The Croatian Chamber of Economy introduced Croatia’s first ESG rating system. How do you see ESG principles shaping Croatian businesses in the next few years, and what role will the Croatian Chamber of Economy play in accelerating this transition?
With the introduction of the Croatian Chamber of Economy's ESG rating and the launch of the ESG Academy, we have provided businesses with specific tools for understanding, measuring, and enhancing their sustainable practices.
Despite the gradual change of the regulatory framework, we anticipate that ESG criteria will have an increasingly significant impact on the operation of Croatian businesses in the future. The adoption of Omnibus 1 increased thresholds and reduced the number of ESG reporting entities, which will ease the administrative burden for some companies in the short term. The core of the transition remains entirely unchanged: the European decarbonization targets remain unaltered; and in the long term, all companies are required to invest in energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and sustainable management of resources.
This is also clearly articulated in the EU's proposed multi-annual financial framework 2028–2034, in which the green transition will remain a major funding priority, while investments in decarbonization and climate resilience will be strongly promoted. Against this backdrop, the Chamber of Economy will continue to play a vital role: by raising awareness of the strategic importance of ESG criteria, providing tools such as ESG ratings, offering training through the ESG Academy, and actively participating in the development of national policies that Croatia coordinates with the European Commission. For us, ESG criteria are not a regulatory obligation but a strategic opportunity for Croatian businesses to become more resilient, more innovative, and more competitive over the long term, while safeguarding the planet as a shared responsibility.
Labour shortages remain a major challenge. What strategies is Croatian Chamber of Economy implementing to attract and retain skilled workers, and how do you plan to position Croatia as an attractive destination for international talent?
Croatia has been experiencing a serious labour shortage for several years, especially in the tourism and construction sectors. Since joining the EU, the labour shortage was mostly influenced by the emigration of the working-age population to Western European countries and the growth of Croatian economic activity in the past few years. Therefore, the first measure related to the labour force must be to retain the domestic labour force.
As the growth of the Croatian GDP in the past few years has been above the EU average, our workers who have gone abroad are increasingly becoming interested in returning to Croatia. The Ministry of Labour can provide an incentive of 27 thousand euros. At the same time, the Chamber of Economy, together with the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, organizes seminars for our diaspora with the aim of providing all the necessary information to return and integrate in everyday life. Such seminars have already been held in Austria and for Argentina, and several are in preparation for other countries.
The Chamber is an active participant in the development of legal framework on foreign workers. And last but not the least, regarding the integration of foreign workers, the Chamber has launched the first comprehensive educational program aimed at integrating foreign workers into society and the business community. Through education, workers learn about the Croatian culture and language, legislation, as well as social and business norms with the aim of faster and more successful integration of foreign workers into work processes.
We boost domestic potential by creating links between schools, universities, and employers, and by encouraging continuing professional development through short training programmes and micro-credentials. We organise specialized training courses to enable economic operators acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and information.
The Chamber's Education and Training Division participates in the development of occupational standards for integration in the Croatian Qualifications Framework, based on the labour market needs. This process leads to the creation of higher education study programmes, vocational training curricula, as well as retraining and micro-credentials programmes in adult education. To date, we have contributed to the development of 50 occupational standards and this work is ongoing.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries globally. How do you see AI impacting Croatian businesses and workforce dynamics, and what support can Croatian Chamber of Economy provide to help companies adapt?
As far as the business sector is concerned, AI, when used wisely, can increase efficiency, improve decision-making, and pave the way for new products and services. For many businesses, particularly SMEs, the real challenge will be identifying areas where AI can create value and applying it responsibly.
Routine and repetitive tasks will likely be automated, while demand will shift to occupations requiring strategic thinking, digital literacy, data competence, and creativity. With this change, reskilling and upskilling become crucial to maintaining competitiveness. The Chamber's AI Academy enables companies benefit from structured training on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, its practical application, the regulatory framework, and strategic deployment.
Given that entire digital transformation process is closely linked to cybersecurity, the Croatian Chamber of Economy has launched its Cybersecurity Academy. Participants acquire practical knowledge in risk assessment, establishing technical and organizational measures, preparation of compliance documentation, and incident management.
By linking targeted training activities and data-based insights, the Croatian Chamber of Economy can assist the Croatian economy confidently manage the AI-driven transformation, thereby ensuring that businesses and employees are well prepared for the future.
You’ve highlighted sustainability and digitalization as strategic priorities. What concrete steps will Croatian Chamber of Economy take in 2026 to help companies accelerate their green and digital transformation?
In 2026, the Croatian Chamber of Economy will continue its efforts to accelerate the green and digital transformation of the Croatian economy. Regarding sustainable development, we plan to expand the application of the Chamber's ESG rating to a wider range of sectors and strengthen its alignment with the practices of the most advanced European economies. We will provide companies with targeted sector-specific support in decarbonization, energy efficiency, the circular economy, and sustainable supply chains, as well as assistance in preparing for future regulatory requirements.
At the same time, we will strengthen the competitiveness of the Croatian industry by fostering innovation, productivity growth, and more robust internationalization of businesses, particularly through links with high-tech ecosystems and the European markets. With regard to digitalisation and digital transformation of business, the Croatian Chamber of Economy will further develop programmes focused on the application of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and the implementation of digital tools for managing business and production processes. Thereby, we will help companies increase their efficiency and ensure their long-term competitiveness. In so doing, the Croatian Chamber of Economy will continue to act as a key partner to the business community in transition to a more sustainable, innovative, and internationally competitive economy.
Croatian companies face increasing global competition. How is Croatian Chamber of Economy supporting businesses in becoming more competitive and expanding into international markets?
Croatian companies operate in a highly competitive global environment. As part of the EU, Croatia has access to one of the world’s most open markets, but to fully benefit from these opportunities, companies need reliable information, strategic guidance, and institutional support.
The Croatian Chamber of Economy strengthens the competitiveness of exporters through a comprehensive set of internationalisation services. We continuously monitor global markets and provide verified regulatory, tax, legal and economic information, together with targeted overviews of potential partners. Based on concrete export interests, the Chamber facilitates direct links with foreign distributors, importers, and manufacturers, helping companies reduce market-entry risks. We also prepare specialised studies, market-entry guides and sector analyses that highlight export potential and support informed decision-making. The Chamber promotes international networking through trade missions, B2B meetings and participation in international fairs, while business councils and country-focused clubs ensure companies receive up-to-date information on market conditions and regulatory changes.
Foreign representative offices offer on-the-ground assistance to exporters, and digital platforms provide access to international tenders and business opportunities. Advisory services help companies attract investment and make use of EU funds and programmes. Through this integrated support system, the Croatian Chamber of Economy helps companies increase visibility, strengthen competitiveness, and position themselves more effectively in global value chains.
Looking ahead, which skills and professions do you believe will be most in demand in Croatia over the next five years, and how can education and business sectors align to meet these needs?
From the Chamber's point of view and in line with our survey on labour market needs in terms of knowledge and skills, the next five years in Croatia will be marked by three major trends: green transition, digital transformation, and demographic pressures. In this respect, the highest demand is expected for engineers and skilled craftsmen in the building (masons, tilers, plumbers) and energy sectors; ICT and data experts; healthcare, social care, and education professionals, as well as skilled workers in tourism, logistics, and the manufacturing industry. A high level of digital competences, proficiency in foreign languages, and developed communication and interpersonal skills will represent the common thread of all these occupations.
We believe it is essential that the education system more closely and rapidly integrate enrolment quotas, curricula, and study programmes with labour market analyses, while simultaneously expanding dual and other forms of work-based learning, and systematically strengthening continuing adult education and micro-credentials. We expect employers to actively engage in skills development, particularly through well-structured internships and apprenticeships, in-house training and specialised academies, mentoring programmes, and ongoing investment in their employees. Only such a collaborative approach will transform the labour shortage into a development opportunity, rather than remaining a persistent obstacle to economic growth.
What is your vision for the Croatian economy by 2026? Which trends—ESG, AI, sustainability, or others—do you expect to have the most transformative impact?
The Croatian economy will continue to grow far more quickly than the rest of the euro area and EU in 2026. So Croatia's convergence towards the average EU standard of living will continue next year. Given the strength of domestic demand in recent years, imbalances have appeared in the Croatian economy, which should surprise nobody. Tightness in the labour market has been a multi-year feature and is beginning to wane as economic growth moderates, while inflation remains noticeably higher than the euro area average. At the same time, the fiscal and current account positions also reflect the impact of strong domestic demand. However, the imbalances characterising the Croatian economy currently are significantly lower than in previous economic cycles. The Croatian economy has benefitted greatly from accession to the EU, euro area and Schengen area and will gain further benefits from joining the OECD in 2026.
Today, Croatia is dealing with policy issues facing all other EU member states, which is a testament to its development since joining the EU. The impact of demographic trends on the labour market and social security system, balancing green and digital transitions goals while maintaining production capabilities – where access to baseload energy sources at economically viable prices remains crucial – while progressively implementing AI across various sectors of the economy will be the main factors exercising policy makers in 2026.
The overall digital transformation of the Croatian industry has not yet been fully achieved. The real productivity gains enabled by AI and digital transformation are still to come. A recent productivity analysis conducted by the Croatian Chamber of Economy on a sample of around 20 Croatian companies in the metalworking, and electrical and electronic industries showcased that the first tangible results of investments, particularly in terms of productivity growth, are expected to be reflected in industry statistics over the next year or two. From our point of view, there is no doubt that green and digital transformation will play an essential role in the development of the Croatian economy in 2026 and beyond. We also anticipate a robust growth of innovation in the area of climate technologies, driven by current climate pressures and the need for more efficient resource and energy management. The Croatian Chamber of Economy will continue to support businesses through training activities, digital programmes, and creating linkages with European innovation ecosystems.a
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