CROATIAN NATIONAL BANK ON MONETARY RESTRICTION

ZAGREB, May 25 (Hina) - This year Croatia is marking the first anniversary of the introduction of its national currency, kuna, which the National Bank of Croatia (NBH) governor described as a remarkably stable currency. Speaking at a press conference in Zagreb today, Pero Jurkovic pointed out relatively stable prices, the annual inflation rate between 2.5 and 4 percent, and the kuna's external stability. "But there is no time to relax or give up the government's program", Jurkovic added, saying that the key goal of the government's monetary policy was to keep domestic assets within the framework agreed with the International Monetary Fund. For this reason the NBH Council has decided to reduce the assets of commercial banks - in both kunas and foreign currency -by 2.2 percent until the end of June. The measure is a temporary one, Jurkovic said, explaining that increased assets were caused by spring sowing, preparations for the forthcoming tourist season and insolvent banks. (Hina) jn bk 251730 MET may 95