INA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH 'DEBIS IT SERVICES'

ZAGREB, July 19 (Hina) - The Croatian oil company INA-Industrija nafte and "debis IT Services", a company within DaimlerChrysler Services AG group, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding, marking the end of activities to establish a joint company. The purpose of the new company, with the ownership structure 50:50, is to provide information services on the Croatian market, and possibly on neighbouring markets. INA general director Davor Stern said an agreement on the establishment of the company would be signed in mid-September, and shortly after the signing the company should start operating. Stern said the company's establishment was the result of INA's need to develop the information technology and the company's dissatisfaction with its current information technology. In its first year of operation, the company would employ 150 to 200 workers. Some current employees with INA would also be able to compete for the new jobs. The president of the "debis IT Services" management, Karl Heinz Achinger, described the new joint venture project as an ideal opportunity to open an information market in the region. "debis IT Services" is one of the leading European companies providing information services. Last year, it realised an income of DM4.4 billion and at the end of this year it will have more than 17,000 employees. Today's signing ceremony was also attended by German Ambassador Volker Haak. (hina) rml