CROATIAN ECONOMY MINISTER MEETS EBRD OFFICIAL

ZAGREB, 22 May (Hina) - The Croatian Economy Minister Davor Stern on Wednesday met Josne Tanaka, director for Croatia, Romania, Moldavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a statement from the Economy Ministry said. The talks focused on EBRD's participation in the privatization of the Adriatic oil pipeline and the privatization of Croatian shipyards. Croatia's economy, and its small and medium-size companies needed loans, Minister Stern said, expressing hope that the present situation would change. Mr Tanaka was interested in the financial rehabilitation of five Croatian shipyards. It was very important for EBRD to know whether the Croatian government would pay the old debts of the five shipyards, the statement said. (hina) rm mm 221900 MET may 96