ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - Thousands of reconstruction projects will be +presented to international donors at a conference on the +reconstruction and development of Croatia to be held in Zagreb on +December 4 and 5.+ The projects, which
cover both Croatia's war-ravaged areas as well +as other parts of the country, were presented last week by the +Croatian Reconstruction and Development Ministry. + Divided into six categories, they refer to the reconstruction of +homes, the revival of family businesses, agriculture, the social +and public utilities infrastructure, major regional and county +projects, and mine-clearing programmes.+ The home reconstruction projects offer several reconstruction +models for 80,000 homes to be implemented over a five-year-period, +with costs around US$1.2 billion.+ According to promotional material, all returnees, regardless of +ethnic belonging, w
ZAGREB, Dec 1 (Hina) - Thousands of reconstruction projects will be
presented to international donors at a conference on the
reconstruction and development of Croatia to be held in Zagreb on
December 4 and 5.
The projects, which cover both Croatia's war-ravaged areas as well
as other parts of the country, were presented last week by the
Croatian Reconstruction and Development Ministry.
Divided into six categories, they refer to the reconstruction of
homes, the revival of family businesses, agriculture, the social
and public utilities infrastructure, major regional and county
projects, and mine-clearing programmes.
The home reconstruction projects offer several reconstruction
models for 80,000 homes to be implemented over a five-year-period,
with costs around US$1.2 billion.
According to promotional material, all returnees, regardless of
ethnic belonging, will be guaranteed equal status and access to
assistance in reconstruction.
The infrastructure reconstruction programme offers projects for 13
war-affected counties. Over 1,000 proposals cover the
reconstruction of power and water supply plants, the post and
telecommunications system, roads, bridges, as well as the revival
of the social infrastructure, including health, education, and
cultural institutions.
These projects will require US$1.38 billion, and are expected to be
implemented in the next three to five years. The Croatian
government plans on financing these projects through loans or
short-term assistance.
A special group of projects drafted by the Economy Ministry
includes the reconstruction and revitalisation of major and
medium-sized industry. Investing in these 34 projects in the total
worth of US$80 million would provide jobs for 10,000 people,
including 2,000 brand new jobs.
The 552 projects aimed at stimulating small business in eight
counties envisage jobs for 2,000 people.
Short-term financial assistance to private farms, worth US$15
million, was suggested to stimulate agricultural production,
alongside loans for farmer returnees worth US$364 million.
The possible international investors will also be presented with
197 projects for urgent reconstruction of the public utilities and
social infrastructure. These projects were based on direct
requests of local communities.
Regional projects were drafted for Sibenik-Knin County, where
implementation would facilitate the return and reintegration of
42,000 people, and for western Slavonia. Some of these projects are
already being implemented.
Projects for the revival of tourism will also be presented, as will
some 100 projects for urgent mine-clearing, worth US$140 million.
There are about a million mines planted across Croatia. Only this
year, 24 persons were killed and 22 wounded. A thorough mine-
clearing operation would require one year and some US$2 billion for
execution.
The Croatian government estimates some US$2.4 billion is needed to
create preconditions for the return of Croatian citizens still
displaced or exiled.
(hina) ha jn