A delegation of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC) that was briefed about the situation in the Uljanik and 3. Maj shipyards at a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Monday, said they would voice their opinion about the docks after touring them.

The chairman of the CSIC Board of Directors, Hu Wenming, said PM Plenkovic presented the situation in the two docks in detail.

“We will tour the shipyards and we will give a serous thought to it” Hu said after the meeting, adding that they realise the two shipyards are an important topic in Croatia.

Hu also said the CSIC delegation also included lawyers and investment bankers.

Minister says talks were very constructive

Croatian Economy Minister Darko Horvat said the talks with the Chinese delegation were very constructive, adding however that details had not been discussed.

“We will have an opportunity to discuss details after Wednesday,” Horvat told the press when asked about today’s talks.

Asked if he was optimistic, the minister said he had been optimistic for the past year.

Uljanik Management Board president Emil Bulic said today’s meeting was aimed at getting to know potential investors in Croatia.

“The prime minister presented the situation thoroughly and in detail. In a way, it was an introduction meeting,” Bulic said.

Earlier this month, Plenkovic announced that executives from a Chinese shipbuilding company will visit two Croatian shipyards to explore possibilities for cooperation.

The announcement came after a high-level Chinese delegation, led by Premier Li Keqiang, visited Croatia earlier in April as part of the summit of 17 Central and Eastern European countries and China in Dubrovnik.