ARGENTINE BUSINESSMEN INTERESTED IN INCREASING CRO-ARG. TRADE

BUENOS AIRES/ZAGREB, June 13 (Hina) - Croatian Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac and president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) Nadan Vidosevic on Tuesday evening met president of the Croatian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce Kresimir Jerkovc and members of the commerce who expressed interest in the possibility of expanding cooperation in agricultural, food-processing and information industries and tourism. During the talks it was stressed that trade exchange between Croatia and Argentina last year amounted to only US$6.5 million, of which Croatia's export amounted to 2.1 million kuna (US$1 = 8.56 kuna). Minister Crkvenac said conditions in Croatia were better than in almost all countries in Central and eastern Europe, adding it was profitable to invest in Croatia. Argentine business people expressed interest in the economic situation in the region, particularly in relations between Croatia and other former Yugoslav countries. Vidosevic told them Croatia planned to sign free trade agreements with all countries in the region, by mid next year the latest. Jerkovic said he believed the meeting would help better understanding of both countries' economies. (hina) it sb