S&T Country Report - Albania - WBC-INCO Net

infrastructure. It has started social processes as a result of initiating start-up projects
and stimulating local companies on cooperation.
Industry/Sector (technology area): Forest-based and related industries, Furniture
and Wood products production, Agriculture
International activities: The Cluster is participating in the Competitiveness
Institute’s network.
One of the most active counties, where the cluster development is high priority, is the
Varaždin County. The county established in cooperation with the Croatian Chamber
of Economy - Varaždin County Chamber the following clusters:
• Wood industry cluster of the North-Western Croatia;
• Croatian textile industry cluster;
• Croatian shoe cluster; and
• Metallurgic cluster.
In this way, the Croatian Chamber of Economy - Varaždin County Chamber
stimulates close cooperation between the members of the clusters, aiming to
strengthen their position on the market (Čehok, 2006)
Name of
initiative:
Wood Cluster of Northwestern Croatia (Varaždin county)
Contact person: Sandra Hižak (Cluster Manager)
Email: info@drvni-cluster.com; shizak@drvni-cluster.com
Website: http://www.drvni-cluster.com
At the end of 2005, the Wood Cluster of Northwester Croatia was established by the
Varaždin County Chamber in order to improve, develop and raise the level of
competitiveness of the wood industry in Northwestern Croatia.
The Wood Cluster comprises of:
• 13 companies employing 3.000 people (sawmills, carpentry products, furniture
producers);
• 3 Regional Chambers of Commerce; and
• College for Technology and Design in Varaždin.
The Cluster strategy covers implementation of new technologies; design and product
certification; lower the input costs; maximize the use of raw material leftovers and
economical use of energy.
The base of Cluster activities represents very close cooperation with all companies
and industries included in the value added chain together with R&D institutions and
local and national authorities.
page 22/HRV