News report of 03.04.2008

* Albania *

Albania To Auction 14.7 Bln Leks (119.5 Mln Euro) in T-Bills on Tuesday Apr 03, 2008, 15:29 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction 14.7 billion leks ($186.4 million/119.5 million euro) worth of three-, six- and 12-month Treasury bills on Tuesday the bank said on Thursday. link

NATO INVITES ALBANIA, CROATIA TO JOIN, DELAYS MACEDONIA - NATO’S JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER Apr 03, 2008, 12:43 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 12:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) invited on Thursday Albania and Croatia to join the alliance, while an invitation to Macedonia has been delayed until after the country resolves its name dispute with Greece. link

UPDATE 1 - NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with NATO secretary general, U.S. president quotes) link

Albania Hails Invitation To Join NATO Apr 03, 2008, 14:25 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Albania welcomed the invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) which the country received earlier on Thursday. link

UPDATE 1 - Albania Hails Invitation To Join NATO Apr 03, 2008, 16:40 CET | Story | SeeNews (changes dateline, adds analyst comment) link

* Bosnia *

BOSNIA’S 2007 GOVT FOREIGN DEBT FALLS 4.1% TO 1.996 BLN EURO - C-BANK Apr 03, 2008, 10:10 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bosnia’s 2007 Govt Foreign Debt Falls 4.1% to 1.996 Bln Euro Apr 03, 2008, 10:19 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 3 (SeeNews) - The Bosnian government’s foreign debt fell to a preliminary 3.904 billion marka ($3.140 billion/1.996 billion euro) at the end of 2007 from 4.071 billion marka a year earlier, central bank figures showed on Thursday. link

UPDATE 1 - Bosnia’s 2007 Govt Foreign Debt Falls 4.1% to 1.996 Bln Euro - Table Apr 03, 2008, 10:28 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, table) link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – April 3 - May 9 Apr 03, 2008, 10:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), April 3 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through May 9. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

NATO Puts Bosnia, Montenegro on Track to Membership Apr 03, 2008, 14:16 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – NATO on Thursday decided to put Balkan neighbours Bosnia and Montenegro on track to membership after inviting Albania and Croatia to join the alliance. link

* Bulgaria *

CEE M&A Market To Grow Despite Global Crisis - Raiffeisen Investment Apr 02, 2008, 21:37 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd The M&A market in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will continue the uptrend from 2007 despite the global financial meltdown, forecast Austrian consultancy Raiffeisen Investment. link

C-Bank Should Tighten Grip over Lending – UniCredit Apr 02, 2008, 21:39 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd The Bulgarian central bank should jerk the reins over lending by tightening the reserve requirement for commercial banks to check in the mounting inflation, local UniCreditBulbank said in an analysis on the implications of the global crisis on the Bulgarian financial market. link

Number of Property Deals in Bulgaria To Fall in ’08 after Slowdown in Growth in ’07 – Real Estate Firm Foros Apr 03, 2008, 13:49 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) – The number of deals in Bulgaria’s real estate sector is expected to fall this year after a slowdown in growth to 4.0% in 2007, Bulgarian real estate consultancy Foros said on Thursday. link

Greek Sarantis Aims to Raise Profit to 32.4 Mln Euro in 2008 Apr 02, 2008, 21:27 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek cosmetics group Sarantis expects to increase its net profit by 26.9 pct year-on-year to 32.4 mln euro ($50.7 mln) in 2008, the company told institutional investors on April 2. link

Kremikovtzi on brink of ownership changeover Apr 02, 2008, 21:30 CET | Story | Dnevnik After months of vacillation, the Kremikovtzi imbroglio looks like it could be headed for a resolution after the trustee of the notes secured with assets of the ailing Bulgarian steel maker decided to take matters into his own hands. link

New Varna, Burgas cargo terminals target ’14 launch Apr 02, 2008, 21:33 CET | Story | Dnevnik The containerised cargo terminals at the Bulgarian Black Sea ports of Varna and Burgas will be commissioned into operation in October 2014, said transport minister Petar Mutafchiev. link

Bulgaria Deposit Interest Rates Grow – C-Bank Apr 02, 2008, 21:40 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd The average interest rates of both household and corporate deposits in Bulgaria increased in February 2008, showed data of the central bank. link

Greek Nikas Eyes Expansion in Romania, Bulgaria - Report Apr 02, 2008, 21:45 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek meat products maker Nikas is considering expansion via acquisitions of peers in Bulgaria and Romania, a move which is expected to create good growth prospects for the company, Euro2day newswire reported on April 1, 2008. link

Bulgarian Property Commercial To Construct Mixed-Use Building in Ruse Apr 02, 2008, 21:47 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Bulgarian investment and construction firm Property Commercial said it has started the construction of a modern multi-task building in the Danube town of Ruse. link

Bulgaria sea resort Albena eyes wealthier customers Apr 02, 2008, 21:51 CET | Story | Dnevnik The British tour operators have positioned Bulgaria at the bottom of their price range, Krasimir Stanev, executive director of resort operator Albena, told a news conference. link

REIT FairPlay Properties takes out loans to buy Sofia development sites Apr 02, 2008, 21:53 CET | Story | Dnevnik Local real estate investment trust FairPlay Properties, part of FairPlay International, has signed three loan agreements to secure cash for the purchase of land properties in Sofia residential district Studentski Grad. link

Bulgarian water bottler Devin bets on water cooler segment in ’08 Apr 02, 2008, 21:55 CET | Story | Dnevnik Devin, the Bulgarian water bottling company owned by Austria’s Soravia Gruppe, said it focuses on the market segment for 19 containers for water coolers as it tries to latch onto growing domestic demand on this relatively underdevelopment niche. link

Bulgaria coal output up in ’07 Apr 02, 2008, 21:56 CET | Story | Dnevnik The closure of two units of Bulgaria’s Kozloduy nuclear power station led to a pick-up in demand from local power stations and a 110% increase in domestic coal production to 28.4 mln tons last year, said the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology. The Maritsa Iztok mining company alone produced 24 mln tons. The thermal power plants buy 97% of the locally mined coal; the rest is sold to households. All 17 of the nation’s coal mining businesses averaged higher output year-on-year in ’07. The highest wholesale price recorded was 130 levs/t. link

Bulgaria’s EIBank To Pay No Dividend for 2007 Apr 03, 2008, 10:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Economic and Investment Bank (EIBank), majority-owned by Belgian KBC, will pay no dividend for 2007, the bank’s investors relations officer Nikolay Lazarov said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:27 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Petar Karaminchev PLC-Ruse, BSE code - PKAR, notified through X3 News that on 01.04.2008 was signed an annex to the contract of deposit dated 10.03.2008 between Synergon Holding and Petar Karaminchev PLC-Ruse, by virtue of which the deposit amount changes from BGN 3,500,000 to BGN 6,000,000.The entire notification is available on link

link

Bulgarian Cast Iron Foundry Tchugunoleene Plans To Nearly Treble 2008 Pre-Tax Profit Apr 03, 2008, 12:07 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian cast iron foundry Tchugunoleene on Thursday said it expects its pre-tax profit to reach 2.23 million levs (1.8 million/1.1 million euro) this year, up from 800,000 levs for 2007 as sales revenue is seen up 52.5%. link

Holcim Bulgaria Gets Green Light To Acquire Local Building Materials Firm Apr 03, 2008, 15:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s anti-trust regulator on Wednesday gave the green light to the local unit of global cement maker Holcim to acquire a majority stake in building materials manufacturer Remos Beton for an undisclosed sum. link

Bulgaria’s Sofia Commerce – Pawnbrokers Plans To Buy Back up to 3.0% of Share Capital Apr 03, 2008, 15:59 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian company Sofia Commerce – Pawnbrokers plans to buy back up to 3.0% of its share capital to prevent the price from going down amid an ongoing downward trend on the stock exchange in Sofia, a company official said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian Airports Varna and Burgas Expect More Flights, New Air Carriers in Summer Apr 03, 2008, 16:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian airports in the Black Sea cities of Varna and Burgas said on Thursday they will see more traffic in the summer, as a number of air carriers plan to launch flights to the two airports. link

Bulgarian Wheat Sells for 179 Euro/T on Local Bourse Apr 02, 2008, 21:49 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Bulgarian wheat produced in the latest season sells for 350 Bulgarian levs ($280/179 euro) on the Bulgarian stock exchange, VAT excluded, Vasil Simov, board chair of the bourse, told Dnevnik daily on April 1, 2008. link

EU Sends Bulgaria, Romania Final Warning on Emergency Number 112 Apr 03, 2008, 13:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) – The European Commission on Thursday sent a final warning to newcomers Bulgaria and Romania to introduce in full the European emergency number 112 or face court action. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:24 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bulgarian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for April 2, 2008. link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:36 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment: link

STS Finance - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:42 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Us markets retreated after Bernanke’s announcement link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 11:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 11:54 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulgarian Share Indices Fall in Continuing Sells Apr 03, 2008, 16:35 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) - All four Bulgarian stock exchange indices fell on Thursday as sells continued, brokers said. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - April 3 - Nov 25 Apr 03, 2008, 09:13 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (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

STS Finance - Daily FX Analysis - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:41 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The US dollar continue to raise against the yen link

* Croatia *

Croatian Banks End-Feb Deposit Portfolio Up 15.4% Y/Y - RBA Apr 03, 2008, 13:05 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Croatian commercial banks’ deposit portfolio rose by 15.4% on the year to a total of 193.4 billion kuna ($41.4 billion/26.6 billion euro) at the end of February, Raiffeisenbank Austria Zagreb (RBA) said on Thursday. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 11:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights link

ANALYST COMMENTS: Croatia Gets Invitiation to Join NATO Apr 03, 2008, 17:40 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 3 (SeeNews) – Following are political and trader comments on the NATO membership invitation which Croatia received on Thursday. link

Croatia Schedule of Events - April 3 - June 4 Apr 03, 2008, 09:48 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

NATO INVITES ALBANIA, CROATIA TO JOIN, DELAYS MACEDONIA - NATO’S JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER Apr 03, 2008, 12:43 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 12:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) invited on Thursday Albania and Croatia to join the alliance, while an invitation to Macedonia has been delayed until after the country resolves its name dispute with Greece. link

UPDATE 1 - NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with NATO secretary general, U.S. president quotes) link

Croatia Expects Great Benefits from NATO Membership - PM Sanader Apr 03, 2008, 15:40 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romaina), April 3 (SeeNews) – The invite to join NATO, which Croatia received on Thursday, means additional security for foreign investors in the Adriatic country that is preparing to wrap up its EU accession talks next summer, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said. link

* Macedonia *

Greek Sarantis Aims to Raise Profit to 32.4 Mln Euro in 2008 Apr 02, 2008, 21:27 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek cosmetics group Sarantis expects to increase its net profit by 26.9 pct year-on-year to 32.4 mln euro ($50.7 mln) in 2008, the company told institutional investors on April 2. link

Delay in NATO Membership Invitation Will Not Affect Macedonia’s Sovereign Rating – S&P Apr 03, 2008, 15:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), April 3 (SeeNews) - NATO’s decision to postpone an invitation to Macedonia to join the alliance will not have an impact on the country’s sovereign rating but the political risk will remain if the country fails to start accession talks with the European Union (EU), a Standard & Poor’s (S&P) analyst said on Thursday. link

Macedonia’s Replek To Pay 43% Higher 2007 Dividend Apr 03, 2008, 16:37 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), April 3 (SeeNews) – Macedonia’s holding company Replek on Thursday said it will pay a net dividend of 4,981 denars per share for 2007, 43% up from 2006. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:25 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for April 2, 2008. link

MACEDONIA WITHDRAWS FROM NATO SUMMIT IN BUCHAREST - ROMANIAN TV REALITATEA Apr 03, 2008, 10:30 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Macedonia Withdraws From Nato Summit In Bucharest - Romanian TV Realitatea Apr 03, 2008, 10:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - The Macedonian delegation has withdrawn from the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) held in Bucharest, Romanian TV channel Realitatea reported on Thursday. link

UPDATE 1 - Macedonia Withdraws from NATO Summit in Bucharest - Romanian TV Realitatea Apr 03, 2008, 11:04 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with Macedonian denial) link

NATO INVITES ALBANIA, CROATIA TO JOIN, DELAYS MACEDONIA - NATO’S JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER Apr 03, 2008, 12:43 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 12:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) invited on Thursday Albania and Croatia to join the alliance, while an invitation to Macedonia has been delayed until after the country resolves its name dispute with Greece. link

UPDATE 1 - NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with NATO secretary general, U.S. president quotes) link

Macedonia Blames Greece for Delayed Invitation to Join NATO Apr 03, 2008, 14:38 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s Foreign Minister Antonio Milososki on Thursday blamed Greece for NATO’s decision to delay an invitation to Macedonia to join the alliance and said his country has met all membership criteria. link

UPDATE 1 - Albania Hails Invitation To Join NATO Apr 03, 2008, 16:40 CET | Story | SeeNews (changes dateline, adds analyst comment) link

Macedonian C-Bank Absorbs 3.881 Bln Denars (64 Mln Euro) in 28-day Repo Funds Apr 03, 2008, 17:50 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank said on Thursday it has absorbed 3.881 billion denars ($99.8 million/64 million euro) in 28-day repo funds from the banking system. link

* Moldova *

Moldovan Power Plant CET-1 Turns to Net Profit in 2007 - Table Apr 03, 2008, 12:23 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 3 (SeeNews) - Moldovan gas-fired power plant CET-1 swung to a 23.35 million lei ($2.2 million/1.4 million euro) net profit last year from a 8.5 million lei loss in 2006, the company said on Thursday. link

Moldova Internet Users Up 85.3% in 2007 Apr 03, 2008, 14:22 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 3 (SeeNews) – The number of Internet users in Moldova rose by 85.3% last year reaching 729,400, the country’s telecoms regulator ANRTI said on Thursday. link

Moldovan Drug Maker Farmaco Net Profit Rises 42% in 2007 – Table Apr 03, 2008, 15:27 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 3 (SeeNews) – The net profit of Moldova’s largest drug maker Farmaco rose by 42% last year to 4.7 million lei ($448,000/287,000 euro), the company said on Thursday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - April 3 - May 25 Apr 03, 2008, 10:23 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), April 3 (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

* Montenegro *

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:33 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews New Securities Exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for April 2, 2008. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events - April 3 - June 4 Apr 03, 2008, 10:25 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), April 3 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in, or related to, Montenegro through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

NATO Puts Bosnia, Montenegro on Track to Membership Apr 03, 2008, 14:16 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – NATO on Thursday decided to put Balkan neighbours Bosnia and Montenegro on track to membership after inviting Albania and Croatia to join the alliance. link

KEY FACTS - Montenegro Presidential Elections Apr 03, 2008, 11:28 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), April 3 (SeeNews) - Montenegro will hold on Sunday its first presidential elections as an independent state after breaking its loose union with Serbia in 2006. link

* Romania *

Romanian RTC’s Fashion Division Rafar Sees 2008 Turnover Up to 10 Mln Euro Apr 02, 2008, 21:23 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Rafar, the fashion division of Romanian group of companies RTC Holding, expects its turnover to rise to 10 mln euro ($15.66 mln) in 2008, from 6.0 mln euro ($9.39 mln) in 2007. link

Bank Leumi Romania Swings to 377,250 Euro Net Profit 2007 Apr 02, 2008, 21:24 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Bank Leumi Romania, former Eurom Bank, said it turned to a net profit of 1.4 mln Romanian lei ($589,200/377,250 euro) in 2007, from a loss of 18.8 mln lei ($7.93 mln/5.06 mln euro) registered in 2006. link

Romanian Ceramica Sees 2008 Net Profit Down to 3.0 Mln Euro Apr 02, 2008, 21:25 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Romanian bricks and tiles manufacturer Ceramica expects its net profit to fall to 3.0 mln euro ($4.69 mln) in 2008, from the 11.82 mln Romanian lei ($4.97 mln/3.19 mln euro) result posted in 2007, CEO Iulian Mangalagiu said on April 2, 2008. link

Greek Sarantis Aims to Raise Profit to 32.4 Mln Euro in 2008 Apr 02, 2008, 21:27 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek cosmetics group Sarantis expects to increase its net profit by 26.9 pct year-on-year to 32.4 mln euro ($50.7 mln) in 2008, the company told institutional investors on April 2. link

Portuguese Sonae Sierra, Caelum To Develop 591 Mln Euro Shopping Centre in Romania Apr 02, 2008, 21:32 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Portuguese shopping centre constructor and operator Sonae Sierra and local real estate developer Caelum Development have formed a partnership to develop a shopping centre in Bucharest, Romania, which will require gross investments of 591 mln euro ($923 mln), Sonae Sierra was quoted as saying by Jornal de Negocios on April 2, 2008. link

Czech-Hungarian Ganz-Skoda Electric To Supply 50 Trolley Buses to Timisoara Apr 02, 2008, 21:43 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Czech-Hungarian engineering joint venture Ganz-Skoda Electric Zrt has received an order for the production of 50 trolley buses from the Romanian town of Timisoara, it was reported on April 2, 2008. link

Greek Nikas Eyes Expansion in Romania, Bulgaria - Report Apr 02, 2008, 21:45 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek meat products maker Nikas is considering expansion via acquisitions of peers in Bulgaria and Romania, a move which is expected to create good growth prospects for the company, Euro2day newswire reported on April 1, 2008. link

France’s Groupama in Talks To Take Over Romanian Insurer Asiban – Rothschild & Cie Apr 03, 2008, 10:17 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - French insurer Groupama is in exclusive talks to take over Romanian insurer Asiban, the advisor of the sale Rotschild & Cie said late on Wednesday. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Company News - Comnord 4Q, FY 2007 results - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 13:13 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Comnord 4Q 2007 and FY 2007 results link

S&P Revises Romania’s Hidroelectrica Outlook to Stable from Positive, Affirms ’BB’ Rating Apr 03, 2008, 15:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Global rating agency Standard & Poor’s said on Thursday it has revised its outlook on Romanian hydropower generator Hidroelectrica to stable from positive and has affirmed the company’s ’BB’ long-term corporate credit rating. link

Romania’s Oil Terminal Sees ’08 Gross Profit Up 18.7% to 11.16 Mln Lei (3.0 Mln Euro) Apr 03, 2008, 16:23 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Majority state-owned Romanian company Oil Terminal expects its gross profit to rise by 18.7% to 11.16 million lei ($4.7 million/3.0 million euro) this year, the company said on Thursday. link

EU Sends Bulgaria, Romania Final Warning on Emergency Number 112 Apr 03, 2008, 13:48 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), April 3 (SeeNews) – The European Commission on Thursday sent a final warning to newcomers Bulgaria and Romania to introduce in full the European emergency number 112 or face court action. link

Romania Sells 179.2 Mln Lei (48.3 Mln Euro) in 3-Year T-Notes, Below Target Apr 03, 2008, 17:52 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Romania sold 179.2 million lei ($75.5 million/48.3 million euro) worth of three-year T-notes on Thursday, below its 500 million lei target offer, the country’s central bank (BNR) said. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:22 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for April 2, 2008. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The second consecutive day of increases for the BSE indices link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 11:29 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the newsAsiban to be sold to GroupamaAccording to media reports, Groupama is very close in closing the deal for taking over local insurer Asiban. Same sources place the transation value at EUR 350 mn. Asiban is controlled by BCR, BRD-GSG (BRD), Banca Transilvania (TLV) and CEC, each holding a 25% stake in the company. Both BRD and TLV announced this morning that they have reached an agreement with Groupama for the sale of Asiban. The companies did not release further information. Although the media has already indicated Groupama as a posibible buyer of Asiban two weeks ago, we believe that the news is positive. These figures imply a net gain of around RON 250 mn for each shareholder, while we have conservatively included in our models a net gain of RON 71 mn for both BRD and TLV. The expected sale of Asiban will also improve the cash position of our covered banks.Another postponement in SIF Transilvania versus Cocor SA legal debateAccording to a release to Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), SIF Transilvania (SIF3) was informed that Cocor SA (COCR) had filled a request to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. Thus, COCR is asking for the transfer of one of their issues from Brasov Appeal Court while the High Court of Cassation and Justice ill give its verdict on June 18, 2008. The issue in discussion is the appeal filled by COCR against a Court decision rejecting its request for the annulment of SIF3 ordinary GSM resolution (which decided on the distribution of 2006 net profit to reserves making possible the share capital increase). We view this piece of news as neutral and we consider that unless SIF3 and COCR reach an agreement outside the Court, their legal debate could be prolonged until late in 2008. Enterprise Investors took over Simcor for EUR 53 mnProducer of constructions materials Macon, owned by investment fund Enterprise Investors has reached an agreement to acquire Simcor Group for EUR 53 mn. Following the transaction Macon Deva w ill become the largest producer of autoclaved aerate concrete (ACC locks with an annual production capacity of 800,000 cubic meters. Simcor Oradea (SIOR) and Simbeton (SIOB) are part of Simcor Group and included in the transaction. Macon Deva offer for SIOR stood at RON 18 per share (5.2% higher than the last trading price), while the offered price for SIOB shares was of RON 1.71 per share (3.6% higher than the last trading price). link

Romanian Bourse Indices End Mostly Down, Volumes Fall Further amid Uncertainty Apr 03, 2008, 17:01 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) indices ended mostly down amid very low trading volumes on Thursday as uncertainty dominated the market, brokers said. link

Romania Schedule of Events - April 3 - June 4 Apr 03, 2008, 09:10 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

MACEDONIA WITHDRAWS FROM NATO SUMMIT IN BUCHAREST - ROMANIAN TV REALITATEA Apr 03, 2008, 10:30 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Macedonia Withdraws From Nato Summit In Bucharest - Romanian TV Realitatea Apr 03, 2008, 10:44 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - The Macedonian delegation has withdrawn from the summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) held in Bucharest, Romanian TV channel Realitatea reported on Thursday. link

UPDATE 1 - Macedonia Withdraws from NATO Summit in Bucharest - Romanian TV Realitatea Apr 03, 2008, 11:04 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with Macedonian denial) link

NATO INVITES ALBANIA, CROATIA TO JOIN, DELAYS MACEDONIA - NATO’S JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER Apr 03, 2008, 12:43 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 12:54 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) invited on Thursday Albania and Croatia to join the alliance, while an invitation to Macedonia has been delayed until after the country resolves its name dispute with Greece. link

UPDATE 1 - NATO Invites Albania, Croatia To Join, Delays Macedonia Apr 03, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews (updates with NATO secretary general, U.S. president quotes) link

Romanian Leu Ends Flat vs Euro amid Calm Trading in Higher Volumes Apr 03, 2008, 18:11 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu ended almost unchanged versus the euro on Thursday at 3.7110/7150, compared to Wednesday’s closing of 3.7145/7150, amid calm trading in relatively higher volumes, dealers said. link

* Serbia *

Greek Sarantis Aims to Raise Profit to 32.4 Mln Euro in 2008 Apr 02, 2008, 21:27 CET | Story | AII Data Processing Ltd Greek cosmetics group Sarantis expects to increase its net profit by 26.9 pct year-on-year to 32.4 mln euro ($50.7 mln) in 2008, the company told institutional investors on April 2. link

Serbia’s Government Fails to Endorse Energy Agreement with Russia Apr 03, 2008, 17:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 3 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s outgoing government on Thursday failed to endorse a key energy agreement with Russia, Infrastructure Minister Velimir Ilic said. link

Serbia Gets One Bid for Bus Manufacturer Ikarbus Apr 03, 2008, 18:00 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s Privatisation Agency said on Thursday Russian company Avtodetal-Service is the only bidder in a tender for the state’s 39.2% stake in bus manufacturer Ikarbus. link

National Bank of Serbia - Foreign Exchange Reserves - Feb 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 14:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on foreign exchange reserves for February 2008. link

National Bank of Serbia - Selected Monetary and Foreign Exchange Indicators - Feb 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 14:17 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on selected monetary indiacators for February 2008. link

National Bank of Serbia - Balance of Payments - Jan 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 14:19 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia NBS has released its monthly report on balance of payments for January 2008. link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - April 2, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 10:22 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Belgrade Stock Exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for April 2, 2008 link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - April 3, 2008 Apr 03, 2008, 11:19 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for April 3, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Serbian Shares Stagnate in Decreased Turnover Apr 03, 2008, 18:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Shares traded on the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) mostly slipped in lower volumes on Thursday as investors remain wary of the political instability in Serbia, traders said. link

Serbia Schedule of Events – April 3 - June 4 Apr 03, 2008, 10:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through June 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

NATO Puts Bosnia, Montenegro on Track to Membership Apr 03, 2008, 14:16 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), April 3 (SeeNews) – NATO on Thursday decided to put Balkan neighbours Bosnia and Montenegro on track to membership after inviting Albania and Croatia to join the alliance. link

* Slovenia *

SLOVENIAN BLUE-CHIP DRUG MAKER KRKA PROPOSES TO PAY ’07 GROSS DIVIDEND OF 0.91 EURO/SHARE, UP 14% FROM YR-AGO Apr 03, 2008, 10:31 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Proposes To Pay Higher 2007 Dividend of 0.91 Euro/Share Apr 03, 2008, 10:41 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenian drug maker Krka will propose to pay a gross dividend of 0.91 euro ($1.4) per share for 2007, up some 14% from a year earlier, it said on Thursday. link

Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Raises Q1 Group Sales by 19% Y/Y Apr 03, 2008, 10:53 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenian drug maker Krka on Thursday reported a 19% year-on-year rise in its group sales for the first quarter of 2007 to 243.7 million euro ($380.9 million). link

CORRECTED - Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Raises Q1 Group Sales by 19% Y/Y Apr 03, 2008, 11:22 CET | Story | SeeNews In LJUBLJANA story "Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Raises Q1 Group Sales by 19% Y/Y" please read in the first paragrach "...for the first quarter of 2008..." instead of "...for the first quarter of 2007..." (corrects year). link

UPDATE 1 - Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Raises Q1 Group Sales, Proposes to Pay Higher 2007 Dividend Apr 03, 2008, 11:39 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) Slovenia’s Banka Celje Raises 2007 Parent Net Profit by 25% Apr 03, 2008, 12:13 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s Banka Celje on Thursday reported a 25% rise in its 2007 parent net profit to 20.8 million euro ($32.5 million). [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/slovenia___sbankaceljeraises2007parentnetprofitby25_-114835" class="spip_out">link

Slovenian Drug Maker Krka Eyes New Takeover Targets To Expand Apr 03, 2008, 16:47 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenian heavyweight blue-chip drug maker Krka plans new takeovers after making its first ever acquisition last year, seeking to increase its market share and diversify its offer, the company said on Thursday. link

Slovenia’s Hit Halts Talks with U.S. Harrah’s Entertainment over 750 Mln Euro Casino Resort Construction, Seeks New Partners - TV Apr 03, 2008, 18:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenian casino operator Hit has halted talks with U.S. Harrah’s Entertainment over a project to build a 750 million euro ($1.2 billion) casino resort in the country, and is looking for new partners, state broadcaster TV Slovenija reported on Thursday. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Gain Further Ground Apr 03, 2008, 17:47 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), April 3 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices rose for a second day running on Thursday with most blue chips gaining value, brokers said. link

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