At an industry conference on investment funds, Martina Verić, a board member of the Croatian Financial Services Supervisory Agency, said Croatia's investment fund industry is moving into a more mature phase of development, supported by European standards and a harmonised regulatory framework. In that context, she said the agency continues to support market development by reducing administrative burdens while maintaining investor protection and effective risk management, and by balancing innovation and competitiveness with financial stability. The conference highlighted rising public interest in investment funds, with more investors and a significant increase in total fund assets, alongside the industry's growing role in capital market development and economic financing. Participants also stressed the need to strengthen the investment base, expand the availability of financing options, maintain cooperation among regulators, industry and the public sector, and improve financial literacy within a stable regulatory framework.