BENETTON WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO COOPERATE WITH OSIJEK COUNTY

OSIJEK, March 7 (Hina) - Benetton's representative, in charge of eastern Europe, Sven Bichler, on Tuesday sent a letter to Osijek- Baranja County Prefect Branimir Glavas, responding to the county for the discontinuation of the cooperation with this Italian clothing manufacturer. Benetton hopes it will resume a project with this eastern Croatian region so that they can begin manufacturing clothing in the city of Osijek. Last week, county authorities decided to break up cooperation, owing to negative articles and reports in the media, and informed Benetton of its decision. The letter, signed by Sven Bichler, read, that in the beginning of September 1999, Benetton, with the backing of the Croatian Agency for Investment Promotion, established contacts with Osijek- Baranja County as a partner in setting up its plant. Bichler is sure that the county will recognise development interests of the project and spare no efforts to help carry out it. Bichler's letter was forwarded to the media from the Office of the County Prefect who added that "this letter clearly shows that Benetton has expressed regret at the such developments and has given unreserved support to the County as a partner and distanced itself from all who are trying to represent (the firm) without authorisation. Therefore the authorities of Osijek-Baranja County are willing to continue activities which will eventually lead to the opening of the Benetton's plant in Osijek." (hina) mm ms