CROATIAN TRADE EXHIBITION OPENS IN TOKYO

( Editorial: --> 6059 ) TOKYO, Mar 2 (Hina) - Croatia's first trade exhibition in Japan opened in Tokyo on Monday, with 33 Croatian companies participating. President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce Nadan Vidosevic and Toru Toyoshuma, chairman of JETRO (a non-profit government agency for promoting Japan's export trade) opened the exhibition. The Tokyo exhibition will run until 12 March, then it moves to Kobe where it will be held from 25 to 29 March. Companies exhibiting their products are from the timber industry; tool machinery industry; optical, pharmaceutical and textile industries; wine, alcohol and food industries; stone and glass cutting industries; tourist agencies; and economic institutions. About 100 invited Japanese guests were present at the opening of the exhibition in the Japanese capital. Representatives of Croatian companies have great expectations from the exhibition. On the first day Japanese business people already showed great interest in Podravka's range of food products, the display of Kordun cutlery, as well as Croata's range including its ties and scarves. Exchange of trade in 1997 was valued at US$145.2 million. Croatian exports were valued at US$5.8 million, much lower than its imports. Last year Croatia mainly exported to Japan fish (shellfish and molluscs), salt, building materials, leather, fur, timber and timber products. Imported from Japan were electrical machinery and equipment, cars and other technical products. (hina) jn mrb/ha 021920 MET mar 98