The Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Croatia ‘Krug’ held an award ceremony for the outstanding women in business in 2016, reports Hina on May 24, 2017.
The award for Women entrepreneur of the year went to Milena Mičić, the owner of Aquarium in Pula. Slavica Grkeš, the owner of the tourist agency Dominium Travel in Dubrovnik was pronounced Manager of the year, while the award for Social Entrepreneurship went to Ljiljana Vukšić, the owner of the kindergarten Little Explorer (Mali istraživač) in Zagreb. The award ceremony was organised to mark the World Women Entrepreneurship Day and took place at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce.
After being presented with the award, Milena Mičić said the aquarium she manages has been in business since 2000, currently employs 17 people, and represents a project that promotes a special type of tourism, nature preservation and revitalisation of the cultural and historic heritage.
The tourist agency Dominium Travel owned by Grkeš specialises in real estate, and manages sales in Dubrovnik and its surroundings. Ljiljana Vukšić thanked her coworkers who left their previous places of employment to help her in her vision of opening a childcare facility that currently has 41 employees.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Crafts Martina Dalić said women make up 52% of the population in Croatia, but only 25% of the total number of company owners. “Analyses show there are certain regional differences when it comes to women in entrepreneurship. Research shows there are more women entrepreneurs in Istria than in East Croatia, whereas most women entrepreneurs are seen in commerce and the service industry. I believe there’s enough room for a stronger role for women in the business world,” said Dalić, announcing that the Ministry of Labour and Pension System is working on a programme meant to stimulate employment of unemployed women. “I expect the programme to help the unemployed women find work as early as 2018, but also to encourage them to enter the world of enterpreneurship,” stated Dalić.
