In the latest Press Release entitled Audit of local government-owned companies, Anto Bajo and Marko Primorac highlight the findings of the State Audit Office, showing that, in the period 2010-12, local companies in 20 counties (excluding the City of Zagreb) were insufficiently effective in their performance and achieving their business goals.

In new Newsletter published by the Institute of Public Finance, entitled Net fiscal positions of counties in Croatia from 2011 to 2013, Anto Bajo and associates analyse net fiscal position of counties, i.e. all cities and municipalities in the territory of each county. The distribution of general government revenue and expenditure of around HRK 129bn was carried out according to established distribution keys and the net fiscal positions of counties were determined. The results revealed that, out of 21 counties (20 counties and the City of Zagreb), only four recorded positive net fiscal positions. The best average annual net fiscal position was found in the City of Zagreb, followed by the positions of Istarska County, Primorsko-goranska County and Zagrebačka County. Other counties recorded negative net fiscal positions, with the weakest (negative) ones identified in Vukovarsko-srijemska County and Osječko-baranjska County.

On Wednesday, 21 January 2015 the Institute of Public Finance hosted a lecture by Daniela Pirvu from the Faculty of Economics, University of Pitesti entitled The access of social enterprises to the public procurement market in Romania: current challenges.

The public procurement system in Romania is becoming more important in the context of harmonization with the EU rules and the increase of public spending through the absorption of European cohesion and structural funds. Daniela Pirvu has researched the period 2008-2013 as well as analysed and defined the features of public procurement in Romania. She has determined that the social enterprises actively take part in socially significant areas of social protection, social services, health, local services, education, culture, sport and recreation. Enhancement of public procurement system may be used to incite public enterprises, to achieve better results in competitive and efficient environment. Activities of social enterprises may be significantly improved if allowed access to special contracts and procedures.