Croatian Economic Diplomacy

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

Economic interests play an important role in contemporary international relations. Recognising the importance of the development of economic relations and strengthening the economic position of the State, place it in the centre of diplomatic activity.

The underlying aim of economic development of the Republic of Croatia is to increase export and to increase direct foreign investment. In achieving these goals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia has a role, which manifests through the promotion of economic relations between Croatia and foreign countries, and the affirmation of Croatian interests in international economic organisations and integrations. It is because of this that the Croatian diplomacy attaches particular attention to matters of economic interest in the international arena. Therein, members of the diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Croatia act in coordination with the Departments for Economic Bilateral Cooperation within the Directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia in its everyday communication and cooperation to achieve the goals in accordance within its incidence.

The fundamental areas of functioning of the MFAEI in the field of economic diplomacy:

• Monitoring, research, coordination and developing economic relations of the Republic of Croatia on a bilateral and multilateral level;
• Promotions and protection of the economic interests of the Republic of Croatia and projects of national interest abroad, primarily in the field of promoting export and attracting investment;
• Role of coordinating and cooperating with other institutions in the Republic of Croatia in their economic activities abroad, in particular with the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Croatia  and the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency;
• Coordinating the use of assistance programs and co-operational developmental programs which the Republic of Croatia, and the application of the development assistance and cooperation policy with the Republic of Croatia provides to developing and underdeveloped countries;
• Participation in bilateral and multilateral negotiations in the field of economics, and the Joint Committees for Economic Cooperation;
• Collecting and elaborating data regarding the legislative framework and the conditions for business in other countries, and the creation of economic reports and analytical overviews;
• Promotion and involvement in the promotion of the Croatian economy abroad;
• Modern method of work using electronic media – interactive web site «Croatian Economic Diplomacy» - communicating with the business community in the Republic of Croatia – providing information support and the administration of the Government program for the promotion of export and attracting investment.     

Economic Counsellors in Diplomatic and Consular Missions

The Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Republic of Croatia have an irreplaceable role in Croatian Economic Diplomacy. In all of the Croatian Diplomatic and Consular Missions are expert employees in charge of economic relations, which include a wide spectrum of activities directed towards the achievement of our economic interests in the receiving State. Departments for Economic Bilateral Cooperation within the Directorates of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia are competent for the coordination of these activities, cooperating in compliance with the established guidelines with the Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Croatia, and other competent Croatian Institutions. Departments also recommend and coordinate the appointment of economic counsellors, and harmonise and coordinate their work.

Croatian exporters, who plan their export activities in specific markets, and companies which realise other forms of commercial presence abroad, regularly contact our Diplomatic and Consular Missions, and acquire the relevant orientation, assistance and information, which are necessary for their business in those countries. Our economic counsellors provide direct logistical support in the organisation of Croatian Economic Delegations and the presence of Croatian companies in International Fairs in the receiving State, conduct and prepare economic presentations, seminars, bilateral economic forums and other activities meant for the economic promotion abroad. In the aim of promoting the economic interests of the Republic of Croatia and the development of a network of business contacts abroad, the role of the economic counsellor is of vital importance in the context of the establishment and development of contacts with State authorities, specialised associations and other important economic institutions, and economic entities in the receiving State. Gathering and analysing economic date and trends in the receiving State, and providing assistance to Croatian companies in finding business partners and the placement of the goods on the market of the receiving State, are some of the everyday activities of our economic counsellors. It is important to emphasis that in the economic activities of our diplomatic and consular network, we are developing an individual approach towards the receiving States, placing accent on those economic areas where there exists a compatible economic interest and the possibility to develop business relations, and therefore, the mechanism and scope of work of our economic counsellors differs from country to country.

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The Croatian Economic Diplomacy in its work contributes to the realisation of the interests for a large number of Croatian exporters and Croatian companies which are present abroad through various forms of business cooperation with foreign partners. An irreplaceable contributions to this is also the dedication of the Government of the Republic of Croatia in the creation of an export orientated economy, export methodology, creation of a favourable climate for entrepreneurs, as well as the development of technology and increasing the competitiveness of domestic companies, which is at the same time the fundamental of the development strategy.

It is the intentions that with the cooperation of the Ministry of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship of the Republic of Croatia, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, and other Croatian institutions involved in the development of economic relations in the international arena, to confirm the priority markets, as well as export possibilities and investment interests, in order to direct the Croatian Economic Diplomacy precisely in these areas and to achieve the maximum efficiency of work from our Diplomatic and Consular Network in the world.