Zagreb Stock Exchange
The Zagreb Stock Exchange, also known as ZSE, is a relatively new stock exchange, as it was established in 1991, and operates from Zagreb, which is located in Croatia. By 2006, the Zagreb Stock Exchange had approximately 202 companies listed on the exchange, such as Atlantic Grupa dd, Ingra dd, AD Plastik dd, Centar Banka dd and Croatia Airlines dd. The company OMX was approached by the ZSE, to provide a trading platform and create a professional and manageable computerized infrastructure, for the trading of derivatives, cash, stocks and bonds. The new infrastructure and systems provider, OMX, will ensure that customers, investors and buyers will have the latest technological services and quality products at their fingertips. All transactions are done in real time, leaving no traders with a time disadvantage. The development of the region's financial market will also be improved by the changes brought to the Zagreb Stock Exchange. The ZSE is currently the biggest exchange in South East Europe.
Croatia is located on the coastline of the Adriatic Sea, with Herzegovina and Bosnia and Slovenia as its neighbouring countries. After a mild recession that was experienced by Croatia, it started rebuilding its economy in the year 2000. The public investment sector, banking sector and tourism industry immerged from the recession as economic leaders. The unemployment rate of Croatia remains very high and structural reforms struggle, due to resistance and negative response from the citizens, and the poor political support. Many civil cases regarding land have not been attended to, unsupportive trade unions and coalition politics stands in the way of rapid economic growth, and at present only slow to moderate improvements can be expected. The Zagreb Stock Exchange is sure to continue playing a pivotal role in the economy of Croatia.
The agricultural sector of Croatia, provides the country with livestock, alfalfa, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, potatoes, grapes, dairy products, olives, barley, citrus and soybeans. Electronics, steel products, construction materials, petroleum, petroleum refining, textiles, shipbuilding, plastics, pig iron, wood products, beverages, food and chemicals are manufactured by the industrial sector, supported by the tourism industry.
The largest export markets of Croatia are Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Slovenia and Germany. Products that are exported to these markets include food products, chemicals, textiles and transport equipment. Products such as chemicals, lubricants, electrical equipment, machinery, fuel and food products are imported from Russia, Austria, Italy, Germany, China, France and Slovenia.
