AGENCY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDED IN WESTERN SLAVONIA

OKUCANI, May 17 (Hina) - The Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA), established with the support of UN agencies to help stimulate economic progress of western Slavonia and refugee returns, was opened officially on Wednesday in the town of Okucani (130 kilometres east of Zagreb). UN agencies - UNDP (agency for development) and UNOPS (for implementation of projects) - gave an initiative for preparations for the set-up of such body in Croatia. Technical and financial backing was offered by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through its programme aimed at rehabilitation and social development of the war-hit Croatian areas. The national partner and co-founder is the Zagreb-based Institute for International Relations (IMO). During the ceremonial opening IMO's representative, Sanja Malekovic, said this was a pilot project in Croatia, but the ten- year-long experience of such agency in under-developed countries or developing states and even some EU member-state had showed that LEDA was the driving force of the economic development there. LEDA will deal with prosperity in western Slavonia and neighbouring regions that were stricken by the war. It will focus attention on agriculture, industrial manufacturing and small and medium-sized businesses. The agency will also raise funds for the implementation of promising projects and ensure a market for products. (hina) mm ms