Orešković in London – These are the Government’s priorities and main cross-border investment projects

Croatian Prime Minister Tihomir Orešković presented on Monday in London at the Western Balkans Investment Summit of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development the strategic priorities of the Croatian Government and the main cross-border investment projects in energy and infrastructure, among which are the LNG terminal on Krk and the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline and highway.

– We will pay special attention to all activities that stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, foster a positive investment climate, and raise the standard of living for our citizens, said Prime Minister Orešković at the summit attended by prime ministers, ministers, political figures, and leading entrepreneurs from Croatia’s southeastern neighbors.

Orešković emphasized that the Government will present a well-balanced budget in mid-March, focusing on fiscal consolidation and reducing the budget deficit.

– The next step is to reduce public debt by activating 500 million euros of dead capital. The goal is to improve the credit rating to reduce borrowing costs, stated Orešković.

The next priority is to create a fund of 500 million euros for investments in small and medium-sized enterprises, followed by drawing funds from European funds, he said. Last year, Croatia drew 500 million euros, and this year the goal is to draw between 900 million and one billion euros. These funds would finance projects in infrastructure, tourism, and agriculture.

Orešković also highlighted the need to create a positive investment climate and reduce bureaucracy within the system, that is, to improve the efficiency of the public sector. The Croatian Prime Minister stated that he was the only prime minister at this summit who was an investor, noting that as the CEO of Pliva, he invested around 250 million euros.

Among the cross-border infrastructure projects, Prime Minister Orešković highlighted the LNG terminal on Krk, the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline, the Adriatic-Ionian highway, and the construction of the Croatian part of Corridor 5c, which connects the Port of Ploče with Slavonia and Hungary via Bosnia and Herzegovina. Orešković stated that these projects are also important for the private sector.

– By nature, I am an optimist and as such, I believe that Croatia and its neighbors represent an excellent opportunity for investments, at the local level, which will increase our mutual prosperity and with that prosperity provide a platform for greater cooperation and a brighter future for all our citizens, said Orešković.

Prime Minister Orešković held a bilateral meeting with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Minister for Trade and Investment Francis Maude before the start of the summit.

The summit is attended by the Prime Minister of Montenegro Milo Đukanović, Serbia’s Aleksandar Vučić, Kosovo’s Isa Mustafa, Albania’s Edi Rama, and Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Denis Zvizdić.