CRO & HUNGARIAN BUSINESSMEN DISCUSS COOPERATION AT ZAGREB FAIR

ZAGREB, Sept 14 (Hina) - Thirty-one Hungarian and 60 Croatian firms took part in the Croatian-Hungarian business meetings at the 75th International Zagreb Autumn Fair on Tuesday. The aim of the meetings was for businessmen of both countries to exchange information on the current situation, investigate possibilities and technical issues of trade cooperation, and to establish better cooperation. Croatian-Hungarian trade in 1998 amounted to US$263 million, but recorded a 20 percent drop in the first seven months of this year. The businessmen said this was the result of the world recession trend and the illiquidity of Croatia's economy. According to Tibor Suelt, head of Hungary's Trade Office in Zagreb, both countries should increase their share in foreign trade, especially in view of the fact that Hungary considers Croatia its strategic partner and supports its access to the World Trade Organisation. Suelt said almost all major bilateral agreements have been signed, and announced the signing of a free trade agreement. Hungarian firms are interested in investing in Croatian economy, and are at present participating in several projects, such as the completion of a dock's reconstruction in the southern port of Ploce, with works co-financed by the World Bank. Moreover, Hungary's oil company MOL is negotiating merging with Croatia's counterpart INA. Cooperation is also active in tourism. Hungary's air company Malev recently established permanent Zagreb-Budapest flights. (hina) ha