The fair, which will close on 5 March, pooled over 800 exhibitors from 11 countries.
This fair is becoming one of the most important fairs in this part of Europe and it shows that tourism is important to Croatia, Mesic said opening the fair.
Last year, the number of tourists visiting Croatia was six percent higher than the year before, Mesic said. Bookings rose by eight percent and income from tourism amounted to EUR5.5 billion, he added. This had a significant implact on the reduction of deficit, the president said.
Croatia's economic growth last year amounted to four percent, Mesic said expressing conviction that it could continue to grow.
Our primary goal in the economy is the growth of the economy and employment, mesic said.
The opening of the fair was attended by a large number of businessmen from Croatia, the Economic Minister of the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mladen Cubrilo and Assistant Minister Robert Laginja.