WHY INVEST IN ZADAR COUNTY?
1. ZADAR COUNTY
Zadar County is one of seven coastal Croatian Counties and it is located in the very centre of the Croatian part of the Adriatic coast.
It is geographically positioned in such a way that it covers high mountain hinterland and coast and it connects important parts of the Croatian coast and Central Croatia. All traffic nodes are within 10 km of each other which is unique and highly valuable combination of traffic infrastructure elements, unparalleled in a wider region.
New, modern motorway A-1 Zagreb-Split makes Zadar County a very easily accessible destination. A-1 Motorway is connected to the European road network.
"Zadar airport, located only 8 km from the centre of Zadar, connects Zadar directly to 30 European destinations.
International seaport Gaženica (cargo port; cruiser terminal; RO-RO terminal, passenger terminals) is directly connected to motorway A-1 and roadway.
2. POPULATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES
The population in the area of Zadar County according to the 2011 census was 170.398.
Population density in Zadar County is 44,5 people/km². Zadar County offers investors a young, educated and productive workforce at very competitive costs. Big percentage of young population have gymnasium and university education, high number of young population speaks English and other EU languages. The Salaries are at the level of 86% of Croatian average and 77% of salaries in the capital city of Zagreb.
3. EDUCATION
There are 114 primary schools, 35 secondary schools, and one university in Zadar County (DZS 2011/2012)
In primary schools there are 784 school departments and over 14,000 students. In secondary schools there are 320 school departments and over 7,500 students.
Zadar is an ancient European university city- as early as on 14 June 1396 in Dominican monastery in Zadar the university Studium generale, later called Universitas Jadertina, was founded.
Today there is a total of 5,800 students enrolled in the University of Zadar undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and doctoral studies. The University has 24 academic departments that grant both undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition, students can be admitted into a number of degree-granting Master's or Ph.D. programs. Zadar University departments include those of: Agriculture and Mediterranean Aquaculture,Economics, Traffic and Maritime Studies , English Studies, French and Iberoromanic Studies, German Studies Department, Croatian and Slavic studies, Italian Studies department, Tourism and Communication Sciences department, and Humanities department.
4. NATURAL RESOURCES
The most important natural resource in Zadar County is the environment that creates conditions for various selective forms of tourism. Zadar County, with its landscape and geomorphologic diversity, is rich in very diverse and valuable areas that are registered as protected parts of nature under varied degrees of protection.
There is one National Park (National Park Paklenica) and three Nature Parks (Nature Parks Velebit, Vransko jezero and Telašćica) within Zadar County and 3 National Parks very close by (National Parks Kornati, Krka and Plitvička jezera).
The east coast of the Adriatic Sea is one of the most indented and clean in the Mediterranean. This especially holds true for the coast of Zadar County, which is situated on the most indented part of the Adriatic, abundant with small bays, islets and islands that are easily accessible thanks to a high quality of excursion programs.
Zadar County can boast with over 120 islands and island groups within its more than 3.600 km2 of marine area. The quality of the sea along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic is highest just in Zadar County.
5. ECONOMY – KEY SECTORS
Metal Processing Industry (Automotive Components industry)
Vicinity of EU countries, quality of domestic suppliers on the level of European Standards (ISO 9001), competitive costs, workforce productivity and skilled workforce are main advantages of Zadar County when considering investment.
The manufacturing of basic metals and fabricated metal goods has a long tradition in Croatia. Prior to Croatian independence Zadar County with its companies SAS and BAGAT stood out in this sector on the level of former Yugoslavia.
Today, the three most successful companies LTH Metal Cast Ltd., SAS - Strojogradnja Ltd. and HSTEC p.l.c. are joined in the Zadar Automotive Cluster.
Fishery and Mariculture and fish processing
Zadar County is the most successful Adriatic county as regards the production and export in the sector of mariculture.
The advantages of investing mariculture in Zadar County are the proximity to the largest markets, sea cleanliness and quality and the World renowned high quality fish from the Adriatic that is pertinent to foreign markets. Zadar County has played a pioneer role in the World when it comes to tuna farming.
This is very much reflected in the existing experience, accumulated knowledge and in trained, professional and scientific staff.
The tradition of fish processing industry in Croatia is more than 130 years old and is one of the first industries on the Croatian coast and islands.
Agriculture and food processing
Due to its preserved nature and environment, Croatia has an advantage over other developed countries and can produce diverse and safe high quality food. Low costs of working force, care for preserving traditional skills and products, favourable climate and geographic position of the county in Europe makes Zadar County an ideal place to invest in organically grown food.
The most important industries of primary agricultural production are vegetable growing, fruit growing, viniculture, husbandry and fisheries. Food processing industry includes baking industry, production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Tourism
Zadar County is the area of true natural beauty, inhabited from the Antique period, rich with cultural heritage, maritime tradition and hospitality. Zadar County is the heart of the Adriatic.
As a World rarity, here, in a relatively small area, within a hundred or so kilometres, one can find beautiful turquoise sea, mountains covered with snow, fertile land, rough karst, ancient cities and secluded Island bays.
The preserved clean natural environment of Zadar County is a scarce and invaluable resource nowadays. It is no surprise that Tourism in Zadar County has a long tradition that lasts over a century. Zadar County is safe, attractive, and environmentally aware county.
Fast development of tourism, constant growth of number of arrivals and overnight stays offers investors a unique opportunity to invest in a continuously growing dynamic sector.
6. QUALITY OF LIFE
Our county is a pleasant, exciting, safe and motivating living environment with excellent health care institutions (public and private).
We offer a safe and stimulating environment for family living with high quality child care and educational institutions.