The country's external debt rose by 578 million euros (2.5 percent) from the end of 2004, and banks with a rise of 513 million euros in their debts contributed mostly to that trend.
The debt of domestic companies increased by 369 million euros in the first four months this year.
On the other hand the state cut its debt by 440 million euros in the said period.
According to the central bank, the debt based on direct investments comprising investments in domestic sectors and banks was up by 137 million euros.
HNB analysts stress that the monthly pace of the entire Croatian foreign debt is susceptible to trends in the debt of the banking sector. In January and February, there was a 308-million-euro decrease in banks' debt, but the next two months saw an increase of high 821 million euros, which was mainly the result of drawing funds from short-term loans and long-term deposits.
At the end of April, the banking sector's share in the total foreign debt was 35.1 percent (8.2 billion euros). If direct investments referring to banks are added, the percent is higher, i.e. 36.2 percent (8.4 billion euros).
Companies accounted for 26.5 percent (6.2 billion euros). However, when direct investments in companies are added, the share of companies in Croatia's foreign debt jumps to 34.5 percent (eight billion euros).
The share of the state fell from 31.9 percent at the end of 2004 to 29.2 percent in late April this year, according to the latest HNB quarterly bulletin.