Z Marić: Things Regarding Agrokor Have Started to Move in a Better Direction

Finance Minister Zdravko Marić assessed on Thursday that things regarding Agrokor have started to move in a better direction and that a “certain calmness and stability” is occurring.

Stability of the Economy and Financial System

When asked by journalists after the Government session what if the Law on the Procedure of Extraordinary Administration in Companies of Systemic Importance for the Republic of Croatia fails, Marić replied that the basic intention of the law and all Government efforts is to preserve the stability of the economy, financial system, and society.

“One should always analyze all scenarios, but at this moment I believe that things have started to move in a better direction. Nevertheless, a certain calmness and stability are occurring,” said Marić, highlighting the news related to new liquidity in the system itself, which, as he stated, is very necessary in this short term to settle both suppliers and employees.

>>>Ante Ramljak: A loan of 80 million euros for Agrokor has been agreed with five domestic banks

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced at the beginning of the Government session that an agreement with banks on a loan of 80 million euros is being signed today.

When asked whether previous Governments could have reacted regarding Agrokor, Marić stated that as the Minister of Finance, he must be open but also responsible with his statements. “Someone who is not a state official can easily respond to that, but I, as the Minister of Finance, believe that I must be open but also responsible with my statements,” he said.

He assessed that this is a complex matter and that one should not overlook the fact that it involves “60 thousand, just in Croatia about 40 thousand employees, about a large system that contributes significantly to economic prosperity, the state budget, and everything together.”

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Marić did not want to comment on whether the political fate of this Government is entirely tied to the fate of Agrokor. “You know that I am not very skilled in these political matters to give a coherent comment on that,” he replied.

The Case of ‘S-300 Missiles’

The Finance Minister also responded to journalists that he is not familiar with the case of the S-300 missiles that the Russians delivered to Croatia during the Homeland War.

“I am not really familiar with this case, but as we discussed regarding defense, the last week of April will see the publication of Eurostat data for all member countries, so you will see what we have managed to achieve in the field of public finances. I believe we should continue in that direction, as we have clearly shown that long-term negative trends can be reversed in a short time. Accordingly, you can expect that we will continue to conduct budgetary and fiscal policy along that line,” said Marić.

>>>Plenković: The Government reacted timely and effectively; in another scenario, Agrokor might have been in bankruptcy proceedings

He added that there are certain challenges and appetites and that defense is one of those segments. “We must not overlook global elements, all the challenges we face, but at the same time, we have our own limitations. In all of this, careful and successful balancing is required,” concluded the Finance Minister.