CRO EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION AND INTERNET PROVIDER TO COOPERATE

ZAGREB, Jan 30 (Hina) - The Croatian Employers' Association (HUP) and the first private company - Iskon Internet - which provides Internet services, on Tuesday signed an agreement on long-term cooperation. The signed document enables each of five thousand HUP member-firms to have access to Internet with special lowered fees. "Business activities in the future cannot be imagined without use of the Internet, while Croatian business people's access to that key media has so far been hampered with the Croatian Telecommunications' monopolistic position," the HUP head, Zeljko Ivancevic said at a news conference after the signing ceremony. Iskon Internet Management Chairman Damir Sabol said the use of the Internet for business purposes resulted in many advantages such as easier and faster access to business data, the reduction of business costs and the enhancement of competitiveness. Ivancevic presented a draft act, drawn up by the HUP, on the electronic trade. This is the association's bid to contribute to a speedier process of the adoption of legislative regulations of the e-business. Croatia has an opportunity to catch up with European Union member- states that should pass regulations for e-business by 1 June this year, Ivancevic added. (hina) sb ms