After years of economic hardship, the capital of Istrian County now has six business zones which host companies from different industries.
The city of Pazin, which is the capital of Istrian County, was once an industrial and business centre of Istria as well. Thousands of people from the entire region worked there. However, the local industrial giants, such as Pazinka, Istraplastika and Pin, ceased their operations in the 1990s. The only large company still in business is Kamen Pazin, and it is quite successful. The company currently employs about 300 workers, which is 19 percent of the total number of employees in the city’s economy, and it also represents as much as 58 percent of the total exports of the city, reports Poslovni.hr on May 26, 2016.
In the economic structure of Pazin, majority of entrepreneurs in the city work in the wholesale and retail sector and in the processing industry. Maja Stranić Grah, the head of the Eeconomy, Finance and Budget Department of the city, says that the economy of Pazin is significantly different compared to 30 or 40 years ago. The key difference is that small businesses have replaced the traditional industry.
Six business zones which exist in this region have attracted entrepreneurs from the Pazin area, but also from the entire Croatia. Business zone is where they launch or expand their operations or in some cases completely relocate them. Among these businesses are companies of different profiles and from various industries, including the production of industrial and ambiance lighting, sports equipment, production of modular containers, and many others. Recognizing the importance and positive effects of the establishment and operation of business zones, the city wisely keeps investing in them.
In the meantime, agricultural activities in Pazin have been stagnating or decreasing for decades. The main cause for the farming land not being used is the fact that young people are moving to bigger cities and towns, and also because the interest in agricultural production has decreased. As is the case in other parts of Croatia as well, the main characteristic of Pazin small farms is their fragmentation. This area is mainly focused on vineyards, crop farming, production of fruits and vegetables.
