Business

ZAGREB, April 30, 2020 - Industrial production in Croatia in March 2020 dropped for the fifth consecutive month, sliding by 4.9% from the same month of 2019, and much faster than the month before. According to figures from the national statistical office, industrial output in March dropped by 2.8% from the previous month, while in relation to March 2019 it went down by 4.9%. March was the fifth consecutive month to see a year-on-year decrease in industrial output, with the decline picking up in March as the month before industrial output dropped by 2.1%. The production of durable consumer goods…

ZAGREB, April 30, 2020 - At the end of April there were 158,795 unemployed persons in Croatia, which is 15,300 more than in March and 27,700 more than at the end of April 2019, and this is the first time in the country's more recent history that unemployment has increased in April, the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) has said. This is the first time in Croatia's recent history that unemployment has increased in April on the month and the first time since 2013 that it has increased year on year in that month, the HGK said. It recalled that…

ZAGREB, April 30, 2020 - EU transport ministers on Wednesday discussed the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the transport sector, with emphasis on challenges to arise with the relaxation of restrictions in member-states, the Croatian Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Ministry said. This was the second video-conference of EU transport ministers on the impact of the coronavirus on the transport sector, organised by the Croatian EU presidency. The meeting was chaired by Minister Oleg Butković and it was also attended by European Transport Commissioner Adina Valean. The ministers expressed satisfaction with the measures introduced so far but also underlined the…

The coronavirus pandemic has caused not only a global health crisis but a continually unfolding economic one. Croatia, despite its excellent and stringent anti-epidemic measures, hasn't managed to avoid the tremendous and sudden negative economic impact the virus has had. Owing to that, the Croatian Government came forward with economic measures to help stop the domestic economy from sinking, and Croatian employers have been entitled to numerous benefits owing to its introduction. Just which Croatian employers have received grants from the government, and how much exactly have they been provided with? The issue of transparency is a hot one in…

ZAGREB, April 29, 2020 - Expectations for Croatia's economy sank in April to the lowest level since the European Commission started collecting data, reflecting the pessimism of business people in the European Union and euro area as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The Economic Sentiment Index (ESI) sank in Croatia by 31 points in April compared to March, dropping to 72.3 points, which is its greatest drop and lowest level since the EC started publishing reports on ESI. The lowest ESI has been recorded in all sectors except in construction while the services and retail sectors had the most…

ZAGREB, April 29, 2020 - The government will outline new macroeconomic and budget projections on Thursday, and Finance Minister Zdravko Marić warned on Wednesday that the figures would not be nice due to the consequences of the COVID-19 epidemic. "Unfortunately, this is our reality, those consequences of the coronavirus" Marić said while coming to ta meeting of the inner cabinet in Zagreb. A new national programme of reforms and convergence plan are to be added to the government's agenda on Thursday. Marić today declined to answer questions whether the downward trends would be expressed in double-digit figures. He dismissed reporters'…

ZAGREB, April 29, 2020 - Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in Osijek on Tuesday that the government had adopted a series of quality measures and laws to help the agricultural sector, stressing that the objective is to boost the production of quality food, achieve a decent life and increase employment in rural areas. "In this term in office, we have adopted a string of quality legal solutions, we had a significant budget framework for agriculture, we have implemented quality measures and incentives for farmers, we have absorbed European funds in the context of a debate on a new joint budgetary…

As Barbara Ban/Novac writes on the 28th of April, 2020, regardless of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the popular Istrian city of Porec continued to refurbish part the Porec waterfront, continuing with an investment worth as much as 26 million kuna. Although this is an enormous investment which covers as much as seven thousand square metres in total, which was unfortunately started at the worst possible time - before the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis that has hit the economy of Istria, including that of Porec, the city authorities decided to see the Porec waterfront project through to the end. The…

April 28, 2020 — Private accommodations along the Adriatic may have to ditch their usual post-checkout cleaning practices to continue using online booking services. Gloves may be worn and then tossed, hands washed repeatedly and disinfectant maniacally sprayed. The early days of tourism during the coronavirus era offers new, still-evolving protocols that may slice into profits even in the best of seasons. Hosts and cleaners along the Dalmatian coast suggest they might be shuttled into hibernation, or worse, close up shop. New hygienic protocols, like cleaning recommendations Airbnb released on Monday, are designed to lure travelers by highlighting accommodations' cleanliness.…

ZAGREB, April 28, 2020 - The Union of Autonomous Trade Unions of Croatia (SSSH) is for the first time ever organising an online protest on the occasion of International Workers' Day on May 1 due to the circumstances caused by the coronavirus epidemic which does not allow a large-scale gathering, The e-protest will be organised from 11 to 12 hours this Friday on the Zoom platform and will be carried via social networks. SSSH wishes to send the message that this crisis is an opportunity to clearly say that there is no going back to old ways and that it…