Croatia’s national development strategy sent to parliament for discussion

(National Development Strategy 2030)

ZAGREB, 14 January (Hina) – At its meeting on Thursday, the Croatian government adopted a proposal for a national development strategy until 2030 and sent it to parliament for discussion.

The Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, Nataša Tramišak, said that the national development strategy was the hierarchically highest act of strategic planning in the country and that its purpose was to ensure long-term targeting of public policies for social and economic development.

“The implementation of the national development strategy will ensure sustainable and stable development of Croatia and increase the quality of life for all our citizens,” Tramišak said.

The strategy has been developed with the participation of experts, socially relevant partners and all government departments. It was unveiled by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and his ministers on 12 November 2020, after which it was put to public consultation for 30 days. It was adopted by the steering committee on Wednesday, the minister said.

Prime Minister Plenković thanked everyone who had participated in the development of the strategy in the last three years, saying that it was a very good document that would serve as a basis for the development of the country in the decade ahead.

During the presentation of the strategy in November, Plenković said that ten years from now he saw Croatia as a competitive, innovative and stable country of recognisable identity and culture, with preserved resources, good living standards and equal opportunities for all.

The document lists 13 goals: a competitive and innovative economy; educated and employed people; an efficient judiciary, public administration and state property management; global recognisability and a stronger international position and role of Croatia; healthy, active and high-quality life of citizens; demographic revitalisation and a better status of family; security for stable development; ecological and energy transition to climate neutrality; self-sufficiency of food production and development of a bioeconomy; sustainable mobility, digital transition of society and the economy; development of assisted areas and areas with development particularities; and greater regional competitiveness.

One of the targets is for GDP per capita to reach 75% of the EU average by 2030, up from the 65% in 2019. The employment rate should reach 75% (66.7% in 2019), and Croatia should rank 45th or higher on the Global Competitiveness Index (63rd in 2019).