Home / Business and Politics / AmCham: We are not aware of the case of blocked American investments in Croatia referred to by Congressman Lamborn

AmCham: We are not aware of the case of blocked American investments in Croatia referred to by Congressman Lamborn

<p>Andrea Doko Jelušić</p>
Andrea Doko Jelušić / Image by: foto Dražen Lapić

Congressman Lamborn refers to a case that is unknown to us, responded AmCham, the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia, to Lider’s inquiry about blocked American investments in Croatia. Recall that American Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn sent a letter last week to Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković demanding answers about alleged blocked American investments and “about corruption and the malign influence of Russia in Croatia.” It is not at all clear from the letter which investments are being referred to, and it is evident that AmCham knows nothing about it either.

Namely, the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia brings together more than 320 mostly large American and other international companies from over 20 countries, as well as Croatian companies operating in the global market. As Andrea Doko Jelušić, Executive Director of AmCham, reminds, this institution was established to help American companies, as well as companies from other countries, understand the Croatian business environment. There are challenges, but not of the kind described in the letter from the American congressman.

There are challenges with the administration

– Some challenges arise when, for example, an investor needs to obtain certain permits and thus depends on the timeliness and transparency of the administration. Annually, we conduct a business environment survey, and through the work of our committees, we discuss the challenges faced by investors and propose systematic solutions to government institutions through AmCham’s positions that will make the country attractive for investment – emphasized Doko Jelušić in her response.

She also added that AmCham’s Trade and Investment Committee deals with issues of tax policy, labor legislation, and administrative burdens. The other five committees address specific issues within healthcare, energy, environmental protection, public procurement, justice, and the area of digital economy.

– New investors are contacting us who are evaluating Croatia as an investment destination or are already entering the Croatian market. After an exhaustive market analysis and a decision to invest, it is very rare for a situation to arise where an investment is abandoned – concluded the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia.

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