The event was held as part of the 39th annual International Furniture, Interior Decoration and Supporting Industry Fair Ambienta.
Agriculture Minister Tihomir Jakovic said the government would adopt measures to stimulate the development of this industry but added that companies must form clusters and apply for EU funds that would become available after Croatia joined the Union.
Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) president Nadan Vidosevic underlined the need to prepare projects to draw as much money from the funds as possible, and singled out Russia and the Arab countries as currently interesting markets.
The president of the HGK's wood-processing industry association, Zdravko Jelcic, said Croatia's EU accession would provide new investment possibilities for this industry through the EU funds, which he said would improve competitiveness.
He underlined the need to also invest in technology, knowledge, new markets and brands, but said that companies needed the state's assistance to conquer big and new markets.
The wood-processing industry's share in Croatia's exports, after declining to 6.89 per cent in 2010 rose to 7.21 per cent in 2011.