ZAGREB, Oct 24 (Hina) - The backbone of the Croatian Peasant Party's (HSS) economic programme, presented on Friday, consists of a radical about-turn from the neoliberalist economic policy, and higher economic growth and employment
rates.
ZAGREB, Oct 24 (Hina) - The backbone of the Croatian Peasant Party's
(HSS) economic programme, presented on Friday, consists of a
radical about-turn from the neoliberalist economic policy, and
higher economic growth and employment rates. #L#
The programme, called "Croatia's Development Project", is based on
the principles of the political doctrine of the party's founders,
the Radic brothers, and the moral code and social teaching of the
Catholic Church, chief HSS economist Branimir Lokin said.
A 2.5 percent annual employment rate would result in an annual
economic growth of seven or eight percent over the next four years,
the party maintains.
The minister of crafts, small and medium-size enterprise, Zeljko
Pecek, said that 151,000 new jobs could be created over the next
four years. He bases his optimism on data indicating that in the
past three and a half years, his ministry provided jobs for about
60,000 people.
Pecek added that when the Social Democratic Party talked about
150,000 jobs, he was actually referring to a project of his
ministry.
He also stressed that the government must be a partner to the
private sector.
Lokin added that the relationship of the government, employers and
workers had to be balanced, the role of the central bank expanded
and a more flexible tax system ensured.
Speaking about agriculture, HSS president Zlatko Tomcic announced
the continuation of reforms and investing in this branch so as to
make Croatian farmers able to compete with those in Europe.
(hina) ha sb