VALENTIC:ECONOMIC GROWTH CRUCIAL FOR SOLUTION OF OTHER PROBLEMS

ZADAR, Dec 18 (Hina) - In the central coastal town of Zadar, candidates of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union on Saturday presented their programme to potential voters at the forthcoming parliamentary election. The head of the HDZ list for the ninth electoral unit, Nikica Valentic, told reporters about the economic and social programme of his party and fields on which he would insist in case he assumed the post of the premier of a new government. For Valentic incentives to the economic growth will be of top priority, as he viewed the economic growth as a condition for settlement of a series of problems. "In next five years the HDZ government will ensure the economic growth at the 6 to 8 percent annual rate. With such rate we shall be able to meet our social needs," Valentic said promising also a rise in the employment, tax cuts, and cuts in state expenditure at all levels. He told reports that it was possible that the new government would reconsider the rate of the Value Added Tax (VAT). A one-time Croatian Premier said "Croatia is not an overindebted country, but running into each new debt can be serious." We shall stimulate foreign direct investments, and we are in favour foreign investment but against the sale of the country, he added. The HDZ head of the electoral list for the ninth constituency pledged to fight against "general and white collar crime" as without that "no development will be possible." (hina) ms