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International cooperation

Croatia Embraces Regional Stock Exchange Integration with EU Support

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Croatian Finance Minister Marko Primorac has been praised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) President Odile Renaud-Basso for the country's initiative on regional stock exchange integration. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of an EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council meeting in Copenhagen. Renaud-Basso welcomed Croatia's role in a memorandum of understanding signed in August by eight central and southeast European countries, aimed at strengthening capital market development. The EBRD has confirmed its readiness to support the implementation of Croatia's Capital Market Development Strategy. Discussions also touched on climate goals, energy-sector investment in Croatia, and affordable housing projects, with the EBRD signaling its willingness to finance such initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Croatia's initiative on regional stock exchange integration has been praised by the EBRD, marking a turning point for regional cooperation and creating a predictable business environment to attract investment.
  • The memorandum signed by eight central and southeast European countries aims to strengthen capital market development, with Croatia playing a key role in its implementation.
  • The EBRD is willing to support the implementation of Croatia's Capital Market Development Strategy and finance affordable housing projects in the country.
  • Discussions with the EBRD President included climate goals and energy-sector investment in Croatia, with a focus on creating a favorable business environment.
  • The EBRD has invested around €5.05 billion in 272 public and private projects in Croatia since 1993, with 69% of its portfolio in the private sector.
  • The EBRD has new instruments that blend EBRD funds with EU funds for priority projects, which Croatia is set to examine within the current and upcoming EU budget cycles.
  • The EBRD President outlined the new instruments that Croatia will explore to support priority projects in the country.

Statistics:

  • €5.05 billion: the amount EBRD has invested in 272 public and private projects in Croatia since 1993.
  • 69%: the proportion of the EBRD's portfolio in Croatia that is in the private sector.
  • 8: the number of central and southeast European countries that have signed the memorandum of understanding on regional stock exchange integration.
  • 1993: the year the EBRD began investing in Croatia, with a focus on supporting economic development in the country.

Sources:

  • Hina (19 September [no date mentioned])
  • European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (no specific date or publication mentioned)

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