Visit to Varaždin County

13.06.
2012

EXCHANGE OF POSITIVE PRACTICES WITH VARAŽDIN COUNTY

In the time period 5-6 June 2012 a study visit to Varaždin County, as one of the most competitive counties in Croatia, was organized within the project “LED NET-Initiative for Creation of Local Economic Development Network in B&H” financed by the European Union and implemented by Center for Promotion of Local Development PLOD Bihać along with partners Association for Entrepreneurship and  Association for Entrepreneurship and Business LINK Mostar, Independent Bureau for Development Gradačac, Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers - Žepče and Centre for Development of Herzegovina Trebinje. Besides partners, representative of Ministry of Development, Entrepreneurship and Crafts of FB&H, Mr. Zdravko Čerović, assistant minister for development, attended the visit too. The goal of the visit was to get familiar with examples of good practice and knowledge sharing, instruments of local and regional economic development and creation of a better business environment.

The objective of LED NET project is networking of civil society organizations in B&H, exchange of knowledge, as well as strengthening their role in the process of local and regional economic development and improvement of cooperation between governmental, non-governmental and private sectors. Total value of the project is 259,620.00 Euro, of which EU funded 231,062.00 Euro through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, IPA 2009.

The study visit included a visit of Varaždin County, Development Agency of Varaždin County-AZRA, Guaranty Agency of Varaždin County-GARA, Business Zones Ltd, Tourist Board of Varaždin County, Varaždin Free Zones Ltd. and Varaždin Technological Park Ltd.

The delegation was welcomed to Varaždin County by Prefect, Mr. Predrag Štromar, who on that occasion stressed good relations with all the Cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Una-Sana Canton.

Development Agency of Varaždin County-AZRA employs 24 persons and provides services of counseling, planning, education and implementation of EU projects. Since 2005 the Agency has implemented 30 projects from 10 different funds and that way provided 12,7 million Euro for development of  Varaždin County and creation of better business environment. (http://www.azra.hr)

Guaranty Agency of Varaždin County-GARA provides support to economic projects for those projects that do not have enough credit potential for commercial banks such as artisans, small and medium enterprises, cooperatives and institutions. Out of the total number of guarantees issued 38% were issued for the manufacturing sector, 43% for the service sector and 19% for the agricultural sector. In addition to guarantees for entrepreneurs, GARA provides student warranties, as well as cash pooling services. (http://www.gara.hr)

The primary task of Varaždin Business Zone Ltd. is supporting local and regional development through the promotion of the region, projects, territorial marketing and attracting investments. It composes of 7 zones currently. (http://www.poslovne-zone.hr)

Varaždin Free Zone Ltd. was also visited where director Mrs. Andreja Mišak informed the delegation about the work of the zone covering an area of 62 ha, where 11 investors work at the moment – 6 foreign and 5 local investors. The goal of Varaždin Free Zone Ltd. is to contribute to development through provision of access to market on a global level and provision of quality support services to investors through implementation of special conditions of customs regulations, foreign exchange operations, value added tax and income tax. (http://www.slobodna-zona.hr/)
In the end, the delegation visited Varaždin Technology Park Ltd. and got familiar with incubation center for newly opened innovative technological companies, establishment of a mechanism for improving the existing technological innovative companies, their networking and change of perception of innovation as the basis of the new economy. There are 26 companies working in the Technology Park currently. (http://www.tp-vz.hr)

In September 2009 PLOD Center Bihać signed with Development Agency of Varaždin County-AZRA and Guaranty Agency of Varaždin County-GARA Cooperation Agreement in promoting and creating a network of cross-border partnerships in order to increase cross-border activities, creation of a better business environment and regional competitiveness.

A proactive approach to development and cooperation between all three sectors of society, and support of the County, Guarantee Agency, Development Agency and Business Zones ensured faster development, creation of new jobs and a better business environment. PLOD Center Bihać, together with partners, wants to implement some of these positive practices in cooperation with the private and governmental sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.