CROATIAN-ARMENIAN ECONOMIC FORUM HELD IN ZAGREB

HINA news agency
Sept 8 2009
Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb, 8 September: Possibilities for Croatian-Armenian economic
cooperation are big, notably in information technology, the drug and
chemical industry, agriculture, construction, the textile industry,
and tourism, a Croatian-Armenian Economic Forum at the Croatian
Chamber of Commerce heard on Tuesday.

The forum was held as part of Armenian President Serzh Azati
Sargsyan’s visit to Croatia. He and his Croatian counterpart Stjepan
Mesic addressed the event, saying it was an opportunity for the two
countries’ business people to meet and establish contacts.

Armenian business people can link with central and southeast European
markets via Croatia, said Mesic.

By entering the Armenian market, Croatian companies can cover a wider
market, he said, adding that market opening sent out a message that
one must and could cooperate, which he said was especially important
in the current global crisis and recession.

Mesic said more could be done in Croatian-Armenian cooperation,
especially if the existing will was transformed into concrete ventures.

The Armenian president said the two countries had serious potential
for economic development, notably in information technology, the
pharmaceutical and chemical industry, agriculture, construction,
the textile industry, and tourism.

The forum was organized by the Croatian and Armenian chambers of
commerce, whose presidents underlined as possible areas of cooperation
infrastructure projects, notably the road infrastructure, construction,
agriculture and the drug industry.

The two chambers also signed a cooperation agreement. After the forum,
representatives of Croatian and Armenian companies held talks.

Later on Tuesday, Croatian Parliament Speaker Luka Bebic received
the Armenian head of state.