As Suzana Varosanec/Poslovni Dnevnik writes on the 29th of November, 2018, Business Intelligence (Poslovna inteligencija), the leading company for the implementation of analytical and strategic ICT consulting in Southeast Europe, is planning to take its business across the Atlantic to the North American continent, most likely to Canada, in a move which would be the next big step for the Croatian ICT company following the opening of their offices in two major European cities, London and Vienna.
The bold plan was confirmed by the president of the management of the aforementioned Croatian ICT company, Dražen Oreščanin, who Poslovni Dnevnik caught up with while he was on an official trip to Canada, where the Croatian-Canadian Economic Forum in Toronto was held. He was heading there as part of visit of numerous Croatian businessmen, which had already been reported by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).
What are your estimates of the possible effects of the visit of our economic delegation to Canada?
Every step we made towards developing cooperation is a good step, and can make moves. During this visit, several activities were held – a forum with the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce, B2B meetings with interested Toronto companies, a meeting with the local community of Croatian emigrants in Toronto, a visit to the Kitchener Technology Centre, Waterloo University, and two hi-tech companies in Toronto. Existing contacts are interesting, and time will show whether or not it will result in some specific work.
What are the impressions on strengthening economic cooperation?
I think there’s a mutual interest, the current commodity trade is fairly small, and the numbers grow year after year. The new CETA deal makes it much easier to trade between the European Union and Canada, and the very fact that HGK and the ambassadors of both countries are actively involved in the organisation of such a visit speaks of mutual interest and great potential.
What do the Canadians generally say about the business climate and the benefits of starting a business and investing in our country?
The conversations I mainly led were focused on potential opportunities that we as a Business Intelligence have on the Canadian market, but I didn’t talk to my interlocutors about just those topics. Recently, the Canadian company Constellation took over IN2, one of the largest IT companies in Croatia, so it’s obvious that investment interest exists.
What is the potential for further expansion of the company on the Canadian market, as well as cooperation with the companies over there?
I certainly see the potential, I hope that some of the conversations we’ve had to turn into some concrete opportunities and work. We’re certainly planning to open up a company on the North American continent after we open companies in London and Vienna. What I’ve seen during this visit is truly exceptional and very competitive when compared to other places we’re contemplating in the United States. We’ll probably make a final decision based on the volume of work we have in a specific part of the US and Canada, and here, the potential for a company like Business Intelligence is definitely big.
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Click here for the original article/interview by Suzana Varosanec for Poslovni Dnevnik
