Croatia

Croatia

Part # 1 People of Croatia.

Part # 2 Cities in Croatia.

Part # 3 Some companies in Croatia.

Part # 1 People of Croatia

Population of Croatia 4.5 million.

Population growth rate 0%. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html

2% work in agriculture.

29% work in industry.

69% work in services.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html

Income inequality in Croatia has risen since 2003.

In 2011, the richest 20% of Croatians accounted for nearly 40% of the national income. By contrast, the share of total income belonging to the poorest 20% of Croatians was 7% in 2011. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 12.

Men and women in Croatia are equal before the law in all respects. The constitution of Croatia was amended in 2001 to include gender equality among the highest values of the constitutional order.

http://genderindex.org/country/croatia

Croatia is an electoral democracy.

The 151-member unicameral parliament (Sabor) comprises  140 members from 10 geographical districts;  8 members represent ethnic minorities, and  3 members represent Croatians abroad.

Members are elected to 4-year terms. http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/croatia-0

Part # 2 Cities in Croatia

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html

In Croatia, the share of urban population as percent of total population is low

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe

The 4 largest cities in Croatia Cities Zagreb

City population 800,000 people.

Split

180,000 people.

Rijeka

130,000 people.

Osijek

110,000 people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Croatia

In general, high levels of urbanisation are associated with higher wealth, and there is a sharp disparity between the productivity of urban and rural areas, which affects national productivity and growth.

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe

Zagreb is strategically well located in Europe

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic _studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_ central_and_eastern_europe?cid=other-emlalt-mgi-mck-oth-1312

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Croatia

Rijeka, Northern Croatia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Southern Croatia

Croatia has 1246 islands.

http://www.aik-invest.hr/en/why-croatia/innovation/

Part # 3 Some companies in Croatia

IT, telecommunications, and media

In the mobile segment, there are 3 network operators, Hrvatski Telekom (controlled by the fixed line incumbent), VIPnet and Tele2.

Broadband penetration, including mobile broadband penetration, is increasing steadily. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 34.

SMS parking was invented in Croatia.

http://www.aik-invest.hr/en/why-croatia/innovation/

There are noticeable problems in Croatia regarding press freedom

http://en.rsf.org

Food

The Agrokor Group is the largest private company in Croatia. About 40,000 people work for the company.

Key business areas of the company are production and distribution of food and drinks. http://www.agrokor.hr/en-GB/About-us/About-us.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrokor

Among businesses of Atlantic Grupa are the production and distribution of food products.

http://www.atlantic.hr/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Grupa

Transportation

Once rail infrastructure is separated from services, other transport service providers can be allowed to operate and compete on the same lines.

Slovakia and the Czech Republic for example have already made significant progress in introducing competition and unbundling. Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania have more work to do. http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe

Energy and electricity

Ostrog Elementary School in Kastel Luksic, Croatia sets out to be the first energy independent school in the world.

Initiatives include installation of solar panels and lighting upgrades. http://www.inhabitots.com/croatian-elementary-school-hopes-to-become-the-first-energy-independent-school-in-the-world/

The European Bank for reconstruction and development financed Croatia’s first independent biomass power plant project through the Western Balkans Sustainable Energy Direct Financing Facility.

The Bank also committed financing to the Ombla hydropower plant. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf

Natural resources of Croatia          

Hydropower, oil, and some coal.

Bauxite.

Low-grade iron ore.

Calcium.

Gypsum.

Natural asphalt.

Silica.

Mica.

Clays.

Salt. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html

http://atlas.media.mit.edu/explore/tree_map/export/hrv/all/show/2010/

What does Croatia export?

The Croatian state still owns a 45% stake in the national oil and gas company, INA, which has been privatised to MOL (Hungary).

MOL currently has a 47% stake and management rights according to its agreement with the Government. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 35.

HEP, the vertically integrated utility owned by the State of Croatia, has a market monopoly in the power sector, which constitutes a barrier for new independent power producers.

In addition, commercial banks appear to have a rather low level of awareness of and expertise in renewable energy projects. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf

The persistence of state ownership in electricity generation and distribution, as in Croatia and Slovenia, could be a drag on future growth, given the lack of government resources to finance the expansion of capacity.

http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe

Croatia ranks # 26 on the open data index.

Much more transparency is needed, for example about government spending.

https://index.okfn.org