BH FEDERATION PREMIER URGES CRO INVESTORS TO DO BUSINESS IN BOSNIA

SARAJEVO, Dec 7 (Hina) - The Premier of the Federation of Bosnia- Herzegovina, Alija Behmen, has invited companies and potential investors from Croatia to more actively engage in the next stage of the privatisation process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Speaking at an event presenting the Zagreb Fair programme for 2002 in Sarajevo on Thursday, Behmen said both countries would directly benefit from such projects, strengthening at the same time regional cooperation. "If Bosnia can be of interest to Volkswagen, Daimler-Benz or Debis, I am sure that investors from Croatia can find an interest here as well," Behmen said. Yesterday's event was organised by representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK) office and the Croatian Embassy in Bosnia. The head of the HGK office, Miroslav Franjkovic, reminded that Bosnia's presence in this year's Zagreb Autumn Fair as Croatia's partner had helped strengthen the countries' economic cooperation. The overall trade between Croatia and Bosnia in the first ten months of 2001 amounted to 1.272 billion German marks. The trade ratio is still in favour of Croatia (4.4:1), but according to HGK data it is continuing to even out. (hina) np sb