According to a press release issued by the NYSE, it "today opened its doors to the Croatian delegation of government officials led by His Excellency Stjepan Mesic, President of Croatia."
"We are privileged to host the President of Croatia, H.E. Stjepan Mesic, and his delegation to the New York Stock Exchange," said NYSE Group, Inc. CEO John A. Thain. This visit is an important step in partnering with Croatia and we look forward to adding the first Croatian company to our family of listed companies."
Mesic was quoted in the press release as saying that his previous impression was "that only huge companies appear on the NYSE, but today I learned there are also mid-sized and small companies, so there is an opportunity for Croatian companies here."
When asked to comment on being given the honor to open the day at the stock exchange, President Mesic said, "I have to admit, I didn't think that would ever happen. I only saw that in the movies, and today I am the leading star."
NYSE Group, Inc. (NYSE:NYX), a leading provider of securities listing, trading and market data products and services, operates two securities exchanges: the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and NYSE Arca.
"Since 1990, the New York Stock Exchange has listed 92 privatizations. The NYSE is home to 452 non-U.S. companies representing 47 countries, which are global and regional leaders in their respective industries," reads the press release issued on the NYSE website.
During his visit to the Ground Zero, the site described as place of of "dedication to the men and women at the World Trade Center", Mesic was informed about plans for building a memorial centre in tribute to about 3,000 people who were killed in terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001.
On Tuesday Mesic will attend the opening of the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly.
Croatia's Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Foreign Minister Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic will also arrive in New York for the General Assembly's event.
Croatia's top officials will hold a series of bilateral meetings on this occasion.