Antun Korušec, Mayor , Photo by Hugo Blai

INVESTMENTS

Business zones in Bjelovar

The City of Bjelovar has four business zones with a clear title to the land and developed infrastructure. Company registration takes up to 15 days, the location permit can be obtained in a maximum of 30 days and building permits in the next 15 days. All investors are exempt from at least 50 percent of utility charges payment, and for large investments there is a possibility of total exemption.

Bjelovar is a city with a vision, Antun Korušec, Mayor, proudly emphasises presenting the project of developing four business zones which cover the area of 300 ha in total, and are inviting investors. Bjelovar has a population of 42.000 and it is the biggest city and the economical, cultural and touristic centre of a continental Bjelovar-Bilogora County. It is located only 80 kilometres from Zagreb.

Developing business zones and economic strategy

- Since 2003 the City of Bjelovar has been continuously developing the business zones, and we have so far invested more than HRK 14 million in this project. This will continue through the economic strategy which established the priorities that include the entrepreneurship development and work force education. That is why we have embarked on establishment of Technical Polytechnic - says Mayor Korušec.

In addition to high quality vocational schools, a Professional Study of Mechatronics operates under the Technical School in Bjelovar, as well as the new Energy and Process Engineering Study. Faculties of Economics, University of Zagreb and University of Rijeka, have their Departments of entrepreneurship in Bjelovar, and the latter is initiating a graduate programme which will enrol 70 students to graduate in accordance with the Bologna process. Currently 1200 young people are studying in Bjelovar - 65 percent from the County, and 35 percent from other Croatian regions.

The Mayor highlights Business zone Veliko Korenovo, which takes up an area of 179 ha. It is particularly interesting because Podravski Y motorway will run through this Zone and it is anticipated that the construction of 25 km will be finished in 2011. Also, Velika Ciglena Zone, the area of 128 ha, lies on geothermal resources of high-temperature up to 178 degrees Celsius.

Good opportunities for enterpreneurs

- We have received letters of intent from about twenty interested entrepreneurs, and moreover, the investor of the geothermal power plant with a capacity of 4.8 to 5 mW already has a location permit. In both zones we are acquiring clear title and property rights and I would like to emphasize that the business zones in Bjelovar have complete infrastructure facilities. Bjelovar has municipal, commercial and county court, we have a strong judicial tradition, and we facilitate quicker issuance of permits to entrepreneurs. Company registration takes no longer than 15 days. Investors who come to us with their documentation will get a planning permit in a maximum of 30 days, and in the next 15 days they will receive a confirmation of project design, that is a building permit. Thus, there is no waiting. All investors are exempt from at least 50 percent of utility charges payment, and for large investments there is a possibility of total exemption - says Mayor Korušec.

Adela Zobundžija, Director of the Business Park Bjelovar, development and investment agency owned by Bjelovar city, emphasizes that the Italian company Cormo is the first and the biggest Greenfield investor in the Free zone Novi borik Lepirac. Six months after their arrival to this zone, Cormo Company has begun working in a newly built hall. Soon they built a second hall, and now they employ about sixty workers. The city has a landfill, the first one in Croatia made in accordance with contemporary environmental standards, and this is the central regional landfill in the County. At this location an institution for waste management shall be established and negotiations on the plants to use biomass are under way.

- Bjelovar has a vision to be a city of satisfied, employed and environmentally conscious, educated population. We are the youngest diocese in Croatia, with a developed tourism, culture and sport. Our historic cavalry unit Husari is known throughout the Europe, and we represented the Croatian Army at the celebration of the anniversary of NATO in Paris. With quality educational facilities and scholarships for students we want to attract young people to our city and with the offer of employment in the modern enterprise we want to keep them here. The city gives special grants to young people who are buying their first apartment and city kindergarten works until 10 pm. We are creating a city where it is pleasant to live and work - concludes Mayor Korušec.

BUSINESS CARD

City of Bjelovar
Business zones:
NOVI BORIK LEPIRAC (36 ha) the construction area is 6 ha in the business zone and 3 ha in the free zone, the size of building lots is from 5.000 to 10.000 square meters
JUG (22 ha) the offer for the construction consists of 4 ha (private property)
VELIKO KORENOVO (144 ha) this zone is in the phase of preparation, estimated size of building lots is from 10.000 to 50.000 square meters, and the beginning of construction is planned for 2011
VELIKA CIGLENA (128 ha) this zone is in the phase of preparation: 10 ha in the construction zone, 118 ha for agricultural purposes; lies on a geothermal resource of high-temperature up to 178 degrees Celsius, suitable for greenhouse production, curing and cold storage plants and recreation centre. Location permit for a power plant with a capacity of 4.8 to 5 mW has already been issued
Prices of plots: city property EUR 7 - 10 per square meter, private property EUR 40 - 80 per square meter, renting a warehouse space EUR 7 - 10 per square meter.
Construction cost: EUR 750 - 800 per square meter
Utility fees: EUR 3 - 4 per square meter (rebates for investors - 25% when building up to 1,000 cubic meters, 50% for larger objects)
More information at: www.bjelovar.hr, www.poslovni-park.hr, e-mail: bjelovar@poslovni-park.hr