PLANT OF ELECTRIC POWER GRIDS' CONCRETE PILLARS OPENED IN S. CROATIA

DUGI RAT, July 24 (Hina) - On the premises of the ferroalloy factory called "Dalmatia" near Split, a newly-erected plant for manufacturing pillars for low-voltage and middle-voltage electric power grids was opened ceremonially on Saturday. The new plant, which was built within the Croatian Government's programme for restructuring the "Dalmatia" factory, will produce pillars out of reinforced concrete, which should be long from nine (9) to fourteen (14) metres. On behalf of the majority owner, the Croatian Electric Power Industry (HEP), the HEP director, Damir Begovic, cut a ribbon and voiced satisfaction that it was the first new manufacturing plant in Dalmatia to begin operating after ten years. It will ensure jobs for 100 workers who have so far been employed with the "Dalmatia" factory, and it has also the potential for receiving additional 100 workers. The value of the new plant is 10 million German marks. The financial scheme has been completed by a loan granted from the Zagrebacka bank, for which the Government has given collateral. A part of means has been secured by the HEP. In addition, a partner from Italy, the Cesagrande firm, has also invested into the new factory. This Italian company's President, Sergio Cesagrande, who was present at Saturday's ceremony, announced considerable investments of his firm into the municipality of Dugi Rat and the coast by the town of Omis, central Dalmatia. (hina) ms ,