Home / Business Scene / Africa Is Not What It Used to Be

Africa Is Not What It Used to Be

Seven African countries are among the ten fastest-growing economies. The total African economy is expected to grow from $1.6 trillion to $2.6 trillion by 2020, and by 2014 it will record the highest growth of foreign direct investment in the world – by as much as 84 percent. Do Croatian entrepreneurs need a better invitation to a market of one billion people, half of whom are under 25 years old?

The African continent is currently one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. Angola had the highest average annual GDP growth in the world (11.1 percent) between 2001 and 2010, and six other African countries are among the ten fastest-growing economies. The global crisis has not stopped this continent from growing, which is not surprising given the low level from which it started. According to a study by the UNCTAD, Africa could record the highest growth of foreign direct investment in the world by 2014, by as much as 84 percent. Early market entry provides much greater opportunities, so – forget the prejudices, Africa is richer than you think. More in the topic of the week authored by Matilda Bačelić and Antonija Knežević, who writes ‘on the ground’, more precisely from Burundi.

It is not only euroskeptics who have begun to spin the thesis that Croatia will be a net contributor to the EU budget in its first year of membership, likely even longer. Branko Grčić, the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, is aware of this. That is why he says that everything is in preparation – the most important thing is to have completed, prepared projects that can immediately apply for EU funds next year, and for that, 730 new people are needed! More is revealed to us by Gordana Gelenčer.

Legally speaking, if Ingra does not soon increase its revenues and reduce expenses, there will be no recovery at all. This primarily means that new jobs are vital for its survival – immediately! And how long that ‘immediately’ can be extended depends solely on the agreement with creditors. Jasmina Trstenjak reveals three possible scenarios for Ingra.

About a thousand Croatian citizens find jobs abroad every year with the help of employment agencies. These include engineers, IT specialists, sailors, maids, waiters, photographers on tourist ships, as well as nurses, construction workers, welders, and similar professions. Most of them work on fixed-term contracts, but there is also a demand for Croatian workers for seasonal jobs abroad. Kata Pranić writes about the new gastarbeiters.

Who is Miroslav Drljača, the new CEO of Zagreb Airport and a true exception among the Government’s staffing solutions, is revealed to us by Edis Felić in the ‘Character and Work’ section.

The new issue of Lider also brings a special supplement ‘Lider partner’ where you can learn all about the gift channel.
The new issue of Lider can be read on the iPad. Download the app to purchase it HERE