News report of 23.07.2008

* Albania *

Albania’s PM Berisha Names New Deputy PM, Health, Education Ministers in Cabinet Reshuffle Jul 23, 2008, 12:23 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Albania’s Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Wednesday reshuffled his cabinet, naming a new deputy prime minister, education and health ministers, the PM’s office said on Wednesday. link

Albania Sells 3.2 Bln Leks (26 Mln Euro) in 2-Year T-notes, Yields Down Jul 23, 2008, 10:34 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Albania offered and sold 3.2 billion leks ($41.4 million/26.3 million euro) in two-year Treasury notes last week, as yields edged down, the country’s Finance Ministry said on Wednesday. link

* Bosnia *

Bosnia’s Serb Republic Calls Tender for Procurement of Road Repairs Jul 23, 2008, 17:33 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), July 23 (SeeNews) – The road authority of Bosnia’s Serb Republic on Wednesday invited bids for procurement of road rehabilitation services financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the bank said. link

Bosnian Coal Mine/Power Plant Complex Gacko Swings to Profit in H1 - Table Jul 23, 2008, 11:47 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bosnian coal mine and power plant complex Gacko said on Wednesday it turned to a net profit of some 12.65 million marka ($10.23 million/6.48 million euro) in the first half of 2008 from a loss of 21.12 million marka in the year-ago period. link

Bosnia’s Serb Republic June Industrial Output Rises 10.6% Y/Y, Up 5.9% M/M - Table Jul 23, 2008, 11:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), July 23 (SeeNews) - The industrial production of Bosnia’s Serb Republic rose by 10.6% on the year in June and was 5.9% higher compared to May’s output, official data showed on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events - July 23 - Nov 20 Jul 23, 2008, 08:45 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through November 20. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Bulgaria *

Bulgaria’s Trace Group Hold Wins 12.4 Mln Euro Road Repair Contract Jul 23, 2008, 18:18 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s government has awarded a 24.3 million lev ($19.6 million/12.4 million euro) contract to a local consortium led by road building firm Trace Group Hold to repair 44.6 kilometres of roads, the group said on Wednesday. link

Bulgaria Pledges Action To Address EU Criticism of Aid Mismanagement Jul 23, 2008, 18:02 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria on Wednesday accepted the European Commission’s highly critical progress reports on the country and pledged to step up reforms. link

Bulgarian Share Indices Fall in Small Volumes, Bearish Mood Seen Holding Until Week’s End Jul 23, 2008, 17:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian share indices fell on Wednesday in small volumes and the local capital market is seen remaining bearish until the end of the week, brokers said. link

ANALYST COMMENTS - EU Criticism To Have No Major Effect on Romania’s Economy Jul 23, 2008, 17:05 CET | Analysis | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - The European Commission’s criticism of Romania’s progress in the reform of its judiciary and the fight against corruption is unlikely to have any major impact on the country’s economy, analysts said on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian-registered Ceres Investment Fund To Raise Capital to 45.1 Mln Euro Jul 23, 2008, 16:00 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian-registered investment fund Ceres, which focuses on arable land, said on Wednesday it will raise its capital by 15 million euro ($23.6 million) to 45.1 million euro to finance its investment programme. link

ANALYST COMMENT - FDI Inflow to Bulgaria Seen Slowing on EU Criticism, Reforms Expected Jul 23, 2008, 15:48 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - The inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) to Bulgaria is expected to slow down as a result of highly critical progress reports on the country issued by the European Commission, analysts said on Wednesday. link

Bulgaria’s Financial Watchdog Licenses Optima Asset Management Co Jul 23, 2008, 15:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s financial watchdog on Wednesday said it licensed Optima Asset Management company . link

Transparency International Backs Freeze of EU funds to Bulgaria, Urges Speeding of Anti-graft Reform in Romania Jul 23, 2008, 15:10 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) said on Wednesday it supports the European Commission’ decision to freeze aid to Bulgaria and urged Romania to accelerate its anti-corruption reforms. link

UPDATE 1 - EU Bans Two Bulgarian Govt Agencies from Handling EU Aid, Demands Results in Tackling Organised Crime Jul 23, 2008, 14:00 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - The European Commission on Wednesday urged Bulgaria to show results in fighing high level corruption and organised crime and barred two Bulgarian government agencies from handling EU funds. link

UPDATE 1 - Bulgaria’s End-May Gross Foreign Debt at 30.987 Bln Euro, Up 10.2% from End-2007 Jul 23, 2008, 13:37 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds table) link

European Commission Bans Two Bulgarian Govt Agencies from Handling EU Aid, Demands Results in Tackling Organised Crime Jul 23, 2008, 13:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – The European Commission on Wednesday warned Bulgaria that the country needs to show results in fighing high level corruption and organised crime and barred two Bulgarian agencies from handling EU funds. link

Bulgaria’s End-May Gross Foreign Debt at 30.987 Bln Euro, Up 10.2% from End-2007 Jul 23, 2008, 13:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s gross foreign debt totalled 30.987 billion euro ($49.3 billion) at the end of May, up 10.2% from the end of 2007, the country’s central bank said on Wednesday. link

BULGARIA NEEDS TO URGENTLY ADDRESS HIGH LEVEL CORRUPTION, ORGANISED CRIME – EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPORT Jul 23, 2008, 13:13 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

EUROPEAN COMMISSION BARS TWO BULGARIAN GOVT AGENCIES FROM HANDLING EU AID Jul 23, 2008, 13:10 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

BULGARIA’S END-MAY GROSS FOREIGN DEBT AT 30.987 BLN EURO ($49.3 BLN), UP 10.2% FROM END-2007 – C-BANK Jul 23, 2008, 13:06 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgarian Corpbank Nearly Doubles H1 Net Profit - Table Jul 23, 2008, 13:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Corporate Commercial Bank (Corpbank) on Wednesday posted a nearly twofold increase in net profit to 20.4 million levs ($16.5 million/10.5 million euro) for the first half of 2008, as net interest income rose by 48%. link

BULGARIA’S CORPBANK SAYS NEARLY DOUBLES H1 NET PROFIT TO 20.4 MLN LEVS (10.5 MLN EURO) Jul 23, 2008, 13:01 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria’s End-June M1 Money Supply Rises 14.2% Y/Y, Down 0.06% M/M - Table Jul 23, 2008, 12:41 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s M1 money supply, which includes cash in circulation and demand deposits, totalled 20.327 billion levs ($16.383 billion/10.395 billion euro) at the end of June, up 14.2% from a year earlier and down 0.06% compared to the end of May, central bank data showed on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian Banks’ End-June Credit Portfolio Rises 48.3% Y/Y Jul 23, 2008, 12:35 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - The credit portfolio of Bulgarian commercial banks totalled 43.939 billion levs ($35.8 billion/22.5 billion euro) at the end of June, up by 48.3% from a year earlier, data from the central bank, BNB, showed on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian Opposition Calls No-confidence Vote Against Socialist-led Cabinet over Poor Absorption of EU Funds Jul 23, 2008, 12:23 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s right-wing opposition on Wednesday filed a no-confidence motion against the Socialist-led government, accusing it of causing "material and moral damages to Bulgaria and its citizens because of non-absorption of the European Union’s structural funds," state-run news agency BTA reported. link

BULGARIA’S OPPOSITION FILES NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST GOVT OVER POOR ABSORPTION OF EU FUNDS Jul 23, 2008, 12:20 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgaria’s Litex Motors Negotiates Car Assembly Deals with China’s Beiqi Foton, Great Wall Jul 23, 2008, 11:47 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Litex Motors is in talks with Chinese truck maker Beiqi Foton Motor and China’s largest sport utility vehicle manufacturer Great Wall Motor to start assembling cheap vehicles in Bulgaria and sell them in the region, a Bulgarian official in charge of the project said on Wednesday. link

Bulgaria’s General Insurance Market Grows 23.9% Y/Y in Jan-May’08 Jul 23, 2008, 11:31 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - The premium income of Bulgaria’s 20 general insures rose by 23.9% on the year to 592.2 million levs ($477.3 million/302.8 million euro) in the first five months of 2008, the country’s financial regulator said on Wednesday. link

Bulgaria Q2 Housing Prices Up 5.9% Q/Q Jul 23, 2008, 11:05 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian housing prices in the second quarter of the year were 5.9% higher than a quarter earlier, with apartment prices rising fastest in the southwestern town of Kyustendil, the National Statistics Institute (NSI) said on Wednesday. link

Bulgarian Printing, Ad Firm Billboard Borrows 1.0 Mln Euro To Buy Printing Machines Jul 23, 2008, 10:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian printing and advertising company Billboard said late on Tuesday it has borrowed 1.0 million euro ($1.57 million) from Greek-owned Piraeus Bank Bulgaria to buy printing machines. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:23 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulbrokers - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Financial Continue To Support Wall Street link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:03 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews The dollar headed upwards link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - July 23 - Nov 25 Jul 23, 2008, 09:14 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 23 (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

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:54 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:51 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Stock exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for July 22, 2008. link

Romania Accounts for Half of 2007 Reports of Irregularities in Use of EU Pre-accession Funds - OLAF Jul 22, 2008, 20:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 22 (SeeNews) - The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on Tuesday said that about half of all reports of irregularities in absorption of European Union’s pre-accession funds originated in Romania last year. link

Bulgaria’s Mega Group To Build 100 Mln Euro Oil Refinery Jul 22, 2008, 19:41 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), July 22 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian petroleum products wholesaler Mega Group will build a 100 million euro ($159.2 million) oil refinery, the Economy and Energy Ministry said on Tuesday. link

* Croatia *

Croatian Bourse Rises on Lower Oil Prices, Liquidity Drops Jul 23, 2008, 18:19 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Croatian share indices rose on Wednesday mirroring positive mood on global markes as lower oil prices eased inflation and economic growth woes, analysts said. link

Croatian Shipping Firm Tankerska Proposes Flat Dividend for 2007 Jul 23, 2008, 15:45 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Croatian blue-chip shipping company Tankerska Plovidba on Wednesday proposed to pay a dividend of 55 kuna ($12/7.6 euro) per share for 2007, unchanged from the dividend it paid for the previous year. link

CROATIAN SHIPPING FIRM TANKERSKA PLOVIDBA PROPOSES TO PAY FLAT 2007 DIVIDEND OF 55 KUNA (7.6 EURO) PER SHARE Jul 23, 2008, 15:13 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Croatia’s Dukat H1 Unaudited Cons Net Profit Down 14.5% – Table Jul 23, 2008, 14:15 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s top dairy company Dukat reported on Wednesday a fall in its first-half unaudited consolidated net profit to 63.46 million kuna ($13.9 million/8.8 million euro) from 74.2 million kuna a year earlier when its financial performance was boosted by one-off revenue. link

FIMA - Weekly Report - July 14 - 18, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 13:38 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews OVERVIEW link

Croatia’s Elka To Provide T-HT Telco with Cables in 90 Mln Kuna (12.5 Mln Euro) Deal Jul 23, 2008, 13:06 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) – Croatian cable maker Elka will deliver optic and copper cables to the country’s blue-chip telecommunications company T-HT in a 90 million kuna ($20 million/12.5 million euro) deal, the two companies said on Wednesday. link

Croatia C-Bank Approves All Bids in Revrepo Auction, Weighted Rate Falls Jul 23, 2008, 12:30 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank said it approved all bids for Treasury bills worth some 2.447 billion kuna ($534 million/339 million euro) placed in a reverse repo auction on Wednesday. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Monthly Statistical Report - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Croatian Bureau of Statistics has released its monthly statistical report for June 2008. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Hunting, Trapping and Wildlife Management - 2007 Jul 23, 2008, 11:01 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The total number of hunters in 2007, as compared to 2006, increased by 11% and the number of members of associations by 12%, while the number of trainees decreased by 16%.In 2007, as compared to 2006, the game kill increased for all types save for the common pheasant, whose kill decreased by 11%, as compared to the previous year. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Industrial Production Volume Index, First Results - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:54 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION VOLUME INDEX, JUNE 2008, FIRST RESULTSThe total industrial production was by 7.2% higher in June 2008 than in June 2007 and, in the period from Januaryto June 2008, it was by 4.3% higher than the production in the same period last year. As compared to the average monthly production in 2007, the industrial production in June 2008 increased by 6.6%. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Construction Work Indices - May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:47 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In May 2008, construction works increased by 6.5%, as compared to May 2007.Construction works in the period from January to May 2008 increased by 11.6%, as compared to the period from January to May 2007.In May 2008 :- by type of constructions, 47.7% out of the total working hours were done on buildings and 52.3% on civil engineering works;- by type of works, 63.6% out of the total working hours were done on new constructions and 36.4% on reconstructions, repairs and maintenance. link

Croatia’s Imex Banka H1 Pre-Tax Profit Rises 230% Y/Y to 5.7 Mln Kuna (790,000 Euro) Jul 23, 2008, 10:23 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) – Croatian commercial bank Imex reported a 230% annual growth in its pre-tax profit for the first half of the year to 5.7 million kuna ($1.2 million/790,000 euro) amid growth in all key segments. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:44 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Croatia Schedule of Events - July 23 - Oct 14 Jul 23, 2008, 08:52 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through October 14. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:05 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Daily comment:OMV’s statement that it isn’t currently interested to make counter bid for Ina (INA-R-A) shares cooled Zagreb Stock Exchange and popular benchmark declined by 1,1% to slightly above 3.600 pts level. Austrian oil company replied on Croatian Financial Service Supervisory Agency’s request that they are possibly interested in further privatization of Ina in case of public tender for Government’s 19% stake or War veterans fund 7% stake in Company. That is main prerogative for OMV to give public offer for Ina shares. Since possible takeover competition between MOL and OMV currently failed, investors reduced its positions in Ina share which dropped 1,0% on more than HRK 50 million in turnover. Although lock – up period for part of ESOP shares expired yesterday, strong support on HRK 2.900 proved as intransitive. On AGM held today food & pharmaceutical company Koprivnica based Podravka (PODR-R-A) shareholders elected new Management board, while former CEO beca me president of the Supervisory board. Investors awarded this decision, as Podravka share rose 0,3% collecting 0,6 m HRK turnover. The Co registered has increased brand sales as a result Co’s strategy oriented on reinforced marketing activity of own brands, after termination of distribution agreement with Nestle in 2007. Podravka is also planning purchase of new brands, where it assigned total HRK 250 million on domestic and foreign brands acquisition. This year SBU Belupo acquired Sarajevo based Farmavita, second largest drug company with HRK 100 million turnover and 12% market share. In respect of changes on Croatian drug market, Belupo started negotiations with few pharmaceutical companies aiming to create middle size drug store chain to enhance market position. Construction & engineering company Ingra (INGRR- A) declined by 1,8%, on announcement that shareholders voted for dividend payout in amount of HRK 200 per share, share split in 1:150 ratio and possible recapitaliz ation through new shares issuing in amount of max. HRK 150 million link

Croatian Blue-chip Food Producer Podravka Reshuffles Management Jul 22, 2008, 19:01 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), July 22 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue-chip food producer Podravka said on Tuesday it has reshuffled its top management by replacing five members of its supervisory board and cutting by one the number of its management board members. link

* Macedonia *

State Statistical Office of Macedonia - Business Tendencies in the Manufacturing Industry - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 16:24 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Assessment of the managers of the industrial manufacturing enterprises about the current business situation of enterprises in June 2008According to the data of the State Statistical Office, the current business situation of the enterprises in June 2008, according to the managers of the enterprises, is more satisfactory than in the previous month. The situation with the present production orders supplying is on the same level as in the previous month. In the past three to four months, the volume of production of the enterprises varies, the expected production volume is more satisfactory, as well as the expectation of the number of the employees. The stocks of raw materials and intermediate goods, the present supplies of the production with raw materials and intermediate goods, in June 2008, did not change significantly and they are around the normal level. In the next period, the average purchasing prices of inputs will increase, as well as the average selling prices of finish ed goods. link

Ministry of Finance of Macedonia - Public Investment Programme 2008 - 2010 Jul 23, 2008, 14:33 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews INTRODUCTION link

Macedonia’s C-Bank Absorbs 4.628 Bln Denars (75.5 Mln Euro) in 28-day Repo Funds Jul 23, 2008, 14:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank said on Wednesday it absorbed 4.628 billion denars ($119.2 million/75.5 million euro) in 28-day repo funds from the banking system. link

Ministry of Finance of Macedonia - Central Government Budget - Jan - May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 13:29 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Macedonia has published its monthly report on the central government budget for January to May 2008. link

Macedonia’s Power Transmission Company MEPSO To Auction 3,430 MWh of Night-Time Electricity Jul 23, 2008, 13:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), July 23  (SeeNews) - Macedonian state-owned power transmission operator MEPSO said it will offer for sale on Thursday 3,430 megawatthours (MWh) of night-time electricity surpluses for the period July 28-31 to all interested domestic and foreign consumers and licensed power trading companies. link

Austria’s Steiermärkische Bank Gets Nod To Buy Macedonia’s Investbanka Jul 23, 2008, 12:03 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia) July 23 (SeeNews) – Macedonia’s central bank on Wednesday said it has given the green light to Austria’s Steiermärkische Bank und Sparkassen to acquire 100% of Skopje-based Investbanka’s share capital for 38.5 million euro ($60.5 million) . link

Macedonia Schedule of Events - July 23 - Nov 14 Jul 23, 2008, 09:25 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Macedonia through November 14. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:52 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Macedonian Stock exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for July 22, 2008. link

* Moldova *

UPDATE 1 - Moldova’s Energbank H1 Net Profit Rises 12% Y/Y Jul 23, 2008, 16:05 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds Energbank comment, background) link

Moldova’s Energbank H1 Net Profit Rises 12% Y/Y - Table Jul 23, 2008, 13:50 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), July 23 (SeeNews) – The first-half net profit of the Moldovan commercial bank Energbank rose by 12% on the year to 25.3 million lei ($2.6 million/1.6 million euro), the bank said on Wednesday. link

U.S Donates Medical Equipment Worth $20 Mln to Moldova Jul 23, 2008, 12:01 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), July 23 (SeeNews) – The United States has provided medical equipment worth $20 million (12.7 million euro) to Moldova, the U.S. embassy in Moldova said on Wednesday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - July 23 - Oct 8 Jul 23, 2008, 09:50 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Moldova through October 8. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

National Bank of Moldova - Average Interest Rate on Interest Bearing Demand Deposits - July 18, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:02 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its weekly report on average interest rate on interest bearing demand deposits as of July 18, 2008. link

National Bank of Moldova - Average Interest Rates - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:01 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its monthly report on the average interest rates for June 2008. link

National Bank of Moldova - Banking System Survey - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:00 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its monthly banking system survey for June 2008. link

National Bank of Moldova - Commercial Banks Activity on the Money Market - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:59 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its weekly report on commercial banks activity on the money market as of July 18, 2008. link

National Bank of Moldova - Monetary Agregates - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:58 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its monthly report on monetary agregates for June 2008. link

National Bank of Moldova - Official Reserve Assets - July 11, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:57 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Moldova has published its report on official reserve assets as of July 11, 2008. link

Moldova Stock Exchange - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:53 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Moldova Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for July 22, 2008 link

* Montenegro *

Montenegro’s June CPI Rises 11.4% Y/Y, Up 1.2% M/M - Table Jul 23, 2008, 15:09 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), July 23 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s June consumer price index rose by 11.4% on the year and was 1.2% higher month-on-month, the country’s statistics office said on Wednesday. link

MONTENEGRO’S JUNE CPI +11.4% Y/Y, +1.2% M/M, VS +9.5% Y/Y, +1.0% M/M IN MAY - STATS OFFICE Jul 23, 2008, 15:08 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Montenegro’s June Retail Price Index Rises 12.4% Y/Y - Table Jul 23, 2008, 14:42 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), July 23 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s June retail price index rose by 12.4% on the year and was 2.8% higher than a month earlier, the country’s statistics office reported on Wednesday. link

Montenegro’s June Industrial Output Rises 5.6% Y/Y - Table Jul 23, 2008, 14:24 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), July 23 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s June industrial output rose by 5.6% on the year and was 11.4% higher than a month earlier, the country’s statistics office reported on Wednesday. link

MONTENEGRO’S JUNE INDUSTRIAL OUTPUT RISES 5.6% Y/Y, UP 11.4% M/M - STATS OFFICE Jul 23, 2008, 14:21 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

New Securities Exchange of Montenegro - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:54 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The New Securities exchange of Montenegro (NEX) has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for July 22, 2008. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events - July 23 - Oct 23 Jul 23, 2008, 08:39 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Montenegro through October 23. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Romania *

Provident Financial Romania More than Trebles H1 Revenue Jul 23, 2008, 18:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Provident Financial Romania, the local arm of British consumer credit firm International Personal Finance, on Wednesday reported revenues of 4.8 million British pounds ($9.6 million/6.1 million euro) in the first half of the year, more than treble increase from a year earlier. link

Romanian Leu Ends Weaker vs Euro, O/N Rates Stay Low Jul 23, 2008, 17:46 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu on Wednesday closed at around 3.5720/5760 per euro, weaker than 3.5600/5660 on Tuesday, amid low overnight rates and higher liquidity on the market, dealers said. link

Romanian Stocks Rise on U.S. Market Gains Jul 23, 2008, 17:24 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) – The Romanian bourse closed up on Wednesday, erasing the losses in the previous day, supported by gains on the U.S. stock market, brokers said. link

ANALYST COMMENTS - EU Criticism To Have No Major Effect on Romania’s Economy Jul 23, 2008, 17:05 CET | Analysis | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - The European Commission’s criticism of Romania’s progress in the reform of its judiciary and the fight against corruption is unlikely to have any major impact on the country’s economy, analysts said on Wednesday. link

Transparency International Backs Freeze of EU funds to Bulgaria, Urges Speeding of Anti-graft Reform in Romania Jul 23, 2008, 15:10 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) said on Wednesday it supports the European Commission’ decision to freeze aid to Bulgaria and urged Romania to accelerate its anti-corruption reforms. link

Romania Sells 219.3 Mln Lei (61.5 Mln Euro) in 1-Yr T-Bills, Yields Rise Jul 23, 2008, 14:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Romania on Wednesday sold 219.3 million lei ($96.9 million/61.5 million euro) worth of one-year T-bills, much below its 800 million lei target offer, as yields rose, the country’s central bank, BNR, said. link

UPDATE 1 - EU Says Romania Needs More Efforts To Tackle Judicial Reform, High-Level Corruption Jul 23, 2008, 14:07 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, comments by Romania’s PM) link

EU Says Romania Needs More Efforts To Tackle Judicial Reform, High-Level Corruption Jul 23, 2008, 13:36 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) – Romania needs to put more efforts into the reform of its judiciary and the fight against corruption, the European Commission said on Wednesday. link

ROMANIA NEEDS TO MAKE MORE EFFORTS TO TACKLE JUDICIAL REFORM, HIGH-LEVEL CORRUPTION – EU REPORT Jul 23, 2008, 13:11 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Romanian Investment Fund STK Emergent Plans 50 Mln Euro Residential Project Jul 23, 2008, 12:21 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) – Romanian closed-end investment fund STK Emergent said on Wednesday it plans to develop a residential project in the northwestern city of Cluj-Napoca for an estimated 50 million euro ($79 million). link

Romanian National Bank - Monetary Indicators, June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:49 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews At end-June 2008, broad money (M3) equalled RON 161,495.4 million, up 2.5 percent (2.2 percent in real terms) month on month. In year-on-year comparison, broad money rose 38.9 percent, or 27.9 percent in real terms. link

Romanian National Bank - Monthly Bulletin - Statistical Section, May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:36 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Contents link

Romania’s End-June M3 Money Supply Rises Nominal 2.5% M/M – Table Jul 23, 2008, 11:34 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Romania’s M3, the broadest gauge of the country’s money supply, rose by a nominal 2.5% month-on-month at the end of June to 161.495 billion lei ($71.35 billion/45.27 billion euro), the country’s central bank, BNR, said on Wednesday. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:05 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BET-FI below 36,000 for the first time since June 2006 link

Romania’s Millennium Bank Reports 13.6 Mln Euro Loss in H1 Jul 23, 2008, 09:57 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Millennium Bank, part of Portuguese bank Millennium BCP, said on Wednesday it had a first-half loss of 13.6 million euro ($21.4 million) due to investments it has made to enter the Romanian market. link

Romania Schedule of Events - July 23 - Sept 26 Jul 23, 2008, 09:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through September 26. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:50 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for July 22, 2008. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:49 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock exchange has published its RASDAQ daily market report for July 22, 2008. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:45 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the news link

Romania Accounts for Half of 2007 Reports of Irregularities in Use of EU Pre-accession Funds - OLAF Jul 22, 2008, 20:09 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), July 22 (SeeNews) - The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) on Tuesday said that about half of all reports of irregularities in absorption of European Union’s pre-accession funds originated in Romania last year. link

* Serbia *

Serbian Indices Close Little Changed in Calm Trading Jul 23, 2008, 17:04 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), July 23 (SeeNews) - The share indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) on Wednesday closed little changed in calm trading amid low investor activity, brokers said. link

Indian Embassy Group To Build $550 Mln IT Park in Serbia - Media Jul 23, 2008, 16:03 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Indian property developer Embassy Group will invest $550 million (350 million euro) to build an IT business centre in Serbia, Serbian daily newspaper Politika reported on Wednesday. link

Serbian Drinks Firm Knjaz Milos Turns to Profit in 2007 - Table Jul 23, 2008, 15:17 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), July 23 (SeeNews) – Serbian mineral water and juice bottler Knjaz Milos, owned by UK-based investment fund Salford Capital Partners, reported on Wednesday a consolidated net profit of 61.8 million dinars ($1.25 million/793,000 euro) for 2007, compared to a loss of 492.5 million dinars in the previous year, as revenue rose faster than costs. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Public Debt - May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:41 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia has issued its public debt monthly report for the period from 2000 to May 2008. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Republic Government Revenues and Expenditures - Јan - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:39 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia has issued its monthly report on republic government revenues and expenditures for January to June 2008. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Consolidated General Government Revenues and Expenditures - Jan - May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:28 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia has issued its monthly report on consolidated general government revenues and expenditures for January to May 2008. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Basic Macroeconomic, Fiscal Indicators - May 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:23 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Fiance of the Republic of Serbia has issued its monthly report on basic macroeconomic and fiscal indicators for May 2008. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Revenues and Expenditures of Budget - Јan - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 11:17 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia has issued its monthly report on revenues and expenditures of the republican budget for January to June 2008. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Public Finance Bulletin - April 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:51 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Macroeconomic and fiscal developments from 2005 to 2007 link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Report on Budget Execution for Jan - May 2008, with Projections for the Rest of the Year - June 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 10:40 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews 1. Budget execution January-May 2008 link

Kosovo Commercial Banks End-April Loan Portfolio Rises 42.3% Y/Y to 1.0 Bln Euro - Table Jul 23, 2008, 10:05 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, July 23 (SeeNews) - The loan portfolio of commercial banks in Kosovo reached 1.02 billion euro ($1.6 billion) at the end of April, up by 42.3% from a year earlier, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Wednesday. link

Kosovo’s C-Bank End-April Assets Rise 37.6% Y/Y to 1.15 Bln Euro - Table Jul 23, 2008, 10:02 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, July 23 (SeeNews) - The total assets of Kosovo’s Central Banking Authority (CBAK) rose by 37.6% year-on-year to 1.146 billion euro ($1.8 billion) at end-April, the bank said on Wednesday. link

Sinteza Investment Group - Daily Market Wrap Up - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:57 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Sinteza Investment Group has released its daily trading report for July 22, 2008. The report contains an overview of the Serbian Financial market. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - July 23, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 09:52 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews report for July 23, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Kosovo Insurers 4-mo Gross Premium Income Rises 8.4% Y/Y to 18.2 Mln Euro Jul 23, 2008, 09:44 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, July 23 (SeeNews) - Insurance companies in Kosovo reported 18.2 million euro ($28.7 million) in combined gross premium income through April, up by 8.4% on the year, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Wednesday. link

Kosovo End-April Jobless Numbers Rise 1.4% Y/Y - Table Jul 23, 2008, 09:38 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, July 23 (SeeNews) - There were 336,436 people unemployed in Kosovo at the end of April, up 1.4% from a year earlier, the Central Banking Authority of Kosovo (CBAK) said on Wednesday. link

Ministry of Finance of Serbia - Memorandum on 2009 Budget, Economic and Fiscal Policy with Projections for 2010, 2011 Jul 23, 2008, 09:33 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews Disclaimer: link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - July 22, 2008 Jul 23, 2008, 08:48 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Belgrade Stock exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for July 22, 2008 Serbia Schedule of Events - July 23 - Dec 30 Jul 23, 2008, 08:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through December 30. New or amended entries are marked (*). [link->http://seenews.com/news/latestnews/serbiascheduleofevents-july23-dec30-074616" class="spip_out">link

National Bank of Serbia - Gross Domestic Product - Q4 2007 Jul 23, 2008, 07:35 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The National Bank of Serbia (NBS) has published its quarterly report on the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country, excluding Kosovo and Metohija, for the fourth quarter of 2007. link

* Slovenia *

Slovenian Stock Indices Rise in Higher Turnover Jul 23, 2008, 17:05 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices rose in higher turnover on Wednesday with most blue chips gaining value, brokers said. link

ANALYSIS - Slovenian Stock Market Will Be Unable To Erase First-half Losses by Year’s End Jul 23, 2008, 15:54 CET | Analysis | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Market analysts have a rather mixed outlook on the price movements on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange (LJSE) until the end of the year but they agree that the Slovenian stock indices will end the year lower than in 2007. link

Slovenia Schedule of Events - July 23-Sept 21 Jul 23, 2008, 06:00 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), July 23 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Slovenia through September 21. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

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