CZECH, CROATIAN BUSINESSMEN DISCUSS BOOSTING TRADE

ZAGREB, Feb 14 (Hina) - A group of Czech and Croatian businessmen discussed boosting of economic ties between the two countries, particularly in chemical, metallic and machinery industries, civil engineering and banking. The Czech delegation, led by Chamber of Commerce's deputy president Lubomir Herman, was received Wednesday by the head of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce's (HGK) Sector for infrastructure and transportation Zlatan Froelich. #L# The Croatian economy was afflicted by war damage totalling up to U.S. dlrs 22 billion, Froelich recalled adding that the economy was now facing a reconstruction of infrastructure, including roads, housing facilities and bridges. Recalling traditionally good economic ties between Croatia and Czech Republic, Froelich called the businessmen to invest into small and mid-sized companies, which were the base of Croatian economy. Before the war, most of the trade between the two countries was based in Czech imports through the port of Rijeka and in tourism, said a HGK's expert associate for foreign relations, Smiljana Steficek. She continued that the trade has risen by over 100 percent rate in 1994 compared to 1993, and in 1995 by 83 percent compared to 1994. The growth was a consequence of large Croatian imports from the Czech Republic, she added, as the export to import ratio, on the Croatia's side, was only 24 percent. The two Chambers of Commerce signed a memorandum on cooperation last year, while an agreement on avoiding double taxation was scheduled to be signed by the end of next month. Czech chamber's Herman suggested a joint economic committee to be established, comprising not only the representatives of the chambers but also of companies interested in cooperation. The officials then presented some twenty Czech companies and banks, interested in mutual cooperation. (Hina) mm bk 142230 MET feb 96