Croatia - Turkey Business Forum, organized April 27, 2016 in Zagreb by the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) and the Turkish Committee for International Economic Cooperation (DEIK), brought together more than 500 representatives of the leading Croatian and Turkish businessmen.
Business Forum in Zagreb was also attended by Turkish delegation led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan including Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, EU Minister Volkan Bozkir, Economy Minister Mustafa Elitas, and Culture & Tourism Minister Mahir Unal.
Croatian President Ms Kolinda Grabar Kitarović was hosting the Turkish delegation at the Forum together with the Minister of Economy Tomislav Panenić and President of HGK Luka Burilović.
It was said at the Forum that Croatia and Turkey have excellent relations and very good economic cooperation with the potential for expanding cooperation.
President Erdogan also said that the goal in that regard was to increase bilateral trade between two countries to one billion USA$ annually within next 5 years from today's 350 million USA$ and that Turkish companies plan to increase their investments and partnerships with Croatian companies.
Turkish companies have a great interest in strategic partnerships/M&A with Croatian partners since this could facilitate entering in 500 million EU market. From other side Croatian companies can benefit a lot from entering market of Turkey and Turkish strong position in the markets of Middle East and Central Asia.
It was announced opening of the office of Turkish Development Agency in Zagreb as a support to Turkish companies and their future business developments in Croatia.
Besides the economy, Erdogan and Grabar Kitarović discussed different bilateral issues including Croatia’s potential support for Turkey’s EU membership negotiations.
CBBS, consulting – EU lobbying company from Zagreb (Croatia), focused on strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions and lobbying at national/EU level, as a part of Croatian – Turkish Friendship Association/Business Platform, is working closely with Turkish institutions/companies interested in investments and strategic partnerships in Croatia/SE European region.
By Berislav Čižmek, CBA Zagreb
