ECONOMY MINISTER FIZULIC MEETS KOREA'S TRADE MINISTER

ZAGREB, Jan 20 (Hina) - During his two-day visit to Korea, Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic met with Korean Trade Minister Han Duck-Soo, the Croatian Economy Ministry said on Saturday. The two ministers expressed interest in signing as soon as possible an agreement on the stimulation and mutual protection of investments and one on the avoidance of double taxation. Along with the already signed Trade Agreement, they should provide an integral legal framework for business cooperation. Duck-Soon said the Korean government supported cooperation in a project on the modernisation of Croatia's northern Adriatic Rijeka Harbour, as part of which Samsung will deliver equipment with funding from Korea's Exim Bank. The Korean minister was also interested in the potentials of Croatian tourism. Fizulic called on Korea to take part in its privatisation. The Korean side welcomed a Rijeka Harbour development programme, and praised the Croatian government's recent decision to launch its modernisation with Korean partners. Samsung will actively engage in finding a concessionaire. The chief competitors are Hutchinson of Hong Kong and the Port of Singapore Authority. In Seoul, Fizulic and associates held a seminar on Croatia's economy and possibilities of investment, which was organised by the Korean International Trade Association. Fizulic held a separate meeting with its executive president. (hina) ha