FIZULIC HOLDS TALKS WITH ISRAELI DELEGATION

ZAGREB, June 26 (Hina) - Croatia's Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic on Monday held talks with a delegation of the Israeli-Croatian Friendship League and Israel's Ambassador Nathan Meron, discussing Croatian-Israeli economic relations and the unsatisfactory extent of trade. According to a statement from the Croatian Economy Ministry, Fizulic briefed the Israeli side on everything Croatia's government had done over the past four months to advance economy and set foundations for attracting investments as soon as possible. The economy minister also briefed the Israeli side on preparations for the privatisation of public companies over this and next year, particularly pointing to the need of investing in tourism, which he said was the most attractive sector for foreign investors. Israeli-Croatian Friendship League president Samuel Schlesinger agreed with Minister Fizulic it was necessary to bring more Israeli tourists to Croatia's attractive coastline. Both agreed that to make that possible, it was necessary to enable Israeli charter companies to make more flights to Croatia. The Israeli side was interested in Croatia's new investment stimulation law. Minister Fizulic said a final bill would be on parliament's agenda for second reading at an extraordinary session in July. The Israeli side said Croatia should facilitate procedures necessary to foreign investors to obtain various permits, pointing out the path to getting the final permit was complicated. Israel is also interested in a law on free zones, purchasing land for longer periods, and the privatisation of Croatian Railways. (hina) ha mm