MOSCOW, April 18 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Hrvoje Vojkovic and the Russian transport minister's first deputy for maritime affairs, Vjaceslav Ruksa, signed in Moscow on Thursday a letter of intent on the building and overhaul
of ships for the Russian merchant fleet.
MOSCOW, April 18 (Hina) - Croatian Economy Minister Hrvoje Vojkovic
and the Russian transport minister's first deputy for maritime
affairs, Vjaceslav Ruksa, signed in Moscow on Thursday a letter of
intent on the building and overhaul of ships for the Russian
merchant fleet. #L#
This Russian project involves 300 ships. Croatia could realise 20
percent or US$200-300 million of the project's total value.
The letter of intent enables the continuation of the 40-year-long
tradition between Russian shipowners and Croatian shipyards, said
Ruksa.
According to Vojkovic, the project could last until 2010. Models of
financing have yet to be agreed on as the project represents a
"specific form of leasing," he said.
Speaking about his three-day trip to Russia with Croatian President
Stjepan Mesic, Vojkovic said they resulted in the virtual opening
of negotiations on free trade.
(hina) ha sb