ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - Possibilities for an increase in the commodity exchange between Croatia and Romania are great, and solutions for the enlargement of the trade should be sought in the opening of markets and liberalisation of
commerce. Therefore it is necessary to begin consultations and subsequently negotiations on the conclusion of a contract on free trade between the two countries, said an assistant to Croatian Economy Minister, Olgica Spevec, after the fifth session which the Croatian-Romanian economic cooperation committee held in Zagreb on Friday. During its two-day session the committee considered possibilities for the enhancement of the bilateral economic cooperation in the fields of industry, transportation, tourism, agriculture and small and medium-sized businesses, Spevec added. Regional trade agreements have an important role as they imply the liberalisation
ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - Possibilities for an increase in the
commodity exchange between Croatia and Romania are great, and
solutions for the enlargement of the trade should be sought in the
opening of markets and liberalisation of commerce.
Therefore it is necessary to begin consultations and subsequently
negotiations on the conclusion of a contract on free trade between
the two countries, said an assistant to Croatian Economy Minister,
Olgica Spevec, after the fifth session which the Croatian-Romanian
economic cooperation committee held in Zagreb on Friday.
During its two-day session the committee considered possibilities
for the enhancement of the bilateral economic cooperation in the
fields of industry, transportation, tourism, agriculture and small
and medium-sized businesses, Spevec added.
Regional trade agreements have an important role as they imply the
liberalisation generally, said the State Secretary with Romania's
Industry and Trade Ministry, Mihal Berinde.
For him, such contracts are also important for the promotion of each
country's exports and in the last ten years foreign trade was the
most dynamic sector of Romania's economy, Berinde said.
Romania is an associate member of the European Union. Bucharest has
already concluded contracts with members of the EFTA (European Free
trade Association) and CEFTA (Central European Free Trade
Agreement) and Turkey and its negotiations on free trade with
Israel are near completion.
The first four months of this year saw a climb of 30 percent in
Romania's exports compared to the January-April period 1999. The
chief destination of its products is European markets where 87
percent of Romanian exports goes.
Croatia is on a good path, and soon we shall decide on the start of
negotiations relating to contracts with the European Union, the
Croatian official Spevec said.
She added that recently Zagreb had received an invitation to sign a
declaration with the EFTA, which opens up possibilities for
negotiations on the conclusion of deals on free trade with EFTA
member-states.
Croatia's negotiations on free trade with Hungary should be
finished in coming days and consultations with other CEFTA member-
states are to start.
(hina) ms