Croatia and U.S. Businesses Fostered New Partnerships
The economic forum connected 105 companies to drive trade and investment opportunities across sectors.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Representatives from 70 American and 35 Croatian companies convened at an economic forum in New York to explore new cross-border business opportunities. The event focused on strengthening investment and trade, with a particular emphasis on the tourism and energy sectors.
Why it matters
The forum sought to overcome long-standing administrative barriers and boost trade, which has seen service exports from Croatia to the U.S. reach nearly one billion euros. Strengthening these ties remains a priority despite the continued delay in the formal enforcement of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
The forum brought together 105 companies, including 15 from the tourism sector, to build on a trade relationship that has seen service exports grow to nearly one billion euros. The Krk LNG terminal remains a central asset in this cooperation, providing 6.1 billion cubic metres of capacity.
The players
Croatian Chamber of Economy
The national institution responsible for representing business interests and fostering international economic partnerships.
Croatian National Tourist Board
The state-level agency tasked with promoting the country as a destination for international travelers and investors.
The details
The event utilized direct B2B meetings to bypass traditional networking hurdles and facilitate immediate connections between firms. By aligning U.S. demand with Croatian market capabilities, participants are looking to leverage the Krk terminal, which currently sources over two-thirds of its gas from the U.S. Organizations also utilized high-visibility marketing, including video campaigns in Times Square, to boost brand awareness.
Timeline
The economic forum was held in New York on September 29, 2026.
The Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed four years ago.
Market Landscape
The push for tighter ties follows a pattern of nations seeking to secure stable energy and service supply chains through direct commercial diplomacy. This effort follows the precedent set by the long-delayed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, which continues to impact the cost basis for international operations.
Operators currently engaged in U.S.-Croatia trade should continue to budget for existing tax liabilities while the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement remains in limbo. Firms should monitor for official entry-into-force announcements, as this will significantly lower administrative costs and impact cross-border service pricing.
The takeaway
Direct B2B forums provide a strategic venue for bypassing bureaucratic delays when national-level agreements stall. Operators should keep a close watch on future state-level filings regarding the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to adjust tax planning for 2027 and beyond.
Further reading
For more on shifts in international trade operations, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Total Croatia News.
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