CRO BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION & DEVELOPMENT MARKS FIVE YEARS OF ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY ( Editorial: --> 8762 ) ZAGREB, Dec 16 (Hina) - The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction and Development (HBOR) this year marks the fifth anniversary of its establishment. HBOR manager Anton Kovacev told reporters that, over the past five years, the HBOR granted 14,376 loans worth 3.5 billion kunas (USD 564.5 million) from HBOR funds, and 3,677 loans worth 4.1 billion kunas (USD 661.29 million) through funds granted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Kovacev said the HBOR invested most in programmes for the reconstruction of war-damaged housing and economic buildings and infrastructure, and in a programme for the reintegration of returnees. It has also started investing more in small and medium- sized entrepreneurship, he added. Kovacev said the HBOR has four programmes for including returnees from Germany in entrepreneurship projects, and wants to stimulate business banks to expand their offer in small and medium-sized entrepreneurship. Last weekend, the HBOR and municipal service company "Pula Herculanea" signed an agreement granting 20.8 million German marks, from a EBRD loan granted HBOR in late 1996, for the construction of a main sewer, pumps and waste liquid cleanser for Pula, a town on the Istrian peninsula in the northern Adriatic. Croatia, the "Hrvatske Vode" public enterprise and the town of Pula will ensure the rest of the funds for the 39 million German marks- worth project. Kovacev said a similar agreement, to improve the sewage system in the Kastelanski Bay will be signed later this of early next year. (hina) ha jn 161644 MET dec 97