Metris Metal Research Center Opened in Pula

Today, the “Metris” Metal Research Center was ceremonially opened in Pula, the first research center of its kind in Croatia. The center was established as part of a project co-financed under the Adriatic Cross-Border Neighbourhood Programme from the PHARE 2006 fund. The European Commission co-financed the center with 485,440 euros, which accounts for 65.6 percent of the total value.

The initiator and main project holder, valued at 740 thousand euros, was the Istrian Development Agency (IDA). The project lasted 14 months and involved the reconstruction and equipping of the former surgical operating wing of the Pula General Hospital, where “Metris” is now located. IDA Director Darko Lorencin stated that the idea of establishing a research center arose after an analysis of the Istrian economy, which showed that the manufacturing industry is the most important economic sector, accounting for more than 33 percent of total income, with the metal industry making up more than 50 percent of that.

The main goal of the project is to increase the level of implemented research and development projects, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the Istrian and Croatian metal industries in the global market, said Lorencin. The center offers services for product and material quality research, creation of new or improvement of existing products, development of innovative ideas, prototype testing, and research and development for small and medium-sized enterprises in the metal industry of Istria County. Istrian County Prefect Ivan Jakovčič stated that the implementation of “Metris” has created an infrastructural base for research and development as a prerequisite for the development of innovations and the application of new technologies in production. During the ceremonial opening, a Business-Technical Cooperation Agreement was signed between IDA, as the project holder, and Uljanik Shipyard and Cimos, the most significant participants in the metal industry of Istria. (H)