News report of 28.03.2008

* ALBANIA *

Albania To Auction 3.4 Bln Leks (27.5 Mln Euro) of 3-Mo T-bills on Tuesday Mar 28, 2008, 09:32 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction 3.4 billion leks ($43.37 million/27.55 million euro) in three-month Treasury bills on Tuesday, the bank said on Friday. link

* BOSNIA *

Bosnian Winery Hepok Mostar Sells Wine Cellar for 75,000 Euro to Local Investor Mar 28, 2008, 10:31 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bosnian state-controlled winery Hepok Mostar has sold one of its wine cellars, Jelacica Podrum, to individual investor Denis Cemalovic for 150,000 marka ($118,000/75,000 euro), the Privatisation Agency of Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation said on Friday. link

EBRD Lends 6.0 Mln Euro To Back Micro and Small Firms in Bosnia Mar 28, 2008, 11:08 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 28 (SeeNews) - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is lending 6.0 million euro ($9.5 million) to further support micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Bosnia, the bank said. link

Bosnia Federation Invites Bids for Setting up JV with Troubled Furniture Maker Krivaja Mar 28, 2008, 12:33 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bosnia’s Muslim-Croat Federation on Friday invited bids from interested investors for setting up a joint venture company with its troubled furniture maker Krivaja. link

Banja Luka Stock Exchange - Monthly Report - Feb 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 15:41 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Banja Luka Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for February 2008. link

Sarajevo Stock Exchange - Monthly Report - Feb 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 16:00 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Sarajevo Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for February 2008. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - March 28 - Nov 2 Mar 28, 2008, 09:56 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), March 28 (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 *

STOCKWATCH - Bulgaria’s Elana Trading Starts Coverage of Toplivo with "Market Perform" Mar 28, 2008, 17:49 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian brokerage Elana Trading has launched coverage of local blue-chip fuel and building materials retailer Toplivo with a “Market Perform” recommendation, Elana said on Friday. link

FIA Bulgaria Fails To Increase Capital Mar 28, 2008, 09:04 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Property developer FIA Bulgaria, majority-owned by Greece’s FIA Corporation, has failed to increase its share capital, the company said. link

Bulgarian Battery Producer Elhim-Iskra Expects Lower 2008 Net Profit Mar 28, 2008, 09:19 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian battery maker Elhim-Iskra expects its net profit to fall by some 7.0% to 2.5 million levs ($2.0 million/1.3 million euro) this year despite projections of rising sales, the company said. link

Austrian Insurer UNIQA Reports 44% Rise in Premium Income in Bulgaria in 2007 Mar 28, 2008, 11:58 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Austrian insurer group UNIQA said on Friday the premium volume from its Bulgarian units rose by more than 44% to almost 61 million euro ($96.2 million) last year under preliminary estimates. link

Norddeutsche Affinerie Plans Capacity Expansion at Bulgarian Copper Smelter Mar 28, 2008, 13:04 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - German copper producer Norddeutsche Affinerie (NA) plans to expand concentrate processing in the Bulgarian smelter of Brussels-based metals group Cumerio, which it plans to take over by the middle of April, a NA official said on Friday. link

German Low-Cost Carrier Germanwings Adds Four Flights to Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast Mar 28, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Lufthansa’s low-cost carrier Germanwings on Friday said it will add four flights from Germany to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast cities of Varna and Burgas starting in May. link

Serbian Paper Mill Bozo Tomic To Invest Up to 3.0 Mln Euro by End-2009, Plans To Raise Sales by 15-20% Next Year Mar 28, 2008, 14:29 CET | Story | SeeNews KRUSEVAC (Serbia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Serbian paper mill Bozo Tomic plans to invest two to three million euro ($4.7million) in capacity increase by the end of 2009 and sees a 15-20% sales rise next year, company officials said. link

Bulgarian Abrasive Tools Manufacturer ZAI Plans to Offer up to 20% of Its Capital via Bourse Listing Mar 28, 2008, 14:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian abrasive tools manufacturer ZAI plans to offer to the public up to 20% of its share capital via listing on the Bulgarian Stock Exchange, the company’s executive director said on Friday. link

Serbian Tyre Maker Trayal Sees 30% Rise in Sales in 2008, To Invest Up to 18 Mln Euro Until End-2009 Mar 28, 2008, 15:30 CET | Story | SeeNews KRUSEVAC (Serbia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian-controlled Serbian tyre maker Trayal Corp plans to raise its sales by 30% this year and invest 17-18 million euro ($27-28million) until the end of 2009 to raise capacity, company officials said on Friday. link

Shares in Bulgaria’s Neochim Surge 9.69% Helped by 2008 Sales Forecast Mar 28, 2008, 15:42 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) – Shares in Bulgarian blue-chip chemical fertilisers manufacturer Neochim surged by 9.69% on Friday, and brokers said the rise was helped by company forecasts for a 40% growth in sales revenue in 2008. link

Elana - Company Profile - Toplivo - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 16:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Business SummaryToplivo was established in 1947 as a state-owned company, specialized in supply, storage and trade with construction and heating materials. Gradually, the company widened its product range and in late 60s /early 70s/ started trading with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Toplivo offers a wide range of products through 380 stores, warehouses and gas stations in about 196 populated areas. The construction materials could continue to support the company’s performance in the future as Bulgaria’s housing market is said to continue to grow steadily in short term. link

Bulgarian NSI - Business Climate in Bulgaria - Mar 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 12:58 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In March 2008 the economic conjuncture in the country remained favorable. Thetotal business climate indicator3 noted an increase for a third consecutive month and the reached value was by 0.5 percentage points above the February level. link

BULGARIA’S FEB PRODUCER PRICES RISE 1.0% M/M, UP 14.6% Y/Y – STATS OFFICE Mar 28, 2008, 11:21 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria’s February Producer Prices Rise 1.0% M/M, Up 14.6% Y/Y – Table Mar 28, 2008, 11:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s February producer prices grew 1.0% month-on-month after rising by a monthly 0.8% in January, the National Statistics Institute (NSI) said on Friday. link

Bulgaria Signs 230 Mln Euro Loan Deal with Japan to Build Containter Terminals in Varna, Burgas Ports Mar 28, 2008, 13:59 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria and Japan on Friday signed a loan deal worth some 230 million euro ($364 million) for the construction of container terminals at the Black Sea ports of Varna and Burgas, the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said. link

EU’s Barroso Urges Bulgaria To Crack Down on Organized Crime, Corruption Mar 28, 2008, 16:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Friday urged European Union newcomer Bulgaria to deliver on pledges to crack down on organised crime and high-level corruption. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - Mar 27, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 09:50 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

Vienna Stock Exchange Launches Bulgarian Share Index Mar 28, 2008, 12:20 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) – The Vienna Stock Exchange on Friday said it has launched a Bulgarian share index, Bulgarian Traded Index (BTX), composed of seven of the most actively traded and highly capitalised shares on the bourse in Sofia. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 13:31 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UPThe market made a step back on Thursday. The volumes remained low and the sellers seemed to be the more active ones again. Still the spreads remained quite wide and even small number of shares traded was enough to register significant changes. SOFIX closed at 1244.53 bps (-1.42%) with the main pressure coming from Sopharma (SFARM, BGN 6.21, - 4.46%) and Chimimport (CHIM, BGN 8.60, -2.27%). A sharp drop in Orgachim (ORGH, BGN 407.00, -4.24%) with only 32 shares traded pushed BG40 2.53% down to 354.07 bps, almost fully offsetting the gain from Wednesday. The equally weighted BGTR30 moved 1.76% down to 816.54 bps with the major changes coming from M+S Hydraulics (MCH, BGN 9.77, -5.81%), Doverie United Holding (DOVUHL, BGN 10.67, -3.96%) and Central Cooperative Bank (CCB, BGN 6.05, -3.18%). Vouchers moved down under sell pressure and closed in the BGN 0.4100 – BGN 0.4102 range. link

Bulgarian Stocks Make Slight Gains in Low Volumes Mar 28, 2008, 17:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian stock indices ended slightly higher on Friday in dull trading and low volumes, brokers said. link

Bulgaria’s M+S Hydraulic Plans To Buy Back up to 3.0% of Share Capital Mar 28, 2008, 18:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian hydraulic elements manufacturer M+S Hydraulic said on Friday it planned to buy back up to 3.0% of its share capital over the next five years. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - March 28 - Nov 25 Mar 28, 2008, 08:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (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

Bulgarian Population Decrease Slows to 0.51% in 2007 Mar 28, 2008, 10:30 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), March 28 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s population decreased by 0.51% to 7,640,240 last year, a tad slower than it did in 2006, the National Statistic Institute (NSI) reported. link

* CROATIA *

ANALYST COMMENT – Croatia’s 2007 Economic Growth Quickens to Real 5.6% from 4.8% in 2006, Seen Slowing in 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 14:50 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Following are analyst comments on Croatia’s economic growth in 2007 and forecasts for 2008. Croatia’s economy grew by a real 5.6% last year, faster than the 4.8% growth recorded in 2006, the country’s State Statistics Office reported earlier on Friday. In the last quarter of 2007, the annual growth of Croatia’s gross domestic product was 3.7% in real terms, down from 5.1% in the previous quarter and 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2006. link

CROATIAN SHIPPING FIRM ULJANIK PLOVIDBA RISES 2007 NET PROFIT 147% TO 254.6 MLN KUNA (35 MLN EURO) Mar 28, 2008, 10:22 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

CROATIA’S ATLANTSKA PLOVIDBA PROPOSES TO PAY SOME 50 KUNA (6.9 EURO)/SHARE IN 2007 DIVIDEND, UP FROM 15 KUNA/SHARE FOR 2006 Mar 28, 2008, 10:48 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatia’s Atlantska Plodivba To Pay 50 Kuna (6.9 Euro)/Share in 2007 Dividend, Up from 15 Kuna for 2006 Mar 28, 2008, 10:53 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue-chip shipping company Atlantska Plodivba said on Friday it will propose to pay a dividend of some 50 kuna ($11/6.9 euro) per share for last year, up from 15 kuna it paid for 2006. link

Croatian Shipping Firm Uljanik Plovidba Raises 2007 Net Profit 147% to 254.5 Mln Kuna (35Mln Euro) Mar 28, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue-chip shipping company Uljanik Plovidba said on Friday its 2007 net profit rose to 254.6 million kuna ($55.2 million/35 million euro) from 103.3 million kuna a year earlier thanks to one off-revenue. link

UPDATE 1 - Croatian Shipping Firm Uljanik Plovidba Raises 2007 Net Profit 147% to 254.5 Mln Kuna (35Mln Euro) Mar 28, 2008, 12:22 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds table) link

Croatia’s Tehnika 2007 Cons Unadited Net Profit Falls 1.4% but Exceeds Plan – Table Mar 28, 2008, 12:46 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatian building contractor Tehnika on Friday reported a consolidated unaudited net profit of 55.3 million kuna ($12 million/7.6 million euro) for last year, slightly down from 56.1 million kuna for 2006 but more than 60% above plan. link

Croatian Port Operator Luka Ploce 2007 Unaudited Net Profit Rises 47.4% to 14.3 Mln Kuna (1.97 Mln Euro) Mar 28, 2008, 13:02 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Croatian port operator Luka Ploce said on Friday its 2007 unaudited consolidated net profit rose to 14.3 million kuna ($3.1 million/1.97 million euro) from 9.7 million in 2006, as cargo traffic increased. link

Croatia’s Ericsson Nikola Tesla Signs 14 Mln Kuna (1.9 Mln Euro) Deals in Russia, Moldova, Kazakhstan Mar 28, 2008, 15:17 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip telecoms equipment maker Ericsson Nikola Tesla said on Friday it has signed deals worth 14.0 million kuna ($3.0 million/ 1.9 million euro) in Russia, Moldova and Kazakhstan for the supply and implementation of fixed telephony and enterprise systems. link

Erste Securities - Flash note - Atlantska Plovidba - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 15:41 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews 1Q net income up 14.6% compared to full-year 2007! link

Croatian Road Construction Company Hidroelektra 2007 Unaudited Non-consolidated Net Profit Rises146% – Table Mar 28, 2008, 16:32 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatian road construction company Hidroelektra Niskogradnja reported on Friday a rise in its 2007 unaudited non-consolidated net profit to 12.29 million kuna ($2.66 million/1.69 million euro) from 4.99 million kuna a year earlier as its revenue rose faster than costs. link

Croatia Airlines Plans To Launch Flights to Kosovo, Montenegro in Summer Mar 28, 2008, 17:30 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Flag carrier Croatia Airlines said on Friday it plans to launch regular flights from Zagreb to Kosovo’s capital Pristina and Montenegro’s capital Podgorica this summer. link

Croatian Shipyard Uljanik’s Unaudited Consolidated Net 2007 Loss Widens – Table Mar 28, 2008, 18:40 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Majority state-owned Croatian shipyard Uljanik, a privatisation candidate, on Friday reported an unaudited consolidated net loss of 232.1 million kuna ($50 million/32 million euro) for last year, up from 65.9 million a year earlier due to the weak U.S. dollar and high steel prices. link

CROATIA’S 2007 ECONOMIC GROWTH QUICKENS TO REAL 5.6% AFTER RISING BY 4.8% IN 2006 – STATS OFFICE Mar 28, 2008, 12:32 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatia’s 2007 Economic Growth Quickens to Real 5.6% from 4.8% in 2006 – Stats Office Mar 28, 2008, 12:41 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatia’s economy grew by a real 5.6% last year, faster than the 4.8% growth rate recorded in 2006, the country’s State Statistics Office said on Friday. link

UPDATE 1 - Croatia’s 2007 Economic Growth Quickens to Real 5.6% from 4.8% in 2006 GDP - Table Mar 28, 2008, 13:53 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s economy grew by a real 5.6% last year, faster than the 4.8% growth rate recorded in 2006, the country’s State Statistics Office said on Friday. link

Croatia Jan Net Salary Rises Real 0.5% M/M - Table Mar 28, 2008, 13:08 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) - The average net monthly salary in Croatia was 5,019 kuna ($1088 /690 euro) in January, up by a real 0.5% from the previous month, the State Statistics Bureau said on Friday. link

Croatian Share Indices End Mixed in Low Liquidity Mar 27, 2008, 18:52 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 27 (SeeNews) - Croatian equity indices ended mixed, while turnover almost halved on Thursday as investors remain cautious or bearish, brokers said. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - Mar 27, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 09:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 09:52 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Zagreb Stock Exchange - Monthly Report - Feb 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 15:15 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Zagreb Stock Exchange has published its monthly report on turnover and trading activity for February 2008. link

Corporate Results Lift Croatian Stock Market Mar 28, 2008, 18:23 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Croatian share prices ended higher on Friday as the release of some corporate results revived investor optimism, brokers said. link

Croatia Schedule of Events - March 28 - May 17 Mar 28, 2008, 09:13 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (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

* MACEDONIA *

Macedonia Jan Avg Net Salary Falls Real 1.5% M/M - Table Mar 28, 2008, 15:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s average net salary fell in January by a real 1.5% month-on-month to 15,555 denars ($397.5/252 euro), the Macedonian Statistics Office said on Friday. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 15:57 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for March 28, 2008. link

Macedonian Bourse Ends Week Higher in Thin Trading Ahead of NATO Summit Mar 28, 2008, 17:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Macedonian share indices closed higher in thin trading this week as investors awaited next week’s NATO summit, at which the country hopes to get an invitation to join the alliance, brokers said. link

* MOLDOVA *

Moldovan Metal Structures Manufacturer Fiting Net Profit Falls 25% in 2007 - Table Mar 28, 2008, 13:04 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 28 (SeeNews) - The net profit of the Moldovan metal structures maker Fiting fell by 25% last year to 224,700 lei ($21,300/13,500 euro) despite a rise in sales, the company said on Friday. link

MOLDOVA’S FEB FOREIGN DEBT RISES TO $1.950 BLN FROM $1.929 BLN IN JAN - C-BANK Mar 28, 2008, 10:43 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Moldova’s Foreign Debt Rises to $1.950 Bln at End-Feb - Table Mar 28, 2008, 10:57 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 28 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s foreign debt rose to $1.950 billion (1.236 billion euro) at the end of February from $1.929 billion a month earlier, the country’s central bank, BNM, said on Friday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - March 28 - May 25 Mar 28, 2008, 10:44 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 28 (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

Moldova’s FX Reserves at $1.39 Bln on March 21, Flat from Week Earlier Mar 28, 2008, 11:11 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), March 28 (SeeNews) - Moldova’s foreign exchange reserves totalled $1.39 billion (878 million euro) on March 21, unchanged from a week earlier, the country’s central bank said on Friday. link

* MONTENEGRO *

Montenegro’s 2007/2008 Winter Tourism Revenue Up 42% to 14.6 Mln Euro – Tourism Minister Mar 28, 2008, 10:42 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 28 (SeeNews) – Montenegro’s tourism revenue rose by an annual 42% to 14.6 million euro ($23million) in the 2007/2008 winter season, Tourism Minister Predrag Nenezic said. link

Montenegro Invites Investors to Show Interest in Resort Development on Adriatic Island Mar 28, 2008, 14:13 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), March 28 (SeeNews) - Montenegro is seeking investors to develop and manage a resort on the Adriatic island of Ostrvo Cvijeca, formerly used exclusively by servicemen, the country’s privatisation agency said. link

Croatia Airlines Plans To Launch Flights to Kosovo, Montenegro in Summer Mar 28, 2008, 17:30 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Flag carrier Croatia Airlines said on Friday it plans to launch regular flights from Zagreb to Kosovo’s capital Pristina and Montenegro’s capital Podgorica this summer. link

* ROMANIA *

INTERVIEW - German DIY Retailer Praktiker To Raise Number of Outlets in Romania to 30 by 2010 Mar 28, 2008, 09:29 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) – German do-it-yourself (DIY) retailer Praktiker plans to raise the number of its outlets in Romania by 50% to 30 by 2010 in line with its strategy to expand rapidly in the EU newcomer, Praktiker Romania General Manager Guenter Vosskaemper said. link

ROMANIA’S AUTOMOBILE CRAIOVA TO PAY 0.067 LEI (0.018 EURO)/SHARE IN 2007 GROSS DIVIDEND FROM 0.0064 LEI/SHARE IN 2006 Mar 28, 2008, 11:33 CET | Alert | SeeNews Romania’s Automobile Craiova To Pay 2007 Gross Dividend 10 Times Higher than in 2006 Mar 28, 2008, 12:02 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) – Automobile Craiova, the sole owner of Daewoo Automobile Romania, said it will pay a gross dividend of 0.067 lei ($0.0285 /0.018 euro) per share for 2007, ten times higher than the 0.0064 lei per share it paid for 2006, a company official said on Friday. [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/romania___sautomobilecraiovatopayhigher___07grossdividend-105953" class="spip_out">link

Romania Awards German-Austrian Consortium 81.9 Mln Euro Contract to Build, Upgrade Railroad Bridges Mar 28, 2008, 13:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) – Romania’s state railways company, CFR, has awarded a German - Austrian consortium a contract worth 81.9 million euro ($129.2 million) to upgrade railway bridges in the country, the Transport Ministry said on Friday. link

Raiffeisen Bank Romania’s 2007 Net Profit Up 68.5% Mar 28, 2008, 13:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - The Romanian unit of Austria’s Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) on Friday said its net profit rose by 68.5% to 314.5 million lei ($133.76 million/84.5 million euro) last year. link

Romania Extends Sale Deadline for Physics Research Institute Casstil to April 27 Mar 28, 2008, 13:43 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romania’s privatisation agency AVAS said on Friday it extended by one month to April 27 the deadline for completing the sale of a 54.72% state stake in physics and natural sciences research institute Casstil to a local consortium. link

ROMANIA TO CALL TENDER FOR SIXTH WIRELESS OPERATOR - TELECOMS REGULATOR Mar 28, 2008, 13:56 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romania To Call Tender for Sixth Wireless Operator – Telecom Regulator Mar 28, 2008, 14:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romania will call a public tender for a sixth wireless operator, the country’s telecom regulator ANRCTI said on Friday but gave no timeframe. link

Italian Real Estate Company IGD To Acquire 100% of Romania’s Winmarkt for 182.5 Mln Euro ($287.6 Mln) Mar 28, 2008, 15:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Italian real estate company Immobiliare Grande Distribuzione (IGD) said on Friday it is to acquire 100% of Romanian chain of shopping centres Winmarkt Magazine SA for 182.5 million euro ($287.6 million). link

Romanian Brewery Bermas To Pay Lower ’07 Dividend, Sees ’08 Net Profit Down 60% Mar 28, 2008, 16:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian brewery Bermas said on Friday it will pay a 54% lower 2007 dividend than a year earlier and sees 60% lower net profit in 2008. link

Romanian Steel Tube Manufacturer TMK Artrom To Pay No ’07 Dividend, Sees ’08 Gross Profit Up 36% Mar 28, 2008, 16:50 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian steel tube manufacturer TMK Artrom said on Friday it will pay no dividend for 2007 and sees its gross profit up 36% this year. link

Romanian Building Material Firm Teraplast To Offer up to 25% in IPO Next Month Mar 28, 2008, 17:42 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP) construction material maker Teraplast will offer up to 25% of its capital in an initial public offering on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) next month, the IPO’s manager said on Friday. link

UPDATE 1 - Raiffeisen Bank Romania’s 2007 Net Profit Jumps 68.5% Mar 28, 2008, 17:59 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Romanian Insurer Agras Net Profit Rises 10-Fold in 2007 - Table Mar 28, 2008, 18:00 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian insurer Agras reported on Friday a preliminary net profit of 264,751 lei ($113,000/712,000 euro) for 2007, versus a net profit of 26,200 lei a year earlier, despite lower revenue. link

UPDATE 1 - Italian Real Estate Company IGD To Acquire 100% of Romania’s Winmarkt for 182.5 Mln Euro ($287.6 Mln) Mar 28, 2008, 18:27 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds investment plans, details) link

Romania Business Sentiment Remains Positive in March Mar 28, 2008, 08:56 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian managers remain positive about the performance of the country’s economy in the three months through May, the country’s statistics board, INS, said on Friday. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Mar 27, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 09:45 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BSE indices posted small increases link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 10:14 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the newsBET Index new compositionAs previously mentioned the structure of the BET index changed as of March 27, Transgaz (TGN) was included, while Turbomecanica was dropped from the BET. The new structure of the index is as it follows: Banca Transilvania (19.98%), BRD-GSG (19.76%), Petrom (19.45% weight), Rompetrol Rafinare (10.07%), Transgaz (8.58%), Transelectrica (6.16%), Broker (4.27%), Impact (3.98%), Antibiotice (3.9%) and Biofarm (3.84%).Socep shareholders approve dividend of RON 0.0147 per shareStevedoring company Socep (SOCP) held a shareholders meeting on March 27, when shareholders approved, among others, the payment of dividends amounting to RON 2.9 mn, representing a payout ratio of 93% of the 2007 net profit. In addition, the retained profit of the previous years (mainly 2006), reaching RON 2.17 mn, will also be distributed in the form of dividends. The gross dividend per share amounts to RON 0.0147 and the registration date was set for April 15. Shareholders also approved the budget for 2008, which mentions revenues of RON 56 mn, up 27% yoy and a gross profit of RON 4.1 mn, up 7% yoy. Total investments budgeted for 2008 stand at RON 5.3 mn.SIF Transilvania won another battle with CocorSIF Transilvania (SIF3) announced that a Brasov Court has rejected the request of Mr. Daniel Stoica, manager of Cocor Turism, to cancel the share capital increase SIF3 underwent in April 2007. According to SIF3 representatives, cited by local media, SIF3 has won so far every legal battle with Cocor concerning the cancellation of the share capital increase. The next two hearings on this case will take place on May 14 at the Bucharest Appeal Court and on June 24 at the High Court of Cassation and Justice. Although there still are some steps until the legal dispute between SIF3 and Cocor is settled, we consider the news positive. We dont expect the news to influence the stock price on the short term.SIF Oltenia increases stake in OltchimSIF Oltenia ( SIF5) announced that it has acquired some 2.18 mn shares in Oltchi OLT) at an average price of RON 0.78 per share. The transaction amounted to RON 1.7 mn (EUR 0.46 mn). Thus, SIF5 increased its stake in Oltchim to 6.6% from 5.9%. link

Romanian Bourse Indices End Higher in Lower Turnover, Blue-chip BRD Bank Dominates Mar 28, 2008, 16:29 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - Romanian bourse indices on Friday gained further ground after rising the previous day, and blue-chip BRD bank dominated, attracting widespread buying in the last minutes of the session, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - March 28 - May 15 Mar 28, 2008, 09:06 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (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 Weakens a Little vs Euro in Calm Trading Mar 28, 2008, 16:35 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), March 28 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu ended a little weaker at 3.7210/7250 per euro on Friday, versus 3.7120/7160 on Thursday, in lazy, pre-weekend trading, dealers said. link

* SERBIA *

Serbian Paper Mill Bozo Tomic To Invest Up to 3.0 Mln Euro by End-2009, Plans To Raise Sales by 15-20% Next Year Mar 28, 2008, 14:29 CET | Story | SeeNews KRUSEVAC (Serbia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Serbian paper mill Bozo Tomic plans to invest two to three million euro ($4.7million) in capacity increase by the end of 2009 and sees a 15-20% sales rise next year, company officials said. link

Serbian Tyre Maker Trayal Sees 30% Rise in Sales in 2008, To Invest Up to 18 Mln Euro Until End-2009 Mar 28, 2008, 15:30 CET | Story | SeeNews KRUSEVAC (Serbia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian-controlled Serbian tyre maker Trayal Corp plans to raise its sales by 30% this year and invest 17-18 million euro ($27-28million) until the end of 2009 to raise capacity, company officials said on Friday. link

Croatia Airlines Plans To Launch Flights to Kosovo, Montenegro in Summer Mar 28, 2008, 17:30 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), March 28 (SeeNews) – Flag carrier Croatia Airlines said on Friday it plans to launch regular flights from Zagreb to Kosovo’s capital Pristina and Montenegro’s capital Podgorica this summer. link

Serbian Shares Fall Further in Low Turnover Mar 27, 2008, 19:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 27 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices continued to fall on Thursday in shrinking turnover and brokers said no recovery can be expected before Serbia emerges from political instability. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Mar 28, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 10:54 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for March 28, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market WrapUp - Mar 27, 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 11:27 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its Daily Market WrapUp for March 27, 2008, containg an overview of the Serbian Financial Market. link

Belgrade Indices End Week Lower, Agreed Deal Lifts Daily Turnover Mar 28, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Shares traded on the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) ended the week lower, while an agreed deal in shares of biscuit producer Banini lifted Friday’s total turnover, brokers said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events - March 28 - May 11 Mar 28, 2008, 09:23 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), March 28 (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

* SLOVENIA *

SLOVENIAN RUBBER-TO-TOURISM GROUP SAVA SAYS RAISES 2007 GROUP NET PROFIT BY PRELIM 15% TO 39.3 MLN EURO Mar 28, 2008, 14:05 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenia’s Sava Raises 2007 Group Net Profit by 15% Mar 28, 2008, 14:20 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenian rubber-to-tourism holding company Sava said on Friday it raised its 2007 group net profit by 15% to a preliminary 39.3 million euro ($62 million), as sales increased. link

UPDATE 1 - Slovenia’s Sava Raises 2007 Group Net Profit by 15% Mar 28, 2008, 14:59 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds earnings targets for 2008, share price) link

Telekom Slovenije’s 2007 Group Net Profit Falls 15% Mar 28, 2008, 15:03 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Majority state-owned Telekom Slovenije said on Friday its group net profit fell 15% last year to 88.37 million euro ($140 million) despite a rise in sales. link

Shares in Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Recover Some Lost Ground Mar 28, 2008, 15:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Shares in Slovenian blue-chip drug maker Krka recovered on Friday, rising more than three percent, but brokers said it was a short-term correction. link

Slovenia’s Biggest Bank, NLB, Raises 2007 Group Net profit by Preliminary 17% Mar 28, 2008, 16:27 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s largest bank by assets, Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), on Friday reported a 17% rise in its 2007 group net profit to a preliminary 139.8 million euro ($221 million). link

Slovenia’s Factor Banka Proposes To Pay No Dividend for 2007 Mar 28, 2008, 16:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenian bank Factor Banka will propose to pay no dividend for 2007 and will allocate its profit to reserves, a bank official said on Friday. link

Slovenia’s Top Bank NLB Buys Out Minorities of Serbian Subsidiary Mar 28, 2008, 17:00 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s largest bank by assets, Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), said on Friday it has bought out minorities of one of its two Serbian units, NLB Continental Banka. link

Slovenia’s Juteks More Than Doubles 2007 Parent Net Profit, Sees Drop This Year Mar 28, 2008, 17:33 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenian floor covering manufacturer Juteks said on Friday it more than doubled its parent company net profit to a preliminary 7.36 million euro ($11.6 million) in 2007 from 3.42 million a year earlier, mainly due to financial gains. link

Slovenia’s Adria Airways To Launch Four Flights Mar 28, 2008, 18:20 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s flag carrier, Adria Airways, said on Friday it will launch regular flights to Stockholm, Oslo, Athens and Bucharest from March 30 to meet rising demand. link

SLOVENIA’S JAN INDUSTRIAL SALES +1.4 M/M, +2.7% Y/Y VS. -18.4% M/M, +0.5% Y/Y IN DEC - STATS OFFICE Mar 28, 2008, 10:29 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

SLOVENIA’S JAN INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT +0.7% M/M, +1.1% Y/Y VS. -17.8% M/M, -0.1% Y/Y IN DEC - STATS OFFICE Mar 28, 2008, 10:32 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenia’s Jan Industrial Output Rises 0.7% M/M, Up 1.1% Y/Y - Table Mar 28, 2008, 10:34 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s January industrial production rose by 1.1% on the year and was 0.7% higher than a month earlier, preliminary data of the country’s Statistics Office showed on Friday. link

Slovenia’s Jan Industrial Sales Rise 1.4% M/M - Table Mar 28, 2008, 10:35 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s January industrial sales rose by a real 1.4% month-on-month after decreasing by 18.4% in December, the State Statistics Office said on Friday. link

Ljubljana Stock Exchange - Monthly Report - Feb 2008 Mar 28, 2008, 15:13 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Ljubljana Stock Exchange has published its monthly report on turnover and prices for February 2008. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Revive in Lower Turnover Mar 28, 2008, 17:49 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), March 28 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices halted a seven-day losing streak on Friday with most blue chips gaining ground, but brokers said investors should be cautious. link

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