VUKOVAR COUNTY OFFICIALS WARN OF DIFFICULT ECONOMIC SITUATION

( Editorial: --> 6891 ) VUKOVAR, Oct 8 (Hina) - The economy in the Vukovar-Srijem County is in an extremely difficult situation and the existing problems are calling for an urgent intervention, Prefect Rudolf Koenig said on Thursday. If something is not done immediately, the economic decline will continue and the standard of living will further decrease, which will only hamper an already slow return process, Keonig said at today's session of the municipal council. Before the war, businesses in the Vukovar area employed about 30,000 Vukovar residents, while today only 2,000 people are working. The county's economy will recover only if it adopts the model that has been used in the rehabilitation of companies in Ilok, Koenig said. The mayor of Vukovar Vladimir Stengl said that companies in Vukovar did not need anyone's alms but expected assistance in accessing the market. Representatives of the local food combine VUPIK and the footwear producer Borovo spoke about the difficulties of their companies. Attending today's session were also representatives from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Privatisation Fund and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. (hina) rml 082125 MET oct 98