ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH AUSTRIA DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE

( Editorial: --> 8464 ) ZAGREB, June 2 (Hina) - There are 700 Austrian firms registered in Croatia which in 1997 invested two billion shillings, the advisor for economy at the Croatian Embassy in Vienna, Slavko Begic, said in Zagreb Tuesday. Begic was addressing a Croatian-Austrian Society conference on bilateral cooperation in economy between the two countries. The commodity exchange between Croatia and Austria is on a constant increase, having reached US$932 billion last year. Begic stressed Croatia's US$223 billion export was almost three times lower than import. In Croatia's overall commodity exchange, Austria is one of the most significant partners, occupying the fourth position. Begic said Austrian firms were especially interested in taking part in the privatisation of Croatian state companies, such as oil giant INA, the Electric Utility Company, and the Croatian Post and Telecommunications. The tourist exchange between the two countries is also significant, Begic added. The participants in the conference agreed the establishment of a trade and representation network in Austria would help in further advancing cooperation. Begic said an agreement on the avoidance of double taxation should be signed next week, thus stimulating further Austrian investment in Croatia. Also attending the conference were representatives of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Croatian agency for the stimulation of investments and the Croatian Chamber of Commerce. (hina) ha 022328 MET jun 98