CRO ECONOMY MINISTER: GOVT MUST SET WAY AND PACE OF PRIVATISATION

ZAGREB, Nov 13 (Hina) - The Croatian Economy Ministry on Monday demanded that the government specify which companies it intended to privatise next year apart from Croatian Telekom. The government has foreseen a budget income from the privatisation to amount to 12 billion kuna (US$1.38 billion), Minister Fuzulic told a press conference on Monday. Croatian Telekom stocks will be placed at stock markets in the second or third quarter of next year, which will depend on stock price movements, Fizulic said, and added this would not be sufficient to entirely collect the 12 billion kuna. The Economy Minister also expects INA, Janaf, HEP, and Croatia osiguranje will also be privatised. Minister Fizulic believes that the government should do everything to sign an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Should Croatia fail to sign the agreement with the IMF, negotiations on the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union will be more difficult, chances for attracting foreign investors and an accelerated economic growth decreased, as will chances for a growth in industrial production, export, and the solving of Croatia's biggest issue, unemployment, Fizulic said. (hina) it