Immigrants should be invited to come earn in Croatia

The inclusion of the diaspora in the political and social life of Croatia, which would eventually lead to economic and demographic renewal, as proposed by demographer Dr. Stjepan Šterc from the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics at the University of Zagreb, has received favorable opinions from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and universities in Rijeka and Split.

Šterc expressed his views in an interview with Lider, suggesting that the children of emigrants study at Croatian universities to connect with the country and remain.

The Croatian Chamber of Commerce initiated the discussion on immigration policy six years ago, and regarding Šterc’s idea about studying, they say it is a very good idea that should be concretized and operationally prepared as soon as possible. The University of Rijeka emphasizes that the study of children of emigrants should be preceded by raising standards in higher education and research. This is also agreed upon at the University of Split, noting that we should add what others do not have, such as a Mediterranean orientation in agriculture or maritime affairs.

– There is no doubt that Croatia can and must devise a migration strategy, as unequivocally stated by our most eminent experts involved in the HGK project ‘Migration for the Development of Croatia’, which we started two years ago or more precisely continued after the HGK opened the discussion on immigration policy six years ago as the first institution in Croatia. Part of that strategy must certainly include the design of incentive measures for the inclusion of the diaspora in our economic and social life. This inclusion will probably not have spectacular results like in the cases of Israel or Ireland, but it can certainly contribute significantly to the Croatian economy in terms of investments, knowledge and experience transfer, market connections, and opening up to the world. Our economy is small and relatively weak, so individual entrepreneurial ventures can be quite visible. An example is the entry of the Lukšić family into Croatia’s tourism business, where they represent one of the most important players, says Davorko Vidović, advisor for labor policy and employment at HGK.

Agriculture and Tourism

He is not sure that the diaspora can significantly influence the positive turnaround of trends in Croatia’s depressing demographic picture, but it is precisely the emigrated Croats and their descendants who should represent the first targeted group of potential immigrants for reasons that do not need special explanation. The most important measures, for Vidović, are attracting emigrants, the same ones that are important for keeping people in Croatia. First and foremost, strengthening legal security, creating a friendly business environment, a stimulating tax policy, and more efficient public administration. Our two great advantages are a beautiful country with an optimal climate in the center of Europe, and even the world, and a high level of physical and social security. This is precisely what all the emigrants he spoke with highlight as a lure, showing interest in living and doing business in Croatia. Vidović believes that Croatia should not seek help from the diaspora but invite them to come here to earn, in all those activities where emigrants see a chance for a good and successful business. He feels there is enormous potential hidden in the devastated agricultural sector, and that numerous opportunities lie in the tourism sector. Everything else can also be interesting to people with ideas and knowledge if we have indeed created at least equal conditions as others. One should not, he adds, expect that patriotic motives will be sufficient for return.

Earnings are the driver

– Helping in the war for independence is part of one story, which had a different kind of charge, and the pattern of seeking help should not be applied to the call for starting a business in Croatia. Patriotic reasons can only be the icing on the cake or an additional reason, only when all other conditions for a good business are met. That’s how it is everywhere. Americans love America, but they have moved production to China. Profit is the driver. Croatia is expecting a new cycle of privatization. Efforts should be made to familiarize emigrants with what we are bringing to the market, whether it is our companies or state-owned real estate. Here is an opportunity for our emigrants who have capital and motivation to do business in Croatia, Vidović is confident.

HGK is involved in all forums and institutions dealing with the diaspora, from the Council of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats outside Croatia to the Matica of Emigrants. Vidović says they attend all meetings with our emigrants, and they recently hosted them at HGK and invited them to participate in the project of the virtual Croatian World Economic Chamber. They are fully prepared to accept all emigrants who wish to use the chamber’s resources, which they provide free of charge. Today, business is conducted remotely, with advanced communication technologies, so those who are not physically present here or have never set foot in Croatia can be included in our economic system, said Vidović.

Offer what others do not have

Prof. Dr. Branko Matulić, Vice-Rector for Quality, Culture, and Arts at the University of Split, confirms that it is possible at the state level to ensure a quota for students from the diaspora or attract them through existing exchange programs such as Erasmus+ and similar. They can be attracted by studies that match the quality and orientations of similar studies in the countries where they live.

– Therefore, quality is the most basic prerequisite, and then the offer of something that others do not have, such as a Mediterranean orientation in agriculture, maritime affairs, archaeology, or history. The attractiveness of the environment, pleasant climate, and uncontaminated ecological systems should not be overlooked. Universities should propose solutions and models based on scientific knowledge. Those who govern the state must know how to listen to the advice of scientists who do not provide superficial solutions but offer long-term solutions and exact and verifiable models. Anyone who is well-intentioned and has the desire and ability can help. However, we maintain a small reserve regarding the idea that the diaspora could demographically save us, Matulić assesses.

He explains that in today’s globally accepted style and way of life, a family with a maximum of two children is the generally accepted model of a family community. When we transpose that model, he says, onto our social problems, then regardless of where the family comes from, it is ‘doomed’ to wait for better conditions for more children.

Diplomacy is key

Thus, some social prerequisites are necessary in which it would be normal and unburdened to have three, four, or more children. Of course, a personal attitude towards the number of family members is indispensable and crucial, where worldview plays one of the essential roles.

– For example, the third world, which is struggling with poverty, has a demographic explosion, while in the rich northern countries, on the contrary, the ‘white plague’ prevails. When considering demographic issues, it is necessary to take into account a range of parameters, to view all aspects interdisciplinarily and multidisciplinarily, thus exclusively on scientific bases, within which one must also keep in mind the cultural, traditional, and if you will, phenomenological peculiarities of certain communities to arrive at the right solutions. Our emigrant communities could help the homeland more by opening spaces in the world, but for that to happen, there must be a system of mutual respect and a built mutual belonging to the same roots, Matulić emphasizes.

This is a long-term process connected with the state’s emigration strategy regarding emigrant, primarily intellectual resources. In this context, he emphasized that Croatian diplomacy, with its economic and cultural elements, plays a key role, and the tool is the promotion of our natural and cultural resources, thus a comprehensive cultural story in which our emigrants can see their origin but also their possible future home.

Heritage excellence

Regardless of cases where investors, our emigrants, have been deceived and disappointed in various ways, Matulić believes that there are still those who would like and could invest in their second homeland. However, when investing in business ventures, interests primarily prevail. Anyone who has a business interest, especially an emotional, native reason, will invest their money, knowledge, and energy into what they consider good for them, with all the business risks that come with it.

– The fact is that we have not yet created good enough conditions and that they could be much more favorable, and the state should particularly ensure this for emigrants with its incentive measures. Therefore, a clear state strategy is needed, as already mentioned. If our state were to incorporate only elements of heritage excellence recognized at the global level into that presumed strategy regarding the diaspora, namely seven of our top cultural and natural goods that are on the UNESCO list, and through the diplomatic network, educationally and culturally act on the diaspora, it would contribute to the reputation and influence of the Republic of Croatia worldwide, Matulić is convinced.

If we look at the possibility of studying for the children of emigrants strategically, then it can be said that it is an important element of demographic policy, thinks Prof. Dr. Pero Lučin, Rector of the University of Rijeka. However, he warns that such a decision should not be made by decree as it would have no effect, but should be preceded by raising standards in higher education and research.

Organizing the state

Universities need to be made more attractive at all levels. If we want to attract young people from the diaspora, Lučin emphasizes, we must offer them a standard equal to that in the countries where they live.

– In addition, it should be emphasized that it is the duty of every state to take care of demographic policy. We are faced with depopulation. Currently, Croatia has 4.2 million inhabitants, while it is projected that by 2050 there will be only 3.6 million of us, which is a sufficient reason for alarm. It is clear that something needs to be done, and if we talk about attracting young people from the diaspora, it is clear that they are, for a number of reasons, the easiest to integrate. Of course, universities could do more regarding the promotion of study programs; however, much more important than promotion is its content. It is indisputable that we can offer quality study programs; however, they are not accompanied by material resources. In Croatia, there are no sports fields for students, no well-designed cultural and entertainment programs, or they are sporadic. There are not enough accommodation capacities; in short, it is necessary to raise standards at all levels, Lučin notes.

He concludes that to attract young people from the diaspora, we must be a well-organized state, primarily legally and financially, and guarantee a certain level of quality of life and security. In raising that standard and achieving the stated goals, we can start by working on much better utilization of European funds.

The Rectorate of the University of Zagreb was also asked to convey its views on the proposals of Prof. Šterc, but by the time of publication, despite promises, we had not received a response.