ZAGREB, February 9, 2019 - Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković said on Friday that he hoped that negotiations between the government, DIV owner Tomislav Debeljak and partners will result in a solution that will salvage and secure long-term sustainability of the Uljanik and 3. Maj shipyards and competitiveness on the international market.
"The government and the responsible ministry have invested a lot of effort for that process to head in a positive direction. Unfortunately, the shipyards have been generating huge losses for decades. We are talking about tens of billions that went into subsidies which in the end didn't prove to be good. Now Debeljak's DIV, together with Fincantieri as a partner, has come forward in an attempt to pull Uljanik and 3. Maj out of crisis," Jandroković told reporters.
We would all like a solution to be found that will secure long-term sustainability of the shipyards, competitiveness on the international market, so that they no longer generate losses and that, apart from the guarantees that the state took on in the past period, there are no more costs for our taxpayers, Jandroković said.
He described as absolutely understandable Debeljak's stance that he isn't prepared to financially settle what happened previously, but invest in what will be in the future. "He can't be responsible for what occurred previously. The state issued guarantees and stands behind them and has to cover them, but the final arrangement will be negotiated. It is normal that Debeljak and his partners are giving their private money and will see to every kuna, which is a logical demand of his, but the state will protect its interests too," Jandroković said.
It is obvious that interest in Croatian shipyards exists as several interested companies have come forward that see prospects in them. Therefore, there is reason for optimism and I hope that these expectations are realistic, Jandroković said.
He underscored that it wasn't realistic for taxpayers to pay for the cost of restructuring, amounting to 10 billion kuna. "Taxpayers have taken on significant obligations through state guarantees over the past 20 years and let's leave the final outcome of the negotiations to the relevant minister, shipyards' managements and potential strategic partners," he added.
More news on the Uljanik shipyard can be found in the Business section.
