CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER MEETS TURKISH BUSINESS REPS

ZAGREB, April 11 (Hina) - On the second day of his official visit to Turkey, Croatian Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic met representatives of the Turkish Chamber of Construction, whom he acquainted with the programme of the Croatian government, the Economy Ministry reported. Fizulic answered numerous questions regarding possible concessions for foreign investors and the current situation and plans in road infrastructure and tourism. Earlier in the day, Fizulic held talks with Turkey's State Minister Tunc Toskay about the use of a US$100-million credit line which the Turkish Exim Bank opened for loans and the insurance of goods and services exports to Croatia. Fizulic said there was a possibility for Turkish business people wishing to invest into hotels of high category and golf courses to use the credit line. The Croatian minister also held a well-attended presentation about the current situation in the Croatian economy, which was hosted by a non-government association for Euro-Asian strategic research. The presentation attracted significant interests of reporters, business people and analysts, who wanted to know about Croatia's economic and political role in the region and its relations with and plans toward the European Union. Fizulic also visited Istanbul, where he held talks with Tourism Minister Erkan Mumcu and representatives of the Turkish Chamber of Maritime Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce's international department. The visit of the Croatian official attracted significant media attention. (hina) rml