06.10.2026.
The 23rd International Conference on Export Promotion organised by the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) was held today in Zagreb. This traditional gathering of leading Croatian exporters, businessmen and decision-makers focused on the current geopolitical situation, the changing landscape of global trade, new export markets, as well as investments and innovations as key prerequisites for maintaining and strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian companies in the global market.
HBOR’s President of the Management Board Hrvoje Čuvalo emphasized on the occasion that the circumstances required entrepreneurs to adapt more quickly, make larger investments, and take a longer-term approach to business development. ”Today, competitiveness is built through intensive investments in knowledge, technology, innovation and the development of products with greater added value. HBOR strongly supports precisely such investments, a fact confirmed by the data showing that in the first nine months of this year, we supported the Croatian economy with a total amount of EUR 1.65 billion, with 46 percent of our total business activity directed towards promoting exports. Through lending, export credit insurance and guarantee issuance, we have directly supported Croatian exporters with EUR 765 million; if we also include the insurance business of our subsidiary company HKO, the total support to exports exceeds EUR 1.3 billion“, said Hrvoje Čuvalo.
”Over the past decade, our economy, excluding the period of the COVID crisis, has been growing continuously, and we have been systematically reducing economic imbalances. Today, we have stable banks, good lending activity, low levels of non-performing loans, high employment, and generally strong domestic economic growth, alongside fiscal country stability. We are all aware of this, but, I get the impression that, when it comes to our exports and economic relations with foreign countries, there is a lack of public recognition for the success of this sector. The growth of Croatian goods export from 2016 to the present amounts to nearly 150%. It is evident that we have created a successful economic model that is stable and sustainable, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you, Croatian exporters, for your exceptional contribution to this. The Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to be a reliable partner to Croatian exporters," said State Secretary Bule.
Two panel discussions were held as part of the conference, during which the managers of leading Croatian export companies discussed the impact of geopolitical changes, new patterns of international trade, and opportunities for integrating Croatian enterprises into global value chains. Katija Klepo (AD Plastik), Siniša Krajnović (Ericsson Nikola Tesla), Eva Usmiani Capobianco (JGL) and Stiven Toš (Bomark Pak) participated in the first panel. Special emphasis was placed on the need for continuous investment in productivity, product development with greater added value, innovation and knowledge as key sources of future competitiveness. The participants of the second panel were Damir Prusac (INFOBIP), Saša Čokljat (MKM Yachts), Vjekoslav Majetić (Rheinmetall unmanned vehicles) and Alojzije Šestan (Šestan-Busch).
This year's conference once again highlighted the numerous opportunities as well as the challenges facing Croatian exporters in an increasingly complex international environment. At the same time, emphasis was put on the importance of investment, innovation, and business internationalisation as fundamental prerequisites for the long-term competitiveness of Croatian companies.
Conference participants agreed that investments in knowledge, technology, new product development, and conquering international markets would play a key role in the further development of Croatian exports.
The 23rd International Conference on Export Promotion organised by the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) was held today in Zagreb. This traditional gathering of leading Croatian exporters, businessmen and decision-makers focused on the current geopolitical situation, the changing landscape of global trade, new export markets, as well as investments and innovations as key prerequisites for maintaining and strengthening the competitiveness of Croatian companies in the global market.
HBOR’s President of the Management Board Hrvoje Čuvalo emphasized on the occasion that the circumstances required entrepreneurs to adapt more quickly, make larger investments, and take a longer-term approach to business development. ”Today, competitiveness is built through intensive investments in knowledge, technology, innovation and the development of products with greater added value. HBOR strongly supports precisely such investments, a fact confirmed by the data showing that in the first nine months of this year, we supported the Croatian economy with a total amount of EUR 1.65 billion, with 46 percent of our total business activity directed towards promoting exports. Through lending, export credit insurance and guarantee issuance, we have directly supported Croatian exporters with EUR 765 million; if we also include the insurance business of our subsidiary company HKO, the total support to exports exceeds EUR 1.3 billion“, said Hrvoje Čuvalo.
”Over the past decade, our economy, excluding the period of the COVID crisis, has been growing continuously, and we have been systematically reducing economic imbalances. Today, we have stable banks, good lending activity, low levels of non-performing loans, high employment, and generally strong domestic economic growth, alongside fiscal country stability. We are all aware of this, but, I get the impression that, when it comes to our exports and economic relations with foreign countries, there is a lack of public recognition for the success of this sector. The growth of Croatian goods export from 2016 to the present amounts to nearly 150%. It is evident that we have created a successful economic model that is stable and sustainable, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you, Croatian exporters, for your exceptional contribution to this. The Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to be a reliable partner to Croatian exporters," said State Secretary Bule.
Two panel discussions were held as part of the conference, during which the managers of leading Croatian export companies discussed the impact of geopolitical changes, new patterns of international trade, and opportunities for integrating Croatian enterprises into global value chains. Katija Klepo (AD Plastik), Siniša Krajnović (Ericsson Nikola Tesla), Eva Usmiani Capobianco (JGL) and Stiven Toš (Bomark Pak) participated in the first panel. Special emphasis was placed on the need for continuous investment in productivity, product development with greater added value, innovation and knowledge as key sources of future competitiveness. The participants of the second panel were Damir Prusac (INFOBIP), Saša Čokljat (MKM Yachts), Vjekoslav Majetić (Rheinmetall unmanned vehicles) and Alojzije Šestan (Šestan-Busch).
This year's conference once again highlighted the numerous opportunities as well as the challenges facing Croatian exporters in an increasingly complex international environment. At the same time, emphasis was put on the importance of investment, innovation, and business internationalisation as fundamental prerequisites for the long-term competitiveness of Croatian companies.
Conference participants agreed that investments in knowledge, technology, new product development, and conquering international markets would play a key role in the further development of Croatian exports.