Speaking during Question Time at the start of parliament's autumn sitting, Kalmeta said that since 1995 the government spent some 15 billion kuna for the reconstruction of more than 130,000 houses in previously war-struck areas, and that the Croatian Privatisation Fund set aside some EUR640 million for those areas.
Answering a question from Ratko Gajica of the Independent Democratic Serb Party (SDSS), Kalmeta said that this year the development ministry would invest 1.5 million kuna in reconstruction.
The minister said several projects were being prepared, one being a EUR100 million project for the renovation of the social and communal infrastructure in areas of special state interest, a EUR300 million programme for the integral development of the local community, and a EUR60 million social and economic revival programme.
Kalmeta said the government also planned programmes for the institutional development of the local community, the introduction of tax relief for economic subjects in those areas, as well as economic zones.
The minister added parliament was expected to discuss a regional development strategy next month. This strategy would additionally assist areas of special state interest as within the CARDS programme.
Prime Minister Ivo Sanader commended the work of the State Council for Physical Planning in preventing the devastation of land.
(EUR1 = 7.4 kuna)