Lider Invest Novska Has Started: Without the Development of Entrepreneurship, There Is No Development of the City

– Without the development of entrepreneurship, there is no development of the city, because as entrepreneurship develops, other segments must also be developed, so that small towns like Novska become desirable places to live, especially for young people. As Novska grows, so does the Sisak-Moslavina County, and then the whole of Croatia – said Marija Kušmiš, the mayor of Novska, in the introductory part of the investment gathering Lider Invest, which begins its cycle today in Novska.

She also emphasized that Novska has based its economy for many years on the development of the wood industry, as well as textile and metal industries, and since 2018, it has been developing as a center for the gaming industry.

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Marija Kušmiš

photo Rene Karaman

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– We have found a niche for the future, but we also strive to support every entrepreneur and craftsman with our measures. Although entrepreneurship is not easy, local units and politics must certainly support entrepreneurs – explained Kušmiš.

Bojana Božanić Ivanović, the director of Lider, highlighted the positive example of the City of Novska, which is turning towards investments with incentive measures and is also recording growth in newly opened crafts and startups.

– When we started the Lider Invest project eight years ago, our desire was to visit as many Croatian cities as possible, encouraging entrepreneurs to start investing. We designed a competition and awards that will further mark the great endeavor of the brave who decided to invest. Because entrepreneurs are not just leaders in their companies, they are very important for the entire community. The effect of investments is certainly felt in local government units, in the budget through increased tax and surtax revenues, in attracting new residents, and in the development of knowledge and technologies among companies – explained Božanić Ivanović.

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Bojana Božanić Ivanović

photo Rene Karaman

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However, the Sisak-Moslavina County still lags behind the Croatian average, and it is necessary to invest to support growth and improve the standard of living of the population, said Tihomir Babić, president of the Sisak County Chamber.

– The SMŽ has faced numerous challenges due to the earthquakes in 2020. Despite this, the SMŽ has great potential for economic development. That is why we are here today, to discuss larger investments in this part of the country. I am confident that this forum will be useful and that new knowledge will encourage action – said Babić.

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Tihomir Babić

photo Rene Karaman

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Mihael Jurić, deputy mayor of SMŽ, also pointed out the problem of insufficient infrastructural connectivity (highways and railways) of parts of the county to the cities of Petrinja, Glina, and Hrvatska Kostajnica. We must minimize the differences in connectivity, as well as the development of that part of the county compared to the cities of Popovača, Kutina, and Novska, said Jurić.

– Entrepreneurs fill the budget with their salaries and revenues, and politicians need to enable them to develop further, to create jobs, and to develop business and society. They must have understanding in policy creation – added Jurić.

On the obstacles to creating a positive investment environment, as well as how to remove those obstacles, the panel discussion will feature Matt Darko Sertić, founder and director of the Sisak company Applied Ceramics, Zlatko Redžić, director of the Novska company Metaflex, Stjepan Šmit, owner and director of the Kutina company Šmit Electronic, Ella Jagodin, HR manager at the Novska company Ante Mijić-Quercus, and Vida Iličić, director of the Development Agency of the City of Novska – NORA. The panel will be moderated by Lider’s editor Manuela Tašler.

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Lider invest east

photo Rene Karaman

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By visiting Croatian regions and holding investment mini-forums, Lider has been striving for seven years to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary information about the investment climate, initiatives of local government units, opportunities and sources of financing, and we open discussions about projects that have been initiated so far.

Entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to nominate their investments and become candidates for the Lider Invest award, which Lider will present this year on October 10 at a ceremonial final event in Zagreb.