The forum is being held at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) on 20 and 21 January on the margins of the World Handball Championship.
It began on Monday afternoon, gathering more than a hundred Croatian and Slovenian representatives from the business and sports sectors, particularly from sports associations and federations, as well as the ministers in charge of sports. Slovenian Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sport Matjaž Han participated today, while Croatian Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina is scheduled to attend on Tuesday.
Tomislav Radoš, Vice President of the HGK for Industry and Sustainable Development, said that the goal of the forum is to find connections and share perspectives and ideas for the joint development of the significant potential of both the Croatian and Slovenian economies and sports, as two friendly neighbours.
"The aim of the HGK's Association of Sports Clubs is to find ways to provide more support to clubs to help them survive. In Croatia, about 0.4% of GDP is allocated to sports, and although this gradually increases, it is still far from sufficient. Therefore, it is important to find ways to involve the economy more in financing sports, for which changes to tax laws are also necessary," Radoš emphasised.
One way is to reduce taxes for entrepreneurs who support and finance sports, to do more with rewards for successes, while Slovenian Minister Han revealed that Slovenia is considering introducing vouchers for children, worth approximately 100 or 200 euros, to engage in sports of their choice.
Han also stated that Croatia and Slovenia, as small countries with great sports achievements, are a phenomenon, as they compete and win against many larger and stronger sporting nations. He added that major international competitions are also very important for Slovenia's income and promotion, just as they are for Croatia.
Such is the case with the Handball World Championship, which is also being held in Croatia, for which he congratulated everyone on the organisation, and wished Slovenia victory against Iceland tonight, while they are set to face Croatia in the next stage of the competition.
More than €100m invested in sports infrastructure in Slovenia
"In Slovenia, over the last two years, we have invested more than €100 million in sports infrastructure and other areas, and we want to increase this further. Sport must be more connected to the economy, and the state must continue its funding," said Han.
Both the President of the Slovenian Handball Federation, Bor Rozman, and the President of the Croatian Handball Federation, Tomislav Grahovac, emphasised the importance of greater investment in sports, as this would help retain talent better.
Grahovac stated that the Handball World Championship in Croatia would not have been possible without the support of the government, cities and counties where the event is taking place, and expressed his gratitude for their assistance.
However, he also noted and warned that local authorities and communities need to be more involved in financing, without which both amateur and professional clubs struggle to survive. He also mentioned that the Sports Act, which he believes is good, needs to be strengthened with by-laws that would enable stronger financing.
On the second day of the forum, 21 January, representatives from Croatia's Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and Tourist Board, the Slovenian Tourist Board, the Olympic Committees of both countries, sports clubs, media, and others are expected to participate.