PLIVA ANNOUNCES STRATEGY FOR 21ST CENTURY

ZAGREB, Dec 17 (Hina) - Pliva, one of the most significant pharmaceutical companies in central and eastern Europe, announced Thursday that it was to reorganise its business, in accordance with an adopted project "Pliva XXI" which defines their development for the 21st century. The goal of the company is to become the leading pharmaceutical company in the region and extend its activities to markets of western Europe, the company's management director, Zeljko Covic, told reporters. Covic explained the company's future strategic goal was to focus on pharmaceutical business, which should result in a strong inflow of new products, as a result of their own research. This fiscal year has been the hardest in recent history, Covic stressed. He recalled the crisis in Asia, Russia, the second public bidding for shares, the purchase of a compny in Poland... All in all, Covic stressed, the results are good. The Pliva XXI project, which was drawn up by some 200 experts with the cooperation of Pricewaterhouse Coopers consultants, is a precondition for a long-term sustainable development of Pliva, because, as Covic claims, we must change today for a successful market race in the new century. (hina) lml mm