Press Releases
U.S. Signs Agreement with Microsoft Croatia to Create Software Development Center
For Immediate Release
September 14, 2005
ZAGREB, SEPTEMBER, 2005 - The United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announces the signing of an agreement with Microsoft Croatia. Microsoft will establish a Software Development Center that will provide the infrastructure and resources to help Croatian entrepreneurs to create innovative new products and services, bring those products and services to market, and build well-managed businesses in the information technology sector. USAID will donate $500,000 to support the Center, which will have a budget of more than $2 million over three years.
The Center will include both an incubator for start-up companies and a laboratory facility for development of joint projects among mature software developers and vendors. The Center will focus on delivering knowledge transfer in both technology and business through classes, workshops, testing and demonstration.
USAID and Microsoft Croatia share the goal of stimulating the development of Croatia's Information Communication Technology industry. Microsoft and USAID have formed an alliance of various partners who will contribute resources toward the development and management of the Center. These include Hewlett-Packard, Cisco Systems, T-Com and the City of Varaždin. The Center will be located in Varaždin.
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.