The event was opened by President Stjepan Mesic's envoy, Zagreb Mayor Milan Bandic.
In his welcome address that was read out at the opening ceremony, President Mesic said that in 2006 the government and the central bank should invest more efforts into solving two strategic problems - increasing the economic growth rate and reducing unemployment.
The government and the central bank will prepare an economic strategy containing development priorities and concrete measures for their implementation, President Mesic said in the address.
Along with individual presentations, this year's fair also features 17 collective presentations. There will be no partner country at this autumn's fair and special emphasis will be placed on the presentation of Croatia's market potential.
The main topics of the fair are power industry, transport and logistics, construction, sanitary ware, electrical engineering industry, mechanical engineering and metal industry, food and agriculture, fashion, consumer goods, innovations, and music.
The project "Croatia - Your Business Partner" is intended to acquaint business partners, particularly foreign ones, with the government's measures aimed at strengthening the economy, as well as with incentives for domestic and foreign investors.
About 20 institutions will be presented within this project and potential domestic and foreign investors will be able to obtain all information in one place.
The 81st Autumn Fair is accompanied by supporting events which are expected to draw more than 2,000 participants.
The fair will also include the Croatian Economy Forum and the main topic of the event will be Croatia's competitiveness on the road to the EU.
The fair, which lasts until September 18, also includes a regional economy forum and a seminar on quality management.