At the traditional gathering of Croatian exported, apart from the host, President of HBOR Managing Board Vladimir Kristijan, and Deputy Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Joško Klisović, remarks were also delivered by Prime Minister Zoran Milanović and Deputy PM for Economy Branko Grčić.
In his address, Klisović said that the previous year was important and successful for everyone involved in promoting and increasing Croatia’s export. The exporters have proven that not only is Croatia’s export the most resilient, healthiest and most competitive segment of our economy, but that by joining forces with the government they can do a lot in a short period of time to strengthen and affirm it, Klisović said, presenting four arguments for it:
Firstly, in the past year there has been a profound change in the public’s approach to export. Export has asserted itself with its results as the biggest hope and the strongest catalyst of recovery.
Secondly, in the meantime, the 2014-2015 Export Support Action Plan has been drawn up and is being implemented. It is a comprehensive and achievable plan aimed at building a permanent platform for full institutional support to export. Klisović outlined its results thus far and familiarizes the exporters with the benefits it brought.
Thirdly, Klisović presented the guidelines of the economic diplomacy system and the results achieved since its inception. Some 1400 Croatian exporters have so far requested and received the economic diplomacy’s support and have been offered more than 3500 services on 111 markets as well as information about export opportunities.
Fourthly, this year the export has marked an increase of 9.6%, with a 2% decline in the trade deficit and a 4% export-import coverage.
After presenting these arguments, Klisović said that the real work had only begun, alluding to the structural problems that have been plaguing Croatia’s economy for the past 25 years. Nevertheless, foundations were laid in the past year for a long-term construction of a healthy economy and prosperity. The government’s institutions will continue to put forth their best efforts in partnership with the exporters to turn the aforementioned positive results into lasting trends.