Entrepreneurs Knows Best If We Are In Recession

ZAGREB, CROATIA – After he was welcomed by prominent Croatian entrepreneur Tomislav Antunovic, president of the Association of small and medium entrepreneurs Petar Lovric and former president of the Croatian Employers` Association Damir Kustrak, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic welcomed everyone at the sixth working lunch of the Croatian Employers` Association, pointing out that small and medium entrepreneurs were taking up significant space in the Croatian economy.

- Discussions are held on recession and whether we need the monetary fund or not, but we don`t have to be bothered by that. The question is how do we adjust to new conditions. Our greatest problem is the establishment of economic growth. Are we in recession or not? You know best – Croatian President Mesic addressed the gathered entrepreneurs.

He went on counting some of the problems that await Croatia in the current year. Among others, he pointed out that the deficit for 2008 amounted to 11 percent of the GDP, that the unemployment was on the rise and he concluded that all countries were obliged to take additional steps, including Croatia and every company must have a plan and a programme to get out of recession. The president said that entrepreneurs would develop more if the state gave them enough subsidiaries.

- The state knows how to take tax best, it is efficient here. It is easy to create a market, but hard to stay competitive on it Croatian President Mesic said.

He pointed out the example of Azerbaijan, which he visited recently, saying that it was one of the markets left unused by the entrepreneurs. In the end, the said that this crisis might have a positive result, “frightening everyone”, so that everyone becomes serious while entering foreign markets.

- It is important that we used all our potentials. The state must create the framework in which entrepreneurs can realise their goals – Croatia`s Mesic concluded.