High real GDP growth, relatively low inflation, and a declining fiscal deficit are some of the fruits of the programme, the report says. Nonetheless, there was a big contraction in economic activity in 2009 due to the global economic downturn, and Croatia still faces key problems, notably external vulnerability due to its high external current account deficit and large stock of external debt.

The report also indicates that important reforms have taken place in the trade and investment area since Croatia acceded to the WTO in 2000, including updating almost all its trade-related legislation with the objective of bringing it into line with the EU's trade policy and internal market rules, and reducing its simple average MFN tariff from 12.1% in 2000 to 7.1% in 2009.

The report makes clear, nevertheless, that continuation of its structural reforms, such as further improving its business environment, will be key to strengthening Croatia's resilience to shocks, sustaining growth, attracting investment, and improving productivity.

The report, along with a policy statement by the Government of Croatia, was the basis for the first Trade Policy Review (TPR) of Croatia by the Trade Policy Review Body of the WTO on 24 and 26 March 2010.