THIRD USA WEEK OPENS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, May 13 (Hina) - The business, humanitarian and cultural event USA Week started at Zagreb's hotel "Opera" on Monday. The event has been organised for the third year by the US Chamber of Commerce in Croatia (AmCham), with the support of the US embassy. #L# USA Week, which will last until May 18, is an opportunity for the promotion of the two countries' economy and culture, AmCham president Tomislav Slat said at the opening ceremony. He expressed hope that the Croatian government would find as favourable solutions as possible for foreign investors and reminded about the role of the USA as one of the leading investors in Croatia. USA Week will include several presentations of AmCham member- companies, talks with Croatian university students about employment possibilities in Croatia, and various entertainment events. US Ambassador Lawrence Rossin spoke about the humanitarian aspect of the event, which every year helps raise funds among AmCham member-companies and other companies and individuals for people in need. None of the 27 AmCham offices in Europe, except for the one in Croatia, has this humanitarian aspect, he said. In the past two years, more than USD100,000 was raised in AmCham's humanitarian campaigns and donated to various associations and health and welfare institutions. This year, most funds will be donated to the association of deaf and blind persons "Dodir", the association "Brave Telephone" for abused and neglected children, and the "Humanitarian Initiative" association for the training of dogs which discover mines. AmCham was established in Croatia in 1998 with the aim of promoting economic relations between the two countries. It has 170 members, of which one half are US companies operating in Croatia, while the other half are Croatian companies and individuals doing business with the United States. (hina) rml