ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - By the end of 1998, direct investments of the United States in Croatia amounted to 871 million dollars or even 40 percent of total foreign investments, worth 2.2 billion dollars, in Croatia from 1993 to
1998.
ZAGREB, July 30 (Hina) - By the end of 1998, direct investments of
the United States in Croatia amounted to 871 million dollars or even
40 percent of total foreign investments, worth 2.2 billion dollars,
in Croatia from 1993 to 1998. #L#
In addition, Croatian and American partners have recently
concluded several important joint projects.
Under an agreement between Croatia Power Industry (HEP) and Parsons
Power Group, the Zagreb-based thermo-power heating plan is being
reconstructed. The value of this job is 100 million dollars.
In the end of June, HEP and U.S. Enron signed a contract on
financing, constructing and using the Jeretovac power generating
plant. The value of this project is estimated 1.2 billion dollars.
The Bechtel company will take part in building a section of the
Bregana-Zagreb-Dubrovnik motorway. The $990-million contract
obliges Bechtel to ensure that 70 percent of builders will be
Croatian firms.
In Croatia, 17 US companies have their branch offices, nine firms
have directly invested in Croatian economy, while 18 firms have
their agents and distributors here, according to figures released
by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK).
In the United States, there are only seven branch offices of
Croatia's companies - Pliva, Atlas, Koncar Overseas, Omnico
International, Croatia Line/Crossocean Shipping, Croatian banks
(Zagrebacka, Privredna and Splitska) and an office of the Croatian
Tourist Board.
The trade between Croatia and the United States amounted to 367
million dollars in 1998, or 1.97 percent of the entire trade of
Croatia and other countries. Croatia exported $89-million goods,
and imported 278-million goods from the United States last year.
The work of two American Croatian chambers of commerce in Los
Angeles and New York have been contributing to strengthening the
economic ties between the two countries.
In addition, American Croats have so far invested $17.2 million in
the process of privatisation in Croatia by buying shares of several
Croatian firms in the industrial and tourism sectors.
(hina) ms