Mission Concluding Statement 

Statement at the Conclusion of an IMF Staff Visit to Croatia

November 11, 2013

A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Johannes Wiegand visited Zagreb during the period October 30 to November 6. The mission met with Deputy Prime Minister Branko Grčić, Minister of Finance Slavko Linić, Minister of Labor and Pension System Mirando Mrsić, Croatian National Bank Governor Boris Vujčić, other senior public officials, representatives of business community, unions, and representatives of the international community.

Economic Outlook

1. Croatia is in its fifth year of recession, reflecting primarily private sector efforts to contain debt levels after the credit-driven boom of the mid-2000s. For 2013, IMF staff expects a real GDP decline of about ¾ of a percent amid still contracting consumption and private investment. The current account has swung into surplus, owing mainly to import compression. Inflation is subdued, but unemployment remains high.

2. A modest recovery is projected for 2014, reflecting an improved external outlook and higher publicly funded investments. Risks to the recovery remain considerable, however. Slower-than-expected euro area growth could continue to act as a drag on external demand. Tighter global financing conditions and/or an increased country risk spread could raise financing costs of the sovereign and the private sector. Delays in structural reforms could undermine business sentiment and curtail investment. Upside risks include a possible improvement in sentiment due to EU accession.

3. Medium-term growth prospects depend on efforts to enhance competitiveness. Domestic demand is expected to recover once private sector debt levels normalize, although the timing of this normalization remains uncertain. However, Croatia will seize its full growth potential only if it boosts exports and becomes a more attractive destination for investments. Improvements in competitiveness require structural reforms.

Fiscal Policy

4. Faced with protracted economic contraction, the government has struggled to contain the fiscal deficit in 2013, following good efforts at consolidation in 2012. At this stage, the 2013 general government deficit is projected at about 5½ percent of GDP (cash basis), compared to a planned deficit of 3.6 percent. As a result, public debt as a share of GDP is expected to surpass 60 percent before end-year. The widening in the deficit reflects inter alia: (i) weaker growth than originally foreseen and corresponding revenue shortfalls; (ii) higher interest payments stemming from the assumption of debts from restructured and/or privatized publically owned companies, and (iii) clearance of health sector arrears. A similarly large deficit is foreseen in the government’s Economic and Fiscal Policy Guidelines 2014–16, although this number may change with the budget.

5. The imminent excessive deficit procedure (EDP) by the European Commission could provide a much needed fiscal anchor, provided it is backed by binding policy commitments. In designing the speed of adjustment under the EDP, a sensible balance will need to be struck between establishing policy credibility on the one hand, and avoiding excessively rapid tightening in an environment of private sector debt reduction on the other. Elements of adjustment could usefully include better targeting of subsidies and social assistance, pension reform, streamlining VAT and stregthening property taxation.

Monetary and Financial Sector Policies

6. Monetary policy is anchored by the euro exchange rate, given high eurozation and, correspondingly, contractionary balance sheet effects that a devaluation could trigger. Within the contraints set by this monetary framework, the central bank has appropriately sought to maintain accommodative domestic currency liquidity conditions. The banking sector has retained ample capital and liquidity buffers, although private sector credit is stagnating and non-performing loans have increased to around 15 percent. The central bank is using macro-prudential instruments in combination with credit support schemes sponsored by the state development bank to boost credit growth. These efforts are welcome, provided the associated contingent fiscal and bank credit risks are managed carefully.

Structural Reforms

7. The authorities have made welcome progress with structural reforms, but an intensification of these efforts is warranted. Specifically, the government has eased hiring restrictions, reduced incentives for early retirement, introduced an out-of-court settlement procedure for insolvent corporations, and restructured several publicly owned enterprises. There have also been commendable advances with privatization. However, further steps are needed to increase the labor market’s capacity to adjust, enhance labor market participation—including through accelerating pension reform—safeguard a predictable regulatory environment, and strengthen the business climate.

The mission appreciates the high quality of the technical discussions and wishes to thank the authorities for their hospitality and the open and constructive dialogue.