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Hrvoje Bujas
Episode · #475

RITAM POSLA Hrvoje Bujas

Guest Hrvoje BujasHosted by Lidija KiseljakMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The conversion to the euro should have been a straightforward administrative process for Croatian businesses. Instead, it became a point of contention, exposing the friction between economic policy and bureaucratic inertia. Hrvoje Bujas, president of the Glas poduzetnika (Voice of Entrepreneurs) association, has spent years advocating for a business environment that supports, rather than hinders, growth. He has a direct, uncompromising view on the costs of inefficiency—whether it's an unexpected fee for a currency conversion or the slow pace of judicial reform. Bujas details the specific issues entrepreneurs face: from soaring energy costs to a public sector he describes as "quite slow and inefficient." His perspective, forged on the front lines of advocacy, offers a clear-eyed look at what it takes to operate a business in a complex regulatory landscape. This conversation will make you consider the true price of bureaucracy and the power of collective action in driving change.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The shift from kuna to euro for company capital, set to be free for citizens, demands a 2500 HRK notary fee from businesses, with penalties for non-compliance. When a simple currency conversion incurs a mandatory fee and legal obligation for companies, the state is effectively taxing administrative changes that should be automatic.
02
Hrvoje Bujas states, "We will not pay," refusing to accept the imposed notary fees for euro capital conversion. Sometimes, the most effective way to challenge an unreasonable policy is a clear, collective refusal to comply.
03
With over 140,000 active companies affected, the 2500 HRK notary fee for euro conversion would have siphoned over 300 million HRK from Croatian businesses. Seemingly small administrative charges, when applied broadly across an economy, can accumulate into substantial, unnecessary burdens.
04
Faced with rising costs and a tight labor market, businesses opt to raise prices rather than lay off staff. In an economy where skilled workers are scarce, the cost of inflation is often passed directly to the consumer before it impacts employment levels.
05
While the private sector has adapted to economic challenges, Bujas describes the public sector as "quite slow and inefficient," still expanding bureaucracy instead of reducing it. Economic resilience often stems from the private sector's ability to respond quickly, a flexibility frequently absent in government structures.
06
Glas poduzetnika advocates for "more work, digitalization, lower taxes, and more justice" as fundamental reforms. Sustainable economic progress requires a clear, interconnected set of principles that address systemic issues, not just isolated measures.
07
Bujas notes a lack of engagement with new ministers, contrasting it with better cooperation from previous administrations. A breakdown in direct communication between government and business representatives signals a potential disconnect in understanding and addressing economic realities.
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