Žalac: The World Bank Presents Operational Program for Recovery and Development of Eastern Croatia

Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Gabrijela Žalac stated on Tuesday that, as part of the ‘Slavonia, Baranja and Western Srijem’ Project, a special regional operational program for the area of Eastern Croatia is planned, which will involve experts from the World Bank in its development.

Organized by the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds and the World Bank, a ‘Discussion on Regional Strategy and Priorities for Engagement (2018-2021) of the World Bank in the Project, Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem’ was held on Tuesday. In the presence of Minister Žalac, local government leaders, and entrepreneurs from the Slavonian counties, representatives of the World Bank presented opportunities for economic and agricultural recovery and development of Slavonia, Baranja, and Srijem to achieve balanced and sustainable development across all regions of Croatia.

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Žalac stated that discussions about this cooperation with the World Bank began last year, as their experts had already collaborated with the relevant Ministries. She explained that within the ‘Slavonia’ Project, a special regional operational program is to be developed from existing national operational programs, which would cover the counties in Eastern Croatia, and funds would be directly allocated based on the priorities of regional and local government units. ‘We want to create a program that would be aimed at the priorities defined by the counties, municipalities, and cities through their development strategies,’ added the minister.

She reported that, through current activities within the ‘Slavonia’ project, contracts worth 4.4 billion kuna have been signed, which is 24 percent of the targeted amount, with which the Ministry is extremely satisfied.

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Osijek-Baranja County Prefect Ivan Anušić assessed that the World Bank can greatly assist in the economic development of Slavonia, while Osijek Deputy Mayor Žana Gamoš stated that the future of the area is very important for the development of the food industry, information and computer technology, higher quality investments in agriculture and tourism, and faster and greater utilization of EU funds.

In a statement after the workshop, the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds reminded that the Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem Project was initiated to secure 2.5 billion euros (18.75 billion kuna) from EU funds exclusively for projects in the area of five Slavonian counties. Funds for investments in entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, healthcare, research and development, water supply and drainage, cultural and natural heritage, transport sector, internal waterways, and energy are secured within existing operational programs and the Rural Development Program for the financial period 2014-2020, it is stated.