PREMIER VALENTIC LEAVES FOR CHINA

ZAGREB, Jan 8 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic, accompanied by a government delegation and business representatives, today left for China. "China is our biggest trade partner - last year's trade todalled US$ 390 million," Premier Valentic told reporters at Zagreb airport. "By year 2,000 we expect the trade with China to hit a billion dollars," he said. "We are going to discuss deals involving the oil, chemical and farmaceutical industries." Political talks are to focus on current political, bilateral and multilateral issues. After China, Premier Valentic and his associates are to visit Indonesia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Dubai. The Croatian government delegation was seen off by Chinese ambassador Xie Xiqin who told Hina this visit was an "important event in the relationship between China and Croatia." He said the visit would "extend the political and economic cooperation between the two countries." "This is a big and important delegation which also includes prominent businessmen who are going to talk with their Chinese partners, particularly SINOCHEM. Railway traffic and telecommunications will also be discussed," Xie Xiqin said. The Government delegation includes the President's advisor on economic issues Franjo Greguric, Economy Minister Nadan Vidosevic, Transport Minister Ivica Mudrinic and head of the Govt. public relations office Milovan Baletic. A delegation of prominent Croatian businessmen is led by Minister in the Government Ivan Majdak. (hina) as 081636 MET jan 95