ZAGREB, May 8, 2018 – The potential for economic cooperation between Croatia and Iran exists in the oil, gas, electric and energy sectors, shipbuilding, railways, the food industry and tourism, it was said at the Iranian-Croatian business forum in Tehran on Tuesday, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) said in a press release. The forum was held as part of Croatian Economy Minister Martina Dalić’s visit to Iran.
According to the press release, Dalić underlined that strengthening the two countries’ relations would help the private sector exploit opportunities for economic cooperation. “It is up to us to create a favourable environment and it is up to representatives of the private sector to take advantage of the opportunity,” Dalić said.
Dalić added she was confident that with a little patience, the issue of financial transactions would soon be regulated and commercial banks will be able to successfully overcome administrative obstacles and use this business opportunity.
The HGK vice president in charge of international affairs and the EU Ivan Barbarić said that the two countries could learn a lot from one another, adding that it was necessary to strengthen the foundations for doing business
Over the past two years, Croatia and Iran have opened a new chapter in economic cooperation and today new steps were taken towards better economic cooperation – through the business forum and a session of the joint council of our two chambers, said the president of the Iranian trade, industry, mining and agriculture chamber Golamhossein Shafeei.
Both countries have potential for joint investments and presence on third markets in the food industry, construction, the pharmaceutical industry, the IT sector and other areas.
The Iranian Deputy Economy and Finance Minister and president of the organisation for investment, economic and technical support Mohammad Khazaei said the two countries had good cooperation which existed on several levels. “We are entirely prepared to expand economic and political cooperation with Croatia. I would like to particularly underline the potential for trilateral cooperation of Croatia, Iran and Austria,” the Iranian official said.
The forum was attended by 11 Croatian and 50 Iranian companies and institutions. Also held as part of the forum was the first session of the joint business committee of the HGK and the Iranian chamber, set up in December 2017 in order to deepen the two countries economic cooperation.
