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€26.5 million for modernisation of Dubrovnik port
EBRD loan finances extension of key Croatian harbour
As more and more cruise passengers flock to Dubrovnik – one of the most
popular attractions on the Adriatic Sea – a €26.5 million EBRD loan aims to
help modernise Gruz Harbour to meet the growing demand.
The loan is part of a plan by the Dubrovnik Port Authority to upgrade its
facilities. Basic infrastructure will be modernised, including expansion of
berth capacity to accommodate as many as three of the new generation of
300-metre cruise ships at one time.
EBRD First Vice President Noreen Doyle, speaking at a signing ceremony in the
city, said the project will allow Dubrovnik to burnish its already enviable
position as one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean tourism
market.
The Bank’s investment in this public infrastructure will help create
attractive business conditions for subsequent private-sector participation in
the port’s development, Ms Doyle added. The second phase of the development
will involve construction of all the facilities a modern passenger port should
have, such as a passenger terminal, parking spaces for cars, leisure and
entertainment facilities and a shopping centre.
Vlaho Durkovic, Manager of the Dubrovnik Port Authority, said the
berth-extension investment is a crucial stage in the development of Dubrovnik
as one of the must-see attractions in the Mediterranean area.
The EBRD support has also led to the mobilisation of grants from the UK, US,
Spanish, Dutch and Italian governments to pay for consultancy assistance for
different stages in the development’s preparation.
Dubrovnik is internationally known for its numerous monuments, and the
historic Old town is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Because of
its rich array of history, culture beauty, climate and location between Greece
and Venice, Dubrovnik is recognised as an ideal cruise port.
The development of the tourism industry is key for Croatia’s economic progress
given the sector’s huge potential, and the authorities are confident they can
make the country one of the leading tourism destinations in Europe.
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