Ericsson Nikola Tesla Awarded Two Golden Key Awards for Export Results in 2012

Within the framework of 8th Croatian Exporters’ s Convention titled “Croatian Export Before and after Joining the EU”, a traditional ”Golden Key” awards were granted to the best exporters in 2012. Ericsson Nikola Tesla is a winner in the category of the best large companies and the best exporter to Russian Federation.

The Prime Minister, Zoran Milanović handed in the Golden Key award for the best largest exporter to Gordana Kovačević, the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla. In his speech, the Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to exporters for their important contribution to economic recovery in such a challenging time. In the presence of several ministers, he announced further efforts by the Croatian Government in order to increase competitiveness and maintain the stable exchange rate.

On behalf of all the awarded companies, Gordana Kovačević addressed the audience by reminding them how Croatian entrepreneurs- exporter, must continuously prove their courage and knowledge in the demanding global market. “Having the opportunity to congratulate the best Croatian exports today, is the best confirmation that it can be done, but not in the way of closing ourselves in our local frameworks, but, to the contrary, to use global opportunities and our own potentials without fear” she said, and continued: " Unfortunately, in these hard times, a lots of odds have not been our favor, and therefore, I believe our results are even more precious. I would like to use this opportunity to remind you all that Croatia is going through a hard period and that we shall all participate with positive energy, knowledge and work, along with the mutual confidence and respect. Furthermore, a consensus and focus on key strategic segments and priorities is required for our country's long term sustainable development. Without a clear strategic objective, there can be no co-responding roadmap, and thus, no quick recovery.

For Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the year 2012 was a record one with 86 percent of production exported. Only in CIS market we exported MHRK 888, and the export through research and other expert activities in the Ericsson market reached MHRK 552. I would like to use this opportunity and thank all our teams, who accomplished these results and all the employees, who confirmed, by their innovative work approach, that creativity is bounded neither by the area of activity, nor by the work they perform.  The Networked Society is our opportunity to release all the creative potential, and to make Croatia a recognizable part of the future EU of Innovation. Therefore, regardless of whether we create or use the technology, there is neither modern and competitive, export oriented economy, nor a developed society without the development and deployment of modern ICT solutions and permanent implementation of the new strategic knowledge.“

Other winners in major categories are Calucem as a medium size and Navis Consult, as a small size exporter. The award for the most innovative exporter was granted to Hstec.  The awards were also granted for the 10 countries Croatia trades most, and the winners are: Plamen (Italy), TDR (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Boxmark Leather (Germany), AD Plastik (Slovenia), SELK (Austria), Cedevita (Serbia), Ericsson Nikola Tesla (Russian Federation), HS Product (USA), Viro Sugar Factory (Hungary), Pliva (United Kingdom), Genera (Egypt), Spinning Mills Klanjec (Brazil), Kraš (Saudi Arabia) and Končar Generators and Motors Inc. (Turkey).

Apart from the award ceremony, the Convention put in focus the problem of deficiency of comprehensive measures, concerning export growth and import substitution. Darinko Bago, the president of the Croatian Exporters, presented the Croatian Exporters Declaration proposal, stating that they are the ones representing the Croatian economy segment, which successfully deals with the global competition, by taking part and winning in the global markets. He highlighted that export and export encouragement is the key to a long term and sustainable development and that this should be a main lever of a new paradigm and development model, which was successfully applied in fast-growing countries of East Asia, and successful EU countries, such as Finland and Poland, too.

Communications Ericsson Nikola Tesla