ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - A delegation of 120 business people from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) arrived in Zagreb on Tuesday for the talks with their Croatian colleagues on the resumption of the economic cooperation. Since
the last year's visit of a Croatian business delegation to Belgrade, the trade between the two neighbouring countries has increased. Thus, in the first two months of 2001 it doubled, and Yugoslavia climbed to the eighth place in the standings of countries with which Croatia traded, said Nadan Vidosevic, the head of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, at the start of the talks in the Zagreb Intercontinental Hotel. The Yugoslav delegation consists of the 120 representatives from 80 companies, seven chambers of commerce, leading bankers. The Croatian side at the talks includes representatives of some 200 firms. Our visit to Belgrade last November removed a p
ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - A delegation of 120 business people from
the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) arrived in Zagreb on
Tuesday for the talks with their Croatian colleagues on the
resumption of the economic cooperation.
Since the last year's visit of a Croatian business delegation to
Belgrade, the trade between the two neighbouring countries has
increased. Thus, in the first two months of 2001 it doubled, and
Yugoslavia climbed to the eighth place in the standings of
countries with which Croatia traded, said Nadan Vidosevic, the head
of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, at the start of the talks in the
Zagreb Intercontinental Hotel.
The Yugoslav delegation consists of the 120 representatives from 80
companies, seven chambers of commerce, leading bankers.
The Croatian side at the talks includes representatives of some 200
firms.
Our visit to Belgrade last November removed a psychological
barrier, and now it is the time to embark on the serious business
cooperation, Vidosevic said.
The Croatian and Yugoslav chambers today signed a co-operation
agreement, and they also agreed to calling on the two governments to
launch as soon as possible negotiations on free trade.
The trade is currently going on under the full tariff regime which
makes it more difficult for companies to have access to markets in
the countries, said Slobodan Korac, the head of the Yugoslav
chamber of commerce.
Another problem is the visa regime, but it is likely to be settled
soon for business people so that they could freely cooperate, Korac
said adding that the settlement of the issue of the payment
operation transactions was in the offing.
Croatia's companies will see their interest to invest in
Yugoslavia, given that the latter will soon commence
privatisation, Vidosevic said.
Korac informed the meeting that some 7000 firms would undergo
privatisation. In this process, 70 percent of shares will be sold
via the announcement of tenders, 15 percent will be given to
workers, and the rest will be used in voucher privatisation for
citizens.
Korac added that Croatia and Yugoslavia had great chances for the
furtherance of cooperation in the oil industry, transport, power
industry and tourism.
The trade between Croatia and Yugoslavia totalled 136 million US
dollars in 2000 when Croatia's export accounted for 106 million.
For instance, in 1997 the trade came to just 27 million dollars.
(hina) sb ms