CROATIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MARKS 150TH ANNIVERSARY

ZAGREB, Feb 18 (Hina) - The best bank in Croatia last year, according to the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, was the Raiffeisen Bank Austria. Croatia Insurance was pronounced the best insurance company, Kras the best large company (with more than 250 employees), Rovinj-based Istragrafika the best middle-scale company (50 - 259 employees) and Zagreb's Megatrend company the best small company in the previous year. The companies were awarded the "Golden kuna" awards at Monday night's ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. The Golden kuna awards are given out for original business based on indices of liquidity, debts, profitability, employment, profits and power of the company in the past year. Croatian Prime Minister Ivica Racan attended the ceremony and recalled the significance of the Chamber, especially in the upcoming period, not only for its members, but also the state administration. Racan accentuated its role in international economic relations, because "it knows how to preserve its identity in the world". The task of so-called economic diplomacy will be one of the most important ones in the future work of the Chamber of Commerce, Racan stressed. Vice-president of Eurochambers, Georgios Kassimatis, wished the Croatian Chamber of Commerce all the best on its 150th anniversary. (hina) lml