CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER RECEIVES MARJORY SEARING

ZAGREB, June 23 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Nenad Porges, on Monday received a U.S Assistant Trade Secretary, Marjory Searing, the Ministry said in a statement. Ms. Searing was accompanied by U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, Peter Galbraith, and the director of the newly-opened U.S. Trade Office in Zagreb, Patrick Hughes. At the beginning of the meeting, Searing thanked to the Croatian party for organisation of Dubrovnik's commemoration attended by families of the victims of a plane crash when the U.S. Trade Secretary Ronald Brown and other members of the then U.S. mission died. Then, she pointed out the importance of the opening of the trade office in Zagreb for promoting economic ties between the United States and Croatia. According to her, the purpose of the office will be to inform interested U.S. firms of the economic potential of the region and to notify them of favourable conditions that are offered to foreign investors. Besides multinational companies already present in the region, small and medium-sized U.S. firms can arrive here in this way. Minister Porges voiced satisfaction with the opening of the U.S trade office in Zagreb, and said he was confident that talks on a double taxation avoidance agreement would start soon between the two countries. The United States has supported Croatia in its bid for the entrance to the WTO, and is ready to for holding soon bilateral talks with Croatia within the WTO. Searing also said that U.S. companies were interested in participating in big infrastructure projects in Croatia. Porges added that Croatia abode by principles from memoranda of understanding signed during U.S. Trade Secretary Mike Kantor's visit to Croatia, but his country would check market conditions when it made decisions so that business could be run to satisfaction of both countries. (hina) jn mš 232025 MET jun 97