CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY
2007-09-03 21:31:14
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CROATIAN CHAMBER OF ECONOMY
The Croatian Chamber of Economy is an independent professional and business organisation of all legal entities engaging in business. It was established in 1852, organised in European tradition and on the so-called continental model of Austrian and German chambers with compulsory membership. Every company registered with the Commercial Court is a member of the Chamber. The Croatian Chamber of Economy consists of the Headquarters in Zagreb and 20 county chambers. Among these, the Zagreb Chamber represents both the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. Functionally, the CCE consists of 8 departments dealing with the respective branch of the economy, and it also includes 40 professional associations, 87 groups and 19 affiliations. Apart from this, within the CCE act five business centres, Permanent Arbitration Court, Conciliation Centre, Court of Honour and CCE Office for Areas of Special State Concern. The Croatian Chamber of Economy is run by the Assembly, Management and Supervisory Boards, President, who is elected by the Assembly, and five Vice Presidents. The members of the Supervisory Board and Assembly are elected from among reputable business people. Together with the Chamber’s working bodies, they promote, represent and protect their members’ common interests before governmental authorities home and abroad. ACTIVITIES Representation The representation of economic interests before economic policy makers is achieved in the form of written materials, opinions on the respective measures or bills, active participation in Government or ministry sessions, either as a member or upon invitation, mandatory position statements for parliamentary committees - primarily on economic, budgetary, financial, labour and social policy issues. This also includes providing parliamentary representatives with materials. The CCE prepares materials on topical economic issues and refers them to relevant departments as joint proposals of the business community. The CCE also commissions studies, thus harnessing the professional and scientific communities for the benefit of the economy. Promotion of the economy home and abroad One of the most important tasks of the Chamber is the improvement of economic co-operation with foreign countries. This is achieved through various activities aimed at increasing the exchange of goods and services, and also at making improvements in all other forms of economic co-operation with business actors abroad. The Chamber pays special attention to promotional activities through which the Croatian economy is represented in the respective country. Specifically, it informs business partners about the laws and regulations of the Republic of Croatia, as well as about possibilities and facilities for investment. The Chamber organises visits for numerous foreign business representatives. It arranges meetings and concrete business co-operation with business partners abroad. It plays an important role in the promotion of export-oriented activities of the Croatian economy at well-known, leading fairs and shows abroad. As the chief promoter and organiser of their participation at fairs and exhibitions, the Croatian Chamber of Economy supports its members both organisationally and financially in developing a successful marketing approach to the respective market. This is possible thanks to the CCE’s links with chambers and economic institutions around the world, which enables Croatian companies to establish successful contacts with counterparts in the respective country or region. These activities are carried out in co-operation with county chambers, professional associations and other institutions. The Chamber assists in Croatia’s efforts to follow liberalisation trends in global trade in order to ensure fair competitive conditions for exports. The Croatian Chamber of Economy participates in these processes actively and directly. Some of these activities include: Croatia’s accession to the WTO, which implies her further engagement in all activities related to trade liberalisation, signing of the Stabilisation and Accession Agreement with the EU, free trade negotiations with all CEFTA countries (Central European Free Trade Association), joining CEFTA and EFTA (European Free Trade Agreement), and free trade negotiations with other countries. With regard to multilateral co-operation, special attention is paid to the EU as the most important foreign trade partner, because full membership of this European integration is the main strategic goal of the Republic of Croatia. Improvements to the Single European Market, EU’s trade policy, customs rules and regulations and their direct effects on Croatian exports are systematically studied. The CCE takes part in the practical implementation of the Agreement on Trade in Textiles between the Republic of Croatia and the EU. It also participates in a series of regional initiatives, such as Stability Pact, Central European and Adriatic-Ionian Initiatives, Alps-Adria Working Community, Southeast European Co-operative Initiative (SECI) and others. The international co-operation established through binational chambers with Croatian emigrants (particularly in South America), for whom special information materials on investment possibilities and regulations are prepared, is also of great importance. If you want to learn more then visit our site http://www2.hgk.hr/en |