Three Seas Initiative an opportunity for companies in energy, transport and digitalization

The Three Seas Initiative is an opportunity for new partnerships, especially for companies in energy, transport and digitalization, it was said on Monday at the presentation of the Three Seas Initiative entitled "Three Seas, One Opportunity: Croatia at the Center of European Cooperation."

The presentation, organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) and in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR), was organized on the occasion of the Republic of Croatia's chairmanship of the Three Seas Initiative in 2026 and the holding of this year's 11th Summit and 8th Business Forum of the Three Seas Initiative, on April 28 and 29 in Dubrovnik.

The primary goal of the Initiative, as stated, is to stimulate economic growth, security and resilience of the region by developing transport, energy and digital infrastructure.

“The initiative is extremely important for Croatia in the current geopolitical circumstances due to the need to strengthen existing and develop new economic corridors,” emphasized Ambassador Romana Vlahutin, Special Envoy of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Strategic Connectivity Initiatives and National Coordinator for the Three Seas Initiative.

“The Adriatic Sea,” as she stated, “represents a wide door to Central Europe, which opens up numerous transport and logistics opportunities for Croatia, especially in the context of the recently signed free trade agreement with India. The importance of technology is increasingly being profiled within the Initiative. Digitalization is the future of the economy, and the goal is to make this part of Europe more resilient, competitive and technologically advanced,” she said.

The initiative, as stated at the meeting, works to stimulate economic growth, security and resilience of the region by developing transport, energy and digital infrastructure. Member states cooperate to strengthen the region's energy security and competitiveness in the global economy and to contribute to the EU's climate goals, as well as to increase the usability of EU funds.

Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce Igor Pokaz stated that the projects within the Initiative in the coming period are aimed at strengthening the digital, transport and energy connectivity of Central and Eastern Europe by building road and rail infrastructure and diversifying energy sources, including the expansion of LNG infrastructure for greater energy independence.

The Three Seas Initiative countries, he stated, constitute a strong and stable circle of economic partners of Croatia, with a share of around a third of Croatia's total trade in goods with the world and more than a third of foreign tourist arrivals and overnight stays.

The Three Seas Initiative, as stated by the President of the Management Board of HBOR Hrvoje Čuvalo, represents an important platform for strengthening the connectivity and resilience of the Initiative's member states.

“Through the Initiative, Croatia, through HBOR, participates in the 3SIIF, which finances strategic infrastructure projects, with the Infrastructure Fund having so far invested around EUR 780 million in five projects in the fields of energy, transport and digital infrastructure. In addition, around 200 million euros are available through the Innovation Fund for investments in companies that are in the growth and development phase,” said Čuvalo.

The Three Seas Initiative encompasses 13 EU member states between the Adriatic, Baltic and Black Seas - Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Estonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, and aims to stimulate faster development of the region and cooperation between countries in various sectors. The 3SI's strategic partners are the USA, Germany, the EC, Japan, Turkey and the Kingdom of Spain, while Ukraine, Moldova, Albania and Montenegro are associated participating states.

The primary objective of the Initiative is to stimulate economic growth, security and resilience of the region by developing transport, energy and digital infrastructure.

Source: HRT