The French Interested in Investing in Infrastructure Projects

At the Croatian-French Economic Forum on Monday in Split, it was highlighted that there is a possibility of enhancing business cooperation between companies from the Split-Dalmatia County and France, particularly in the export of fish products and Dalmatian prosciutto, while the French guests expressed interest in investing in infrastructure projects.

The Mayor of Split, Ivo Baldasar, emphasized that the Croatian-French Economic Forum is extremely important for the Split area. “Our development opportunities are primarily focused on tourist infrastructure,” said Baldasar.

The French Ambassador to Croatia, Michele Boccoz, stressed that French companies are primarily interested in investing in infrastructure projects in Croatia, mentioning French investments in Zagreb Airport, the Gruž Port in Dubrovnik, and road construction projects in Istria. “I hope this forum will result in various initiatives connecting companies from the Split-Dalmatia County with French companies,” she stated.

According to Ambassador Boccoz, Splitska Bank is one of the most important companies in the Split-Dalmatia County that “has a good relationship with French companies.” She also mentioned that around 500,000 tourists from France visited Croatia last year, most of whom stayed in the Split area. She also mentioned the Solin-based company AD Plastik, stating that it is a supplier for the French automotive industry.

“Last year, exports from France to Croatia were around 350 million euros, while exports from Croatia to France were about 200 million euros, but it is noticeable that in recent years, after Croatia became a member of the European Union, exports from Croatia to France have been increasing,” said Boccoz. She added that trade exchange between France and Croatia in 2015 was 15 percent higher than the year before.

The President of the French-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ana Ivančić, stated that this chamber, established in 2012, currently has 55 member companies, mostly in French ownership. She invited the present representatives of companies from the Split-Dalmatia County at the forum to connect with the chamber, which is also open to membership for Croatian companies.

The Head of the International Affairs Department at the Split County Chamber of Commerce, Goranka Košta, highlighted that there is particularly a possibility for investment in nautical tourism in the county, but there are also 13 economic zones for foreign investors.

“Currently, the well-known Dalmatian prosciutto is almost not exported to France at all, and we hope that will change, and there are also great opportunities for exporting fish products from Dalmatia to France,” Košta emphasized.