A delegation from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will visit Croatia from 1 to 6 March 2026. The visit aims to reinforce the Bank’s strong partnership with the country and support Croatia’s efforts to achieve sustainable, inclusive and competitive growth. The delegation will consist of members of the EBRD Board of Directors and Alternate Directors representing various shareholder countries.
The group includes Mr Tamas Vojnits, Director for Hungary, Czechia, Slovak Republic, Croatia and Georgia; Ms Elena Aparici, Director for Spain, Mexico, United Arab Emirates and Iraq; Ms Kyunghee Kim, Director for Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Egypt; Mr Dimitris Metaxas-Trikardos, Director for Portugal, Greece, San Marino and India; Mr Brendan O’Connor, Director for Ireland, Denmark, Lithuania, Kosovo and Kenya; Ms Catherine Stewart, Director for Canada, Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia; Mr Hadrien Haddak, Alternate Director for France; Mr Lucian Isar, Alternate Director for Türkiye, Romania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and Algeria; Mr Virgil Nae, Alternate Director for the European Investment Bank; and Ms Guðrún Ögmundsdóttir, Alternate Director for Sweden, Iceland and Estonia.
During their stay, the Board will meet senior representatives of the Croatian government, along with key players from the financial sector, corporate community, business associations and civil society organisations. International partners active in Croatia will also take part in several discussions. These meetings will focus on understanding Croatia’s current economic outlook, progress on reforms and areas where new investment could bring meaningful impact. A significant portion of the discussions will centre on strengthening the private sector, as it remains a key driver of long-term growth. Enhancing the competitiveness of Croatian businesses and improving the overall investment environment will also be important themes.
Another central focus will be the continued development of Croatia’s capital markets, which can play a vital role in diversifying financing options for local companies. Croatia’s green transition will be a major topic throughout the visit. The Board will explore opportunities to advance renewable energy projects, improve energy efficiency and support measures that increase the country’s resilience to climate change. There will also be dedicated conversations on how investments can promote more inclusive growth, ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible across different regions and communities.
The delegation will meet with leaders from the banking sector and capital market institutions to discuss ongoing cooperation and the need to maintain strong support for business financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. These meetings will highlight how coordinated efforts can help companies expand, innovate and contribute to broader economic development. Discussions with international financial institutions will emphasise the importance of working together to achieve meaningful results and strengthen reform efforts.
As part of the programme, the delegation will travel outside Zagreb to visit corporates and SMEs that work with the EBRD. By meeting clients and touring projects on the ground, the Board will gain direct insight into how the Bank’s investments are improving productivity, supporting innovation and encouraging sustainable development in various parts of Croatia. The visit as a whole will reaffirm the EBRD’s long-standing commitment to Croatia and its role in helping the country advance its transition priorities.
Through a combination of investment, policy dialogue and advisory services, the Bank continues to support Croatia’s efforts toward stronger, greener and more inclusive growth. Since beginning operations in Croatia in 1993, the EBRD has invested more than €5 billion across 275 projects. These investments span a wide range of sectors and involve close collaboration with both public and private partners, all aimed at building a more resilient and competitive Croatian economy.
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