Speaking about the EUR 146,000 "EntrepreneurSHEp Croatia" project, aimed at establishing a network of female ambassadors who will encourage Croatian women to set up their enterprises, HGK President Nadan Vidosevic said that the promotion of female entrepreneurship was important in a bid to reduce the number of unemployed women. Currently women account for 55 percent of jobless Croatians.
The European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors was established in 2009 and currently includes 250 women entrepreneurs from 22 countries.
Croatian Economy Ministry State Secretary Tihana Kraljic said that last year the ministry had allocated a total of HRK 10.5 million for the development of female entrepreneurship and that this year, it would ensure HRK 8.5 million for that purpose.
In Croatia, the ratio of enterprises launched by women is 1 to 2.5 launched by men. Kraljic said Croatia was planning to reach the ratio of 1 to 1.4, as is the case in the United States, by 2013.
The "EntrepreneurSHEp Croatia" project was today also supported by Joanna Drake, the director of the directorate-general for entrepreneurship and industry in the European Commission. She said that small enterprises in EU create nearly 80 percent of new jobs.