Croatia and US businesses step up push for stronger economic ties in New York

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NEW YORK, 25 September 2026 – More than 100 Croatian and US companies have met in New York to explore new business partnerships, investment opportunities and expansion between the two markets, with the long-awaited Croatia-US double taxation agreement again highlighted as an important issue for businesses.

The Croatia-US Business Forum, organised by the Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) and the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ), brought together around 70 US companies and 35 Croatian companies, including 15 from the tourism sector.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković also attended the forum during his visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Business-to-business meetings provided an opportunity for companies from both countries to discuss concrete opportunities for cooperation.

The Croatian Chamber of Economy said the US is an increasingly important market for Croatian companies, particularly for products and services with higher added value.

Double taxation agreement remains key issue

One of the main issues raised at the forum was the Croatia-US agreement on the avoidance of double taxation.

Although the agreement was signed almost four years ago, it has not yet entered into force. Croatian business representatives say its implementation could reduce administrative and business costs and make investment between the two countries easier.

The issue is particularly relevant for sectors such as information technology, where companies increasingly operate across borders.

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The forum also highlighted areas identified as having further potential for cooperation, including energy, digital technologies and artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, defence, research and development and other high-technology industries.

Croatia’s expanded LNG terminal on the island of Krk is expected to reach a capacity of 6.1 billion cubic metres of gas annually. According to the Croatian Government, more than two-thirds of the gas arriving at Krk currently comes from the United States.

The Southern Gas Interconnection with Bosnia and Herzegovina was also highlighted as another area of cooperation linked to regional energy security.

Tourism and US market

Tourism remains another important element of economic relations.

Services exported from Croatia to the US have in recent years approached €1 billion annually, with tourism accounting for a significant share alongside IT and consultancy services.

HTZ director Kristjan Staničić said the US remains Croatia’s most important long-haul tourism market, with American visitors among the country’s higher-spending tourists and increasingly travelling to Croatia throughout the year.

He also pointed to opportunities for further investment in Croatian tourism and improvements to air connectivity between the two countries.

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Croatia’s presence in New York has also included a new promotional campaign featuring actor John Malkovich, with the video being displayed on Times Square this week as part of efforts to increase Croatia’s visibility in the US market.

Croatian companies already established in US

Several Croatian companies taking part in the business delegation already have a significant presence in the American market.

Metamorfoza, the company behind the Museum of Illusions brand, said the US has been its main market for eight years. It currently has 26 locations in the country, an office and more than 350 employees, and is looking at further expansion through partnerships and new locations.

Food producer Podravka has operated in the US for more than two decades through its New York-based Podravka USA Inc. The company exports brands including Vegeta, Podravka, Lino, Čokolino and Eva and continues to expand distribution.

Other Croatian companies represented in the delegation included Orqa, Končar, Infobip and HS Produkt.

US companies including Pfizer, IBM and Vertiv already have operations in Croatia.

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According to figures presented at the forum, US direct investment in Croatia over the past decade has exceeded €640 million.

Bilateral trade has also continued to grow. The Croatian Government said trade between Croatia and the US reached almost US$1 billion in the first six months of 2026.

The New York forum therefore focused not only on existing commercial links but also on creating further connections between Croatian and American companies, capital, technology and expertise.

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For Croatian businesses, the US market also provides access to a large consumer economy, while Croatia’s EU membership offers American companies a base within the EU’s single market.