DIPLOMAT ON CROATIAN-ISRAELI ECONOMIC RELATIONS

ZAGREB, Nov 21 (Hina) - A panel discussion was held on the Israeli- Croatian economic relations and prospects, on the premises of Jewish Community in Zagreb on Tuesday evening. The discussion, organised within 'Israeli Week In Croatia' which is being held between 19 and 26 November, was attended by the first secretary at the economic department of the Israeli Embassy in Vienna, Jonathan Levi, and representatives of four Israeli companies which are already present on the Croatian market - Internet Gold, Elite Hrvatska, Koor Trade and Kol Noa. Mr. Levi gave a lecture on the economic situation in his country. A low rate of inflation (1.3 percent this year) is one of the indicators of the stability of the Israeli economy. A great part of the economy accounts for high technology, information science and technology, communications, medicine and biotechnology, he added. Therefore the current political situation will not produce big impact on the Gross Domestic Product, Levy said adding that losses would mainly be registered in tourism. Israel has managed to restructure its economy thanks to educated and highly-trained labour force. Every fifth citizen in Israel graduates from colleges and according to the number of engineers per the number of population, Israel is the first-ranked in the world, he explained adding that his country earmarks three percent of the GDP annually for research and development. Regarding the Croatian market, so far Israeli companies have found their interest in communications, security systems for cars, business premises and in foodstuffs (namely coffee). Levi described prospects of Israeli-Croatian ties as good and long- term. (hina) ms