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CETA will generate new opportunities for economic growth and job creation in Croatia

On 28 October, the CCBN hosted its annual Business Luncheon, featuring keynote speaker, President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović. President Grabar Kitarović, CCBN president Josip Bašić, Canadian Ambassador to Croatia Daniel Maksymiuk addressed dignitaries, experts and businessmen about Canadian-Croatian economic relations, the CETA treaty (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the European Union) and other topics important for the relations between the two countries.

The objective of the luncheon was to familiarise participants with the current economic and political relations between Canada and Croatia, new business opportunities, opening of new markets for exporters and creating stronger ties between the economies of the EU and Canada with the CETA agreement.

President Grabar Kitarović praised the work of the Canadian-Croatian Business Network. She said, “You have managed to reignite enthusiasm for investments in Croatia, bringing together a new generation of experts and investors, and highlighting the economic potential between our two countries”. She recognised the Canadian-Croatian community in Croatia, including business owners, investors or representatives of foreign companies, saying, “It is useful that you are sharing your experiences in doing business in Croatia with new investors and potential partners, strengthening the understanding of the economic climate, business philosophies and trends in both countries, and helping others to overcome obstacles.” She recognised that Canada is home to a large and successful Croatian community, which has contributed to promoting Croatia abroad. “Canada is one of Europe’s oldest and nearest partners, and therefore the CETA agreement is the natural and logical continuation of the good relations between Canada and Europe. In the past, we have had issues with relations with our community in Canada, not taking full advantage of the potential in the best way, and I am exceptionally pleased that today we are building these relations in new ways, and the CCBN has provided the right platform for this,” stated President Kolinda Grabar Kitarović.

President of the Canadian-Croatian Business Network, Josip Bašić, welcomed all those present, and said, “I am pleased to see such great interest in the CETA agreement, which I believe will be signed very soon. Croatia and Canada have nurtured excellent relations for many years, both political and economic, and we are exceptionally pleased that our business network has contributed to this. Personally, I view CETA as a great area of potential, through which Croatia can use to generate new opportunities for economic growth and job creation”.

Ambassador Maksymiuk pleasantly surprised all guests by addressing the audience in Croatian. He said, “I should say that I am very optimistic about Croatia, and Croatia’s ability to benefit from CETA. The performance of the Croatian economy is steadily improving, and the Croatian government is committed to policies that will foster economic growth, encourage entrepreneurship, and to take full advantage of Croatia’s membership in the EU. There is also a clear prospect of political stability, more than at any time since my arrival more than a year ago. Croatian companies are strong, dynamic, innovative, and well managed. And there is already a deep network of connections between our two countries, with up to 300,000 Canadians of Croatian origin. I believe CETA will be a powerful catalyst to unlock the potential in our bilateral economic ties”.

The CCBN would particularly like to thank the sponsors of this successful event: Metronet, Lulu Island Enterprises, and especially the Sheraton Hotel, for putting on an elegant and seamless event. We thank all those who attended and look forward to our next business luncheon in 2017.