In July, the United States enacted the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act (the GENIUS Act). From now on, only institutions that qualify as Permitted Payment Stablecoin Issuers may offer dollar-pegged stablecoins to the public. To qualify, an entity must be domiciled in the United States and either receive a federal charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, operate under an approved state regime if its circulation stays below ten billion US dollars, or issue through a separately capitalized insured depository institution. Each coin must be backed one-for-one with cash or short-term US Treasury […]
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A recent initiative has emerged in Serbia, proposing amendments to the Value Added Tax Act with a dual purpose: encouraging food donations and combating food waste. These proposed changes carry significant implications, not only for the economy but also for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. The Proposal The proposed amendments present a strong possibility to tackle food waste by incentivizing surplus food donations from legal entities involved in food production or sales. By exempting such donations from Value Added Tax (VAT), the initiative aims to eliminate financial barriers that often deter businesses from contributing excess food to social and […]
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Gecić Law is delighted to announce its contribution to the renowned CEE Legal Matters Comparative Guides to Central and Eastern Europe series. This time, our expertise shines in the field of Banking and Finance, marking another milestone in our commitment to providing comprehensive legal insights. Our team, comprising Senior Associate Miloš Petaković and Associate Teodora Ristić, worked on the chapter dedicated to Serbia, shedding light on the legal framework governing the country’s financial services sector. With a comprehensive analysis of relevant legislation, the chapter offers essential information contributing to a detailed understanding of Serbia’s financial services landscape. The Banking and […]
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The energy crisis and rising costs are not the primary driver but have certainly accelerated discussions on energy sustainability. Responsible companies and real estate developers are already implementing construction strategies that enable energy sustainability and qualify for certificates such are LEED and BREEM. As the market is turning greener, real estate developers are motivated to do so: it increases the demand, secures financing, and provides an overall better company image. But what about old buildings? Either built before there was awareness of the need for energy savings or just losing the battle with time, old buildings maintain energy spillage, which […]
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As we discussed last week, the National Bank of Serbia (“NBS”) decided to hike the interest rate to 3%. In addition to this decision, several other measures were introduced aimed at reducing the growing inflationary pressures affecting the economy of Serbia. One of the measures is the decision that all banks that have increased their fees for payment services since January 1, 2021, will reduce those fees by 30% starting September 1 or reduce these fees prior levels. According to the NBS, the aggregate benefit of this measure to individual clients will amount to 7 billion dinars. In addition, NBS […]
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The Executive Board of Serbia’s Central Bank (“NBS”) voted today to raise key interest rates by 25 basis points to 3%, in a fifth hike this year. The credit facility rate is now 4% and the deposit facility rate is 2%, all increased by 25 basis points. The Executive Board decided that an additional tightening of the monetary policy is necessary, and that year-on-year inflation is expected to peak during the current quarter and then start declining. In conditions of continued cost pressures and growth of imported inflation beyond all expectations, the NBS is aiming for a balanced approach that […]
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In times of crisis, cryptocurrencies found new roles in financial markets. We witness different forms in which cryptocurrencies are used to transfer value when the regular financial flows fail (or are just too laggy). It seems crypto is here to stay and governments are taking stock and developing plans. This March, US President Joe Biden was determined to find a regulatory solution for crypto by kickstarting the legislative machine of the US with the Executive Order on Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets (“EO”). The EO recognizes the explosive growth of digital assets as an opportunity to reinforce American leadership […]
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Environmental awareness has been a pressing topic for decades. In the past, international treaties were signed to put words into action. One of these key treaties was the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. The reasoning behind this protocol was evident; countries needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”). Back in 2008, Serbia had ratified this agreement and prescribed mandatory targets for the reduction of harmful emissions in the period between 2008-2012. The Amendment from Doha confirmed the second binding period of the Kyoto Protocol, between 2013-2020, including new obligations in GHG emissions reduction. However, perhaps the most crucial treaty was the Paris […]
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Gecić Law’s sustainability experts took part in two sessions at this fall’s CSR Forum organized by the Responsible Business Forum and Smart Kolektiv. Gecić Law and the Responsible Business Forum hosted a panel on responsible business practices on November 22. The event was held as part of the CSR Forum and was titled “Strategies for Sustainability – from CSR to ESG policies.” Our Partner and Head of Corporate / M&A Ognjen Colić moderated the panel. Meanwhile, speakers at the event were Erste Bank Senior Expert for Corporate Social Responsibility Sonja Konakov Sirčev, Nelt Operations Manager Milenko Ribić, Lidl Serbia CSR […]
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Does blockchain technology carry risks of money laundering and terrorist financing? The Financial Action Task Force (“FATF”) responds affirmatively. In October 2021, FATF published an Updated Guidance for a Risk-Based Approach (“Guidance”), as a result of crypto market monitoring. The Guidance is based on the assessment of the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing regarding the regulation and supervision of virtual assets (“VA“) and Virtual Assets Service Providers (“VASP“). The amendments to the Guidance are the result of the FATF’s ongoing work and oversight of the VA and VASP sectors and their development, to prevent money laundering and terrorist […]
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Multinational entities and governments are pushing for more action regarding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues. As a result, enterprises increasingly integrate the ever-changing social and environmental factors into their business strategies. The concept of business success has changed and so must the actions they take. But what exactly is ESG? ESG is a set of standards to guide corporate policies to ensure sustainable development in the fields of environment, social and corporate governance. How Did We Get to ESG? Only twenty years ago, if one would ask a group of individuals with a business background about the main objective […]
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China again demonstrated the potential of its impact on the global economy as its actions and signals sent ripples through world markets last week. China’s central bank reiterated last Friday that all cryptocurrency-related transactions are illegal and will be outlawed, delivering the clearest signal yet of the country’s determination to crack down on the industry to “preserve economic, financial and social order”. The move comes after Chinese authorities banned cryptocurrency mining earlier this year. Chinese authorities have said they will coordinate their efforts to ensure the end of cryptocurrency trading. The People’s Bank of China stated that cryptocurrencies may not […]
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We are immensely pleased to announce that our own Ognjen Colić was elected partner at Gecić Law. This is a greatly important milestone marking five years of continued successes. Ognjen’s independent practice joined Gecić Law in 2016, complementing its corporate arm and contributing to the strengthening of common values. Ognjen has since headed our Corporate/M&A, Labor and Energy, Infrastructure & PPP practices, taken them from strength to strength and will continue driving their growth as a partner. Ognjen’s career path has been remarkable, with more than fifteen years of professional experience across the Western Balkans (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North […]
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We live in the era of digitalization. Changes in technology inevitably affect our lives. One such innovation in Serbia are digital assets, which can be virtual / cryptocurrencies or digital tokens. Although the local legislation has only recently recognized this institute, an increasing number of companies that operate in Serbia now work in the sphere of cryptocurrencies. The Digital Assets Act (the “Act”) provides options and opens many doors for the use of digital assets, primarily cryptocurrencies. Therefore, the question whether cryptocurrencies are our future or our present arises. Opportunities for the use of cryptocurrencies are yet to be fully […]
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In the past few years, virtual currencies have become very attractive to investors across the globe. Their importance for world capital and money flows is constantly growing, which resulted in the need for them to be regulated. That was the precise reason for the Republic of Serbia to adopt the Digital Property Act at the end of last year. Its significance is recognized in defining digital assets for the very first time, thus introducing them into regulated economic flows. However, this Act alone could not resolve all issues and questions related to digital property. For example, the Digital Property Act […]
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Crypto, crypto, crypto…Wherever you go, whoever you talk to, crypto must be mentioned. In the last few years, and especially in the last few months, virtual currencies and digital tokens have seen a true expansion. More and more people are getting interested in crypto and are starting to trade in them. As a result, the importance of cryptocurrencies is rising. “New” business and new earnings? Naturally, corporate giants recognized the upward trend and did not want to miss this “historical moment” to create a completely new way of doing business by entering a new market that generates huge profits. Recently, […]
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This year will bring big changes, at least when it comes to financial markets. Namely, 2021 is when the long-awaited abolition of LIBOR will take place. Although there was a lot of talk about technical obstacles that need to be overcome, change was seemingly inevitable. LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) is the daily reference interest rate at which banks lend to each other on the interbank market. It gained in importance in the 1990s, when the British Banking Association (“BBA”) settled relevant standards of regulation, the collection and analysis of data obtained, which will serve as a basis for calculating […]
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Digital assets. A somewhat contradictory notion, but for a short period of time, the digital assets managed to put to question the millennial legal perception of assets as something purely material. And that would not be so interesting if it were not for the digital assets’ ability to financially transform into money. Mining and cryptocurrencies have been filling newspaper columns for years now and the first thing that catches the eye is their monetary value. Behind these terms is a legally unregulated business creating a significant fortune for individuals who, as simple as it gets, just sit in front of […]
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The amazing results of the US-brokered economic normalization talks between Belgrade and Priština in Washington DC on September 4 made major political (and legal) waves, but one specific point made the Balkans and broader European business community hopeful, even in these dire and uncertain pandemic times. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) “is opening its first and only office outside of the United States in Belgrade”, according to Damon Wilson, the Executive Vice President of the Atlantic Council. As announced in a tweet by Adam Boehler, DFC’s CEO, his team is set to arrive in Serbia on September 21 […]
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Everyday life in the 21st century is awash with change, change mostly dictated by modern technologies and their constant evolution. Mobile payment apps are the latest (and most innovative) addition to the stable of convenience services, allowing users to pay quickly and securely. The COVID-19 pandemic has pressed home the advantages of paying through mobile phone apps, considering that this method of payment minimizes physical contact between merchants and customers, Apple Pay, a mobile payment application, was launched in Serbia at the end of June 2020. We spoke with Nikola Mehandžić, Business Development Director for the Western Balkans at MasterCard, […]
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Gecić Law is delighted to announce yet another commendation by The Legal 500 EMEA, one of the most eminent and prestigious directories of the legal world. Our Banking & Finance practice continues its bullish run to the national top. Its head Nikola Aksić was named to the guide’s “Leading Individuals” elite list of outstanding lawyers in the country, only one year after being recommended by the guide. The practice also went up in the overall rankings, securing a Tier 2 recognition. And we haven’t stopped there. Our Corporate/M&A practice is not lagging behind. The practice head Ognjen Colić […]
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The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia has adopted amendments and modifications to the Foreign Exchange Operations Act,[1] (“Act”) which entered into force, for the most part, on 28 April 2018.[2] These amendments, amongst other things, intend to ease business dealings for domestic IT companies, reduce restrictions pertaining to credit dealings with foreign countries (which is particularly important to multinational companies), expand possibilities for investing in foreign securities and amplify the supervising role of the National Bank of Serbia (“NBS”). This article aims to clarify some of the said amendments and their effect on the business dealings although we […]
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In December 2017, European Added Value Unit of the European Parliament published the Fourth edition of its report “Mapping the Cost of Non-Europe 2014-2019” (the “Study”). The Study is especially relevant if placed in the context of challenges the EU is facing today such as: impact of Brexit on the EU Budget and the consequences for the EU’s political and economic interests, the rise of populist parties within the EU Member States and rather sluggish European economic growth. The aim of the Study is to analyze potential increases in annual EU GDP, if different policy initiatives made by the European […]
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