NEWS

PRESS: Czech central bank may grant license to First Czech-Russian Bank (PCRB) subsidiary

Moody’s assigns UniCredit Slovakia ’D+’ BFSR rating, ’A2/P-1’ forex deposit rating

Czech retail sales growth accelerates to 6.3% y/y in February, above market expectations

Czech current account surplus in February widens to CZK 11.78 bln, above market expectations

Czech PPI in March at 5.3% y/y on back of rising coke and refinery products

STATISTICS

Slovak unemployment down to record low of 7.59% in March

Slovak inflation at 3.6% in March, 12-month average seen well below Maastricht limit

POLITICS

PRESS: European Greens soften stance on stationing U.S. anti-missile radar in Czech territory

COMPANY NEWS

TRANSPORTATION

State carrier Czech Airlines to launch flights to Russia’s Rostov-on-Don, Georgian capital Tbilisi

EC to provide aid for investment into ’clean’ Czech public transport buses

EC opens investigation into Czech state aid to bus operators in Usti nad Labem region

British bus/rail operator Arriva buys Hungarian Interbus for GBP 25.4 bln, will enter Slovak market

Czech used-car dealer AAA Auto audited 2007 results show EUR 4.8 mln loss

PHARMACEUTICALS & HEALTHCARE

PRESS: Czech drugmaker Zentiva to launch generic Viagra on domestic market by 2011

RETAIL & CONSUMER GOODS

Regional used-car dealer AAA Auto says likely property sell-off only concerns Czech assets

Prague-listed AAA Auto to sell real estate via tenders, divest from non-core businesses

Swiss global travel retailer Dufry to operate chain of duty free shops at Prague airport

MEDIA

Prague-listed regional broadcaster CME acquires Romanian radio channels for USD 20.6 mln

REAL ESTATE

Swedish Skanska to head consortium building CZK 5 bln Czech highway section to Polish border

Czech builder PSJ ups 2007 net profit 149% y/y, eyes Ukraine, Kazakhstan projects in 2009

Prague-listed developer Orco Property Group completes first stage of Palace Archa

Prague residential market sees prime investors replacing buy-to-let investors as yields drop

ENERGY NEWS

OIL & PETROCHEMICALS

Prague-listed Czech petrochem Unipetrol’s Q1 wholesale motor fuel sales down, retail sales rise

Czech retail fuel prices mixed; top-selling Natural 95 rises to CZK 30.78/liter

PRESS: Czech oil/gas explorer MND to survey for new oil deposits in Moravia

GAS

Czech oil/gas miner MND, Russian Gazprom unit to build Czech underground gas storage facility

PRESS: Czech gas Ceska plynarenska signs delivery contract with Norway’s StatoilHydro

COAL

Czech coal miner Sokolovska uhelna ups net profit 50% y/y in 2007 to CZK 1.5 bln

IPO WATCH: Czech hard coal miner NWR applies to list shares on Prague bourse

HEAT, POWER & SEWAGE

PRESS: Romanian state to up stake in new Cernavoda nuclear reactors to 51% from 20%

Romanian nuclear project Cernavoda delayed due to political decision – Czech CEZ says

Czech power utility CEZ seeks talks with Poland on buyout of stakes in Skawina, Elcho plants

PRESS: Czech utility CEZ to keep 50-60% dividend payout, won’t immediately launch buy-back

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

PRESS: Czech state to invest CZK 300 mln in ’second-generation’ biofuel plant in Lovosice

Czech utility CEZ to invest CZK 5.5 bln in renewable sources by 2012, mainly in wind power sector

IT & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LANDLINE/MOBILE TELECOMS

Prague-listed Telefonica O2 approves CZK 50 per-share dividend

Telefonica O2 Czech unit in talks with property portfolio tender final bidder Czech BREI

Prague-listed Telefonica 02 pays rival T-Mobile CZK 2 bln to lift judicial ban affecting assets

BANKING & FINANCE NEWS

BANKING

IPO WATCH: Consumer lender Profi Credit Czech ups net profit 28% y/y, revenues 24% y/y

Most Czech mortgage lenders expect slowdown this year; won’t tighten conditions

INSURANCE

Prague-listed Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) approves 34% higher dividend per share

FINANCIAL SERVICES

U.S. credit reporter Equifax to buy 28% stake in Russian GPCS, partner with Czech PPF unit

FUNDS

U.S. buyout firm Advent raises EUR 1 bln for fund targeting expanding CEE companies

EMERGING MARKETS NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Russia’s concerns over U.S. missile shield plans may be soothed – Foreign Minister Lavrov

Ukraine could pump Caspian oil via Odessa-Brody pipeline to Czech Republic this year

Putin’s nomination as United Russia leader opens prospects for majority government – Medvedev

FINANCIAL MARKETS

EQUITIES

Prague bourse PX index adds 1.86% Friday; Erste Bank, broadcaster CME biggest weekly gainers

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE), SPAD trading, 11-18/04/2008

Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSE), Indices, 11-18/04/2008

FIXED INCOME

Bratislava Stock Exchange (BSE) Treasury bonds, direct trading, 11-18/04/2008

Prague Stock Exchange (PSE) Treasury bonds, direct trading, 11-18/04/2008

CURRENCY

Czech crown continues to weakens to EUR/CZK 25.10 on Friday

Czech National Bank (CNB) foreign exchange rates, 11-18/04/2008

National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) foreign exchange rates, 11-18/04/2008

MONEY MARKET

National Bank of Slovakia, BRIBOR rate fixing, 11-18/04/2008

Czech National Bank, PRIBOR and PRIBID rate fixing, –11-18/04/2008

National Bank of Slovakia official interest rates – 18/04/2008

Czech National Bank (CNB) official interest rates – 18/04/2008

CALENDAR Czech Republic – calendar of upcoming events, 18/04/2008

Czech Republic – calendar of upcoming events, 15-21/04/2008