Croatia could draw up to 1.8 billion US dollars from the World Bank during the period from 2009 to 2012, as outlined in the new Partnership Strategy of that institution with Croatia.
The goal is to assist Croatia in its faster accession to the EU, šwhich also implies a quicker convergence of income levels with those in other Union member states, but in a way that the approximation process is fiscally, socially, and environmentally sustainable. In this regard, Croatian priorities will be the main drivers of the World Bank Group’s support programs, focusing on four main areas and tasks: maintaining macroeconomic stability; strengthening private sector-led growth; improving the quality and efficiency of social sectors; and increasing the sustainability of long-term development. This entails better effectiveness of public finances, enhancing the country’s ability to withstand external šhocks, and improving its competitiveness.
This cannot be achieved without a better investment climate and strengthening the private sector, which would bring Croatia closer to the income levels of Union member states. The World Bank’s programs and support from 2004 to 2008 yielded good results, the bank claims – the cadastre and land registry offices have been computerized, reducing backlogs by 60 percent. Assistant ministers and deputy state secretaries are being employed through competitions, and the restructuring and modernization of the Port of Rijeka have doubled traffic, making Croatia a more attractive trading destination, according to the World Bank. Since 1993, when we became a member of that institution, Croatia has had access to 2.3 billion dollars. (Gordana Gelenčer)
