CROATIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS BRAZILIAN BUSINESSMEN ( Editorial: --> 2790 )

( Editorial: --> 2790 ) SAO PAULO, Nov 21 (Hina) - A Croatian delegation led by Foreign Minister Mate Granic met leaders of the Industrial Federation of Sao Paulo on Friday for talks on possible fields of economic cooperation between Croatia and Brazil. The Industrial Federation of Sao Paulo, which covers more than 50 percent of the Brazilian industry, is the most powerful business association in this largest and economically strongest South American country. Granic informed the Brazilian officials about the political situation in Croatia and its economic potential. He stressed there were great possibilities of cooperation in the shipbuilding industry and tourism, adding that Brazil could launch its exports to Europe via the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka. Granic noted that some Croatian companies, such as electrical concern Koncar, food processor Podravka and drugs firm Pliva, were already present on the Brazilian market. Granic said proposed agreements on double taxation avoidance, investment protection, and cultural and scientific cooperation would contribute to strengthening economic cooperation and trade between the two countries. Maurice Costin, assistant director of the Federation's Foreign Trade Department, said both countries had overcome similar economic problems, such as high inflation, and were successfully implementing privatisation. Industrial Federation representatives spoke of their cooperation with similar associations in Europe, expressing a desire to establish such cooperation with Croatia as well. Later in the day Granic was scheduled to meet Sao Paulo State Secretary for Strategic Planning, Antonio Angarito Ferreira da Silva, and representatives of the 40,000-strong Croatian community in Brazil. (hina) vm . 212004 MET nov 97