At the 21st Convention of Croatian Exporters, held in Zagreb on 24 June 2026, leading representatives of Croatian industry, regulatory bodies and financial institutions came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities for strengthening international competitiveness. Held under the patronage of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the event also featured the presentation of the “Golden Key” awards recognising the most successful exporters of 2025. JGL was among the nominees in the Best Large Exporter category.
The theme of this year’s convention was “The New Equation for Export Growth: Energy, Technology and Demographics”. JGL Executive Director Alenka Jajac-Knez took part in a panel discussion, sharing the pharmaceutical industry’s perspective on the opportunities and challenges companies face today.
Jajac-Knez opened the discussion by reflecting on doing business in a demanding international environment and the challenges exporters face as supply chains become longer and market conditions become increasingly unpredictable. She placed particular emphasis on the company’s growth, stressing that it has been the result of long-term planning rather than chance. “In the pharmaceutical industry, significant growth is years in the making. Every one of our investment cycles has been strategically planned. We need to be agile enough to adapt to changing circumstances, while remaining disciplined enough not to make short-term decisions that could undermine the long-term stability of the business,” she said, adding that she is proud of the path JGL has taken.
Speaking about how logistics supports the company’s rapidly expanding production, she highlighted its strategic importance. “Logistics is a critical part of our operations. It must be precise, digitalised, closely integrated with planning, and flexible enough to support growth while responding to disruptions across supply chains,” said Jajac-Knez. She added that, through the NEBO investment cycle, JGL is investing in both manufacturing and logistics capacities to ensure that future growth remains sustainable.
Joining Alenka Jajac-Knez on the panel were Marijana Ivanov, professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Dorotea Effenberger, President of the Management Board and owner of Tahograf, and Hrvoje Galičić, Advisor to the Management Board of the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR). The discussion was moderated by Mislav Togonal. Their diverse perspectives contributed to a valuable discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing Croatian exporters in a time of energy, technological and demographic change.
By participating in events such as this, JGL reaffirms its commitment to strengthening Croatian exports while further enhancing the company’s visibility within the business community.