Burilović: The Wood Sector Achieves More Than 10 Percent of Total Croatian Exports, a True Export Star

– At this year’s Ambient, the slogan ‘Wood Comes First’ shines in its full glory as this industry is our export star. The wood sector accounts for more than 10 percent of total Croatian exports, nearly 70 percent of revenue is generated in foreign markets, the foreign trade surplus last year was 542 million euros, and in the first half of this year, it was 272 million euros, emphasized the president of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Luka Burilović, opening the 43rd International Furniture, Interior Design and Related Industries Fair Ambienta 2016., organized by the Zagreb Fair and the Association of the Wood Processing Industry of the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

He pointed out that, according to a survey conducted by the Croatian Chamber of Economy among members of the Association of the Wood Processing Industry before Ambiente, nearly a thousand people were employed in this industry in 2015 (despite only 80 questionnaires being processed so far), and they are currently looking for about 350 workers.

– Plans for the future are significant, from additional hiring to investments. Last year, they invested 350 million kuna in business development and plan to invest more than half a billion kuna in the next five years, emphasizes Burilović, adding that these figures are the best indicator of the strength of this industry which, in addition to its economic importance, also has a social aspect as it prevents the decline of rural areas.

That the wood processing industry is a strategic branch of the Croatian economy was emphasized by the former Minister of Agriculture Davor Romić.

– It has a special developmental role in the rural areas of Croatia and employs nearly 20,000 workers, which is 11 percent of the total employed in the processing industry, Romić pointed out, adding that the development strategy for this industry from 2016 to 2020 has been completed and is awaiting the new composition of the Parliament for the adoption procedure.

The former assistant minister of entrepreneurship and crafts Ana Mandac emphasized that the Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts has simplified access to EU fund applications, with 250 million kuna available to small and micro entrepreneurs, and HAMAG BICRO has simplified and accelerated lending under the most favorable conditions, with interest rates from 0.5 to 1.5 percent and even 0 percent.

– Ambienta is this year a redesigned story about ideas, design, architecture, and Croatian manufacturers. There are 323 exhibitors from 25 countries showcasing their products on 20,000 square meters of exhibition space in seven pavilions, noted the head of the Zagreb Fair branch Dina Tomšić.

Visitors will have the opportunity until October 16 at the fair to see the first joint presentation of the Croatian wood processing industry, with the support of Croatian Forests and the Croatian Chamber of Economy. In a specially arranged exhibition space larger than three thousand square meters, 35 Croatian manufacturers present their products, from sawmill timber, wood in construction and energy, to furniture as the most complex product. The fair was opened by the Mayor of the City of Zagreb Milan Bandić.