WORLD BANK OFFICIAL: REFORMS SHOULD BE ACCELERATED IN CROATIA

ZAGREB, Jan 24 (Hina) - The World Bank and Croatia agree that it is necessary to speed up economic reforms in Croatia in order to increase the employment and open up new possibilities for the country's economy, World Bank director for Croatia, Andrew Vorkink, said in Zagreb on Wednesday. Besides, Croatia and the World Bank agree that it is necessary to have a clear strategy which can be implemented by the government's action as well as by the support from the Croatian people, Vorkink told reporters after he met President Stjepan Mesic. We discussed possibilities for drawing up a programme of the Croatian government which will include a strategy on the increase in the production in the country in the future, Vorkink said after the meeting at which also World Bank permanent representative in Zagreb, Sandor Sipos, was present. Vorkink, who is the World Bank director in charge of Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, added that Mesic and he also considered the importance of an integrated strategy of reforms. Such a strategy may create a business atmosphere which will attract investors both in Croatia and in its neighbourhood. This will help the Croatian economy to become more competitive and bring other advantages as well, Vorkink explained. (hina) ms