GROSS SALARY IN FEBRUARY - 5,017 KUNA

ZAGREB, May 7 (Hina) - The average gross salary in Croatia in February this year amounted to 5,017 kuna (approx. EUR604), which is a nominal and real decrease of 2.8 percent in relation to the month before, the State Institute for Statistics reported. #L# In relation to February 2001, the gross salary recorded a nominal increase of 3.8 percent and a real increase of 0.8 percent. The highest gross salary in February was paid in the financial transactions sector and it totalled 7,882 kuna (around EUR950), which is a nominal decrease of 3.4 percent in relation to January, and a five percent nominal increase in comparison to February last year. The lowest gross salary in February was paid in the fishing industry, amounting to 3,234 kuna, which is an 8.5 percent drop in relation to the month before, and a 5.9 percent increase in relation to February last year. The average gross salary in the first two months this year amounted to 5,088 kuna, which is a nominal increase of 2.7 percent and a real decrease of 0.3 percent compared to the same period last year. (hina) rml