An economic boost for Slavonia?
Christian Heinzl, a member of the Economic Committee of the German Bundestag and the owner of the Heinzl Corporation, met yesterday in Beli Manastir with mayor Ivan Doboš and his colleagues, the president of the City Council Jadranka Sabljak, deputy mayor of Osijek Denis Ambruš and mayor of Kneževi Vinogradi Deneš Šoja. He pointed out that the goal of his visit to Beli Manastir and eastern Croatia is to check the possibilities for economic cooperation, reports Glas Slavonije on November 11, 2015.
“In Germany, we do not have enough professional workers, while in Croatia there is a large number of unemployed people. And, you have such a great potential”, he said, noting that there is already some interest in the German automotive industry to relocate some of its plants to Croatia. He praised Croatia’s geographical location, existing infrastructure, the airport in Osijek and other facilities, adding that he already has four announced projects which should be implemented next year.
Before the meeting, he registered his new company at the Osijek Commercial Court. “Although we have registered a company that will assist in providing employment for Croats in Germany, our ultimate goal is to bring investors to the eastern Croatia. In this way, we wish to return to Croatia at least part of the Croatian labour force which has decided to work in Germany”, he pointed out. He also added that Osijek will have his full support in its efforts to become the European Capital of Culture.
Doboš sad that one of Heinzl’s associates has already rented a house in Beli Manastir for seven months to personally check the potential of the region. “I am very glad that our visit to Baden Wuertenberg was not just a matter of courtesy and that Mr. Heinzl came here. I hope that his visit will bring about important results”, Doboš said after the meeting.
The meeting at the Beli Manastir City Hall was preceded by a presentation prepared by Milica Milosavljević, director of the Baranja Development Agency, who presented the possibilities of business zones in the only larger town in Baranja.
