Diaspora – An Untapped Economic Potential: Successful Croatians from Around the World at the Vukovar Business Forum

Through several waves of emigration, almost as many people have left Croatia as currently reside in the country today. Many of them and their descendants are now successful entrepreneurs, experts, and business leaders with valuable international experience, capital, and business networks. Despite this, the potential of the Croatian diaspora remains underutilized.

Opportunities for stronger connections between Croatia and its emigrant community will be the focus of the “Diaspora – An Untapped Economic Potential” panel at the Vukovar Business Forum – Meeting G2.12 conference, which will gather successful representatives of the Croatian diaspora and the international business community.

Participating in the panel is Sonja Palic, a successful entrepreneur and prominent representative of the Croatian diaspora in Australia. As the owner of a Sydney-based company and co-owner of Entrax Commercial Interior Fitouts, Sonja Palic has been building a successful business career in the construction industry for over two decades. Her involvement in connecting women of Croatian descent through the AUS–NZ Croatian Women in Leadership initiative stands out in particular, alongside her active contribution to the business community in Australia, where she also left a strong mark as the first female president of the Sydney Hills Business Chamber.

Monika Vitez, the Vice President of the Croatian-Swiss Economic Club (CSEC) and coordinator of the CSEC Business Women Forum, also brings her international experience to the panel. Through her work within the Croatian-Swiss business community, she actively focuses on connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and institutions of both countries with the aim of developing concrete business opportunities and long-term partnerships.

Eugen Susak, the President of the Association of Bosnian-Herzegovinian Croats “Prsten,” will also participate in the panel. Born in Siroki Brijeg, Eugen Susak completed his education in Canada, and throughout his career, he has held responsible positions in international companies and public institutions, including Strabag AG, Alpine Mayreder Bau, and public institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, he serves as the Deputy Director of TT Kabeli Siroki Brijeg and actively works on connecting the business and social communities of Croats from BiH and the diaspora.

Among the panelists is Nikola Metes, the President of ACAP – the Association of Croatian-American Professionals. Nikola Metes is a successful expert in the field of digital marketing and technology, currently serving as a TAAG Supervisor at Publicis Groupe, where he leads global MarTech and AdTech initiatives for Mars Inc. and a portfolio of over 100 brands present in 70 markets. His professional work is focused on automation, analytics, and digital strategies, and through ACAP, he actively contributes to connecting Croatian professionals and business leaders around the world.

The “Diaspora – An Untapped Economic Potential” panel will address key questions on how to better connect the Croatian emigrant community with the domestic economy, how to attract global investments and knowledge, and in what ways Croatia can more effectively leverage the potential of its people living abroad.

The Vukovar Business Forum – Meeting G2.12 conference once again confirms its international dimension by gathering successful Croatians from all over the world with the goal of strengthening economic, investment, and social ties between Croatia and the diaspora.