EASTERN CROATIA INTERESTING TO FOREIGN INVESTORS

OSIJEK, July 7 (Hina) - Eastern Croatia and particularly Osijek- Baranja County is interesting to foreign investors, said executive director of the Croatian Agency for the Promotion of Investments, Vanja Kalogjera at a meeting with county prefect Branimir Glavas on Wednesday. According to Kalogjera, tourist sites were particularly interesting - including Kopacki rit and Dakovo. Another possible attraction is hunting and fishing tourism. Kalogjera however, believes, Croatia still hasn't developed awareness of the advantages of foreign investments which are currently often faced with too many obstacles. Bureaucracy, is probably the most pressing obstacle and we do not have a properly developed programme to offer foreign investors. The Agency for the Promotion of Investments has attempted to present Croatia to the world with all its advantages in the hope of attracting investors. During a recent visit by Japanese investors to the Agency, about one hundred companies expressed interest in investing in Croatia, Kalogjera said. "We emphasise that Croatia's future lies in small and medium sized companies", said Kalogjera, adding that particular interest was shown by the US Park-Plaza hotel chain. "We are aware that no one will remove our economic problems and we need to show more initiative", said county prefect Glavas, stressing that Osijek-Baranja County was open to accept quality foreign investments. Following his meeting with Prefect Glavas, Kalogjera spoke to local administration staff about the likelihood of investments and methods of cooperating with foreign investors. (hina) sp