PLIVA SHARES OFFERING OPEN FOR ANOTHER 2-3 DAYS ( Editorial: --> 7831 )

( Editorial: --> 7831 ) ZAGREB, Nov 3 (Hina) - Applications for the purchase of 14 percent of shares of Pliva, Croatia's leading pharmaceutical company, on the international market will be received for at least another two or three days, due to the heavy interest from international investors and the latest events on world bourses. The extension for share application submission has been decided in cooperation with Daiwa Bank Europe, Pliva's global sell-off coordinator, Pliva confirmed Monday. The book of potential buyers was to be closed Friday 31 October, after a two-week roadshow during which government and Pliva officials visited some 20 cities in the U.S. and Europe. With this second global sell-off of Pliva's shares, the Croatian government is reducing its stake in Pliva from 41 to 27 percent. (hina) ha jn 031756 MET nov 97