The Foreign Investors Council in Croatia (FICC) on 16 February in Zagreb presented its “White Book 2026”, outlining 46 reforms aimed at improving public administration efficiency, tax incentives, and the alignment of education with labor market needs to strengthen competitiveness and attract higher value-added foreign investments. The FICC warned that although Croatia is nearing 80% of the European Union (EU) average real income per capita, it will struggle to reach the level of Slovenia, the Czech Republic, or Spain without a decisive shift in growth policy.“Croatia is approaching the level of 80% of the average real income per capita of the EU, alongside Poland. A new strategic question stands before us – how to reach 90% of the European average in the next ten years and join the level of development of Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Spain?” said  FICC President Burak Baykan at the presentation,  assessing that the country is at a historically important moment which requires a new development ambition, strong growth in productivity and exports, and additional attraction of foreign investments that bring technology, knowledge and global business standards.Baykan also said that hat although Croatia has introduced reforms to address labor shortages, further growth will require adapting the education system to market needs and attracting serious, long-term capital investment. For his part, Economy Minister informed that total foreign investments have reached EUR 57 billion while a new national industrial development plan should attract even more.  “Through it, we plan to secure between EUR 2 billion and EUR 3 billion for investments from the multiannual financial framework of the EU and the state budget. In this way, we are further strengthening the industrial base and directing capital toward sectors with higher added value,” said Susnjar, noting that for Croatia, these sectors primarily include railway infrastructure, logistics, and energy.Meanwhile, the “White Book 2026”, brings 46 concrete recommendations for adjusting the growth model, with the aim that Croatia reaches 90% of the average income of the EU in the next decade.It outlines reforms in three key areas: investment architecture, education and the labor market, and tax policy. In the investment segment, the FICC calls for modernization of the incentive system and removal of administrative barriers in order to accelerate strategic projects, ensure faster permit issuance, and create a more predictable regulatory framework. In the field of education and the labor market, it stresses the need for stronger cooperation between academia and the economy, curriculum reform, and systematic support for lifelong learning to raise productivity. It also proposes simplifying labor market regulation and making better use of available labor potential amid demographic challenges and labor shortages. In tax policy, the FICC advocates balanced tax relief on labor and capital, including incentives for youth employment, easier employment of pensioners, support for better-paid jobs, and a lower corporate income tax to boost investment attractiveness while maintaining fiscal stability.The FICC believes that Croatia has an opportunity to strengthen its position among the most attractive investment destinations in Europe, especially in the context of imminent accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the completion of the current cycle of strong absorption of EU funds. (ICE ZAGABRIA)

Fonte notizia: HRT online edition 16/02/2026