MOD and Chamber of Commerce organized a lecture on “How to do business with the UN”

The lecture was attended by representatives of about 70 Croatian companies that had an opportunity to get acquainted with the possibilities and ways of doing business with the UN.

Defence Minister Davor Bozinovic opened the lecture, and emphasized that making business with the UN was an opportunity for Croatian companies to be presented all over the world. He said that the fact that the Republic of Croatia since 1999 has been actively participating in UN peacekeeping missions, in which currently there are 120 soldiers deployed in six missions certainly favours this. The Minister also said that the UN spent in 2010 for equipping and supplies about 14.5 billion dollars. More than $ 7.5 billion was allocated for the costs of peacekeeping missions in 2010 alone, of which for equipping and acquisition $ 3.1 billion. However, this area, as said by Minister Bozinovic, was not only opened to defence industry but also to the entire economy. As mentioned by Bozinovic, in 2010, almost half a billion dollars were spent for UN procurement of electronic and industrial equipment, and more than $ 200 million for food.

Dmitri Dovgopoly in his two-hour presentation introduced Croatian businessmen with trends, conditions and rules of collaboration with the UN. UN Procurement Department, headed by Dovgopoly, carry out procurement for peacekeeping missions all around the world. For 2010 their budget was $ 3.1 billion, and procurement profile covers a range of products and services, from paper over protection equipment to vehicles. Director Dovgopoly urged the assembled representatives of the Croatian economy to cooperate. “If I was not thinking that Croatian companies have a chance, I certainly would not be here today with you. Croatian economy has great potential, and if Croatia during the Homeland War, in 1992, was able to be among the top ten suppliers to the UN, I think it can be so in peace. I can tell you how to start, what to do and wish you good luck “, Dovgopoly concluded. Croatian Chamber of Commerce also participated in organization of this event, and CCC’s Vice President Vesna Trnokop Tanta, addressed the present highlighting the support that Croatian Chamber of Economy provided for Croatian companies.