CROATIA-BOSNIA BUSINESS FORUM HELD IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Sept 19 (Hina) - Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are long- standing trade partners, with even stronger ties after the signing of the Free Trade Agreement, implemented from the beginning of the year, it was said Wednesday at a business forum held as part of the 77th edition of the Zagreb Autumn Fair. In the first six months of this year, trade between the two countries increased by 18 percent, with a 58 percent increase of Bosnian export to Croatia, and an 11 percent increase in Croatia's export to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatian Deputy Economy Minister Maja Brinar stated. The main goal of the two countries' economic cooperation, Bosnian Deputy Foreign Trade Minister Jadranko Prlic said, was strengthening the competitiveness of their products in the joint market. He also reminded of the importance of strengthening regional cooperation. "Croatia's main problem - a problem all transition countries are faced with - is a high unemployment rate, as well a lack of greenfield investments," Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) President Nadan Vidosevic pointed out. Croatian businessmen, it was concluded at the forum, were not currently active in the privatisation process in Bosnia- Herzegovina, and an invite to do so was extended to all interested companies. (hina) js