SPORTS AND NAUTICAL FAIR OPENED IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 26 (Hina) - The sixth Zagreb Sports Fair with a nautical exhibition was open at Zagreb Fair (ZV) on Wednesday by a Croatian Vice Premier, Ljerka Mintas-Hodak. During the four-day show 250 exhibitors, including 100 Croatian and 150 foreign participants from 20 countries, and world- known sports outfit manufacturers and merchants will display their products. Present at the opening ceremony was the secretary-general of the World Federation of sports gear industry (WFSGI), Andre Gorgemans. The Croatian Fair (ZV) director Jurica Pavelic said that since the first sports fair held in 1992, the needed space for the show had been enlarged seven and a half times. The Croatian Government welcomed the organisation of the fair and all efforts of the ZV to hold the fair in its own time schedule since 1992, Ljerka Mintas-Hodak said and added that the event had become an important factor of social and economic life in Croatia. Ms. Mintas-Hodak said that the presence of Mr. Gorgemans to the fair proved its importance. She added that the Croatian Government offered full backing to the sports and nautical fair as the event contributed to the promotion of sports and tourism in the country. Mr. Gorgemans voiced hope that the Zagreb fair would have an important role in increasing sales of sports products in this part of Europe. (hina) mš 261454 MET feb 97