Ivan Jakovčić, President of the Region of Istria
Five Stars Croatia Issue 4 — April 01, 2009.

The Istrian County is a modern, open and economically competitive region, of recognizable culture and natural heritage. Constant aspiration towards success in all segments of life, feeds, maintains and makes our èlan vital stronger.

And we will need it, because we have set our goals very high. The government of the Istrian County plans to realize the planned programs and projects in full and start with the new ones in its mandate from 2005 until 2009. Many projects round up and give special charm to what we do. They fight for themselves and each one of them deserves special attention. I will sum up our priorities in ten points for this occasion:

1. We implement new measures for stimulation of entrepreneurship and small businesses.  Istria has well developed Program of entrepreneurship zones. So far, 100 million of kuna has been invested in 15 zones, which has equipped  infrastructurally almost 500 hectares.  By 2011, 500 more hectares of entrepreneurship zones will be equipped with new infrastructures. Istrian fair will be constructed by 2010. We are proud of our new public fish market in Poreč, and we plan to build one more in Pula.
2. Placing of gas pipe lines through Istria began, and many towns will have gas by then, a cheaper and ecologically friendly energy source for our citizens and economy.  We are also founding the first regional energetic agency – IRENA— which will be at service to citizens and entrepreneurs. We support the building of TE Plomin 3, but for gas exclusively.
3. Istrian Y highway is seeking further investment.  At the moment, construction of full profile highway is underway, and we plan to finish it by 2010.
4. We are the strongest tourist region in the country. Istria is in charge of its tourist development thanks to the first regional Master plan for the development of tourism in the Republic of Croatia.
5. Istria is today the strongest amongst the vine regions in the country, Vinistra fair, traditionally held in Poreč in the end of April, is our largest fair of vine and enological equipment. We encourage development of olive growing, and the establishment of the "Cluster of Istrian vine growing" is in progress, the first in the Republic of Croatia. On the territory of the town Vodnjan, the surface of 181 hectares is ready of new plantations of olives; which will be the largest in Croatia.
6. University of Pula is our reality, and Istria will have a modern university campus in Pula by 2010. We have brought together the broadest scientific community of Istria into the process of founding of the University.
7. Health and social welfare are on the top of the list of our priorities. We have started the construction of the new county General hospital in Pula. By 2010 we shall have a modern European hospital.  We take special care of disabled people and have founded the institution for their quicker employment. Excursion site for blind people is under construction in Cukrići, we equip Safe houses for victims of domestic violence, and provide good conditions for psychically ill persons. There are already present in Brkač, while Vila Maria in Pula will be opened soon.
8. We invest a lot in the protection of the environment. We will establish a unique regional system for waste disposal Kaštijun. In Pula, Umag, Poreč, Rovinj, Labin, Pazin and Buzet, landfills of communal waste are being improved or closed down. We have commenced the founding of the first regional Agency for the protection of the environment. We also have the first regional water protection system for disposal of waste water.
9. Istria is the region of culture, above all others in Croatia.  We have started the reconstruction of our cultural heritage, as well as the founding of the Museum of modern art of Istria.
10. Istrian County has established the institutional cooperation with Istrian emigrants in the world and implements the program “United Istrians”.

The space provided on these pages is not enough for a detailed list of all that we do in the field of economic development and for the raising of standards of our people.  It is worth mentioning that Istria today has GDP larger than 11.000 euros, and it is expected that it will raise more faster then in the rest of Croatia.. It is estimated that by 2010 it will be significantly above the average of GDP of 27 member states of the European Union.

The unemployment rate is 6 percent, the lowest in Croatia. There are 1500 new employment positions opening up each year. Istria has the highest productivity rate in Croatia, and we are the strongest exporter in the country, with the value of export of USD 5.035 per resident, with the tendency of growth. By 2010 Istria will become a region with full employment rate.

It is what we are planning and what we are building into our development projects. Unfortunately, recession was not a part of our plans, which will have negative consequences on the Istrian economy.  In order to successfully fight back the negative effects of the economic crisis, Istrian County has, as the first one in Croatia, brought 10 anti-recession measures for stimulating the economy and employment:

1.      Ensuring favorable credit resources to entrepreneurs and tradesmen

2.      Ensuring extra guarantees to entrepreneurs and tradesmen

3.      Supporting the tourist sector

4.      Supporting the agricultural sector

5.      Support to fishing sector

6.      Support to the development program of agricultural tourism

7.      Implementing the categories of water for agriculture and water for production entities

8.      Freezing of prices for utility services and other fees in jurisdiction of units of self-government

9.      Extra increase of competitiveness

10.    Savings in public sector 

Globalization of our life brings many advantages, but some dangers as well. One of the best answers to the dangers of globalization is regionalism. Our small region wishes to open up its haert to new technologies and knowledge, and to all things that bring prosperity to the people, but by preserving our customs, sounds and peculiarities.  This is not a sign of selfishness, but a stimulation of joyous living with diversities as a part of wealth of our Europe.

Creation of big and powerful European Union and its efficiency is no longer a mere dream, but our reality. Croatia and Istria wish to be a truthful participant with its intellectual, material and natural resources.

Istria and its millennium history is a great monument to European culture and our civilization.Istria and its present are a great responsibility to us all. Istrian County is the founder of Adriatic Euroregion with its seat in Pula, and the Institute of the European regions with its seat in Salzburg.