Croatian Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor met in New York on Tuesday with representatives of the 500 largest American companies interested in investing in Croatia, particularly in its tourist industry.

Kosor presented investment opportunities in Croatia, focusing on 30 major investment projects, and the measures her government was taking to overcome the economic crisis.

The American business people showed the greatest interest in investing in the tourist sector and in establishing direct flight services between the United States and Croatia to make it possible for US tourists to visit Croatia in greater numbers.

The meeting was organised by the Committee for Economic Development (CED) and was held at The New York Times headquarters.

Later on, Kosor met with a group of business people of Croatian origin interested in investing in Croatia. The meeting took place at Croatia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

"My impressions from both meetings are excellent. American business people asked me very concrete questions. I presented our economic recovery programme and the 30 major investments we have launched," Kosor told Croatian reporters afterwards.

She expressed confidence that she had managed to make the potential investors interested in some of the projects, adding that all documents with the most important information on investment projects would be made available to them within a week.

Kosor said that Croatia would soon send experts to the US to liaise through Croatian diplomatic missions with US companies and investors.

Among those attending was Charles Kolb, the President of the Committee for Economic Development, a non-profit, non-partisan business-led public policy organisation that brings together about 200 corporate chief executive officers and university professors.

I'm very optimistic about the potential for US investment in Croatia for several reasons. First of all, you have excellent leadership committed to that goal. Croatia is an extraordinary country, with an educated population, rich natural resources and spectacular natural beauties without comparison in the world, Kolb told Hina.

When asked about industries that were interesting to US investors, Kolb singled out tourism, the pharmaceutical industry and telecommunications.

Considering the fact that Croatia has a stable government committed to transparency, a very educated population and that it will soon enter the European Union, I think it's a recipe for success, Kolb said, adding that the CED would continue cooperating with the Croatian government and business people.

The CED is holding its annual meeting in New York on November 30, which will be attended by representatives of its global network. A Croatian delegation was invited to attend.

The CEO of the US investment giant AIG, Robert Benmosche, who owns a house in Dubrovnik and a vineyard on the Peljesac peninsula, said he had a very good experience with Croatia and that Croatia had very clear and concrete business regulations.

Benmosche said it was important and encouraging to hear from Prime Minister Kosor that Croatia was making progress in business and in economic development.

Kosor said she was pleased with the results of her visit to the US. She was scheduled to fly back to Croatia later on Tuesday.