"OSIJEK EXPO 99" RECONSTRUCTION FAIR OPENED

OSIJEK, May 5 (Hina) - Croatian reconstruction and Development Minister Jure Radic on Wednesday opened the "Osijek Expo 99" international reconstruction fair in the eastern Croatian town of Osijek. More than 90 exhibitors from Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia- Herzegovina, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Italy will present their products from the fields of construction, agriculture equipment, hotel equipment, craftsmanship and ecology by May 10. Speaking about the course of reconstruction, Radic said so far 86,000 homes have been reconstructed in Croatia while the reconstruction of 80 per cent of war-damaged homes were under reconstruction in the Osijek-Baranja County. Stressing that the Government would persist in completing the reconstruction process regardless of the announced rebalance of the budget, Radic said the "next Government step is the rehabilitation of businesses in the areas of return so that returnees, with the support of the state and favourable loans, could start their own family businesses". (hina) lml jn