The government's external debt at the end of 2005 was EUR7.06 billion, which was EUR189.4 million less than at the end of 2004. The government's share in the total external debt thus dropped from 31.8 per cent at the end of 2004 to 27.7 per cent a year later.
Companies and other sectors increased their share in the total external debt from 25.5 per cent to 27.9 per cent. The external debt of companies went up from EUR5.8 billion at the end of 2004 to EUR7.1 billion at the end of 2005.
With 35.2 per cent, banks accounted for the highest share in the total external debt last year. Their debt went up EUR1.3 billion from the end of 2004 to EUR8.99 billion a year later.
Direct investments, which amounted to EUR2.3 billion kuna at the end of last year, had the lowest share with 9.1 per cent.
According to the central bank's projections, EUR6.7 billion of the external debt will be due for payment this year, with interest amounting to EUR492 million.
Banks will have to set aside EUR3.8 billion for that purpose, while the government will have to pay a little over one billion euros, with EUR736.5 million due in the first quarter.