Prime Minister Plenković and ministers' working visit to Metković confirmed a strong investment momentum in the Neretva Valley, focusing on agriculture, education, and care for the elderly.
The Neretva Valley is currently one of the largest construction sites in Croatia. Investments totaling nearly 240 million euros are underway, as confirmed on Saturday during a working visit by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and relevant ministers to Metković.
Alongside the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers were also present. They were hosted by Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Blaž Pezo and Metković Mayor Dalibor Milan, who held a working meeting with state officials and local government leaders at the City Administration.
Prefect Pezo emphasized that a massive investment cycle is taking place right now. "At this moment, investments worth nearly 240 million euros are being carried out in the Neretva Valley. I will only mention the Neretva dam project with the entire anti-salinization system, worth 85 million euros," said Pezo.
The construction of the dam with a desalinization protection system is crucial for the survival of Neretva agriculture. It will protect the fertile land and mandarins, the region's symbol, and ensure long-term stability for families who have lived off the land for generations.
In addition to the major infrastructure project, the Prefect also highlighted a range of other projects. A large investment cycle in education is underway in all Neretva towns, with special emphasis on support for the Music School project in Metković. A project for a home for the elderly is also being realized, thus completing care for all generations-from the youngest to retirees.
Numerous transport and utility projects are also planned, and the application of SIT technique, an environmentally friendly method for protecting mandarin orchards, continues. Prime Minister Plenković thanked the Prefect for his engagement and praised the County's cooperation with local government units.
During his stay in the south, Prime Minister Plenković also met with representatives of the Neretva Boatmen's Association ahead of the 29th Boat Marathon. On social media, he stated that this event has grown over nearly three decades into one of the largest amateur sporting events in this part of Europe.
"This unique event successfully combines tradition, unity, and competitive spirit, preserving the heritage and identity of the Neretva Valley," wrote Plenković. This year's Marathon brings together 31 teams and around 400 rowers from all over Croatia. The Prime Minister said that the Government and the Ministry of Tourism and Sport will continue to provide strong support for this event.
On the same day, Prime Minister Plenković also announced that a meeting was held with all relevant stakeholders regarding the issue of illegal waste disposal in the area of Gospić and Lika-Senj County. "All those responsible must be prosecuted, and at the same time, a remediation plan should be prepared with the support of the Environmental Protection Fund," said Plenković.
