Croatia plans to create its own Silicon Valley

It is possible that during the next few years Croatia can create an analogue of the Silicon Valley. The title of the Croatian programming capital can be claimed by one of the largest cities in the country - Osijek.

The project on creating a special park, where will be presented Croatia's leading software companies, is called Osijek City Software. In fact, this idea was sounded by four Croatian software companies: Inchoo, Mono, Farmeron and K-informatika.

According to the company representatives, currently in Osijek there are a huge number of small firms selling their products to foreign markets. The new park will only strengthen already formed positive image of the city as a center of IT industry in Croatia. As noted by the newspaper Vecernji List, according to the company representatives, new "Software City" will be able to attract many programmers with great potential.

It should be noted that sonorous name "Silicon Valley" repeats the concept of the American original, but will unlikely reach its scale. Today in Osijek in one way or another in software development are engaged over 40 companies employing 250 people. Opening of the Osijek City Software, according to the project initiators, will increase the number of the city’s residents to 500 with creating conditions for working and living.

One of the Osijek City Software project’s objectives is development of regional software companies in Croatia. Currently shortage of qualified personnel in this industry is marked all around the world, and Croatia is no exception. The new city will create conditions for local professionals and attract foreigners.