ZAGREB ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - The three biggest issues of Croatia's economy are the unemployment rate, internal illiquidity, and a poor level of trade, namely Croatia's export, Croatia's Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic said in
Zagreb on Friday, presenting possibilities of investing in Croatia. Attending the presentation of new investment possibilities in Croatia were many economy advisers from foreign embassies in Croatia, foreign trade offices, and domestic and foreign financial institutions. Croatia wants to be the first among transition countries by the extent of foreign investments in relation to the population, Fizulic said. Thus far, this has amounted to US$450 per citizen, whereas in Hungary foreign investments total US$2,500 per citizen. Th goal of the Croatian government is to reach a two percent growth in Gross National Product (GNP) over the course of this year
ZAGREB, May 19 (Hina) - The three biggest issues of Croatia's
economy are the unemployment rate, internal illiquidity, and a poor
level of trade, namely Croatia's export, Croatia's Economy
Minister Goranko Fizulic said in Zagreb on Friday, presenting
possibilities of investing in Croatia.
Attending the presentation of new investment possibilities in
Croatia were many economy advisers from foreign embassies in
Croatia, foreign trade offices, and domestic and foreign financial
institutions.
Croatia wants to be the first among transition countries by the
extent of foreign investments in relation to the population,
Fizulic said. Thus far, this has amounted to US$450 per citizen,
whereas in Hungary foreign investments total US$2,500 per
citizen.
Th goal of the Croatian government is to reach a two percent growth
in Gross National Product (GNP) over the course of this year, namely
a five percent annual GNP growth in the coming years, Fizulic said
announcing new measures for the stimulation of investments.
Plans over the next four years envisage the privatisation of the
entire economy, the minister said.
Addressing the continuation of privatisation of public companies,
Fizulic said the government intended to sell the majority share in
insurance company Croatia Osiguranje this year. The sale of 21
percent of Croatian Telecom shares is also planned to be effected by
year's end or early 2001, while the privatisation of the power-
supply sector, namely power utility company HEP and oil and gas
company INA, is to be done over three stages by the end of 2001.
Plans also include privatisation in the shipbuilding industry and
tourism. Responding to foreign businessmen's questions, Minister
Fizulic said investments in Croatia's tourism over the next five
years were expected to reach US$7 billion. Plans envisage 270,000
new beds, the building of 50 hotels, 40 golf fields, and extending
the tourist season throughout the year.
Today's presentation was the first in a series the Economy Ministry
intends to hold for foreign investors. According to plan, it is to
be held in Frankfurt, Zurich, Milan, London, and Dublin, as well as
in the United States.
(hina) ha jn