Connecting The Region 2024 no. 2
Articles
Branimir Jovanović, Economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw)
Enabling Green Transition in the Balkans
It’s easy to feel despondent when thinking about the green transition in the Balkans. The energy required to generate one dollar of GDP is...
Jakov Milatović, President of Montenegro
Montenegro to Join the EU by 2028
What we want from the EU Growth Plan is for it to help us accelerate our socioeconomic convergence with the Union. We believe that...
Albania
Committed to the Struggle for a Green Future
On the one hand, the country almost exclusively uses hydropower and virtually no gas, yet it has no recycling programmes whatsoever. It has the...
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Clean Air is the Main Goal
The awareness of the population has since evolved significantly, although the people still fail to recognise most of the benefits of energy efficiency, primarily...
Croatia
Implementing All EU Directives Consistently
In following EU directives, Croatia tailored its development strategies to the principles of sustainability, while also placing an emphasis on tangible measures with which...
Kosovo*
Pioneering the Use of Solar Energy for Heating
Kosovo’s aspiration to apply ESG pillars, despite being at an early stage, is considered a strategically sound decision, because respecting these principles brings additional...
Montenegro
Respecting ESG Standards Accelerates EU Accession
Pursuing the Green Agenda is among Montenegro’s priorities in the EU accession process, because the state leadership believes sincerely that implementing standards related to...
North Macedonia
Supporting Investments in Renewables
It was with this in mind that it adopted the National Sustainable Development Strategy in 2020, the aim of which is to promote social,...
Slovenia
Targeting the Doubling of Solar Power Production
The Climate Strategy envisages Slovenia becoming a society based on sustainable development by 2050, which is why it is striving to efficiently manage energy...
Serbia
Investing in the Future of Green Hydrogen
Serbian public interest in topics related to the environment and climate change has been on the rise in recent years, a positive contribution to...
Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency
Shared Values and Commitment
We strongly believe that building our cooperation with Western Balkan partners in the years ahead will bring additional value to the EEA and its...
Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council
Huge Potential for Collaboration
Despite facing challenges, the Western Balkan region must commit itself steadfastly to the green transition, as backtracking isn’t sustainable when it comes to energy...
Bojan Kumer, Slovenian Minister of the Environment, Climate and Energy
Very Clear Tasks
The Western Balkan countries need to step up their decarbonisation measures through the increasing of their interconnectedness, the diversifying of energy sources and the...
Rok Capl, Director, SPIRIT Slovenia
Hard Work and Excellence
In the domain of green transition, business development agency SPIRIT Slovenia possesses invaluable knowledge and practices that have been honed over decades of fostering...
By Novica Mihajlović, Journalist
The Green Deal is a Big Deal
The number of climate change sceptics has fallen dramatically over the last year. Last August saw large swathes of Slovenia devastated by catastrophic floods,...
Dubravka Đedović Handanović, Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy
We Can’t Do Without European Support
As they navigate the energy transition process, EU member states have been able to count on generous financial support from the EU. And our...
Aleksandar Kovačević, Oxford Institute for Energy Studies (OIES)
Pacta Sunt Servanda!
In Vienna on 14th December 2023, the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community concluded: “The Ministerial Council expressed its serious concern over continued noncompliance...
Aleksandar Ljubić, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council of Serbia
ESG Principles Are Vital
In its activities to date, FIC Serbia has focused to a large extent on digitalisation, responsible business operations, the essential requirements of the green...
By Dragan Županjevac
Running Late, but Catching Up
Global climate change, together with pollution and biodiversity loss, forms part of the planetary triple crisis, as defined by the United Nations Environment Assembly,...
Nemanja Drobnjak, COO of CBS International
Expanding Real Estate’s Golden Age
As a regional leader in the real estate sector, CBS International has been strengthening its presence in Central Europe since last October’s opening of...
Kreshnik Bekteshi, North Macedonian Economy Minister
Smoother Transition to the Green Agenda
The region, including North Macedonia, is actively pursuing ambitious energy transition plans and is striving to attract investments to bolster these projects
Decarbonisation is at...
Viktor Mizo, President of the Foreign Investors Council of North Macedonia
Positive Momentum for Green Transition
In the dynamic landscape of the North Macedonian economy, the country’s Foreign Investors Council (FIC NM) is a pivotal force in driving economic growth...
By Dejan Azeski, Jurnalist
“Greening” Without Enthusiasm
Certain progress has been achieved over the past two years when it comes to advancing the Green Agenda in North Macedonia, as is particularly...
Nik Gjeloshaj, Montenegrin Deputy Prime Minister of Economic Policy
Committed to a Green Future
The Government of Montenegro is strongly committed to advancing the green transition, developing policies and programmes, as well as enhancing administrative capacities for the...
Arijana Nikolić Vučinić, Executive Director of the Montenegrin Foreign Investors Council
Utilising Vital Green Expertise
For more than 15 years, the dedicated efforts of the Montenegrin Foreign Investors Council have served to significantly advance the business environment in Montenegro,...
Biljana Braithwaite, Founder of the ESG Adria Summit
Responsible Governance is Crucial
The European Union’s six-billion-euro Growth Plan for the Western Balkans holds immense potential for the region, possibly doubling its economy over the next decade...
By Željka Radulović, Journalist
Much Talk, Few “Green” Policies
A whopping 32 and a half years have elapsed since Montenegro was first declared an ecological state. And yet, just like that first day,...
HENKEL
Longstanding Regional Business Practices
Henkel has been present in our region for decades, with operations in Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. It has production sites in...
Nicolas Marquier, Regional Manager for the Western Balkans at the International Finance Corporation (IFC)
ESG also Vital for Banking
As part of the upcoming ESG Adria Summit, the IFC is organising a capacity building event for banking associations from the Western Balkans intended...
Ivan Bulatović, CEO, Electric Power Company of Montenegro
Focus on Capital Projects
Here we discuss planned investments, the construction of new energy facilities that are primarily based on renewables, the modernisation of existing production facilities, and...
Avolta
The Store of the Future
Having successfully operated the duty-free stores in the airport since 2006, new contract signifies more than just the extension of a business agreement; it...
Petr Hermann, President of the Schneider Electric cluster for Southeast Europe
Making an Impact
We discussed digitalisation and the modernisation of energy infrastructure, software being developed by the company’s Serbian team in Novi Sad, the building of the...
Milica Obrenović, Senior Specialist for Operational Risk and Internal Control at Addiko Bank
ESG Strategy Implemented Consistently
The concept of sustainable operations should penetrate all structures of a company, which in the case of Addiko Bank is confirmed by initiatives which...
Chad Blewitt, Acting Managing Director of Rio Tinto’s Jadar Project
Mining’s Role in Europe’s Sustainable Future
Chad Blewitt is the acting managing director of Rio Tinto’s Jadar Project, which is regarded as being among the most significant lithium deposits in...
ElcomBGD
Smart Traffic Solutions for Client Full Satisfaction
From the Belgrade Waterfront to Kotor “on the water”, ElcomBgd implements effective solutions of adaptive traffic management that prove successful at easing and quickly...
Nina Lakičević, Director of the Tourist Organisation of Tivat
Tivat Lives Year-Round
We have a good foundation when it comes to preparing for the season ahead. Preparations are underway for a rich calendar of events, through...
Dun & Bradstreet ESG Intelligence
Your Major Competitive Advantage
It is today unacceptable to maintain business relations with a company that has unethical practices, violates human rights or doesn’t respect environmental protection standards....
Dragan Vlahović and Jefimija Pavićević, Zeta Energy Danilovgrad
The Future Belongs to Green Projects
We are currently considering popular green projects and searching for projects related to the reconstruction of existing hydroelectric power plants or the construction of...
Mihailo Vukić, Owner, Allegra Cruises
Your next Cruise is just a Click away!
For booking Royal Caribbean cruises, a unique website adapted to the countries of the Region has been created. Thus, the long-standing successful cooperation between...
Prokopije Perić, CEO, Plus d.o.o. Podgorica
Confident in its Leading Position
We have always endeavored to diversify our business into as many categories as possible, in order for the stability of the company to be...
Emrush Ujkani, Executive Director of the European Investors Council (EIC)
Leaders of Sustainable Finance Practices
As a collective voice for the largest European investors in Kosovo’s private sector, the European Investors Council (EIC) is proud of the tangible contributions...
By Luan Hasanaj, Environmentalist
Civic Engagement and Institutional Responsibility
As one of the biggest environmental issues confronting Kosovo, environmental pollution not only demands immediate attention, but also cooperation among all those involved in...
Damir Habijan, Croatian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development
Staunch Supporter of the Green Deal
Croatia is dedicated to the European Green Deal and is striving to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, having made substantial decarbonisation efforts in the...
Tomislav Šlat, Secretary General of the Foreign Investors Council of Croatia
Leap Forward Required
In today’s global economic environment, communication and cooperation between the private sector and the public administration within countries is becoming more important by the...
By Adriano Milovan, Journalist
Carelessness is Costly
It was almost 15 years ago that a huge dump appeared suddenly in the vicinity of the village of Biljani Donji near Croatia’s fifth...
Vedran Lakić, Minister of Energy, Mining and Industry of the Federation of BiH
Political and Cultural Shift
Three recently adopted laws that regulate the energy field in a comprehensive way represent a significant advance in the green transition of the Federation...
Sanja Miovčić, Executive Director of FIC Bosnia and Herzegovina
Empowering the Communities in Which we Operate
The Foreign Investors Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina is determined to support all initiatives linked to the transition to green energy, the circular economy...
By Armin Zeba, Journalist
Chimney in the Lungs
According to research conducted by the World Health Organization and other institutions of global importance, Bosnia & Herzegovina is Europe’s most polluted country, while...
Marinela Jazoj, Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Association of Albania
Albania is Greening Fast
Amid climate change challenges, Albania, which is primarily reliant on hydropower, is transitioning to a resilient green economy by diversifying into solar and wind...
By Geri Kolgega, Journalist
Rivers don’t Forgive
When it emerged from the challenging communist era back in 1991, Albania set its sights on Western democracy and a future aligned with Europe....
Driant Zeneli, Albanian visual artist
Still Waiting to Join Europe
In today’s globalised yet divided world, art has also changed, as has the attitude toward the notion of nation, with many artists and intellectuals...
Labour Force
Even Greater Scramble for Good Workers
The start of March saw the launch of the Open Balkan common labour market, which enables citizens of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia to...
Borders (Green Lanes)
Reduced Waiting Times, Increased GDP
It was recorded in early March that haulage vehicles carrying goods from Serbia into the EU had to wait for up to 30 hours...