CROATIAN, INDIAN BUSINESSMEN INTEND TO PROMOTE COOPERATION

ZAGREB, Sept 16 (Hina) - The Croatian-Indian mixed business council held a first session on Tuesday in Zagreb during a visit of an Indian state delegation to Croatia. At the session held in the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), a Joint Statement on economic cooperation was signed by the council's co-chairmen Gracanin and Kapidia. The purpose of the Statement is to stimulate better economic cooperation between the two countries, the Croatian official Gracanin has said. The Statement stresses the need to improve cooperation between the governments of the two countries and to sign a bilateral agreement on double taxation avoidance very soon. Furthermore, it is necessary to ensure the support of relevant financial institutions and to simplify a procedure of granting visas. Businessmen of 21 Croatian and 14 Indian firms agreed that cooperation could be promoted in the trade of tea, coffee, spices and in tourism, transport, telecommunications, construction and the electronics industry. After the meeting in the Chamber of Commerce, Indian businessmen toured the international autumn fair in Zagreb. (hina) jn mš 161525 MET sep 97