Germany wants more economic cooperation with Croatia

Scritto da «Croatian Times», 19/11/10
Increased cooperation would be possible in several areas including the energy sector and the automobile industry. For the first time after 1973, Germany has devised a strategy for a development of the energetics sector with an emphasis on renewable energy sources. This energy will need to be transported and linked via existing networks, with Croatian firms potentially playing an important role. Germany wants million electric cars on its streets in the next 10 years giving a strong impulse to an industry that will be looking for international partners. A lack of workforce in Germany due to negative demographic trends could also lead to some outsourcing to the surrounding states. Bruderle spoke about the possibility of a joint European presence on the world markets that could respond successfully to the challenges presented by growing economies such as India and China. He said that even big European economies will not be able to compete on their own, but they do stand a chance together. Croatian Minister of Economy Djuro Popijac called upon German firms to invest in Croatia, and organize production in the country. He also asked them to support plans for the restructuring of Croatian shipyards, adding that the Croatian government wants them to remain the engine behind the country’s economy.