More than 30 Croatian companies attended the Roundtable on Business Opportunities with the United Arab Emirates in Zagreb, jointly organised by the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the UAE-Croatia Business Club.
The roundtable was organised on the occasion of the visit of Cosmin Cristal, Investment Manager for Europe and the Americas at Dubai Chambers International, with the aim of presenting Croatian companies with concrete business opportunities in Dubai and the UAE, as well as the support available to companies looking to enter and expand in the market.
The participants were welcomed by Marina Rožić, Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, followed by an opening address from Neven Roginić, President of the UAE-Croatia Business Club and Croatia’s representative within the EU Business Forum in the UAE, an initiative supported by the Delegation of the European Union to the United Arab Emirates.
Roginić highlighted that one of the main goals of the UAE-Croatia Business Club is to ensure that Croatian companies entering the UAE market do not have to start from zero, but instead have access to relevant institutions, reliable information, potential partners and contacts from both the private and public sectors from the very beginning.
Over the past several years, the Club has built a strong network in both Croatia and the UAE and developed cooperation with a number of important institutions, including the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Chambers, one of the key organisations supporting Dubai’s business community and its international growth.
Croatian companies increasingly looking towards the UAE
Cosmin Cristal’s visit to Croatia extended beyond the roundtable itself. During the past few days, Cristal and Roginić visited and held meetings with around ten leading Croatian companies from a wide range of industries.
These included companies active in IT, machinery and equipment manufacturing, drone technology, food production, commodity trading and other sectors.
The meetings demonstrated both a high level of interest in the UAE and a strong understanding of the market among Croatian companies. Some have already developed successful business operations in the Emirates, while others are seriously considering Dubai and the UAE as an important part of their future international expansion.
Dubai offers a business environment designed to attract international companies, entrepreneurs and investment, supported by advantages including 100 percent foreign ownership, a developed system of free zones, a competitive tax environment and strong financial, logistics and transport infrastructure.
Particular attention was given to the Dubai Economic Agenda – D33, Dubai’s long-term economic strategy aimed at doubling the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033 and further strengthening its position among the world’s leading global business centres.
Practical support for Croatian companies
Ante Perica, Independent Advisor at the Business Internationalization Centre of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, delivered the presentation “Croatia – Your Business Partner”, focusing on the support available to Croatian companies in the internationalisation of their business.
This was followed by a presentation from Cosmin Cristal, who introduced Dubai’s business environment and the practical support Dubai Chambers International provides to foreign companies interested in entering the market.
This support includes market information and research, identifying and connecting companies with potential business partners and clients, as well as assistance in understanding company establishment and licensing procedures and further support as businesses develop and expand their operations in Dubai.
Direct access to representatives of one of Dubai’s leading business institutions provides Croatian companies with an important opportunity to turn their interest in the UAE market into concrete business projects, partnerships and investments.
The next meeting will take place in Dubai on 24 September
The Zagreb roundtable also served as an introduction to the next major gathering of Croatian, Emirati and international business leaders.
On 24 September 2026, the UAE-Croatia Business Club will organise the second edition of the Eurasian Balkan Business Forum in Dubai, bringing together companies, investors, institutions and business leaders from the UAE, Croatia and other European and Eurasian markets.
Last year’s Forum welcomed more than 250 guests, while a Croatian business delegation consisting of more than 40 companies travelled to Dubai to participate in the event and explore business opportunities in the UAE.
This year, the organisers expect another strong turnout, with the objective of creating even more concrete opportunities for Croatian companies to connect with potential partners, investors and institutions in the UAE.
The strong attendance at today’s roundtable demonstrated the growing interest of Croatian companies in the United Arab Emirates and confirmed that cooperation between Croatian and Emirati business institutions is increasingly focused on practical connections, concrete projects and long-term business results.
