ECONOMY MINISTER VISITS VUKOVAR FIRMS

( Editorial: --> 0612 ) VUKOVAR, 9 Feb (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Monday visited Borovo and Vuteks, two Vukovar firms that were well- known prior to the war. Porges, who is also president of the Supervisory Committee of Borovo, told journalists that the future of this company must be built on the manufacture of rubber and leather footwear. I believe that former megainstitutions, one of which is Borovo, cannot reach the size to employ 17,000 people, the number of staff Borovo once had, said Porges. Now all depends on the market and its needs, he added. According to president of the Vuteks management, Dragan Manojlovic, the key problems of this company are great war damage, outdated technology as well as a staff surplus. Porges said that it is logical that current production in Vuteks cannot sustain 680 workers, the number shown on the staff list. He said that a suitable solution must be found for the care of 580 surplus workers. Tomislav Druzak, who is president of the Croatian Fund for Privatisation as well as the president of the Supervisory Committee for Vuteks d.d. participated in the discussions at Vuteks and Borovo. (hina) mm mrb 091951 MET feb 98