TEL AVIV, Aug 1 (Hina) - Croatia has proposed to Israel that they conclude a treaty on free trade, so that the agreement can give impetus to the currently unsatisfactory trade between the two countries, said Croatia's Economy Minister
Goranko Fizulic in Tel Aviv. Now the trade between Croatia and Israel comes to only 20 million dollars annually, which is insufficient for ambitions of both parties. "We have suggested to the Israeli party the commencement of negotiations on the free trade agreement such as Israel has already concluded with Slovenia. Since Croatia recently became a World Trade Organisation member-country, it can also make such agreement with Israel," Fizulic told Croatian reporters who are covering a four-day visit of Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic and a few Croatian ministers to Tel Aviv. The Croatian Government's delegation arrived in Tel Aviv on Su
TEL AVIV, Aug 1 (Hina) - Croatia has proposed to Israel that they
conclude a treaty on free trade, so that the agreement can give
impetus to the currently unsatisfactory trade between the two
countries, said Croatia's Economy Minister Goranko Fizulic in Tel
Aviv.
Now the trade between Croatia and Israel comes to only 20 million
dollars annually, which is insufficient for ambitions of both
parties.
"We have suggested to the Israeli party the commencement of
negotiations on the free trade agreement such as Israel has already
concluded with Slovenia. Since Croatia recently became a World
Trade Organisation member-country, it can also make such agreement
with Israel," Fizulic told Croatian reporters who are covering a
four-day visit of Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Goran
Granic and a few Croatian ministers to Tel Aviv.
The Croatian Government's delegation arrived in Tel Aviv on Sunday
and on Monday held talks with the director-general of the Israeli
Industry and Trade Ministry, Ruben Horesh, and Israeli
businessmen.
During the meeting Minister Fizulic acquainted Mr. Horesh with a
proposal for launching bilateral negotiations on the free trade
agreement.
After Tuesday's tour of plants of the Ormat company, Fizulic
informed the Croatian reporters that the Israeli party accepted
negotiations on this agreement and that they could be completed by
the end of this year.
Commenting on possible liberalisation in the commerce between
Croatia and Israel, Fizulic said the deal had prospects as the two
countries were mainly not competitive to each other as regards
trade.
Croatia's delegation and Israeli businessmen also considered the
interest of the latter in investing in Croatia.
Israelis have undoubtedly interest in investing in tourism and
construction of shopping centres, Fizulic added.
Some projects between Croatian and Israeli firms have started and
Israelis show interest in the privatisation of chains of hotels in
Dubrovnik. In addition, some preparations have been under way for
building a 40-square-metre-large mall near the central Bus Station
in the Croatian capital.
"The Israeli party has not been satisfied with the speed and
possibility of the implementation of the aforementioned projects,"
Fizulic said.
He added that the two countries would like to develop cooperation in
high-tech industries.
(hina) ms