Press Releases
USAID Mission Director to Participants of the Foreign Investment Conference in Cavtat
For Immediate Release
October 21, 2005
Zagreb, October 21, 2005 - United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Croatia Mission Director William Jeffers will address participants at the International Conference "Foreign Investments for the Growth of the Croatian Economy" on November 24, 2005 in Cavtat.
This conference is jointly organized by USAID and the Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR). The purpose is to support Croatia's efforts to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) and help Croatia to position itself as a safe and attractive destination for foreign investors.
USAID Croatia is supporting foreign direct investment efforts through the "Poduzetna Hrvatska" project to increase the value of FDI, generate new jobs and export revenues in Croatia. In the past year, USAID supported two major greenfield investments, valued at $51.6 million, which created 582 jobs with 98 percent of production aimed at foreign markets. Currently there are nine investment projects in process, valued at $32 million. These projects will help create 530 new jobs in export-oriented industries.
USAID is the primary assistance organization of the United States Government. Since 1992, the United States has provided over $407 million to Croatia (much of it through USAID programs) to strengthen democratic institutions and assist in postwar reconstruction and the return of refugees, to support de-mining and economic development, and to provide educational and training opportunities. The U.S. has also provided guidance and support to the Croatian judicial and military sectors to further Croatia's integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions.