- Published: 04.09.2019.
PM satisfied with pace of Slavonia, Baranja, Srijem Project
Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Tuesday he was pleased with the pace at which the Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem Project was being implemented, adding that of the HRK 18.75 billion Croatia had at its disposal from EU funds, 11 billion had been contracted and 4 billion paid from 18 October 2016 to 23 August 2019.
"That's almost 57% of the allocation that was contracted (and) 25% of the allocation has been paid out. I think that's a very good signal. Progress is evident," Plenkovic said at the 9th meeting of the Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem Council in Orahovica, attended by government ministers and World Bank officials.
The project was launched to set aside said amount only for projects in the Slavonia region's five counties. The funds from existing operational programmes and the Rural Development Programme in the 2014-20 financial framework are intended for investing in enterprise, agriculture, education, healthcare, research and development, water supply and drainage, the cultural and natural heritage, transport, inland navigation routes and energy.
"Our government has made it clear that we want a balanced development of Croatia ... and that we must make the maximum efforts so that all our fellow citizens can feel the development momentum made possible by EU membership, first and foremost through project realisation," Plenkovic said.
All the activities are aimed at contributing to job creation and to keeping people in Slavonia, he said, recalling the government's decision to grant permits for hydrocarbon exploitation in western Slavonia, which he said would enable economic development if exploration proved successful.
We will do our best, through numerous bills and new budget mechanisms, to facilitate a balanced development of the country, notably the Slavonia region, the prime minister said.
He said the Slavonia, Baranja and Srijem Council facilitated dialogue and project realisation with a view to attracting investment, increasing employment, improving living standards and contributing to the region's demographic revival.
Text: Hina