CRKVENAC AND VIDOSEVIC HOLD TALKS WITH CHILEAN OFFICIALS

SANTIAGO, June 16 (Hina) - Croatian Finance Minister Mato Crkvenac and president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce Nadan Vidosevic on Friday in Santiago held talks with Chilean Central Bank governor Carlos Massado and Chilean Finance Minister Eyzaguirre. Minister Eyzaguirre said Chile was interested in economic cooperation with Europe, trade, direct investments, joint companies, technical and technological cooperation. According to him, Croatia could be a good starting point for Chile's economy, namely for the development of business activities with central and southeastern Europe. He also pointed to the significance of Croatia's ports of Rijeka and Ploce. President of the Association of Chilean banks Hernan Sommervill said Croatia could be a very interesting economic partner to Chile, and promised financial assistant to Chilean companies in joint projects with companies from Croatia. He stressed bankers were ready to support efforts invested in the accelerated signing of an agreement on avoiding double taxation between the two countries. At the presentation of the Croatian economy, organised by the Chilean-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian Embassy in Chile, Crkvenac and Vidosevic pointed to extremely favourable tax conditions for investors, the political stability and Croatia's geographical position. (hina) it