This was stated at a meeting between Transport and Tourism Minister Bozidar Kalmeta and Bavarian Minister of Economy, Transport and Technology, Otto Wiesheu, who headed a delegation of representatives of Bavarian companies.
Economic relations between Croatia and Bavaria are improving every year and Bavarian investments in Croatia are increasing, Kalmeta said.
The Bavarian delegation informed the minister that Munich airport was interested in making investments into the expansion of Zagreb airport, which Kalmeta announced for next year. After the best development model is selected, bids for the strategic partnership in that airport will be invited by June 2005 at the latest.
The two sides also talked about the section of the Zagreb-Macelj highway (running to the border with Slovenia) which the Bavarian company Walter Bau started building in summer this year. The section should be completed in summer 2007.
The Slovene side has announced the start of construction works on the highway for 2013, which Wiesheu said was a paradox. He added that he would try to exert influence on Slovenia through Brussels to speed up construction works and he hoped that the EU would back his initiative.
The Fa. Stangl Consult company from Bavaria is ready to invest some 180 million euros in the construction of a marina for mega yachts and a hotel in Pula, Wiesheu said, adding that negotiations were under way.
The Bavarian delegation, which has been paying annual visits to Croatia over the last ten years, will tomorrow visit the Economy Ministry and the Croatian Chamber of the Economy (HGK).