"INFO '97" & "INTERLIBER-EDUCA" FAIRS CLOSE ( Editorial: --> 1283 )

( Editorial: --> 1283 ) ZAGREB, Nov 16 (Hina) - "Info '97", the 29th international information technology fair and the 20th international book fair, "Interliber-educa", closed on Sunday at the Autumn Trade Fair in Zagreb. Over the past five days, more than 50,000 people visited both fairs, marking a 20 percent increase in relation to last year. The first two days of the fairs were open exclusively to business visitors. "Info '97" featured 577 exhibitors, of which 246 from Croatia. The focus was on an overview of Croatia's information entrepreneurship, world trends and achievements made by computer and software companies. "Interliber-educa" focused on Croatia's publishing, equipment and solutions for improving publishing business. The fair featured 163 exhibitors, of which 112 from Croatia. At the opening of both fairs, Croatia's science and technology minister Ivica Kostovic said the two fairs indicated that Croatia was following scientific and economic trends and achievements, which contributed to the development of science and the economic progress of our country. According to Zagreb Autumn Trade Fair general director Jurica Pavelic, "Info '97" registered a significant increase in the number of exhibitors and the size of exhibition grounds, as well as being the richest so far as concerned accompanying activities. (hina) ha 161947 MET nov 97