CROATIA AND EBRD SIGN DM 105 MILLION LOAN AGREEMENT

SPLIT, Dec 9 (Hina) - The Croatian Bank for Reconstruction (HBOR) and Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on Monday signed a DM 105 million loan agreement for financing infrastructure and environmental protection projects in the counties of Split and Istria. The agreement was signed in the southern Adriatic port city of Split by Anton Kovacev, president of the HBOR board of directors, and Johan Bastin, head of the EBRD's infrastructure department. This was the first such loan Croatia had received from a foreign bank and the largest one EBRD had approved to a country in transition. The loan, which is to be repaid over 15 years with a three- year grace period, will be used for the reconstruction of sewage disposal and water supply systems in Split, Solin, Kastela, Trogir and Pula. The programme is to be carried out in the next four years. (hina) vm mm 091502 MET dec 96