Bio-Cro The Way To Go

Various “bio” sectors, such as biotechnology, bioenergy, agriculture and water management, are areas in which Croatia has the opportunity for further growth and development considering the countries cleanliness and biodiversity, but Croatia itself must identify the strategic sectors and wisely specialise in them. That is what the European Commissioner for Regional and Urban Policy Johannes Hahn told those who turned up to the “Smart specialisation” conference held in Zagreb on Tuesday.

Hahn said that the EU would partner Croatia in the projects but the identification and specialisation needed to come locally. Croatia’s Economy Minister Ivan Vrdoljak announced at the conference that a wide public debate would soon begin, a debate that will aim to identify the sectors that Croatia must introduce smart specialisation. The debate will include experts from government, private and academic sectors.

Croatia’s Minister for Regional Development and EU Funds Branko Grcic, added that currently Croatia has only for economic sectors – pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, energy and banking and finance and said that it was vital that Croatia increased its investment in knowledge, research and development.