ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan has assessed that 2001 will be a difficult year for the country but also a step forward on the path towards success. The Government will, resolutely and without compromise,
continue with the implementation of reforms the aim of which is to help Croatia recover from a grave economic and social situation, PM Racan said in his interview broadcast by Croatian Television on late Wednesday night. If we persevere, I am confident we shall produce good results, he added. He expressed optimism about the prospects for the attraction of foreign investments. Premier reiterated that the government would persist in cutting the public spending, slashing the budget deficit, adjusting the current revenue to current outlays and in reducing labour costs and tax burden. "During this year we are going to consider a possibility for a cut in the (22-percent)
ZAGREB, Jan 10 (Hina) - Croatia's Prime Minister Ivica Racan has
assessed that 2001 will be a difficult year for the country but also
a step forward on the path towards success.
The Government will, resolutely and without compromise, continue
with the implementation of reforms the aim of which is to help
Croatia recover from a grave economic and social situation, PM
Racan said in his interview broadcast by Croatian Television on
late Wednesday night.
If we persevere, I am confident we shall produce good results, he
added.
He expressed optimism about the prospects for the attraction of
foreign investments.
Premier reiterated that the government would persist in cutting the
public spending, slashing the budget deficit, adjusting the
current revenue to current outlays and in reducing labour costs and
tax burden.
"During this year we are going to consider a possibility for a cut in
the (22-percent) Value Added Tax, what was one of pre-election
promises, to be fulfilled not at the exact time term but during the
four-year-long term of office," Premier announced.
Asked about a cabinet reshuffle, Racan said the point was not in
changing or not a minister, but in the possible alteration of the
concept of the Government. He personally was in favour of more
efficient concept of the government with 11 or 12 ministries.
Premier called on the population to show more trust in their own
abilities.
We have definitely taken the path towards the construction of a
Croatian democratic state and everybody can contribute to the
accomplishment of this objective. The government is very
important, but is not the only one. We are placing confidence in
possibilities we have, he concluded.
(hina) ms