ZAGREB, April 29 (Hina) - The construction of the modern market economy and coming closer to the European Union (EU) as well as the conclusion of contracts on free trade are goals of the economic cooperation between Croatia and
Hungary. These are also preconditions for making significant progress in the commodity exchange, said participants in the Croatian-Hungarian business gathering, at its opening at the Zagreb Fair (ZV) on Thursday. The event, held within the spring fairs, was organised by the Hungarian firm Pecsi Ipari Vasar in cooperation with the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK). A few Hungarian institutions supported the gathering. The framework for bilateral economic relations has been created in the few past years. The two neighbouring countries have signed several agreements including treaties on trade, commodity transport, air traffic, tourism, the investmen
ZAGREB, April 29 (Hina) - The construction of the modern market
economy and coming closer to the European Union (EU) as well as the
conclusion of contracts on free trade are goals of the economic
cooperation between Croatia and Hungary. These are also
preconditions for making significant progress in the commodity
exchange, said participants in the Croatian-Hungarian business
gathering, at its opening at the Zagreb Fair (ZV) on Thursday.
The event, held within the spring fairs, was organised by the
Hungarian firm Pecsi Ipari Vasar in cooperation with the Croatian
Chamber of Commerce (HGK). A few Hungarian institutions supported
the gathering.
The framework for bilateral economic relations has been created in
the few past years. The two neighbouring countries have signed
several agreements including treaties on trade, commodity
transport, air traffic, tourism, the investment protection the
avoidance of double taxation and other issues.
It is necessary to increase the trade, valued 264 million dollars
last year, in order to advance the economic cooperation between
Croatia and Hungary. Last year saw a eight percent decrease in the
trade in comparison to 1997.
About 2,000 Hungarian companies and up to 700 Croatian firms are
being involved in the trade.
Last year Croatia imported $212-million goods from Hungary, or 11
percent less than in 1997, whereas the export to this neighbouring
country increased by 6 percent to $51.8 million.
At the gathering, Hungarian firms expressed willingness to invest
their capital in Croatia. They are particularly interested in
investing in Croatian seaports of Ploce and Rijeka.
The Hungarian national oil company, MOL, has already established
its firm in Zagreb, but still cannot open any petrol station due to
problems in getting a building licence.
Tibor Suelt, the advisor on trade in the Hungarian Embassy in
Zagreb, told the gathering that Hungary had experienced an enviable
economic development, which was stimulated by the foreign capital
as well, in recent years.
(hina) ms