Milanović at Lider’s Exporters Club ‘hit’ on everything: tourism, exports, epidemic, economic diplomacy

President Zoran Milanović addressed the gathered exporters at Lider’s Exporters Club, initially congratulating them on the esteemed event that has left a mark in the Croatian economic dialogue and raised awareness that exports are important. He stated that he had a designated topic which was The Role of Exports in Economic Growth and Recovery – what awaits us, but that he would not strictly adhere to that topic. 

– The WHO has recently published studies stating that those who are asymptomatic are not contagious, which, if this information is true, indicates that all of this has been in vain and harmful and that we have closed the entire world for no reason. But we have overcome a difficult period and that is something positive – Milanović said in his opening remarks.

He reflected on the period when he took power as Prime Minister, stating that he encountered a difficult financial situation, which was long-term and systemic, and that the deficit was EIGHT billion kuna.

– Not a single indicator was good back then – Milanović said, adding that that crisis lasted several years while the current one has lasted only a few months. Today, all countries are focused on exports and positive balances.

– Today the focus is on goods rather than services, and we are frustratingly weak in this area. No government has done what it should have, and the data showing that import coverage by exports is 60 percent is very poor – Milanović added. He mentioned that it is fortunate that tourism exists in Croatia and that we manage to export more through services than we manage to ‘mess up’ through goods exports. 

– What is encouraging is the EU stimulus of 750 billion euros, but we must prove our case, we need arguments to obtain it – Milanović added, stating that a difficult year awaits us because we depend too much on the tourism industry.

Tourism is a blessing but also a curse, and we only use it as a comparative advantage. We must also be careful not to overly rely on one ‘pillar’ while neglecting others – he said, referring to excessive dependence on tourism.

President Milanović also commented on economic diplomacy, whose influence needs to be greater.

– Personally, the president cannot do much. A pilgrimage to other countries must be carried out, but how many real deals are made there – few – Milanović said. In conclusion, he stated that as president he will do everything he can for Croatian exports, which have flourished since joining the EU.

– It is good that we are in the EU because without its criteria we would never have reformed the economy to be functional. The only path for Croatia is openness, and the EU is here to offer us unlimited opportunities for those who want and are willing, because there is money in the EU – concluded President Milanović.

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