The 12th Export Conference organised by the Lider Exporters’ Club under the title "Smart People Know What Exports Are For", was held on 1 July 2025 in Zagreb, bringing together leading Croatian exporters and representatives of regulatory and financial institutions. JGL supported the event, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening Croatian exports.
The goal of the conference was to foster dialogue and share experiences related to the challenges exporters face daily, all with the goal of reinforcing exports as a key driver of economic growth and GDP.
Dino Ćoza Saršon, Vice President of the JGL Board of Directors, took part in the panel discussion "Reconfiguring Supply Chains" alongside Petar Bobek from Končar and Snježana Poljanek from DHL International. The discussion focused on how global supply chains must adapt in the face of growing political and economic instability.
Ćoza Saršon noted that export represent the majority of JGL’s production, highlighting the unpredictability of supply chain dynamics. He pointed to the pharmaceutical industry’s reliance in the production of generic drugs on active pharmaceutical ingredients sourced from China, where potential export restrictions could lead to shortages and disrupt production – a vulnerability that became widely visible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Stockpiling in response to supply chain volatility and preventing shortages cannot replace optimal, data-driven supply planning. It should remain the exception, not the rule. Inventory represents a significant share of a company’s invested capital, and such decisions must be aligned with responsible liquidity management," said Ćoza Saršon.
When asked about the potential to shorten supply chains, Ćoza Saršon noted that JGL already sources a significant share of its materials from within the EU. At the same time, relocating production closer to distant export markets requires the presence of a developed pharmaceutical ecosystem, including a highly skilled and specialised workforce, as well as reliable suppliers of materials and equipment. Without these conditions, he cautioned, such moves may introduce unnecessary complexity into business operations.
The conference concluded with a clear message: succeeding in exports and gaining a competitive edge in today’s global market calls for flexibility, rapid adaptation, strategic foresight, and ongoing investment in innovation.
Foto: Boris Ščitar, Lider