CEI COUNTRIES BEGIN FIRST ECONOMIC FORUM IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges on Wednesday opened a two-day round table on direct foreign investments in countries of the Central European Initiative (CEI), taking place in Zagreb as part of the first Economic Forum. According to Porges, the round table, which also focuses on investment strategies and future movement trends, should demonstrate that CEI countries are capable of competing with other countries in Europe in attracting direct foreign investments. The relatively low level of such investments to date was a reflection of problems related to legislative regulations and slow privatisation in countries in transition, said Porges. At the round table, representatives of 16 CEI countries will present reports on investments made to date and on financial investment sources. Talks will also tackle the role of international institutions in promoting foreign investments. Also participating in the round table are representatives of the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. The organisers are the Croatian Investment Stimulation Agency and the International Relations Institute, in cooperation with the World Bank's Foreign Investment Advisory Service. An economic forum will be held as part of this year's CEI conference between November 19 and 21 for the first time. Ministers of economy, trade, and industry of CEI countries will discuss issues related to further trade liberalisation, and direct foreign investments. Presidents of chambers of commerce of member-countries will also attend. (hina) ha