diplomatic circles during the mid-90s, when proposals for the stabilisation of the territory of the former Yugoslavia...
Dr Thorsten Klose-Zuber, Secretary General, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe e.v.
Empowering Regional Collaboration
Help’s strategy in the Western Balkans extends beyond emergency aid, incorporating the transformative power of regional collaboration in addressing humanitarian, social and economic challenges...
Jelena Galić, AIK Banka CEO
Supporting Regional Growth Through Innovations And Green Finance
Here we discuss with AIK Banka CEO Jelena Galić how large banks and banking groups across the region have adapted to the challenges of...
UNIQA
Community For A Better Living
As a leader of innovation, UNIQA is a brand that’s trusted in Serbia by more than 800,000 individual and corporate clients. The company is...
Kristina Milinčić, Sava Centar CEO
Faithful To Tradition, Oriented To The Future
Instead of the promised 50 million euros, more than 118 million euros has been invested in the reconstruction works. And the result is the...
Nikola Tripković, Executive Director At Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro
Celebrating 20 Years Of Coca-Cola HBC Montenegro
We’ve raised standards in the hospitality and retail sectors, which are particularly important in countries like ours, where tourism is one of the main...
Filip Simović, CEO, M&M Militzer & Münch Serbia
Teamwork Forms The Essence Of Succes
Key to the company’s growth have been the people whose knowledge and experience have contributed to the its rapid expansion. They are currently focused...
SŽ-Tovorni promet, d.o.o.
Customer Expectations Always Come First
SŽ Tovorni promet is the largest railway carrier of goods in Slovenia and one of the leading carriers in the region. It is a...
Ana Bajagić, Marketing & Pr Manager, Balkan Area, EPSON
Pushing The Boundaries Of Technology
Epson is a company that invests approximately 1.14 million euros in research and development every single day, which reflects just how important innovation is...
Milica Uraz, CEO, Steel Impex
Always A Step Ahead
Here we speak with company CEO Milica Uraz about the importance of recycling, investments in innovation aimed at preserving the environment and the planet,...
Paul Cronin, CEO & Managing Director Of Adriatic Metals Plc
Prioritising Health And Safety
The approach of Adriatic Metals Plc involves engaging with the local population, understanding their aspirations and shaping mining projects accordingly. Despite its significant economic...
Doinita Mihai, Vice President Public Affairs, Eastern Europe South TOMRA
Immediate Collaborative Approach Required
The waste crisis extends beyond all borders, impacting the health of citizens and wildlife. The scope and scale of this global issue must be...
Marijanti Babic, Country Head For Rio Tinto Serbia
No Green And Digital Transitions Without Mining
Electrifying transport and developing sustainable batteries are vital components of the energy transition. Electric vehicles and energy storage need batteries, and batteries need materials...
Nina Dusper Sušić, Country Managing Director At Hitachi Energy d.o.o.
Creating A Carbon -Free Future
Hitachi Energy has placed sustainability at the heart of its Purpose and made a promise to advance a sustainable energy future for all. Sustainability...
Jelena Knežević, LeitnerLeitner Partner, Serbia – Belgrade
We Bring Life to Complexity
During that period, Serbia has implemented various economic reforms aimed at improving its business environment, attracting foreign investment and strengthening its economy. These reforms...
LeitnerLeitner
Viewing the EntireRegion as a Local Market
LeitnerLeitner is one of Central and Southeast Europe’s leading firms of tax professionals, auditors and financial advisory experts, having amassed vast experience in supporting...
Pavo Ðedović, LeitnerLeitner, Partner, Croatia – Zagreb
Able To Solve The Problems Of Each Client
In general, when dealing with clients’ needs, we follow two approaches: an interdisciplinary approach and an international approach.
By taking interdisciplinary approach to tackling...
Blaž Pate, LeitnerLeitner, Partner, Slovenia - Ljubljana
We Represent A “One- Stop Shop” For Our Clients
At the same time, we also offer legal services (focusing on business law) within the scope of LeitnerLaw. Accordingly, we represent a “onestop shop”...
Marko Carević, CEO, Ananas E-commerce
The Only Genuine Marketplace
We launched Ananas in order to show that we ‘can’, that we have no excuses. All our resources are directed precisely towards that, towards...
Denis Ampov, Country Manager At Ananas.mk
Strong Driver Of Development
A part from undoubtedly becoming a key player in the e-commerce domain, Ananas.mk has the ambition of contributing, with the support of Delta Holding,...
Sanja Pešić, Alma Quattro CEO
Networking The City
Networking is perhaps the word that marked the last 10 years of business operations, labour and the development of all industries, including ours. Out-of-home...
Ljiljana Ahmetović, CEO, Shoppster Srbija & Slovenija
Top Online Shopping Experience
After breaking the ice on our market and demonstrating that it is possible to establish and run a successful pure e-commerce business, this company’s...
Huawei Digital Power
New Infrastructure For The Digital Energy Era
Huawei is applying its technology and telecommunications expertise to green energy innovation, paving the way for a more successful and faster digital transformation that...
Akton Group
Connecting The Adriatic And The World
The AKTON Group network was actually created to connect this region with the world. AKTON Group interconnections in Vienna, Frankfurt, Sofia and Milan provide...
Viktorija Zadro-Huml, Takeda Country Head For Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Committed To Patients And Science
Takeda mission is to strive towards better health for people worldwide, including in our region. In fiscal year 2022, the company’s R&D investment totalled...
Milena Argirović, Takeda Country Head For Serbia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo
Partnership Is The New Leadership
Takeda partners with various stakeholders in the Western Balkans in order to optimise healthcare ecosystems. We spoke with Takeda’s general manager for Western Balkan...
Mohamed Hammam, Adriatic Country Manager, Pfizer
Playing A Pivotal And Profound Role
We remain optimistic about prospects in the Adriatic region, and we are committed to investing and partnering with local stakeholders to foster an environment...
Ronald Seeliger, Hemofarm Group CEO
No Compromise On Quality
One of Hemofarm’s strategic development goals is to constantly improve its portfolio and continuously supply the market with high-quality products of the latest generation,...
Nenad Andrejić, General Manager Of Analysis Laboratory Equipment
Reliable Partner to the Entire Region
Whether intended for testing, research, quality control, or process monitoring, the company’s solutions find applications in all industrial sectors, in science, and private laboratories....
Jelena Nikolić, Cluster Head Western Balkans, Country Head Serbia And Montenegro, Zentiva
A Success Story Of Cluster Building, Resilience And Exceptional Cooperation
In April 2020, Zentiva Pharma took over the central and eastern region of Alvogen, marking the beginning of its operations in Serbia.
The established...
Maria Boldor, Horváth Consulting
It Pays Off To Prioritise ESG
Serbian companies must show their clients, employees, business partners, investors and other parties how ESG measures are implemented and the goals that they achieve,...
Tijana Škorić Tomić, Gorda, Co-Founder And CEO
A Story Worth Telling
Life is made up of a series of minor and major events, those that we commemorate and those that bring us together. And we...
Jelena Andrić Grafakos, Managing Director ACO Eastern Europe Adriatic Group
Raising Awareness And Developing Solutions
ACO is one of the world’s leading water technology companies, particularly for rainwater and wastewater management. Our mission is embodied in our claim: “ACO....
Marko Tanazević, CEO, Delight Holding
Oriented Towards Further Regional Expansion
Delight Holding represents a group of companies with complementary core businesses that has been present on the market for more than two decades. This...
Bojan Švonja, Sales Director for Serbia and Export Markets at Bekament
From Local Success To Regional Expansion
This Aranđelovac-based giant welcomed the construction sector’s expansion in a state of readiness, with new automated plants and capacities capable of responding to the...
Roman Kratochvil, CE Industries Business Partner & Beohemija d.o.o. CEO
Quality Brings New Markets
In this interview for Connecting the Region, Roman Kratochvil discusses the business results of the company he leads and shares a portion of the...
University of Donja Gorica
Responsible Citizens, Global Ambassadors: UDG Graduates In Action
In honour of the first generation of students, who enrolled in the University of Donja Gorica as far back as 2007, a formal diploma...
Prokopije Perić, CEO, Plus d.o.o. Podgorica
Far Ahead Of Everyone
We paid over 40 million euros into the budget in 2022, in the form of excise duties on tobacco products,” says CEO Prokopije Perić,...
Lulzim Rafuna, President Of The Kosovo Chamber Of Commerce
Building Bridges Together
Western Balkan nations could entice FDI by offering cost-effective operations, skilling the workforce, improving infrastructure, streamlining regulations, ensuring stability and providing incentives for foreign...
Idro Seferi, Journalist
Navigating Regional Challenges
Despite challenges, the economy of Kosovo* has made notable strides in recent years. The country’s young people and educated are its engine and workforce...
Nina Drakić, President Of The Chamber Of Commerce Of Montenegro
No Success Without Great Effort
In order for the countries of the region to utilise nearshoring opportunities, continuous work and commitment are needed from both the public and private...
Nada Stojanović, Journalist
Love At Arm’s Length
Despite the praise heaped on Montenegro, when the time comes to “add and subtract” the real balance of progress towards the European Union, it...
Dimitar Kovačevski, Prime Minister Of North Macedonia
European Quality Of Life At Home
In order to provide for a better life and better living standards, we need growing economies and the improvement of democratic processes in our...
Branko Azeski, President Of The Chamber Of Commerce Of North Macedonia
Simple Formula, Difficult Application
In order to boost the attractiveness of the region to investors, we need infrastructure improvements and the removal of hurdles at border crossings and...
Tatjana Shterjova Dushkovska, Secretary General Of WB6 CIF
New Value Proposition Required
Over recent decades, geographical position and free access to key markets, combined with low wages and favourable tax systems and investment incentives, have been...
Dejan Azeski, Journalist
Great, But Not (Yet) Working
North Macedonians, as irredeemable Yugoslavs, welcomed the idea of the region’s reunification (albeit only on an economic basis) with open arms. Although the majority...
Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister Of Serbia
Regional Cooperation Is A Top Priority
There is an intricate link between a resilient, stable nation and a well-connected region, given the potential for shared prosperity and stability when neighbouring...
Slobodan Cvetković, Minister Of Economy Of Serbia
Overcoming Barriers And Embracing Opportunities
Investors in the Western Balkans can access a 20-million-strong consumer base and cross-border value chain prospects, thus bolstering the region’s economic attractiveness and EU...
Marko Čadež, President Of The Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Of Serbia, CCIS
Let’s Be Better For Ourselves And Others
Joining the European common market would render our region more attractive in the eyes of both investors and supply chain buyers, and would create...
Wholeheartedly For The Region
The eight economies of this region – six from the Western Balkans, plus Slovenia and Croatia – that have a combined population of 23...
Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister And Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of The Republic Of Slovenia
Echo Of The “Bled Pledge”
The strong message of European Council President Charles Michel at the Bled Strategic Forum 2023 that both the EU and the Western Balkans should...
Matjaž Han, Slovenian Minister Of Economic Development And Technology
Strong Support
Slovenia is actively engaged in facilitating the swift expansion of the EU to include the Western Balkans. However, the pace of this convergence is...
Tibor Šimonka, President Of The Chamber Of Commerce And Industry Of Slovenia
The Green Deal Represents A Complex Endeavour
New sustainability reporting demands will necessitate enhanced efforts across businesses for transparent implementation, impacting not only larger EU companies, but also Western Balkan partners...
Novica Mihajlović, Journalist
A Scandinavia-like Balkans? Why Not?
If you were to enter into Google the words ‘Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and war’, this American creation and global tool for searching...
How Art Shapes Our Region?
Transformative Threads
How powerful is the language of art when it comes to fostering mutual connections, understanding and inspiration within the region? In which realm does...
Natalija Vujošević Artist, Curator Of The Centre For Contemporary Art Of Montenegro
Guardians Of The Fire
Best illustrating the power of the language of art to create connections and understanding in the region is the fact that it not only...
Senka Ibrišimbegović, Assistant Professor At The University Of Sarajevo Faculty Of Architecture
Exploring The Past, Shaping The Future
The process of developing Sarajevo’s Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art was strongly motivated by the idea of creating a collection that fosters connections...
Blaž Peršin, Director Of The Museum And Galleries Of Ljubljana, MGML
Using Culture To Oppose Fear
We need the language of art today more than ever. During this time of incomprehensibly swift change, accumulated problems, wars and tensions, which are...
Blagoja Varoshanec, Museum Of Contemporary Art, Skopje
Spaces Of Freedom
The language of art is incredibly powerful when it comes to building mutual connections, understanding and inspiration in the region. Art has a unique...
Zorana Djaković, Minniti, Associate Director Of Programming At The Cultural Centre Of Belgrade
Hidden Bridges
The question is whether we are capable of overcoming the dictates of public opinion and boundaries between groups, politics and economics in order for...