Roginić believes that Croatia should leverage its geographical position and historical connections from the Non-Aligned Movement era to position itself as a bridge between the European Union and the UAE.
The guest on the podcast “Business World with Ilija Jandrić” was Neven Roginić, founder and president of the UAE-Croatia Business Club, who was among the first Croatian entrepreneurs to recognize the strategic potential of connecting the Croatian and Emirati economies. He is the owner of Format 3D, an architectural visualization studio employing 40 experienced architects and engineers across offices in Croatia, Serbia, Poland, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates.
Recently, he has frequently been staying in Dubai, where he founded the mentioned business club.
“We realized it would be excellent to establish a club to help Croatian businesspeople enter that market. All the initial challenges and problems we faced can thus be mitigated, ensuring excellent networking based on what we have already started,” said Roginić. Understanding Arab business customs and patience is essential as the business climate significantly differs from Europe, and local references are crucial.
“A significant reference for us was our previous collaboration in Europe with a major Emirati real estate developer, which opened doors to other partnerships. The local business climate demands a personal approach and local presence. We couldn’t handle business remotely, merely sending emails; instead, we had to open a local office and hire staff. Initially, we hired a regional director who had lived there for 15 years, knew business customs and culture, and had excellent contacts. Then we expanded our staff. Trust is fundamental there and is built through relationships. Entering that market isn’t a race; wealthy sheikhs aren’t walking down the street throwing money around—they carefully consider their investments. They observe who you associate with and who your partners are. Local references are crucial. For us, working with an Emirati investor on the Belgrade Waterfront project proved key,” emphasized Neven Roginić.
Croatia Could Be a Distribution Center for Central and Eastern Europe
He believes Croatia should utilize its geographical location and historical ties from the Non-Aligned Movement to become a link between the EU and UAE.
“Let’s be realistic; Croatia isn’t the first association with the EU in the Emirates. However, due to its geographical position, Croatia can effectively position itself as a distribution center for Central and Eastern Europe. Croatia exports pharmaceutical products, electronic components, and timber to the UAE. Croatian companies already present there include Podravka, Končar, and Infobip. Regarding imports, Croatia imports aluminum and petrochemical products, which is expected,” said Roginić. He adds that UAE investors are interested in six sectors in Croatia: tourism, real estate, energy, food production, IT, and defense.
In the podcast, Roginić discussed in detail the Belgrade Waterfront project, the failure of the Zagreb Manhattan project, areas where Croatia and the UAE could develop economic cooperation, the impact of economic diplomacy, recognizing scammers posing as wealthy sheikhs, and how Middle Eastern conflicts influence business with the Emirates. He also reflected on his business journey from beginning in web design during high school to developing a multinational company.
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