PLIVA PLANS LONG-TERM RISE IN PRODUCTION

ZAGREB, Dec 21 (Hina) - Croatia's pharmaceutical giant Pliva plans to become the leading company in Central and East Europe by 2007, Pliva management president Zeljko Covic said on Monday while presenting the company's strategy of development for the 21st century. Pliva also intends to become a medium-sized company on the world market by that time, achieving annual growth rates above ten per cent, he added. Despite difficulties it faced on the domestic and international markets this year, Pliva's management describes as positive the results the company achieved in 1998, and plans a further increase in sales and profits next year. More than 200 Pliva's professionals and 40 foreign consultants have worked on the strategy for the next century, which is currently being implemented. A business software package, SAPLI, which will rationalise the company's operations, is being prepared as well. Covic announced the opening of the biggest research institute in Central and East Europe for Christmas 2000. He also welcomed the introduction of Euro, explaining that because of Euro Pliva will be able to avoid differences in exchange rates among individual currencies. (hina) ms/ha mm