D&B: CROATIA - COUNTRY OF MODERATE INVESTMENT RISK

ZAGREB, May 16 (Hina) - According to the latest report of the renowned international credit rating company Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), Croatia's credit rating for May remained unchanged - DB4d, which places Croatia among countries in transition of moderate investment risk, the Zagreb-based company BonLine reported. The May report on Croatia's risk profile puts most emphasis on the upcoming local election and its effect on the stability of the government. D&B estimates that the coalition between the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS) and the Croatian Peasants' Party (HSS) will survive and win the majority of votes after the (possible) break-up of the ruling six-party coalition. Croatia was given the DB4d mark in early February this year and until then it had a DB5a mark, which designates countries of high investment risk. Croatia shares its current rating with Lithuania and Slovakia whereas Hungary and Slovenia have the best mark among countries in transition - DB3a - which stands for a relatively low investment risk. Yugoslavia, several former Soviet republics and Russia and Albania are at the bottom of the list with the mark DB6d, which is given to countries of very high investment risk. (hina) sb rml