CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER RECEIVES INDONESIAN DELEGATION

ZAGREB, July 8 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Davor Stern on Monday received a delegation of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, headed by Chamber president Aburizal Bakrie. The guests were accompanied by the Budapest-based Indonesian ambassador to Croatia, Hassan Abduldjalil, and Croatia's ambassador to Indonesia, Zeljko Kirincic. After touring several neighbouring countries, the Indonesian delegation had arrived in Croatia to assess opportunities for direct trade and investment in Croatia and the possibility of establishing a "base" for launching Indonesian goods on European markets, Bakrie said. The Indonesians had visited Dubrovnik because apart from investing in the infrastructure and telecommunications Indonesia was also interested in investing in the Croatian tourist industry. Stern informed the guests about the current economic situation in the country and the existing legal framework for foreign investment. Stern said that the new law on free trade zones provided very favourable conditions for foreign investment, adding that the northern Adriatic port of Rijeka could be ideal for establishing an Indonesian presence in Europe. Indonesia was interested in supplying Croatia with natural gas and coal. Last year's trade between Indonesia and Croatia reached a modest USD 5.8 million. (hina) vm 081737 MET jul 96