Economic growth was positive again during 2004, so that the total revenue for the first 9 months of the year increased by 4.8% (although it was accompanied by an increase in expenses of 6.4%). The expected revenue for 2004 is 27.8 billion HRK. This increase in revenue is largely due to sales in the domestic market (8.9% increase). Small business revenue grew the most (13.4%), while medium-sized businesses grew the least (1.6%). The number of active firms in the county was 5800 on 30 September 2004, which was an increase of 5.2% from the previous year. It is important to note the net increase in the number of small businesses (5.2%), with some small businesses growing into medium-sized (whose number increased by 5.7%), and another part of small businesses being liquidated. The total number of entrepreneurs by the end of 2004 should be 6547 (an increase of 5.2% from the previous year). Good economic conditions also contributed to the increase in the rate of employment by 1% (in trading companies) and a simultaneous decrease in the rate of unemployment on 30 September 2004, to 1% less than the previous year. On the same date there were 57 204 employed and 17 456 unemployed people in the county. Net wages also increased by 4.3%, so that despite an increase in the cost of living there was a real increase in wages.
For the first time in the last few years, the export of goods grew (29.9%) faster than imports (15.2%) at the state level, so that imports for the first 9 months of 2004 totalled 12 061 billion USD, while exports totalled 5 781 billion USD, making the trade balance for the year -48%. If we look only at the PGC the situation is a bit more positive, because the export of goods increased by 71.0% to 297 million USD (mostly as a result of the ship building industry), and imports increased by 14.2% to 544 million USD, making the trade balance for the year -54%. This low trade balance is partly corrected by the service industry, which makes the county’s exports climb to 408.9 million USD, making the trade balance rise to –25%. The county’s largest trading partner is the EU, with 83% of imports coming from the EU and 64% of exports going to the EU.