Nordic Chamber of Commerce supported event

Nordic Chamber of Commerce supported event: Presentation of business opportunities in Split and Split and Dalmatia County for foreign diplomats on 10-11 April 2014

A presentation of investment projects and the potential of the Split and Dalmatia County was held on 10 April 2014 in County Chamber Split (CC Split) for more than 20 representatives of foreign Embassies and Consulates in Croatia, members of the Club of Economic Advisors of respective Diplomatic offices.

Two day stay of foreign diplomats in Split and Split and Dalmatia County was organised by the CCE CC Split with the support of the City of Split and the County and in cooperation with Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Croatia, and all with the aim of introducing to our guests the economic potential of this area and attracting foreign investors. At the event in CC Split the audience was addressed by the President of the CC Split Mrs Jadranka Radovanić, the Mayor of Split Mr Ivo Baldasar and the Head of the Split and Dalmatia County Mr Zlatko Ževrnja.

The Mayor, Mr Baldasar, highlighted that the City is mostly tourism- oriented, and that the effort invested in this sector resulted in an even greater increase in this sector in the recent years. The investors are mainly interested in the tourism sector of Split, and hence are the projects of the City of Split mainly oriented towards the tourism facilities and increase of hotel capacities. Mr Baldasar also emphasized that a step forward was made in ecological sense and also that a significant factor of development is also the University.

Presenting the economic potential of Split, the Head of the Department for Economy, Tourism, International and EU funds Mrs Ela Žižić especially emphasized five projects which are about to be implemented (Banovina, Trg Hrvatske bratske zajednice, Dračevac, Spaladium Arena and Gripe) and four projects in their preparation faze (East coast, Poljud, Kopilica and waste management of Karepovac).

Head of the County Mr Zlatko Ževrnja emphasized that this, largest Croatian County, after the last years alterations and additions of the area plan has numerous development opportunities. The County offers 98 tourist locations as well as 70 locations for Nautical tourism, 57 locations for renewable energy (wind parks and solar parks), 27 business zones of which 13 are almost completely equipped in infrastructure, and 17 locations for aquaculture i.e. fish production. There is a plan to build a dozen golf courses within the County which would in turn enrich the tourist offer for the preseason and postseason said the Assistant to the Head of the County Department for economy and EU integrations, Mr Vicencije Biuk.

After giving a short presentation of the County economy the President of the CCE County Chamber Split Mrs Jadranka Radovanić invited the guests saying “It is time to invest in the Split and Dalmatia County” and added that this is the third such event organised by the County Chamber Split presenting the economic potential of the City of Split and the Split and Dalmatia County to the representatives of the Diplomacy as one of the most important segments in attracting foreign investors. She emphasized the data in regards to investments which for the Split and Dalmatia County was EUR 1.3 mil in the last ten years holding the high fourth place in investments in Croatia. She thanked the representatives of the Diplomatic Club for continuous good cooperation during the organisation of business delegations going abroad as well as visiting our County.

Delegate of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Mrs Renata Dračić, expressed confidence that this two day study tour will enable the diplomatic – economic representatives to have a better insight in the potential of this area, and with it a better economic cooperation.

After the presentations at the Chamber, the foreign diplomats visited Luka d.d. Split, and during their second day, on 11 April a visit was organised for them to the Business zone in Dugopolje - the Logistic-Distributive centre of Agrokor, the Business zone Kukuzovac in Sinj – companies Olassagasti (production of anchovies), Pršutana Marović (prosciuttoproduction) and a visit to the City of Trogir.