Economy

In the Region’s economy structure, the processing industry is the motivator of technological development and employment with the emphasis on food processing industry, wood processing industry and metal processing industry as well as textile industry.

The processing industry ,according to the data published by the Financial Agency in 2006, generated around 1,5 milliard EUR of turnover, of what 41,66% falls to food processing industry, 17% to metal processing industry and 7,37% to wood processing industry. In the period 2002/2004, investments in new capacities in the Region have grown and investments in capacity enlarging, reconstruction and modernisation have fallen. In the same period, investments in processing industry have fallen, and grown in the construction sector.

The strongest Region’s exporting industry is: food processing industry (Podravka, Koestlin, Danica), non - metal industry (Vetropack Straža, Zagorka, Sirač, Tondach) and metal industry (OMCO, Jedinstvo, Ljevaonica Bjelovar). Second exporting sector is transport led by companies Pevec Transport, Špoljar Transport, Čazmatrans - transport. Third exporting segment of the region is real estate and business services led by Highway Zagreb – Macelj.

Based on survey analysis among entrepreneurs in the Region, only 30% of them exports their products and services and are dominantly export oriented with more than 60% of turnover from export. Exporting countries are equally EU countries and ex YU countries.

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics, Croatia