Business Spotlight Croatia

Croatia is already functioning as a European Union country, Foreign Affairs and European Integration Minister Gordan Jandrokovic said in parliament on Thursday presenting a plan of legislative activities for the completion of Croatia's accession negotiations with the EU.

Montenegro May Extend Deadline For Croatian IGH

Montenegrin Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry Secretary Zoran Radonjic on Thursday neither confirmed nor denied media reports that the Montenegrin government had extended a deadline for Croatian company Konstruktor to submit bank guarantees for the construction of a motorway in Montenegro.

EBRD To Finance Gas Projects In HR And BiH

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is willing to finance the linking of gas supply systems in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Sarajevo-based BH GAS gas operator said in a statement on Thursday.

Todoric Eyeing Mercator

Last week, the Agrokor food and retailing conglomerate reportedly confirmed its interest to bid for the 35.9-percent stake in the Slovenian Mercator retail chain, its fiercest competitor in the region. It is speculated that the starting price for the stake could be set at some EUR 220 million.

Gisdata Continues To Expand Abroad

Croatian software developer Gisdata Group plans to continue expanding on foreign markets, the company's CEO Boran Loncaric said. Zagreb-based Gisdata has units in Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, Bosnia, Macedonia, and Montenegro. In February last year, Gisdata Group established a subsidiary in Albania.

Gov't Considering Possibility Of Loan Guarantee For Rijeka Shipyard

Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said at a government session on Thursday that the government was considering demands from Rijeka's "3. maj" shipyard for government loan guarantees and that it could make a final decision next week.

Gov't To Stimulate Smes With Hrk 326 Million This Year

The government on Thursday prepared an HRK 326 million package of incentives for small and medium-sized entrepreneurship this year. The package consists of six areas of incentives -- competition and inventions (HRK 108.4 million), entrepreneurial infrastructure (HRK 80.6 million), subventions for interest rates on enterprise loans (HRK 55.5 million), education (nearly HRK 6 million), trades and crafts (HRK 18.7 million) and EU SME projects (HRK 38.7 million)

Tourism Minister Invites Serbians To Spend Their Holidays In HR

Croatian Tourism Minister Damir Bajs on Thursday invited Serbians to spend their summer holidays in Croatia, promising them good service, safety and hospitality. Presenting the Croatian tourist sector at an international fair in Belgrade, Bajs said that the number of Serbian tourists vacationing in Croatia had been on the rise, adding that holidaymakers could expect "value for their money and maximum-quality service".

Josipovic - Urgent Amendments To Artificial Insemination Act Needed

President Ivo Josipovic stated that the Artificial Insemination Act needs to be amended urgently, saying that the current legislative framework increases the health risks for patients. He explained that his demand is the result of his conversations with dissatisfied citizens and the numerous letters he received from patients in need of an artificial insemination procedure.