CROATIA'S TRADE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES DECREASES

ZAGREB, June 8 (Hina) - Croatia exported goods valued 1.28 billion dollars to foreign markets in the first four months of this year, or 8.7 percent less compared to the export in the same period of 1998, said the Statistical Office on Tuesday. Croatia imported 2.3-billion-dollar goods from January 1 to April 30, 1999, and the import fell by 9.6 percent in comparison to the same period last year. A deficit in Croatia's trade with other countries totalled 1.02 billion dollars in the first four months of 1999, whereas a deficit in that period last year amounted to 732.2 million dollars. Over a half of exports (53 percent) was directed to European Union member-states. Croatia exported $682.2 million to the EU market or 2.9 percent more than in the first four months last year, whereas the import from the EU dropped by 11.5 percent to 1.33 billion dollars. Croatia exported most goods ($260.8 million) to Italy, which presented a 5.3 percent increase in comparison to the first four months of 1998. The export to Germany fell by 4.1 percent to $230.8 million, whereas the export to neighbouring Bosnia-Herzegovina dropped by seven percent to $173.6 million. Croatia exported 142,6 million to Slovenia in the first four months this year, with a decrease by 2.3 percent in comparison to that period in 1998. Croatia imported most goods from Germany, the value of which totalled 454.5 million dollars, less by 4.1 percent than in the first four months last year. The import from Italy dropped by 19.5 percent to 367 million in the first four months this year. Slovenia exported 186.5 million (14.7 percent less) into Croatia, whereas Russia exported 145.6 million dollars (17.1 percent less) to Croatia in the first four months this year. (hina) ms