The strategy was adopted by the Croatian government last November and by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors last December.
The strategy was presented today to representatives of the public, economic and civil sectors from Zagreb and other counties. Consultations of this kind help the World Bank compare its position to that of Croatian citizens and adjust the strategy to Croatia's needs.
Apart from Zagreb, regional consultations will also be held in Osijek, Cakovec, Knin and Split.
The strategy is defined in cooperation with the Croatian government and is based on its priorities, as well as on the results of consultations, Martinez said.
The World Bank mission in Croatia is oriented towards the growth of living standards in all regions, which requires stronger growth generators. So far, the main growth generators have been public investments and consumption growth, but the World Bank has been trying to make private investments and production growth the main growth generators, Martinez said.
Compared to countries which joined the EU last year, Croatia lags behind in reforms, Martinez said, adding that this referred to the restructuring of companies, privatisation of big public companies, reform of the public administration and the judiciary, reform of the education system, etc.
Fifty percent of the 1.5 billion dollars of possible loans would be granted for management and fiscal consolidation, 18 percent for social sectors, 17 percent for environmental protection, eight percent for agriculture and regional development, and seven percent for infrastructure.
World Bank assistance instruments will be programme adjustment loans (PAL), investments loans, and sector loans.
So far, the World Bank has granted a loan for socially vulnerable categories, agreement has been reached on a project for social and economic progress, and loans for social care, science and technology are expected to be approved.
Participants in today's consultations were also informed about World Bank assistance in priority issues that were mentioned during last year's consultations, such as the need to modernise the education system, make the public administration, the social care system and the judiciary more efficient, and remove regional development differences.