Six bilateral and multilateral chambers of commerce, business associations and foreign trade offices met with State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development Nataša Mikuš Žigman to discuss the business and investment climate and the Croatian Government's plans to improve the business environment.

“Over the recent days, we have been witnessing positive figures: Croatian GDP has grown by 16.1% in the 2nd quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020; more importantly, the GDP level is only 0.7% below the 2nd quarter of 2019. The main factor contributing to increased GDP is certainly the component of consumption which grew by 18.4% on the annual level. Export has recorded real growth of 35.3%, which is 20% higher than the 2nd quarter of 2019; investment grew by 18.3% in comparison to 2019.” said Mikuš Žigman and added that we have to be aware that the pandemic is not over and we still need to exercise caution in each and every respect, and carefully balance the measures to preserve good economic results, and at the same time health of our population.

“In the coming period, we are planning to address a number of structural issues that should enable us to create conditions for long-term economic growth. This includes improvement of the business climate, digitalisation of administrative processes, and investment in productive economy in line with the green and digital agenda. The available EU funding represents a great opportunity for implementing structural reforms and providing the necessary fiscal stimulus to the private sector. The Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development plans to use 17 bln kunas under the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience, and additional 20 bln from the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-27, for investments into green, digital and circular economy, energy efficiency and water management. In addition to investments, the Ministry will continue implementing structural reforms to improve business and investment climate in Croatia.” concluded Mikuš Žigman.

Six business organizations:

• American Chamber of Commerce in Croatia
• ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA - Austrian Trade Commission
• Canadian-Croatian Business Network
• German-Croatian Chamber of Industry and Commerce
• Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Croatia
• Italian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce

represent more than 1,000 active companies employing more than 150,000 people in Croatia, and are the common voice of investors from countries that account for more than a third of total foreign direct investment in Croatia and cooperate on business and investment climate in Croatia.