Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic opened the 23rd Zagorje Business Exhibition in Krapina on Thursday, saying the results were visible and the best years were ahead of Croatia.
A total of 268 exhibitors from Croatia, Slovenia and Hungary are taking part in the event, the largest number so far.
Milanovic said "things are getting better, the economy is progressing." He recalled that Croatia had economic growth in 2006 and 2007 but "based on spending the money of others and buying the goods of others".
The PM said he was pleased with the latest indicators. "In their foundation is something old which we had many years ago - production, creation, a striving for enhancement and progress, competing with the best, with Western Europe. Modern Croats are creative and don't pass their problems onto others."
Milanovic said the Zagorje region and northern Croatia were moving forward and growing, that Dalmatia and the coast had better services and earned more because of good investments, but that in Slavonia and eastern Croatia it was harder and that this called for solidarity.
"A year has passed and the results are visible. We are moving forward and the best years are ahead of us as a nation and community of 4.5 million people. In order to be successful, a small community must be open, curious and turn to the world," he said, adding that Croatia would have to enter the euro area one day, but when this suited it.
The three-day Zagorje Business Exhibition is being held under the auspices of the Entrepreneurship and Crafts Ministry and the Economy Ministry.
Text: Hina
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