In the second quarter of 2018, the Croatian economy went up 2.9% on the year, faster than in Q1, mainly thanks to higher export and consumption, the national statistical office said on Wednesday. This year's Q2 was the 16th quarter in a row that GDP increased. In Q1, GDP went up 2.5% on the year.
According to seasonally adjusted data, GDP in Q2 went up 1.1% over the previous quarter and 2.8% on the year. Croatia's growth, after two quarters, was stronger than the EU28 average, which was 2.2%.
"We can be satisfied also with that," Plenkovic said at the start of his cabinet's meeting in Zagreb, and underlined that Croatia's economy saw positive growth for 16 quarters in row.
He also expressed satisfaction with the growth rates in exports and household consumption. The biggest positive contribution to GDP in Q2 came from higher exports. The export of commodities went up 7.1% and that of services by 4.3%. Thus, the exports rose by 5.6%. The contribution of domestic demand was also positive. Household consumption in Q2 went up 3.6% on the year.
"We believe that the Q3 will be also good and that these growth projections will be in line with our expectations."
"Any way, this is good and after the most successful tourist season, I believe that we will be satisfied with the third quarter," Plenkovic said.
The search for people who went missing during the 1991-1995 Homeland Defence War continues to be important and Croatia is still looking for 1,508 persons whose destiny has been unknown since the war, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday on the occasion of the International Day of the Disappeared, observed on 30 August.
This is an important issue for Croatia. The government and state authorities have done much to find out what happened with those who disappeared and to find the remains of those who are presumed to be dead, the premier said.
The list of those missing in the war still contains the names of 1,508 persons and the War Veterans' Affairs Ministry and other services, in cooperation with state authorities and international organisations, will continue working on this issue, which is essential for the families whose dearest ones went missing in the war, said Plenkovic.
He once again extended sympathy to the families of 12 volunteer firefighters whose lives were claimed by the Kornati Island wildfire 11 years ago.
Text: Hina