Washington, D.C.
October 2001
The World Bank evaluation of Croatia's
economic performance is very positive. The Bank reported the opening up of the
Croatian economy as well as the internal reforms of the new Government
(reducing of public expenditure and general-government deficit, the policy on
repatriation and settlement of the displaced persons, boosting of the private
sector, pension and health system reforms, privatization of the major publicly
owned companies) as remarkable.
A
new regional three-state hub office operating for the countries of
Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia was opened in Zagreb under the leadership of Andy
Vorkink. The transfer of the office from Washington, D.C. to Zagreb is part of
the Bank's decentralization policy, which is aimed at stepping up assistance to
member-states and efficiency in encouraging economic reforms and overall
development. The World Bank offices in Zagreb, Sofia and Bucharest will continue
working but will answer to the regional office in Zagreb.