EcoNomIc profIlE
President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Nadan Vidoťević
Croatia, a country with the Middle-European and Mediterranean traditions, noted, until the global financial crisis, the most prominent growth among transitional countries in this part of Europe. The focal Croatian economic assets include the Adriatic coast, substantial agricultural areas, significant fresh water resources along with the traffic infrastructure. The general political and economic stability, free entrepreneurship as well as integrated democratic surroundings are the most basic preconditions of economic development, which were of significant importance on the way towards full EU membership. The NATO membership, along with pending EU accession, will surely directly boost Croatian development in political and economic sense, hence directly improving the lives its citizens, as well. CCE promotes both local economy and Croatia, not only as a country of unique geopolitical importance, which will, together with the full EU membership, ensure the access to a market with over 650 million consumers, with highly qualified and innovative workforce, modern infrastructure and high quality of life. Therefore, CCE is actively attracting foreign investments and helps Croatian companies find their place on the propulsive EU market. CCE activities, which have helped accelerate Croatian accession to the EU, included lobbying of CCE Representative Office in Brussels, the membership in Eurochambres, International Chamber of Commerce and numerous other international economic associations. Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), with its four regional centres within CCE county chambers, provides CCE members with all relevant information about EU. In addition, CCE organises various seminars on EU funds and helps Croatian businessmen present themselves on the EU market and increase the number of successful applications for EU funds. Therefore, the CCE has established Centre for EU, Investment Promotion Centre and Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovations and Technological Development. CCE, boasting a 160-year-long tradition, is a modern and professional institution and a reliable source of information for all Croatian companies and their international partners. In addition, we represent and protect the interests of Croatian economy by cooperating with numerous Government institutions. The Chamber’s doors are open to all local and foreign business organisations, being constantly at their disposal by providing business data, services and contacts.
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