At the ceremonial session of the County Assembly at the Croatian National Theatre in Split, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković warmly congratulated all its residents on the Day of the Split-Dalmatia County and the feast of Saint Jerome. He pointed out that this county is one of the most economically powerful in our country, but also a major cultural, university, sports and tourist centre of Croatia.
Referring to the results of the local elections in this county in his speech, he expressed satisfaction with the continued quality cooperation between the Government and local leaders for the benefit of all Split-Dalmatia cities and municipalities.
On that occasion, he recalled that throughout Croatia, as many as 83 percent of local and regional self-government units remained of the same political color, emphasizing that this testifies to how much the policy of balanced regional development has influenced the concrete development of all parts of the country.
Split hosts the European University Games
In his speech, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the Agreement on Co-financing the Costs of Construction and equipping the sports center in Vučevica, whereby the Government expresses strong support for the European University Games, which will be held in Split in 2028, as well as additional agreements for the modernization of a large Croatian firefighting training center.
On the eve of the ceremonial session, contracts for the INEREP (Interborder Emergency Response Enhancement Project) and the Split Clinical Hospital Data Storage and Analysis Center were also awarded.
The Prime Minister stressed that Split and the Split-Dalmatia County are contributing to Croatia's great economic momentum. He recalled that our country achieved growth of 3,9 percent last year, which is the second highest GDP growth in the European Union. He added that the Government expects growth of around 3,2 percent this year.
He also highlighted the high level of trust foreign investors have in Croatia, recalling that the investment rating by all three global agencies is at level A. He particularly expressed satisfaction that 10 billion of Croatian savings have been mobilized through 16 issues of government securities. They have so far received 313 million euros in interest, he added.
Record employment and all-time low unemployment. Growth in wages and pensions
He also highlighted the record employment in our country and the lowest unemployment rate ever. He said that when he became Prime Minister, there was one unemployed person for every four employed people. Today, that ratio is one unemployed person for every 24 employed people.
The Prime Minister also addressed the growth of salaries and pensions. The average salary nine years ago was 749 euros, and today it is 1437 euros, while the total pension was 357 euros, and now it is around 650 euros. "With the annual supplement, the average pension will exceed 700 euros at the beginning of next year," he added.
He also mentioned a new aid package, worth 175 million euros, with which the Government continues to support Croatian citizens and the economy, especially those most vulnerable.
He described the entry into the Schengen area and the eurozone during the previous government's term as key achievements at the international level, saying that our country is also awaiting entry into the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which, he said, will complete 35 years of Croatia's positioning on the international and European scene.
Split-Dalmatia County contributed to another tourist season
The Prime Minister pointed out that Croatia is among the 38 advanced economies in the world and is in the top 20 global tourist destinations, thanking the Split-Dalmatia County employees who have greatly contributed to another record-breaking tourist season. He added that the Split-Dalmatia County achieved over 3,7 million arrivals and almost 20 million overnight stays.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister highlighted the high-quality dialogue between local leaders and the Government, as well as the progress in fiscal and functional decentralization in the last nine years. For example, he stated that the Split-Dalmatia County increased its income from taxes and fiscal equalization from 24 million to 74 million.
He also said that the Government has decided to increase funds to 800 million euros from the ITU mechanism (integrated territorial investments), which are directly intended for cities that are county seats.
He stressed that the Government is also taking care of the Croatian islands, mentioning that 35 million euros have been allocated for projects on the islands in Split-Dalmatia County. He said that Minister Mikuš Žigman will also address the needs of the Dalmatian hinterland in order to help this region realize its great potential for growth and development.
The Prime Minister also mentioned the new Regional Development Act, which will establish the Council for Adriatic Croatia, explaining that this is a body that will provide additional momentum in defining joint projects in the coastal part of Croatia.
The importance of improving road infrastructure
He also recalled the large investments in general-purpose ports, as well as fishing ports, which followed the so-called policy of renaissance of the Croatian coast. He also mentioned investments in other transport infrastructure, highlighting Split Airport.
He stressed that the most important thing for the Split-Dalmatia County is to improve road infrastructure, saying that this is an absolute priority for the Ministry of Transport and Croatian Roads. He praised the progress made in breaking through the Kozijak tunnel, and mentioned the large project of connecting Trogir and Omiš, which would relieve the city of Split.
He also reminded that the Government has declared the Maksimir and Poljud stadiums as sports facilities of national interest.
He pointed out that the Split-Dalmatia County is one of the economically strongest counties in our country, but also a major cultural, university and sports center of Croatia.
The government is providing maximum assistance to all regions of Croatia
He emphasized that the Government pursues an open-door policy and provides maximum assistance to all regions of Croatia, especially when it comes to large projects that change environments and improve the quality of life.
Finally, the Prime Minister congratulated all the laureates and winners of county awards and said that the Government strongly supports Dalmatia and Split.
Photo: Ivan Topić
