Following initial work commissioned directly by World Bank, the Government of Croatia retained the services of SQW to advise BICRO on its business planning. BICRO is a national technology support organisation set up by the Ministry of Science and Technology to manage various technology and SME support programmes implemented under the Ministry, mainly through World bank funding. These include a cost sharing grant scheme to stimulate demand from SMEs for technology services, and a programme to support joint research projects involving research institutes, universities and private sector partners.
SQW was commissioned to make inputs to preparation of a World Bank technology development project for Croatia. Specifically, we were asked to review existing technology service centres, and develop proposals for their further development, and for related support to new and small technology based firms, including provision of incubator space for new businesses, and establishment of a seed fund.
SQW was appointed to work for the Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Transport, Tourism and Development on a capacity building project to prepare Croatian beneficiaries to benefit from support to be granted by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The projects were clustered in three areas: Business development, community development and infrastructure.
