Investment is an essential element of doing business successfully, and MPC Properties continues to make intelligent investments across its entire portfolio, in both business and retail segments
For MPC Properties, ESG goals are more than a strategy woven into the business plan; for this company they are a modus operandi. Here MPC Properties’ Finance Director Tijana Elez discusses this, but also future investments and redevelopment projects, with CorD Magazine.
Your company has constructed some of the highest quality properties in the best locations, while you also manage those properties. Are you aware of the major positive impact you have on the community?
The highest quality properties on the best locations, indeed gives us dominant position on the market, but it should not be taken for granted. Real estate is not easy to manage, and I would say that the way of management is key factor that gives a leadership position to MPC Properties.
I believe that all stakeholders in our business ecosystem, but also the local community, can testify to MPC Properties’ multi-layered commitment: to the construction and managing real estate in accordance with green building standards and application of innovative solutions that bring prosperity to all the business partners, visitors, or users of our buildings. By sharing the best business practices and projects in our community, we strengthen it and make our business sustainable in the long term.
Could it be said that this is a good moment for investment, taking into consideration the complex global situation?
It is important to use resources wisely. The previous years were years of development projects for us, so we are now able to focus on redevelopment projects. The shopping centres’ renovation is one of the primary goals bringing along innovations in the offer of the centre, such as, for example, a new F&B concept, entertainment zone etc.
When it comes to new investments in 2023, I would say that this is the year to be patient and selective.
MPC Properties has developed its CSR strategy in accordance with ESG targets. What does that bring you as a company, and what do you offer the wider community with this strategy?
For us, ESG goals are more than a strategy woven into a business plan. For MPC Properties, they are modus operandi. Our commitment, in this sense, always goes a step further. The crucial green building strategy is that during the development of the project, its entire life cycle is considered, which starts from the idea, planning, design, through the execution of works, all the way to the operations. MPC Properties deals not only with the construction of assets but also with their management and maintenance, so it is very important for us to manage the entire development of the project, bearing in mind that after the investment in green building systems, significant savings will be achieved during operation. It is not only that our portfolio is certified according to the most important world certificates, whereby placing the focus on achieving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact (LEED GOLD, BREEAM, WELL Health-Safety), but it’s also a “nursery” of ESG projects. With a systematic and comprehensive approach, sustainable real estate is developed, which in the long run reduces risk and affects profitability.
Green projects represent an example of the implementation of innovative solutions for the scaled process of the circular economy at the micro level of a building and closed sustainable solutions at the property level, with the aim of implementing projects that are in accordance with the Declaration of the Green Agenda, and in connection with the reduction of emissions with the greenhouse effect, environmental protection and promoting new sustainable projects.
This year began with the procurement of a composting machine located on the building of Usće Shopping Center. Alongside recycling, to which we have been already committed, with composting we have also introduced an innovative business model that implies treating waste where it is being generated. The procurement of the UŠĆE compost machine was supported by the UNDP project “Just Green Transition and Decarbonisation in Serbia”, funded by The Embassy of Japan and implemented by the UNDP Serbia in cooperation with the Ministry of Mining and Energy and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia in strategic partnership with Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.To conclude, our mission and contribution is creating a strong community around our portfolio, in which diversity, inclusion and loyalty programmes are fostered through the most varied projects.