The World Bank Vice President for Europe and Central Asia, Cyril Muller, on Friday held talks with Croatia's top officials on the continuation of strategic partnership between this financial institution and Croatia, with Muller expressing satisfaction with Croatia's economic recovery, the World Bank said in a press release.
Discussions with President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Finance Minister Zdravko Maric, “focused on the preparation of the World Bank Group Country Strategy 2019-2024 and how the World Bank can help the country achieve sustainable and inclusive growth for all citizens,” reads the press release issued by the World Bank.
“We are encouraged by Croatia’s economic recovery and progress on fiscal consolidation and debt reduction,” Muller was quoted as saying.
“We look forward to preparing the Country Strategy for 2019-2024 with the Government of Croatia, and supporting the implementation of the National Reform Program.”
“The Country Strategy will also have a special focus on creating opportunities in the poorer regions and for the most vulnerable people of Croatia. Increasing productivity and competitiveness, deepening technology adoption and innovation, and investing in people will help Croatia increase its growth potential and the living standards of all Croatians,” Muller said.
WB assistance to Croatia amounts to USD 3.5 bn
Since joining the World Bank Group in 1993, Croatia has benefited from the World Bank’s financial and technical assistance, policy advice, and analytical services.
To date, the World Bank has supported more than 50 operations amounting to around US$3.5 billion, this international institution stated.
“The Bank’s engagement focuses on transport, health, innovation, business environment, land administration, economic development of the Slavonia region, and support for the preparation of the National Development Strategy.”
A press release issued by the Office of the Croatian President reads that the talks with the bank’s delegation revolved around the current economic topics and potentials for Croatia’s growth, with an emphasis placed on demographic trends.
Government satisfied with cooperation with WB
PM Plenkovic on Friday received the World Bank’s Vice President Muller for talks on cooperation and thanked the institution for its support to Croatia’s economic and social development, the Croatian government said in a press release.
The World Bank actively contributes to Croatia’s goals such as growing employment and the strengthening of growth of the overall national economy through support to the implementation of reforms, primarily in the fields of science and education, judiciary, public healthcare system, social welfare system, water management and transport, Plenkovic said, elaborating that in the transport sector, the refinancing of loans resulted in considerable savings in the state budget, which was conducive to Croatia’s efforts to exit the Excessive Deficit Procedure and accomplish a budget surplus.
Expressing satisfaction with the cooperation between Croatia and the Bank, the Prime Minister pointed out the great potential for upgrading this cooperation, particularly in making Croatia’s economy more competitive and easing conditions for doing business in the country as well well as encouraging further growth.
Vice President Muller expressed the World Bank’s readiness to be engaged more actively in Croatia’s development and to retain the position of one of the most renowned international development institutions operating in Croatia.
He described the World Bank as a significant source of financing and a catalyst of reform in Croatia since the 1990s.
