This cooperation makes the economy more competitive, which is also a prerequisite for investments, he said at a working lunch with entrepreneurs organised by the Croatian Employers' Association (HUP).
The minister said he often wondered how someone could consider investing in Croatia, which is 84th in the global competitiveness rankings.
He said the government would persevere in efforts to improve the business climate, announcing amendments to the labour law, legislative projects to facilitate investing, and an innovation and economic development strategy.
Vrdoljak said the liberalisation of the energy market, with the arrival of new suppliers, would reduce energy prices, first for the industry and then for households.
He said this primarily referred to gas and that there was no reason why gas in Croatia should not be the cheapest in Europe through a combination of the open market and increased exploitation of domestic sources.
The entrepreneurs were less optimistic, with HUP president Ivica Mudrinic saying it did not pay off to invest in Croatia as a result of hesitating governments, no reforms, the subsidizing of unproductive industries and a nonselective social policy.
Entrepreneurs mainly asked the minister how he could help in shortening administrative procedures in investment projects.
Oil trader and hotelier Tomislav Antunovic said he and foreign partners wanted to invest EUR 500 million in tourist resorts near the coastal town of Sibenik that would stay open all year round but the project hit a deadlock in the town council.