MEETING ON CROATIA-BOSNIA TRADE RELATIONS HELD AT ZAGREB FAIR

ZAGREB, April 24 (Hina) - Consistent implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will contribute to increasing trade between the two countries as well as their investments and economic growth, it was said at an international conference on trade between Croatia and Bosnia- Herzegovina, held as part of international spring fairs at the Zagreb Fair on Tuesday. Although the free trade agreement was signed in December last year and went into force at the beginning of this year, its implementation is still hampered by problems and "a secret trade war", said Marko Tadic, a representative for the organiser of the event, FORUM HBH 2000. Participants in the meeting stressed the agreement could decrease trade deficits, which are currently much more to the detriment of Bosnia-Herzegovina. According to data from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Croatia's exports to Bosnia last year amounted to USD 120 million whereas imports from Bosnia amounted to seven million dollars. Bosnia-Herzegovina is particularly interested in exporting its work force to Croatia's catering and construction sectors. Bosnia-Herzegovina will be Croatia's partner-country at this year's Zagreb Autumn Fair. (hina) rml