UN ASSOCIATION TO CREDIT FINANCE DRNIS FARMERS & ENTREPRENEURS

( Editorial: --> 7655 ) DRNIS, Dec 11 (Hina) - Representatives of a UN association for assisting war-ravaged areas on Thursday presented local authorities in Drnis, southern Croatia, with a loan programme for the development of agriculture, cattle-breeding and small and medium-sized entrepreneurship. Caritas will coordinate the UN programme, while loans will be invested through the Jadranska Bank in Sibenik, in amounts between 18,000 kuna (US$2,900) to a maximum of 42,000 kuna (US$6,800). The interest rate will be seven per cent a year, while debt servicing will depend on the loan's purpose. The UN association intends to ensure US$1 million for loans to THE local population. During talks with Drnis officials, they agreed that, before the realisation of the programme, a poll would be conducted among interested residents to see about which crop they plan to grow, what cattle-breeding they wish to engage in, and what small entrepreneurship programmes they have to offer. The UN association plans to apply the assistance programme until 2000. (hina) ha jn 111821 MET dec 97