The long-awaited 11th Lider Conference on Export has begun at the Kraš Auditorium in Zagreb, which is also the most important activity of the Lider Exporters Club. The export conference is held under the motto ‘Smart Know What Export Is For,’ considering that the growth of exports is the most important factor in GDP growth.
In recent years, markets have been under constant pressure affecting the business and development of all sectors. Exporters face new challenges daily and seek sustainable solutions, which is why it is particularly important to connect exporting companies with novice exporters and encourage cooperation in foreign markets.
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– When you see how other industries are doing these days, you wonder if export is the right profession for you. Of course, this is only short-term, as export has been and remains the most important generator of GDP, especially in times that are not particularly good for entrepreneurs. When the wind blows and turkeys fly, but when that wind stops, then it becomes clear whose role in the economy is the most important, and that is the role of exporters, which is why I especially thank all members of the Lider Exporters Club. We do not give up on our two goals; the first is for Croatia to get a Ministry of Industry in the future, and the second goal, which may be easier to achieve and for which there is a great need, is to ensure significantly more funds in the state budget to assist Croatian exporters in participating in fairs. If you can get 60 to 80 percent for clean energy, then you can also get it for attempts to break into foreign markets – said Miodrag Šajatović, editor-in-chief of the business weekly Lider.
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Bojan Batinić, director of the Directorate for Internationalization at the Ministry of Economy, reiterated the fact that only 15 percent of society in Croatia is declared as exporters, but this small percentage accounts for more than 50 percent of total employment, 60 percent of investments, and over 70 percent of research and development investments.
– We are in a good position and have never had more money available for internationalization. So far, we have had around 43 million euros available, we have announced six calls, 1018 contracts worth 60 million euros have been realized, and we continue at the same pace. In three to six months, we will announce new calls for internationalization – said Batinić, emphasizing the importance of conferences and gatherings where entrepreneurs have the opportunity to exchange information and come to new business opportunities.
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Regarding export trends in the global economy, Russia and China are dissatisfied with the world order and are urging changes. A small country like Croatia must take this into account, believes Goran Šaravanja, chief economist of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), and the security of supply has never been a more important topic as we will likely not have access to cheap Russian energy and raw materials that affect export generation in the foreseeable future.
– Industrial production in Germany is suffering; their approach and policies over the last 30 years have been far riskier than they seemed at first glance. The assumption that Europe will always have access to cheap energy and raw materials has proven to be incorrect; part of the production has been moved to Asia and Eastern Europe, labor costs are no longer the same as before, and China is not the promised land regarding exports. America is currently the largest export country for Germany – says Šaravanja.
Explaining the current state of the eurozone economy, he said that the silver lining in the misfortune is that Germany is a hardworking country with many inhabitants and will find a way to overcome the crisis, but he warned of the slowdown in the growth of the US economy, which is why the results of the upcoming presidential elections in the country are particularly important. Asia is being neglected, believes Šaravanja, which makes no sense as China is still the second-largest economy in the world and has achieved a lot in the past 50 years. However, household debt is above 60 percent, and consumer confidence is at a historically low level.
– Let us not expect any economic growth based on increased exports to China. That will not happen for some time as there is no demand. Also, the devaluation of the yen shows that something is wrong in the relationship of world economies towards Asia – concluded Šaravanja.
