The government on Thursday adopted an investment plan for 2014 which includes large-scale investments, amounting to as much as HRK 73.1 billion.
Investments from the state budget in 2014 should amount to HRK 7.2 billion, those made by public companies HRK 13.7 billion, while the private sector is expected to invest HRK 52.2 billion.
This year, investments are expected to reach HRK 66.6 billion, of which HRK 5.2 are from the state budget.
Next year, the government expect a 1.3% GDP growth and according to Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Branko Grcic, the growth will primarily be based on further strengthening of investment activities in the public and particularly in the private sector.
Grcic said that in 2014, investments in the transport sector would amount to approximately HRK 8 billion, energy HRK 3 billion, while investment made by the Croatian water supply company "Hrvatske Vode" are estimated at HRK 1.5 billion. The Croatian forest company "Hrvatske Sume" plans to invest half a billion kuna, the same as the Environmental Protection Fund.
Grcic also presented a number of measures by which the state is helping the private sector, including monitoring and directly assisting projects. The minister said that the Agency for Investment and Competitiveness was currently actively monitoring 86 projects, worth EUR 7 billion, adding that these projects would create 10,000 jobs.
These measures are aimed at removing barriers to private investments and strengthen the business climate. Grcic some of the measures include reduction of parafiscal levies by a total of HRK 375 million.
The minister announced the continuation of privatisation of state-owned companies, such as the artificial fertiliser producer Petrokemija, the Official Gazette, Club Adriatica etc. and the state expect to make between 3 and 3.5 billion kuna next year from the sale of those companies.
(Hina)
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