Grlić Radman: Southeast Asia offers huge opportunities for Croatian companies

The Croatian Foreign and European Affairs Minister told MPs on Friday that joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia will bring great opportunities for Croatian companies to export to new markets.

Foreign and European Affairs Minister Gordan Grlić Radman was in Croatian Parliament on Friday, where he argued in favor of Croatia signing on to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

“Croatia can use its own expertise in sectors such as sustainable development, technology, tourism or infrastructure to help Southeast Asian countries with their challenges, given the rapid urbanization of cities and the growth in demand for high-quality goods and services. This offers huge opportunities for Croatian companies,” Grlić Radman told MPs.

The treaty was established in Bali in 1976, and amendments have opened the possibility of accession to countries outside the region. So far, about 60 countries have joined, including most of the European Union.

Minister Grlić Radman noted that Southeast Asia is one of the fastest growing and strategically most important markets in the world, and by joining the Agreement Croatia will have the opportunity to strengthen trade cooperation: “Croatia's total trade with ASEAN countries (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in 2025 amounted to $344 million, of which $238 million were imports and $106 million were exports, but there is a growing tendency.”

HDZ MP Jasna Vojnić agreed that Southeast Asia is a region that brings numerous concrete opportunities for business people: “Croatia has interests there too. Our companies are looking for new markets, our logistics and ports are looking for new directions, and our science and education sectors are looking for international partners. This Agreement opens the door to that area.”

And while the opposition supports joining the Treaty, they were quick to point out that Croatia does not have diplomatic personnel in that part of the world.

“Southeast Asia is a region of exceptional economic dynamics, with a large market, a growing middle class, strong technological development and significant investment potential. It is logical that Croatia seeks its place there. However, a presence in such a distant region requires a strong diplomatic network, professional and well-prepared people and coordination between institutions, said SDP MP Sanja Bježančević.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing the opposite in Croatia. Our diplomacy has been reduced to 'ad hoc' moves, insufficiently reinforced with personnel and stripped of clear priorities. Under such circumstances, even the best international agreements can prove useless,” she added.

MOST MP Zvonimir Troskot said that Croatia must not be a passive observer, but a country that opens new markets and seeks new political allies. However, he too noted that Croatia does not have a resident embassy in Singapore, one of the financial centers of the world. He also suggested that Croatia follow Singapore's example when it comes to investing in education and applying meritocracy: “In Singapore, a person who is not a doctor of science in national security or international relations cannot become the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I am not talking about the stamping of diplomas in Banja Luka, I am talking about Cambridge, Oxford, Stanford, and so one,” Troskot said.

Source: HRT