The 19th edition of the international GAST fair opened in the biggest Croatian coastal city of Split, featuring over 900 exhibitors from nine countries.
Opening the event, President Ivo Josipovic said that the most important task now was to revive the economy and ensure decent living standards for all citizens.
"Today, pessimism prevails, but I am not a pessimist. I believe that Croatia can and must do better," Josipovic said.
Apart from Croatian exhibitors, exhibitors from Germany, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Italy, Indonesia, Poland and Serbia will present their products and services in food and drinks production, hotel and catering equipment industries, coffee production, furniture industry, wine industry and tourism.
This year's fair is being held under the auspices of President Ivo Josipovic, the Tourism Ministry, the Regional Development and European Funds Ministry, the Agriculture Ministry, Split-Dalmatia County, the City of Split and the County Board of Tourism.
The event closes on 9 March.
(Hina)