With the presence of the distinguished guests: the Ambassador of  Kingdom of Norway Henrik Ofstad  , the Croatian Minister of Business and Crafts Gordan Maras, the Mayor of Šibenik  dr. Ante Županović and many others,  Maritime Innovation Centre iNavis has been officially opened in Šibenik.

All distinguished guests were impressed by the project  that  was agreed upon at the highest level of the state officials few years ago and whose primary goal is to encourage  medium and small businesses in Šibenik and throughout Croatia. "Norway and Croatia have a strong maritime tradition, and I think that the opening of iNavis is only the beginning of greater cooperation which,  I believe,  will be intensified by the Croatian accession to the EU", the Ambassador Henrik Ofstad said while addressing the present guests and  entrepreneurs, as well as the  current and future users of facilities and services of business center iNavis and CroNoMar company. "This project was not built without facing many challenges but, with the support of the highest levels and unconditional help of the Šibenik local government, everything has been completed on  time.  I can see no reason why iNavis center would not succeed in its intention to help the local businesses greatly and to be the basis of future prolific cooperation between Croatian and Norwegian companies in many business areas.“

The inauguration program was moderated by Malvin Villabo, the director of CroNoMar company , who  did not hide his enthusiasm. "This is a great event for all of us. At this place, a year ago I saw only a skeleton of  these buildings, everything was so empty.  Today I can only say that I am delighted with the efforts and the achieved results", Villabo said.

"These projects are of particular importance in these times of crisis, because creating a positive business climate is of extremely importance nowadays", the Mayor of Šibenik, dr. Ante Županović said in his speech, not failing to notice the symbolism in a simultaneous celebration of the Day of the town and the opening of this center, whose activities should be of great importance for the local economy. "It is vital for the town of Sibenik, that this project opens up new opportunities for our businesses, and I also believe that this is just the beginning of a remarkable future cooperation", the Mayor concluded.

The Croatian Minister of Business and Crafts Gordan Maras sees the importance of iNavis opening in international cooperation, which, according to him, is basic in achieving  the planned annual growth of 5 % in  small and medium-sized enterprises. "The Croatian economy relies on the success of small and medium-sized businesses, and from the day I have arrived at the head of this department, we have been thinking about the various modalities of assistance and support to entrepreneurs. Because of that, the opening of  iNavis  is extremely important, as well as continued cooperation of Norway  and Croatia  at all levels", the minister said.

Another prominent guest, the director of  Norwegian governmental agency SIVA, Harald Kjelstad, pointed up that Croatia has made an important step forward when  decided  to connect with the strong Norwegian business associations. "This is a very wise decision and the guarantee of economy progress. I am proud of the fact that the project of iNavis center has been  completed so quickly", said the director of SIVA.

In addition to the speeches, the agreements on cooperation were signed between  domestic firm NCP - Repair Shipyard and Norwegian company Moen Marin, as well as between domestic boat manufacturer Sas Vektor and Norwegian company Rana Plast AS, both in the presence of distinguished guests and numerous journalists. These contracts are actually the continuation of the former successful cooperation  and because of that, the exports from Croatia  to the Kingdom of Norway  was increased  by 620% in the last year. The Norwegian clients have already contracted the new ship buildings with domestic shipbuilders, and delivery is expected by the end of 2012. and in the first quarter of 2013.

The inauguration program was continued in the afternoon, when the Norwegian experts presented their own knowledge and experience in the field of international business cooperation, maritime sector and the European funds exploitations for triggering the economic climate and creating a positive competitiveness. 

Author: Marko Podrug for Media in
Šibenik, 28.09.2012.