PRESIDENT MESIC OPENS ZAGREB INTERNATIONAL AUTUMN FAIR

ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Monday opened the 78th annual Zagreb International Autumn Fair, which this year has pooled 1,750 exhibitors from 39 countries. #L# Speaking about Croatian economy, Mesic said the formulation of a clear export strategy was the imperative model of economic development for Croatia. All available instruments of the macroeconomic policy in 2003 and later years should be used for the realisation of that goal and the growth in the export of Croatian goods and service, he said. Development-based economic growth alone can provide the foundation for Croatia's stable and sustainable economic development, said the President, calling for a new combination of political and economic competitiveness as the new model of Croatia's economic diplomacy. This year domestic and foreign exhibitors will display on more than 100,000 square metres of space. China is the partner country of this year's autumn Zagreb Fair, which closes on Sept. 22. Accompanying the event are CroMoney - the 4th International Finance and Business Opportunities Fair, Intertekstil - the 58th International Textile and Ancillary Industry Fair, the 51st International Leather, Footwear and Clothing Week, and Modernpak - the 19th International Fair of Packing Material and Packing Technology. (hina) ha