Croatian Prime Minister is in Riga where he is attending the summit between Central and Eastern European countries and China.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković met on Saturday in Riga with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang. They said that the memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of ports and industrial parks at ports, which the two countries will sign during the day, was a good framework for possible investments of China in Croatia, reports Jutarnji List on November 5, 2016.
Speaking after the meeting, which was held on the sidelines of the 5th summit of heads of governments of Central and Eastern European countries and China, Plenković expressed satisfaction with the talks with Chinese Prime Minister which covered the topics of political and economic relations between the two countries and investment opportunities in Croatia. The memorandum of understanding will be signed during the day by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Martina Dalić.
“We think this is a good framework for possible investment of China in Croatia. This is particularly important with regard to the Croatian initiative of the three seas (the Baltic, Adriatic and Black Seas). We want to open up opportunities for economic cooperation and this is particularly important in the context of starting direct air links between China and Croatia, which would allow greater inflow of Chinese tourists to Croatia”, said Plenković.
China has over 1.3 billion inhabitants, and annual trade with Croatia is valued at one billion dollars. Plenković said that the trade exchange should be increased. “Of course, our framework for cooperation is determined by relations between the European Union and China. So, it is a strategic partnership, and it is certain that all of our export-oriented companies will have room to find ways to sell their products to the large Chinese market”, added Plenković.
The bilateral meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang was one of Plenković’s first official meetings after he became Croatian Prime Minister. It was held during the summit of heads of governments of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and China. Plenković will have several additional bilateral meetings while in Riga.
Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Martina Dalić held a meeting with several representatives of Chinese companies that have expressed interest in investing in infrastructure projects in Croatia.
