ZAGREB, July 21 (Hina) - Croatia's ministries of foreign affairs and economy and the government's Agency for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (APIU) on Monday signed an agreement on cooperation in view of advancing the
country's economic diplomacy by supporting Croatian exports and promoting foreign investments in the country.
ZAGREB, July 21 (Hina) - Croatia's ministries of foreign affairs
and economy and the government's Agency for the Promotion of
Exports and Investments (APIU) on Monday signed an agreement on
cooperation in view of advancing the country's economic diplomacy
by supporting Croatian exports and promoting foreign investments
in the country. #L#
The framework agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Tonino
Picula, Economy Minister Ljubo Jurcic, and APIU acting manager
Marko Zdravko Zubrinic.
Picula said the document was "part of overall efforts...to equip
Croatia as quickly as possible to promote its economic interests
abroad".
Croatia's foreign policy interest "was and remains access to the
European Union...but in today's globalised world we have to develop
our presentation on the global level as well, not just within
European boundaries," said Picula.
He said the agreement signed today, in its most important parts,
would be identical to solutions successfully applied for years in
the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, as
well as other countries.
Picula said the Economic Diplomacy Administration recently
established within the foreign ministry would also contribute to
the promotion of Croatia as an economic as well as political
partner.
APIU acting manager Zubrinic said APIU was the first Croatian
agency focusing on exports and investments as the basic
prerequisites for the country's economic development.
The agency will open offices in Croatia's principal trade partners
-- Germany, Italy, Austria and Russia, and cooperate with economic
advisors at Croatia's diplomatic and consular missions.
Economy Minister Jurcic said the agency would review the structure
of Croatia's economy and individual markets within two years and
then help define penetration strategies and the government's role
in the process.
Picula announced a presentation of Croatia's economy in Brussels
for the end of October, and a seminar for economic advisors at
Croatia's diplomatic and consular missions, which will take place
in Zagreb and Koprivnica next week.
(hina) ha