CROATIAN PREMIER LEAVES FOR KUWAIT

ZAGREB, Mar 7 (Hina) - Croatian Premier Zlatko Matesa and a delegation of government representatives and businessmen on Friday left for a three-day visit to Kuwait. Before departure, Matesa said that his talks with Kuwaiti officials would focus on political issues, such as the peace process on the Balkans, the peaceful reintegration of the Croatian Danubian area and Croatia's priorities. He was optimistic as to the improvement of economic relations between Croatia and Kuwait, and pointed out that during his visit some concrete cooperation agreements could be signed. "We are not satisfied with our economic cooperation with Kuwait, but we think that there are big potentials", Matesa said, adding that some investments of Kuwait into Croatia were already being discussed. Commodity exchange and trade between the two countries in the last year amounted to barely USD 200.000. Some investments were likely to be agreed during the visit, as well as activities Croatia would perform in Kuwait, Matesa concluded. The Croatian Premier and delegation would not visit Jordan, as announced yesterday. They were expected to return on Sunday, the Government's Press Office said. (hina) ha 071147 MET mar 97