ZAGREB, June 11 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy PM Slavko Linic said on Wednesday the government believed economic growth in the private sector was real and sustainable, that it would be able to repay its debts and service from the state
budget the US$17.6 billion external debt.
ZAGREB, June 11 (Hina) - Croatian Deputy PM Slavko Linic said on
Wednesday the government believed economic growth in the private
sector was real and sustainable, that it would be able to repay its
debts and service from the state budget the US$17.6 billion
external debt. #L#
Vesna Skare-Ozbolt asked in parliament during question time if the
external debt was still growing and if the cabinet was concerned
about repaying it.
Linic said the amount of the foreign debt was a worrying indicator
given that balance of payments trends were negative when compared
to last year.
He said the central bank was taking certain measures to curb or halt
the growth of the external debt, while the government intended to
change the trends in the balance of payments through certain fiscal
steps.
"The budget situation is such that we shall be able to repay the
external debt. There are no difficulties regarding debt servicing
in the budget area, or talk of the budget or the stability of the
state being in danger."
Linic said the economy had started making investments in the
private sector. The government thinks economic growth is real and
sustainable and will help service debts, he said.
(hina) ha sb