News report of 26.06.2008

* Albania *

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

Albania To Auction 29.6 Bln Leks (240 Mln Euro) in T-Bills on Tuesday Jun 26, 2008, 15:14 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Albania’s central bank will auction 29.6 billion leks ($378 million/240 million euro) worth of three-, six- and 12-month Treasury bills on July 1, the bank said on Thursday. link

INTERVIEW - Croatia Seeks To Expand Gas Transportation Business with SEE Countries in Next Few Years Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatian state-owned gas transport company Plinacro hopes to put into operation by early 2011 at the latest a pipeline to Hungary, which would allow both export and import of natural gas, the company’s development division director said. link

* Bosnia *

Sarajevo Bourse To Relaunch Trade in Drug Maker Bosnalijek on Friday Jun 26, 2008, 17:01 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) - The Sarajevo Stock Exchange (SASE) on Thursday said it would relaunch trade in the shares of Bosnia’s biggest pharmaceutical firm, Bosnalijek, after the company supplied information earlier required by the bourse about a planned capital hike. link

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

EU, World Bank to Support Poorly Run Private Firms in Bosnia with Free Consulting Jun 26, 2008, 15:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) - The European Commission and the World Bank on Thursday said they have launched a 2.1 million euro ($3.3 million) project to back privatised Bosnian companies that perform poorly due to dispersed ownership structure and inadequate corporate governance. link

Sarajevo Bourse Suspends Trade in Drug Maker Bosnalijek After 10% Drop Jun 26, 2008, 12:42 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The Sarajevo Stock Exchange (SASE) on Thursday said it suspended trade in the shares of Bosnia’s biggest pharmaceutical firm, Bosnalijek, because the company has failed to inform the bourse about a planned bonus share issue in due time. link

Bosnian Food Firm Sima Opens 4.5 Mln Euro Croissant Factory - Media Jun 26, 2008, 10:58 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – Bosnian food company Sima has opened a 4.5 million euro ($7.0 million) croissant factory in the northern town of Laktasi, a Bosnian daily reported on Thursday. link

International Overseers Praise Bosnia’s Progress, Urge Further Efforts Jun 26, 2008, 10:09 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – International overseers praised Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for its reform progress and the signing of a pre-membership deal with the European Union, yet recommended that efforts continue. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – June 26 – Nov 20 Jun 26, 2008, 09:16 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (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 *

EU Warns Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia over Improper Implementation of Railway Legislation Jun 26, 2008, 18:10 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) – The European Commission on Thursday said Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia are implementing the European Union’s First Railway Package legislation improperly. link

Bulgarian Tobacco Group Bulgartabac To Pay 70% Lower Dividend for 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 17:42 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian tobacco holding group Bulgartabac said on Thursday it will pay a 0.8 lev ($0.64/0.41 euro) dividend per share for 2007, 70% lower than for 2006. link

Bulgaria’s Balkantourist Elit To Seek 18.2 Mln Euro in Cap Hike Jun 26, 2008, 17:22 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian industrial and tourism group Balkantourist Elit on Thursday said it plans to seek a capital increase of 35.6 million levs ($28.4 million/18.2 million euro), more than double the hike approved by the country’s financial regulator earlier this month. link

British, Bulgarian JV Doubles Investment in Resort Development in Bulgaria to 500 Mln Euro Jun 26, 2008, 16:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Sofia), June 26 (SeeNews) – A joint venture between British company Solas Nua Limited and the Bulgarian municipality of Straldzha has doubled its planned investment in a resort compound in Bulgaria to 500 million euro ($782 million), a project official said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian Stocks Extend Gains, REITs Lift Bourse’s Turnover Jun 26, 2008, 16:36 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian share indices ended higher on Thursday, extending their gains from the previous day after a recent losing streak, as trading in real estate investment trusts raised the bourse’s turnover, brokers said. link

CORRECTED - Bulgaria, Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals To Sign Memo of Understanding on $155-160 Mln Project in One Month Jun 26, 2008, 15:57 CET | Story | SeeNews In SOFIA story "Bulgaria, Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals To Sign Memo of Understanding on $155-160 Mln Project in One Month" please read in the first paragraph "...Bulgaria and Canadian miner Dundee Precious Metals..." instead of "...Bulgarian and Canadian miner Dundee Precious Metals..." link

Deloitte To Advise Bulgaria in Setting Up Energy Megastructure Jun 26, 2008, 15:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Economy and Energy Ministy said on Thursday it will hire Deloitte Bulgaria to advise it on the setting up of a mammoth holding company in the country’s energy sector. link

Bulgaria, Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals To Sign Memo of Understanding on $155-160 Mln Project in One Month Jun 26, 2008, 14:40 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian and Canadian miner Dundee Precious Metals (DPM) will sign in a month a memorandum of understanding on the setting up of a joint venture company for a $155-$160 million (99.1-102.3 million euro) project, the government in Sofia said on Thursday. link

Bulgaria Raises Electricity Prices for Households by 14%, Gas Prices Up 5% from July 1 Jun 26, 2008, 14:17 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 16 (SeeNews) – Bulgaria’s energy regulator on Thursday raised electricity prices for households by an average 14.1% and increased natural gas prices by 5.16%, both hikes effective from July 1. link

EU Closes Telecoms Infringement Proceedings Against Bulgaria Jun 26, 2008, 13:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - The European Union said on Thursday it has closed the infringement proceedings against Bulgaria over the alleged lack of independence and effectiveness of the country’s telecommunications regulator. link

Bulgaria’s Eldominvest To Raise Capacity to 500,000 Units by Sept Jun 26, 2008, 12:47 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) – Bulgarian producer of electrical and gas household appliances Eldominvest will raise its annual capacity to 500,000 units by September from 400,000 now, the company said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Monetary and Credit Indicators - May 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:26 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In May 2008, the annual growth rate of broad money (monetary aggregate M3) was 27.3% compared to 28.3% in April. At the end of May M3 amounted to BGN 43.181 billion (67.4% of GDP). Its most liquid component – the monetary aggregate M1 – increased by 20.7% annually in May (22.3% growth in April). Quasi-money rose by 33.7% compared to May 2007 (34.2% in April). link

Bulgaria’s Consortium Energy MK To Buy Bobov Dol Power Plant for 51 Mln Euro, To Invest 35 Mln Euro Jun 26, 2008, 12:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s Consortium Energy MK will buy 100% of the country’s 630-megawatt thermal power plant Bobov Dol for the call price of 100 million levs ($79.8 million/51 million euro) and will invest 35 million euro in it in the next five years, the country’s Privatisation Agency said on Thursday. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Gross External Debt - April, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:20 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews As of end-April 2008 gross external debt was EUR 30,724.8 million (93.8% of GDP) and increased by EUR 2,601 million (9.2%) against the end of 2007 (EUR 28,123.7 million, 97.3% of GDP). This was mainly due to the increase of Direct Investment liabilities (EUR 1,159.2 million, 12.1%). By end-April 2008 long-term liabilities amounted to EUR 20,212.6 million (65.8% of total debt), and short-term liabilities came to EUR 10,512.2 million (34.2% of total debt). link

Bulgarian National Bank - Monetary Statistics - May 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:15 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the May 2008 issue of its monetary statistics bulletin. link

Bulgarian National Bank - Monthly Bulletin - Mar 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:13 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published its monthly bulletin for March 2008. link

BULGARIAN MINING CONSORTIUM TO BUY BOBOV DOL POWER PLANT FOR 51 MLN EURO, TO INVEST 35 MLN EURO - PRIVATISATION AGENCY Jun 26, 2008, 12:11 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bulgarian National Bank - Weekly Balance Sheet of Issue Dept - June 20, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:05 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published the balance sheet of its issue department as of June 20, 2008. link

Bulgarian National Bank – Macroeconomic Indicators - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 12:04 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has published its statistical report on the country’s main macroeconomic indicators as of June 25, 2008. link

Elana - Research Note - Railway Infrastructure – Holding company IPO, June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 11:59 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews General InformationRailway Infrastructure – Holding company is established in 2007 as a holding company with main function to consolidate the railway business of the majority owner. The company is a leader on the market, specialized in the construction, repair and modernization of railroad infrastructure. It is owned by the majority shareholders of Holding Roads and Moststroy. Railway Infrastructure – Holding company will offer 5 583 411 new shares at the minimum price of BGN 5.00. Total stock number after successful IPO will be 61 417 523 and the expected freefloat is around 10%. Funds received from the new issue will be used for the investment program of the company. The total market capitalization of the company at the price minimum of BGN 5.00 is BGN 307.08 million. This research note will provide short description of Railway Infrastructure – Holding company current projects, the IPO procedure and timeframe as well as the company’s current financial data and the m anagement’s projections. link

Shares in Bulgarian Cigarette Factory Plovdiv BT Surge 81% on Sale Announcement Jun 26, 2008, 11:11 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) – Shares in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv BT, one of the four cigarette factories of Bulgartabac group slated for privatisation, surged on Thursday after Bulgartabac said it will offer the factory for sale in July, brokers said. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 11:03 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews MARKET WRAP-UP link

Bulbrokers - Daily FX Analysis - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:49 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Unclear signals from Fed sunk the dollar against the majors link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Bulletin, Selected Announcements - June 25 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:46 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews BSE-Sofia has received an application for listing of an additional issue of shares as follows:- Issuer: Doverie United Holding PLC-Sofia /5DOV/- ISIN of the issue: BG1100038980- Amount of the issue before the increase: BGN 13,149,848- Amount of the increase: BGN 856,245- Amount of the issue before the increase: BGN 14,006,093- Nominal value per share: BGN 1.00 link

Bulbrokers - USA Stock Markets Daily Review - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:41 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Fresh Optimism pushed the Indices on Wall Street link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:15 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bulgarian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for June 25, 2008. link

Elana - Bulgaria Daily Report - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:03 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Market Highlights link

Madara Bulgarian Property Fund Seeks Investors in Bulgarian Project Until Mid-July Jun 26, 2008, 09:40 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (SeeNews) - London-listed real estate developer Madara Bulgarian Property Fund said on Thursday is seeking investors in a residential project on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast until the middle of July. link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - June 26 - Nov 25 Jun 26, 2008, 09:06 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), June 26 (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

* Croatia *

Further Selling Pressure Drags Croatian Market Lower Jun 26, 2008, 18:24 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s stock market on Thursday fell further amid continuous selling pressure as turnover slightly rose but remained low, analysts said. link

Croatia Gets Two Bids for Privatisation of Dairy Zdenka Jun 26, 2008, 16:55 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatia has received two bids in a tender for the sale of 99.97% of its dairy Zdenka Mlijecni Proizvodi, state-owned Croatian Privatisation Fund (HFP) said on Thursday. link

Croatian Luka Ploce Proposes To Pay No Dividend for 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 16:25 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatian port operator Luka Ploce has proposed to pay no dividend for 2007 after it passed dividend payment in the previous year, it said on Thursday. link

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

Croatia C-Bank Approves All Bids Worth 1.652 Bln Kuna (228 Mln Euro) in Revrepo Auction, Weighted Rate Flat Jun 26, 2008, 15:29 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank approved all bids for Treasury bills worth 1.652 billion kuna ($358 million/228 million euro) placed in a reverse repo auction, as the weighted repo rate remained unchanged, it said on Thursday. link

ANALYST FORECAST - Croatia’s GDP Growth To Slow Down Y/Y in Q1, Whole of 2008 amid Higher Inflation, Low Consumption Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Analysis | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) – Croatia’s economic growth will slow down year-on-year in the first quarter and in the whole of 2008 amid rising inflation and lower personal and state consumption, analysts said on Thursday. link

Croatia’s Ericsson Nikola Tesla To Export 28 Mln Kuna (3.9 Mln Euro) Equipment to Russia, Kazakhstan Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) – Croatian blue chip Ericsson Nikola Tesla has signed several deals with combined value of some 28 million kuna ($6.1 million/3.9 million euro) for exports of telecommunications equipment to Russia and Kazakhstan, it said on Thurdsay. link

INTERVIEW - Croatia Seeks To Expand Gas Transportation Business with SEE Countries in Next Few Years Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatian state-owned gas transport company Plinacro hopes to put into operation by early 2011 at the latest a pipeline to Hungary, which would allow both export and import of natural gas, the company’s development division director said. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Freshwater Fishing - 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 14:55 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In 2007 as compared to the year 2006, the production of consumer fish in carp fishponds decreased by 26%, while in trout fishponds it increased by 9%. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Foreign Trade in Goods - Final Data - Jan - Dec 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 14:47 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews According to the final data, in the period from January to December 2007, the total export of the Republic of Croatia amounted to 66 043 million kuna. At the same time, the import was 138 159 million kuna. The foreign trade deficit amounted to 72 116 million kuna. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Cinemas - 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 14:21 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the year 2007 there were 89 cinemas operating, which means there were 2 cinemas more than in 2006. Out of the total number of cinemas, 74 were equipped with 1 screen, 2 of them with 5 screens and 3 of them with 8 or more screens. There were 4 autonomous cinemas and 85 cinemas that were parts of other business entities, as follows: 27 of them operated as parts of film showing companies, 44 as parts of cultural-educational institutions (homes of culture, public and open universities etc.) and 14 as parts of other institutions/companies. Out of the total number of cinemas, 46.1% had screenings during the whole year and 10.1% for two months or less. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Distributive Trade - Q1 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 14:19 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the first quarter of 2008, business entities in distributive trade (legal entities and tradesmen) realised 66 518 million kuna of the total turnover. Legal entities realised 63 149 million kuna, or 94.9%, and tradesmen realised 3 369 million kuna, or 5.1%. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Collection, Purification and Distribution of Water - 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 14:17 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In the year 2007 there were 525 868 thousand m3 volume of abstracted and received waters. Out of that, 267 669 thousand m3 of water were abstracted from the ground sources, 161 573 thousand m3 from springs, 42 871 thousand m3 from the watercourse, 9 374 thousand m3 from reservoirs, 10 043 thousand m3 from lakes and 34 338 thousand m3 from other water systems. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Completed Construction Works, Orders, Residential Buildings - Q1 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 14:09 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews The data covers legal entities employing 20 or more persons. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Construction Work Indices - April 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 14:05 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In April 2008, construction works increased by 21.3%, as compared to April 2007. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Changes in Forest Areas - 2007 Jun 26, 2008, 14:00 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews At the end of 2007, the overgrown forest area at the level of the Republic of Croatia was approximately the same as in 2006, which is also true for the areas of state-owned and privately-owned forests. link

Croatian Bureau of Statistics - Consumer Price Indices - May 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 13:36 CET | State Agencies Reports | SeeNews In May 2008, as compared to April 2008, the prices of goods and services for personal consumption, measured by consumer price indices, increased by 1.1% on the average. As compared to May 2007, that is, at the annual level, they increased by 6.4% and on the annual average by 4.6%. link

Croatia’s April Construction Works Volume Rises 21% Y/Y - Table Jun 26, 2008, 12:25 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - The volume of construction works in Croatia rose by 21% year-on-year in April, the country’s State Statistics Bureau said on Thursday. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Highlights: link

Croatia Schedule of Events - June 26 - Sept 16 Jun 26, 2008, 09:09 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through September 16. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Macedonia *

Macedonia’s MEPSO Sells 2,730 MWh Night-Time Electricity Surplus for Over 128,600 Euro Jun 26, 2008, 16:54 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Macedonian state-owned power transmission operator MEPSO said on Thursday it sold 2,730 megawatthours (MWh) of night-time electricity surpluses to one domestic and one Serbian trade company for more than 128,600 euro ($202,300). link

ANALYSIS - Macedonia’s GDP Growth is Encouraging But Could Be Crimped By Higher Energy Prices Jun 26, 2008, 16:23 CET | Analysis | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), June 26 (SeeNews) – Macedonia can hit its economic growth target for 2008 if current trends continue, but this would be threatened by any further rise of energy prices, experts said, following release of first quarter GDP figures. link

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

Macedonia Sells 50 million Denars (805,891 Euro) in Three-year T-notes, Yield Rises Jun 26, 2008, 14:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Macedonia on Thursday sold 50 million denars ($1.27 million/805,891 euro) in three-year Treasury notes, below its target offer of 250 million denars, as yields rose to 8.00% from 6.75% at the previous auction, central bank (NBRM) data showed. link

Macedonia’s April Net Salary Rises 9.2% Y/Y- Table Jun 26, 2008, 12:53 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s average net salary in April was 15,605 denars ($395.7/252.2 euro), up by 9.2% compared with the same month of 2007, the Macedonian Statistics Office said on Thursday. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Daily Report - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:16 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Macedonian Stock Exchange has published its report on turnover and prices for June 25, 2008. link

Macedonia Schedule of Events - June 26-Nov 28 Jun 26, 2008, 10:04 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), June 26(SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Macedonia through November 28. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

* Moldova *

Russia’s VTB To Buy Bank in Moldova in 2008 – Media Jun 26, 2008, 16:20 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), June 26 (SeeNews) – Russian majority state-owned bank VTB plans to buy a bank in Moldova later this year, privately-held news agency Novosti-Moldova reported on Thursday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - June 26 - Oct 8 Jun 26, 2008, 09:59 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), June 26 (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

* Montenegro *

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

INTERVIEW - Croatia Seeks To Expand Gas Transportation Business with SEE Countries in Next Few Years Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatian state-owned gas transport company Plinacro hopes to put into operation by early 2011 at the latest a pipeline to Hungary, which would allow both export and import of natural gas, the company’s development division director said. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events - June 26 - July 4 Jun 26, 2008, 10:26 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), June 26 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Montenegro through July 4. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Romania *

Romania’s Rompetrol Rafinare Stops Operations for 15-day Maintenance Jun 26, 2008, 18:14 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Romania’s Rompetrol Rafinare, the refining unit of Romania’s second-largest oil group Rompetrol, said on Thursday it will stop operations on July 1 for a 15-day maintenance and for an increase in capacity to start production of Euro 5 standard petrol. link

UPDATE 2 - Romania’s C-Bank Raises Key Interest Rate to 10.00% from 9.75%, As Expected Jun 26, 2008, 18:02 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds analyst comments, forecast) link

Romanian Bourse Extends Losses amid Low Investor Interest Jun 26, 2008, 17:37 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - The Romanian bourse indices on Thursday closed down for a seventh day running mirroring foreign markets amid lack of interest from foreign investors, brokers said. link

Romanian Leu Ends Weaker vs Euro Despite C-Bank Rate Hike Jun 26, 2008, 16:39 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu on Thursday ended at 3.6535/6549 per euro, weaker than the 3.6480/90 closing a day earlier, despite a key rate hike by a quarter of a percentage point to 10% by the central bank, dealers said. link

UPDATE 1 - Romania’s C-Bank Raises Key Interest Rate to 10.00% from 9.75% Jun 26, 2008, 16:17 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details, quotes) link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Corporate Events - June 30 - July 6, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 15:50 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Raiffeisen Capital & Investment has released its schedule of corporate events for the week June 30 - July 6, 2008, containing the following tables: link

Romanian Water and Sewerage Firm Invites Bids For Consultant in 45.4 Mln Euro Project - EBRD Jun 26, 2008, 15:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Romanian water and sewerage company Aquatim has invited companies to express interest in providing consultancy services in a 45.4 million euro ($71 million) water project, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), said on Thursday. link

Romania To Increase Gas, Electricity Prices as of July 1 Jun 26, 2008, 14:45 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) – Romania will raise the prices of gas and electricity by an average 12.5% and 5.3% respectively, as of July 1, the country’ energy regulator, ANRE, said on Thursday. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Macro Romania - BNR Has Hiked the Key Interest Rate by 25 bps - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 13:04 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In line with market expectations, Romania’s Central Bank (BNR) has hiked its key interest rate by 25 bps to 10.0%, the sixth consecutive raise. From the macroeconomic perspective, the decision has positive effects, as it helps containing inflationary pressures and might cool down the overheating of the Romanian economy. The immediate effects on the Romanian capital market could be negative due to higher financing costs and increased opportunity costs for investments. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Company News Romania - Transgaz - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 13:02 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Transgaz transportation tariffs to be made public today, latest tomorrow link

Stake of 70% in Romanian Food, Beverages Distributor Gastroserv Trades for 4.9 Mln Lei (1.3 Mln Euro) Jun 26, 2008, 12:48 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Some 69.8% of Romanian food and beverages distributor Gastroserv changed hands in five trades totalling 4.9 million lei ($2.1 million/1.3 million euro) on the over-the-counter market RASDAQ on Thursday, RASDAQ data showed. link

Romanian Paint, Varnish Maker Policolor Sells 33.2% Stake for 101.1 Mln Lei (27.7 Mln Euro) Jun 26, 2008, 11:52 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Romanian paint and varnish producer Policolor sold a 33.2% stake for 101.1 million lei ($43.4 million/27.7 million euro) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange on Thursday, BVB data showed. link

Romania’s C-Bank Raises Key Interest Rate to 10.00% from 9.75% Jun 26, 2008, 11:19 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Romania’s central bank, BNR, said on Thursday it has decided to raise its key interest rate to 10.00% from 9.75% as of June 27. link

ROMANIA C-BANK SAYS RAISES KEY INTEREST RATE TO 10.00% FROM 9.75% Jun 26, 2008, 11:17 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - RASDAQ Market - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:34 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its RASDAQ daily market report for June 25, 2008. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:33 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BET-FI below 50,000 for the second consecutive day link

Romania’s Romcarbon Sells Stakes in Three Cos for 2.7 Mln Lei (740,000 Euro) Jun 26, 2008, 10:30 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Romanian plastics manufacturer Romcarbon said on Thursday it has sold its stakes in three local companies for a combined 2.7 million lei ($1.2 million/740,000 euro). link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Daily Report - Regulated Market - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:14 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Bucharest Stock Exchange has published its report on trading volumes and prices on the regulated market for June 25, 2008. link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:08 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Watchlist link

Romania Schedule of Events - June 26 - Sept 26 Jun 26, 2008, 09:10 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (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

* Serbia *

Serbian Equity Market Fallis Despite Imminent Formation of Pro-European Cabinet Jun 26, 2008, 16:25 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) indices and turnover continued falllng on Thursday despite the fact that the formation of a pro-European Serbian government is almost completed, brokers said. link

Western Balkans Should Further Integrate Energy Markets, Improve Efficiency - IEA Jun 26, 2008, 16:21 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), June 26 (SeeNews) – The International Energy Agency (IEA) said on Thursday Western Balkan countries should further reform and integrate their energy markets, diversify their energy sources and improve energy efficiency. link

Serbian Unit of Austria’s Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank Opens Subscription for Hypo Balance Investment Fund Jun 26, 2008, 14:22 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), June 26 (SeeNews) – The Serbian unit of Austria’s Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank said on Thursday it has opened subscription for the shares of its open-end investment fund Hypo Balance. link

Serbia Extends Deadline for Sale of Transport Company Lasta Until September 10 Jun 26, 2008, 11:26 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Serbia has extended the deadline for the sale of its 64.4% stake in transport company Lasta until September 10 from June 30, the government’s asset-selling agency said. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - June 26, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:52 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews Report for June 26, 2008 containing the following charts and tables: link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Daily Report - June 25, 2008 Jun 26, 2008, 10:13 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews Belgrade Stock Exchange has published its daily report on trading volumes and prices for June 25, 2008 link

Serbia Schedule of Events - June 26 - July 31 Jun 26, 2008, 09:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Serbia through July 31. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Serbia’s New Parliament Elects Slavica Djukic Dejanovic Speaker Jun 26, 2008, 09:49 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Serbia’s new parliament elected Slavica Djukic Dejanovic from the Socialist Party as its speaker at a constitutive session late on Wednesday. link

* Slovenia *

EU Commission Takes Slovenia, Eight Others to Court over Environmental Liability Jun 26, 2008, 18:11 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), June 26 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said on Thursday it will take Slovenia and eight other EU member states to the European Court of Justice for failing to transpose the EU directive on liability for damage to the environment into their domestic law. link

Slovenia’s May Tourist Numbers Rise 20% Y/Y, Overnights Up 14% Y/Y Jun 26, 2008, 17:38 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), June 26 (SeeNews) - The number of tourists staying in Slovenia in May rose by 20% from a year earlier to 236,537, the State Statistics Office said on Thursday. link

Slovenia’s Jan-May Power Consumption Falls 3.0% Jun 26, 2008, 17:10 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), June 26 (SeeNews) - Electricity consumption in Slovenia was 5.346 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) in the first five months of 2008, down 3.0% from a year earlier, mainly due to lower demand by bigger consumers, state-owned power grid operator Eles said on Thursday. link

INTERVIEW - Croatia Seeks To Expand Gas Transportation Business with SEE Countries in Next Few Years Jun 26, 2008, 15:11 CET | Interview | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), June 26 (SeeNews) - Croatian state-owned gas transport company Plinacro hopes to put into operation by early 2011 at the latest a pipeline to Hungary, which would allow both export and import of natural gas, the company’s development division director said. link

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