GOVT: EVERY FOURTH CROATIAN CITIZEN TAKING PART IN PRIVATISATION

( Editorial: --> 1448 ) ZAGREB, Feb 12 (Hina) - The Croatian Government discussed a report on the progress of coupon privatisation to date at a session held Thursday. Privatisation Minister Milan Kovac said that about DM 3.4 billion had been set aside from the Croatian Privatisation Fund's portfolio for coupon privatisation. Of 230,000 people registered for coupon privatisation, about 80 per cent had claimed their coupons. After the distribution of coupons, there would be a starting round of auctions at the beginning of March. Taking part in this round would be businesses from territories liberated from Serb occupation in 1995. Applying for these shares would be owners of coupons who work or once worked in these businesses. The final, third round of coupon privatisation auctions could be finished by the summer, Kovac said. Coupon holders can directly take part in auctions for shares of firms which will be announced on a list or entrust their coupons to one of the seven privatisation investment funds. Up to now there have been some problems, but the Financial Police and the Securities Commission are controlling the work of the funds, Kovac emphasised. Every day there is greater interest in investing in the Croatian economy, the Privatisation Minister said. He called on future shareholders not to sell their shares because their value would rise. According to figures presented at the session, 2,533 firms had been transformed and privatised since 1991, with an initial capital of DM 23.3 billion. Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa said one million people were taking part in the privatisation process, meaning every fourth citizen of Croatia. (Hina) jn mb 121758 MET feb 98