ECONOMY MINISTER OPENS THREE SPECIALISED INTERNATIONAL FAIRS

( Editorial: --> 9962 ) ZAGREB, June 9 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges Tuesday opened three specialised international fairs at the Zagreb Trade Fair which will feature 356 exhibitors, including 248 from 21 foreign countries. Today Porges opened BIAM, the 14th international machinery and tools fair, WELDING, the 17th international welding and welding constructions fair, and ANTICORROSION, the 13th international material and industrial finish protection fair. The general director of the Zagreb Trade Fair Jurica Pavelic pointed out that three thirds of the exhibitors were from abroad, including from technologically highest developed countries, like the United States, Japan and Germany. Pavelic also emphasised the importance of expert conferences which, he said, are an opportunity for exchanging knowledge and an insight into the latest technological and production achievements. Specialised fairs are important for the economy as they are a compound of highly-specialised knowledge, said Economy Minister Porges. He asserted the Croatian government had succeeded in part in establishing a "friendly" economic climate for the development of production, especially through the stability of the kuna, a negligible inflation rate, and the Value Added Tax as the latest stimulus to export economy. The government is also trying to step up negotiations on the establishment of a free trade zone, access to the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, and full membership at the World Trade Organisation. (hina) ha 091610 MET jun 98