In the past decade, the tech industry in Croatia has been growing at four times the rate of the entire Croatian economy, according to research by the Croatian Chamber of Economy. Despite all the obvious positivity of its high growth, the Croatian tech scene has been facing a challenge of its own: talent gaps.

On July 12, four leading lawyers from Croatia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania sat down for a virtual round table moderated by CEE Legal Matters Managing Editor Radu Cotarcea to discuss the latest in ESG developments with a focus on green financing, its regional and local drivers and roadblocks, its impact on non-financial reporting, and what it all means for the legal profession.

On April 28, 2022, CEE Legal Matters reported that Porobija & Spoljaric had advised Croatian tourism company Mon Perin on listing its shares on the Zagreb Stock Exchange. CEE In-House Matters spoke with Massimo Piutti President of the Management Bord at Mon Perin, to learn more about the matter.

Ilej & Partners, in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners, has advised Enlight Renewable Energy on the acquisition and joint development of a 525-megawatt renewable energy project portfolio in Croatia.

Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka has advised Merkur Osiguranje on its acquisition of Wustenrot Zivotno Osiguranje.

Despite economic forecast-related fears, there is plenty to be optimistic about in Croatia, with the country joining the eurozone and Schengen area next year, according to Divjak, Topic, Bahtijarevic & Krka Senior Partner Damir Topic.

EU and national associations representing companies that bring ultrafast digital connectivity in Europe – AOMR (RO), APMS (CZ), AssoTelecomunicazioni (IT), ATI (BG), DigitalES (SP), ETNO (EU), Federation Francaise des Telecoms (FR), and the GSMA Europe (EU), issued a joint statement calling for greater participation of Big Tech and OTTs in infrastructure investments and extending some telecoms regulatory requirements to OTT services.

Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich and Bojovic Draskovic Popovic & Partners have advised Infobip on its acquisition of Netokracija.

Queritius and Wolf Theiss, working with Dechert, have successfully represented the interests of the Mol Group in a USD 230 million ICSID arbitration case against the Republic of Croatia. Reportedly, Weil Gotshal & Manges, Peters & Peters, and Brick Court Chambers also represented Mol.

Clifford Chance, Selih & Partnerji, and Divjak Topic Bahtijarevic & Krka have advised Ceska Sporitelna and Ceskoslovenska Obchodni Banka on the refinancing of Kofola. Onisko & Holesova, Planinic Soljic & Partners, and solo practitioner Klemen Ticar advised Kofola.

Schoenherr, working with Legance, has advised Nexi on its agreement with Privredna Banka Zagreb and Intesa Sanpaolo-controlled company PBZ Card to purchase PBZ Card’s merchant acquiring business in Croatia for EUR 180 million. Reportedly, PwC Legal and KPMG Legal advised Intesa Sanpaolo.

Schoenherr has announced that Croatian cooperating firm Mandaric & Einwalter's Partners Vice Mandaric and Ivan Einwalter have been appointed as Local Partners with Schoenherr’s Croatian office.

Croatia's business landscape and GDP remain quite unaffected by the war-related crises, with the country's energy market and tech sectors growing, according to Batarelo Dvojkovic Vuchetich Partner Laurenz Vuchetich.

A topic that has recently been the subject of discussion and reflection is the position of trademarks –protected brands used in trade to mark products and services in the Metaverse, with the question of whether such existing trademarks have protection in this new digital market.

Schoenherr has advised Wienerberger on its acquisition of Vargon. Buterin & Partneri reportedly advised the sellers on the deal.

Contributed by Ilej & Partners in cooperation with Karanovic & Partners.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Savoric & Partners, and Filip & Company have advised Borealis on a binding offer for its nitrogen business from the Agrofert group. Wolf Theiss advised Agrofert. Oppenheim, Boyanov & Co, and PRK Partners reportedly advised Borealis as well.

Baker McKenzie has advised Palfinger on establishing its European Works Council. Babic & Partners, Djingov Gouginski Kyutchukov & Velichkov, Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen, and Jadek & Pensa advised Palfinger on Croatian, Bulgarian, Romanian, and Slovenian law-related matters, respectively. Bech-Bruun, Arntzen de Besche, and PBBR reportedly advised on Danish, Norwegian, and Portuguese law-related matters.