Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković unveiled on Thursday a proposal for the national development strategy until 2030, saying that ten years from now he sees Croatia as a competitive, innovative and stable country of recognisable identity and culture, with preserved resources, good living standards and equal opportunities for all.
In circumstances of globalisation, over the next decade Croatia must use its competitive advantages and focus on sustainable economy and society, on increasing resilience to crises, on a green and digital transition, and balanced regional development, the PM said.
The goals include realising the potential for development, mitigating the consequences of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, promoting sustainable and stable development, improving living standards and ensuring equal opportunities for all people.
Plenković said that ambitious and realistic indicators were developed for all these components. The proposed national development strategy will be put to public consultation over the next 30 days, after which it goes before the government and parliament.
The premier expressed hope that the strategy would be adopted with a broad consensus and support. The 140-page document has been prepared by the government departments and the academic community as well as other interested stakeholders. Plenković recalled that upon the adoption of this strategy by parliament, all other documents should be adjusted to it.
“In 2017, we launched the preparation of the National Development Strategy, which will mark systematic and strategic progress towards a more successful and more developed Croatia in 2030,” Plenković said.
He added that the strategy should be implemented through the synergy of public policies in four development areas.
There are 13 targets contained in the strategy: a competitive and innovative economy, educated and employed people, an efficient judiciary, public administration and state property management, global recognisability, a stronger international position and role, healthy, active and high-quality life of citizens, demographic revitalisation including a better status of family, security for stable development, ecological and energy transition to climate neutrality, self-sufficiency of food production and the development of bio-economy, sustainable mobility, digital transition of society and the economy, the development of underdeveloped areas and areas with development particularities, and greater regional competitiveness.
Speaking of Croatia’s target values by 2030, Regional Development and EU Funds Minister Nataša Tramišak said the target was for GDP per capita to reach 75% of the EU average, up from 65% in 2019.
The target for the employment rate is to reach 75% (66.7% in 2019), for Croatia to rank 45th or higher on the Global Competitiveness Report (63rd in 2019), for exports to account for 70% of GDP (52.3% in 2019), and for outlays for research and development to account for 3% of GDP (1.11% in 2019).
