Business Sector Must Have a Role in Withdrawing EU Funds

Our CEO Natko Vlahovic once again provided Lider magazine with an insightful take, this time on the €22 billion of EU funds available to Croatia and the implications it might have on the business sector.

In July, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic returned from Brussels with a win. He managed to secure a larger package for Croatia in the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027. That is a significant success, but an even bigger task lies ahead. The new Croatian Government now has to draft a National Development Strategy and a recovery instrument that will pave the way for the absorption of the €22 billion.

It is crucial for the business sector, especially business associations, to show more proactivity in participating in the entire drafting process. Their input can steer the Government in a direction that will generate more added value and boost the economy as a whole. EU funds from the previous MFF went predominantly to the public sector and large infrastructure projects, now is the time for a shift in that paradigm.

All key stakeholders are now more experienced and have a deeper knowledge of EU mechanisms, the €22 billion are there for the taking and we need a more coherent approach of all actors involved in the process.

Read the entire article in Croatian: Natko Vlahovic_Lider