Manipulating with the Role of PM’s Advisor Toncev

Manipulating with the Role of PM’s Advisor Toncev

photo: telegraf.rs

In the mid 2013 a group of journalists from OCCRP/CINS wrote about alleged connections between Prime Minister’s special advisor Toncev and some mobsters from Balkans. The final outcome of these claims can be defined as placing of many untested and unproved claims. It is more than obvious having in mind that official state research has shown that Mr. Toncev didn’t have any unauthorized relations with any of criminal groups.

Center for Investigative Reporting in Serbia quotes unofficial and unseen report of Serbian intelligence agency (BIA). CINS claims that in the previously mentioned report there are several names of Balkans criminals who can be connected with the advisor. Anyway there are not any strong proves for these claims. Mr. Toncev declined any negative context of his contacts with these persons. Actually he stressed that his meetings with these persons didn’t have any mysterious nature and that state authorities were aware of that. ‘I was acting for the good of country and state officials are aware of that. Therefore my conscience is clear’, said Toncev.

There are also quoted some allegedly suspicious connections with Montenegrin businessmen Branislav Saranovic who was killed in Belgrade in 2009. Toncev says that it is a fact that he has sold his construction company to Mr. Saranovic but that it is everything what he can say about that topic. Toncev asks why is he so interesting to journalists and some centers of power?  In his opinion it is the case because he is not involved in any of suspicious privatizations in Serbia but also because he doesn’t belong to any of these lobby groups. He also asked why os he so interesting to the investigative media which already conducted three researches about him? At the same time, there are at least 10,000 state officials who might be interesting topics for these journalists, said Toncev.

Regarding his meetings with Rodoljub Radulovic or any other person, Toncev doesn’t negate that he has met many persons and that he has spoke with many potential investors who can support economic development of Serbia. For example he spoke with Mr. Bartolazzi and there are not any secrets, said Tincev. ‘I will meet anyone who wants to invest in Serbia’, told Mr. Toncev according to the CINS.

CINS quotes that some foreign diplomats accredited in Belgrade warned Prime Minister Dacic about Mr’ Toncev’s incapacity for highest state duties. In Toncev’s opinion it can not be the case because he had friendly and professional contacts with many diplomats accredited in Serbia including those from the EU member states. ‘Do you believe that it is appropriate and in accordance with diplomatic practice to accuse PM’s advisor in private chat with the Prime Minister? It sounds pretty funny’, said Toncev. Toncev added that he never was accused for any of criminal activities in front of the state authorities. He stressed that there must be made distinction between regular state procedures which includes investigative authorities and judiciary and some ordered investigations carried out by some investigative press. Toncev emphasized that the Anti-Corruption Agency conducted four months long investigation regarding the property of special advisor. The final outcome was the official report which states that there are not any irregularities regarding Toncev’s property and its acquisition. Toncev believes that the Agency did its job very professionally but he also believes that the investigation was initiated by media campaign which was organized against him.   

Ivica Toncev emphasizes the importance of modernizing of Serbia what includes better conditions for foreign and domestic investments. He also expresses huge admiration for the energy delivered by leaders of Serbian Government, Mr. Vucic and Mr. Dacic. Regarding himself, Mr. Toncev believes that previously mentioned officials know if his role is useful for the wellbeing of Serbia. He strongly believes that commitment and honest work are the strongest arguments in his professional defense. It is not an easy way to defend personal and professional integrity in our political life but it is the only right way’, said Mr. Toncev. 

Toncev might be appointed as a new State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Interior

Toncev might be appointed as a new State Secretary of the Serbian Ministry of Interior

photo: telegraf.rs

According to the several Serbian newspapers special advisor (in charge of national security) of the former Serbian Prime Minister might be appointed as a new State Secretary in the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia.

Toncev is a member of the Socialist Party of Serbia. Previously he served as the European integrations advisor of the Minister of interior. 

Citibank Hungary CEO: Everyone Could Benefit From Growth Recovery

Citibank Hungary CEO: Everyone Could Benefit From Growth Recovery

April 22, 2014, 2:15 pm

photo: portfolio.hu

Aftab Ahmed, the CEO of Citibank Hungary, is discussing the country's economic outlook with an optimism unusual to see in the banking sector. The chief executive is of the view that with the manufacturing sector continuing to do well, there is a growing focus on capital expenditure financing to increase production capacity. As deposits continue to grow and consumers spend more, retail banks should do well in the area of wealth management and loan bookings, he added. 

more on: http://www.portfolio.hu/en/equity/citibank_hungary_ceo_everyone_could_benefit_from_growth_recovery.27674.html

Source: PORTFOLIO.HU link: http://www.portfolio.hu/en/equity/citibank_hungary_ceo_everyone_could_benefit_from_growth_recovery.27674.html

Serbia Needs Stronger and More Competitive Economy

Serbia Needs Stronger and More Competitive Economy

Ivica Toncev (in the middle); photo: novitalas.com

Serbian PM’s advisor Ivica Toncev stresses several times that the economic development of Serbia is the precondition for future stability of Serbia. He believes that economic growth will create greater stability within the all areas of social development. ‘Stronger economy means strengthening of national security’, said Toncev.

Toncev is very often recognized as a politician who publicly favors better conditions for FDI in Serbia. ‘Modern and functional procedures regarding investing means faster development and more transparency within the market’, said Toncev. 

Toncev believes that domestic investors also need state’s support in the future if they promote ‘healthy business ’, said PM’s special advisor.

Ivica Toncev is also vice president of the FC Red Star Belgrade, former European and world club champions.

SLOVAKIA FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

SLOVAKIA FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT

Foreign Direct Investment in Slovakia increased to 2.20 EUR Billion in 

2012 from 1.54 EUR Billion in 2011. Foreign Direct Investment in Slovakia

 is reported by the Eurostat. From 2000 until 2012, Slovakia Foreign Direct

 Investment averaged 2.2 EUR Billion reaching an all time high of 4.0 EUR 

Billion in December of 2002 and a record low of 0.0 EUR Billion in December 

of 2009. This page provides - Slovakia Foreign Direct Investment - actual values,

 historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. 2014-04-17

source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/slovakia/foreign-direct-investment

more on: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/slovakia/foreign-direct-investment

Serbian PM’s advisor in favor of creating of better investing climate

Serbian PM’s advisor in favor of creating of better investing climate

photo: telegraf.rs

Mr. Toncev advises Mr. Dacic for the last six years and during that period he had an opportunity to visit several EU member states where he has spoke with investors from these states about their arrival in Serbia.

One of the countries Mr. Toncev visited several times is Italy which is among major investors in Serbian economy.

During these visits he had an opportunity to say to foreign investors that Serbia is open market for their investments. He especially stressed that Serbia is willing to create the best conditions for investing in region. ‘That means faster procedures for starting business in Serbia and state’s will to create healthy business environment including reforming of the state public enterprises’, said Toncev in Vranje last week.

Foreign direct investment in Romania in 2013 – highest in four years

photo: romaniatourism.com

Foreign direct investments to Romania totaled EUR 2.7 billion in 2013, the highest level in the last four years, according to data from Romania’s Central Bank BNR.

Of these, equity stakes consolidated with the estimated net loss amounted to EUR 1.7 billion and intragroup loans to EUR 937 million.

The peak year for foreign direct investments (FDI) was 2008, with EUR 9.4 billion, but the year after, they went down to EUR 3.4 billion, and to EUR 2.2 billion in 2010. The year 2012 brought the first rise after the financial crisis hit, EUR 2.1 billion.

editor@romania-insider.com

Source: http://www.romania-insider.com/foreign-direct-investment-in-romania-in-2013-highest-in-four-years/115122/

Ivica Toncev Recognizes Economy as the Main National Security Issue

Ivica Toncev Recognizes Economy as the Main National Security Issue

photo: kurir-info.rs

Ivica Toncev national security advisor of the Serbian Prime Minister spoke several times about main security challenges of Serbia. Even though he is aware of the conventional security threats for Serbia he underlined economic crises and poverty risks as the main challenges for the Serbia’s stability.

Mr. Toncev thinks that happy and economically stabile population is a precondition for national stability and development in all life fields. With stabile economy and better conditions for investments Serbia will become more attractive for its population, especially for young educated people who will decide not to leave Serbia in search for better life standard.

Special advisor stressed this issue many times during his visits to Serbian sities as Vranje, Nis and Kragujevac are

Croatia: FDI in first nine months of 2013 EUR 530 million

JANUARY 14 2014 22:54h

 

dalje.com

FDI in first nine months of 2013 

EUR 530 million

photo:dalje.com

Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) in Croatia continued to decline last year and in the first nine months of 2013 amounted to 530.5 million euros, slightly less than in the same period of 2012, according to the latest data released by the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

FDI in the first three quarters of 2013 were half the FDI value in 2012 and 2011, when they amounted to 1.1 billion euros, and they were slightly higher than in 2012, when they totalled 389.1 million euros.

The central bank's statistics show that ownership investments in the first nine months of 2013 amounted to 299.9 million euros, retained profits totalled 154.2 million euros, while other investments amounted to 76.4 million euros.

HNB analysts say in the latest HNB Bulletin that the drop in ownership investments was partly due to a takeover transaction in the second quarter, when Crodux Derivati took over OMV Croatia, a subsidiary of the Austrian oil company OMV, but that the low value of investments in new and current projects had the biggest impact.

"Retained profits are also lower due to the decline in earnings of domestic companies and foreign-owned banks. Foreign owners transformed around 200 million euros of their creditor claims into ownership shares, which is more than in 2012, but despite that, the debt owed to nonresident owners increased (by 100 million euros)," HNB analysts said.

They underlined that as in the previous quarters, the bulk of investments was made into real estate transactions (EUR 114.1 million), followed by ownership investments into real estate (EUR 103.2 million), and investments into food and beverage production (EUR 66 million), other economic branches (EUR 56.5 million), retail trade (EUR 51.9 million), wholesale trade (EUR 16.1 million), construction (EUR 43.2 million), and the hotel and restaurant industry (EUR 40.5 million).

The leading investors in Croatia in the first three quarters of last year were companies from Austria (EUR 181.6 million), Germany (EUR 66.4 million), Luxembourg (EUR 45.1 million), and Italy (EUR 40.9 million).

According to HNB data, in the period between 1993 and the end of September 2013, FDI in Croatia amounted to slightly more than EUR 27.14 billion.

Most of the investments, amounting to more than 8.8 billion euros, were made into the Croatian banking sector. Investments in the banking sector are followed by investments in wholesale trade, totalling EUR 2.6 billion, real estate transactions, amounting to slightly more than EUR 2 billion, postal and telecommunication services and the oil industry, amounting to about EUR 1.7 billion each, etc.

In the said period, investors from Austria invested EUR 7.3 billion in Croatia, investors from Germany invested EUR 3.3 billion, those from the Netherlands made EUR 3.2 billion worth of investments, Hungarian investors invested EUR 2.4 billion, while those from Luxembourg invested EUR 1.7 billion. Companies from France, Italy and Slovenia invested more than a billion euros.

In the first nine months of last year, Croatian companies invested 123.4 million euros abroad. Since 1993, they have invested slightly more than 4 billion euros abroad.

"In 2014 and 2015 a gradual recovery of net FDI is expected. Some of the factors which should contribute to their growth are an expected intensifying of privatisation projects, a positive impact of Croatia's EU membership on foreign investors' perception of the country, as well as an improvement in the general investment climate in the country. A recovery of domestic economic activity is expected to increase FDI by domestic companies abroad," the HNB analysts said.

Source: http://dalje.com/en-economy/fdi-in-first-nine-months-of-2013-eur-530-million/494978