TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT PRESENTED

ZAGREB, March 4 (Hina) - A technical assistance project to streamline bankruptcy procedures and clear the backlog in Croatia's commercial courts was introduced Monday by Croatian Justice minister Ingrid Anticevic Marinovic and the director of the World Bank Office for South and Central Europe, Andrew N. Vorking. A key goal of the project is to cut in half the backlog of 1,705 cases in the nation's commercial courts. The work of the commercial courts is supported by a US$5 million loan granted by the World Bank, the financial assistance of the Japanese government worth US$200,000 and a US$250,000 donation made by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is expected to last three and a half years. The Justice Minister said this is only one of several judicial reform projects started by the former government, all aimed at reducing the case backlog, improving efficiencz and regaining citizens' trust. The technical assistance project includes the preparation of a court administration model, its modernisation, computerisation and automatisation, as well as the regulation of the work of bankruptcy commissioners, the education of commercial court judges and the adjustment of Croatian regulations to European standards. Vorking pointed to the importance of the judiciary reform for the social and economic situation in countries in transition. (hina) it sb