Prague, September 21 (Beta) - The 34th business forum, dedicated to the Serbian-Czech relations, was held in Prague's Zofin Hall on Friday. Representatives of some 50 Yugoslav and 70 Czech companies, a Serbian government delegation and officials of the Czech government attended the forum.

Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, Minister of International Economic Relations Goran Pitic and Minister of Trade and Tourism Slobodan Milosavljevic informed Czech businessmen on the Serbian government's plans for stimulation of bilateral cooperation and creating a secure business environment.

Opening the 34th forum, Prime Minister Djindjic said that business conditions in Serbia, which is simultaneously going through transition and reconstruction, cannot be compared to those in the West, adding that it was clear that many enterprises undergoing the process of privatization are not of great value in and of themselves.

"We want to offer our market. We plan to conclude free trade agreements with all our neighbours. We also have favorable access to the Russian market. Those who invest in Serbia can expect a dynamic market which can only grow", Djindjic said.

According to Djindjic, Thursday's and Friday's talks with officials of both the Czech government and the Ministry of Industry and Trade focused on the possibilities on the current hot topic of financing business deals.

The Czech Republic is aware that Yugoslavia will have problems with financing until it has cut a deal with the Paris Club.

Czech Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Jiri Maceska said the Czech government was doing its best to provide financial support to Yugoslavia's reconstruction projects.

"We have three major objectives. The first is to complete negotiations with EGAP agency and Czech commercial banks on crediting and insuring business deals in Serbia. Our second objective is to initiate joint operations in third markets, and the last concerns transport and power supply systems", Maceska said.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Kavan also promised to offer maximum support to building business relations between Yugoslavia and the Czech Republic.

Serbian Prime Minister Djindjic told the Czech businessmen Serbia does not want one-way cooperation and mere commercial transactions.

"I would be cheating on you if I told you we are happy to buy Czech products. We are happy when we sell our own. We want bilateral cooperation - joint investments which would result in products for third markets", Djindjic said, adding that such joint investments could receive targeted support and backing from both sides.

The Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade fully concurs with Serbia's wish to eliminate the chronic trade imbalance - the Czech Republic exported goods worth $69.9 million to the Yugoslav market last year, while importing only $17.5 million worth of Yugoslav goods.

"We welcome export of your goods and we do not intend to hinder that in any way", Maceska said, adding that the Czech Republic is ready to offer maximum support to joint projects for third markets.