We are good friends and partners and should use this opportunity to broaden our business contacts, the Azerbaijani head of state said.
The forum, organised by the Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO) and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), brought together executives from some 100 Azerbaijani and 40 Croatian companies.
During the forum, Grabar-Kitarovic expressed hope that the new Croatian government would enhance the current Temporary Office of Croatia in Baku to the embassy level.
The two presidents also agreed that the bilateral economic cooperation had to date been based mainly on oil exports from that Transcaucasian country to Croatia and on the sale of vessels built in Croatian shipyards.
The presidents call for diversification of economic cooperation
Advocating diversification of economic cooperation, Aliyev said that his country was interested in the pharmaceuticals industry, cooperation in the ICT sector and tourism.
He went on to say that by pursuing a policy of diversification of the national economy, Azerbaijan also invested much in sectors that were not connected with the oil sector.
He called on Croatian companies to participate in the construction of infrastructure in his country.
Concerning the energy policy, the focus is on the Southern Gas Corridor which the Azerbaijani president described as "a project of energy security and diversification of energy sources".
We need the European market for our gas and European buyers need more gas supplies, he said.
The Southern Gas Corridor, estimated at over 45 billion dollars, is currently one of the largest infrastructure projects in the world, and its route goes from the Caspian gas field of Shah Deniz II via Azarbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Greece and Albania to Italy. The Southern Gas Corridor will stretch over 3,700 kilometres.
Grabar-Kitarovic said that Croatia was committed to cooperation in the energy sector so as to ensure energy independence not only for itself but also for its neighbours. In this context she mentioned the Southern Gas Corridor and the Three Seas' Initiative encompassing the Adriatic, the Baltic and the Black Sea, saying their ultimate purpose was to improve living standards in those countries.
Grabar-Kitarovic satisfied with visit
At the end of her visit Grabar-Kitarovic told Croatian reporters that she was "very happy with the visit to Azerbaijan," and political talks with the president, prime minister and parliament speaker, "who wholeheartedly support Croatia and Azerbaijan coming closer together," which is exceptionally important for Croatia to achieve its plans of becoming a 'hub' and to be an entry point to the European Union and Europe for Transcaucasus countries and parts of central Asia.
President Aliyev underscored that his country is currently working on two other large projects facilitating Azerbaijan's plan to become a global transport 'hub'.
One project is an East-West transport corridor connecting China and Europe through Azerbaijan as the shortest route between Asia and Europe.
The other project is the South-North route from Asia - India and Pakistan through via Azerbaijan and Russia to northern Europe.
With reference to ship building, Grabar-Kitarovic said that Croatia was interested in selling ships to Azerbaijan and not just large cargo ships as had previously been sold but also small, mobile ships that are becoming more important in a world faced with security challenges.
Croatian businessmen on Monday had several meetings in Azerbaijani ministries of agriculture, tourism, defence and transport in several public companies that manage the railway, shipbuilding and the Port of Baku.
On Tuesday, the businessmen conducted negotiations with Azerbaijani companies.
Croatian shipbuilders are interested in renewing and streamlining the Azerbaijan fleet.
The Pula-based Uljanik shipyard which has already delivered 14 ships to Azerbaijan over the past 30 years is currently negotiating the construction of more ships for the Azerbaijani market.
The Split-based DIV shipyard is offering smaller patrol boats built according to NATO standards.