Scientists from the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Dr. Jakša Puljiz, Director, and Dr. Stjepan Srhoj, in interviews for Lider, discussed two important issues for the development of the Croatian economy – the effective use of European funds and efficient public procurement.
Dr. Jakša Puljiz, who was appointed Director of IRMO at the beginning of the summer, points out in his interview for Lider that Croatia’s economic growth in recent years has been largely driven by European funds. “We have a development model fueled by EU funds, which has stimulated economic activity, and this is clearly visible in GDP growth,” says Puljiz. He also emphasizes that the new EU budget will open up even more opportunities for entrepreneurs, who will be the biggest beneficiaries of the upcoming financial period. At the same time, Croatian entrepreneurs can expect stricter requirements when participating in European tenders, which means they will need to prepare much more thoroughly than in the case of national tenders.
Dr. Stjepan Srhoj, senior research associate at IRMO and professor at the Faculty of Economics in Split, stresses that public procurement is “too important to neglect serious economic tools.” In developed countries, it accounts for up to a third of public spending, and in the European Union it also serves as an instrument for implementing strategic objectives such as the green transition and digitalization. Srhoj explains that most losses in the public procurement system do not arise directly from corruption, but from ineffective rules and weak institutional capacities. He sees the solution in professionalization, better design of procedures, and innovative models such as electronic auctions or the use of artificial intelligence. “Real value for money becomes evident only during contract implementation. If we do not measure what has been delivered and within what deadlines, we are talking about formal rather than real success,” he emphasizes.
Link:
Puljiz: Poduzetnici će biti najveći dobitnici novoga EU proračuna
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