The meeting discussed possibilities of strengthening economic cooperation between Croatian and Australian business people, possibilities of investment in Croatia, legal regulations and the privatisation process, the Ministry of the Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship said in a statement.
Vukelic acquainted his guests with the scope of work of his ministry and presented the economic priorities of the Croatian government, saying that the basic guidelines of the government's economic policy were strong support for domestic production and encouraging exports and foreign investment.
The minister said that an Investment Promotion Agency "Invest Croatia" would be established soon.
The head of the Western Australian Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Brian Rakich, said that Australian business people were very interested in investing in Croatia, particularly the Croatian diaspora, who he said were interested in investing in the tourist industry.
Rakich said that the Chamber was undertaking numerous activities to promote Croatia as a destination for Australian tourists.
Ambassador George said that Croatia would attract foreign investors by removing administrative obstacles that largely hamper foreign investment.
Overall trade between Croatia and Australia in 2003 was 26 million US dollars, which was a 36 per cent increase from 2002. Croatian imports increased by 38 per cent and exports by 30 per cent.
In the first seven months of 2004, trade was 13.5 million US dollars, which was 84 per cent of the trade between the two countries in 2003, the statement said.