GCC – ONE OF THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC

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STILL AFLOAT, STILL LEADING

AHK CROATIA

GCC – ONE OF THE BIGGEST ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION IN CROATIA

The Chamber has over 390 members from German, Croatian and international business sphere which are actively contributing to advancing German-Croatian economic relations

In 2016, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (GCC) organized and actively participated in 75 pr ojects, events, seminars and conferences in Croatia and Germany covering diff erent topics.

Since its foundation in 2003, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and C ommerce, with headquarters in Zagreb, has had three main tasks and activity segments: • Official r epresentation of German economy in Croatia – The German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce i s one of the central organizations of the

Federal Republic of Germany engaged in promoting German external trade. Its task is to represent interests of German companies in Croatia, provide Croatian companies with required information, and promote Germany as a location for doing business. • Or ganizing its members – The German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and

C ommerce comprises of companies that are actively participating in bilateral economic relations. These member-companies give authority to the Chamber in promoting bilateral economic relations as a r epresentative of government, economy and administration. • Providing sevices to companies – Under its brand DEinternational, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce pr ovides support to both German and

Croatian companies relating to their external trade.

The German-Cr oatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, which was established on 30th Oct ober, 2003, was the first ever bilateral German external trade chamber of commerce founded in ex-Yugoslavia. The establishment was a result of the consistent measures implemented by the German go vernment on promoting external trade relations, and it sent an important signal about the stabilization of economic relations between Germany and entire region. The German-Cr oatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce represents bilateral economic interests in front of government institutions, state and town bodies, and o ther organizations relevant to economic relations. It also contributes to the development and strengthening of ties between German and Croatian business people thanks to its diverse offer of e vents. Additionally, it promotes development and advancement of business r elations between German and Croatian

companies, while, on the political and administrative level, it advocates improved business clima te in Croatia. As an official representative office of the Free State of Bavaria, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce also promotes the cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the Free State of Bavaria.

As a service provider and an experienced and competent partner, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce pr ovides support to German and Croatian companies in breaking into new markets, market analysis, and preparing for doing business in both countries. Furthermore, via its daughter company DKIHK Poslovne Usluge d.o.o. and its brand DEinternational, the Chamber provides many other services.

Selected activities and projects for promotion of bilateral economic cooperation.

The aim o f most projects implemented by the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce is providing support to small and medium en terprises in breaking into new markets. In the last several years, the Chamber specialized in the following thematic segments and competencies which, in return, contributed to its better profiling in the country: • Ener gy (with a focus on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency) • En vironmental Technologies (Water,

Waste Water and Waste Management) • Tourism • Agriculture and food industry • Retail and distribution • In frastructure and logistics

• Industry (metallurgical, wood processing, chemical and pharmaceutical industries)

In addition, in 2016, the Chamber had a record number of participants in their events. Professional and networking events in 2016 brought together a total of 3,000 participants. Also, over 700 inquiries from the two countries were processed.

One of the more relevant topics for the members of the German-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is vocational training with an emphasis on dual edu

IN EARLY 2017, THE CHAMBER STEPPED UP ITS ACTIVITIES RELATING TO START-UPS AND INNOVATION, AND ORGANIZED A SERIES OF EVENTS

cation. On the back of that, the Chamber has been further f ocusing on vocational training (education and additional training) with an emphasis on dual education in line with the German model. T raining of skilled labour should be in accordance with market needs. To that end, effective measures such as the certified Examplary Company for Professional Practice programme, and an appropriate educational and seminar pr ogramme have been implemented, with the pilot project called Dual Educa tion in Retail standing out.

In order to draw attention to Croatia as a supply market, the German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce published the Suppliers Catalogue, and, in 2017, participa ted in the German Initiative for Finding Suppliers in Croatia and the W estern Balkans under the leadership of the German Federal Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics (BME) for the third consecutive time. A fter Munich and Dortmund, this sourcing conference, well known outside Germany too, was held abroad for the first time - in Belgrade, on 31st May. Along with the industry branches that had already participated in this event, the automotive industry and the engineering industry, this year's initia tive was attended by representatives of IT companies for the first time. Over 45 German suppliers met 140 selected companies from the Western Balkans, including 21 companies from Croatia.

In early 2017, the Chamber stepped up its activities relating to start-ups and innovation, and organized a series of events with the vie w of connecting Croatian and German start-ups, incubators and accelerators. For instance, each month, one Croatian start-up is being presented. Furthermore, the Chamber gives out annual awards f or the best start-up and the best innovation, and will soon launch a website that will connect start-ups in tow countries, and the start-ups with established companies in Croatia and Germany.