AGENCY FOR LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPENED IN SISAK

SISAK, June 5 (Hina) - European Union officials and local representatives opened a Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) in Sisak on Tuesday. The agency, the third of its kind, will promote economic development in the region through the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP). Attending today's opening ceremony, which took place at the Sisak Town Hall, were town and county officials, European Commission Ambassador to Croatia Per Vinther and the UNDP permanent representative to Croatia, Cornelis Klein. The EU has invested significant funds in the reconstruction of the housing fund and infrastructure in Sisak County and will do more for the normalisation of life in Croatia's war-affected areas through the newly-established agency, Vinther said. The agency will focus on assistance to small and medium businesses, which will become the bearers of the region's economic growth, he said. UNDP's Klein said agencies like the newly-established one had proved efficient and reliable partners in the development of economy and the resolution of problems common for war-hit countries with ravaged economies and infrastructure, unfavourable demographic statistics and high unemployment rates. All these countries have development potential - people and families with the will to work, with perseverance and good ideas. With a little help from the LEDA, they can become successful business people and contribute to the development of the local, regional and national economy, said Klein, adding he believed in the entrepreneurial spirit of the Croatian people. (hina) rml