Centro Studi Europa dell’Est – news report of 20.03.2008 – powered by www.seenews.com

News report of 20.03.2008

* ALBANIA *

Canada’s Bankers Petroleum Reports 54% Increase in Reserves Thanks to Operation in Albania Mar 20, 2008, 17:07 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Canadian petrochemical company Bankers Petroleum reported on Thursday a 54% increase in its total proven and probable reserves thanks to its Albanian operations. link

Albania To Auction 8.0 Bln Leks (65 Mln Euro) of 6-mo, 12-mo T-Bills on Wednesday Mar 20, 2008, 10:00 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction 8.0 billion leks ($110 million/64.98 million euro) worth of six- and 12-month Treasury bills on March 26, the bank said on Thursday. link

* BOSNIA *

Bosnian Brewery Bihacka Pivovara 2007 Net Profit Falls 46% to 1.6 Mln Euro - Table Mar 20, 2008, 13:49 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bosnian brewery Bihacka Pivovara reported on Thursday a 2007 net profit of 3.153 million marka ($2.48 million/1.60 million euro), down from 5.884 million marka a year earlier. link

Bosnia’s Nova Banka Raises 5.0 Mln Euro in New Share Issue Mar 20, 2008, 16:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bosnian commercial bank Nova Banka said on Thursday it has raised 9.93 million marka ($7.80 million/5.02 million euro) in a new share issue placed in December on the Banja Luka Stock Exchange (BL Berza). link

Bosnia Decides To Sell Department Store Boska to Serbian Consortium Mar 20, 2008, 17:15 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 20 (SeeNews) – The government of Bosnia’s Serb Republic on Thursday decided to sell its 58.52% stake in troubled department store Boska to a consortium of two companies from neighbouring Serbia, business group Delta Holding and clothing maker and retailer Zekstra. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - March 20 – Nov 2 Mar 20, 2008, 09:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through November 2. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* BULGARIA *

Bulgaria’s MonBat To Invest 32.8 Mln Euro in Modernisation, Capacity Boost by End-2009 Mar 20, 2008, 07:59 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest car battery manufacturer MonBat will invest 64.2 million levs ($51.4 million/32.8 million euro) in modernisation and capacity expansion by the end of 2009, it said. link

BSE - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - Mar 19, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 08:53 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews BSE-Sofia has been informed of a decision of the Board of Directors of PRC REIT-Sofia, BSE code - PRC, dated 18.03.2008 for increase in capital of the company, as follows:- Issuer: PRC REIT-Sofia- Number of shares before the capital increase: 65,000- Number of shares, offered for subscription: 520,000- Nominal value: BGN 10.00- Issuing value: BGN 10.00- BSE code of the rights issued: R3PRC- Number of the rights issued: 65,000- Ratio between rights issued and the new shares (right/shares): 1/8- Everyone may subscribe to such number of shares equal to the number of the rights held multiplied by 8 (eight).- Investment intermediary authorised to administer the capital increase: CB Bulgarian American Credit Bank AD- Bank, with which the accumulation account to be opened: CB Eurobank EFG Bulgaria AD- The right to participate in the capital increase will be entitled to all shareholders, who acquired shares of the company up to 7 days after the promulgation of the announcement in the State Gazette at the latest.- Initial date for transferring the rights will be the first working day following the expiry of 7 days as from the date of the public offering announcement in both, the State Gazette and one national daily, but not earlier than the expiry of the period specified in Art. 112b (2) of the POSA.- The specific dates for trade in rights, subscription to shares and the auction pursuant to Art. 112b (7) of the POSA will be additionally announced after publication of the announcement in the State Gazette and in a national daily. link

Bulgarian NSI - Labour Cost Index - Total Labour Costs for The Period 1997- 2007, Mar 2008, Quarterly Mar 20, 2008, 13:05 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Statistics Institute (NSI) has published its Q4 report on total labour costs for the period 1997 - 2007. link

Bulgarian NSI - Labour Cost Index - Wages and Salaries for The Period 1997- 2007, Q4 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:10 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Statistics Institute (NSI) has published its Q4 2007 report on labour cost index for the period 1997 - 2007. link

Bulgarian NSI - Labour Costs Other Than Wages and Salaries for The Period 1997- 2007, Q4 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:11 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Statistics Institute (NSI) has published its Q4 2007 report on labour costs other than wages and salaries for the period 1997 - 2007. link

Bulgaria’s FairPlay Properties Sees 2008 Distributable Profit Up 18% Mar 20, 2008, 14:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian real estate investment trust (REIT) FairPlay Properties on Thursday said it expects to raise its 2008 distributable profit by 18% to 10.4 million levs ($8.2 million/5.3 million euro). link

INTERVIEW – Austria’s Dexia Kommunalkredit Bank Aims for 500 Mln Euro 2005-2008 Portfolio in Bulgaria Mar 20, 2008, 17:02 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) – Austrian-based Dexia Kommunalkredit Bank (Dexia-Kom), which is running a subsidiary in Bulgaria since 2005, aims to reach a total portfolio of some 500 million euro ($772.7 million) in the country by the end of this year, a senior company executive said. link

Bulgarian Econ Minister Seeks Bulgartabac CEO’s Suspension amid Criminal Investigation Mar 20, 2008, 17:56 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Economy Minister Petar Dimitrov on thursday asked majority state-owned tobacco group Bulgartabac Holding to suspend chief executive Hristo Lachev, who is being investigated for embezzlement and is accused of tax evasion, the minister’s press office said. link

BULGARIA FEB JOBLESS RATE AT 7.26% VS 9.48% YR-AGO – GOVT EMPLOYMENT AGENCY Mar 20, 2008, 10:31 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria’s Feb Jobless Rate Falls to 7.26% from 9.48% Yr-Ago – Govt Employment Agency Mar 20, 2008, 11:04 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s February unemployment rate fell to 7.26% from 9.48% an year earlier and 7.38% in January, official statistics indicated on Thursday. link

Bulgarian C-Bank Revises 2007 C/A Gap to 21.8%/GDP from 21.6%/GDP Mar 20, 2008, 11:43 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s current account deficit rose last year to 21.8% of the projected gross domestic product (GDP) from a revised 17.9% a year earlier, an official of the country’s central bank said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian FinMin - Govt Debt Management Report - Jan 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:03 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 1 GOVERNMENT SECURITIES ISSUES link

UBB - Bulgaria: Economic & Market Analyses, Feb 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 16:07 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Current account gap widened by 13.4% y/y to 2.3% of GDP in January. Net FDI inflows surged by 64% y/y to EUR 223 mn in January link

Bulgaria To Receive 161 Mln Euro from EU by 2009 to Improve Border Control Mar 20, 2008, 17:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria will receive 161 million euro ($248 million) from the European Union (EU) by 2009 to strengthen the security of its borders in order to meet the Schengen Agreement requirements, the Bulgarian government said on Thursday. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 11:04 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Mar 19, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 12:10 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET HIGHLIGHTS link

Bulgarian Stocks Lose Ground, Mirror Global Markets Mar 20, 2008, 15:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - All four share indices on the stock market in Sofia lost ground in higher turnover on Thursday, shadowing negaive sentiment on international markets, brokers said. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - March 20 - Nov 25 Mar 20, 2008, 08:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bulgaria through November 25. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

BULGARIA RECOGNISES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE –BULGARIAN PM Mar 20, 2008, 14:07 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

STS Finance - Daily FX Analysis - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 09:03 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Choppy trading on currency markets link

STS Finance - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 09:04 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Wall Street pulls back after taking profits. link

Bulgarian Govt Recognises Kosovo Independence Mar 20, 2008, 14:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA(Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian government decided to recognise the independence of Kosovo, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said on Thursday. link

* CROATIA *

Croatian Retailer Magma ’07 Consolidated Net Profit Falls 77% Mar 20, 2008, 11:31 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip clothing and toys retailer Magma reported late on Wednesday a fall in its 2007 consolidated net profit to 6.9 million kuna ($1.5 million/ 951,000 euro) from 29.96 million kuna a year earlier following its network expansion. link

Assets of Croatian Open-end Investment Funds Up 22.3% Y/Y at End-Feb Mar 20, 2008, 13:54 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The assets managed by open-end investment funds in Croatia rose to 23.782 billion kuna ($5.1 billion/3.3 billion euro) at the end of February from 19.438 billion kuna a year earlier, official figures showed on Thursday. link

Croatia’s End-Feb Mandatory Pension Fund Assets Rise 1.21% M/M Mar 20, 2008, 15:02 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The four mandatory pension funds operating in Croatia held a total of 20.8 billion kuna ($4.4 billion/2.9 billion euro) in net assets by the end of February, up 1.21% from a month earlier, the country’s financial regulator said on Thursday. link

Croatia Calls New Tender for KIM Dairy Privatisation Mar 20, 2008, 15:54 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The government-owned Croatian Privatisation Fund decided on Thursday to call a new tender for the sale of the KIM dairy after its previous attempt to sell the company drew fire for irregularities in the sell-off procedure. link

Croatian Insurers Jan-Feb Premium Income Up 8.6% Y/Y Mar 20, 2008, 15:59 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The insurers operating in Croatia reported a combined premium income of 1.659 billion kuna ($353 million/ 229 million euro) for the first two months of 2008, up from 1.528 billion kuna a year earlier, the country’s financial regulator reported on Thursday. link

Croatian Veterinary Drug Maker Vetertina 2007 Revenue Rises 1.5%, Gross Profit Almost Flat Mar 20, 2008, 18:15 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) – Croatian veterinary drug maker Vetertina on Thursday reported a 1.5% rise in revenue for last year to 199 milion kuna ($42 million/27 million euro), while its gross profit was almost unchanged. link

CROATIA’S JOBLESS RATE FALLS TO 14.7% IN FEB FROM 15.1% IN JAN - STATS OFFICE Mar 20, 2008, 12:30 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatia’s Feb Jobless Rate Falls to 14.7% - Table Mar 20, 2008, 12:41 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s February unemployment rate fell to 14.7% from 15.1% in January, the State Statistics Bureau said on Thursday. link

Croatia’s Jan Nominal Net Salary Rises 1.2% M/M - Table Mar 20, 2008, 13:44 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The average nominal net monthly salary in Croatia rose to 5,019 kuna ($1,069/691 euro) in January from 4,958 kuna a month earlier, the State Statistics Bureau said on Thursday. link

CROATIA’S FEB INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT UP 8.1% Y/Y AFTER RISING 6.7% Y/Y IN JAN - STATS OFFICE Mar 20, 2008, 14:52 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatia’s Feb Industrial Output Rises 8.1% Y/Y Mar 20, 2008, 15:12 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s industrial output rose 8.1% on the year in February after growing by an annual 6.7% in January, the State Statistics Bureau said on Thursday. link

Croatian Share Indices Firm Slightly in Lower Liquidity Mar 19, 2008, 18:53 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 19 (SeeNews) - The Croatian equity market firmed slightly on Wednesday, supported by positive news from major world markets, but turnover in Zagreb almost halved, brokers said. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - Mar 19, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 08:55 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 10:56 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Croatia Schedule of Events – Mar 20 – May 17 Mar 20, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through May 17. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

ANALYST COMMENT - Croatia Recognises Kosovo Independence Mar 20, 2008, 13:55 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) – Following are analyst comments on the recognition of the independence of the Serbian breakaway province of Kosovo the by Croatian government. link

* MOLDOVA *

Moldovan Carpet Maker Floare-Carpet Net Profit Falls 35% in 2007 - Table Mar 20, 2008, 12:13 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) - Moldovan carpet maker Floare-Carpet on Thursday reported a 35% fall in net profit to 1.97 million lei ($189,000/122,000 euro) last year, despite a rise in sales. link

Moldovan Banks’ Deposit Portfolio Rises 47% Y/Y at End-Feb - Table Mar 20, 2008, 10:42 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) - The deposit portfolio of Moldovan commercial banks totalled 22 billion lei ($2.1 billion/1.3 billion euro) at the end of February, up 47% from a year earlier, the country’s central bank said on Thursday. link

Moldovan Banks’ End-Feb Credit Portfolio Rises 55% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 12:38 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) - The Moldovan commercial banks’ loan portfolio totalled 22 billion lei ($2.1 billion/1.4 billion euro) at the end of February, up 55% from a year earlier, the country’s central bank, BNM, said on Thursday. link

Moldova End-February M1 Money Supply Rises 35% Y/Y Mar 20, 2008, 10:17 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s M1 money supply at the end of February was 35% higher on the year at 10.5 billion lei ($1.0 billion/643.4 million euro), the country’s central bank, BNM, said on Thursday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - March 20 - May 25 Mar 20, 2008, 09:57 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in, or related to Moldova through May 25. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

MOLDOVAN PRESIDENT SAYS WILL NOMINATE ZINAIDA GRECEANII AS NEW PRIME MINISTER Mar 20, 2008, 15:01 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Moldovan President Says Will Nominate Zinaida Greceanii as New Prime Minister Mar 20, 2008, 15:42 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 20 (SeeNews) – Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin said he will propose acting First Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Greceanii to parliament as the next prime minister, the president’s press office said on Thursday. link

UPDATE 1 - Moldovan President Says Will Nominate Zinaida Greceanii as New Prime Minister Mar 20, 2008, 18:33 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds analyst comments, background) link

* MONTENEGRO *

Montenegro’s Jan Tourist Numbers Rise 16.5% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:59 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) - Tourists in Montenegro numbered 19,995 in January, up 16.5% from a year earlier, the country’s statistics office reported on Thursday. link

Montenegro’s Prva Banka Raises Net Profit Almost Five Times to 3.8 Mln Euro in 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 15:20 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) – The net profit of Montenegro’s second-largest bank, Prva Banka CG, soared almost five times to 3.8 million euro ($5.9million) in 2007, data from the country’s central bank showed on Thursday. link

MONTENEGRO’S FEB CPI RISES 8.0% Y/Y, UP 0.1% M/M - STATS OFFICE Mar 20, 2008, 11:20 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

MONTENEGRO’S FEB INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT RISES 18.9% Y/Y, UP 20.9% M/M – STATS OFFICE Mar 20, 2008, 11:21 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Montenegro’s February Industrial Output Rises 18.9% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:24 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) – Montenegro’s February industrial output rose by 18.9% on the year and was 20.9% higher than a month earlier, the country’s statistics office said on Thursday. link

Montenegro’s Feb Consumer Price Index Rises 8.0% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:26 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s February consumer price index rose by 8.0% on the year and was 0.1% higher month-on-month, the country’s statistics office said on Thursday. link

Montenegro’s Feb Retail Price Index Rises 8.8% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:28 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) – Montenegro’s February retail price index rose by 8.8% on the year and was 0.4% higher than a month earlier, data of the country’s statistics office indicated on Thursday. link

Montenegro’s Feb Net Salary Rises 3.4% M/M - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:55 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s February average net monthly salary rose by a real 3.4% month-on-month to 399 euro ($617), the statistics office said on Thursday. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events - March 20 - May 15 Mar 20, 2008, 10:35 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in, or related to, Montenegro through May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* ROMANIA *

OMV’S ROMANIAN UNIT PETROM SAYS PLANS TO PAY 0.0191 LEI/SHARE DIVIDEND FOR 2007 VS 0.0179 LEI/SHARE FOR 2006 Mar 20, 2008, 09:11 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

OMV’s Romanian Unit Petrom Plans To Pay 6.7% Higher 2007 Gross Dividend Mar 20, 2008, 09:42 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romania’s largest oil group Petrom, majority-owned by Austria’s OMV, on Thursday proposed to pay a gross dividend of 0.0191 lei ($0.008/0.0051 euro) per share for 2007, up from 0.0179 lei per share it paid for 2006. link

Greek OTE Romanian Unit Turns to 21.1 Mln Euro Loss in 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 11:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romanian fixed-line operator Romtelecom turned to a loss of 21.1 million euro ($33 million) in 2007, from a 55.2 net income a year earlier, under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the company’s majority owner, Greek OTE, said on Thursday. link

Romanian Valve Producer Armatura Halves ’07 Loss - Table Mar 20, 2008, 11:52 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romanian valve manufacturer Armatura reported on Thursday a preliminary loss of 3.37 million lei ($1.4 million/905,000 euro) for 2007, compared to a loss of 6.62 million lei for the previous year, as revenue rose faster than costs. link

Piraeus Bank Romania’s 2007 Pre-tax Profit Rises Almost Six Times to 22 Mln Euro Mar 20, 2008, 12:53 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - The Romanian unit of Greece’s Piraeus Bank said on Thursday its pre-tax profit last year rose almost six times, reaching some 22 million euro ($34 million). link

Romanian Unit of Belgian Brewery Group InBev Names Eduardo Luz New General Director Mar 20, 2008, 13:39 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - InBev Romania, a unit of Belgian brewery group InBev, said on Thursday it named Eduardo Luz as a new general director as of April 1. link

Greece’s CD Media Buys Out Romanian Video Games Distributor Mar 20, 2008, 14:05 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Greece’s CD Media has acquired full ownership of Romanian video games distributor Best Distribution after buying 60% of the company from diversified group RTC Holding for an undisclosed sum, RTC Holding said on Thursday. link

Romanian LaborMed Pharma Sees Robust Growth, Eyes Acquisitions Abroad Mar 20, 2008, 15:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romanian drug maker LaborMed Pharma sees its turnover rising to 100 million euro ($155 million) this year from a preliminary 28 million euro in 2007 and considers acquisitions in Poland, Russia and Turkey in the next four to five years, the company’s new CEO Stephen Stead said on Thursday. link

Romania’s Oil Terminal Plans To Pay Almost Quadrupled Gross Dividend for 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 16:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Majority state-owned Romanian company Oil Terminal said on Thursday it proposed to pay a 0.008 lei ($0.0033 /0.0021 euro) gross dividend per share for 2007, nearly four times the previous year’s 0.0021 lei. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Corporate Events - Mar24 - 30, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 16:21 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Financial Reporting link

Romania’s Tehnofrig Offers to Pay 8.7 Mln Lei (1.3 Mln Euro) for 13.82% of Athenee Palace Hotel Operator Mar 20, 2008, 17:32 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) – Romanian manufacturer of food industry equipment Tehnofrig offers to pay 8.7 million lei ($3.6 million/1.3 million euro) for 13.82% of Athenee Palace hotel operator and thus raise its minority stake in the hotel, data of the over-the-counter market RASDAQ showed on Thursday. link

Romania’s Alumil Rom Industry Plans To Pay 5.5% Lower Gross Dividend for 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 17:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romanian aluminium processor and distributor Alumil Rom Industry said on Thursday it proposed to pay a 0.34 lei ($0.014 /0.091 euro) gross dividend per share for 2007, 5.5% lower than the previous year’s 0.36 lei. link

Czech Zentiva’s Romanian Unit Proposes To Pay No Dividend for 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 18:29 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Zentiva S.A., the Romanian arm of the Czech drug maker Zentiva on Thursday proposed to pay no dividend for 2007. link

Bomb Kills One Romanian Soldier in Afghanistan, Injures Another Mar 20, 2008, 17:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - One Romanian soldier was killed and another one was wounded in Afghanistan on Thursday when their armoured vehicle ran over a bomb, the Romanian Defence Ministry said. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Mar 19, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 08:59 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The five SIFs generated 53.67% of the Regular market daily turnover link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 09:08 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Watchlist link

Romanian Bourse Plunges, Blue-chip Index Loses 7.29% Mar 20, 2008, 16:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romanian bourse indices plunged on Thursday on heavy selling, as they fell below support levels on price charts and after criticism of the local market by a prominent Romanian investor, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - March 20 - May 15 Mar 20, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Romanian Leu Ends Somewhat Weaker vs Euro amid Calm Trading Mar 20, 2008, 17:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 20 (SeeNews) - Romania’s leu ended a little weaker at 3.7270/7310 per euro on Thursday in calm trading and moderate volumes, dealers said. link

* SERBIA *

Volkswagen Interested in Serbian Auto Maker Zastava – Media Mar 20, 2008, 14:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 20 (SeeNews) – German automotive major Volkswagen has shown interest in the privatisation of Serbiian car maker Zastava, Serbian daily Danas reported on Thursday. link

EBRD Lends Five Mln Euro To Support Waste Management in Serbia Mar 20, 2008, 15:29 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 20 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said on Thursday it is lending five million euro ($7.7million) to back a waste management project in Serbia. link

National Bank of Serbia - Services - Jan - Dec 2007, Preliminary Mar 20, 2008, 16:35 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on services for December 2007. link

Bosnia Decides To Sell Department Store Boska to Serbian Consortium Mar 20, 2008, 17:15 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 20 (SeeNews) – The government of Bosnia’s Serb Republic on Thursday decided to sell its 58.52% stake in troubled department store Boska to a consortium of two companies from neighbouring Serbia, business group Delta Holding and clothing maker and retailer Zekstra. link

National Bank of Serbia - Balance of Payments - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:16 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on balance of payments for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Selected Monetary and Foreign Exchange Indicators - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:16 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on selected monetary and foreign exchange indiacators for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Export of Goods - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:21 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on export of goods for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Monetary Indicators - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 13:25 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on selected monetary indiacators for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Import of Goods - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 16:31 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on import of goods for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Statistical Bulletin - Dec 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 16:37 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its bimonthly statistical bulletin for December 2007. link

National Bank of Serbia - Inflation Report - Feb 2007 Mar 20, 2008, 16:42 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews I. Overview link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Mar 20, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 11:00 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for March 20, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market WrapUp - Mar 19, 2008 Mar 20, 2008, 12:58 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its Daily Market WrapUp for March 19, 2008, containg an overview of the Serbian Financial Market. link

Serbian Indices Up in Positive Mood after Share Buyback Announcements Mar 20, 2008, 17:49 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices closed higher on Thursday, as positive mood set in the market after two companies announced share buyback plans a day earlier, brokers said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - March 20 - May 11 Mar 20, 2008, 10:35 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through May 11. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

BULGARIA RECOGNISES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE –BULGARIAN PM Mar 20, 2008, 14:07 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

ANALYST COMMENT - Croatia Recognises Kosovo Independence Mar 20, 2008, 13:55 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 20 (SeeNews) – Following are analyst comments on the recognition of the independence of the Serbian breakaway province of Kosovo the by Croatian government. link

Bulgarian Govt Recognises Kosovo Independence Mar 20, 2008, 14:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA(Bulgaria), March 20 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian government decided to recognise the independence of Kosovo, Bulgarian Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev said on Thursday. link

* SLOVENIA *

Italian Low-Cost Carrier Volareweb.com Delays Launch of Flights to Slovenia’s Capital Mar 20, 2008, 08:08 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Italian low-cost air carrier Volareweb.com has delayed the launch of regular flights from Milan to Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana until September, the Ljubljana airport said. link

Slovenian Road Operator DARS Assigns 21.48 Mln Euro Construction Deals to SCT, Primorje Mar 20, 2008, 08:14 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Slovenian road operator DARS has signed two deals wort a combined 21.48 million euro ($31.41 million) for the construction of accesses to a motorway near Ljubljana, the company said. link

Shares in Slovenian Drug Marker Krka Shed over Six Percent Mar 20, 2008, 16:43 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Shares in Slovenian blue-chip drug marker Krka lost 6.2% to an average price of 95.41 euro ($139.50) on Thursday, brokers said. link

Shares in Telekom Slovenije Extend Losses Mar 20, 2008, 17:20 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Shares in blue chip Telekom Slovenije extended their losses on Thursday amid a negative trend on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange (LJSE), the result of falling foreign markets and uncertainty about the further privatisation of local companies, brokers said. link

Slovenian Investment Co Sarini Plans To Place Buyout Bid for Power Transformer Maker Etra 33 Mar 20, 2008, 18:34 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Slovenian consulting and investment company Sarini plans to place a buyout bid for local power transformer manufacturer Etra 33, Etra 33 said on Thursday. link

SLOVENIA’S FEB PRODUCER PRICES RISE +1.0% M/M, +3.4% Y/Y VS. +0.6 M/M, +3.5 Y/Y IN JAN – STATS OFFICE Mar 20, 2008, 10:29 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenia’s Feb Producer Prices Rise 3.4% Y/Y - Table Mar 20, 2008, 10:39 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s February producer prices rose by 1.0% from a month earlier and were 3.4% higher on the year, the country’s Statistics Office said on Thursday. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Fall Further in Lower Turnover Mar 19, 2008, 18:56 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 19 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices fell for a third day running on Wednesday amid lower turnover with most blue chips losing value, brokers said. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Sink Further on Global Market Woes, Telco’s Privatisation Failure Mar 20, 2008, 18:21 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices sank for a fourth day running on Thursday, pressured by global market woes and uncertainty about the privatisation of local telecoms company, brokers said. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - March 20 - May 15 Mar 20, 2008, 07:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 20 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through May 15. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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