ALBANIAN PRESIDENT VISITS CROATIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

ZAGREB, March 27 (Hina) - Albanian President Rexep Meidani, accompanied by a group of Albanian businessmen, on Tuesday visited the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK). HGK president Nadan Vidosevic said that the visit of the Albanian President was an encouragement to the further development of the economic cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed hope that Croatia would become one of the first countries to conclude a free trade agreement with Albania. Expecting an improved cooperation, President Meidani said the visa regime between the two countries should be more flexible, particularly for business people. The overall exchange between the two countries in 2000 amounted to US$10.5 million, which is 14.1 percent more than in 1999. The two parties, however, believe there was still room for cooperation in economy. The legal framework of cooperation is established by bilateral agreements in economic cooperation, the avoiding of double taxation, maritime and air transportation, tourist cooperation, mutual protection and encouragement of investments, cooperation between Croatia's and Albania power supply industries as well as cooperation between the two countries' agriculture ministries. (hina) it sb