Overview of the Croatian-Czech Business Forum held in Zagreb on Friday
Croatian-Czech Business Forum was held on Friday, October 15, 2015 in Zagreb at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. Along with representatives from Croatian and Czech companies, Forum was also attended by the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Lubomir Zaoralek.
„Even though the Czech Republic is a very interesting market for Croatian exporters, our export results are not even close to their full potential. Especially when it comes to the metal industry, engineering, production of auto parts, civil engineering, agriculture and food industry as well as the energy segment and environment protection and shipbuilding projects“stated the Vice-president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Mirjana Čagalj in her opening address.
She also added that all the trends indicate how there is room for improvement and further development of economic cooperation between two countries „Through our joint membership in the EU, and with further enticement of cooperation though the Adriatic –Baltic strategic plan supported by the European Commission, we can open brand new opportunities for the strengthening of our relationship, especially in the energy industry“she concluded.
Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Lubomir Zaoralek stated that Croatia is traditionally a very important trade partner, and when it comes to exchange of goods between two countries there is an exponential growth of import and export on both sides: „ We see a stable and reliable partner in Croatia and we want to strengthen those ties with investments in Croatian economy“Zaoralek commented.
Lubomir Zaoralek
Deputy Direct of the Sector for international cooperation of the industrial association of the Czech Republic Pavel Fára presented a dozen Czech companies from the IT industry, producers of generators and equipment for power plants, health services, waste management companies, textile industry representatives, producers of military equipment and companies from the civil engineering sector.
Stanislav Kazecky, Vice-president of the Industrial association of the Czech Republic stated that Croatia is an important economic partner for the Czech Republic but it is also a friend with many common interests- He also noted that Czech exports to Croatia in 2014 was almost 4 billion EUR.
When it comes to the value of goods and services exchange between the two countries, in 2014 it was 553 million EUR out of which 157 million in exports (1,5% of Croatia’s total exports). Czech Republic is also the 15th largest investor in Croatian economy. And of course, we cannot forget tourism, in 2014, more than 660 000 Czech tourists visited Croatia with 4,6 million overnight stays, which was a 1,42% increase from 2013.
