Contact

Petra Preradovića 17/II 

HR-42000 Varaždin

Contact: Mr. Cedomil Cesarec

T: +385 (0)42 405 400

F: +385 (0)42 405 401

E-mail : ccesarec @hgk.hr

Web : www.hgk.hr

Description

The Varazdin Chamber of Economy has been operating within Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE) since 1962. The Chamber has been founded in the tradition of European chambers, following their organizational pattern, and represents the entire economy. The Chamber is a public-low institution with 2 300 members. Members employ 34 000 employees, have 2.1 billion € annual income, and 500 million € in export.

Apart from the Varazdin Chamber, there are 19 county chambers in the Republic of Croatia and the Head office of the Croatian Chamber of Economy (CCE).

The basic principle and focus of the Chamber’s operations is to maintain the relations between member businesses and to assist them in the promotion of their interest through various forms of activities:

• Activities of the Economic Council of the Varazdin Chamber;
• Trade associations of the CCE and professional associations in Varazdin County Chamber;
• Cooperation with the departments of the CCE and county chambers;
• Cooperation with foreign business entities, chamber and other organisations;
• Providing information and advisory services related to the legal framework;
• Promotion of the county economy;
• Performance of public authority activities.

The principal objectives of the County Chamber Varazdin are:

• Creation of the most favourable investment environment in Croatia
• Building of strategic alliances (Textile-, Leather-, Wood-, Metal- IT-industry etc.)
• Organisation of education and improvement of knowledge in the economy.

ORGANISATIONAL  STRUCTURE

The Varazdin Chamber consists of the following sector divisions:

1. Industry and Small Business

2. Trade, Tourism and Catering,

3. International Relations,

4. Agriculture, Food Industry and Forestry,

5. Transport, Construction and Public Utilities,

6. Information Technology and Statistics,

7. Macroeconomic Analyses, Banks and Other Financial Institutions,

Business education

Mediation Centre

ACTE (Association Communautes Textile Europeennes) Office.

President’s Office,

Office Manager - Secretary.

Of 18 employees in the Varazdin Chamber 10 have university qualifications and speak at least one world language.

The Varazdin Chamber is certified holder of the norms of the quality ISO 9001:2000.

COUNCIL

The Varazdin Chamber has an Economic Council consisting of 23 representatives of the leading businesses from the Varazdin County. The Economic Council considers, solves or proposes motions for solving the topical issues of interest for the businesses on the territory covered by the Varazdin Chamber. The Chairman of the Economic Council is also the President of the Varazdin Chamber. The Chairman of the Economic Council and the President of the Varazdin Chamber is  Mr. Cedomil Cesarec, B.Sc.M.E. 

Economic relations with foreign countries

The Varazdin Chamber provides information on international trade, import duty regulations and tariff concessions, bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Chamber cooperates with the chambers of the neighbouring and other countries with the aim of integrating the Croatian economy into the European and world market trends. Foreign business people can also obtain the information on investment opportunities in Varazdin and Croatia. The Varazdin Chamber has signed cooperation agreements with the Chamber of Economy of Styria, Graz, Austria; The Chamber of Economy-Regional Chamber Maribor, Slovenia; The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zala, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary, and the Chamber of Economy Raciborz, Poland.  Furthermore, it has established very good business relations with the chambers of Koblenz (Germany), Tuzla, Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Bihac (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Maribor, Murska Sobota (Slovenia), Lille (France), Isernia, CNA Udine (Italy), The Handicraft Chamber of Gorica (Slovenia), The City of Trnava (Slovakia), Ravensburg (Germany) and Montelimar (France).

International integrations

The Varazdin Chamber provides its members with all necessary information on foreign trade, international and European integrations (European Union, CEFTA, WTO, etc.) as well as the information on doing business with overseas countries.

Promotion of business  

The Chamber organizes the participation of Varazdin’s enterprises at domestic and international trade fairs and exhibitions, presentations, professional conferences and at other business events, with the aim of promoting foreign trade. Furthermore, the Chamber represents its members’ interests before the relevant city, county and state authorities, in close cooperation with the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

Business events and meetings

In cooperation with other chambers and institutions, the Varazdin Chamber organizes business events and meetings of business people from its own territory and from abroad, with the aim of exchanging business information, negotiating business deals or connecting potential business partners.

Public authorities

  The Chamber is vested with the following public authorities:

- issue of certificates of origin (standard and FORM A),

- issue of end use certificates (End use),

- certifying the documents accompanying the goods when imported or exported,

- issue of international road transport permits,

- issue of ATA Carnets.

Publicity and information

Within its promotional activities, the Varazdin Chamber prepares promotional materials about the Chamber, the businesses of Varazdin and the Varazdin County.

 Information and Consultancy

The Varazdin Chamber maintains its own database on domicile companies and in connection with Croatian Chamber of Economy is able to use the database of all Croatians companies.

Members of the Varazdin Chamber may obtain all the information on the legislation regulating the economic policy and all economic sectors, foreign exchange, the financial and tax systems, customs and tariffs, banking and loans, restructuring and privatization of companies, investment opportunities, etc.

Business education

Business education is one of the most important fields of the Varazdin Chamber’s activities. This activities are focused on training for individuals from the business sector, both for key executive stuff or in specific professional skills. The Varazdin Chamber organizes business education since 1997. and has assigned in total 180 certificate for one-week seminars and 28 Certificates for International Business and Management to participants from the region.

There is a growing interest in additional knowledge and skills, which shows that more people have become aware of need for continuous education. Through training for entrepreneurs in various fields, we contribute to higher economic growth and quality. Adult education, basic vocational training and continuous education together need to provide the guidelines for the development of human resources which is in favor of a knowledge-based society that is ready to take on the challenges of the new global economy.