EBRD PLEASED WITH PROGRESS OF CROATIAN ECONOMY, BOD SAYS

ZAGREB, April 3 (Hina) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) would like to be actively engaged in the reform of the Croatian economy, the EBRD executive director for central Europe, Peter Bod, said in Zagreb on Monday when he talked with Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic. "I am impressed with the progress of the Croatian economy in the last two years," Bod said. The EBRD intends to assist in the second stage of the reform in Croatia and to grant loans to local banks, which are supposed to choose firms to finance them. EBRD officials will discuss the project of a credit to the Zagreb Bank on Tuesday. Prime Minister Valentic told his Mr. Bod about the Croatian Government's activities, results in the first three months in 1995, the process of privatization and further goals. Valentic said Croat expected from the EBRD not only financial assistance but also advice on carrying out reforms and creating conditions for being granted credits. (hina) jn mms 032117 MET apr 95