ZAGREB, 6 Aug (Hina) - Croatia has officially become a creditor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), joining a group of 53 nations - economically and financially stable - with strong external positions, according to experts from the Croatian National Bank (HNB).

In a blog post on the HNB website, Ana Martinis and Marko Olenković from the HNB's Directorate for International Financial Institutions note that Croatia has transitioned from being an IMF aid recipient in the 1990s and 2000s to a contributor to global financial stability.

Croatia's inclusion in the IMF's Financial Transactions Plan was approved in January 2025, following a positive assessment by the IMF Executive Board. The move follows years of strong economic growth, reduced public and external debt, and the country's 2023 entry into the euro area.

As a creditor, Croatia will provide its currency to the IMF, thereby increasing its reserve position with the Fund - classified as a liquid claim and included in the country's international reserves. Although often called "loans", these transactions are not classic loans but rather contributions that earn market-based interest.

The country’s role in the IMF lending framework is also seen as a contribution to global financial stability and multilateral cooperation, the HNB notes.