EUROPEAN FEDERATION OF DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION REPS VISIT CRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ZAGREB, March 22 (Hina) - Representatives of the European Federation of Direct Selling Association's (FEDSA) Commission for Central and East Europe attended a meeting of the Group on Direct Selling at the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) on Thursday. According to a statement from the HGK, FEDSA representatives, headed by director Marie-Andre Vander, also attended a round table held at the HGK yesterday. Croatia's Assistant Economy Minister Kamilo Vrana said Croatia was preparing new laws on trade and consumer protection, which would comprehensively and precisely define direct selling. Direct selling is an important branch which should be adjusted to European standards, which would secure legal preconditions for the development of direct selling with emphasis on consumer protection, Vrana said. According to the head of the Group on Direct Selling, Marija Novak- Istok, the most difficult problem is incomplete legislation and the sudden growth of unregistered direct selling companies which have been creating a negative image for this trade branch with their poor performance. During their two-day visit to the HGK, the FEDSA Commission presented direct selling in Hungary and Poland and a socio-economic study on direct selling in several member-countries of the Commission. The FEDSA was established in 1968 and it gathers 25 national associations. Its purpose is to continually improve legislation, education and promotion with the aim of creating a positive image for direct selling. (hina) rml