Construction of a new manufacturing facility by the American company Jabil has commenced in the industrial zone of Nemetin in the Croatian city of Osijek.
The completion is scheduled for July 2024, and it is expected to create 1500 new job opportunities.
“We are delighted about the construction of Jabil’s Centre of Excellence for manufacturing on nearly 17 hectares in the economic zone of Nemetin, Osijek. This is the largest private investment since the independence of the Republic of Croatia, and it will generate around 1500 new jobs, Osijek’s Mayor, Ivan Radić, told a press conference on Wednesday, before adding.
“We have worked intensively for two full years to attract and make this project a reality. With the employment of local residents and the influx of skilled workers, the arrival of a major international company employing approximately 260,000 people across 30 countries positions Osijek strongly on the investment map of Europe and the world.”
He highlighted that Jabil chose Osijek for its facility among more than 10 cities across Europe. The city established a multidisciplinary team available 24/7, working intensively with good prerequisites and infrastructure.
Collaboration with the Osijek-Baranja County, Electrotechnical School, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Employment Agency, and the local University enabled them to start workforce retraining from day one. The city of Osijek exempted all investors from paying utility fees, and in this case, nine parcels in the industrial zone were merged into one large plot of 170,000 square meters. All processes were carried out efficiently and promptly, added Mayor Radić.
The city’s focus is on strengthening the economy, attracting investors, and generating new job opportunities. Mayor Radić revealed ongoing negotiations with several other investors, which will soon result in new investments within the city’s territory.
Ivan Anušić, the Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County, stated that the agreement with Jabil marks a new era for Osijek, the Osijek-Baranja County, and eastern Croatia in economic, developmental, and demographic terms.
“The multinational company chose to invest in Osijek and Osijek-Baranja County due to the clear and defined political stability, which is crucial for any new investor. The joint efforts of the City of Osijek and the County, along with all relevant services, conveyed a clear message of our seriousness and readiness for cooperation. The Osijek-Baranja County made the capacities of its vocational schools available, offering programs related to Jabil’s operations, and is also providing retraining for long-term unemployed individuals to meet the demands of sought-after professions. I congratulate the City of Osijek for demonstrating maturity and readiness for serious, large-scale projects. With Jabil’s arrival, I am confident that a new investment cycle begins, changing the image of Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County, and even beyond,” emphasised Prefect Anušić.
Yesterday, Mayor Radić, together with Jabil’s works director in Osijek, Victor Morales, Jabil’s Vice President of European Operations, Bruno Soler, and the director of LogExpert, Gabrijel Bitea, visited the construction site of the future Center of Excellence.
“It is impressive to witness the emergence of an investment that will reshape the economic landscape of Osijek, Osječko-Baranja County, and the entire Slavonia region,” concluded Mayor Radić.
Jabil, which was established in 1966 and formally incorporated in Detroit, Michigan, in 1969, works today with over 450 of the world’s leading brands to bring their products to market and has more than 260,000 people in over 100 strategic sites around the world.
Source : Croatia Week
