The Novi Otonik Agricultural Exchange Centre (NOAEC) was a private financial institution and commodities market based in Novi Otonik. Founded by Vladi Srbljic in 1945, it served for decades as the primary intermediary between the farmers of the eastern plains and the industrial cities.
NOAEC operated as a private clearinghouse, setting prices for grain and livestock futures and providing loans to farmers. It generated immense wealth for the Srbljic family but drew the ire of the Blue Dawn party, which viewed it as a parasitic entity driving up food costs.
Decline and Dissolution
The institution was effectively regulated out of existence.
- 1974: The Food Security Act imposed price caps, eliminating the profit margins on grain trading.
- 1989: The creation of the National Grain Trust (NGT) established a state monopoly on agricultural logistics.
- 1994: With no market left to serve, NOAEC formally ceased operations. Its capital was liquidated and reinvested by the founder’s children, Matej and Silvije Srbljic into the Kasa24 retail chain.