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Embassy of Belgium & Croatian Chamber of Economy host business seminar in Split

The Embassy of Belgium in Croatia hosted two events last week

by Josipa Zekanovic

7 April 2019 – Last week was a busy one for the Embassy of Belgium in Croatia as it hosted two events in Split. 

On Wednesday at Hotel Park in Split, the Embassy of Belgium in Croatia held an inauguration for its new honorary consul, Mr. Goran Šarić. The Belgium ambassador to Croatia, His Excellency Mr. Philippe Benoit said. 

“Mr. Šarić was one of the candidates with a very interesting resume, also his career impressed me.” Benoit also mentioned the number of Belgian guests in Croatia, and that every year there are more and more Belgians discovering this beautiful state. 

Holding this title, Mr. Šarić becomes the honorary consul for Dalmatia, so that includes cities such as Zadar, Šibenik and Split. This is a very important role because the honorary consul needs to connect both states and needs to be at the disposal for Belgian citizens in his jurisdictional territory.

Last year the Belgium embassy dedicated this role to Opatija to Mr. Ivan Kovačić, whilst Mrs. Sabine Gouhie is doing the job of Honorary Consul in Dubrovnik – Neretva County.

The following day, on Thursday 4 April, a business seminar was held in cooperation with HGK Split (Hrvatska gospodarska komora Split- Croatian Chamber of Economy in Split) and the Embassy of Belgium. 

Economic and Commercial Attaché at Brussels Invest&Export Croatia, Mr Antonio Garcia Postigo introduced all participants of the business seminar. It was interesting to be involved as owners and representatives of the companies that are connected with Belgium and Croatia testified about doing business, presenting their roles and actions.

This seminar titled “Belgium – your business destination in the heart of Europe” gathered a number of interesting companies and presentations, including Modulyss (Objektni tepisoni d.o.o.) and Deceuninck, who have their headquarters in Belgium as well as a wide network of branch offices worldwide including in Croatia). 

Mr Philip Dupont, a Belgian now residing in Croatia and the owner and director of Salt Sand Stone, trading, transport, tourism and travel agency from Zadar, introduced to the audience about business in Croatia and Belgium concerning trade and tourism connections. The company’s presentation was titled “From Belgium to Croatia – trading and touristic strings”. 

Mr Dupont pointed out facts about starting a business and keeping it fluent here in Croatia. 

“Sometimes it is very difficult, but you need to be persistent, otherwise you will always be welcomed with the famous sentence here in Croatia – “Fali ti jedan papir” (You are missing one paper). Persistence and sticking to your business goal are the main keys for success. Looking bright into the future, being innovative and investing are also one of the ways to keep business going on between Belgium and Croatia. In this short time, I’m really proud of what we achieved and how we are doing business. My wife and I started from zero and this is our common dream, our family business,” said Dupont.

Mrs. Irena Sopahić presented on international business and the EU (HGK), whilst Mr. Antonio Garcia Postigo held a presentation about business in Belgium, “ Belgium, so far away, but in the same time so close”.

After seminar participants could ask the questions and enjoy coffee. 

(Photos: Josipa Zekanovic)

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