The success of the Government and the economy also depends on exporters, and the main responsibility lies on the revenue side of the budget

Finance Minister Zdravko Marić stated on Tuesday at the Croatian Exporters conference “Economic Policies of the Republic of Croatia and Expectations for 2016” that he is aware that he is often identified with the budget and that his main responsibility lies on the revenue side of the budget.

– You justifiably have high expectations from the Government, but I also have certain expectations from you and the entire economy, that together we build certain shifts and ultimately put Croatia and our economy on the path to recovery, and then growth, said Marić while speaking at the conference.

He emphasized that after a cumulative real GDP decline of 12 percent over the past six years, growth, even of 2 percent, is more than welcome for the Croatian economy. However, he pointed out that those 2 percent should not satisfy anyone in the medium term. Marić conveyed to exporters that the success of the Government and the entire economy largely depends on Croatian exporters. The Government will, as he said, continue to support HBOR, which through its programs can provide exporters with easier access to more favorable financial resources for better export performance. The state will enable easier business operations through all the measures it announces – fiscal consolidation, stabilizing public debt, removing administrative barriers – and is also considering some elements of tax relief, he said. Marić reiterated that the tax system will not change this year.

– We must send a very clear message about the stability of the tax system, said Marić, noting that it is difficult to say when entrepreneurs can expect tax relief. It is hard to calculate the timing; it will depend on the economic and budgetary situation.

– My goal and interest is to expand the tax base and reduce tax rates. At what moment, under what possibilities and frameworks, it is hard to say now, but that is the direction we are heading.

He also stated that two main tasks have been set before the tax administration – “efficient tax collection based on the existing tax system and the advancement of tax administration in many ways, so that we all have a better financial service.”

The Finance Minister also reiterated that the budget will be presented to the Government next week.

The conference highlighted that investments are important for economic growth, emphasizing the need to utilize state assets and strengthen the role of HBOR. The head of the State Office for State Property Management (DUUDI), Tomislav Boban, stated that a contract for Kupare is expected to be signed by the end of March, and mentioned that 10 investments have been prepared, the plan of which has been sent to Prime Minister Tihomir Orešković, and he expects discussions on this to begin soon.

The President of Croatian Exporters, Darinko Bago, stated that no company has developed without excellent exporters, who are “truly an excellent part of the Croatian economy.” Therefore, it is important to affirm excellence, which is the goal of today’s gathering, he noted.

– It is important for us as exporters to create awareness that export, or the export economy, is similar to football. Offensively, we play on foreign territory and score goals, while at home we firmly defend our territory from low-quality products, Bago vividly said.

– We have sent those two messages and believe that we have received understanding from the finance minister, and I hope we will also receive it from the Government, said Bago.