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UK-Croatia Investment Forum in London, 24 October 2013

Four Croatian ministers showcased Croatia´s investment potential at the UK-Croatia Investment Forum in London on 24 October, 2013.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government
Lord Green, UK Minister for Trade and Investment addressed UK-Croatia Investment Forum

The UK-Croatia Investment Forum in London on 24 October was a perfect opportunity for Croatia to showcase its potential, opportunities and projects to UK investors after its Accession to the EU.

Four Croatian ministers - Joško Klisović, Deputy Foreign Minster; Branko Grčić, Deputy Prime Minister and minister for regional development and EU funds; Ivan Vrdoljak, Minister of Economy and Siniša Hajdaš Dončić, minister of transport - were there to present Croatia’s advantages to a packed room of between 250-300 UK business representatives.

Lord Green, UK Minister for Trade and Investment, said in his opening remarks that, ‘’from my brief visit this summer, I know that Croatia offers numerous prospects for British investors across a wide range of sectors.’’ Lord Green particularly noted Croatia’s ‘’vibrant IT sector,’’ its potential ‘’to act as a logistical springboard and hub for the wider Central and South Eastern Europe region’’ and also the success of Croatian start-ups in setting up business in the UK. He concluded by stressing that ‘the creation of conductive and business friendly environment was key to ensuring more robust investment activities”.

HMA David Slinn chaired a panel which included Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Joško Klisović and the Governor of the Croatian Central Bank Dr Boris Vujčić, which addressed the issues of Croatia’s competitiveness, how it is tackling corruption and what Croatia sees as its comparative advantage as an investment destination.

Participants agreed that the Forum should be seen as the start of a closer UK-Croatia investment relationship and thought is already being given on how to follow up this successful event.

Published 25 October 2013