In the beautiful setting of the Yugoslav Cinematheque in Belgrade, on April 9th, the 8th birthday of Diplomacy & Commerce magazine was celebrated in front of many guests and friends of the editorial staff. As a special segment of the celebration, twenty-one Diplomacy & Commerce awards for 2024 were awarded to individuals, companies and institutions that made an outstanding contribution to the economic, social and humanitarian development of Serbia.
Award winners were decided by an eminent jury composed of: Marko Čadež, president of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce; Boško Vučurević, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina; Brankica Janković, Commissioner for Equality; Tijana Palkovljević, director of Matica Srpska Gallery; Nenad Milić, executive director of IAB Serbia; Stevan Ristić, Media Association, Nada Filipović, Association of Brewers of Serbia, Danijela Popović-Jurić, Red Communications.
The guests present at the opening of the event were addressed by Žikica Milošević, the first editor of “Diplomacy & Commerce” magazine, who pointed out that the idea behind “Diplomacy & Commerce” magazine is precisely the culture of dialogue and listening to the other side. Tomislav Momirović, Minister of Interior and Foreign Affairs trade in the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Tijana Palkovljević Bugarski, director of Galeria Matica srpska, adressed the audience as well.
“Serbia today is a modern economy of Southeast Europe, a country of innovation and new investments. Successful companies and individuals who are with us this night also contribute to this. Today we have the opportunity to thank those who, with their work, vision and dedication, improve the business environment and contribute to the development of our country,” said Momirović.
The special award of “Diplomacy & Commerce” magazine for building bridges between nations was awarded to Tamara Vučić, the wife of the President of the Republic of Serbia.
“In my opinion, diplomacy and the goal of diplomacy is precisely to build bridges between nations, between people. And to provide that space for dialogue, for conversation, for negotiations, for agreements. I consider myself a pacifist both by character and by conviction, and that in itself is in favor of diplomacy,” Tamara Vučić pointed out.
The following awards were given at the ceremony:
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the best socially responsible campaign was awarded to the companies Coca-Cola HBC and NLB Komercijalna banka, which was received by Dejan Đurović, Coca-Cola HBC and Danilo Grbović, NLB Komercijalna banka. The winners were presented with the award by Mihailo Vesović, in front of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for supporting cultural institutions and artists was awarded to ERSTE Bank. During the ceremony, Boško Vučurović, president of the Vojvodina Chamber of Commerce, presented the award to Zlata Lukić and Tamara Simović, representatives of ERSTE Bank.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for support of science and education (company) was awarded to the Miodrag Kostić Foundation for the “Palace of Science” project. The award was presented by Branikica Janković, commissioner for equality, while Tamara Veselinović received the award in front of MK group.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for projects in the field of “green economy and sustainable development” was awarded to the company Heineken Serbia for the project “Reservoir“, the award was received on behalf of the company by Biljana Bobić Subin, and the award was presented to her by Jasmina Lukić from the company NIS Serbia, laureate of D&C Awards from 2023.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for business improvement was awarded to the company “DHG group” for the project “Helvetica Residences”. Milena Stevović received the award on behalf of “DHG Group”, while Princess Jelisaveta Karađorđević presented her with the award.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for digital transformation was awarded to the Center for Digital Transformation of PKS, the director Predrag Nikolić received the award on behalf of the Center, while the award was presented to him by Zoran Puzović from Srbijavoz, laureate of the D&C Awards for 2023.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for improving business conditions and the economic environment was awarded to the Provincial Secretariat for the Economy of AP Vojvodina, the award was received by Nenad Ivanišević, the Provincial Secretary for Economy and Tourism. While the award was presented to him by Nada Filipović, on behalf of the Association of Brewers of Serbia and a member of this year’s Jury.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the improvement of bilateral cooperation was awarded to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Serbia, the award was received by H.E. Mohamed Amin Belhaž, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco, and the award was presented by Dejan Ljevnajić in front of the Jahorina Olympic Center and our last year’s laureate.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for contribution to the development of the local community and civil society was awarded to UniCredit Bank. The award was received by Svetlana Bunčić on behalf of the bank and was presented by Aleksandar Tripković, director of AstraZeneca and last year’s laureate.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for business innovation was awarded to Milšped Group. Maja Simić accepted the award on behalf of the company. Milica Popović, representing the Mozzart company as the last year’s laureate, presented the award.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the best relations with the media in the institution category was awarded to the Tourism Organization of Serbia, the award was received by Marija Labović, director of TOS. The award was presented to the winner by Boško Rupić from the Air Serbia company, laureate of the D&C Awards for 2023.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the best relations with the media in the company category was awarded to the company Allegra Krstarenja, the award was received on behalf of the company by Mihailo Vukić, while the award was presented to the winner by Đorđe Višacki, from the Olympic Committee of Serbia.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the best relations with the media in the category of embassies was awarded to the Embassy of Italy in Serbia. On behalf of the embassy, the award was received by H.E. Luka Gori, Ambassador of Italy in Serbia, while the award was presented to him by William Hopkinson from the Great Britain Embassy, last year’s laureate.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the promotion of social activism was awarded by the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation. On behalf of the Foundation, Petra Divac presented the award which found its way to the hands of the Krokodil association. It was received by Milena Berić and Vladimir Arsenijević.
The Diplomacy & Commerce award for the most professional personality in the media went to Jelena Zorić, and the award was presented by Duška Jovanić. In her name, the award was recieved by her colleague, Marija Janković, editor in Nedeljnik VREME.
Diplomacy & Commerce magazine’s special award for the most successful businessman abroad originating from Serbia was awarded to Zaga Čolović in front of the Beauty Handmade London company, the award was presented by Dragana Vasiljević, in front of the Zvonko Bogdan winery and last year’s laureate.
Diplomacy & Commerce magazine’s special award for the promotion of art in HoReCa facilities was presented to Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Vinary, and it was received by Uroš Sarjanović on behalf of the company. The award was presented to him by Danijela Popović Jurić, Red Communication, member of the jury.
The special award of Diplomacy & Commerce magazine for digital innovations in the service of citizens was awarded to the company Novi Sad Gas DP, and the award was received by Milan Đukić. Una Barišić in front of IAB Serbia presented the award.
The Diplomacy & Commerce magazine’s special award for creative innovation went to the FitPass company, the award was received by Marija Pasuljević. The award was presented by Danijela Vasić GTC.
Diplomacy & Commerce magazine’s special award for networking “Miodrag Bogič” went to Ervin Pašanović, Adventis Real estate Management Ltd. The award was presented to him by Duško Krsmanović, UK Export Finance for CEE and Balkans.
The event was supported by British Motors, DHG Group, Heineken, Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Vinary and Tikveš.
