Voting for 2012 Aurea Award starts today

Voting for the 2012 Aurea Award, which is presented by the business portal eKapija for the fourth consecutive year, has started.

The editorial team of eKapija has shortlisted eight projects for the award on the basis of three criteria - innovation, social utility and financial potential. This year's finalists are: Sigma - Water disinfection system, Strauss Adriatic - Innovative use of product waste for heating, Boci Co - Device destroying medical needles, Delta Kladovo - Waste oil recycling system, Terra Panonica – Youth cultural center, Zvonko Bogdan Winery, Carbo Concept – PET blow molding machine and Eko-mlek - Modern energy-efficient dairy.

The winner of the 2012 Aurea Award will be chosen by a six-member jury, while the seventh vote will be cast by the visitors of web portals www.ekapija.com and www.aurea.rs. This year's jury consists of: Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) Ana Firtel Vlajic, Director of the Innovation Fund Dr Ljiljana Kundakovic, Director of the Institute of Economic Sciences Dr Dejan Eric, CEO of SGS d.o.o. Belgrade Marinko Ukropina, Chairman of the Managing Board of Basler insurance company Vladimir Medan and IFC (World Bank) Regional Project Manager Oliver Orton.

On the occasion of the end of the nomination process and the start of the voting stage, Zdravko Loncar, director of eKapija, said:

- I am glad that the interest in the Aurea award is so big this year and that the competition will be very tough. In spite of the current situation in the economy, the projects we talk about show vitality even in such economic circumstances. They can be rightfully seen as the carriers of sustainable development. What is obvious is that we are increasingly focusing on green energy and the environment preservation, and it is interesting that there are many nominations related to agriculture this year. I am sorry that some projects worth mentioning have not been shortlisted, but eKapija will definitely write about them and give them the publicity they deserve.

This year's strategic partner of eKapija in the Aurea project is the Swiss certification company SGS.

Commenting on this strategic partnership, SGS Belgrade CEO Marinko Ukropina said:

- By working with eKapija on this project, we want to draw attention to the importance of quality and certification of quality management systems, products and services for operations in both domestic market and abroad. The Aurea Award leads by example and confirms that companies with real values and right management can be successful in any market, even in a crisis.

Just like in previous years, in addition to the main award, eKapija will also present two special awards - for the best innovation and the best social utility.

You can cast your vote online until March 18th. The awards ceremony will be held on March 28th.