ZAGREB, Nov 4 (Hina) - The fifth round of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Croatia and Yugoslavia will be held at the Croatian Economy Ministry in Zagreb on November 5-6.
ZAGREB, Nov 4 (Hina) - The fifth round of negotiations on a free
trade agreement between Croatia and Yugoslavia will be held at the
Croatian Economy Ministry in Zagreb on November 5-6. #L#
In the latest negotiating round, the two sides will try to fully
harmonise the lists of industrial, agricultural and food products
whose trade will be liberalised, regulations on the origin of
goods, as well as adjust the basic text of the agreement, the
Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Both sides intend to complete the negotiations in the next two days
and initial a free trade agreement, which will provide the basis for
the signing of the document.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, trade between
Croatia and Yugoslavia in 2001 amounted to US$186 million, which is
35 percent more than the year before. Of that amount, Croatian
exports accounted for US$146.8 million, an increase of 36.9%, while
imports from Yugoslavia accounted for US$39.2 million, an increase
of 28.2 percent. Croatia's surplus in trade with Yugoslavia
totalled US$107.6 million.
In the first eight months of this year, trade between the two
countries totalled US$138.7 million, which is 8.3 percent more than
in the same period last year. Croatia's exports totalled US$105.8
million, an increase of 2.9%, while imports totalled US$32.9
million, an increase of 29.9%, and a surplus of US$73 million.
In 2001 Croatia mostly exported oil and mineral oils, not including
crude oil (27%), processed tobacco (19.2%), food (3.1%) and
electrical engines and parts (2.8%).
The most frequently imported goods from Yugoslavia are canned fruit
and fruit products, not including juices (7.8%), tractors (6.9%),
aluminium (5.3%), and electrical engines and parts (5.1%).
(hina) rml sb