The year 2021 was the most successful ever for the Serbian startup ecosystem, with local startups attracting over €120 million in investments and the Serbian tech sector exceeding $1.7 billion in export revenue in 2021. The Government’s ‘’Strategy for the Startup Ecosystem Development of the Republic of Serbia for the period from 2021 to 2025’’ aims to accelerate the development of the startup ecosystem and encourage innovation even more. As one of the main instruments of doing so, RS has introduced good-old tax reliefs and incentives.
Renewables in Serbia
Contributed by Jankovic Popovic Mitic
Tax Incentives for Renewable Energy Sources, Current Status and Possibilities
The energy development strategy of the Republic of Serbia until 2025 with projections until 2030, as well as the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, which is
currently being developed and adopted, foresee an increase in the share of energy obtained from renewable energy sources in the energy balance of the Republic of Serbia
as a strategic goal.
Proposal for Amendments to the Law On Planning and Construction
The Government of the Republic of Serbia, at its session held on 4 May 2023, adopted the Draft Amendments to the Planning and Construction Act, so that, in due course, the adoption of the Draft and the adoption of the amendments to the Planning and Construction Act can be expected.
The Last Day for Registration to E-government Portal Approaching
We would like to remind you that tomorrow is the final day for legal entities in Serbia to register as users of the e-government portal.
Incorporation of Companies in Serbia Will be Carried out Electronically
With the latest amendments to the Law on Registration Procedure in the Business Registers Agency, another step has been taken on the digitization of public administration.
A Bid-Rigging in Public Procurement Proceedings
The Serbian Competition Commission initiated an infringement investigation. On 20 April 2023, the Commission for the Protection of the Competition (“Commission”) initiated one more infringement investigation and carried out a dawn raid, this time against KTG Solucije d.o.o. Subotica (“KTG”) and Eco-Sense doo Subotica (“Eco Sense”) for possible RPM (resale price maintenance) and sharing of markets or source of supply in public procurement proceedings related to the materials and means for maintaining hygiene in facilities.
Arm’s Length Interest Rates
The Ministry of Finance published, at the end of -March 2023, its eleventh Regulation on interest rates which are considered to be in line with the "arm’s length" principle. The Ministry of Finance, i.e. the Minister issues this Regulation every year and it pertains to the interest rates for that year.
Yet Another Investigation Initiated by the Serbian Competition Commission
On 24 March 2023, the Commission for the Protection of the Competition (“Commission”) initiated an investigation against the Hotelsko, Ugostiteljsko i Turisticko preduzece Moskva doo (“Moskva”) for possible gun-jumping.
Serbia: Chapter 23 - What Does It Take to Stay on the Train and Reach EU?
The answer is simple: to make EU membership top priority, to form the team with the capacity to drive and stay on the train until the final destination. But it is not only important for the team to have only the Loco pilot only to drive the train, the team must have other members with the understanding who is in the train, the train route both in Serbia and EU and who share strong belief that the final destination will bring the benefits not only to the country of the departure (passengers) but also to the countries and citizens of the destination. If something is missing in that chain, it may happen that the Loco pilot may drive the train via Antarctica to EU with the possibility that the train may get stuck somewhere on the route and may never reach its final destination.
JPM Advises Smartsy on Financial Instrument Issuance
JPM Jankovic Popovic Mitic has advised Smartsy on its issuance of a financial instrument conveying the right to acquire shares in the company.
How to Protect Photographers' Copyright?
We are witnessing that there is a constant "hunger" for information in modern society and that the media are competing to be the first to publish exclusive news. The average reader is overwhelmed by a massive amount of information, and the media almost always publish articles and appealing photos to attract the reader's attention.
Serbia – Data Protection Strategy Proposal for 2023-2030
The Serbian Ministry of Justice released a Data Protection Strategy Proposal for 2023-2030 and invited stakeholders to participate in public discussion. The document sets an ambitious goal: harmonisation of data protection legislation with acquis communautaire resulting in obtaining EU decision on the adequate protection of personal data and resulting in a free flow of personal data with EU. We would be glad to participate in public discussion providing suggestions resulting from our long-term practice for the improvement of the proposal.
Danilo Nikolic and Luka Nikolic Join Jankovic Popovic Mitic as Partners
White-Collar Crime Attorneys Danilo Nikolic and Luka Nikolic have joined Jankovic Popovic Mitic as Partners in the firm.
New Draft of the Law On Amendments to the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction
After the publication of the draft of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Spatial Planning and Construction, a series of public hearings on the proposed draft law was held in February 2023, and now we are waiting for the final wording of the proposal of the amendments and the lawmaker’s response to the of proposals and objections raised during the public hearings.
The draft envisages numerous amendments to the law, the most striking of which is the amendment related to the conversion of the right of use on construction land into the right of ownership (conversion).
Bojana Javoric Micovic Makes Partner at JPM
Former Senior Associate Bojana Javoric Micovic has been promoted to Partner at Jankovic Popovic Mitic.
Film Incentives in Serbia
The Republic of Serbia continues to encourage creativity in the field of audiovisual production through incentives’ allocation to individuals even so in 2023.
NKO Partners and JPM Advise on Noventiq Buyout of Saga Minority Shareholders
NKO Partners has advised a group of Saga’s minority shareholders on Noventiq's buyout of their equity. Jankovic Popovic Mitic advised the buyer.