The manifesto will be based on the programme prepared by Germany’s Ifo Institute.
If HDZ forms the new government, it will demand from their partners to exclusively implement its economic programme, based on a study prepared by Germany’s Ifo Institute, which is being updated by HDZ vice president Ivana Maletić, who is also the head of the working group for drafting of electoral manifesto, reports Jutarnji List on July 18, 2016.
The main points of the document relate to improving the business environment, strengthening of small and medium enterprises and exporters, the revival of agriculture, measures for youth employment, healthcare reform through better organization of hospital network, reform of the pension system to enable younger pensioners to return to the labour market, the activation of unused state property, changing the tax system, and connecting education and science with the labour market.
The manifesto has not yet been completed, but some details are known. HDZ wants to help small and medium sized enterprises through the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, but also through EU funds. They also want to encourage exports by strengthening measures for the opening towards international markets. The manifesto also includes aid to farmers, by the activation of agricultural land, encouraging domestic production and the irrigation of certain areas.
“We want to re-industrialize the country and encourage important industries, such as food, wood, pharmaceutics, and metallurgy. In the long term, through the education system we want to create conditions for stronger development of ICT. The plan is for domestic companies to better connect with the common market of the European Union”, says a source from HDZ.
The economic manifesto of HDZ is based on measures that will be important for stimulating the economy, and it defines key decision that Croatia should make in order to attempt to solve its long-term imbalances. The manifesto puts an emphasis on science, education and innovation. An important segment is the continuation of the curricular reform.
One other important point of the programme will be to solve problems with property and ownership issues, which are an obstacle to investments and other projects, as well as activation of unused capital through an enormous amount of state property which Croatia has in its possession. They want to put the abandoned agricultural land to use, as well as military installations. The changes will also be aimed at reducing the tax burden on both citizens and entrepreneurs.
