An important vote of confidence for the new Croatian PM designate.
Tihomir Orešković, new Croatian Prime Minister-Designate is an enigma to the general public, but in business circles he is well known as a former head of the biggest Croatian pharmaceutical company Pliva. In July 2014, Orešković took over responsibility for European financial operations of Teva, which is Pliva’s parent company, while in April 2015 he was appointed chief financial officer of Teva’s global generics business, reports Index.hr on December 25, 2015.
Davor Majetić, director of the Croatian Employers’ Association, is pleased with the future Prime Minister. He says that he is a person with a proven track record, but also warned that quality of ministers is important for the results of a government. “Mr. Orešković is a successful businessman with a proven track record in his career. Since the ending of the economic crisis and creating a favourable climate for business and investments should be one of the priorities of the future government, we welcome the selection of a person who understands the problems of the Croatian economy. At the same time, it should be remembered that for the success of a government, quality of other important members of the team and a clear vision and operational plan with specific and measurable targets are important. Our Association will be a responsible and constructive social partner to the new government”, Majetić said.
Nenad Bakić, an entrepreneur and one of the most important investors on the Zagreb Stock Exchange, recalled the earlier events in Pliva, before it was taken over by Teva and Orešković. “Let us remember that Pliva, as an independent company, burned a huge capital which it had earned mostly by chance. Much of the capital was ruined by acting as a global player, purchasing yeast factories in Slovakia and smaller pharmaceutical companies in the United States. Significantly weakened, it was bought by Barr, which was later bought by Teva. Teva is now developing significant production facilities at Pliva, and even some of its global competence centres, which brings in strong revenue growth. Therefore, I believe that the appointment of one of the leading managers of very successful Teva is a good decision”, Bakić said.
Entrepreneur Sasa Cvetojević said that Orešković will certainly use the skills he has, but warns that the reforms do not depend solely on the personal capabilities, but also on political support. “Never before have we had a manager of such calibre as Prime Minister. The skills and knowledge that Orešković has will definitely be necessary when he becomes PM. In politics, especially in Croatia, the implementation of measures depends not only on skills, but above all on the political support, and in the case of a broad coalition that could often be in question. Therefore, I think that he can take the necessary measures, provided he obtains political support”, Cvetojević explained.
Branko Roglić, owner of Orbico, compared Orešković with Mario Monti, a former Italian Prime Minister. Monti is an economist who headed the government from 2011 to mid-2013, and helped Italy exit the financial crisis. “Orešković is a global level businessman. We can see him as the Croatian Mario Monti. I expect him to reduce public spending and the number of counties and municipalities, and distribute more money to lower levels of government. Also, it is necessary to restructure public enterprises, announce public tenders for management which will lead them and speed up privatization process. For that, Orešković must have the support of politicians”, Roglić said.
