A total of 33 managers from 28 companies were selected for this award, and seven were shortlisted, while Usmiani was declared the winner.
Usmiani founded the JGL company in Rijeka in 1991, and currently the JGL Group operates on 60 markets worldwide, while 85% of its revenues are from exports. The company has about 1,300 people on its payroll and produces over 300 products.
The Croatian entrepreneur of the year will compete for the title of EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, to be held in Monaco in June.
The shortlisted candidates were Ksenija and Ivan Mesarić of the IM-COMP company, Katica Hauptfeld from Katarina Line, Goran and Ivan Dell’Orco (the Marikomerc company)and Jure Širić (Modepack).
Addressing the award-giving ceremony in Zagreb, Finance Minister Marko Primorac said that Croatia has overcome all the recent crises successfully and entrepreneurs have been excellent in their role to produce and employ, with the government recognising the times when it should stand by entrepreneurs.
Our entrepreneurs create an additional value and are ready to maintain a high level of employment and do all what Croatia needs, he added.