President of the Republic Discusses Issues Facing Farming Sector, Trades and Small Businesses

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović received heads of the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts, Croatian Farmers’ Association and the Women in Adria Association – Mladen Jakopović, Dragutin Ranogajec, Tihomir Jaić and Ivana Matić – with whom he discussed issues facing the farming sector, trades and small businesses during  the coronavirus epidemic.

Croatian Chamber of Agriculture head Mladen Jakopović pointed to the importance of strategic stockpiles in the current situation and the possibility of job creation in the agricultural sector. Tihomir Jaić of the Croatian Farmers’ Association warned that farmers would be hit hardest by the coronavirus crisis and expressed dissatisfaction with the Government’s measures for family farms and small farm businesses. He proposed the establishment of a fund for family farms as a possible solution.

Dragutin Ranogajec of the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts informed the President of how tradespeople were coping with the crisis, stressing that if the current restrictions were to remain, it could have dire consequences for the business sector. He believes that it is important to continue with the digitalization of public sector services in the current crisis.

Ivana Matić of the Women in Adria Association called for introducing more measures for women entrepreneurs, noting that they are encountering specific challenges both in the current crisis and in general.