ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Monday held talks with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), headed by Hans Flickenschild, the Economy Ministry said in a statement. The IMF delegation
arrived in Croatia last week for a two-week visit to gain insight into the current economic and financial situation in the country with regard to the realisation of Croatia's stand-by arrangement with the IMF. Fizulic informed the IMF officials about the trade agreements Croatia has signed so far. As of next year, those agreements (a free trade agreement will be signed with Bulgaria soon) will regulate 80% of Croatia's foreign trade in line with the principles of free trade. Croatia is soon to become a member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), it was said. The agreements have created better conditions and increased competitiveness on the Croatian market and could stimulate direct
ZAGREB, Nov 26 (Hina) - Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Monday
held talks with a delegation of the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), headed by Hans Flickenschild, the Economy Ministry said in a
statement.
The IMF delegation arrived in Croatia last week for a two-week visit
to gain insight into the current economic and financial situation
in the country with regard to the realisation of Croatia's stand-by
arrangement with the IMF.
Fizulic informed the IMF officials about the trade agreements
Croatia has signed so far. As of next year, those agreements (a free
trade agreement will be signed with Bulgaria soon) will regulate
80% of Croatia's foreign trade in line with the principles of free
trade. Croatia is soon to become a member of the Central European
Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), it was said.
The agreements have created better conditions and increased
competitiveness on the Croatian market and could stimulate direct
foreign investments, Fizulic said.
Thanks to Croatia's membership in the World Trade Organisation and
its Agreement on Stabilisation and Association with the EU, the
prices of basic food products and industrial products may decrease
even further, Fizulic said.
The IMF delegation was interested, among else, in activities aimed
at stimulating foreign investments, the situation in the
shipbuilding industry, the process of privatisation and future
privatisation measures.
After greenfield investments in Cakovec and Varazdin, the Ministry
has been negotiating several new investments and planning to open a
so-called 'one stop shop' for investors, Fizulic said.
(hina) rml