Best Croatian exporters in 2012 proclaimed

Ericsson Nikola Tesla, a telecommunications equipment manufacturer, was proclaimed the best big Croatian exporter in 2012, at a convention which the Croatian Exporters association held in Zagreb on Tuesday. The Pula-based Calucem, a producer of special types of cement, was proclaimed the best medium-sized exporter, while the title of the best small exporter was awarded to the Rijeka-based Navis Consult, a company specialised in designing and constructing vessels.

HSTEC, a Zadar-headquartered company for development and production of high speed precision motor spindles, direct drives and other high speed technology, won the title of the most innovative exporter last year.

Addressing the convention, Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said that like exporters, his cabinet opted for a more difficult path leading to excellence and competitiveness.

He said that European countries with higher competitiveness based their position on the development of technology, the know-how and on flexibility as well as on strict rules, adding that the current Croatian government was also pursuing such policy.

Milanovic said that Croatia's forthcoming entry into the European Union was a great opportunity for exporters.

As long as there is no single EU budget, selling the Croatian goods in other EU countries means export and this should be our choice, the premier said adding that the alternative would be only the sale of national resources or their renting.

Milanovic went on to say that in his capacity of a politician he also advocated the maintenance of the Croatian specific social welfare model and Croatia's way of living. although it cost more but it "renders life safer, more beautiful and more meaningful."

The Croatian Exporters association's chairman Darinko Bago said that exporters were the most vital segment of the national economy.

Export-oriented companies account for 13% of all enterprises in Croatia, he added.

With Croatia's entry into the EU, the country will lose benefits from the Central Europe Free Trade Agreement and face changes in the customs regime as well as the arrival of European producers on the Croatian market. In the short term, there will be problems, but in the long run, Croatia's EU membership is good news for exporters, Bago said.

(Hina)



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