BRITISH BUSINESSMEN VISIT CROATIA

ZAGREB, Feb 22 (Hina) - British Trade Secretary Brian Wilson on Monday arrived in Zagreb as part of a three-day visit to Croatia. He is to hold talks on advancing economic cooperation between Croatia and Great Britain. Wilson is also expected to meet Croatia's Premier Zlatko Matesa, Economy Minister Nenad Porges, and Transport Minister Zeljko Luzavec. Talks should focus on Croatia's abandonment of the idea to build a thermal power plant at Lukovo Sugarje. Great Britain believed Croatia would proceed with construction works following talks held last November. Today, Wilson and Luzavec are to sign an agreement on international road transport between Croatia and Great Britain. On his visit to Croatia, Wilson is accompanied by a 28-member delegation which includes representatives of companies dealing in power plant construction, shipbuilding, banking, and education, among else. Upon visiting the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), the British delegation was acquainted with possibilities of investing in Croatian economy. According to the head of the International Relations Department at the HGK, Dunja Konjevod, Croatia has in the last six years made a considerable steps forward in meeting economic standards valid in Europe, thereby providing many possibilities for foreign investing. Data of the Croatian National bank show Great Britain invested US$76 million in Croatian economy between 1993 and 1998, thus making it fifth among the biggest investors. Croatia's import from Great Britain in 1998 reached US$177 million, while export amounted to US$72 million. Among European countries, Great Britain is Croatia's eleventh economic partner, while the first two positions are held by Germany and Italy. (hina) ha jn