Business opportunities for Croatian firms are numerous because China is the world's largest construction site and consequently one of the largest importers of cement and other building material, such as iron and steel, Polancec told reporters after meeting Chinese State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan.
That way Croatian companies would be able to participate in the construction of road and rail infrastructure and energy facilities, Polancec added.
Polancec thanked his guest for the proposal that Croatian companies join in the construction of infrastructure facilities for the Olympic Games, due to take place in 2008, and in the industrial reconstruction of the north of the country. He added that cooperation in tourism deserved special attention and that Croatian food and pharmaceutical firms could also find their place in the Chinese market.
On the other hand, there are numerous opportunities for the further expansion of Chinese companies in Croatia, particularly in the better use of the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka, in opening companies in free trade zones in Croatia and opening mixed ownership companies, the Deputy Prime Minister said, announcing that a Croatian business delegation would visit China in November.
Tang, who arrived in Zagreb as the last stop of his regional tour that included Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Macedonia, said that Croatia was China's biggest business partner in the region.
After the meeting the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement on cooperation in agriculture. The purpose of the agreement is to encourage cooperation in agricultural science and technology, an exchange of information and experts between relevant institutions, and cooperation in veterinary medicine.