Croatia
Part # 1 People of Croatia. Part # 2 Cities in Croatia. Part # 3 Some companies in Croatia.
Part # 1 People of Croatia
Population of Croatia 4.5 million. Population growth rate 0%. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html
2% work in agriculture. 29% work in industry. 69% work in services.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html
Income inequality in Croatia has risen since 2003.
In 2011, the richest 20% of Croatians accounted for nearly 40% of the national income. By contrast, the share of total income belonging to the poorest 20% of Croatians was 7% in 2011. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 12.
Men and women in Croatia are equal before the law in all respects. The constitution of Croatia was amended in 2001 to include gender equality among the highest values of the constitutional order.
http://genderindex.org/country/croatia
Croatia is an electoral democracy.
The 151-member unicameral parliament (Sabor) comprises 140 members from 10 geographical districts; 8 members represent ethnic minorities, and 3 members represent Croatians abroad. Members are elected to 4-year terms. http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/croatia-0
Part # 2 Cities in Croatia
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html
In Croatia, the share of urban population as percent of total population is low
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe
The 4 largest cities in Croatia Cities Zagreb
City population 800,000 people.
Split
180,000 people.
Rijeka
130,000 people.
Osijek
110,000 people.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Croatia
In general, high levels of urbanisation are associated with higher wealth, and there is a sharp disparity between the productivity of urban and rural areas, which affects national productivity and growth.
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe
Zagreb is strategically well located in Europe
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic _studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_ central_and_eastern_europe?cid=other-emlalt-mgi-mck-oth-1312
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Croatia
Rijeka, Northern Croatia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Southern Croatia
Croatia has 1246 islands.
http://www.aik-invest.hr/en/why-croatia/innovation/
Part # 3 Some companies in Croatia
IT, telecommunications, and media
In the mobile segment, there are 3 network operators, Hrvatski Telekom (controlled by the fixed line incumbent), VIPnet and Tele2.
Broadband penetration, including mobile broadband penetration, is increasing steadily. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 34.
SMS parking was invented in Croatia.
http://www.aik-invest.hr/en/why-croatia/innovation/
There are noticeable problems in Croatia regarding press freedom
http://en.rsf.org
Food
The Agrokor Group is the largest private company in Croatia. About 40,000 people work for the company. Key business areas of the company are production and distribution of food and drinks. http://www.agrokor.hr/en-GB/About-us/About-us.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrokor
Among businesses of Atlantic Grupa are the production and distribution of food products.
http://www.atlantic.hr/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Grupa
Transportation
Once rail infrastructure is separated from services, other transport service providers can be allowed to operate and compete on the same lines.
Slovakia and the Czech Republic for example have already made significant progress in introducing competition and unbundling. Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania have more work to do. http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe
Energy and electricity
Ostrog Elementary School in Kastel Luksic, Croatia sets out to be the first energy independent school in the world. Initiatives include installation of solar panels and lighting upgrades. http://www.inhabitots.com/croatian-elementary-school-hopes-to-become-the-first-energy-independent-school-in-the-world/
The European Bank for reconstruction and development financed Croatia’s first independent biomass power plant project through the Western Balkans Sustainable Energy Direct Financing Facility. The Bank also committed financing to the Ombla hydropower plant. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf
Natural resources of Croatia
Hydropower, oil, and some coal. Bauxite. Low-grade iron ore. Calcium. Gypsum. Natural asphalt. Silica. Mica. Clays. Salt. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/hr.html
http://atlas.media.mit.edu/explore/tree_map/export/hrv/all/show/2010/
What does Croatia export?
The Croatian state still owns a 45% stake in the national oil and gas company, INA, which has been privatised to MOL (Hungary). MOL currently has a 47% stake and management rights according to its agreement with the Government. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf p. 35.
HEP, the vertically integrated utility owned by the State of Croatia, has a market monopoly in the power sector, which constitutes a barrier for new independent power producers. In addition, commercial banks appear to have a rather low level of awareness of and expertise in renewable energy projects. http://www.ebrd.com/downloads/country/strategy/croatia.pdf
The persistence of state ownership in electricity generation and distribution, as in Croatia and Slovenia, could be a drag on future growth, given the lack of government resources to finance the expansion of capacity.
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/economic_studies/a_new_dawn_reigniting_growth_in_central_and_eastern_europe
Croatia ranks # 26 on the open data index. Much more transparency is needed, for example about government spending.
https://index.okfn.org