The Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurship and Crafts Drazen Pros and Goran Becker, Board member of the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) with a delegation paid an official to London from 26th to 28th January 2015 as to get insights into the British experience in the SME sector, forms of incentives and loans for SMEs and innovation.
During the visit they met with the representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with whom they exchanged ideas for improving cooperation in the SME sector. The EBRD stressed that the work of the HAMAG-BICRO is an example for countries in the region. The delegation got also acquainted with the methods of work of the Central London"s Leading Agency for Business Support (CENTA) and the Council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe (COBCOE). The visit to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) was particularly significant. The South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning - Zagreb (SEEC) and UKCES signed the Memorandum of Understanding based on cooperation within the program "Investors in People". Furthermore, the Croatian delegation agreed to set up a framework for future bilateral cooperation with the Innovative UK (IUK). During the meeting with a representative of Barclays Bank the need for stronger branding of Croatian sectors with competitive advantage and for greater visibility of Croatia on international business stage has been particularly stressed.
In conversation with the Minister of State for Skills and Equalities Nick Boles at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the British support and willingness to share their experience and knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship with Croatian colleagues has been generally confirmed.
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