The outgoing US Ambassador James Foley said on Friday that his efforts to help improve the investment and business climate in Croatia had produced poor results.
Addressing a farewell news conference in Zagreb, the US diplomat said he was sorry to say that he had not much to show when it came to the results of his efforts to promote the improvement of the business and investment climate in Croatia.
Unfortunately, the climate is still hard, he said, adding that he was afraid that Croatia was losing economic opportunities, while foreign investments were going to the region and elsewhere in Europe and the world.
For Croatia to be successful, its economy must become competitive, which requires the improvement of the business and investment climate and structural economic reforms, Foley said.
His advice to US companies interested in doing business in Croatia would be to prepare themselves for challenges, delays, complications and red tape.
Foley said that Croatia had great and unused potential for foreign and domestic investments.
Croatia has talented people, an excellent educational structure, natural resources, infrastructure, a strategic position and a small and coherent population, the outgoing ambassador said.
He added that the new Croatian government was aware of the reality and ready to carry out necessary reforms.
