Countries:

* Albania *

EU Urges Albania to Strengthen Rule of Law Nov 05, 2008, 15:58 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), November 5 (SeeNews) - EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn on Wednesday urged Albania to strengthen the rule of law and to build the country’s administrative capacity. link

Albania’s Economy To Grow by Real 6.3% Next Year vs 6.1% Projected for ’08 – Fin Min Nov 05, 2008, 14:46 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Albania’s government plans a real 6.3% economic growth for next year, up from 6.1% projected for the current year, the Finance Ministry said. link

ALBANIA SEES TRADE GAP AT 23.5%/GDP IN ’09 VS 26%/GDP IN ’08 – FIN MIN Nov 05, 2008, 14:29 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

ALBANIA SEES C/A GAP AT 8.3%/GDP IN ’09 VS 11%/GDP IN ’08 – FIN MIN Nov 05, 2008, 14:28 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

ALBANIA’S ECONOMY TO GROW BY REAL 6.3% IN 2009 VS 6.1% IN 2008 – FIN MIN Nov 05, 2008, 14:27 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

ALBANIA’S AVERAGE ANNUAL INFLATION SEEN AT 3.2% IN ’09 VS 4.0% IN ’08 – FIN MIN Nov 05, 2008, 14:27 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

UPDATE 1- Albania’s 9-mo Trade Gap Widens 14.4% Y/Y to 226 Bln Leks (1.8 Bln Euro) Nov 05, 2008, 12:26 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Albania’s 9-mo Trade Gap Widens 14.4% Y/Y to 226 Bln Leks (1.8 Bln Euro) - Table Nov 05, 2008, 12:13 CET | Story | SeeNews TIRANA (Albania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Albania’s trade balance for the first nine months of the year showed a deficit of 226.3 billion leks ($2.4 billion/1.8 billion euro), 14.4% higher on the year, the National Statistics Institute, INSTAT, said on Wednesday. link

ALBANIA’S 9-MO TRADE GAP WIDENS 14.4% Y/Y TO 226 BLN LEKS (1.8 BLN EURO) - STATS OFFICE Nov 05, 2008, 12:09 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

* Bosnia *

EU Condemns Nationalist Rhetoric in Bosnia, Urges Consensus on EU Objectives Nov 05, 2008, 14:26 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Commission on Wednesday condemned the lack of political consensus on state-building and the rise of nationalist rhetoric in Bosnia as the main obstacles on its path towards European integration. link

EU Should Reinforce Its Engagement in Bosnia – Enlargement Commissioner Rehn Nov 05, 2008, 13:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Union should reinforce its engagement in Bosnia in order for the country’s European perspective to improve and the current political stalemate there to be overcome, the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Wednesday. link

Bosnian Serb Parliament Approves 5.0% Higher Balanced Budget for 2008 - Media Nov 05, 2008, 10:57 CET | Story | SeeNews BANJA LUKA (Bosnia and Herzegovina), November 5 (SeeNews) – The parliament of Bosnia’s Serb Republic approved late on Tuesday a revised 2008 budget whose spending and revenue targets are both 5.0% higher at 1.575 billion marka ($1.035 billion/805.3 million euro), a Bosnian business news website reported on Wednesday. link

Bosnia Schedule of Events – Nov 5 - Jan 9 Nov 05, 2008, 08:47 CET | Story | SeeNews SARAJEVO (Bosnia and Herzegovina), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bosnia and Herzegovina through January 9. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Bulgaria *

Bulgarian Stocks Gain Ground Nov 05, 2008, 17:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian stocks gained some ground on Wednesday, influenced by the victory of Democratic candidate Barack Obama in the U.S. presidential elections, but profit-taking prevented further gains, brokers said. link

UBB - Bulgarian Commercial Banks’ Market Positions - Sept 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 17:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews United Bulgarian Bank (UBB) has released its quarterly report on Bulgarian commercial banks’ market position as at September 2008. link

Karoll - Bulgarian Daily Newsletter - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 17:11 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Headlines link

Most Emerging Market Sovereign Ratings Unaffected by Temporary Global Funding Shortage – Moody’s Nov 05, 2008, 16:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) - Most emerging market economies are unlikely to experience sovereign rating pressures over the short term as the current shortage of foreign currency funding in the world economy is temporary, Moody’s Investors Service said on Wednesday. link

INTERVIEW - EIB To Support EU’s Newest Members with 1.0-1.5 Bln Euro in Annual Loans Nov 05, 2008, 15:41 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Union’s long-term lending institution, the European Investment Bank (EIB), will support the EU’s newest member states, Bulgaria and Romania, with annual lending of around 1.0-1.5 billion euro ($1.3-1.9 billion) in the next few years, a senior bank official said. link

Unions at Insolvent Bulgarian Steel Mill Kremikovtzi Seek Govt Loan To Buy Time for Ukrainian Investor Nov 05, 2008, 15:27 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – Trade unions at debt-ridden Bulgarian steel mill Kremikovtzi, which is on the verge of closure over lack of supplies, on Wednesday said they are seeking a government loan to help the mill stay afloat until Smart Group, a potential Ukraine-based suitor, decides whether it will take over the plant’s management. link

Bulgarian Paint Maker Orgachim’s 9-mo Net Profit Falls 57% - Table Nov 05, 2008, 14:55 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria’s largest paint and varnish manufacturer Orgachim on Wednesday said its nine-month net profit fell by 57% to 4.4 million levs ($2.9 million/2.2 million euro) as costs rose faster than revenue. link

Bulgarian Stock Exchange - Quarterly Bulletin - Q3 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 14:19 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bulgarian Stock Еxchange has published its quarerly report on turnover and prices for the third quarter of 2008. link

Bulgarian Metals Group Intertrust Sees EBITDA Rising to 70-75 Mln Euro, Revenue Growing to 650-700 Mln Euro in 2011 Nov 05, 2008, 12:52 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian metals group Intertrust Holding sees its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rising to 70-75 million euro ($91-97 million) and revenue growing to 650-700 million euro in 2011 following a capacity increase of its lead and zinc production and the launch of a new plant, the executive director of one of the holding group’s units said. link

FFBH - Bulgaria Morning Update - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 10:26 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews market WRAP-UP link

World Bank To Lend Bulgaria 142 Mln Euro to Back Labour Market, Social Inclusion Nov 05, 2008, 10:19 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The World Bank said it has approved loans totalling 142 million euro ($184.4 million) for two projects aimed to strengthen Bulgaria’s integration into the European Union and to raise living standards through job promotion and social inclusion. link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

Bulgaria Schedule of Events - Nov 5 - Nov 28 Nov 05, 2008, 08:46 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Bulgaria through November 28. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Karoll - Bulgarian Daily Newsletter - Nov 4, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 07:22 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews Headlines link

Bulgaria’s Intertrust Proposes To Run Insolvent Steel Mill Kremikovtzi Nov 04, 2008, 21:44 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 4 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian metals group Intertrust Holding on Tuesday said it filed a letter of intent to operate the insolvent local steel mill Kremikovtzi, which is on the verge of being closed down for good. link

* Croatia *

Croatian Share Indices Close Lower on Profit-Taking Nov 05, 2008, 18:01 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - The equity indices of the Zagreb Stock Exchange (ZSE) fell on Wednesday on profit-taking, an analyst said. link

Croatia May Complete EU Entry Talks in 2009 if Reform Efforts Are Stepped Up Nov 05, 2008, 17:10 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) – Croatia could complete accession talks with the European Union next year if efforts are stepped up, especially in the judicial reform, the fight against organised crime and corruption, and in the restructuring of its shipyards, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Wednesday. link

Croatian C-Bank Approves 75.6% of Bids in Revrepo Auction, Weighted Rate Up Nov 05, 2008, 16:58 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - The Croatian central bank on Wednesday said it approved bids for Treasury bills worth 3.749 billion kuna ($687.5 million/525.4 million euro), out of all bids worth 4.959 billion kuna placed in a reverse repo auction. link

Croatia Jan-0ct New Car Sales Rises 10% Y/Y Nov 05, 2008, 15:59 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - New passenger car sales in Croatia in the first ten months of 2008 rose to 77,096 vehicles from 70,058 a year earlier, local market research agency Promocija Plus said on Wednesday. link

Raiffeisenbank’s Croatian Unit 9-mo Non-Cons Net Profit Rises 53.1% Y/Y Nov 05, 2008, 15:35 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Croatian commercial bank Raiffeisenbank Austria Zagreb (RBA) reported on Wednesday a rise in its non-consolidated unaudited net profit to 433.4 million kuna ($78.7 million /60.6 million euro) in the first nine months of 2008 from 283.0 million kuna a year earlier. link

SocGen Croatian Unit 9-mo Non-Cons Net Profit Rises 21.2% Y/Y to 238.7 Mln Kuna (33.4 Mln Euro) Nov 05, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Croatian bank Societe Generale - Splitska Banka, majority-owned by French banking group Societe Generale, reported on Wednesday a rise in its non-consolidated, unaudited nine months net profit to 238.7 million kuna ($43.3 million /33.4 million euro) from 196.9 a year earlier. link

Croatia’s Sept Retail Sales Down Real 7.5% M/M - Table Nov 05, 2008, 11:32 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Croatia’s September retail sales fell by a real 7.5% month-on-month, after falling by a monthly 5.5% in August, the State Statistics Bureau said on Wednesday. link

Erste Securities - Croatian Equity Daily - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 10:15 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Highlights: link

Croatia Schedule of Events - Nov 5 - Dec 16 Nov 05, 2008, 09:48 CET | Story | SeeNews ZAGREB (Croatia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Croatia through December 16. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

FIMA Stock Monitor - Daily Report - Nov 4, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 07:26 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Daily comment: link

* Macedonia *

Macedonia Calls Tender to Import 355,261 MWh Of Electricity Nov 05, 2008, 18:28 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Macedonian power producer AD ELEM said on Wednesday it has called an international tender, seeking to import 355,261 megawatthours of electricity from January 1 to April 30, 2009. link

Macedonia’s Jan-Sept Trade Gap More Than Doubles Y/Y to $2.226 Bln - Table Nov 05, 2008, 18:19 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s trade deficit rose by 109.6% to $2.226 billion (1.711 billion euro) through September from $1.062 billion a year earlier, the Macedonian Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

Macedonia’s CableTel Launches Fixed-Line Voice Service, First to Offer Triple Play Bundle Nov 05, 2008, 18:12 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) – Macedonian Internet and cable TV operator CableTel DOOEL Skopje said on Wednesday it has launched a fixed-line telephone service as part of its new triple play bundle of voice, data and TV. link

MACEDONIA’S JAN-SEPT TRADE GAP MORE THAN DOUBLES TO $2.226 BLN FROM $1.062 BLN YR-AGO - STATS OFFICE Nov 05, 2008, 18:09 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Macedonia’s C-Bank Absorbs 7.380 Bln Denars (117.7 Mln Euro) in 28-Day Repo Funds Nov 05, 2008, 17:33 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Macedonia’s central bank said it absorbed 7.380 billion denars ($154.09 million/117.7 million euro) in 28-day repo funds from commercial banks on Wednesday. link

UPDATE 1 - Macedonia Fails To Meet Political Criteria for Starting EU Accession Talks - Rehn Nov 05, 2008, 16:17 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Macedonia Fails To Meet Political Criteria for Starting EU Accession Talks - Rehn Nov 05, 2008, 15:45 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - EU candidate Macedonia has made good progress on judicial and police reform and in consolidating multi-ethnic democracy, but has failed to meet political criteria, which are fundamental to start accession negotiations, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn said on Wednesday. link

Macedonia’s Makosped 9-mo Prelim Net Profit Rises 7.5% Y/Y - Table Nov 05, 2008, 14:51 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Macedonian transport, insurance and retail holding company Makosped AD said on Wednesday its preliminary net profit rose by 7.5% on the year to 160.61 million denars ($3.35 million/2.59 million euro) in the first nine months of 2008. link

Macedonian Stock Exchange - Monthly Statistical Bulletin - Oct 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 12:21 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Macedonian Stock exchange has published its monthly report on turnover and prices for October 2008. link

Macedonia’s September Construction Projects Value Falls 12.5% M/M - Table Nov 05, 2008, 10:32 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) – The estimated value of construction projects covered by building permits issued in Macedonia in September fell by 12.5% month-on-month to 2.230 billion denars ($46.5 million/35.8 million euro), the country’s statistics office said on Wednesday. link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

Macedonia Schedule of Events - Nov 5 - Nov 20 Nov 05, 2008, 08:51 CET | Story | SeeNews SKOPJE (Macedonia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Macedonia through November 20. New or amended entries are marked (*) link

* Moldova *

UPDATE 1 - Moldova’s Oct CPI Rises 9.8% Y/Y, Up 0.8% M/M Nov 05, 2008, 17:22 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds Economy Minister comments, background) link

Moldova’s Oct CPI Rises 0.8% M/M, Up 9.8% Y/Y - Table Nov 05, 2008, 16:46 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), November 5 (SeeNews) - Moldova had a 0.8% monthly inflation in October compared to a 0.6% inflation a month earlier, the country’s statistics office said on Wednesday. link

MOLDOVA’S OCT CPI +0.8% M/M, +9.8% Y/Y VS +0.6% M/M, +10.7% Y/Y IN SEPT - STATS OFFICE Nov 05, 2008, 16:39 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Italy’s Veneto Banca Moldovan Unit Nearly Trebles 9-mo Net Profit - Table Nov 05, 2008, 12:52 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), November 5 (SeeNews) - Eximbank, the Moldovan unit of Italian regional bank Veneto Banca, said on Wednesday it has nearly trebled its net profit on the year to 103.3 million lei ($10 million/7.7 million euro) in the first nine months of 2008. link

Moldovan Bank Card Holders 9-mo Spending Rises 49% Nov 05, 2008, 11:04 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), November 5 (SeeNews) - Moldovan debit and credit card holders spent 8.5 billion lei ($821 million/632 million euro) using their cards in the first nine months of this year, up from 5.7 billion lei a year earlier, the country’s central bank (BNM) said on Wednesday. link

Moldova Schedule of Events - Nov 5 - Jan 2 Nov 05, 2008, 09:27 CET | Story | SeeNews CHISINAU (Moldova), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Moldova through January 2. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Montenegro *

Montenegro’s Foreign Debt Rises to 474.1 Mln Euro at End-Sept Nov 05, 2008, 13:32 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), November 5 (SeeNews) - Montenegro’s foreign debt rose to 474.1 million euro ($615.6 million) at the end of September, up by 12 million euro from the end of 2007, Finance Ministry data showed on Wednesday. link

Montenegro Schedule of Events – Nov 5 – Nov 13 Nov 05, 2008, 08:48 CET | Story | SeeNews PODGORICA (Montenegro), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Montenegro through November 13. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

* Romania *

Romanian Hotel Operator Turism Felix 9-mo Net Profit Rises 29.4% - Table Nov 05, 2008, 18:21 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romanian hotel operator Turism Felix on Wednesday said its net profit rose to 10.26 million lei ($3.6 million/2.78 million euro) in the first nine months of 2008 from 7.93 million lei a year earlier. link

Romanian Stocks Slide on Profit Taking, Petrom, Azomures Pace Falls Nov 05, 2008, 17:34 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - The Romanian share indices lost ground on Wednesday, amid profit taking and high liquidity, with blue-chip oil and gas group Petrom and fertiliser maker Azomures pacing the losses, brokers said. link

Romanian Leu Ends Cheaper vs Euro in Calm Trade Nov 05, 2008, 16:47 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - The Romanian leu on Wednesday closed at 3.6930/6990 per euro, weaker than 3.6780/6860 per euro on Tuesday, in low trading volumes and calm trade, dealers said. link

Ieba Trust - Company Report - Initiating Coverage - Transelectrica - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 16:07 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews An undervalued defensive stock link

Macon Raises Stake in Romanian Building Materials Maker Simcor Oradea to 95.7% Nov 05, 2008, 15:50 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romanian industrial construction materials maker Macon has raised its holding in peer Simcor Oradea to some 95.7% after acquiring a 17.3% stake for 14.8 million lei ($5.2 million/4.0 million euro) in a buyout bid that ended on Tuesday. link

INTERVIEW - EIB To Support EU’s Newest Members with 1.0-1.5 Bln Euro in Annual Loans Nov 05, 2008, 15:41 CET | Interview | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Union’s long-term lending institution, the European Investment Bank (EIB), will support the EU’s newest member states, Bulgaria and Romania, with annual lending of around 1.0-1.5 billion euro ($1.3-1.9 billion) in the next few years, a senior bank official said. link

Bucharest Stock Exchange - Monthly Bulletin - Oct 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 14:18 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Bucharest Stock exchange has published its monthly bulletin on trading volumes and prices for October 2008. link

Romanian Farm Machines Manufacturer Mecanica Ceahlau Jan-Sept Net Profit Up 5.4% - Table Nov 05, 2008, 12:55 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romanian farm machines manufacturer Mecanica Ceahlau reported on Wednesday a nine-month net profit of 551,300 lei ($195,000/150,000 euro), compared to a net profit of 523,200 lei a year earlier. link

Romania’s Allianz-Tiriac Asigurari Jan-Sept Net Profit Up 14.1% to 21.8 Mln Lei (5.9 Mln Euro) Nov 05, 2008, 12:04 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romanian insurer Allianz-Tiriac Asigurari said on Wednesday its nine-month net profit rose by 14.1% on the year to 21.8 million lei ($7.7 million/5.9 million euro). link

Romanian Steel Mill Mechel Targoviste Halts Production Until Nov 10 Due to Low Market Demand Nov 05, 2008, 11:31 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romanian steel works Mechel Targoviste, majority-owned by Russia’s Mechel steel group, said it has halted production as of Wednesday until November 10, in response to lower market demand. link

Romania’s Jan-Sept Energy Output Rises 3.0% - Table Nov 05, 2008, 11:14 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romania’s energy output rose by 3.0% on the year to some 18.288 million tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) in the first nine months of 2008, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said on Wednesday. link

Ieba Trust - Romanian Market Daily - Nov 4, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 11:12 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews BET posted daily increase of 14.04% link

Romania’s Siceram Sighisoara Delays Construction of 8.0 Mln Euro Brick Factory – Media Nov 05, 2008, 10:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) – Romanian building materials manufacturer Siceram Sighisoara has postponed the construction of an 8.0 million euro ($10.4 million) brick factory due to a fall in demand, Bucharest-based daily Ziarul Financiar reported on Wednesday. link

Romania’s Jan-Sept Retail Sales Volume Rises 16.6% Y/Y - Table Nov 05, 2008, 10:18 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Romania’s retail sales volume rose by 16.6% on the year in the first nine months of 2008, the National Statistics Institute (INS) said on Wednesday. link

Romania Schedule of Events - Nov 5 - Jan 6 Nov 05, 2008, 10:16 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 5 (SeeNews) - Following is a schedule of corporate, economic and political events taking place in or related to Romania through January 6. New or amended entries are marked (*). link

Raiffeisen Capital & Investment - Investment Daily Romania - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 09:59 CET | Broker’s Report | SeeNews In the news link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

Romania To Cut Public Spending in Nov, Dec to Keep Macroeconomic Targets Intact Nov 04, 2008, 19:08 CET | Story | SeeNews BUCHAREST (Romania), November 4 (SeeNews) - The Romanian government on Tuesday said it will cut back on its earlier plans for public spending in November and December to keep macroeconomic targets intact. link

* Serbia *

UPDATE 1 - Serbia’s C-bank Intervenes To Back Weakening Dinar - Dealers Nov 05, 2008, 18:08 CET | Story | SeeNews (Releads with central bank statement) link

Belgrade Equity Indices Rise in Dull Trading Nov 05, 2008, 17:07 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), November 5 (SeeNews) - The share indices of the Belgrade Stock Exchange (BELEX) rose on Wednesday in calm trading, brokers said. link

Serbia Must Fight Corruption and Cut Spending to Get EU Candidate Status in 2009 - European Commission Nov 05, 2008, 16:58 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), November 5 (SeeNews) – Serbia will get a EU candidate status in 2009 if it fully cooperates with the Hague war crimes tribunal and makes significant legal and economic reforms, the head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Serbia Zozep Ljoveras said on Wednesday. link

Italy’s Fondaria Pays 3.56 Bln Dinars (41 Mln Euro) To Raise Stake in Serbian Insurer DDOR to 99.24% Nov 05, 2008, 12:12 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), November 5 (SeeNews) – Italy’s Fondiaria said on Wednesday it has acquired a further 15.92% of Serbia’s second largest insurer DDOR for 3.56 billion dinars (41 million euro/$53 million) in a takeover bid. link

Kosovo Parlt Committee Agrees in Principle on Sale of Power Utility KEK’s Transmission, Distribution Arms – Media Nov 05, 2008, 12:04 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, November 5 (SeeNews) - A Kosovo parliamentary committee has agreed in principle on the plan for the privatisation of the distribution and the transmission arms of the power utility KEK, opening the way for the chamber to rule on their sale, Kosova Sot daily reported on Wednesday. link

UPDATE 1 - Kosovo’s Sept Trade Gap Widens 5.4% Y/Y to 146 Mln Euro Nov 05, 2008, 12:03 CET | Story | SeeNews (adds details) link

Belgrade Stock Exchange - Quotation List - Oct 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 11:56 CET | Specialists Reports | SeeNews The Belgrade Stock exchange has published its monthly report on trading volumes and prices for October 2008. link

Kosovo’s Sept Trade Gap Widens 5.4% Y/Y to 146 Mln Euro - Table Nov 05, 2008, 11:42 CET | Story | SeeNews PRISTINA, November 5 (SeeNews) - Kosovo’s September trade deficit increased by 5.37% year-on-year to 146.3 million euro ($189.95 million), even though exports grew much faster than imports, the Kosovo Statistics Office said on Wednesday. link

Serbia’s C-bank Intervenes To Back Weakening Dinar - Dealers Nov 05, 2008, 11:41 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), November 5 (SeeNews) – Serbia’s central bank, NBS, on Wednesday intervened to support the falling dinar currency, which continued to weaken against the euro, a local dealer said. link

Vojvodjanska Banka - Daily Vobnews - Nov 5, 2008 Nov 05, 2008, 09:57 CET | Broker’s Report | AII Data Processing Ltd Serbia’s Vojvodjanska banka released its Daily Vobnews report for November 5, 2008. link

EBRD To Back with 40 Mln Euro German Media Group WAZ’s Expansion in CEE, CIS Nov 05, 2008, 09:15 CET | Story | SeeNews SOFIA (Bulgaria), November 5 (SeeNews) – The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) said it is ready to invest 40 million euro ($52 million) in a unit of German publishing and media houses WAZ for expansion in central and eastern Europe (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). link

Serbia Schedule of Events – Nov 5 - Dec 30 Nov 05, 2008, 08:47 CET | Story | SeeNews BELGRADE (Serbia), November 5 (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

* Slovenia *

Slovenian Shares Rise Further, Buck European Market Falls Nov 05, 2008, 17:56 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - The Slovenian stock indices gained some four percent on Wednesday, shrugging off a downward trend on European markets, brokers said. link

Slovenia’s Gorenje Raises 9-mo Group Net Profit by 14% to 15.4 Mln Euro Nov 05, 2008, 15:18 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Slovenian household appliance maker Gorenje on Wednesday reported a 14% rise in group net profit to 15.424 million euro ($20 million) in the first nine months of 2008. link

SLOVENIAN HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE MAKER GORENJE SAYS RAISES 9-MO GROUP NET PROFIT BY 14% TO 15.4 MLN EURO Nov 05, 2008, 14:44 CET | Alert | SeeNews link

Slovenian Flag Carrier Adria Airways Raises 10-mo Passenger Traffic by 17% Nov 05, 2008, 14:03 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Slovenian flag carrier Adria Airways flew 1,149,450 passengers in the first ten months of 2008, up 17% from a year earlier, as the number of flights increased, the company said on Wednesday. link

Slovenian Stock Indices Gain in Morning Trade in Contrast with European Markets Nov 05, 2008, 12:50 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Slovenian stock indices gained more than four percent each in morning trade on Wednesday in contrast with a negative trend on European capital markts, brokers said. link

Slovenian Insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav Plans To Complete Cap Hike of up to 15% by mid-2009 Nov 05, 2008, 12:28 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Slovenia’s largest insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav plans to complete a capital increase of up to 15% by the middle of 2009, the company said on Wednesday. link

Shares in Slovenia’s Mercator Surge After Shareholders Say To Sell 48% Stake - Brokers Nov 05, 2008, 11:23 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - Shares in Slovenia’s largest food retailer Mercator surged some 10% on Wednesday after two of its shareholders said they plan to sell their combined stake of some 48% in the company, brokers said. link

Ljubljana Bourse Expands Price Ranges Triggering Halts in Trading in Mercator to 20% Nov 05, 2008, 10:47 CET | Story | SeeNews LJUBLJANA (Slovenia), November 5 (SeeNews) - The Ljubljana Stock Exchange (LJSE) said on Wednesday it has expanded to 20% from 10% the price ranges triggering halts in trading in blue-chip food retailer Mercator. link

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