The so far largest Finnish business delegation will attend a business forum scheduled for November 22, organisers of the gathering -- the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and the Finnish Embassy -- announced at a press conference in Zagreb on Wednesday.
Members of the Finnish delegation are sponsors of the Jokerit hockey club from Helsinki, who are coming to Zagreb for the first time to play a game against Medvescak. The Finnish sponsors will met Croatian business people at a business forum entitled "Hockey Connects Business".
Finland's image in Croatia is very positive, and about 15 Finnish companies already operating in Croatia have positive experience. Although ties between the two countries already exist, they can be improved in trade, investment and tourism, Ambassador Timo Rajakangas said. Among Croatia's advantages, he cited its membership of the European Union.
Medvescak president Damir Gojanovic said sport was a good opportunity for economic diplomacy. "In countries where Medvescak plays, hockey is the number one sport and leading business people gather around those teams. Croatia should take advantage of such potential," he said.
The business forum will be attended by representatives of nine Finnish companies which produce sport equipment, provide air carriage services, sell heating equipment, make confectionery, produce light fixtures, provide plumbing services, offer tourist services and repair asphalt roads.
Trade between Finland and Croatia amounted to 5.13 million euros in 2013 and 21 million euros in the first half of 2014. Croatian exports totalled 15.9 million euros and imports 35.4 million euros. Croatia mostly exported steam boilers, electric transformers and electric motor parts, and imported electrical devices for wire telephony and armoured combat vehicles.
About 55,000 Finns visited Croatia in 2013, which was 40 percent more than in 2012.