Please introduce the significance of your Statehood Day, June 25th.

Celebrating the Statehood Day is always an honourableopportunity to recall our memories, our recent history and national pride, but also to pay respect to all those who have sacrificed themselves for the better life of all of us in Croatia. Three decades ago, Europe has finally experienced freedom and democracy throughout the whole continent, bringing an opportunity to all its people to build and enjoy open and tolerant society, protection of human rights, rule of law, and prosperity. After the first multiparty and free elections held in Croatia in April 1990, the first democratically elected Croatian Parliament was convened on 30 May 1990, a day that Croatia officially celebrate as the Statehood Day. As the following institutional step in building democracy, Croatia hold a referendum on 19 May 1991, where 93 percent of voters were in favour of independence, with 83 percent turnout.  Based on this referendum the Croatian Parliament declared the independence and dissolution of its association with communist Yugoslavia on 25 June 1991.  Croatia, as well as other freedom-looking republics, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, then suffered a huge destruction and military aggression by the Yugoslav communist army. On 15 January 1992, the countries of the European Economic Community granted Croatia diplomatic recognition, followed by majority of other countries in the world, and in May 1992, Croatia was admitted to the United Nations. Croatia is a member of both, European Union and NATO, and is glad to promote friendship, peace and cooperation with all other countries.

Please introduce what industrial sectors would be most attractive for Korean companies to invest in Croatia?

Croatian government has adopted a new development strategy with strong emphasize on the services, renewable energy, ICT, and competitive transport-routes position in Europe. Croatia is oriented to build the large infrastructural projects, mainly the reconstruction of the railway system, extension of its eight international seaport traffic and facilities, building the large logistic centers and hubs in proximity of the cargo-ports, and building the large renewable energy projects, according to its very resolute green energy policy. Korean companies are more than welcome to find their own business interest in any of these projects and we are glad to inform them on any incoming public tender. Croatian ports, Rijeka and Ploče, have a very prestigious position for cargo vessels bringing the goods from Asia and Pacific Area to the 500 million-people European Union market and other countries in Eastern Europe – they can save a week of journey in comparison to some other northern European ports. This significant advantage of position of Croatia is more and more recognized by other countries who are interested to bring their goods in the quickest way to the EU single market. Croatia has just recently opened the new LNG terminal close to the main port of Rijeka and positioned itself at the energy map of Europe.With the big financial support from the European Union, Croatia is planning to invest around €3 billion in the comprehensive reconstruction of the national railway system, what might be another interest for Korean Rail and other Korean construction and building companies that might be interested in public tenders related to these huge infrastructural projects.
Around 60 percent of the GDP is contributed by services, with a large segment oftourism and travel related industries. In 2019 Croatia had 21 million foreign visitors, what is 5 times of our total population. In that context, there is a clear interest by more and more foreign companies to invest in tourism industry, chains of hotels, 5-star resorts, medical tourism facilities, golf courses, and other wellbeing and leisure services. It goes without saying, that the Korean companies in that sector are also more than welcome to invest in Croatia and recognize the Adriatic coast and its huge investment potentials.

Please let us know briefly Croatia's investment environment for Korean potential investors and introduce several outstanding Korean companies' activities in Croatia. 

Croatia is a member of the European Union and exercises all rights and privileges related to the European single market of 450 million people mid-purchase capacity, but also all FTA and other preferential trade agreements that the European Union has with many countries in the world. The EU has also provided very large amount of structural funding in Croatia, assisting in many large public projects and infrastructure. Croatia is birthplace of great scientists and inventor Nikola Tesla, and has a long tradition of engineering and technical knowledge, it has innovative, highly qualified and multilingual workforce. If we know that the average hourly labour cost in the European Union is €28,5 Croatia is very competitive in comparison with majority of other European countries, with around €11 per hour, or has a monthly gross salary of €1,250.The taxation system in Croatia offers many incentives for foreign companies, particularly in certain areas and with strategic investments. These factors might be highly attractive for Korean companies.
I think that the case of RimacAutomobili company presents an excellent example of the innovative masterpiece and high-tech and engineering excellence, but also very clear green energy orientation, and high entrepreneurship spirit in Croatia. Mr Mate Rimac established his company in 2014, and he designed and produced the world’s fastest accelerating fully electric hypercarConcept Two. Just a few days ago, he has presented his new model, the semi-autonomous and fastest fully-electric car in the world – RimacNevera, which has 1,914 hp and reaches speeds of 100km/h in 1.97 seconds, with battery capacity of 120 KWH.Hyundai/KIA Motor Group has recognized the technological advantages and growth potential of RimacAutomobiliand invested significantly in joint projects and company shares. The same with Porsche who is a today also a significant shareholder. MrRimac is now building the new hypercarR&D and production business campus at 200,000m2 area and a number of other world-wide EV companies or business related to them, have already expressed their interest to open their own business facilities there as well. It will profile Croatia at the world electric-car map. Some Korean companies have also expressed their interest to use this opportunity to establish its production or R&D facility in Croatia or in this Rimac’scampus, and get the open access to the European Union market, but also to the European Union funds and support of innovative high-tech technologies. 
Croatia with its prestigious geographic position, highly attractive tourist potential, and the membership in the European Union and freedom of mobility, becomes increasingly attractive for buying the properties, mainly along the Adriatic coastline. With five international airports along the coastline, there is a very good network of air connection and the cities along the coast are easily accessible. In Croatia, there is no annual property tax, making the ownership even more attractive. With the significantly lower property price in comparison with other Western countries, and with the fact of a mild and nice climate, much lower living costs, and good quality of education and public health system, investment in property in Croatia, or choosing Croatia as a living or retirement destination, turns to become,not just a new phenomenon, but also a new property industry recognized by foreign investors.

Please introduce tourists' attractions in Croatia for Korean tourists abroad. 

In 2019, almost a half of million Koreans have visited Croatia and enjoyed the rich historical and cultural heritage, many under protection of UNESCO, the immense natural beauty with numerous national parks, long Adriatic Sea coastline with thousands of islands, as well as the hospitality of the local people, and excellent food and wine. Croatia could also offer the real experience of the “history of architecture”, with well-preserved rich cultural heritage from Ancient Greece and Rome, to Medieval, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, and Modern art. Visitors can feel like they are part of ancient history by walking through hundreds of small medieval cities at the tops of picturesque hills. Korean visitors have their favourite spots, like the ancient city of Dubrovnik, old Roman city of Split, magnificent Plitvice lakes with 16 lakes mutually interconnected by waterfalls, or the charm of capital city of Zagreb with numerous parks, museums, churches, and feeling of Central European atmosphere.   
An additional advantage of Croatia, in the current epidemiological safety climate, is very low level of COVID-19 infections, because of effective response to the pandemic, and the very low population density that allows opportunities to enjoy at many places without a large crowd of people,like in all others highly populated or urban areas. Majority of cities in Croatia are very small, and all tourist resorts and hospitality facilities follow very restrictive rules and measuresto offer safe holiday. Croatia has a long coastline of 1,777 km with thousands of islands, with many of them uninhabited. It gives endless opportunities for enjoying the crystal blue Adriatic: from private beaches or small romantic bays, to sailing through archipelagos of a thousand islands. Croatia also offers incredible scuba-diving experiences, with ten-meter sea visibility and numerous ancient Venetian boats that sunk very close to the coast. Those who love nature can walk through many national parks and experience the hidden forest lakes,or have a rafting and kayaking atnumerous fast rivers. 
Several big global film productions such as Star Wars, Game of Thrones, Robin Hood, Mama Mia II were also filmed in Dubrovnik and on Croatia’s coastline and islands. These productions have globally profiled Croatia as an attractive film-making destination, and consequently inspired Korean film industry to make their own film, drama and reality travel show productions in Croatia. They have very strongly enhanced popularity of Dubrovnik and Croatia among the Koreans and travel agencies and air companies have recognized this trend and offered Croatia as an attractive travel destination. Korean Air has been flying a regular direct route to Zagreb since the 1st September 2018, and we hope that they will reinstall this flight, once the epidemiological situation would allow. We are very glad that the Korean government has also given a license to a low-cost air-carrier company “t-way” to perform up to four direct flights per week to Croatia, when the conditions are satisfied. We believe that this would certainly be an attractive option for younger travelers to Croatia for a significantly lower priced ticket.
Croatia is now open for Korean visitors and tourists, and they are not required to stay in any self-isolation upon arrival if they provide any of the following confirmations: PCR or rapid medical test that they are not COVID-19 positive, a vaccination record, or that they have had previously COVID-19. With the fact that Croatia is a safe destination, and with confirmed support from the both, Croatian and Korean Travel Agencies Association, we believe that we will manage to initiate the interest from relevant authorities to work on the special bilateral travel agreement or “air-bubble” that will make much easier for Korean tourists toreturn back to Croatia, the country that invites them whole-heartily and keeps its door wide open for them.

Please let us know your point of view on how to strengthen further the close economic and cultural ties between Croatia and Korea in order to expand trade and investment opportunities and promote better understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

Croatia and Korea are two friendly countries that share the same values of democracy and free market economy, and they cooperate closely in many areas, either at bilateral level or through the multilateral stage.Trade and mutual investment is surely one of the main priorities in our activities. We are in the process of establishing the operational Croatian Korean Business Club, as an effective association of all those companies that might be interested for trade and business cooperation between two countries. We have annual Business forums in Croatia organized by the Korean Embassy in Zagreb and Kotra.
Croatia is among a few countries that offers the so called “nomad visa” stay forup to one year and without paying any corporate or income taxes if the visitor works for the foreign companies based abroad. This is a good opportunity to have a year of personal experience in Croatia, as a European Union country, and discover any possible business potential and opportunities that might be attractive for future plans. The fact that the living costs in Croatia are two-to-three times lower than in Korea means that person using the nomad visa model in Croatia could practically save the significant amount of his income in comparison of living at home.Number of digital nomads coming to Croatia, from all around the world, use the excellent facilities of co-working or share facilities for a very low monthly amount, or rent an office or working place in the numerous business centers and innovation hubs. Many of those who can work online, this way of high quality life, mainly along the beautiful Adriatic coast, is an attractive new life opportunity, followingthus the newly emerging global trend.  
But, beside the government-to-government level, we have also initiated collaboration on the local government level. The Chungcheong-nam Province has signed an agreement of cooperation with three most advanced Croatian regions, and we are now working to bring closer Jeju Island Province and the leading tourist region - Istrian County. A number of Croatian and Korean cities are in the process of making a twining partnership. I believe that at the regional and local level we can easily build the bridges for much stronger business, cultural, and academic cooperation. Croatia is a country with a good international profile in sport and this is another area where we are trying to link relevant Croatian and Korean sport associations. The Croatian and the Korean Olympic committees, Football Federations, Taekwondo Associations have also recently signed a cooperation agreement. 
In the last two years, we have developed the strong institutional links between number of Korean and Croatian universities and science institutions, with an attractive opportunity for student exchange, academic and science cooperation. We have linked the National maritime museums of both countries, but also National libraries, and national and regional tourist boards.