New Rules of the Game for Croatian Entrepreneurs from 2012

And while Maja and Roland Emerich predict the end of the world in 2012, Croatia is, according to currently unofficial information, preparing for membership in the long-awaited European Union in the same year.

In the new issue of the business weekly Lider, we have prepared current economic stories:

Assuming that these two events will not overlap, interest in specific technical issues and necessary adjustments before entering full membership is growing among the Croatian public. Croatia would need to export nearly 15 billion euros this year, in addition to 8 billion euros, to cover all gaps! The external debt could therefore be 2.5 times greater than the value of exports, which raises questions about meeting foreign obligations. Did you know that Croatia needs to triple its exports to cover all deficits?! More in the story by Matilda Bačelić and Gordana Gelenčer.

The third largest tobacco company in the world is already in talks with retailers about the placement of its Winston and Camel cigarettes in Croatia. This will be a new blow to the market leader, the domestic TDR, which Philip Morris has already reduced its share from 87% to 81% with the Marlboro brand. In the story by Antonija Knežević, discover how the new excise tax system attracted Japan Tobacco to the Croatian market.

Darinko Kosor, in an exclusive interview for Lider, claims that the government must reduce the budget. Otherwise, elections are needed after which the new government will have to do this in the first years of its mandate, is the main message from HSLS leader Darinko Kosor. The economy is in a difficult state, and if this government is not ready to implement reforms and lacks political will, necessary reforms must be carried out by someone else, emphasizes the new leader of the liberals. – The budget cannot be 120 billion kuna; ideally, it would be a hundred. The state must be smaller and more efficient, it must eliminate privileges, so there will be no need for a crisis tax on the revenue side.

And while Maja and Roland Emerich predict the end of the world in 2012, Croatia is, according to currently unofficial information, preparing for membership in the long-awaited European Union in the same year. Assuming that these two events will not overlap, interest in specific technical issues and necessary adjustments before entering full membership is growing among the Croatian public. In social, political, legal, and above all economic terms, this path is clearly outlined in 34 negotiation chapters that Croatia will have to negotiate and subsequently close in order to become the 28th member of the most desirable club of states in history. So far, 17 chapters have been temporarily closed, and Croatia’s biggest problem is the blockage of the chapter on Justice and Fundamental Rights, which, due to alleged insufficient cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, is blocked by Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, and Denmark. More in the weekly topic ‘New Rules of the Game for Croatian Entrepreneurs’ by Bojana Božanić and Vanja Figenwald.

Our advisor, Prof. Dr. Hrvoje Kačer, reveals the legal side of the impossibility of selling and buying private agricultural land. Despite the government’s decision to establish an agency for agricultural land nearly a year ago, which, according to the new Agricultural Land Act, is the only one that can decide on disposal, this has not happened. As a result, all contracts for the purchase or sale of private agricultural land are null and void.

In the world, read about Warren Buffett, the bold investor trying to prevent Kraft’s management from buying Cadbury. The most famous investor of today, Buffett, announced that as the largest shareholder, he disagrees with the acquisition of the British Cadbury. At the same time, he is embarking on the purchase of the American railroad company Burlington Santa Fe for 26 billion dollars.
Darija Tabulov Truta investigated why beauty salons are squeezing out old hairdressing businesses.
 
Did you know that a watch, shoes, makeup… determine business cooperation before you say a word? Nonverbal communication and physical appearance account for 90% of communication, many studies show, as well as that the first impression is lasting. Therefore, especially in a crisis, one should invest in a new suit, good shoes, a well-groomed appearance, and – a charming smile. More in the Business Knowledge section.

This week’s feature deals with the recently deceased Casey Johnson, who harmed the reputation of Johnson & Johnson in life and death. From its founding to today, Johnson & Johnson is an example of a well-managed company that, in its existence of over a hundred years, has never seriously faltered either in business or private matters or provided the media with ammunition for gossip. This practice was interrupted by the great-great-granddaughter of the founder, the problematic and disinherited Casey Johnson, who passed away last week in an apartment on Mulholland Drive. (G. J.)