Zoran Milanović, the President of Croatia, awarded the prestigious Charter of the Republic of Croatia to the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce (WACCC) during a ceremony held at the President’s Office in Zagreb on the evening of October 25, 2023. This recognition celebrates twenty years of the Chamber’s unwavering commitment to fostering trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Croatia and Australia.
Recognizing the Impact of the Croatian Diaspora
At the ceremony, President Milanović underscored the significant contributions of the Croatian diaspora in Australia. He remarked on how many Croats, despite being thousands of miles from their homeland, have established successful businesses and enriched their communities.
“In Australia, although it is a faraway country on the other side of the world, many Croats have found and continue to find their home, where they raise families and conduct business,”
Milanović stated. He continued, emphasizing the importance of their efforts in connecting the economies of both nations.
Milanović acknowledged the challenges of building economic ties with a robust economy like Australia’s, stating, “This is difficult work and a long journey, and I sincerely thank you for these efforts.” He encouraged the Chamber to persist in its advocacy and serve as a beacon for Croatian communities worldwide.
Two Decades of Dedication and Community Involvement
The WACCC has actively promoted Croatia as a desirable destination for investment over the past twenty years. The Chamber has organized various business delegations and has been instrumental in linking Croatian and Australian entrepreneurs.
Luke Jurčević, President of the WACCC, expressed his gratitude upon receiving the Charter. “This recognition is a great honour for our Chamber and for the entire Croatian community in Western Australia,” he said. “It is a confirmation that two decades of voluntary work, dedication, and belief in the strength of Croatian–Australian economic cooperation have been worthwhile.”
Jurčević reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to enhancing ties between the two nations, stating, “We remain committed to building bridges between our two countries and to promoting Croatia as a trusted partner for trade and investment.”
The Chamber also plays a crucial role in community engagement, participating in annual celebrations such as Croatian Statehood Day in Perth. Recent events, including the Croatian Film Festival and the Croatian Wine Festival, highlight the Chamber’s efforts to promote cultural ties and celebrate the contributions of Croatian women in the Western Australian economy.
Attending the ceremony alongside President Milanović were notable figures such as Richard Rodgers, the Australian Ambassador to Croatia, David Tudorović, the Honorary Croatian Consul to South Australia, and Zoran Šangut, the Croatian Consul in Perth. Logan Howlett, Mayor of the City of Cockburn in Western Australia, was also present, reflecting the strong ties between the Croatian community and local governance.
This recognition not only highlights the achievements of the WACCC but also reinforces the enduring relationship between Croatia and Australia, demonstrating the importance of diaspora communities in international economic relations.
