Productivity and Private Investment Key to Croatia’s Long-Term Growth

Achieving this requires practical, coordinated solutions: greater investment in technology and innovation; stronger alignment between education and labor market needs; and reskilling and upskilling for a changing economy. It also requires improved access to finance for businesses, especially small companies, and a more predictable business environment supported by simpler regulation, stronger institutions, and more effective public administration.

A further priority is mobilizing private capital into sectors with strong potential for long-term value creation, including energy, logistics, advanced manufacturing, and digital services. This would support higher-value growth and better jobs across the country.

“After a decade focused on strengthening resilience and macroeconomic stability, Croatia is now poised to launch a new wave of productivity growth that will help it converge with the European Union’s most advanced economies. The Government remains firmly committed to implementing reforms and further strengthening Croatia’s competitiveness through responsible public financial management. This is the best way to continue building an economic and regulatory framework that supports private initiative and investment,” said Tomislav Ćorić, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Finance.

“The foundations for Croatia’s next growth chapter are already in place. The key challenge now is accelerating productivity through investment in innovation, technology, and people, while ensuring a predictable and efficient business environment that gives companies the confidence to invest, grow, and create higher-value jobs,” said Andrea Doko Jelušić, Executive Director, AmCham Croatia. 

“The gains Croatia has made are significant and should be celebrated. The next challenge is turning that progress into lasting competitiveness by raising productivity, investing in skills, enabling businesses to innovate and grow, and expanding access to better jobs.” said Anna Akhalkatsi, World Bank Division Director for EU Countries. 

“Over the past several years, Croatia has made significant progress. For long-term competitiveness, it is essential to strengthen productivity and position the country more strongly in international markets. This requires faster adoption of advanced technologies, continuous investment in knowledge, and closer cooperation between the public and private sectors. It is precisely in this joint effort that I see the greatest potential for sustainable economic growth,” said Siniša Krajnović, President of the Management Board of Ericsson Nikola Tesla.
 
“Investments in digitalization, automation, and new technologies are a necessity today, but technology alone does not create competitiveness. The real difference is made by people who know how to adapt processes, make quick decisions, and turn innovation into real value for consumers. Large companies, including Atlantic Grupa, over time develop a certain organizational inertia because of their size, which is why investments in people, innovation, and technology are essential if we are to remain agile and achieve a new wave of development,” said Neven Vranković, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Atlantic Grupa.

To advance these priorities, AmCham Croatia and the World Bank Group Croatia Office co-organized the conference, Boosting Competitiveness Through Private Investment to help turn analysis into action by aligning public policy, business priorities, and international expertise around reforms and investments that can boost competitiveness, attract higher-value investment, and create better jobs in Croatia. The event brought together government officials, business leaders, international financial institutions, investors, development partners, and other key economic stakeholders.