ECONOMIC COOPERATION BETWEEN CROATIA AND THE NETHERLANDS

( Editorial: --> 7990 ) ZAGEB, Oct 13 (Hina) - Company representatives from Croatia and the Netherlands met Tuesday to discuss cooperation in the field of housing construction and the building material industries. Today's meeting is the first between Croatian businessmen and representatives of fifteen countries from the Netherlands dealing with construction, planning and consulting. The meeting was organised by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce upon the initiative of the Dutch embassy in Zagreb, the Dutch Ministry of housing, town planning and of the environment as well as the Thijssen company. The Dutch delegation will be staying in Croatia until Friday and will speak to businessmen in Osijek, Vukovar, Pula and Porec. The Dutch companies are particularly interested in cooperation with wholesalers and architectural companies as well as the research and application of new technololgy in construction. The Netherlands was last year the 12th highest foreign trade market for the Republic of Croatia. Chamber of Commerce sources indicated that Croatia's exports to the Netherlands amounted to US$61.68 million last year while imports from that country amounted to US$170.12. (Hina) sp/ab 131303 MET oct 98