PM Plenkovic: Project Slavonia one of key government goals

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Friday opened the 22nd international fair of the economy, trades and crafts and agriculture Viroexpo 2017, saying it fit into one of the government's key goals, work on Project Slavonia.

He said two ministers from Slavonia, Tomislav Tolusic and Gabrijela Zalac, had the permanent job to combine the development of agriculture, rural and regional development, the road infrastructure, small and medium enterprise, and the demographic revival by combing the funds in the state budget and EU funds. "We are talking about EUR 2.5 billion. That's how we will revive and encourage Slavonia, which deserves the government's firm and continuous support."

Viroexpo 2017 has brought together 587 exhibitors from 27 countries. The Czech Republic is the partner country for the second time. The fair closes on Sunday and is expected to attract over 25,000 visitors.

Plenkovic said Viroexpo was a very important fair and was therefore being held under the auspices of four ministries, of agriculture, the economy, enterprise and rural development.

"Such an integral approach can bring results, stop the population drain in Slavonia and increase demographic revival efforts. That's why the government will view Slavonia through the new development index, the new regional aid map, the reduction of regional differences and the new law on assisted areas, which is aimed at producing special programmes for Slavonia's economic recovery."

He said road connections were key for the development of and that one of the government's goals was to increase investment in roads.

Czech Ambassador Vladimir Zavazal said he was pleased that his country was the Viroexpo partner for the second time. The Czech Republic has participated in the fair since 2002 and was the partner country in 2003.

Last year's Croatian-Czech trade was EUR 591 million, the highest to date, also owing to the renewable energy facilities which Czech companies built in Virovitica-Podravina County, he said.

Text: Hina
Photo: VPZ

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