News from the Nordic Chamber of Commerce
The Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Croatia, founded by the leading companies from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden present in Croatia, elected the new President 20.03.2006.
The new President of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce is General Manager of Regent Esplanade Mr. Torbjorn Bodin. He will replace Lars Himmer, former Director of Volvo trucks, who recently moved to a new position in Litvia.
The election of the new President was followed by a official opening dinner attended by the members of the Nordic community in Croatia. During the gathering, Director of Agency for Promotion of Trade and Investment, Mr. Zeljko Kirincic gave a presentation on the investment possibilities in Croatia. Mr. Kirincic mentioned that Croatia’s intensions are to develop even better relations with the Nordic countries and to reach its goal - to be placed at the forefront of an emerging region. The intention, conveyed by Mr. Kirincic, is to make Croatia one of the leading destinations for foreign direct investments in Southeast Europe.
Recent Nordic investors include Rockwool in Istria, who is building a factory worth 80 million EUR, Tele2, ABB, Carlsberg and Starco. The Nordic Chamber of Commerce already includes well-known names as Volvo, Det Norske Veritas, Lift Modus, Brunata, Lagerkvist & Partners, Starco, Carlsberg, ABB, Tetra Pak, Lauenborg, Danish Camp Supply, Business.hr and several of other members.
Since it was launched in November 2005 the Nordic Chamber of Commerce has gathered the Nordic companies in Croatia and will in the future have a significant role in introducing Croatia in a positive light as an attractive market for future investors.
The Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Croatia is one of the co-organizers of the Nordic days 2006 -Construction and Infrastructure conference fair, which is going to take place at the Zagreb Fair in November 2006.
Trade between Croatia and the Nordic countries has strengthened during the last couple of years. Import from the Nordic countries in 2004 accounted for 4 billion kuna, where as Croatian export to the Nodric countries was a modest 882 million kuna. Increased faith in Croatia can also be seen in the increase of direct investments from the Nodric countries.
More information about the Chamber is available on the web page www.nordicchamber.hr Interested parties are requested to contact the Executive Director, Karolina Osipowska, at +385 1 4924 545 or [email protected]