The Chamber of Economy held "Marco Polo Info Day"

The Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK - CCE) held "Marco Polo Info Day " Conference on which was presented a "Marco Polo II" - Program of the European Union (EU), which aims to reduce the burden of the road traffic and it's negative impacts on the environment by directing traffic from the roads to the coastal, rail and inland traffic systems.

The Conference emphasized that the Program is for the economic sector, as well as non-feedback co-financing of transport services that take place in the European transport systems.

The aim of the "Marco Polo Info Day", as it was said, is to inform the Croatian companies wich are interested in this Program, to explain the financing options of the projects from this Program and to give the examples in proposing of the projects under this Program.

Competition creditorials, lists and options for this Program since last year is available for Croatian companies, but last year was reported only one project from Croatia that did not pass.

The reason for the low interest in the CCE alleged the lack of awareness, so today's seminar was organized in order to change a low interest, and as an example of positive changes in the larger interest indicates the fact that 120 companies have registered for this year's seminar.

Competition for "Marco Polo II" Program for this year will be announced during this week and will last until the end of May.

Drazen Zgaljic from the Croatian Association for the Advancement of Mutual Traffic Connection (SPC Croatia) recalled that on the basis of the "Marco Polo II" Program in the period since 2007 until 2013 is available 450 million euros, a Program for this year has a budget of 64 million euros.

Projects can sign entities from 27 countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Croatian.

Selection procedure is rigorous, and to get a subsidy projects must have sustainable finance construction, and the applicants must be able to provide a credible business plan and to demonstrate financial visibility and technical ability.

Zgaljic also said that the Croatian companies should learn to use the resources from EU funds, the development of the projects for the "Marco Polo II" Program is not as complicated as it seems, and  the SPC Croatia is available for all necessary assistance. He urged the Croatian companies to apply to this year's Program, and order of the contestants will be published during this week.