At the extended meeting of the Chamber of Economy held at the Kolovare hotel, the Golden Pines were awarded to the most successful companies in Zadar County for the 2025 financial year. The award for the best small enterprise went to Montis d.o.o. from Zadar, while among medium-sized enterprises, Atlant 2019 from Petrč was highlighted, and the Golden Pine was awarded to LTM Metalni li from Benkovac.
The president of the Chamber of Economy in Zadar, Denis Iki, thanked the winners as well as all entrepreneurs and their collaborators. According to the data presented, the 2025 financial year was, according to almost all indicators, more successful than the previous one. In the county economy, there were about 1,600 more employees than in the previous year, and gross and net wages increased by more than 13 percent. The total number of employees in Zadar County has exceeded 75,000 for the first time. Iki specifically highlighted new and younger companies led by ambitious entrepreneurs.
The mayor of Zadar, Šime Erli, highlighted employment as one of the strongest indicators of economic development. Over the past ten years, the number of employees has increased by about 40 percent, with almost 20,000 new jobs created. Erli, however, warned of the challenges posed by changes in the European market and the rapid development of new technologies. As a development potential, he highlighted the connection between the Gaženica port, the Zadar Airport, and the economic zone of Crno.
The deputy mayor, Robertino Duj, emphasized that owners and management set the vision and goals of the enterprise, but the real value of each company lies in its employees. He also commented on the trend of declining unemployment in Zadar County. According to the data presented, the number of unemployed has decreased from almost 6,000 in 2016 to less than 2,000 today. Zadar County took second place in Croatia according to the Chamber of Economy's Index of County Development, right behind the City of Zagreb.
In the name of this year's award winners, Matko Serdarevi from LTM Metalni li spoke. He warned of the challenges that are spreading from the European market to the Croatian economy. In particular, he highlighted the restructuring of the German automotive industry, which is also reflected in the operations of domestic manufacturers and suppliers.
