The aim of the event was to strengthen communication between the public and private sectors with a view to making the Istrian economy more competitive.
Deputy Prime Minister Damir Polancec said Croatia had two strategic economic goals - achieving above-average economic growth rates and reducing unemployment to an acceptable level.
He said the fact that last year's unemployment rate in Istria was below eight per cent was impressive given that national unemployment was an excessive 11.7%, although the lowest in the past nine years. He voiced hope that unemployment would fall far below 11.5% by the end of the year.
Polancec said there was no alternative to balanced national development and that the government would continue to support profitable projects in Istria, which he said was at the forefront of Croatia's economic development.
President Mesic said Istria was the Croatian region economically closest to Europe and the one that understood best the Europe of regions.
Croatia is very interested in joining the Europe that is uniting, but to keep its national interests Croatia must enter Europe well prepared, said Mesic.
Faster economic development calls for activating the economy and upgrading education and science, and this generation can certainly achieve that, he said, adding that Istria had done the most to Europeanise this region.
County prefect Ivan Jakovcic said 70% of Istria's revenue came from manufacturing, tourism and trade.