Croatian Finance Minister Martina Dalic said on Saturday that Croatia would not take more loans this year or enter into a new arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Dalic made the statement in Washington where she was attending the autumn session of the IMF and the World Bank.
"What is important is that our economy is showing signs of growth, and that we are seeing positive trends in all segments -- in exports, in personal spending and industrial output. I think this will continue in the third quarter as well. And it's a fact, and this year's annual meeting shows it, that the situation in our surroundings is not favourable. There are predictions that the European economy might sink into a crisis again, and we are part of that environment. That's why it is even more important that the trends we are seeing this year are positive," the finance minister told Croatian Television (HRT).
IMF member countries decided on Saturday to set their differences aside in order to focus on the global economic and financial crisis and pledged to do all that was necessary to stop its acceleration.
The World Bank Director for Central Europe, Peter Harold, said in Washington that Croatia should be more competitive, develop conditions for job creation and ensure better conditions for private investment.
The World Bank said that its prediction that Croatia's economic growth in 2012 would be below two per cent was disappointing and that it could have a negative impact on employment.
