GOVT. PASSES DECREES ON DEREGULATION OF OIL PRODUCTS' PRICES

ZAGREB, Jan 4 (Hina) - In the future, the executive authority will not have to be asked for consent in determining prices for oil products, which will be set according to a separate formula based on trends in world prices on the Mediterranean market and the US dollar rate, the government decided on Thursday. At today's session, the government adopted a decree on direct price control measures and a decree on the establishment of the highest level of oil products' prices. Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said today's decisions contributed to the further liberalisation of the domestic market, and that he did not expect any significant disturbances of prices. He does not expect changes in oil products' prices either given the current situation on the world market. Prices of natural and liquefied gas, electricity, unprocessed wood, radio and television subscription, and domestic rail and boat passenger transport will remain under direct state control measures. The Economy Ministry's consent will no longer be necessary to change prices for brown bread, fresh daily milk, artificial fertiliser, and telephone subscription. The government forwarded into parliamentary procedure bills on associations, amendments to the weapons law, and working hours for retail stores. (hina) ha