'PLIVA' REALIZES PROFIT AMOUNTING TO 616 MILLION KUNAS IN 1996

ZAGREB, 20 June (Hina) - The Croatian pharmaceutical company 'Pliva' d.d. completed the last business year with a profit amounting to 616 million kunas, which is 30.9% more than in 1995. Three major events marked the company's work in 1996 - the 75th anniversary of its establishment, successful privatisation and a successful financial year, said the company's managing board president Zeljko Covic at today's annual shareholders' conference. 'Pliva' is the tenth largest company in this part of Europe and 450th in Europe, Covic said. The company received four important awards in 1996 - Euromarket award for extraordinary achievements in the development of international trade and business links with the European Union; the Croatian Chamber of Commerce award 'Golden Kuna' for its achievements in the development of Croatia's economy, World Equity award for the best stock transaction in Central and East Europe and an award of the Finance Ministry to the biggest profit taxpayer in 1996. (hina) rm 202029 MET jun 97