CROATIAN, YUGOSLAV BUSINESSMEN MEET IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - The improvement of economic cooperation between Croatia and Yugoslavia requires simplifying the visa regime for businessmen and facilitating the signing of a trade agreement, which will accelerate the flow of capital and simplify financial transactions. This was stated by representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Crafts (HOK) and the Yugoslav Chamber of Commerce (PKJ) after a business meeting held in Zagreb on Friday. The meeting was attended by representatives from 72 companies, private entrepreneurs and craftsmen from Yugoslavia and 70 craftsmen and small and medium businessmen from Croatia. The participants were primarily interested in establishing cooperation in the field of mechanical and electrical engineering, food-processing, chemical, non-metal and textile industries, footwear production and trade. The Yugoslav businessmen also demonstrated interest in cooperation in the wood-processing and paper industry, HOK president Stjepan Safran said. Safran said the two chambers would also cooperate in organising presentations at fairs as well as in market research in Croatia and Yugoslavia and third countries. Croatia's exports to Yugoslavia in 2001 amounted to USD146.8 million, which is a 36.9% increase as against the year before, while imports from Yugoslavia amounted to 39.2 million dollars, a 28.2 percent increase. (hina) sb rml