Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Oleg Butkovic said on Monday the European Commission's forecast that Croatia's real GDP would rise by 8.1% this year "was a success that should be highlighted," state agency Hina informed the public.

According to domestic estimates, this year’s growth will be 9%, which means that Croatia should return to the pre-pandemic level next year, he said in Rijeka. Hina did not say why was he in Rijeka.

The Commission’s forecast shows that Croatia’s GDP growth this year is the third highest in the EU, he added.

“The growth generators will be domestic demand, accelerated investment growth, and net foreign demand in 2021 and 2022,” the minister said.

“The upgrade of Croatia’s credit rating to BBB by the Fitch Ratings agency opens wide the possibility of Croatia joining the euro area, which is one of the government’s four strategic goals in this term.”

Butkovic said the credit rating had been decreasing since 2013 and that the incumbent government turned things around “and the rating has continued to grow.”

“This is a mark of recognition for the government’s economic policy and everything we are doing, including political stability, a responsible fiscal policy, and reform implementation,” he added.