The aim of the programme is to help Croatia's shipbuilding industry become competitive on the world market with cuts in operational costs and the adjustment of regulations on state subsidies to European Union standards.
The elaboration of the programme is an initial stage in plans for the privatisation of five major shipyards by 2015.
Croatian shipyards' exports range between 500 million and 700 million US dollars annually, making up between 12 and 15 percent of the country's overall exports.
In 2005, 21 ships worth USD569 million were launched.
Croatian shipyards, employing over 12,000 workers, currently have contracts to build 76 commissioned ships, worth about USD 2.68 billion.