ZAGREB ++ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - A two-day international conference on +reconstruction and development of Croatia started on Monday +morning in Zagreb.+ Opening the plenary session, Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa +stressed that
the conference was an opportunity to overcome the +differences in levels of development in war damaged areas, in +relation to other areas in Croatia.+ "We see this conference as a possibility to avoid this imbalance in +development, to accelerate development in those areas in which +return is to happen or is already happening, where we will build or +already are, building trust, where renewal of the society is to +occur or is already happening", said Matesa.+ Simultaneously in another hall, an exhibition type presentation of +individual projects is being offered to interested investors.+ The conference being held at Zagreb's "Intercontinental" hotel +gathered many in
ZAGREB, Dec 4 (Hina) - A two-day international conference on
reconstruction and development of Croatia started on Monday
morning in Zagreb.
Opening the plenary session, Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa
stressed that the conference was an opportunity to overcome the
differences in levels of development in war damaged areas, in
relation to other areas in Croatia.
"We see this conference as a possibility to avoid this imbalance in
development, to accelerate development in those areas in which
return is to happen or is already happening, where we will build or
already are, building trust, where renewal of the society is to
occur or is already happening", said Matesa.
Simultaneously in another hall, an exhibition type presentation of
individual projects is being offered to interested investors.
The conference being held at Zagreb's "Intercontinental" hotel
gathered many international community representatives.
Croatian Reconstruction and Development Minister and Matesa's
Deputy, Jure Radic, said last week that the conference was expected
to only start the process of including the international community
in Croatian reconstruction and development projects.
"The conference is only to open the door", Radic told a press
conference in Zagreb, last Wednesday.
During past several months, representatives of the international
community did not want to commit to certain amounts which their
governments would give for reconstruction and development of
Croatia, and stressed that the expectation of their financial
donations should be modest.
According to the Croatian Government, for implementing the most
necessary elements of the return and reconstruction programme,
total of US$2,4 billion are needed. From that amount Croatia, in its
budget for 1999, has allocated US$484 million.
The reconstruction and development programme could be implemented
in two years, if the financial response of the international
community is satisfactory.
The conference is not only offering reconstruction projects of war
damaged areas, but also many economic development projects all over
Croatia.
The projects that Croatia will be offering to investors include the
reconstruction of 80,000 houses, households, agricultural
projects, mine clearing projects, reconstruction projects of
social and communal infrastructure in settlements, as well as large
projects of county's or regional importance.
The projects will be open for financing through donations,
investing or loans.
Croatia had postponed the conference several times since April, due
to condition imposed by the international community, and mostly
concerned with regulating conditions for the return of the Croatian
Serbs.
Equal status and approach to help in reconstruction will be secured
for all returnees, regardless of their ethical belonging, read the
conference material.
(hina) it/sp