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TUHELJSKE TOPLICE, 21 February 2007

Towards EU funds through linking developmental agencies

The first conference of developmental institutions in Croatia has shown that Croatia needs a stronger regional development in order to successfully use foreign funds and adjust to EU standards. The two-day conference gathered more than 100 national and foreign participants, who analyzed the current situation of the developmental institutions in Croatia, support they could get for their activities as well as options of establishing long-term cooperation between all developmental institutions in the country.

Representatives of all six regional developmental agencies showed that the greatest problems they face are insufficient training in drafting projects to be financed from EU funds, and inadequate communication with public administration bodies which would provide timely information on EU public tenders and funds.  

„USAID can assist developmental agencies by attracting foreign investors, developing business zones and local guarantee schemes, and by organizing seminars and trainings for entrepreneurs," said Damir Novinic, Regional Director of USAID's Enhancing SME's performance project „Poduzetna Hrvatska". 

The conference was opened with key notes by Brad Wallach, Director of USAID Office for Economy Reforms USAID, Alessandro Fracassetti, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Croatia and Božica Lapić, Deputy Head of Agency for the Promotion of Export and Investments (APIU).

 

(foto: Ivan Kovačić, Zagorski list)

 

„Investing in the regional development is very important, if we take into consideration that in Croatia, there still exist great developmental differences in the regions. UNDP can assist local and regional community in their preparation for European funds by strengthening their capacities of absorption of EU funds," emphasized Fracassetti.

In order to better attract EU funds, it is necessary to gather agencies at the level of several counties and found a state office which would, in one place, unify information on all developmental agencies in Croatia, concluded Conference participants. 

The Conference was jointly organized by USAID – Poduzetna Hrvatska, UNDP and APIU.


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