CROATIAN FINANCE MINISTER RECEIVES EBRD DELEGATION

ZAGREB, Sept 4 (Hina) - A nine-member delegation of the Committee of Executive Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) arrived in Croatia on Wednesday for a four-day visit to assess the economic and political situation in the country and set guidelines for further cooperation. EBRD officials were very impressed with economic indicators in Croatia, particularly with high growth and low inflation, the Executive Director for Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia, Peter Bod, told reporters after talks with Croatian Finance Minister Bozo Prka. Stressing that EBRD was the biggest investor in Croatia, Bod said that Croatia offered good business opportunities in tourism and several industrial sectors. He expressed hope that other big investors would come soon. Prka said that the visit of the EBRD officials confirmed the good cooperation between this international financial institution and Croatia. About 20 projects approved by EBRD - on environmental protection, bank rehabilitation, financing of small and medium- size companies, energy and infrastructure - were worth ECU 258 million or nearly USD 300 million, Prka said. Later on the delegation visited the leading Croatian pharmaceutical company "Pliva". (hina) vm 042233 MET sep 96