Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Joško Klisović 18 June in Strumica opened a Croatian Consulate headed by Honorary Consul Vita Huzjan. The consulate in Strumica is the second Croatian consulate to Macedonia and the only consulate of any country in Strumica. The opening of the consulate is an expression of the growing interest among Croatian business subjects in cooperation with the regions of Strumica, Valandovo and Štip, known for their extremely well developed agriculture and processing industry. A proof of this is that Croatia’s largest investment in Macedonia was realized precisely in Strumica – a greenfield investment in a fruit and vegetable buyoff/distribution centre for the Agrofruktus company (part of the Agrokor group), which employs 250 people. The second largest investment in the Strumica region was Vizba Valandovo, a winery whose products are becoming a well-recognized Croatian-Macedonian brand in the region and beyond.
Klisović also met with Strumica Mayor Zoran Zaev, also a newly-elected leader of Macedonia’s biggest opposition party SDSM. Zaev underlined the need for continuing the development of cooperation between Strumica and certain Croatian cities and regions. He also familiarized Klisović with the economic prospects and development plans for the Strumica region, notably those areas of particular interest to Croatia.
Strumica is already maintaining rich cultural cooperation with some of Croatian cities such as Rijeka, and has especially well developed relations with Osijek, where presentations of Strumica’s capacities at business fairs have led to several concrete economic projects.