ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - The Croatian Chamber of Crafts (HOK) on Monday held a ceremony marking its day and 150th anniversary. The event was held under the auspices and in the presence of President Stjepan Mesic.
ZAGREB, July 1 (Hina) - The Croatian Chamber of Crafts (HOK) on
Monday held a ceremony marking its day and 150th anniversary. The
event was held under the auspices and in the presence of President
Stjepan Mesic. #L#
HOK president Stjepan Safran reminded about the historical
circumstances in which craftsmen and their associations operated,
from the recognition to the non-recognition and confiscation of
property, and eventually the rehabilitation of craftsmanship.
Regardless of the attitude of the incumbent government and its
policy of stimulating and developing craftsmanship and family
businesses, progress is still slow and crafts are not able to follow
the sudden development of the competition and market, Safran said.
In the past two years, 20,000 new workers have found employment in
crafts alone, Safran said, adding this was the result of new
conditions, favourable legal regulations and loans, lower interest
rates, and the introduction of new technologies and products.
Extending his best wishes to craftsmen and their chamber, President
Mesic reminded that Croatia has 90,000 craftsmen employing 223,000
workers - 17 percent of all Croatian workers.
Mesic said he believed that craftsmen could contribute much to the
creation of new jobs and urged the state to provide legal
regulations and incentives for that.
(hina) rml sb