The time for implementation of projects, greenlighted on the basis of the Investment Encouragement Law and launched in 2007, 2008 or in 2009, has been extended by two more calendar years.
The Investment Encouragement Law went into force in 2007 and since then investors who have been granted incentives and reliefs based on that legislation have invested more than HRK 3.5 billion and opened 4,000 jobs, Economy Minister Djuro Popijac told the government's session today.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of investments, Ivan Domagoj Milosevic, added that the government would continue listening to the needs of domestic and foreign investors.
The government adopted a regulation expediting the issuance of building permits and other permits for access roads and utilities' infrastructure surrounding the facilities in which investors have already invested funds.
Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said the adopted measures were part of her cabinet's efforts to implement the Economic Recovery Programme.
The government also proposed the introduction of an accelerated retirement scheme for seamen whereby 12 months spent aboard ship will be treated as 15 months in service.
The amendments adopted by the government would enable seafarers to go into old-age pension at the age of 60 with at least 15 years going to sea.
These proposed changes to the maritime code are along the lines of Croatian seamen's request. There are 13,000 Croatian seamen on international shipping lines, and 4,000 working in Croatia, Kosor said.
The government set up a task force to consider proposals by Homeland Defence War veterans about possibilities for adopting a constitutional law protecting their rights.