ZAGREB AUTUMN FAIR CLOSES

ZAGREB, Sept 17 (Hina) - Despite a very difficult situation in Croatia's economy, this year's Zagreb Autumn Fair, which included an international fair of textile and accompanying industry and a finance and business opportunities fair, has met the expectations and proved to be a successful business event, Zagreb Fair director Jurica Pavelic told reporters at the end of the fair on Sunday. A total of 1,811 exhibitors, of whom 56 percent was from 37 foreign countries, participated in the fair, which opened on September 11. Pavelic expects that the number of visitors will exceed 145,000, which is a 15 percent decrease in relation to last year. The income generated by the Zagreb Fair accounts for about DM150 million of the City of Zagreb's income and an additional DM30 million in state tax revenues. The fair also included thirty-nine events, of which 15 seminars, including a Croatian Economic Forum, an economic forum within the Day of Hungary - Partner-County event, and a round table entitled "Transparency of Croatian Economy." Thirty-one awards and 15 diplomas were bestowed on the organisers of collective exhibitions. Hungarian Ambassador Gyorgy Csoti thanked the Zagreb Fair for cooperation, adding Hungary's participation in the fair as Croatia's partner-country contributed to improving cooperation between the two countries. (hina) rml