The conference was organised by the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and under the auspices of the Croatian government.
The meeting attracted representatives of the government, development agencies, entrepreneurial centres, commercial banks and foreign investors, who discussed the importance of foreign investment in Croatia.
Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said that the start of accession talks with the European Union was of exceptional importance to Croatia, as a confirmation of its democratic maturity and the opening of new business opportunities.
Sanader said that the government would take the planned steps to create a favourable and safe investment environment in the country, and that it would continue fighting against red tape and corruption as major obstacles to foreign investment.
Croatia must enter globalisation processes, at the same time taking account of human and social aspects of those processes, the prime minister said.
Exchanging their practical experience and knowledge, participants favourably assessed the steps taken by the government, the increased activity of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency and efforts by all others involved in creating a positive investment climate.
The conference was also addressed by William Jeffers, director of the USAID Mission in Croatia, which supports activities related to foreign direct investment through the "Enterprising Croatia" project.
Jeffers said that Croatia was in the global race for investment, but not running fast enough. He expressed optimism that this would change, especially after the opening of EU membership talks and the implementation of government reforms.
According to figures from the Croatian National Bank, from 1993 until the end of June 2005 foreign direct investment in Croatia totalled USD 11.9 billion, with 24.3 per cent of investments accounting for the banking sector, 14.5 per cent for telecommunications and 9.3 per cent for the pharmaceutical industry.
Companies from Austria invested most during that period, namely 25.6 per cent, followed by those from Germany (17.7 per cent) and the United States (12.2 per cent).